Love Garden Design

Beware of Jeremy Bernard, "Massage Therapist"

2012-04-10T12:44:00.000-04:00

Dear Ladies and Gents,

I write to you in concern. I recently received the following email with a promise of work only to discover it was a scam. I know you are all smart enough to avoid things that are too good to be true but it can't hurt to get his name out there, in the google sphere.

Thank you ABMP for posting an email from this online predator. He has moved on from Massage Therapists to yoga teachers but his message and format remains the same.

Namaste!

---------------------------------

Enquiry for a Yoga practitioner

Inbox
x

JEREMY BERNARD atlantic-soudures@orange.fr

7:49 PM (16 hours ago)

to undisclosed recipients

Greetings from Paris,

My name is Mr Jeremy bernard I live and work as a massage therapist here in France, I am 49yrs old. I have been doing massage since 1991. I do deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without pain. I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am also certified to do pregnancy massage. I have lots of happy clients here in France.

I have been looking for a for Yoga practitioner for over a week now till i met an old friend yesterday that referred you to me, so i decided to contact you to know if you will be able give my client some Yoga sessions.. My client's name is Ms Raphaelle Bregal, A model here in France who will be needing some Yoga session when she arrives America...She will be coming to the U.S in 2 weeks time for a modeling job and will be residing in your Area temporarily until the necessary arrangement for her job has been made before she leaves.

She will be needing 1hr Yoga session per day, 3 Sessions per week for 6 weeks. Ms Bregal, asked me to come with her to America but i told her i would not be able to go with her as i have a course i will be going for in a week time and also because i do not know much about Yoga, so i promised to help her get a good Yoga practitioner in your Area..

Pls tell me a little more about your self, how long have you been a Yoga practitioner? Would you be able to provide her with the Yoga sessions from the 24th of this Month to the 10th of June, 3 Sessions per week for 6 weeks?

I need you to get back to me with the amount you charge per session and also let me know if she can pay you with a Certified check drawn from a US bank?

Do send your reply to my personal email address ( therapiajeremyb@yahoo.fr ) as i do not check this email always.

You can view some of Ms Bregal's Pictures from the link below:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/2394428/viewall

Till I read from you remain blessed.

Jeremy Bernard

112 Rue des Beaux-Art,

75006 Paris, France

Mid-February Spring?!

2012-02-21T12:01:00.001-05:00

Is it just me or something is up with the climate? We're we warned about something like this? (Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, I know Mum.)
It's February 21st in New York and Daffodils & crocuses are blooming! What I up with that?

Christmas Tubular Scarves

2011-12-31T02:43:00.001-05:00

Just a quick post to showcase my latest project I made as a Christmas gift for my Mother-in-Law. I'm also working on another one for my Mum which I'll post later with more details about the pattern - I'm still ironing out the kinks.

Materials:
- 2 1/2 skeins of rowan's KidMohair HaZe
- size 5mm circular needle

I hope you had a fantastic holiday and I look forward to more blogging in 2012.

Cheers!

Archie Comics Kid Day at Midtown Comics NYC

2011-10-02T18:26:00.003-04:00

It was Archie Comics Kid Day at Midtown Comics on Fulton. For the occasion we made Archie T-shirts using iron on dark t-shirt transfers from Target.
The organisers liked them enough to put them on their Twitter Page @midtowncomics and on @archiecomics.

Lots of Fun!

Cheers!!

Surya Design

2011-09-30T13:10:00.000-04:00

Science educator, Yoga teacher and model in between

"Beauty, sensibility and style, inspired by the mysterious Asian culture of ancient times"

This quote describes the beautiful Surya Design collection by Olia Saunders which I got to model and pose for.
Olia Saunders is a New York based graphic designer, photographer and avid yoga practitioner. This collection blends her love of beauty and her respect for the Vedic Culture.

It was quite thrilling to be photographed by a professional, you know, someone behind the camera that doesn't use cheese as a smile inducer. Here's 3 pictures from the shoot :

Olia has foud shirt models (2 for men, 2 for women) on sale for the time being, you can find them here. Every shirt that is purchased brings her closer to her goal and will allow her build up her online store.

Enjoy the presence of the Hindu sun deity, Surya, by owning your very own shirt!

Visit Surya Design
Discover the talented Olia's portfolio at oliasaunders.com

Cheers!

Do you think shirts are boring?

2011-09-03T02:01:00.001-04:00

You won't anymore, not after watching this video!

Enjoy!

How creative can you get with a shirt?
This video is incredible. I'm no model but I will try some of these looks and share the results.
Do you think it's wearable? We shall see.
Cheers

GreenFashion

2011-08-04T19:56:00.001-04:00

These Runway Shows are happening somewhere in NYC, I need to get myself there. But how?

Link : http://youtu.be/gixexR7Lad4

The dresses shown in the screen shot are by Samantha Pleet, a Brooklyn eco-designer. I love her style and so wish I could be her friend because she seems so nice. Go watch the video on youtube!

Cheers!

Spring Time & New Beginnings

2011-04-21T09:21:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the long absence.

I will be back in May with lots of interesting stuff for you.

Cheers!

Fame Obsession

2011-03-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of Glee?
Do you watch it? Are you a GleeK?

What is Glee?
"Glee is a musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues." Thank you kindly Wiki.
It first aired in September of 2009 and has rapidly conquered the nation. I watched my first episode after the Superbowl, their Zombie choreography impressed me and so did their singing. Their good. At first I believed it was the logical step after High School Musical (1&2) - 2006, which was an obvious remake of Grease (1&...2) - did you know it came out in 1978? Netflix recently showed me that I was missing something in between, Fame.

Fame?
Yes, Fame. I'm not talking about the 2009 or 1980 movie of the same name, but the TV series of 1982. It seems as though, like fashion, Musical Comedy-drama television series come around again. Fame is based in the New York School of Arts where young dancers, singers, actors and musicians strive to reach their dream while dealing with an entire armada of teen problems. It's addictive. I particularly enjoy their reflective walks in Central Park.

All this to explain my next two sketches which just happen to be of the cast of Fame. Two for one today because I'm behind on my posting.

Both sketches are of Lydia the Dance Teacher played by Debbie Allen. I love her style and her hair!

Cheers!

Natalie Portman - Academy Awards 2011

2011-03-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

Did you watch the Academy Awards? You know, where they hand out Oscars?

Ok, so I was completely confused. I thought they where two different events. I mean some people call them the Oscars others the Academy Awards, how was I to know? I might be because I'm blond or it might be because this is the first year I've actually sat down and watched it.

Anyway.

I love Natalie Portman and she looked stunning at the Oscars, don't you agree? I was so happy when she won and blown over when she stood up, only to reveal: she is pregnant! Yep, once again I'm completely out of the gossip loop. I know her baby will be gorgeous and I wish her a happy healthy bouncing baby.
She won best actress for her role in The Black Swan. Thank you speeches are rarely noteworthy but I really liked when she thanked her husband for giving her her "most important role" and then gently touching her round belly. Beautiful.

What was she wearing?

She looked wonderful in this plum Rodarte custom silk chiffon gown and matching Jimmy Choo Sandals. I really liked her tassel earrings by Tiffany & Co.

Cheers!

Salvatore & the Sartorialist

2011-03-01T22:12:00.000-05:00

I had to reblog this amazing picture by the Sartorialist. He took it at this year's Salvatore Ferragamo show in Milan. It's so romantic. You can see more pictures on Garance Dore's blog.

Cheers!

Wikifashion?

2011-03-01T19:01:00.000-05:00

Something definitely looking into.

Main Page - Wikifashion

Expensive Safety Pins

2011-02-25T08:00:00.004-05:00

Darling,
Another sketch from the pages of Vogue. I was surprised by the cost of the black top - $1,600 I kid you not.

It seems simple enough, artistically cut up a black t-shirt and fix the gaping holes with safety pins. I believe they have stolen this idea straight off the back of one of my friends. He loved safety pins, even wore them as earrings. You can also find this idea is all t-shirt modification books.
So unless the pins are made out of silver or platinum, leave it hanging.

Have a great weekend!
Cheers!

{Best of A Year of Shoes} Mary Poppins?

2011-02-24T09:59:00.001-05:00

Darling,
It's been a while since I've posted a shoe from my calendar. Today's shoe stir-up quite a debate.

You see, this shoe makes me think of Mary Poppins and my husband thinks I'm crazy. Let me defend my case and you be the judge.

This beaded Victorian Barret leather boot from 1870 has a very particular heel. If you could look closely at the shoe visible on Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews 1964) in the following supporting evidence.

picture via mptvimages.com

Voilà! It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! The film is set in 1910 not too long after the shoe was made and clearly the heel and shape of the boot are very similar. I rest my case. It's up to the jury now.

Cheers!

Fendi

2011-02-24T09:40:00.000-05:00

Darling,
I just received the Spring Edition of Vogue. It's HUGE! Not to mention loaded with colour. The next two sketches come straight from the magazine.

I fell in love with this outfit, particularly the royal blue perfectly draped batwing top and the obi-like high-waisted tulip skirt. This outfit is by Fendi so unfortunately no where near my budget, one can dream though.

Have a nice thursday!
Cheers!

Vampire in New York City

2011-02-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Darling,
I took the S train for the first time during the big snowstorms and I've taken a liking to it. Fascinating people travel on the S train. It also brings to first complete Man to my NYC Street Fashion Sketches (there's an ebauche of a classy man here but it was never completed).

Have you seen Vampire in Brooklyn? It's an Eddie Murphy movie that came out in 1995. He plays the part of the sole surviving member of a Caribbean coven. He travels to Brooklyn to find a mate, the child of a vampire and a human. He's super classy and would wear what this man was wearing in a heart-beat.
The man in question was dressed in black from head to toe except for his blue shirt. He had a Pin Stripe (I know, only 1 "p" or it has a completely different meaning...oups) suit, black Wing Tip shoes and a long black Peacoat. What really screamed vampire were the gold rings he wore on all 10 fingers. Why the vampire association? I don't know. He looked good but also very powerful - which might better explain the Vampire thing.

Cheers!

Felted Pixie Hat

2011-02-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Darling,

I'm posting thing mainly because of the audacity of this felted pixie hat. It definitely stood out in the crowd.

Thankfully my sketching does get better, just wait until tomorrow, our first Man.

Cheers!

Rags a Go-Go

2011-02-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

Darling,
I must get back on track with my Resolution - to post a new sketch everyday of the week. I've got some good ones for this week, let me know what you think.

My take on Rags a Go-Go's owner's, Joshua Suzanne, outfit from February 17th. My sketch doesn't quite do it justice. She wasn't wearing any glasses, I just messed up her eyes so I had to cover them up. She was however wearing a cut out wolf t-shirt over a checkered shirt and camo pants. It looked good on her.

Cheers!

New York Fashion Week 2011

2011-02-17T19:24:00.003-05:00

Darling,
On Tuesday, February 15th 2011 at 15:30, yours truly was proudly watching the models she had dressed strut their stuff down the 7 on Seventh runway for the 2011 New York Fashion Week. What a proud moment.

How did this happen?
I'm Twain Revell's (Twain's Twines) assistant. She is a Harlem based designer of knit wear and afro-centric garments who just happens to live in my building.

Did I ever tell you the story of how we met?
Hubby and I moved into a pre-war walk-up in August. Living on the top floor, although exhausting, also allows us to meet all our neighbors. One day as we lugged ourselves up the flight of stairs, we saw a woman on crutches climbing the steps and dragging a huge bag with her.
My chivalrous husband quickly offered his assistance and started up a conversation. How it came to this, I am not sure, but Twain said she was a designer to which my husband answered : "So it my wife! She knits, sews, crochets and makes jewelry."
Can you imagine my embarrassment? Don't get me wrong, I love that my husband believes is me but I am by no means a Designer. I make stuff for friends, I have lots of ideas, I dabble in everything even remotely craft related and I've even sold a couple things on Etsy but Designer is a big title to wear. As I blushed and muttered a response. Twain said: "Well I might just have to put you to work. Show me what you got. Check out my website it's Twainstwines.com."

Thrilled by this opportunity, I started this blog to have something to show to Twain. It took a couple of weeks, but she got back to me came up to my flat checked out my latest projects (Love Garden Flower Cap, Jets Mittens and the soon the be completed Teal Rockefeller Sweater). She then handed me three skeins of Blue Mohair and size 10 circular needles and told me to knit her new design, a Mohair Coat. Since then, I have knitted 2 coats, 1 hood, beaded 2 mesh pieces, hemmed 3 dresses, worked with lace, brushed an Angora rabbit, manned the booth at the One of a kind Show and now helped with a runway show for Fashion Week in New York. Have I mentioned I love my job?

What do I do?
I knit, I sew, I bead, I hunt for buttons, fabric, beads, elastic cord and whatever else Twain might need. I love working for Twain, I learn so much and she is hilarious. Did I mention she has done stand-up comedy as Miss Understood?

Runway Show 2011
This is not what you came for, on to the pictures!

I was hoping to post at least a link to the professional photographers that were there but none of them have updated their websites with new pictures. We'll just have to deal with my pictures.

Three Mohair Coats went down the runway but I only managed to photograph two of them. The third you will see in a group shot lower down. (I knit the blue coat and chose the buttons for both the blue and the green coat!)

Twain worked with a jewelry Designer. I loved the way the jewelry looked with the MudCloth Shift dresses. (I hemmed the shifts!)

The Red Belt is TINY. Twain had it at the one of a kid show and no one could fit it. The model said it was the first belt to ever fit her right. I have no idea how she could breathe.

The first piece is made from knitted silk ribbon from Japan. The top is knitted with beads. A lot of work went into this outfit (I made the left strap!). It was a funny material to work with.

All three white pieces are knit from Twain's Angora Rabbit. The rabbit is not harmed in the process, the fur is gathered during many brushing sessions and spun into yarn and Triple plied to reach the desired thickness.

The bridesmaid and the bride are both wearing angora; an angora shrug (one of my favorite pieces) and another angora skirt.

And here is the missing coat from the show. It has beautiful mother of pearl buttons. The hoods where a huge hit with the models, they loved playing with them.

Twain and all her creations.

If you are interested by any of the pieces you see here, either email me or visit Twain's website (Twainstwines.com) to get in contact with her directly.

Cheers!

P.S. I will start uploading sketches again starting tomorrow. I'm sorry for the delay, I've been a bit busy.

Jackie - That 70s Show

2011-02-10T20:43:00.001-05:00

Darling,
With Vogue claiming that Spring will be taping into the 70s for inspiration, I thought I should do some research. I'm marathonning That 70s show thanks to Netflix.

I watched the Pilot episode tonight, everyone is so young. Jackie (Mila Kunis) was only 15 when the show first aired in August, 1998. I love the flowy skirt, I could work with that. The V-neck is a classic but I'm not a fan of the stripes on the sleeves and around the neckline.

Cheers!

Sitting is hard

2011-02-09T20:25:00.001-05:00

Darling,
I can't believe New York fashion week has started. I can't even appreciate it because I'm so busy rounding up details for our show coming up on the 15th. We have the official fitting on Sunday and I know we still haven't finished all the pieces. Oh well.

Considering I spend a lot of time people watching in the subway, I need to start practicing seated people. It's hard to make them look good. I also have a hard time with collared shirts - case-in-point.

On a happy note, look what my shoe calendar offered today. A gorgeous pump made from repurposed leather and vintage kimono fabric. Upcycling, I love it. It's called the "Kiki" pump and was designed by Hetty Rose in 2009.

What do you think?
If you have 350 British Pounds ($560 US) visit her web site hettyrose.co.uk, she will hand make the perfect shoe for you. If, like me, you enjoy browser shopping go see what amazing things you can make from vintage kimono fabric.

Cheers!

Post-Apocalyptic Sweater

2011-02-08T08:53:00.002-05:00

Darling,

I've been watching way too many movies because of all the knitting I have to do for February 15th (our show for NYC Fashion Week). I'm really into post-apocalyptic movies from the 80s right now. The plot is usually very simple, it's fast paced for fast knitting and the men are usually buff and shirtless (the women too but that what keeps my husband from killing me).

In a particularly poor movie, Interzone 1987, I spotted two extras wearing the same sweater, in two different scenes mind you. It was a modified pink wool sweater. I'm guessing they felted it, cut it and restyled it. It had the thick solid look of felted wool. I smartened it up a bit trying to create something wearable before the apocalypse - not so sure of the result. What I liked about how it was worn in the movie was that both ladies wore a wide strapped maxi dress over which they wore the top - one was white the other was black. It's the first time I notice such an obvious wardrobe recycling in a movie. Each extra only got one scene, the white gal was dancing with what seems to be an exotic male dancer and the second is cheering on a barbaric game of who will drink the poisoned cup.
I never finished the movie.

I love the 80s.
Cheers!

High Class in 1948

2011-02-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

Darling,

Fashion Week is coming up fast. Will we make it? We don't really have a choice. Sorry again for the delay, I've been working hard.

I love this dress. It was worn by Googie Withers in her role as Clare the wife of mermaid smitten physician Paul Martin (Griffith Jones) in the 1948 British comedy Miranda. It was her breakfast gown. I look at my breakfast attire right now and I'm not impressed: boxers, t-shirt and pink dressing robe. The movies showcase past years as so glamorous but was it really the case?
Do you get dressed before going to breakfast? Or is it more a stumble to the coffee maker in whatever state the night has left you in?

Maybe I just need a nicer robe, just a thought.

Cheers!

Practice

2011-02-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

Darling,

I got Fashion Design Portfolio Edited by Marie Lafuente. I'm trying out some of the postures proposed in the model section. This is wear this came from - it's much too cold to see anybody dressed like this around NY these days.

Cheers!

French Teacher

2011-02-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Darling,

My husband started school this week, he had his first classes and met his new teachers. He called me up after his French Class and described what his new French Teacher was wearing. Being slightly jealous of the attention this woman was getting from my hubby, I sketched her. Do you know what my hubby said when I showed him my sketch later on? "That's about right but she was a bit more curvaceous, a bit like Kim Kardashian." I swallowed my displeasure. "She's from la campagne outside Paris, she's in her late twenties and really organized. Maybe you could be friends?" Sigh, me, friends with his curvaceous French teacher? I doubt it, especially when someone is not to keen on bringing me to class. I digress. She was wearing a black cardigan over a red shirt, untucked, with a black pencil skirt, black tights and black pumps. Wonder what she's going to wear next week.

Cheers!