When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time with my grandma and I think a lot of who I am comes from those times with her.

I wasn't given as much as others were given. As an example, I wasn't able to buy a 8th grade graduation dress, mostly because my parents couldn't afford that kind of thing. My grandma, I called her Bubba, would take me to the fabric store, and let me pick out a Butterick pattern and fabric. That one was peach, a fit and flare with a princess seam. Satin with lace overlay and a bow across the shoulders. We would sew the dress together. I would try to get it to look like what others were wearing.. it never looked as current, but it did something else for me.

 

 

I was always a little embarrassed of things like this. I was embarrassed the day I wore the dress. My clothes were from the discount stores and swap meets, my fancy dresses were homemade, my friends got their dresses from Wet Seal and 579. She taught me how to sew, she gave me a sewing machine. I was always a creative, but these were tools, the ability to do something instead of just wanting something. She taught me, if I wanted something, make it.

She would often get dressed up, she was from another time. She would wear slacks and blazers and blouses. She would take me to nice lunches at Buffums department store with her lady friends. She took me to bridge games with her lady friends. We took an Amtrak train across the country to visit her lady friends in Kansas City. She always dressed up. She kept her shoes in boxes with photos on the front of them, at the top of her closet. Her and her friends wore shoes like the Lady Shoes. I guess they left an impression.

 

 

She told me funny things, like don't get married until your're 35. She would tell me how important her work was, she really wanted me to go to college like she did. The funny thing was, she was the only one who really was telling me to go. When I went, she let me live for free in her condo, with her. I didn't have any money for school, but living there, that helped. I worked full time and went to community college. Eventually I transferred to fashion school in LA. I didn't realize how special all of this was at the time. But I do now.

She died about a month before I got pregnant with my daughter. She was in her mid 80s. I was living in LA, in my career. I didn't see her as much then, I was busy living my life. She waited for me to get there. She held on for a week and I finally got to her and I told her to go, and then 20 minutes later, when I left, she did.

I wish she could see everything I have done, all of this. Today is her birthday.  I didn't write a Happy New Year's Post. I didn't write a post to say all of the amazing things we have accomplished this year (and we have!) or to thank everyone who made that possible. I guess I just needed a day. I feel all of those things. I had another email written for today, about Lady Shoes, also true, that they are great and chic. I think I will send out both. Both things are true.

I felt the need to say this instead. Sometimes when you realize the date, you remember. That's what happened.

Happy New Year friends! A day late! I am so excited for what is to come!

Happy Birthday to Bubba. 

xx

Jamie