Jewelry Making

Jewelry making has been put on the back-burner lately due to many personal trials and tribulations.  Now it's time to "muster" up the energy and get back in the groove of doing what I love to do.  Above are a few images I've recently put on my website Alexandra Senske.  I've finally updated the "collection" section and will begin working on the "shop" section soon.  Wooooo Hooooo for progress......

SO CHICA

I've been working on a series of Booty Shorts that will be for sale on my Etsy Site, So Chica.  They will be cut, frayed, dyed, and adorned with sequins and vintage thread.  I hope to have some up by next week.  In the mean time I have a few new items I've listed.

GUADALAJARA SHORTS

The Guadalajara Shorts by Kenny.

THESE ARE SUPER CHICA!!!!

TOO BAD they are SOLD OUT

Find them at Planet Blue.

R I N G M A K I N G

This weekend I practiced a little ring making.  First solder was a success! Patience is definitely key.  

I cut the wonky shape out of brass.  One side is wide and one side is more narrow.  That way the ring can be worn different ways or have many looks. Although it was a fun practice piece I don't think I'll be adding this particular shape to the collection.

Our Sassy

Sassyfrass, you'll be missed.  May your soul rest in peace and travel to that big litter box in the sky with all the mouseies in the universe.  

Sassy was silently killed in our front yard last night at about 8 pm by two large dogs (we know where they live).  She had no wounds or blood. I think they must have broke her neck.  

We didn't see it happen, but by the time we went outside to check, her body was lying limp in the grass under the pine tree. I could see the family walking in the distance with their two dogs as they made way towards their house.  

All she wanted to do was take a nap in the bushes.

I know they heard me scream in agony as I realized the loss of our baby girl.  Our only baby girl.  The sweetest baby girl in the world.  

Oh Chassyfrass! How I miss you so much!

We laid her body to rest under the sago palm in the back yard. One of her favorite places to play with her brother, Buddy.

Earlier in the afternoon as I was petting Sass I told her, "today (4/14) is your  birthday too."  A special day, her daddy's (Travis) birthday too. Lo and behold, they would both have the most tragic birthdays.

Sassy,

We found you on July 20, 2010 in our driveway covered in fleas and begging for some lovin'.  We took you in and gave you a home.  You were the 4th addition to the family.  A blessing and a lady.  Your brothers love you so much.  

Rocky will miss the way you'd clean the top of his head every morning.  Buddy will miss playing tag with you in the backyard.  I'll miss how you'd play fetch with your mouseies.  How you'd flop on the ground to get your belly rubbed.  Most of all i'll miss your squeak since you couldn't meow.  

I'm certain you had at least 8 more lives left. This is why my heart is so broken.

You will forever be my Sass, my baby girl, my little Chassy, a petite lady, and my child.  

Has your cat been the victim of a dog?  Please share your story.

80%20 Dawn

LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE! 

Very Chica!

Unfortunately I'm a size 11 and Anthropologie is the only online retailer that has them in a 10.  I'm not willing to take the gamble of wasting $16-$17 on shipping fees if I have to send them back. 

A girl can dream.

See the collection at 8020nyc.com

JADEtribe S/S 2011

Samui Stripe Beach Bag 100% Cotton

Hand woven Ikat cotton textile makes the perfect summer beach bag. Interior pocket and long straps which work on your shoulder or across your body makes this bag convertible. Comes with leather beaded and shell charm.

Panada Fringe Clutch 100% Cotton

One of a kind handembroidered white Hmong textile and refashioned into a small clutch with leather wristlet and beaded charm and fringe trim. 

Summer Panada

Panada Messenger

Brass and turquoise jewelry

JADEtribe is by far one of my favorite lines created by the most inspirational and talented woman I know, Kimberly Hartman.  She travels to Thailand and Laos where she works ethically with textile artisans to design these beautiful handbags.  In addition, she also has a great selection of brass and silver jewelry adorned with turquoise and bells.  Above are some photos from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection.  The Panada Fringe now comes in grey and orange!  Loves it!

There is plenty of color to bring out every girls inner CHICA.  

Now I'm ready for a tropical getaway!

Find more information at JADEtribe.

If you're in Houston, Texas you can find JADEtribe at Kuhl-Linscomb.

Pretty Little Things

Mark your calendars for SATURDAY, APRIL 9th!

I've been super busy lately working my day job and getting ready for this awesome vintage festival, Pretty Little Things.  I  (So Chica Boutique) will be a participating vendor selling my handmade jewelry and vintage finds!  So if you live in Houston, Texas please stop by.  It'll be tons of fun!

PLAYsuits

I'm loving these playsuits right now!  Time for something fun.

A.P.C. Madras Graphic Print Silk Playsuit available at ASOS for $358.60

House of Holland Playsuit available at ASOS for $197.23

KAHINA Giving Beauty

Since I've been working at one of the biggest retail store (Kuhl-Linscomb) with an amazing apothecary department in Houston I've become a bit of a product junkie.  Although, I have to admit there are some star athletes amongst all of the players.

KAHINA Giving Beauty is one of the most simple and effective natural skin care products I've used.  It is based with organic argan oil extracted by hand and cold pressed by the Berber women of Morocco.  Argan oil absorbs into the skin and has a non-greasy feel.  It is also is high in Vitamin E, antioxidants, and neutralizes free radicals.  The women of Morocco have been using this oil as part of their skin care regimen to deal with the harsh desert climates.  I currently have the argan oil, lotion, and cleanser.  After using the cleanser for about 3 weeks I noticed that my skin was smoother, balanced, and my blemishes were disappearing.  If you feel that your current skin care products are failing on you, give KAHINA a try.  I love it!  

Chicken Magic Mineral Broth

Even if you are not fighting cancer I highly recommend this book,  The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by, Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson.  It's filled with delicious recopies that the whole family will enjoy.  

Travis and I did a little canning back in January and made the Chicken Magic Mineral Broth.  We pressure cooked 2 whole organic chickens in the pressure canner/cooker (as pictured above).  After that we added just about every veggie under the sun to the pot and pressure cooked again.  Soon we were left  with the most delish homemade chicken broth that'll cure just about any ailment.  

Closet Visit - Oh So Chica!

I've discovered this website called Closet Visit.  Artist and photographer, Jeana Sohn photographs creative and stylish ladies closets.  Above are a few pics of the 'Oh so muy chica' Beatrice Valenzuela, shoe designer and hair stylist.  I'm in love with that yellow bikini and those tights.  Ay ay ay... I'm longing for summer!!

Images are Jeana Sohn's via Closet Visit.

Check out her paintings here.

See her personal blog here.