that one time.

First, let me say I'm disappointed about the lack of interest in my "ancient pinterest" idea. I found it rather amusing. Maybe that's a feminist art historian for you.

Second, let me apologize for my lack of posts. The last few weeks in AZ and those since I've been home have turned me into a total basketcase.

Third, let me inform you that I have posts pending and my blog will become much more interesting as soon as I get a hold of my life. So... maybe after my first French test? Did I mention I'm in school this term? Trying to learn French? For grad school?

Which brings me to my final point. I applied for grad school. Oh, what? What am I doing? I don't know. It's fine. It was sort of one of those spur-of-the-moment-found-out-I-could-apply-late-decided-to-go-for-it-last-minute kind of things.

So that's my news. Consider yourself updated. For now.

ancient pinterest.

One of the great things about the Phoenix Art Museum is the incredible research library in the basement of the Admin building. It's opening to the public three days a week, but to valued staff members like me, it's always available. Not only do they have a massive collection of books relating to past and present exhibitions and all sorts of files on local and famous artists, but they also have a nearly complete collection of Vogue magazine (since it was founded in 1892) as well as an impressive collection of other fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Godey's Lady's Magazine. The latter is the one that we shall concern ourselves with for this blog post, and we shall refer to it by it's full and official title: The Lady's Magazine or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex Appropriated Solely to Their Use and Amuseument. 

Perusing.

Now, I was browsing this 19th century monthly magazine searching for information on trends for capes. It's the fall show. But as I was flipping pages (wearing protective gloves, of course - these things are 100+ years old!) I had to laugh. Here is an article all about taking care of your baby. Here is a recurring article on entertaining your children. Here is an article with engravings of the latest trends in dress and descriptions detailing what they are and how to get them. Here is an article on how to turn an old hat into wall decor. Suddenly, Oh my gosh, I think to myself. It's 100 year old Pinterest. Seriously people. DIY and all. See pics below.

Fonts to spice up your embroidery.

Anybody else recognize this hair-do how-to?

Like I said, DIY wall decor from a recycled straw hat. Who knew?

This one is just for fun. First fashion model? Hipster.

One of the things that really killed me was the language. It's all so prim and proper, but when you dissect it, it's essentially the same thing. Please humor me and labor through the chunk of text below. You won't regret it. It's from a set of instructions on how to make a marvelous child's toy which is basically a cheap homemade parachute.

 "When a light breeze is blowing, these toys can be tossed into the air, and they will float away, winning great admiration from the infant observers. If attached by a slender, long thread to a balcony, railing, or to a window-ledge, they will float to and fro in wayward flight, obedient to every current of the air. When constructed of of tinted paper, the toy may look  quite gay and pretty, and furnish many moments of pleasure to the little folks who are weather-bound within the confines of their nursery walls."

People don't talk like that anymore, right? Now it's, "So cute! Def making these with the kiddos!" Except that I don't know many kids these days who will be that entranced by a piece of paper on a string... Now let's take a look at the classifieds. Did you know that homemaking used to be considered "Domestic Arts and Sciences?"

Read it. Please read it.

Now, besides the obvious hilarious-ness of all this, I had another reason for sharing it. The Lady's Magazine or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex Appropriated Solely to Their Use and Amuseument was intended for exactly what it sounds like - a magazine to keep women entertained by improving homemaking and domesticity and entertaining skills. Sort of sad when read in today's context. I don't meant to start any major controversy, but I couldn't help but think that if I can call Godey's "Ancient Pinterest," does that make Pinterest "Modern Godey's?" In other words, is Pinterest just a virtual pinboard full of ideas on ways to improve DIY skills and domesticity that most of us will never actually try? A concentrated creative outlet for women quote unquote "trapped" in the home? An imaginary world where we envision things we could/should/would do instead of taking advantage and getting out and doing them? Or is it more expressionistic? Inspirational? Motivational? WHAT IS PINTEREST?

Seriously. I'm not starting an argument, though I'd enjoy hearing politely expressed views. It was just an interesting thought that I had as I perused these delightful magazines.

You should know, I found a lot of other really great things in my browsing. I also spent some time with Harper's Bazaar and some really old Vogues. Even found the image I wrote about for my senior thesis, right there in print, in its original publication. Totally awesome. Excuse the cliche of a hashtag, but I find it appropriate here. #nerd

prelude.

Arizona is really quite beautiful. This post is coming at an awkward time because I'm actually in Utah spending time with all the people I love most in this world at the moment, but I've had a few complaints about the lack of updates on my blog so... Here's a rather bland post with some colorful pictures and some excuses.

Arizona is really quite beautiful. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the vastness/barren-ness/desert-like-ness of it all. But there have been quite a few occasions where I have been driving home from the Museum, or simply sitting outside and I am really quite impressed with its beauty. I have to say, AZ wins the prize for the most beautiful sunsets, even if they have the most discourteous drivers. Sample:

What I always experience on my drive home - skies darkening ahead, sunset in rear view mirror.

Mesa, Arizona Temple under a full moon.

No words.

In other news, I'm working on a rather extensive post about Godey's Lady's Magazine and Pinterest, which is really why I haven't posted. So this is a teaser, hence the title, "prelude." It should be interesting. Get excited. Actually don't. I don't like expectations. Also we had some shoplifters at the boutique where I've been working. Made for an exciting shift. And last but not least, I learned how to do a shoulder stand at aerial yoga. Makes me feel like a total champion.

Normal. You wish you had my core. And my awkward looking toes.

accomplishing things.

I always intend to accomplish a lot of things with my days off. Sometimes I get sidetracked. Usually I get sidetracked. Almost always I look for other things to do except for the things I planned to accomplish. So when Gary asked if I wanted to come out to the air field and help him wash his airplane before he showed it to a potential buyer, how could I refuse? How often do you get to wash an airplane?

Baby airplane, after its bath.

We had to taxi the airplane over to the wash rack which, just like preparing for take-off, requires headsets and communication with the tower and all sorts of radio lingo. First we had to back the plane out of its parking stall. (They literally have parking stalls. They are just T-shaped instead of U-shaped.) If you've ever watched at the airport, for commercial liners they use a big truck to push the planes out. This plane is small enough we pushed it out ourselves. Then we climbed in, tested the radio, and started the engine. Gary let me steer the plane which is much harder than you might think. When you are on the ground, you steer with your feet. Tricky. And not helped by the fact that I was sort of nervous about the idea of being in control of the airplane, even though I really wasn't because Gary had his own set of pedals to take over when I drifted.

Sneaking a self-timer picture with my radio gear while Gary was hunting down another headset so as not to look childishly over-excited in front of him.

 While we were out and about, Gary taught me all sorts of things about flying - what all the buttons and levers do in the plane, things you have to do before you take off, how the steering works, altitude restrictions, etc. I may never have the courage to be a passenger in a plane this small, but it was cool to sit in one and learn about it. Definitely not something you get to do every day. And so, that was my miniature getting-out-of-accomplishing-things adventure last weekend. I thought it was pretty great. Thanks Gary!

And just in case anyone was wondering, if you leave a pop-tart in your glove compartment in 90 degree weather for three weeks, it's still edible. It's just kind of like you put it in the toaster. For three weeks. So if you don't have a toaster...

"spring break."

Phoenix recently celebrated their annual spring break from school. It's a foreign concept to some of us BYU students, but it basically means that as the weather starts to warm up and the students start itching from being indoors studying, schools let out. For a whole week. So unlike all my fellow Phoenicians (it's a real term, I swear) I took my spring break (Joke. I didn't really get one. I just took a day off from the museum since I basically let myself explode getting that exhibit up and running.) in a cooler climate. Lengthy explanation explained, I got to go home to visit my peeps in Utah.

Whilst there, I participated in another annual tradition: attending SCERA Park Elementary's annual theatrical production. This year Dave's little sister Anna was cast as one of the Silly Girls in Beauty and the Beast. We all thought she was perfect for the part. Anna has been asking ever since I left if I would be home to see her play. I surprised her by showing up unannounced. How could I miss it? This was my FOURTH year in a row witnessing one of the Rowe girls perform for SCERA Park Elementary. Gee, Dave, has it really been that long? ;)

Me, Dave, Anna - right after I surprised her. She was so great!

Although it can't be said we didn't try, Dave and I failed to make it to the temple when he came to visit me in Mesa due to some scheduling errors. So we were excited that he finished his test early enough for us to go on Tuesday. I am always so grateful for the opportunity I have to sit quietly and reflecting while waiting in the chapel to do baptisms, and even more grateful to be marrying someone who can sit quietly beside me.

I am also grateful to the kind stranger who saw me laughing over the self-timer button and offered to take our picture.

Dave and I also got to spend some time with my best friend Kristin (who I haven't gotten to see NEARLY enough since she returned from her mission in Lima, Peru!) and her friend. We went bowling at BYU and even though they rushed us through our game (I still don't believe they had leagues coming in...) we had a lot of fun. Dave has fantastic form when he bowls so of course I pulled out the camera to capture fun. But then he took pictures of me and, well... You know how you always think you look more awesome than you do? Exhibit A - C:

Dave's form, my form.

Dave's form, my form.

Dave's form, my form. Nailed it.

I got better, right? I'd like you to know that despite my form, at least one of those was a strike. After our rushed games (plural, because they made us bowl on separate lanes so we'd be faster...) we snapped a goofy pic and headed home to cook up some lemon pancakes (or pannekoeken to all my Summer SA friends - I totally learned how to make them!) with all the fresh citrus I hauled up from Arizona. (Yeah. TSA liked that...)

Best. Bowling. Picture. Ever.

Although I have no pictures, I did get to spend some time in Utah with my wonderful family playing games, eating good food, getting some wedding planning/shopping done (finally bought my lace!!!), and spending some time with Dave's family (still jealous of your trip Kads!). I also managed to make it to an eye appointment (we love new contacts!) and get a haircut. So while the trip, of course, felt way too short, it was productive and much needed. And now I am back in AZ and it is HOT (yeeeessss).

And that's how I spent my spring break. (Did you just love all the parenthetical thoughts? Because I did.)

perks.

Last week I got to enjoy one of the perks of working in fashion. As Dennita says, all the administration and desk work is important, but all the socializing and networking is important too. Making connections and building relationships open doors. So last week I got to meet designer Lisa Perry who has two dresses in our exhibition. She came to the museum with her mother to tour our exhibit with Dennita and I tagged along. The next day she invited Dennita to a meet and greet and luncheon at Barney's to celebrate her spring line. I didn't get to go to the luncheon, but Dennita took me to the meet and greet. Lisa remembered me and we kissed cheeks - you know, like fancy people do. Then Dennita went to the luncheon and I browsed Barney's and laughed at the price tags before moving on to the rest of the mall. (Side note: Even if you are wearing your very nicest dress, you will feel dressed in rags in Barney's. It can't be helped. But it's a beautiful store.)

Here's a photo of Lisa Perry with some of her designs I stole from her website. She's delightful.

After the luncheon we took the director of Lisa's label back to the museum to see the exhibit - which Lisa had spoken of so highly that Jane just HAD to see it - before she caught her flight to their next meet and greet tour location. Exciting story: Remember Black Cloud? The butterflies I talked about a while ago? That is part of an incredible exhibit of Contemporary Latin American that you have to walk past on the way to the fashion gallery, and you really can't miss the butterflies. They are breathtaking. When we took Lisa through she asked about the butterflies and Dennita didn't know what to say. Since I had worked on it I knew some of the cool facts and piped up to let her know what it was. When we took Jane through the next day, Dennita said just said, "I don't know much about it, but Keri can tell you about this work." So I told Jane everything I knew. Look at me. Giving tours to important people. Felt pretty good.

In other news, here's a photo of the gang from the opening two weeks ago. Can we say... One of these things is not like the others? It's fine. And I have to say, it's not just my apparel and hairstyle that doesn't seem to belong... We had a professional photographer at the event snapping pics. I went through them all and these group photos are the only ones I am in. Everyone else is either the subject of or in the background of at least half a dozen other photos. Where was I? It's laughable. Really. The funny thing is, I think that the curator and I are actually really similar. This internship is so great.

Miranda, Casey, Dennita, Yours Truly

I got to go home to visit Utah this weekend which was an absolute delight. But I will save all of those details for a different post. Meanwhile, Arizona is heating up, which I quite enjoy so far, and I have to say, there is truly nothing better than picking lemons straight off the tree for fresh-squeezed lemonade.

digital print fashion.

This week we opened our new show, Digital Print Fashion. If anyone lives near or is passing by the Phoenix area any time from now until July, you HAVE to come see it. If you know anything or can appreciate anything about color, design, fabric, fashion, or even a single name in fashion, you can appreciate it. It's beautiful. Anyway, here is a brief summary of a very, very busy and stressful week.

Edited text, hunted down photos, took objects for a photoshoot, collaborated with graphic designer, and set up layout in the gallery for the preparators to complete the timeline for the wall of the gallery. Exhibit A:

Timeline of major printing processes throughout history - my pet project for this exhibit. It made me feel pretty important.

Close up sample of the copper plate printing process - text, process image, and sample of a printed textile from our collection. these gloves are divine.

Built up and dressed mannequins, handling all sorts of gorgeous dresses by Alexander McQueen, Basso and Brooke, Mary Katrantzou,  Rodarte, Monique Lhuillier, the dress Carrie Underwood wore for the Country Music Awards and more. FYI, I saw a price tag on one of these dresses for $11,220. Normal. Also, you should understand the beauty of handling designer fabrics and inspecting the construction of designer garments. To. Die. For. One of our Rodarte's? One of four. In the world. And I touched it.

The aforementioned Monique Lhuillier from the Spring 2013 RTW collection. If it doesn't amaze you in the picture, you should see it in person. It's divine. Also, I'm too lazy to hunt down more pictures, but you should definitely Google Mary Katrantzou's 2010 and 2011 collections. She's genius. Obsessed.

Mounted this astounding piece of fabric to be hung in the gallery. This shows an example of a print engineered and printed specifically for a garment by Jeremy Scott. This is one of our few pieces that was printed in the US (most high-end printing is still done in London or Italy) by a firm called First2Print. The director of first to print, Dani Locostra, flew out for our opening. I got to meet with her and put together her powerpoint presentation.

This took me all day to mount. I was so proud. Scroll down to check out the dress that comes from this pattern.

Helped with installation of mannequins and placards, including all sorts of last minute touch-ups.

During install. Genie lift.

AND at the end of the day made an appearance at the opening event and lecture with my fellow intern to pass out some super cool buttons to all of our outstanding patrons and donors who were dressed to the nines for our soiree of drinks and bite-sized pastries to celebrate.

Me and Miranda, Dennita's other intern, at the opening event, handing out buttons and wristbands. The buttons were definitely more popular - my idea. Not bragging. Casey, Dennita's assistant, is in the background.

Shot of the runway - Alexander McQueens in the front of course.

Crowded gallery with people oohing and aahing over our exquisite exhibit. Note the "jukebox" dress by Jeremy Scott, whose pattern I mounted for display on the wall behind.

AND THEN, after five 10-11 hour days on my feet, and an evening in heels, I forced myself to get up at 6:30 this morning to head to the finish line of the Phoenix Marathon to offer my volunteer services. I got stationed away from the action at the "Fun Zone" by all the inflatables to babysit the small children and make sure they didn't hurt each other. Those of you who know me well may sense the irony in this.

But I did get to watch some people cross the finish line and let me just say, if you ever have the chance to go watch the finish line of a marathon or a half, DO IT. It's inspiring. Better yet? Stay an hour or more after the majority of the runners get in. It's even more inspiring. The person who crosses at 7 hours, 12 minutes is every bit as much of a champion as the person who crosses at 2 hours, 35 minutes. And everyone gets cheered on through the home stretch.

Major kudos to my friend Sara Shill who ran her first marathon this morning. Wish we'd gotten a pic together - how did I miss that photo opp? Actually, I only got one lame photo of me behind the finish line after all the action was over. You know, to prove I was there. By the way, it was 80 degrees today. Take that Utah.

Rockin' the pedal pushers. You wish you were me and my sunburned nose.

And now, after a brief summary of my very, very busy and stressful week, I might actually get some sleep. I hope you few readers feel oh so privileged that I put you first. ;) Guess who gets to go home to visit in a week?!