The Creative Cookie

The Creative Cookie Partners w/ Red Hook Fest

The Creative Cookie is one of many partners for this year’s Red Hook Fest on June 1st and 2nd presented by Dance Theatre Etcetera on the fabulous Red Hook Waterfront (yay!). kamau is the Festival Producer the theme for this year is Women’s Work: Healing Our Community. Drop by the Festival and stop by The Creative Cookie booth to see what we're up to:). 

Narrative Pieces

I'm writing from my new apartment burrowed between a dresser, a white board, two boxes of books, and my stepson's guitar -- this is my temporary office space. Last week we moved and we're in the process of unpacking (womp womp womp).

On the bright side our space is SUPER fab!

A major outcome of this move has been an edit of my beloved collection of clothes. I gave to friends, donated items, and sold many things. Fashion has been my companion -- a friend who has traveled the distance, literally covering my back, on my journey from Michigan, to Pittsburgh, and ultimately New York.

After all of the purging and storing, when we arrived, I discovered that my new Brooklyn closet is still a tad too small for what I wanted to keep...and so the editing of coveted clothes continues. This ongoing refinement and letting go is allowing me to curate a collection of clothing that reflects the person that I am now. There was never really a need to hold on to the power suites, navy pumps, Girl Scout twin sets, unflattering vintage pieces, or once worn sorority ball gowns from college.

I'm living in a different world; what I wear should reflect who I am now.

Clothing holds our history and each piece tells a story making it hard to part ways. I hope the things that I no longer own find their way to someone who will love, wear, and care for them as I once did.

Here's the list of Brooklyn stores that I sold, traded, or donated to -- be sure to check them out:

• Beacon's Closet 
• Black Bear
• Pony
• Housing Works
• Saint Marys Church (salvage bureau)

If you are thinking of doing a major edit, email me...I'd love to share encouragement and the wisdom that I've gleaned in the process of purging 186 pieces.

It's liberating to let go (making a little space for the new, of course;)

Healthy Food in Fashion fall gala

I'm drinking kale, carrot, and celery that I juiced as I write this post. I like eating healthy almost as much as I like fashion;).

So, I was intrigued to learn more about the efforts of the NY Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF) after picking up the Healthy Food in Fashion flier recently. Funds raised at the gala will support the plant-based work that the NYCHSF is implementing in schools statewide. I'm happy to support this worthy cause of helping students to become food- and health-savvy.

The gala will take place THIS evening at the New York Academy of Medicine. Guest will enjoy healthy food and drinks from 24 different vendors + see a 'green' fashion show!

Online ticketing is now closed but you may purchase a ticket at the door!

Fashion + Compassion

I'm instantly drawn to stories featuring fashion & philanthropy.

When I saw Los Angeles photographer Doug Inglish's portrait series, Model Citizen, on StyleCaster I was all in. The series showcases inspirational interviews and portraits of 7 models who are using their influence to sir positive change in the world. As Jenny Shimizu verbalized to reporter Kerry Pieri: 

"it's a lot of power to be a model, having this much... access to reach people in different countries and all over the world...why not use some of this...power for good, rather than be just a beautiful girl in a magazine."

photo: Doug Inglish courtsey of StyleCaster

View the series & read their words here.

Fun at Fashion Camp

Last week I taught fashion design at Camp Gowanee during Spoke The Hub's Street Art, Dance, and Fashion multi-arts day camp.  In addition to design, I taught them how to strut their stuff on the runway. Camp ended in a fab fashion show where students modeled their creations for parents, siblings and babysitters! Read their run of show (they wrote their own outfit descriptions -- cute!):

Some campers were inspired to sketch outside of class. Here's some of their work:

 They learned to sew by hand and machine. We also explored the lives of designers and even dyed fabric.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2011

I had just as much fun as the campers did. They knocked my socks off with innovative designs and loads of enthusiasm. I'm so looking forward to the next time!!

Smart & Fabulous Fashion Show

Since March, I've been sharing my fashion show production expertise as a volunteer at the Marta Valle High School on the Lower East Side. The students had a strong dislike towards the school uniform policy so the principal, Mimi Fortunato was open to a dress for success dress code, with the purpose of letting the students choose what they felt was  appropriate  school dress. On Friday, June 10th, they'll be presenting over 30 different looks from day to night (school, school dance, college visit, etc.). Please join us for their 1st annual show--details below!  

Girls Write Now

Girls Write Now is a charming nonprofit that I was introduced to earlier this month. For 12 years, this organization has cultivated new writers through a cadre of female writers who mentor girls in the program. I attended their open house celebrating the beginning of a new season and relocation to a lovely loft in Manhattan. It was so much fun walking around the space and reading the work of girls in books and on the walls. I entered the raffle and won a signed copy of Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander! This win felt slightly cosmic because I had just heard Elizabeth give a talk at the Women & Power conference. I could say more, but I'll close with these words: the space is fab and so is the mission:). 

Here are a few photos from the event:

wisdom 
  candles from glassy baby added to the ambiance 


it's me!

photos: Caitlin Curran

Making Strides

This Sunday I’ll be walking in the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park. Please help me raise funds and awareness to find a cure for this disease. Here’s how you can help me, help this cause:

1. Join the team, Creative Cookie Walkers. Yes, I know it’s last minute, but I’d love to have you walking along side me Sunday morning. The weather is supposed to be nice. Email me at creativecookie@me.com and I’ll send you the scoop.  
2. If you can’t join the team—please support me with a donation of any amount. My goal is $1000.00.  You can donate online by clicking here, or make arrangements to personally give me your donation.  
   

Here’s a link to my page on The American Cancer Society’s site. Visit the page to donate or join the team.  

Turning 2

Ever heard of the terrible twos? Me neither!

Next Thursday on September 2nd The Creative Cookie celebrates 2 years and it has been a terrific journey. Thanks to you, I have been able to crawl out of my shyness and stumble into places I only dreamed of being. I am so looking forward to my sweet sixteen!

What: Creative Cookie Birthday Party
When: Thursday September 2nd 2010
Where: Lucas Fine Foods (Park Slope, BK)
How: From 6p to 9p; Catch the B, Q, 2, or burn some calories walking. RSVP!
Why: It’s a celebration, lovelies!

The party is free but you must RSVP to attend. Check out my list of fabulous sponsors below. They are all contributing to the gift bags that are available to the first 40 people to RSVP. Email studioWassistant@gmail.com

Growing up is fun but it’s also hard work. I need your help to keep walking forward. In the hopes to write a new mission statement to go with a new logo, I would like you to leave a comment below or send me as many words as possible that come to mind when you think of The Creative Cookie. I’m easily inspired so don’t hesitate to send words like “creative”. Your contribution will be turned into a video that will screen at the party along with my new logo and mission statement.... Turning two sounds so serious!

Amazing Sponsors & Fab Partners:

• We Love Colors
• Food Should Taste Good
• Boutique Flea
• Fiber Notion
• Play-Doh
• BioTrue Contact Lens Solution
• LaceeSwan
• American Cancer Society/Making Strides Against Breast Cancer*
  
• Black Gotham
• Sixteenstone Vintage
• Fashion POV
• Serenity At Home Guest House
• Nina Bean

* The featured cause of the evening is THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk-Central Park.

Heart Hip Hop for Life

Think back to when you were a teen. What were some of the things you would have loved to receive advice or guidance on? Self-esteem? Peer pressure? Health issues? Relationships? Image, fashion, hygiene? This is what Hip Hop 4 Life (HH4L) does for  New York City Youth and its why I decided to become a member of their board of directors:).

HH4L provides teenagers with life skills training and health awareness education through our self-esteem and confidence building programs, after school & weekend workshops, year-round mentoring, and annual Youthfest conference.

We are currently looking for support to continue inspiring teens to reach their utmost potential by leading healthy, responsible, and empowered lives. It would be great to have your assistance. Your donation can help make the following happen*:

• 16 weeks of interactive workshops, year-round mentoring, exercise and obesity reduction classes and social and educational outings to 30 teen members;

• Expanded programming to reach over 700 students via our Youthfest event and interactive discussion sessions at two New York City schools and two partnering youth organizations; and

• Free nutritious food and snacks for our workshop participants in an effort to promote healthy eating.

Please contact me with any questions that you may have, I'd be happy to answer them.

*note: For every donation that is collected (because of this post), The Creative Cookie will donate an additional $3. Just be sure to make note of it on your donation or let us know by making a comment below.

To donate now – Click here!

teens with, Tia Brown, relationship expert during Saturday workshop

photos: © Lesley Williams, 2010

rescued treasures

While home in Michigan this past weekend I visited my favorite thrift store, Rescued Treasures. Rescued Treasures is operated by the Muskegon Rescue Mission, one of West Michigan's oldest nonprofits (and it is the first organization that I remember volunteering at). 

I walked out of the store after purchasing a wildly printed dress, a little blue jacket w/ white maxi piping, a few records, and this book-- Guide to Beauty:  

I was initially drawn to the illustrations and photos but the articles were equally as good. The 37 year old publication has simplistic advice on caring for your hair, your complexion, your figure, and much more.  My favorite articles so far are about picking the right glasses and instructions on how to do "slim while you sit yoga". What a great grab at .49 cents. 

What's been one of your favorite non-clothing thrift store finds?  

See other finds at Rescued Treasures here.