My first job

Monday I spent the day at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. It was held in the Arlington Hotel this year, because the Malco theatre got damaged in a storm.



The Arlington Hotel was my first job. The hotel is a historic place and Al Capone would visit there in his hey day, and they had/have a big suite dedicated to him. I was a breakfast waitress. It was my first experience of being around adults who were not teachers or the parents of my peers. It was the first time grown-up ladies taught me things about their lives without censoring themselves.  Some of them were older and had lived pretty rough lives.

One of my bosses there was the first real live gay person I was aware of in my life.
I worried about him and wondered how his family treated him and never dared to ask.

I had to be there by 6:30am and wear a tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. I had the first experience of learning that employees enter through a dark, smelly back area- never the gorgeous front entrance.

That summer I had my own money, but I was too tired to stay up late and enjoy the freedom that came with being an employed person. I was 17. (This was 1997)

The following summer, the summer between high school and beginning college, I had a better position in this hotel. I worked in the guest services office and wore and even frumpier uniform. I would ship things back to guests that had been left behind in rooms. I ordered flowers and booked golf and dinner reservations and updated the info board in the lobby with plastic letters.

I got my first taste of being given tickets and invitations to events and complimentary dinners as a perk of my job. I was now eighteen.

I spent most of my money on decorations for my college room and I took my first trip where I rode a plane. I went to California with my high school sweetheart. My favorite memory of that trip was going to thrift shops and record stores in Hollywood in the middle of the night.

This past Monday, I went to the hotel as a visitor. I saw some documentary shorts and I saw two full-length films. That's a lot of films for one day, I think. I enjoyed being there, but more because I like historic places, I think.

I thought about my history with documentary films. When I was in college one of my professors assigned us to go see some art-related films and write little papers about what we saw. I fell in love with documentaries immediately. I love stories that are the opposite of glossy Hollywood stories. Real people and stories. Bravery and struggle and triumph in corners and for people that don't always garner mainstream recognition.

When we lived in North Carolina, I loved going to the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. I went on to volunteer on that festival. One of my favorite memories is when Eugene Jarecki found out I was from Arkansas and interrogated me about that. I loved the attention and didn't completely realize what a big deal he was/is.

The body of questions that comes from a Northern Person/Eugene to an Arkansas Person/Me follows this rough outline:
1. Tell me everything you love/hate/know about Bill Clinton
2. What is the Bible Belt? Is it real?

I love participating in this discussion. 

In New York, I went to things, but TriBeCa Film Festival was kind-of too much for me. Really complicated and actually didn't consist of the smaller documentaries I love for the most part.
Films weren't really my entertainment focus during our time in NYC anyway.

I'm happy to be back in the small cozy towns where I can easily go enjoy a day of films.

My best high school friends who mostly likely do not read this blog will correct this entire post and point out that my actual first job that I was hired to was at KFC/Kentucky Fried Chicken when I was sixteen. I worked there for 4 hours and was so grossed-out that I didn't eat there again for TEN YEARS. 

Tales from NYC - I was a fit-model

I didn't think my job in New York City was strange until I moved away from there. I used to get paid to try on clothes and let people pin, measure and photograph me in those clothes. I had a very nice quality of life in that position and I wanted to make a little video about it.

Fit-Model Memories from JPH on Vimeo.

Camp-Cute Tuesday Commute

My red shoes don't quite match the red on my jacket, but I felt campy-cute. I wore dressier shoes around the office and the blouse under the jackets is/was black with ruffle sleeves. After I got home (pictured above) I put on a black sequined beret to walk Bonnie (and cover up my hair.)

For Wardrobe Remix:
Bern helmet
Gap 10 year old jacket
Plaid JJBasics zip-up jacket
Marc Jacobs flare jeans
Mossimo Fake Keds
Schwinn Cream Bicycle

I work as an in-house fit model and this sample cape was hilarious to some of us (it's not going to be produced in these colors/buttons - sometimes samples come in available yarn/button/trims.) These pictures of me doing "fittings" rarely slip-out, but this one made the email rounds today.

Roxy Paper Bag Waist Skirt

I made my hair appointment last week, but it's still 3 weeks away.
The top is so thick! Don't want to cut it myself and upset the team.


Not much going on today. Read Nylon... LOve Drew Barrymore!


...and took in some more Sidewalk Catwalk Mannequins.





I ate this super healthy, mostly green (literally) lunch. I was in desperate need of a hunk of bread by 5pm.


There's OKRA on the bottom of my lunch box/container. Okra is scarce in New York!

Riding in a DRESS!

I did it! It felt awesome. Thank god I wore panties. Had some close calls. I'm going to buy this 3 pack of bicycle shorts.



This is my 2nd pair of Gold Glitter TOMS. They are so awesome. They look special and feel like slippers. My dress is from Target in Kansas and the belt is H&M and I put a binder clip on the loose-end part.

A cute bicycle girl stopped and ask me a directions question! I don't think I was that helpful, but I'm glad she stopped and asked.


I had my 1-month anniversary at my new job and actually did my first graphic job there. I've done website mock-ups but this was a for-production "hang tag" for an infinity scarf we are producing. I'm happy that it only took the afternoon and I was able to leave on-time and several people were pleased that I could assist in this way. I'm trying to be a chillaxed receptionist. I bet it doesn't last...

Week in Pics - April 20th-ish

Bicycle! First ride! I would never go without a helmet but I just got her out of the shop. I'm trying to confirm what I want to name her. Riding was so much fun even if I didn't go very far.


A Simple Wednesday outfit:


With all my shit in the elevator:


I found these BABY CHAIRS in the street. They are V-I-N-T-A-G-E - they weigh a ton! I found them at a trash can on York Ave around 7am on Monday, I think. I hope to save them until I have a little one but before then, one could be my tiny nightstand. Currently I just put my shit in the floor.


Maybe Monday there was a bomb threat or something in the yellow-lines subway station so I got out after being stuck inside and I saw this HUGE Tina Fey...


Then without taking a step, to the right there was a KFC. That recent episode of Southpark has had me feigning for the good(BADNESS) So I got some KFC and took some home to my man.

We went to a play on Monday night and it was really triple-x, but very sweet all the same. It was a re-make of Beauty & the Beast but instead of her being happy that he turned into a price - She wanted the BEAST for her man. The Beast was a grown man who had birth defects. He had a large uncircumcized penis and I won't censor the information that he swung it around and it was very funny. The Beauty Character was also pretty naked. But it wasn't like DIRRRRTY - It was sweet if you are very open minded.

Yes- Matt went and he liked it. I "booby trapped" him into it, but that's how our relationship rolls. I say "Shut up, you'll like it - you don't need to know what we're going to-" And he always does like it.

I packed my lunch ONE Day this week. Ugh - I should do better - Better meaning, carry lunch more days. I at least pick up something simple on my way and don't order out more than once per week. It's way less calories only eating a sandwich and some snacks too.


My eBay backpack/LeSportSac came and Bonnie put it on:


A good outfit:


This weekend is busting at the seams with plans and it's on Thursday night. I hope we do all the stuff we're planning and take pics!

Parsons Sr. Thesis Show

Today was awesome! My friend Gilda did her senior presentation at Parsons. Parsons is Fierce. I've seen the FIT Student show and this Parsons crowd kicked that ass! (Con-Ed classes are like $500 - owww!)

I don't watch Project Runway but I kept thinking this was like real life project runway.

Each student had 10 minutes to present a fall 2010 line. The front row was a panel of judges/professors/jurors if you will. I was able to leave work early since I went in before I officially started to do some fit modeling. I was free to enjoy all the presentations but I don't know how to control my DSLR camera and the pics aren't that hot but here we go!

Here's Gilda!

She is going to be really legit one day. She already is. I think she'll be famous. Or, I should say, her brand will be famous!

This boy is going to be high-profile. He had such a wonderful, funny personality. He talked about the care instructions. I loved that he cared.


I feel yucky comparing him to Austin Scarlett, but that's who he reminded me of. BUT - This guy was really outgoing and smart and I love him. He's the only white person in the class. Maybe I could go on a minority scholarship? Hmm....

I loved the technical structure and details in all the garments. These people know how to mother'fucking build some clothes, damnit!


This girl (right) had it going on. I want to copy her blouse that she has on.

She was sponsored by a silk company! So many of these guys were ultra-professional in their thinking. It was so awesome.

You can see my photo set on Flickr here. It's about 50 photos.

I had a realization today - I don't hate fashion anymore. I'm at a good place. Vogue came in the mail and I didn't sneer and shove it away from my face. I pored over the fashion spreads and enjoyed it. I don't hate fashion anymore. I think I'm back in the spectator seat. It's not smothering me with a pillow in my sleep anymore.

I ride the bus across 5th Ave every day now. There's a clear hand bag in the window at Prada that I want to get to know, but I know that's a horrible idea. I need to stay on the bus. I took a bus up Madison Ave yesterday and it was really heart-wrenching. It's too much fun up Madison Avenue. So many wonderful, horribly expensive things.

Today was just really nice. The technical seamstress at work is Chinese and she offered half of her lunch to me and it was homemade dumplings and they were DELICIOUS! I wolfed them down and enjoyed Teen Vogue while I ate 'em up!


I took a pin that I got for 50 cents in Arkansas and turned it into a necklace:


And here's my outfit of the day - with jacket:


No jacket but even worse photo quality:


Days like this - really awesome days - make me want to stay in New York City forever!
Oh wait, there's even more! I got a new ride!



It's not quite ready yet, but I'm so excited! It has the teeniest bit of pink trim. It's a Schwinn Cream. Can't wait! Summer of Velocouture is on!

The Fit-Modeling Part

The fit-modeling. It's a part-time job that happens every day. That means, I get dressed for work but I take off my outfit and try on other stuff. There are these little documents that discuss the tech. specs. of each item. Various other people who play different roles discuss the items while I have them on. There's always a production person, a sales-person, the technical seamstress and usually the designer.

It's pretty nice to get paid for this. It's very nice.



How's the arm-hole? Is the fabric itchy? Or "These buttons are too high/low!"
It means a lot of people tug on the clothes I'm wearing, measure me, take photos like this, spin me around and around, etc. It's fine. After what I've been through in working in NYC, it's great to get paid to do this.

Yesterday I had to try on 2 almost identical sweaters and give my honest opinion about the quality/feel/stretch of each.

When I ride the bus and see people wearing things that I think we made - I realize it. I'm learning about clothing construction, mass-production and sweater-knit tension. I never knew sweater-knit tension existed. I've never been more conscious of how an arm-hole is feeling. Where seams are running, etc.

A Tough Transition

My transition back to working woman is going a little rough. Working full-time means putting "My Housewife Life" behind me doesn't it? No! The shitty parts of housewife-life are stealing my free time and making me angry!

I definitely haven't been this irritable and mean to Matt since I was being tortured at PF. Today I was irritable and mean because I had to slave my fucking Easter day away cleaning and doing laundry, meal planning, puke. Being Betty & Don Draper at the same time is making me be a huge bitch.

Anyway- I rode the bus to Baltimore on Saturday to see my cousin and his wife. They have a really hard, stressful life as they take care of her dad, who is definitely an invalid. He can't be left alone, he's immobile. Wow. I admire them for not putting him in a home or putting him on a raft and sending him down the river. Their life is hard. Harder than me having to use my Sunday to be a hobbyist housewife-slave.

They got their neighbor to "Bobby-sit" as they call it, because his name is Bob. They took me to a Mexican Flea Market. It was fantastic! I have to be more organized next time. If I knew where my camera was (I cleaned SO WELL today that I don't know where I put it) I would post photos.

It's so good to spend time with my cousin because he is older and knows the history of my parents before me - he actually knows what my mother was really like. We also really mesh well and we both realized we have to re-assemble a new line-up for our close family roster since our original close families have had so many members die.

I just watched "An Education" and LOVED IT! It hit very close to home in that my father/parents expected me to go to college to "get married off" and that's what I did. My dad was very relieved to be rid of the ultimate responsibility of me when I got married. He was looking for an engagement ring long before I.

This has been a very Domestic-themed post.

Tranquilized

FLICKR IS PUNISHING ME FOR SOME UNKNOWN, UNEXPLAINED REASON AND THEY DELTED MY PHOTOS THAT WERE EMBEDDED IN THIS POST. BOoo FLICKR! NOT COOL!

The first day of my new job was very chill. Waking up before 7am has a tranquilizing effect on me. I answered the phone a little bit, tried on clothes a little bit, took photos of clothes for documentation purposes. It was overall, a very good work day.

It really sucks, you guys, that when I walk out of my work place, I literally spill out into a MILLION STORES FULL OF STUFF I WOULD LOVE TO BUY! Luckily, I was under-dressed for the cold-y, wet weather so I came STRAIGHT HOME. That's going to be the battle. I have to get RIGHT INTO the subway which is literally ten feet out the front door OR I can walk the 15 blocks to the bus stop and go to any store that I absolutely LOVE.

My life is really hard. I know.

Here's a Charlotte Russe dress. It's country-girl, cowgirl style. I think it was $21.99. Yes! I'm going to put a a cute belt on it and a cardigan.


This is a tank-top that I will need to layer because its' SHINY! It's from the Junior's section of JCPenney. Yes, The JC-Fucking-Penney! It's inside the Manhattan Mall. There aren't really Malls in NYC. All the stores are just barfed out all over the streets. Sometimes you want to feel like you're in NORMAL AMERICA and shop in a MALL. And use the public restroom so you can shop some more.
It's a very good Steven Sprouse for Louis Vuitton KNOCK oFF!

This is by "I <3 Ronson" at JC Penney. It was Half-Off - $22. I got high off all the sales at JCP.


This has really similar navy satin straps but it's from the Charlotte Russe. Under $20 fo' sho.


40% OFF Pearly Jewels because I'm such a lady. I used to think Pearls were grody but they're growing on me. Must be the 30's.


Some Charlotte Russe 2 for $8 accessory goodness:




Stop looking at my no-make-up hang-over face and focus on the hat. She is also from JCP.


And Charlotte Russe 2 for $8 bracelets. I like that they're light-weight and hopefully won't clank around too much.


I drank a lot this past weekend. Lots of good training hours put in Friday & Saturday nights. Lots of Bud Light. Keeping it classy!

Photograms on 5th!

My new work commute will involve new adventures in Times Square and 5th Avenue. Photos are going to ABOUND this spring and summer and probably for a long, long time.

Our building is next to the Conde Nast building, as in, the VOGUE factory. I hope there will be things to spy on. I hope I will see Good celebrities walking in or out of there.

Thursday I saw The Naked Cowboy for the first time. He was really, really fit. I opted not to be photographed with him, as he was literally right outside my new work-place. I feel like I may get to know him due to this proximity.

I interviewed at my new job 3 times and I've gone in twice for quick fittings. That's 5 outfits already with not much exposure. I had fun in my 2 fittings so I'm happy to start work.

Friday was super windy and COLD but I had to stop and photograph these Bergdorf Goodman windows for my college photography instructor - Ms B! Photograms! Photograms are the "wall-paper" in these windows.


You can see a little of Me in this one...


My awesome friend Trish suggested I try this YSL Volume mascara. Volume Effect Faux Cils. It's good stuff. I'm not quite used to how long the wand is. My tube of MAC prolash is much shorter = Shorter wand. I was a little shocked that it's $30/tube. Wow! I think MAC Pro Lash is still my BFF at $13 and a helper in the Back to MAC process to get free stuff.


I was sitting on the couch and felt like I have a "Cute Mess" going on in the bedroom. My shit is covering the top of the dresser, but it's full of Matt's stuff 100% on the inside.


I still need to photograph my new, cheap Charlotte Russe accessories. I didn't contribute at all to Wardrobe Remix this week. Blog traffic has plummeted as a result.

Cement Camels aren't Sluts

I'm super tired! I worked 40 minutes today. Work! I got a J-O-B. Housewife party is back on-hold for a few years.

My 40 min. of work was fun. I tried on sweaters/sweater dresses and a team of people and I discussed the build and made production changes and/or approvals. I think most of my job is fit-modeling and it's nice that they ask my opinion. Part of it though- is trick questions. They'll ask if I see what's wrong and the arm-holes will be totally different. So I'm learning to catch this stuff.

This is the little park behind our apartment:


These Barbies aren't total whores, but they're some kind of supermodels or something. They're gorgeous but the outfits suck.
It's hard nowdays to find Barbie's who aren't total whores. Total. Whore. Barbies. Sluts.

If you watch David Letterman or follow NYC news - They closed off a lot of Broadway the road in Times Square and made this seating area stuff. It's nice. I got to work super duper early and sat in the lovely seating area to kill time on Facebook & Twitter. Ahhh...


I bought a bunch of new cheap stuff at Charlotte Russe and JCPenney - don't even laugh. But I'm too tired to take the pics and talk about the stuff but it's coming soon.