Los Hooligans - Despeinada

A childhood friend sent me this video about a week ago and it's brought me so much happiness! 

Not sure why, exactly, but it is soooo addicting?  This video is from the 60s and is in Spanish!  It took me awhile to figure out what they were saying (something about a gal looking "hot" except for her crazy/ messy hair... LOL!) 

I love these guys and their awesome moves! 

Help! When I find something I love, I have no restraint... here it is... hope you enjoy it, too! :)

Renaissance Rags... memories...

Wow! Just unpacked some oldies but goodies... Renaissance Rags!!

Back in 1995, we would spend our days searching for vintage laces and trims to bring new life to the old.  We also upcycled vintage evening bags... created jeweled handles for them using natural stones... many transitioned into necklaces with lobster claw closures :)

So many Texas creations were sold back then... wish I had thought to photograph our "babies" beforehand.  We live and learn, right?  Each piece will now get time in the photo studio before it leaves us for its new home!

Looking back and reliving our creative history, it's no wonder Dave and I seem to tackle many new avenues... chandeliers, furniture and cupcakes!  Who knows what lies ahead for us... as long as we can create one-of-a-kind beauties... our souls sing! 

"You are here to create. You are here to create your world any way you want. Even after this life you are still creating. You are creating for all eternity."

Now go out and play... bet you have something to manifest right this minute... it's the little things...  :) 

 

vintage San Antonino fine handmade Mexican embroidered dress

Original San Antonino work of art,
"Make me if you can..."
"Hazme si puedes, si no dejame para las mujeres"

Do you remember how popular these dresses were in the 80s? 

If you lived in South Texas, you owned one or two and probably had no idea of the wonderful history to these wearable art pieces!

Just unpacked my two beauties and did some research... amazing!  Here's a bit of info I uncovered... enjoy!

"The San Antonino dress (also known as the Mexican or Oaxacan Wedding Dress) is characterized by the delicacy of embroidery, as well as the preservation of traditional forms and motifs. Fine silk and cotton thread is used to achieve brilliant and precise floral motifs on cotton fabric. The reward for the patience and attention to the tiny details that the embroiderer creates is a world of diminutive hand-holding people on the smocking, and the picturesque birds and delicate flowers of different types that adorn the neckline, sleeves and yoke.

Before beginning any of the embroidery, however, the pieces that form the dress must first be cut out and the decorative motifs drawn on. Then the fine pepenado work begins, involving forming tiny, even folds, that are held in place with diminutive stitches to form perfect pleats. This work requires much patience and skill, as both the front and the back of the smocking must be perfect as it will become the background for the small, romantic, hand-holding figures.

Then begins the technique known as hazme si puedes, so named for the great complexity of work, representing a true challenge for the eyes and the hands. The sleeves as well as the yoke are embroidered with delicate designs, harmoniously combined, with great care as to quality. When finished, the garment is assembled--some areas with delicate lacework--and a large embroidered floral spray is embroidered vertically down the front of the dress. The whole process, from beginning to end, can often take several months to complete."

Neat stuff, huh?  :)

Thanksgiving Grace 1942...

Doing some major creative work... reworking two vintage chandeliers... giving them that "mendlbarr" touch :)

Amidst the hard work and play, we have started taking a good look at what just sits around collecting dust... decided to start pondering our Thanksgiving table and the wonderful spread we traditionally prepare.  Do we really need so many extra pieces of china and crystal?   Nope... time to give to the universe.  We just listed our treasures for others to enjoy...

Get ready for Thanksgiving!  It will be here before you know it... LOL! :)

caribbean waters & a tequila sunrise... just fun, fun, fun!

Excited that my collection made it to front page!!! Woohoo!!!

caribbean waters ...

Curated By: mendlbarr

Craft Supplies

Thank goodness for lean times... our home is becoming more spacious :)

Amazing what happens when you have extra time to organize and empty closets.

We managed to get thru more boxes of treasures... besides coming across some great old pictures, we stumbled upon more designer clothing & artwork just eager to go to new homes!  My buttery soft, purple leather pants just shipped out... feels good knowing they will be enjoyed instead of sitting in a box for another decade or so!

Not sure why I held on to sooooo much for sooooo long... guess I'm a sentimental kinda gal?

Life as an actress/ creative designer has its lean times but I'm thankful that our home is full of love and that we keep finding treasures to give back to the universe... people are enjoying rare vintage items and we get a little money in our pockets... yes, it's the little things! LOL! :)

looking for a great vintage item? :)

building a new website :)

Up early this morning and building a new website... out with the old and in with the new!   We are including "edible art" as part of our creations!  We are Southern and we do love to cook and bake... hence the cupcakery was born :)

Who knows where this will lead us... we enjoy creating and hopefully this new website gets the word out!  Enjoy!

mendlbarr cupcakery...

You know what's better than creating wearable art?  Creating "edible" art... LOL!  :)

Honestly, we have always enjoyed cooking and baking... but now, we are sharing our love of cupcakes with others thru...

the fun has begun... and I can't stop thinking of creative combinations :)

love is in the air :)

queen of hearts  $36

twilight  $48

we all need a little red  $38

St. Valentine's Day is upon us!  A day reserved to honor love... may yours be filled with many blessings and graces... and most of all "love"! :)

be mine  $28

candy apple  $28