Night-and-Day...

Couldn't resist sharing this awesome JoeysCoat again, this time with sparkly pumps vs the fun, orange flats (apparently I have a thing for shoes!) in the previous post.

Couture Joey #43

Extra Small

Chinese silk brocade coat, belt and tab in the Cheongsam Qipao style with traditional Mandarin collar and frog button features

Antique muslin lining

Japanese silk kimono binding

Cotton lace belt loops

Chrysanthemum sculpted vintage plastic buckle

Carved porcelain buttons

Hand-painted cloisonne-style button embellishment

Savvy shoppers, not unlike Fiona, shop with versatility in mind i.e. a JoeysCoat that goes from day to evening, simply with a change of shoes...

She didn't learn it from me!

Glenna's Clothing...!

For the past week, we have been graced with beautiful Fall weather - mild temperatures, morning fog, sunny afternoons, and remarkably, no rain!  I don't dislike the rain, I simply appreciate Mother Nature's gift of waiting until Halloween has come and gone before the flood gates open only to remain open until Memorial Day!  I have truly embraced life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest having called it home for the last twenty-three years.  However, I began life on the sunny beaches of Southern California, and with the exception of a four year stint in Iowa, a season in Maryland, and months of tramping around Europe with a two year old in tow, and a second on the way, I know a Fall without rain is not to be taken for granted.  Because the weather was agreeable to a photo shoot, I called my sister-in-law to see if her legs were available.  Fortunately for me and my last minute inspiration they were, so we agreed to meet in the city of Tacoma to take some snaps of Fiona in the latest JoeysCoat designs.  

Tacoma is a beautiful old city to the south of Vashon Island with stunning views of Mount Rainier.  It is home of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Tacoma Dome, Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum. Tacoma is also home to the famous Pantages Theater located at the intersection of Broadway and 9th, hosting thousands of performers, from vaudeville to present day.  On Broadway, one may also find a plethora of antique, vintage and collectible dealers, auction houses and one very special designer vintage clothing store, Glenna's Clothing.  The first time I visited Glenna's I was in search of vintage buttons and buckles for JoeysCoat.  The shop was tiny, lined floor to ceiling with important designer frocks and handbags, hats and coats, and the shoes, how I love the shoes!  It was overwhelming...

My sister-in-law and I agreed to meet on Broadway and take advantage of the sun and the storefronts as a backdrop for the JoeysCoat shoot.  To my surprise, Glenna's was closed.  I found a note on the door with the new address, but a block away.  We made our way down to the new location and upon entering the store, found it was bigger, brighter and more beautiful than before, if that was possible.  Where once Glenna's was a shop, it is now a salon one might imagine in mid-century Manhattan.  A step back in time, complete with settee's and overstuffed bergere chairs with matching ottomans, perfect for admiring the color-coordinated landscape of high fashion.  Needless to say, we had a ball!  Instead of enjoying what could be the last kiss of sunshine, we opted to stay indoors and bask in Glenna's collection...

Thank you, Glenna, for sharing your breathtaking collection of designer vintage with us!  We are already planning our next visit to your remarkable treasury of the eclectic and sublime..

The lovely Glenna in vintage Coco Chanel...

Celebrate Joey...

Today marks four years.

   I thought it appropriate to choose a classic red plaid for Fiona's photo

in honor of Joey.

I'd give anything to see you again
Yes, I'd give anything to see you again

                            Love Has No Pride
                                 ~ Libby Titus and Eric Kaz

Japanese Bomaki Shibori and the French Girl...

Bomaki Shibori is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique which involves wrapping fabric tightly around a bamboo pole, sewing it in place or tying it with string, then scrunching it before dipping it into a vat of dye to create the illusion of pleats or stripes.

This Extra Small Kimono Joey is made from silk dyed in the Bomaki Shibori style.  The silk is lightly padded and lined with cotton flannel.  The belt loops and binding are dobby-weave silk.  The belt is grey wool flannel.  The spine is trimmed with Middy braid and exquisite Oriental design buttons.  

The buckle and tab buttons are Vintage Plastic with metal Oriental design embellishments.  

The French Girl wears it well...

Happy French Grain Sack Friday...!

Nothing like a fabulous wee coat 

to start the weekend off right!

French Grain Sack Joey

Petite

Cotton/hemp grain sack with grey stripes

Black and white gingham binding

Wool plaid belt and tab with linen backing

Ribbon trim is the lining of a silk bow-tie!

Hard Plastic "snakeskin" buckle

Bakelite carved "log" buttons

T.G.I.F.

The Northwest School of Animal Massage...

I recently met the folks from the

 Northwest School of Animal Massage.   

It was fascinating learning about the benefits.

  Besides an enhanced bond between pets and their people, animal massage reduces symptoms of arthritis, aids in training, builds confidence and promotes socialization, improves flexibility, helps to strengthen the immune system, promotes a healthy metabolism, improves skin and coat health, relieves separation anxiety and enhances overall quality of health for your beloveds.

See for yourself!

If Lucca is any indication, this stuff really works!

JoeysCoat's New Logo Design...!

So delighted to share the new JoeysCoat logo design!  

Thanks goes to Vashon Island's own 

Kristine Anderson Dahms of TWISTDESIGN for her thoughtful interpretation 

of the brand that is JoeysCoat!