More The Sea and Cake

Last night's concert couldn't really have been at a worse time--late at night during the semester crunch and the day before I teach for nine hours. That said, it was worth every hour of sleep I missed. I wasn't surprised that they played a lot of songs from their new album, Car Alarm (which I got on vinyl at the concert), but I was surprised and pleased to hear so much from Nassau. One of the many things I like about TSAC is how meticulous they are, and how much they are artists, which means a concert involves delicate tuning and retuning at the start of each song. Last night, they were more playful between songs than they have been in the past, with Sam Prekop even shouting out "Prewitt" when Archer Prewitt was adjusting his pedals a little too long. They smiled, laughed at some of the sillier things said by the crowd and had broad grins on their face when someone shouted out "Obama." (I don't think that was because they share a home town). Archer Prewitt even teased the audience, stating that they'd retired "The Biz" when someone called out for it--and then they played it about four songs later. Other crowd pleasers included Parasol. Sam Prekop had his lyrics on cards, which was so amusing given how perfect their music was otherwise. I was very close to the front and able to see how meticulous their guitar/bass/drum work was, and how much of a trance Archer Prewitt falls into when he plays (most of the time, his eyes are shut). Eric Claridge is such an underrated member of the band that I wanted to give him a special shout out--people screamed out how much they loved Sam, and John (McIntire), but nobody shouted for Archer or Eric...

Evan was a sport and went with me even though he is no fan--that I can't comprehend. The Music Hall of Williamsburg is a great venue--the stage is high and people didn't seem to cluster at the front, but maybe that's more to do with the band playing. I had a really great view. And five hours of sleep.

On other news, some more Mayle reductions--just a few pieces on sale at Barneys for 40% off (mainly belts, a few tops and Eniko, but she is only in 4 and 6 online). It really is time for Jane Mayle to put fall on sale--and I recommend ELuxury does the same. And LaGarconne for that matter. As for netaporter, those 70% reductions are *way* overdue!

Uncertainty

While waiting for Mayle reductions and checking in on my auction on Ebay I saw a dress I've seen up there several times. She's black, Mayle and seems a little unwanted--possibly because she is a few years old and has that bias-cut chiffon feel from the early 2000s. But now she's under a $100 she might find a home, maybe with me. The issue is, do I really want this or is it just that itch to buy, specifically to buy Mayle, that I want to scratch. I am being patient--any day now, I will receive an email stating Mayle is up to 40% off Fall. Or one that says pre-Fall is now 60% off (when I will get Ebba in blue (as pictured above), if there are any left in size 8--I doubt I need a 10 in a backless dress with an A-line skirt). I may even plunge for Eniko so I can get the paradise coloring, and who knows what else. So, in the minus column, that's $100 plus shipping towards something I really want and love as opposed to plunging for something that's just uh. So I just talked myself out of the unwanted dress. And I may lose my other auction too. Who knows. I realize I have to wait it out and despite my claims of being good at deferred gratification, the deferral has been getting to me of late.

There is too much uncertainty out there right now in my life. What will happen with the job? Children? This damn book? And, of least importance, what Mayle from Fall and Resort/Holiday will wend its way home with me? But I feel surprisingly calm--it's as though I realize I can't control all or any of these things. Before I buckle down to work, I'm basking in the love of my cats. Peeps is snuggling up to me on my left while Blue snoozes on my right. The sun is shining perhaps a little too hard on my computer. I get to see The Sea and Cake tonight--and pay for it with a lack of sleep (I teach at 9 am and won't get home until after midnight, so with an hour commute, I'm definitely looking at 6 hours sleep top). I have a pile of final papers to grade--first drafts--two job letters to write, a chapter to edit and some lectures and exams to print up. But somehow it will get done. Especially if I sign off now and try not to disturb either sleeping cat.

The Sea and Cake

This fall is proving to be a great season for music, if not for shopping. I picked up tickets today for tomorrow's The Sea and Cake concert. Along with Stereolab, they are my favorite band. I saw them twice last year, the second time in Greenpoint when they were amazing. I wonder if the atmosphere there and its Polish influence reminded them of their hometown, Chicago, as they seemed inspired. Greenpoint reminds me of Chicago and the concert was in an old Polish working men's club. They sold books of Sam Prekop's photography, which I regret not buying in retrospect. Most of the band are artists too, and I am planning to get an Eric Claridge painting once the tour is over. I'm sure the last thing he needs right now is dealing with emails about commissions. His Cat and Chair painting is shown above--I love his style and the little cat reminds me of my naughty Blue, seen here in a rare moment of calm snuggling on the couch.

As for clothing, I am bidding on a Mayle shirt on ebay. Or, rather, I should say, I've been outbid and am trying to be patient and bid again near to the deadline so I can get it for less.

I'm counting down the days until Mayle goes on sale, although I am so sad that this also brings me nearer to her shop and line closing down. I am obsessed. I have so much work to do and yet I browse the online listings checking sizes (most don't stock 8-10 but those sizes appear to have sold out on her holiday items), looking at the details and wondering if I should just go for Thea, Theodora, etc. for full price. Then my conscience and intelligence kicks in. I cannot afford to spend thousands on items that may go on sale anyway. After all, the pieces that come up most often on ebay seem to be from resort/holiday '07. Let's just hope there are sale items for me, Erica and Susie--and the pieces/sizes we want--at the prices we want to pay for them.

Impatient

I am pretty good at impulse control, partly because I was raised to believe in the value of deferred gratification. Right now, however, I am impatient. I want the election to be over--I do not trust the Republicans, nor do I like them. I fear they will steal another election, try to create some last minute scandal today or find some other way to maintain power. I cannot vote as I am not a citizen, and even if I could. my vote would have little value as a NY resident. We're all so blue that we get no campaigning--when I was in NC the other week, I was shocked to see Obama ads and asked my friends not to fast forward through them. Of course, they are in a battleground state and are quite jaded.

I'm also impatient to shop. I haven't bought anything for over a month--no clothing at all in October (although I think that was the case last year). While the bigger brands and stores have started reductions, the smaller labels I favor are always slower to bite--justifiably so given their smaller production runs and smaller profits. But I'm craving some of the Mayle items, a couple of Inhabit sweaters and some LD Tuttle shoes and boots. I'm aware that others might be too, and just want to have these items in my closet. I hate the scrum and the adrenaline that accompanies it but don't have the pockets to pay full--or near full--price. And, sorry, but 20-40% off just doesn't do it for me. For an item I love, maybe 50%, but it's the 60%+ discounts I really need.

Ebay also failes me. Any Mayle pieces I love--and there are few of them--are offered in tiny sizes. There is little in the 8-10 range. And most of the offerings have been older DVF style items from the early 2000s and/or highly over-priced--a used coat for $500+ is not going to sell. Maybe tough times mean people are keeping their clothes, not selling them after one or two wears.

And I am staggered that Net-a-Porter is still trying to sell Mayle from a year ago at 40% off. Nobody is biting so why not just cut it to 60-70% off and sell it--they'd have money and wouldn't have to store things that clearly are not going to sell now if they've been up there for a year. At 70% off, I'd get the Tana dress, the pants from Resort 2008 and maybe Josefina and a white Pina as I love my black one so much. But if they don't reduce their stock soon, that money will go to other Mayle items--more recent ones, and likely cheaper too.

Mary Kate and Ashley

As my friends know, I'm a little obsessed with these girls. When they first started at NYU, they had a class just down the hallway from my office. Everybody saw them and reported back that they were sweet, beautiful and tiny--ethereal beings. My friend Anna and I had initially confided our Olsen fascination in each other about two years prior to that, at a Feminism and TV conference. We agreed to meet outside their seminar room as their recitation for the Language of Film class was getting out, pretend to peruse a noticeboard, and get a look at the girls.

Of course, they were skipping class--something I later read about in US Weekly. And they skipped the next week too. I don't think they ever returned to the sixth floor of 721 Broadway. I missed them, the most egregiously when they sat outside my office during my office hour just outside my sightline. The grad student in the next office came by excitedly after I left--assuming I had seen them. Of course I had not.

Yesterday they were signing their Inspiration book at Barnes and Noble. I considered going--I assumed it was an evening event and I teach at 9 am so I wasn't sure I could fit it in. Evan thought I should reconsider, but I then discovered it wasn't a reading--as initially advertised--but a signing with a crazy list of 9 rules, including obligatory purchase of the book. As that $30 will be put towards sales tax on a Mayle purchase, I passed.

I'm still dreaming--literally dreaming--of Mayle's holiday collection. I've obsessed over certain dresses in the past--the black jeweled dress from holiday '07, Margarita and Mariya from fall '07, Lilly from Summer '08 and a blue dress whose name escapes me from spring '07. Rarely has there been a Mayle dress I lost--and I have always waited for the sales. Whether it is the beauty of this collection or the knowledge it will be among her last, I'm seriously considering stumping out full price for a couple of these items. The last time I did that was for a pair of her chambray blue clogs (fall '06, I believe) from her last season of shoes. Those sold out in my size the day they came in--I was called, went, purchased (with Chris in tow, as always seems to be the case with really big purchases). Those were $440, and the economy was better. I'm hoping that I don't have to do that with her holiday line--after all, there is also resort, and I want to get as much Mayle as I can while it is still available, including those old pieces that slipped through that may occasionally appear on ebay.

Mayle Holiday Collection

I just got the mail that the Mayle look-book for the holiday collection is up online. Lots of black and off-white again, with persimmon. It is so lovely. I am so hoping I can get the persimmon blouse, dress and at least two other dresses. Why oh why is she going out of business and can my bank account withstand the onslaught of my final Mayle purchases? I daren't even look at the clothes because I want so many of them.

Exhausted

I've just had a whirlwind week. Besides the large pile of midterms, the book editing and the job applications that I have to get in the mail this week, I went to North Carolina to give a talk at my friend Amanda's university. Last Friday I flew out, and returned at the crack of dawn on Tuesday, taught my three classes yesterday and now have to do the bulk of the week's work today.

It was great to get out of town nonetheless. I love NYC and would hate to live elsewhere but a change was nearly as good as a rest. Amanda has an enormous and beautiful house and a lovely family, including a beautiful two year old daughter, so it was a radical change of pace. I got a fair amount of work done, worked out Sunday, and came back hopefully ready to finish all the work at hand.

All this has meant no shopping. I went into Bird on the way home from JFK and the Mayle coat I love fits me in a 6, so a 6, 8, or even 10 will work if and when it goes on sale. This is a frustrating time of the year. The weather has turned so the fall clothes can be worn now, but they are not yet reduced. I'm just hoping that the credit crunch lets me get the Mayle I want for at least 60% off as I can't afford it at full price. If only it wasn't the last season--I suspect many other customers feel the same as me and I dread the rush and adrenaline that marks the sale period. I was a good girl and resisted the 40% off Mayle pre-fall last week. Even though I want the blue Ebba dress, I'm going to wait until it is 60% off or more or skip it entirely.

Above photo courtesy of Nicholas Thigpen, staff photographer of the East Carolinan--my friend Amanda is on the left, I'm on the right looking pensive in Mayle's Pina dress (resort '08) and a gap cardigan.