Why you will not find me at American Apparel!

OK as if I really have to spell it out apparently I have to!  This place is a rip off selling supposed handmade items which are in fact factory made.  Clothing can't be constructed completely without a human hand thus far.  Since clothing doesn't fall from the sky we rely on talented people who either are employed by a large chain, small company, hand made by local designers, thrift ed, or recycled.  We all have to wear clothes but we don't all have to support American Apparel.

Top 10 Reasons I don't care for American Apparel! 
#1 Lack of creative imagination
#2 Should just be called 80's knock off store
#3 European porn style under age ads
#4 Store design is like a tacky beach store from Venice Beach
#5 Dov Charney
#6 Tasteless antics to get people to buy mindless trendy items which are disposable
#7 The hideous lighting and waste of electricity 24 hour lights on
#8 Another chain ruining the local business economy by being easy
#9 Leaving nothing to the imagination
#10 (ICE) uncovered discrepancies in the documentation of about 25 percent of the company's workers.  Because they ship their "Made in America" workers from across the border in a bus!  Stop lying and just say Hecho in Mexico!

Okay I feel better now!  My rant is about big business lying to the public and using tricks to sell products that actually suck.  Just be honest and say "Selling cheaply made garments by under paid immigrant labor to be sold to hip trendy people who are interested in misogynistic antics."  Women who shop here just know your not just buying a t-shirt your buying into the problem.  I support intelligent use of your hard earned money to buy into images which high light woman as strong, independent and free of from the sex trade stereotypes. 

Be informed not conformed! Being average is a choice.
I will not be posting a photo for this chain as I do not support their visual garbage.

Holidaze! BUY LOCAL! ARE YOU LISTENING?

Buy Local Gifts this holiday season! There are plenty of amazing artists and creatives to support and order custom gifts from this holiday season. This will be my 6th year buying locally or from an artist. Sometimes your recipient may have to wait a bit longer as orders get back logged but in the end the gift is truly priceless. Supporting local is a vote for supporting yourself! When you buy from an independent, locally owned business significantly more of your money goes back into the local economy. The money is cycled back into services,farms and continues to strengthen the economic base of the community.

Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of San Francisco!  Happy Holidays and see you Saturday at Peter's for an amazing art extravaganza!  Rare art and artifacts for sale keep San Francisco unique and keep it all in the family!

(All images copyright 2006-2010 by Velvet Valentine (TM)

Alice in Wonderland Time of Year Sept 2009

Going into fall I challenge you to turn your world upside down. Bring a sense of bold fantasy into your life with the colors of fall fashion. Bring your world alive with color in every detail of your wardrobe. Pack your whites away as summer slips into slumber and unveil your adventurous color palette. Look inside for inspiration and look outside for clues from nature. Be the explorer of your own fashion statements. As an archeologist dusts away the crumbled rock from their buried treasure. Excavate your your soul and find your true colors and wear them!

Alice and Wonderland is the eternal child spirit alive in all of us. Let this dormant season allow the deeper sides of the self to creep through. Find yourself on the other side of the rabbit hole. You just might find joy in what character you really are and not the mask you put on everyday.

Summer Time Soups and Eating for the Soul

What greater pleasure than to whip up and eat homemade summer time soup. I have had the good fortune of growing up in California with the freshest ingredients. Some of my fondest memories as a child were spent in the kitchen. My belief is cooking and eating are not chores, they are one of life's gifts that nourish the soul as well as the body. A great way to get your vitamins and have hearty meal is with this organic puree of carrot ginger soup. I bought the ingredients at Rainbow Grocery and simply cooked the carrots in 4 cups of water. When the mixture boils and softens you just place the mixture in a blender and puree. You can use any fresh ingredients and add herbs as you desire. This is my way to have lunch handy or a sweet dinner on the patio under the stars of summer. It's bright and colorful and pleasing to the eyes.

Eating sensibly is really the best diet, and the best way we can teach our children to appreciate good food. The pleasure we can take from eating leisurely together or alone. Savoring a good meal simply makes us feel good. Food should not be feared. It should be a source of pleasure and well-being.

New Beginnings! 2009:) Yoga

Yoga is taking center stage in my life these days. People who know me well know my passion for teaching! This is to say all my fashions, creations, and art will be moving into a meditative direction. I will still be making and creating for clients and stores. The focus of the items will be inspired by nature, movement, meditation, and with the best quality ingredients.

New In 2009 by Velvet Valentine

ECE Yoga (eceyoga.com coming soon) Wellness classes designed for schools, non-profits, camps, & kids of all ages!
Family Yoga Classes: Bonding classes designed to bring connection, harmony and joy to the whole family!
MIndful Care Giving Classes: Learn the yoga of spending time with children while going with the flow.
ECE Yoga Certification : Learn to teach early childhood education yoga in an age appropriate style.
ECE for Adults: These classes involve connecting with your inner child. Yoga postures, dance, and creativity are a part of every class.

*** All my classes inspire one and all to get into a flow consciousness. Teaching love and kindness towards self and others.***


Services Still provided: (Consultation Required)
Mindful Styling:
Feng Shui your life head to toe and inside out. The appropriate hair cut, clothing style, and image for your success. Also includes diet and movement assessment.
Contemplative Photography:
Individuals, companies, businesses, experience the joy of thoughtful photography to advance your goals.

I look forward to serving the world with my new inspiration and perspective.

Love Letters, available at Paragraph 1234 9th Ave between Irving & Lincoln

Please visit Paragraph located at 1234 9th Ave at Lincoln near Golden Gate Park! Hurry and get your limited edition Valentine cards by yours truly. All hand made and ready to send to your loved ones. Get them while they last! See you soon other great ideas a head. Enjoy your life every day! Love Velvet

Recycled Paper Only used n the making of these products:)) Think green from your heart!

Everything is coming up roses:)

Really fun shoot! More Photos to come!