Longing to visit my favorite city

Posted on 11. Feb, 2010 by Princess Lasertron.

Alternately titled, “Things I will show Alice when she is five or six.”

1, 2: Yoli Frozen Yogurt, the most beautiful treat store in Berlin that offers both a well-designed, mature ambiance and sweet fantastic indulgence.  3: Besuch der Fernsehturm am Alexanderplatz fur Kaffee und Kuchen. 4: Cupcake Berlin, the first cupcake store in the city. I love that it is owned by an American and that they have delicious vegan options. 5: The Ishtar Gate at the Pergamonmuseum. 6: Staatsoper Under den Linden. (Hast du Matineen fur Kinder?) 7: Die Reichstag, the center of the Deutscher Bundestag or federal government. I appreciate tradition and the beauty of our own federal buildings here in the states, but you can’t tell me you don’t envy the modern design of the chambers and the symbolism of the glass-bottomed dome! 8: Eine hubsche gelben Bus. 9: Eine schone Blume-formigen Eis.

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american sewing expo: a smashing success!

Posted on 05. Oct, 2009 by admin.

A few weeks ago, my mom and I drove from Omaha to Novi, Michigan (just outside of Detroit) for the American Sewing Expo. It was a five-day trip–four of them spent driving–and I think my first true road trip. I was excited to spend it with my awesome mom. By the way, this is going to be a freaking long and picture-heavy post.

We left on Thursday morning…the drive itself was just as interesting as the time we spent at the expo.

Adorable Iowa cities!

Fried breakfasts!

Windmills!

Healthier than homemade!

Nonstop peeing!

Lumpy beds!

We stopped at Ikea in Schaumburg, IL. For those of us who don’t live near an Ikea, this is like a sacred pilgrimage…I found so much stuff that we are getting for our new house.

…And we looked out our hotel window to this beautiful vista.

When we arrived at the Expo on Saturday morning, the first thing we did is find Joi Mahon, our friend who brought my vision of a pink polka dotted wedding dress to life, and who I am working with now for my upcoming line of wedding and party dresses.

Joi was one of 12 designers chosen to compete in a Project Runway-like contest to design a garment in a day and have them judged on a runway for fabulous prizes (like a trip to New York and a top-of-the-line sewing machine!). I expected to leave her alone to work all day, but when I got there, she was already finished with her dress!!

Each designer had $100 and had to use only materials sold at the Expo that weekend–so all of the fabric and notions were purchased from Expo vendors which presented an intriguing challenge. I can’t believe she put all of this together for under $100!

While we waited for the fashion show and judging to begin, we walked around and looked at all of the booths…

…Sandra Betzina was there…

…The Threadbangers were holding down the re-construction zone where they hosted workshops…

Okay, now for the fashion show.
All of the designers were introduced as their garments were modeled up and down the runway for ticketholders and esteemed judges. Joi’s model was absolutely perfect for the aesthetic of the dress.

After all of the designs were shown, the designers lined up and answered questions about their creations.

And Joi won first place!!

She was whisked away to talk to media and get photos taken, and this April she will travel to New York to meet other designers and I believe tour a few fashion houses.

This is great for Joi. And it makes me even more excited for the upcoming dress line she is helping me with.

I do have a few criticisms of the American Sewing Expo. It was very “old-school expo” and I think it would serve them well to bring the event into the 21st century with a more informational, functional website, maybe a Twitter feed, wireless internet at the event, and even some younger board members. I got the impression from the website and literature that the ASE would be very design-heavy, but when I got there it felt like yet another quilt show. Quilting is a traditional, classic form of sewing and design that takes a lot of talent and I have tons of respect for it, but even quilting and needlework can be made modern–just look at the inspiring work of so many prominent sewing bloggers like Alicia Paulson and Katie of Katie Did.

I also feel like for a creativity-centered event, the design and copy on the event literature was very poorly executed. I understand more than anybody that when volunteers plan an event, their resources are limited, but I feel like there could have been so much more of a “wow” factor in the branding, signage, and workshop programming and they didn’t get much bang for their buck. Their target demographic–old-school crafters–may have been impressed, but I think to remain sustainable, the ASE needs to appeal to younger generations by thinking creatively about branding their events.

I probably won’t attend the American Sewing Expo again–it just didn’t appeal to my interests or aesthetic as a new-generation designer and handmade artist. I would love to see future ASE events make an attempt to recruit younger sewers and crafters, but I did have a good time watching all of the designers work and hustle throughout the day. And I congratulate Joi again on taking home the grand prize! I am so proud of her.

xo

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american sewing expo

Posted on 24. Sep, 2009 by admin.

Today I am heading to the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan (near Ann Arbor), the largest independent consumer sewing show in the country. From crafting, interior design, fashion design, sewing, and embroidery, they really have it all.

I was invited by my friend, designer Joi Mahon, who was selected as one of 12 finalists to design and sew garments for judging on Saturday as part of the Passion for Fashion Sewing Challenge. I understand that this is supposed to be a lot like Project Runway and I am so excited to go and cheer her on!

More than 125 exhibitors from 35 states and Australia and Canada will be displaying the best new fabrics, machines, embellishments, kits, gadgets, embroidery designs, and other sewing technology and I can’t wait to dive into all of it! I might even try a quick Make and take project at many of the vendor exhibits or design my own jeans at the Re-Construction Zone. The event will also feature an area called the Sew Experience Cafe where attendees can learn new tips and techniques from experts and create their own project to take home. There will even be over 160 lectures, classes, seminars, and workshops led by industry professionals on the free show floor!

Besides supporting Joi and checking out all the vendors and speakers, I really hope to run into Corinne and Rob from Threadbanger!

If you are headed to the American Sewing Expo, definitely hit me up on twitter or send me an e-mail! I’d love to meet you!

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packing for a camping trip

Posted on 09. Jul, 2009 by admin.

This weekend, Professor Lasertron and I are making the 14-hour trek to North North North North Dakota for his family reunion. It begins Friday night in Tolley, ND which is where his family first settled in the U.S. from Norway, and on Monday morning we’ll start driving back home. We’ll all be camping out in Mouse River Park, which is at once exciting and horrifying to me–Marshmallow roasting? Cool! No internet access? OMG WHAT?!

It will be my first time meeting most of his family members and I’m sort of anxious to make a good impression. So…what to wear? We’ll be on a parky campsite–no hiking or mud–so I need things that I can get dirty in, but still communicate who I am. Challenging!

Hat: Target
Heart sunglasses: Vintage
Pashmina: A gift from my aunt
Knee socks: Target
Black cardigan: Modcloth.com
Navy shorts: Forever 21
Grey pocket tee: Target
Pocket jersey skirt: Target
Belted blouse: Charlotte Russe
Twill jeans: Express
Sandals: Poetic Licence
Flats: Dorothy Perkins
Swimsuit: Samantha Sage

I will be back on Monday night and I will probably be exhausted. Although I’ll be gone, you will still get something new to read every day–Princess Lasertron.com will just be on autopilot. <3

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pictures from chicago!

Posted on 01. Jun, 2009 by admin.

We had a great time in Chicago last weekend for our anniversary and the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs event. The conference was fabulous and I learned a lot, but I’ll talk more about that after Country Living posts their photos from the event!

We were in Chicago for four days, so there was just as much pleasure as there was business…or I should say shopping, clubbing, and drinking. We lived it up.

In any case, we started our trip by visiting the Oriental Institute museum at the University of Chicago. Mesopotamian culture is my favorite topic in anthropology and history, and next to the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin which houses the Ishtar Gate, the Oriental Institute is my favorite museum in the US.

The most spectacular artifact in the collection is this human-headed winged bull excavated from Khorsabad. It once stood in the throne room of the Assyrian king Sargon II who ruled almost 3000 years ago. The reason I love this culture so much is because it was the first time in history that human civilizations developed laws, writing, kingdoms, as well as the first aesthetically intricate and meaningful art.

We also took another trip to Molly’s Cupcakes which always has vegan options for my husband.

I love the swing seats, the saturated colors, and the sprinkle station!! We shared three cupcakes–plain chocolate, red velvet, and Boston creme pie.

We stayed out all night every night–we needed the fun.

Two gay bars, a drag show, a Fischerspooner/Ssion dance party, 24-hour veggie diner x3, and a goth dancebar…

…and it all continued into Sunday which was our first wedding anniversary!

On our anniversary, we packed up and checked out of our hotel room and then spent all day shopping and snacking before catching our flight. Our anniversary dinner was totally glamorous–Snickers cheesecake and nachos with Maker’s Mark and Miller Lite.

And yeah I wore that yellow jacket every day (and now I’m completely sick of it)–the weather was much cooler than we predicted!

Okay, back to work. What are we looking forward to? Let’s see…
…A grey/teal/peach wedding
…The Country Living Entrepreneur event recap
…A giveaway on Friday

xo

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packing with polyvore

Posted on 27. May, 2009 by admin.

What I love most about Polyvore is how easy it is to pack for a trip when I can lay out my clothes digitally instead of getting everything out of my closet.

Here’s what I’m bringing on our five-day trip to Chicago tomorrow–the red dress for the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs conference, the leopard print dress for dance clubs, a jacket for night, and blouses for day.

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fun day in lincoln

Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by admin.

Today (well, Thursday, but since I work at night today is yesterday or whatever day. Anyway it doesn’t matter.) my mom picked me up in her momvan and we drove to Lincoln, Nebraska where my brother goes to school at UNL.

Matt does Navy ROTC and today was their Chancellor’s Review, which I guess meant awards ceremony. We got there early enough to get some lunch and do a little bit of shopping before. I didn’t buy anything, but the restaurant we hit up, Bread & Cup, was AMAZING.

They offer minimalist decor and a minimalist menu–choose bread, choose what goes on the bread, plus a few other options like soup and delicious homemade desserts. For people who are used to a six-page menu it might be a little underwhelming, but to me there is nothing better than culinary simplicity done right.

I ate my favorite meal in the whole world–a peanut butter and apple butter sandwich with fruit.

We sat on the outside porch and took in the beautiful neighborhood.

And I loved their ordering system…instead of bringing a number to our table, we took a handmade lettered tile. Very creative.

The whole building was very beautiful…it looked like a large old warehouse that had been split into several businesses. I through the rest of the building and discovered a very intriguing art gallery and several sweet little offices.

After our delicious lunch, my mom and I went to watch Matt’s ROTC event.
I loved it when they played the official march of the Navy, Anchors Aweigh, as the groups stood at attention. I had to learn the words to that song in high school choir and I was singing along inside my head…

Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day day day day…
Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more, here’s wishing you a happy voyage home.

(I wonder if they have to learn the words to their song?)

Matt is in the color guard…he is the one closest to you holding the gun.
He told me it is an old gun and it doesn’t work anymore…it’s VERY heavy.

I am constantly amazed that Matt has chosen this path…he and I are best friends, but we are so different.
I think this picture sums us up well. As I was looking through it when I uploaded the photos from my camera, I realized that Matt and I are both really turning into ourselves.
Know what I mean?
I have always been the one in charge. I am the oldest and I have a very dominant personality. I rebelled against our parents at every opportunity and I never made life easy for anyone growing up.
Matt is the good one.
He is very positive and willing and honest and helpful. I can’t believe how much he is blossoming in college.
We don’t live together at home anymore, but as we’re getting older and becoming who we are we are closer than we’ve ever been.

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Lilia Ahner’s photos

Posted on 13. Apr, 2009 by admin.

When I was in San Francisco, I met up with a photographer named Lilia who reads my website and had actually commented asking if she could meet up with me and show me around! I took her up on it and she picked me up in her car (LUXURY!) and took me to the Ferry Building where I got some delicious treats at Miette, and then to the Mission District where she photographed me in front of some really cool wall murals.

Today on her blog she posted some of the photos and I just wanted to share a few!

It was soooo windy!

Also go check out the post she made about all the fun we had in SF together. She has a few more photos, too!

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oh hi again.

Posted on 10. Apr, 2009 by admin.

I have been away so long!
Maybe the longest ever.
San Francisco was so fun, but I didn’t have nearly enough time. (Is there ever enough time?)
I saw some really great stores around my little hotel area….
Picnic
Tedda Hughes
Miette Patisserie

All of these beautiful places deserve a post of their own. I love these small independent boutiques because the owners have to have a unique degree of creativity that separates them from the big stores. I love the packaging, the merchandising displays, the lighting, and all the little details like silk cords to tie back the dressing room curtain and beautiful vintage shopping baskets.

My hotel room was AMAZING and I highly recommend Hotel Vertigo to anyone who is looking for somewhere to stay in San Francisco. Look at that comforter! I’ll take a fluffy white comforter over a polyester coverlet any day, thank you.

Hotel Vertigo is in the process of renovating their guest rooms to this grey/white/orange palette, and I think it’s just the most chic thing ever. It’s modern but not uncomfortable. It was real hard to wake up and get out of that bed every morning!!

On Tuesday, offbeat wedding photographer Lilia Ahner picked me up at my hotel and gave me an awesome tour of the city. We went to the ferry building (I think that’s what it’s called?) where they have all kinds of gourmet food, and then we drove down to the Mission where we ate and did a little shopping. Lilia also interviewed me for her blog and did a little photoshoot….I can’t wait to see those pictures!! Make sure to check out Lilia’s blog…she is adorable and her photos are fabulous.

Then that night was Jordan’s letterpress workshop! I had a lot of fun and picked up a new skill. I love that she taught us about the history and traditional letterpress methods, but also gave us instant gratification by helping us print cards quickly to take home with us.

Someday I hope to take a longer class and learn more about the details of production. Thanks Jordan for giving me a taste!

Jordan also has a really cute studio that she recently blogged about…go check that out for sure. Love the yellow doors and teal wire chairs.

Got so much to catch up with!
16 May brides.
Making headbands for a local shop.
Creating a line of non-cheesy pet accessories for your weddings (or every day!).
Infotec conference next week in Omaha.

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San Francisco

Posted on 04. Apr, 2009 by admin.

On Monday I’m going to San Francisco for a few days for Jordan Ferney’s letterpress workshop. I have a question for you locals or those of you familiar with the city!

1. Where can I get cheap, yummy comfort food?
2. Where would be a fun place where I can sit down and get some work done, besides my hotel room?
3. Any must do/must see/must shops?

photo by Dizzy Atmosphere from Flickr.

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resolving to make a resolution

Posted on 06. Jan, 2009 by admin.

I usually don’t make new years resolutions because I think I strive for constant self-improvement, and reserving resolutions for a new year puts all the focus into one short period and then I end up forgetting about it later in the year.

This year I am less philosophical about it so I did decide to use the new year to set some goals.

1. Get rid of half (okay, maybe not quite half) of my stuff. I have so many clothes that don’t fit. Knick-knacks I don’t love. Tools and appliances I don’t use. I’m looking forward to donating/selling and cleaning out my house.
2.(On a related note) Stop buying things I don’t absolutely love. If it doesn’t stir my heart, I don’t need it in my house.
3. Get two magazine features for Princess Lasertron.
4. Find more free events in my city and attend them with my friends
5. Look great every time I leave the house.

We got back from our holiday trip to Mexico a few days ago and I just started uploading my photos. It was a full week of pure relaxation–no hustling around the city to museums or landmarks, no waiting in line for tickets to shows (which is usually my vacation modus operandi). For the first few days I felt lazy and restless but I got used to it real fast.

We visited Puerto Vallarta, famous for beautiful scenery.

Guacamole and margaritas every day.

I got my swimsuit from Samantha Sage and I absolutely love it.

Tropical Vacation didn’t hold Dave back from…being himself. He plowed through two sci-fi fantasy novels, we played Settlers of Catan every night, and visited the set of the Predator movie. For real.

We even found a great vegan restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet for around $6 USD.

What are your new years resolutions/goals? I hope everyone had a great holiday and it’s good to be back!

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