Manic Trout

Manic Trout Blog is moving!

2009-01-07T19:28:00.003-05:00

Manic Trout is moving!!!! Well at least the blog is anyway...I am still working on the housekeeping aspects a bit...but the blog is settling into its new home nicely...

Please update all links and...here is the new home of the blog: http://www.manictrout.com/Blog/

Thanks!

Helloooo 2009!

2009-01-01T13:17:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

A few years ago, I sent out Happy New Years cards and I still love them, so I thought I would share the card with you all virtually this year!

All my birds in a row...

2008-12-31T17:19:00.003-05:00

I have always been a fan of finishing up a project by cleaning up my workspace and putting everything back where it belongs, and I tend to finish up the year in the same manner. I used to make a list of goals and resolutions, but I no longer feel the need to make a list of my lackings and instead I just continue on the path of my short term and long term goals as usual. I am a big planner, very goal oriented and a hard core workaholic...and as I am trying to not die young of a heart attack, I try to not pile on more then I have too. So I will save the goals for my own mind and instead take a moment to thank all of you...my friends, my family, my coworkers, my elves, my customers, my fans, my followers, my blog readers, my publicist (she seriously rocks!), those I have loved, those I have lost and those people that play a part in my day to life, no matter how small. This year has been one of enormous ups and downs, failures and successes and general craziness. It will be six years this January since Manic Trout was officially born and a mere three years since I started the online shop and focused on jewelry and painting...I had a slight breakdown in the shower today (I tend to reserve crying for in the shower) about the insane amount of hard work I have put into Manic Trout in these past three years and how amazing it is to start seeing what that hard work can achieve! Thank you all for believing in Manic Trout and in me and I hope to amaze you all in 2009!!!

Photo by the ultra talented Ella Moss.

My current obsession with brown...

2008-12-30T13:21:00.004-05:00

I have never been into wearing brown...which is odd as I have brown eyes, brown hair and a complexion made for it...perhaps it was the years of dying my hair blond or a variety of other colors that made me stay away, but that has now changed! I recently had to buy a new wardrobe for my day job...for those of you not in the know I manage the restaurant of a private club and have to be considerably more dressed up then I have to when I am in my studio. In the past few years I have not shopped all that much for clothes anyway, as I have been building Manic Trout and living lean to do so, so I found myself with a bunch of date clothes and studio gear...not helpful...well after I finished shopping I was surprised to see the amount of brown I gathered, and you know what, I really like it! It goes great with all of my brass jewelry too...I wonder how much this will affect my designing?

Photo from Vogue, October 1948

Exhausted...but getting back to normal

2008-12-29T18:07:00.003-05:00

I know, I know I have been a naughty absent blogger, but I have never worked as hard in my life as I did in the past 5 weeks and being a major workaholic...that's a lot of working. I am really glad the holidays are over or I would have had a mental breakdown...seriously. Everything is pretty much getting back to normal as of today...although I still have to finish cleaning my studio...and I was in desperate need of some errand running, which I finally got to today...like grocery shopping and dropping off the dry cleaning.

I also have had a chance to do some image browsing online and tonight I may actually get to blog jump, which I have not been able to do for weeks! I just bought some prints from Etsy too, as I have such a weakness for photographs and as I have sold a few paintings on manictrout.com (gasp, I know!!!) I have some wall space open. Thought I would share one of them with you, as its just too pretty to keep all to myself.

I have also been finally able to set up the new computer...a 17" Mac Book Pro which I adore and got all the software on both machines upgraded and everything networked, which has been so much fun to do...so many new possibilities!

I also have new jewelry up my sleeve, and it will be up soon as Valentines Day is right around the corner and there has been oodles of new press, but I have yet to update the press page, so you'll have to wait for that!

OK, now back to work for me, as it never really does end, does it?

Black & White Dahlia by Creative Apples

Merry Christmas and a Shout Out to my Elves!

2008-12-25T15:49:00.002-05:00

It has been a whirlwind month here at Manic Trout, but all is back to calm and order now...I would never have been able to handle the huge, gigantic increase of orders without my elves so I wanted to give a shout out as I do thank you all so greatly! Jessi, Pat, Zach, Sara, Karen, Ian, Shanley, Shireen, Gillian, Holly, Thea and my mom Sheryl are all super stars and helped Manic Trout keep up with the orders this season!

As for all of you blog readers, my apologies for my absence, but I hardly time to eat and sleep, forget about blog...but I'm back baby and typing away on my new laptop...oooh mobil Manic Trout!

After I get the studio all cleaned up, I will finally have some time to sit down and design, I'll keep you posted on what is coming!

Holiday Shopping has ended...

2008-12-16T00:10:00.003-05:00

Where on earth have I been??? Insanely, crazy and out of control busy with holiday orders!!! Thank goodness for my wonderful Elves...I could not do this without them! Today was the last day to order, and all orders will be shipped out by The 20th so they arrive to you on time! If you must have a Manic Trout bauble, you may order for overnight shipping this week, but there will be an additional $25 charge. If I don't have time to check in this week have a good one!

Its no secret that I am tulle obsessed...

2008-12-03T12:35:00.003-05:00

So the other day I received a case of the hot pink tulle that I use to both wrap orders and make jewelry with and was so delighted to find that he shipper used massive wads of tulle as packing material...I promptly wrapped myself up in it and jumped around in glee...which made my sister Thea who was helping me out, grab my camera...

So when I saw these from the November Latin america Vogue, I thought...oh look I am not the only one who enjoys holding wads of tulle...

...and she is jumping aroung in glee!

I think being so busy is making me nuttier than normal recently...eh...at least I'm having fun!

Milla is so cool...

2008-12-01T02:17:00.003-05:00

I am in awe of Milla Jovovich...she succeeded as both an actress and a model and then developed her own awesome clothing line...and she looks so hot in this Paolo Roversi photo that its almost painful to look at her...ah...late night musings after hours and hours of working are always so random...

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:42:00.002-05:00

I am very thankful this year...I have a wonderful family, the bestest friends a girl could wish for, the most awesome dog in the world, a "day" job I love and a business that I live for and enjoying doing so, with fantastic customers who have made it all worthwhile! There are a few obvious gaps...but hey, we can't have everything right? I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you get your fill of turkey and pie today...and while your in a food coma on the couch, check out the 7 new styles of Sweetest Thing Earrings!!! I have also brought back more of the Beti and Adrias for those of you who have asked for more...yay!!!

I need your help...

2008-11-24T23:14:00.002-05:00

Apparently I had a Bling Ring in an issue of Lucky Magazine and missed it, which I am really sad about as I love that magazine and its a goal of mine to be in it. Now I know at least few of you ordered after you found me there, as you told me that in your order...so what I am asking is...does anyone know which issue it was? I looked through the past few but can't find it...pleeeeeeease help me? Thanks!

New, New, New!!!

2008-11-21T01:53:00.002-05:00

I apologize for not checking in yesterday, but I have been working my tush off getting orders out in a timely manner and...wait for it...finally getting all of the new stuff online...woo hoo...check it out, 20 new pieces here!

It's already Tuesday???

2008-11-18T19:56:00.003-05:00

I swear I have new jewelry coming...its even photo's, priced, named, tagged and sitting in bowls on my desk in my way until I get to creating the pages for it...I even have a few tricks up my sleeve, although I admittedly do not have them ready yet, but I am really excited to tell you that I have new Sweetest Thing Earrings coming soon too! I am keeping this brief as I have piles of orders to get out to all of you lovely Manic Trout fans, but I wanted to give you a little taste of pretty today...

Karl Lagerfeld from the September 2008 Bazaar...I wish I had the nerve to wear eye makeup like that...

Real Simple December 2008 Gift Guide!!!

2008-11-15T15:48:00.002-05:00

Alrighty Kiddos, here it is...now available on newsstands everywhere:
Real Simple December 2008 featuring Manic Trout Sweetest Thing Earrings!!!

and in case you missed it, here is the online version

Yay!

News, Coming Soon & Updates...

2008-11-14T16:26:00.005-05:00

So where I have been recently you ask...well I've been in my studio trying as hard as I can to make your holiday shopping easy at Manic Trout...I'm working on a whole pile of new pieces which should be up on Monday, yay! I also have a wish list underway, a gift guide to help you make up your mind coming and even new line sheets on its way for you wholesale buyers out there. The Holiday shipping deadline list will be posted this week too...you still have about 5 weeks to shop your hearts out...

and the big news is...Manic Trout has three pairs of earrings in the December 2008 Real Simple Gift Guide!!!!! I'll show you more soon, but here is the online version!

Above is one of my favorite photo's as the day is grey here too...

The Other Side by SusannahTucker

So pretty, so girly...love it!

2008-11-12T17:50:00.004-05:00

I have no idea where I found this image, but it looks like it could be right out of an anthropolgie shoot...which is my favorite store...girly with a bit of tousled charm...any way, just liked this one, thought I'd share...and ps I really love that mirror!

Open Studio Tomorrow!

2008-11-12T16:56:00.003-05:00

Yay its time for an open studio!!!! Come by tomorrow between 1pm and 9pm and have a visit, check out the studio and treat yourself to little pretty!

Studio is located at 7 Friendly Lane in the Village of Millbrook. 845-392-5618 or info@manictrout.com for more info...

This is what happens to my brain when I create stuff...

2008-11-10T22:14:00.004-05:00

I have had a wonderfully productive evening in my studio and did an our of aggressive exercise and now I feel like this:

Instead of the roaring Lion going on earlier today...much better state of mind now...

A Mood of All Moods...

2008-11-10T17:27:00.003-05:00

Something about today has me rather riled up...no one thing in particular...maybe it's being pulled in too many directions again...I have once again put myself in a situation where I am spreading myself too thin. I have no time to do anything right, no time for friends, no time for family, not enough time to devote as much as I'd like to either job...I have done nothing but work 12-16 hour days for the past few weeks and I think I need a break...but I will not have one until January...I think I'll go do the only thing I allow myself time for...exercise...and then I'll then I'll eat some candy...hopefully this will help as I have a mountain of work to do tonight...please pardon the vent...I'll check back later after my mood improves...

Oh Yes, it's Ellen Von UnWerth

2008-11-07T16:08:00.003-05:00

I spend so much time oohing and ahhing over new photog finds that I sometimes feel the need to give a shout out to those that made my obsession with photography...especially of the fashion variety begin... Ellen Von Unwerth is by far one of the first fashion photogs that made me go ga ga with those Claudia Schiffer Guess adds back in the day...I thought they were the coolest fashion ads I had seen in a while when those came out! So I thought I would share a few of my current favs from the great Ms. Unwerth...

This may get me painting again

2008-11-06T10:18:00.002-05:00

I have mentioned from time to time that pure laziness about preparing canvases is the main factor in my not painting more often...and well, I think that's kind of lame...so I have been trying to break that nasty habit and get a brush in my hand. I think though that the painting in this photo may just be the kick in the pants that I have needed...

The colors, the way the painting is used...even the circles...it all makes me want to get a fresh canvas on that monster sized ease taking up precious space in my studio...

Faye!!!!

2008-11-05T17:43:00.004-05:00

As I love my dog an unhealthy amount, I have to share with everyone a random fact...Faye came to live with me 5 years ago this month...yay Faye! Above is little Faye when she first came to live at my house in November of 2003, when my friend Riann was visiting and we stole her from my mom...my mom still has Faye's mom Wiggles, her brother Redford and sister Camille. Her other litter mates, who are twins will actually be visiting my moms house this week end...but anyway...Faye and I have had a lovely 5 years together...and here we are today...

oh little Faye...

Because its pretty...

2008-11-05T12:10:00.001-05:00

I love this photo, I wish I could crawl into it...

Yelena Yemchuk for Vogue Nippon, October 2008

November Open Studio Date Changed!

2008-11-04T16:40:00.001-05:00

The November Open Studio has been moved from November 6th to November 13th! I apologize if you were planning on coming this week, but I cannot be here...hope to y'all on the 13th!

Might as well just go back in time...

2008-11-04T13:05:00.004-05:00

As I have been obsessed for so long with clothing and photography that nods to the 50's why not just show some of my favs from that actual time: Norman Parkinson...Oh Swoon!

Interesting how all of the images I love the most feature ladies with coy poses...

A day of tasks...

2008-11-04T11:32:00.004-05:00

There is so much to do today, but all enjoyable...orders have to made and sent out, the daily computer and internet work has to be done, I have to Vote and get my hair cut. I am hoping that Shanley and I can go for a long walk through the leaves with Faye. I need to do cardio and weights today. There is someone coming to my studio to shop later...oh and new jewelry HAS TO GET MADE today! So as I do all of that, you can enjoy some stunning photography...

I have no idea why, but I have become smitten with soft girly clothes...I think I actually always have been, but they are being created a great deal right now...which would make me happier if I ever could stop working and go shopping...I love the bottom photo the most...

Halloween 2008

2008-11-03T10:22:00.004-05:00

We all dressed up at work...and here are most of us...

I finally figured out what to wear for Halloween...the wig is just because I love to wear it, I was covered is "Hello my name is" stickers with all different names...I was an identity crisis!

A dose of color for a grey day...

2008-10-29T16:36:00.003-05:00

Its really dreary outside today...and cold...and the sky keeps spitting out snow/hail/rain type weather...icky. I thought it was the perfect time to share one of my new favorite photogs and give you a dose of brilliant color...meet Mrs. French, the talented lady behind Bliss and the taker of some fantastic photographs! My three current favs...

1. Tiny Moon
2. Tips of Light
3. Ginkgo

There is also a delightful blog full of wonderful colors and images...it's already on my blog roll and its worth perusing often!

Eeeek! A Necklace made with Pom Poms!

2008-10-28T22:05:00.002-05:00

I spent last night playing around with making pom poms and ooooh, lookie what I made:

Bright green pom poms, purple vintage lucite beads and vintage brass chain...this pretty little ditty is one of a kind and more colors are coming!!!

The clock is ticking...

2008-10-28T17:14:00.003-05:00

OK, the Pre Holiday Sale is underway, which means Manic Trout housecleaning is happening, don;t forget that if you enter CandyCorn at check out all week you receive 25% off your entire order! Now I just have to finish up the 1,001 new designs in various stages and get them online...they're coming though so don't you worry your pretty little head about it...want a sneak peek at my jewelry work space at the moment?

Hmmmmm...I see pink tulle, pom poms, big brass chain, colorful glass, whimsical lucite and sketches, sketches and more sketches!

Haunted Bloggy Carnival is Here!

2008-10-28T12:46:00.005-05:00

Go Check out the Weird Stuff In My Desk Haunted Bloggy Carnival Spooktacular event! The carnival starts at 8:00 am Central time October 27th ALL WEEK and ends on November 2nd at 11:59 pm Pacific time.

There are oodles of prizes to win...including a $25 Manic Trout Gift Certificate!!!

I am a bibliophile...and this is my dream

2008-10-27T20:34:00.004-05:00

I have a lot of books, thousands and thousands in fact. So many that when my ex husband and I split up amicably, he mentioned how glad he was to never have to move all of my books again, and in the past three years since then, I have only increased my collection. I do try to donate any books I no longer want, and I try to resist book gluttony...I also buy almost all of them used...(these little tidbits make me feel a little better about the bulging book shelves around my apartment)...although I am really lucky to have beautiful built in shelves in the living room, I still have 4 free standing ones taking up room.

While most people dream of gorgeous views, square footage and claw foot tubs, I have simple house dreams...a cottage by the ocean with built in book shelves in every room and a huge studio in a building of some sort a few feet from the cottage...which I would prefer to be covered in weathered shingles, but I can give on that, I also always loved old churches turned into homes, but I would really rather live in a cottage...ahhhh, one day it will be mine.

I also think I'll have to stay in the northeast, as much as I adore San Diego, I don't think I am able to deal with living any where other then the northeast, and I do love those seasons...ok I'm done daydreaming of waves and shelving, now back to work...

Weekend Plans...

2008-10-24T14:52:00.005-05:00

Weekends are work days for me, and very busy ones at that, so I usually don't have much fun stuff planned for them, but I am really excited about this Sunday! Gilly is coming home and we (this could be a large collective) are going to the awesome Haunted House in Stanfordville, Frankensteins Fortress which is created by the talented Peter Wing...I am so excited for this, I look forward to it all year...and would be even more excited if a certain someone would be able to join me this year, as I usually have the most fun in the years that they have gone with me...anyway...I'll let you know how it goes!

On a side note, I really need to go clothes shopping, I am getting ready to head back to work and this is how I feel at the moment:

...but I cannot go to work like this, so I have to go scrounge up something to wear...

photo by Jonathan Leber

Getting all my eggs in a row...

2008-10-23T17:54:00.004-05:00

I am really enjoying fall this year, I cleaned my home from top to bottom, including defrosting my freezer and flipping my mattress and therefore I am enjoying being in it when I get the chance. I am loving my new "day" job and although its the busy season there as well as with Manic Trout, I am so into both of them that I am pretty excited to be overwhelmed with work right now. The leaves are falling everywhere and as I live in New Yorks Hudson Valley, its gorgeous outside! I am even getting used to my new schedule and therefore able to exercise again...and one more thing...for the first time in YEARS I am cooking meals for myself again...crazy I know, but so good at the same time...tonight I had grilled chicken (the George Forman is the single gals best friend) with a Cajun rub, couscous and a tomato salad with balsamic...so yummy! Hmmm, I think I dare say that I am really happy right now.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Roper and shows some of my favorite simple pleasures right now...a clean house with a pristine white bed full of lots of layers and wellies to leaf kick in...

Halloween is so close and no costume ideas yet...

2008-10-22T21:24:00.002-05:00

I will be working on Halloween this year, and I will be dressing up...I do every year anyway...I do love Halloween...however I have no idea what so ever I should be...

I did at one point go to a school dance in a green thing similar to the one above, with my face and hands pained green and antenna in my hair...I was an alien of coarse, albeit with out the Louboutin heels...and in the 8th grade with an amazing amount of courage when I think back on it...I'll need to be a bit more conservative this year...any ideas?

Pre Holiday Sale at ManicTrout.com

2008-10-22T16:55:00.005-05:00

I was going through the website and studio inventory last night and I realized that if I am overwhelmed with the amount of jewelry that is available, then you must be too...so its time to really clean house (as I did yesterday in my apt...I even flipped my mattress!) and get ready for the holidays and all of the new goodies I am working on.

What does this mean? Huge deals for you! Take 25% off anything on Manic Trout.com by entering CandyCorn (my favorite Halloween candy) in the coupon/voucher box at check out!

There is also a Specials page right now where you will find discontinued pieces at 50% off (with the coupon you'll receive %75 off!!!!) as well as a section at the bottom letting you know which items there is only one left of!

So go crazy and shop your heart out for the next week...sale will end October 31st, so act fast!

This is today...

2008-10-21T20:23:00.003-05:00

These photos sum up today...beautiful, grey, dreary, cold and stunning all at once...

Photos by DavidVasiljevic

Shipping Changes at Manic Trout!

2008-10-21T11:45:00.003-05:00

I have redone the shipping and added more options...you may now select First Class, Priority or Express shipping for any US purchase...shipping is still free over $200!

I also have added an option for Canadian shoppers...you may now select either First Class or Global Priority.

Shipping costs in the US are as follows:

$3.00 for USPS First Class Mail
$6.00 for USPS Priority Mail
$18.00 for USPS Express Mail (overnight)

FREE for all orders over $200 (excluding paintings) via Priority Mail!

All US packages are shipped with delivery confirmation.

Shipping costs for Canada are as follows:

$3.50 for International First Class Mall
$12.00 for Global Priority Mail

International Orders:
$12.00 via Global Priority Mail

As always, this information is available on the FAQ's page!

Loving the Shapes in these...

2008-10-21T08:15:00.003-05:00

I fell instantly head over heels for these photos from the November UK Vogue by Tom Craig...especially the usage of shapes...

...and how much do you wish you could jump on that princess and the pea pile of cushions????

Late night studio happenings...

2008-10-20T22:54:00.002-05:00

So I had to share this, as Shanley and I thought it was funny enough to document, there's a chance its funny enough to share. So about two weeks ago after we returned from a night on the town...that parts funny enough on its own as our town is really small and yet happening enough that I think we made the rounds and visited a handful of bar & restaurants before we made our way back to my studio for girl talk/night summarizing and...dog grooming? Faye tends to get talons quickly and hates it when I cut her nails, so to remedy the dagger nail, I absentmindedly grabbed a file and was filing away while we gabbed...until Shanley realized what I was doing and snapped a photo...

...admittedly the best part is that Faye is sticking her tongue out...I don't think she appreciates being teased about her grooming needs...

Make Way for Fall Soundtrack

2008-10-20T20:11:00.003-05:00

As my time in the studio is rather precious right now...I have to make sure that I stay productive when I'm in there...which usually means playing music that keeps me going, yet is not to crazy to irritate me when I am working...which brings me to the most recent compilation of music...

1. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing - John Legend
2. Valerie - Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
3. Young Americans - David Bowie
4. Little Bit of Feel Good - Jamie Lidell
5. Trouble Man - Marvin Gaye
6. Slow Dance - John Legend
7. Rip Rip - David Holmes
8. Just Drums - Tapes 'n' Tapes
9. Paper Planes - M.I.A.
10. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
11. Bruises - Chairlift
12. Expectations - Belle & Sebastian
13. Woman Trouble - Artful Dodger & Craig David
14. Hey Ladies - Beastie Boys
15. I Love To Move In Here - Moby
16. Watermelon Man - Mongo Santamaría
17. Sea of Love - Cat Power
18. Come Undone - Duran Duran
19. Let It Die - Feist

For those who want to be all web savvy and hear (most) of the playlist...you can go to my facebook page and hear them in the iLike window (you will have to be my "friend" to do this) ...and while you're there on facebook...please become a fan of Manic Trout so I feel all warm and fuzzy...xo

Manic Trout in Modish : Handmade Spaces today!!!

2008-10-20T18:26:00.002-05:00

I was so excited to see the Manic Trout studio in the Modish: Handmade Spaces Column today...please check out the interview and photos and take a whirl around Modish! I have been a fan of Modish for a few years now and think Jena is the cat's pajamas and her blog rocks! I was so excited to be included in the ongoing tour of creative spaces, thank you Jena!

How to find the perfect necklace for you...

2008-10-17T08:55:00.003-05:00

Check out the Necklace Guide at Manic Trout...it will show you all of the necklaces by length, where each length falls and what each length works well with...have fun!

If I could jump into a photo...

2008-10-15T11:28:00.002-05:00

I would leap right into this one...

I am suddenly incredibly busy on a daily basis, and I love it...being busy also makes me cherish the snippets of down time and moments spent with my near and dears...and makes me want to hang out in this room with a good book for an hour to reward myself...and as it has been so long since I've tossed out a random fact...Reading (non work related) during the day is my guilty pleasure...and its basically what a good vacation consists of as well....

I am thinking big!

2008-10-14T14:50:00.002-05:00

It all started with the silk scarves...I am really into big necklaces right now...I will keep you posted as they turn from designs on paper to reality...but I'll give you an idea of what size necklace has tickled my fancy recently....

I have been scouring for big vintage brass chain and funky finds to turn into statement necklaces...and they will be arriving shortly...

I might as well embarrass good friends on their birthdays...

2008-10-13T17:47:00.004-05:00

So today happens to be the birthday of a few people I know...Miles and Sam B from high school, Sara from work, my cousin Gerry...and my dearest friend Shireen...so I wish all you lovies a very Happy Birthday and would like to share some photo booth pics of Shireen, Eliza and your truly when we were I believe Sophomores at Millbrook...which is even made more eerie as my littlest sister is currently a Sophomore there...we were that young....Love you Shireen...and now I have embarrassed you all over the Internet...

Flowers & Sunshine

2008-10-10T09:15:00.002-05:00

I think I'm getting sick, ick. I am going to remain in denial of this however and focus on the fact that its gorgeous outside and its going to be almost 70 out today and as its October, that's especially awesome...hmm, it may be allergies...whatever.

ps...loving her eyebrows!

Fall frocks that rock my socks...yeah I'm in that kinda mood...

2008-10-09T16:13:00.002-05:00

When I was a pre teen, my friends and I would dress up and take photos set in various indoor and outdoor scenes...it was a great way to spend the afternoon...any way...there was one in particular that these James Macari photos remind me a great deal of...I wonder if I would have the nerve to do that again now...

I am lusting for girlie shoes

2008-10-08T09:48:00.003-05:00

Something about fall makes me want to wear stockings and really girly shoes...I rocked the perfect LBD last night out with the girls topped off with stockings, purple suede very high heels, my go to buttery soft cream colored leather coat and a long striped scarf...it felt like the perfect outfit...except now I want these shoes...

How great would it be to open your fridge to all of these pretties?!?

However, Carrie I am not, so for now I'll keep the shoes to the closet...

This is what it looks like here...

2008-10-07T11:57:00.003-05:00

Fall is here in the Hudson Valley and this week I have been lucky enough to spend some time outside in it. I took a wonderful long walk with a great friend yesterday down a dirt road surrounded by leaves in bright bursting colors...it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. I am trying to keep the balance of a life and work as my schedule gets fuller everyday now that I have returned to the restaurant world and am getting Manic Trout ready for the holidays, so far, life is good.

Autumn Sweet Light by Wendy Sisson

Amen to that sistah...

2008-10-02T22:16:00.002-05:00

OK, this is one of the funniest cards I've read in a while...you can get your own copy over at Blue Barn House...I have been enjoying not being married much more then I enjoyed being married...although that may have been due more to who I was married to then the actual marriage part...

Holy Adorable Brit Girl!

2008-10-02T18:49:00.004-05:00

So I was over perusing the ever fabulous Fug Girls and saw not one, but two absolutely adorable photos of a Miss Emma Watson whom you may know from the Harry Potter flicks. Well she is becoming quite the young lady and I am loving her style...

Wouldn't mind seeing her in some lovely Manic Trout creations...I think the Sweetest Thing Earrings or the Zsa Zsa Bling Rings would look simply divine on Emma!

You're pretty cool, Mr. Christopher Kane

2008-10-02T15:12:00.002-05:00

The day I went through the images form London Fashion Week I stopped dead in my tracks when I flipped through the Christopher Kane show. Oh. My. God. Jaw dropping. Amazing. Love it. I'll just leave you a few images and you can see for yourself...

Why can't I be this type of gal?

2008-09-30T16:33:00.003-05:00

I had five months of time on my hands...and during the warmest of the year...did I travel, no...well at the very end, but I was only there for 14 hours...did I catch up on all the stuff I never have time for...like paint and read excessively and relaxing...not really. I spent most of the time freaking out that I had too much time on my hands. I wish I was the type of gal who could take long walks without the need to go as fast as I can...or lie on the beach, in a bathing suit or tench and just be still...

...or even be in my house without working and not feel really guilty about it. I can't seem to stand still unless its to stop and think about what I should be doing, but forgot because I am doing 18 things at once. Ah, to be able to just stop...that would be nice...but then I guess that I would no longer be me...

Photos: Will Sanders

Open Studio this Thursday!!!

2008-09-30T08:37:00.002-05:00

I have moved the Open Studio's to Thursday afternoons/evenings and this week is the first one, yay! If you're in the area, please come on by and hang out for bit...

NY Fashion Week Favs: Last But Not Least

2008-09-28T16:16:00.003-05:00

So here is is, my final post of my favs from the New York Fashion week...its an assortment of designers and I adored each piece for different reasons, but I adored them none the less...

1. Barbara Tfank
2. Peter Som
3. Milly
4. Sophie Theallet
5. Malandrino
6. Reem Acre
7. Nanette Lepore

And that concludes what I loved from Spring '09 lines at the New York Shows!

NY Fashion Week Favs: Badgley Mischka

2008-09-28T16:11:00.002-05:00

I know the New York Fashion Week anded so long ago, but I was really into it this year and enjoyed going through each collection ever so much. So today is the last day I will blather on about it, I promise...but it will be in two posts.

I had to share these two Badgley Mischka images as I loved the use of fabric in both of these...my obsession with lightweight beautiful textiles continues...and the feathers, oh the feathers!

Looking for length?

2008-09-26T09:23:00.002-05:00

I am loving the long, long necklaces right now, I think they are a great fresh way to play with jewelry, and I even added two to ManicTrout.com the other day!

The Logan Everythings Magic Necklace measures 32.5 inches and features a sentimental heart locket hanging from a this brass chain which is adorned with amethyst swarovski crystals and is $50.

The Tekoa Just Like Magic Necklace is 32", made of beautiful vintage brass chain and is ornamented with three leafy charms and amethyst and lavender glass.

NY Fashion Week Favs: Jonathan Saunders

2008-09-25T16:44:00.002-05:00

Something about this collection reminds my a great deal of my early years in cgr, it must be the colors...very computer generated aspect to the textiles...

I'm surprised I even own pants at this point

2008-09-25T09:02:00.002-05:00

I don't think I've admired a piece of clothing with legs in ages...how odd...anyway, no idea where I found this image from, but I love it and thought I would share...

p.s. don't forget to check out the amazing new goodies at ManicTrout.com!

Go ahead...throw rocks at me...

2008-09-24T22:10:00.002-05:00

I am not supporting smoking...I do not smoke, but you have admit that this is still a pretty good looking photo...

11 New Necklaces released today!

2008-09-24T21:58:00.002-05:00

Yes, I did it!!!! There are 11 new necklaces on ManicTrout.com including the Scarf Necklaces, Ms. Trout and 2 super long beauties...oh yes, happy dance time!

Lookie What I Made!

2008-09-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

So I was playing around online instead of making jewelry or working last night, and I designed some shoes! I have been told more then once to that it would be cool to incorporate my paintings into jewelry, and I am working on that...but until then you can own my paintings on your shoes!

Pleasure of My Company

I think Keds is trying to catch up on the DIY movement, and although I am a die hard, old school Vans fan...they won't let me put my painting on them...so I may switch over.
Complexities of Intimacy

If you go check them, please give them a nice rating as I'm curious to see what happens if the word spreads...

This time its for real...

2008-09-23T12:11:00.004-05:00

I have a long overdue update coming either tonight or tomorrow, I swear this time it will happen...Mr. Trout, the scarf necklaces and a few new fall pretties will all be available...finally. If you read the last post, you may understand a bit of why I have been so busy lately...but I'm getting caught up now.

I am loving the photo in the background of this room photographed by awesome Aussie Chris Chen. Her work is stunning!

Be Careful What You Wish For...

2008-09-22T20:03:00.003-05:00

Its been so long since I've rambled on and shared whats been happening...and mainly because after I left my "day job" as a bar manager on April 1st, I have been a bit out of sorts you could call it. I have always been a busy person...keeping myself fully booked with little room for life...so I thought I would give not working full time and Manic Trout a whirl for a few months and allow myself to have a social life and time to relax. I wished for more time. What did I discover? ...That I do not like to be idle and my friends and family do not take up that much of my day...the vast amount of time on my hands became wasted in my mind, I no longer was able to be productive and I basically lost all drive and ambition. I was not enjoying my life at this pace. So I changed all that.

I have started a new "day job"...this time with one that is much better suited to my life...it fits well with Manic Trout as its almost entirely on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and have time to be social still. I have benefits and a steady income and those both ease my mind as well. I of coarse could not stay out of the insanity of the restaurant world...and I am now the restaurant manager at a private club and busy, busy, busy...right back where I like to be.

Its tough adjusting back to juggling everything, I'll admit that I am exhausted from this past week...but I am really excited with where this all will head...mainly that my head will be in a better state now...and all will return to where I like to be...living life at full speed and loving every minute of it!

NY Fashion Week Favs: Lesly Masson

2008-09-22T14:53:00.002-05:00

I loved the colors and textures of the Lesly Masson line, SpiroGraph patterns, bright pinks, and the shimmering disks were fantastic!

NY Fashion Week Favs: Monique Lhuillier

2008-09-18T12:24:00.005-05:00

Ahhh Monique Lhuillier...I have always loved her pretty, feminine and beautiful dresses...

NY Fashion Week Favs: Carlos Miele

2008-09-17T11:38:00.011-05:00

I have been going through the stills from the NY Fashion Week over at Style.com and thought I would share a few of my favorite things over the next few days. These are all from the Carlos Miele Spring 09 Ready to Wear collection and I am loving the colors and as I'm sure you guessed...the fluidity of the fabrics.

Hello, My name is Sierra and I am a Candyholic...

2008-09-17T11:38:00.010-05:00

I have a problem with sugar...I fiend for it...it all goes back to not being allowed to have sugar of ANY form until I was six...we are talking no cakes, cookies, candies...nada. So when I was six and met my first marshmallow I came home and was extremely upset at my mother. I would sneak boxes of cake mix out of the pantry and sit in a closet while I ate it...I can actually vividly remember one day running through three horse fields to beat my mom home so I could eat a box of sugar before she arrived home.

The 25 years since that first marshmallow have been filled with as much sugar as I can lay my hands on without becoming a diabetic and this week is no exception...except I have finally realized that if I combat stress with candy AND exercise, I feel a tad bit better about it...I bring you my latest poison...as it happens every holiday, a seasonal tempting treat hits the shelves and as it has a limited time frame, I feel justified in my sugar induced comas...I give you Brach's Autumn Mix...

So good, so sickly sweet, so filled with delicious dyes and syrups...

Ignore the clothes, check out those walls!

2008-09-17T11:38:00.005-05:00

I have a thing for distressed paint chipped walls...I think I have mentioned the walls from the movie Fur before, which were the best I have ever seen...deep cobalt goodness...I still dream about those...its walls like these that I realized my paintings are turning into...when I get time to actually paint that is...these walls from a Kate Moss spread by Mario Testino are stunning...

Okay, okay I am rather into into the clothes too...and the combination of the walls and the orange in that last dress is supremely orgasmic...

I am Dress Obsessed!

2008-09-16T19:55:00.002-05:00

I have a thing for dresses...from May-September I live in skirted bottoms...this year I am going to revisit tights and try to continue into fall, as I have to be a tad dressed up weekends now. So in honor of my obsession with the feminine style, I give you two photos by Tim Walker...

I actually had vintage dresses hanging on my living room walls as art for awhile too...the tree image makes me want to do that again...

One last blog of summer blooms...that may be a lie

2008-09-15T16:34:00.003-05:00

One last shot of the best part of spring and summer, I will miss these blooms though the long months of fall and winter.

1. Peony Passion by LightchaserStudios
2. Pink Peony by AuntieDawn
3. Old Fashioned by LenaBrown
4. Romance by dsbrennan

You can still get away with doing this today...

2008-09-15T13:19:00.005-05:00

I admitted the other day that I misplaced a few images I found this summer and am trying to play catch up with them...then the weather turned very fall like and I thought I was going to have on to them until next year...fortunately its a perfect summer day today and you easily could be doing this...

Bruce Weber from the July W

I actually really wish that were me right now

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler are Brilliant!

2008-09-14T16:46:00.001-05:00

It doesn't matter who you support, if you have a shred of a sense of humor you will find this skit from Saturday Night Live last night hilarious!

My next house will have more photos...

2008-09-12T09:16:00.002-05:00

I have run out of wall space...there is no more room to hang anything, nevermind the vast amount of photography that I drool over...my next house will hopefully be a tad larger....so can add to the growing collection. There will be an ample amount of space given to Susannah Tucker as I fall in love a bit deeper with her work with every new piece I see...one of my favorites from this summer...

Three Surfers by SusannahTucker

Another great color combo...

2008-09-11T19:50:00.002-05:00

I just found a bunch of images that I had loved this summer and then misplaced...so I thought I should get them up here before I find new ones...not only is the color of the door fantastic in this...side note...I really ned to start painting more...but there is a wonderful leaf perfect for the fall that will soon be here...

At your door by chicalookate

The perfect blues

2008-09-11T11:08:00.003-05:00

There are certain colors that I gravitate too...obviously, Manic Trout pink...Turquoise, Bright Lake or Pool Blue, Grass Green and Kelly Green...they look especially nice all together. I tend to be drawn to anything with one or any combo of these colors and this photo is no exception...note the turquoise and a light version of the blue

Blue Wall by lightway

A note on Button Rings...

2008-09-10T15:03:00.002-05:00

I just did a quick inventory of the Button Rings buttons and realized I only have a few left of a bunch of them...if you have had your eye on any one in particular or if a special someone hinted at wanting one for a gift, please note that they are all limited edition and once they are sold out, there are no more ever to be had...

Pretty girls in party dresses

2008-09-10T11:45:00.002-05:00

I love these images by photog MaximAmburg, they make me want to wear prom dresses, tiaras and big earrings to run errands in ...I'm not going to, but these make me want to a little bit.

Back to a very busy schedule and life and loving it, some new fun things in the works...enjoying playing around with different materials and getting geared up for an insanely full and chaotic fall!

Oh The Places I've Been...Newport, RI

2008-09-09T17:11:00.004-05:00

In the land of Manic Trout, I have very little time to travel...so my vacation this summer lasted all of 14 hours...not including driving time...and I had to make the most of it. Yesterday I headed off to Newport and here I sit the next evening, already home with tales to share...well photos any way...there wasn't much time for tales.

This morning I was giving a magnificent tour and as it was 8 am...yes AM...for those that know me well you know I have not been awake at that hour in a long, long time...anyway I also did not have coffee or food me, so I was a quiet observer who almost forgot to take photos...

The one thing that I HAD TO SEE was this house which I read about in the NYTimes recently...it was rather hazy this morning, so you cannot see it that well, but this is just proof I was there...you can read about and see amazing photos here.

I was very into the pink flowers this morning

My obsession with paths through nature continue...there were a few, but this was my favorite

I was loving the gates...this one rocked my world

Open Windows

2008-09-08T10:44:00.003-05:00

I have had a love of architecture my entire life...I did not like to study it one bit, but I will always have an appreciation and admiration for it...I am loving this today...

Open Space by NestaHome

When it rains, it pours in the creative department...

2008-09-07T22:36:00.003-05:00

I spent much of this week-end immersed in my new design concept and I am thrilled with the results...

Made from vintage silk scarves that were rendered useless as a whole from age and use...these beauties are one of a kind, show stopping, statement necklaces. Light as a feather, soft as...well um, silk and reversible to boot...and they give me one more reason to scour every antique store in my path...like I needed another reason!

They seem to get bigger and bigger as I make them...hmmm

They should be online next week, along with a few other new goodies...including Manic Trout Necklace, finally!

Big, Bold & Eco Friendly!

2008-09-05T22:49:00.003-05:00

I have been playing around with silk scarves and how to incorporate them into jewelry for awhile now...I have amassed a collection that have stains on them or as a whole are not my style and I have been dying to find a good use for them.

Well I think the day has come...these are vintage scarves from Oscar de la Renta and Chloe (the backs of the two large flowers are the Chloe scarves) from the era of scarves that complimented the perfume I presume. I cut them up and stitched them together with hot pink thread and then sewed them together. I am a bit unsure of the ribbon, but its really comfortable to wear this way...

Summer's not over yet...

2008-09-04T15:31:00.002-05:00

Everyone heads back to school, labor day has come and gone and as much as summer seems to be over, it is still holding on strong...its hot and sticky out today and I have been running around all day...well except when the back to school fever hit me and I uploaded 27 photos from college onto facebook...which was so nostalgic and gratifying that I will be adding more later...and adding prep school photos after that...Anyway...

I have lusted after this photo all summer, and today seems like the perfect day to share it with you...

barriere by labokoff

It goes really well with La Femme D'Argent by Air which I am listening to right now...

Free Fall

2008-09-03T11:36:00.002-05:00

I just saw the spread for POP Fall o8 by Ryan McGinley featuring Agyness Deyn free falling five stories in great clothes...these are my two personal favs...but you can see all eleven over at fashionologie

For some reason, I prefer not to see her face in them...I think its because in Stranger Than Fiction, Emma Thompson described the woman who was photographed jumping to her death and looked so at peace and I was expecting that look...which who are we kidding, I cannot imaging what my face would look like here... but I just prefer to imagine a peaceful look.

This is what my brain feels like today...

2008-09-02T21:59:00.002-05:00

Its been such a fantastic week so far (I knew that labor day would bring happiness!) on so many levels, I hung out with a ton of my rarely seen and yet adored people I know yesterday and its just continued to rock all through out today...basically my brain feels like this image...hmmm could that be some more tulle?

The Pink TuTu's by lesophie

Ok...so some of the cause may be Mike & Ikes...but whatever...its time to go walk Faye for an hour to try and release some of this pent up energy...

Where I Wish I Worked...

2008-08-29T17:33:00.002-05:00

This photo was the last push I needed to photo my studio the other day...although I wish I had a studio more like this one...a more industrial space...slick, dark, polished concrete floors, walls I can stick stuff all over and high ceiling with large windows...oh what a dream...

Where I Work...

2008-08-27T13:20:00.003-05:00

Have I shown where I work? I have taken many photos, but never show them as I always feel that its not clean enough, or looking right or whatever, but I realized that if this is what it pretty much looks like for my monthly open studios so I might as well get over myself and welcome you in...

A bit of background: I live and work in an apartment in a lovely house with a wrap around porch and lush gardens which in the smack in the center of a pretty little town, so I am near everything and yet it is still quiet and secluded. The town doctor once lived here with his family and my apt was his office...my studio was the waiting room, which is ideal as it is the room you enter into and the rest of the apt can remained closed off.

Above is the brain of the studio...the wall behind the desk is my "inbox" which I prefer to be able to see all at once, so I know what is on my plate. You can see a few of the many inspiration boards here too.

The white shelf unit was the paint mixing bench from the local hardware store and when they had a new one made I snagged it right up, and it is where I have all sorts of fun stuff, magazines that I cut up for inspiration, binders of files, paper supplies, framed signs for open studio and other shelvable wonders. You can see a few of my inspiration boards, my shelf of sketch books over the armoir and catch a glimpse of the shipping station in the center of the room.

I realized awhile ago that leaving up the shop part of Manic Trout between open studios was a great way to save time, keep jewelry organized, allow local shoppers to drop in and make the whole space look prettier. The table with the pink cloth, the glass blocks behind the shipping station and the sign are all part of the "shop". My painting area jammed in the back of the room, I have some room....but I really do not have enough space to paint as large as I like...one day I will.

Here is part of the wall of trout, so pretty...the other side of the shipping station, the white carts where all of the labels and wrapping materials live, the tool corner and a glimpse at where all of the jewelry zone.

Which brings us to the jewelry zone...boxes and boxes of materials...including two printmaker shelves on the right side of the desk filled with charms and covered in a sheet of plexiglass I had cut to fit over them so they stay dust free and visible. I rarely sit here without making anything...I love working here and when I look up what do I gaze...oh look its yet another inspiration board!

I hope you enjoyed the tour, you're always welcome to stop in for a visit!

Notice the color shift this week?

2008-08-27T12:59:00.002-05:00

I just realized that the colors of the photos I have been posting this week have taken on a more subdued look, fall is creeping into my thoughts more each day...

from the fantastic photog Zhang Jinga

State of Mind Soundtrack

2008-08-26T14:09:00.003-05:00

Here is another soundtrack for you...based on my recent state of mind in the past month...not the cheeriest, but excellent none the less...

1. I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You) - John Mayer
2. Breathe Me - Sia
3. Heartbeats - The Knife
4. Lovertits - Feist (with Gonzales)
5. I Don't Like It Like This - The Radio Dept.
6. Tropicana - Ratatat
7. Avril 14th - Aphex Twin
8. Fools in Love - Inara George
9. Gate Keeper - Feist
10. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room - John Mayer
11. Going Missing - Maximo Park
12. Ceremony - New Order
13. All Cats are Grey - The Cure
14. I Wish You Love - Rachael Yamagata
15. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
16. Plain Song - The Cure

Pure Whimsy

2008-08-26T13:58:00.002-05:00

I have never been a fan of the ballet but I adore this Arthur Elgort photo from the September Vogue...perhaps its all that tulle that I am oh so obsessed with at the moment...

Sentimental Blooms

2008-08-26T12:59:00.002-05:00

I have tried in the past to dry flowers that have meant a lot to me and even tried to incorporate them into art...but I just never liked the end results, or would knock over the flowers or something...as sentimental as I am, I am by no means a romantic.

Then I see images like these and I get all sorts of worked up about wanting to dry some flowers and use them in jewelry...although have you ever smelled a dried rose, its not very pleasant...so for no I will stick to resin and lucite versions and admire the photos instead.

Manic Trout in the Fall Teen Mag!

2008-08-25T14:44:00.002-05:00

Check it out, the Anaconda Button Ring is in the Fall issue of Teen Mag!

Loving Imke Klee!

2008-08-25T14:21:00.003-05:00

I stumbled upon the work of photograpgher and stylist Imke Klee the other day while blog hopping and was instantly smitten.

You can keep tabs on her work at her blog...I know I will!

Country Life

2008-08-25T00:32:00.003-05:00

This makes me feel as though it defends my life...you can mix fashion and design with country living...

...well I actually do not encounter cows and live in a village only an tad bit over an hour outside of Manhattan...but I felt the need to defend this choice a great deal recently.

Old Friends

2008-08-25T00:05:00.002-05:00

I know, I know...it's been a while since I was last here...don't even ask about last week.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to have TWO friends of mine from prep school in town this week-end and I had an awesome time hanging out with them. My friend Ed and I see each other every few months and it always brings a smile to my face...which got me thinking of a photo of us from our yearbook...a glimpse of 1994 or maybe 1995...either way...check us out...

good times, good times...

Family Bonding

2008-08-19T16:05:00.002-05:00

Sunday was my sister Gillians birthday...and for the first time in a few years all four of us girls were all together at the same time a camera was around...and more amazingly, there was a decent photo taken...therefore I have to share it with the world...

Holly, Thea, Sierra & Gillian

Fluidity is what its all about right now...

2008-08-19T13:30:00.003-05:00

Oh, I lust after these images, look at all that fabric flowing and moving around, love it!

By Baldovino Barani for Santuary

Manic Trout in Time Out New York this week!

2008-08-18T14:32:00.004-05:00

This week Manic Trout (and Sierra) are in Time Out New York, yay! You can read the article online here.

Long Necklaces for Fall!

2008-08-15T16:14:00.002-05:00

I am working on a line of longer necklaces perfect for fall and layering with other pieces...here is the first one...a bit of leafy goodness, a touch of color and goes with everything!

Any thoughts on this? Its 32", long enough?