Deadly Attached - "Hoarders"

This entry is about A&E reality TV show "Hoarders".

Psychological issues and diseases have been avoided and ignored for decades in all over the world. For some unspeakable reasons, these problems tend to be looked at as "dark", "ashamed" by the patients and their families. People simply don't want to talk about it. However, it's also the ugly truth that there are people, more than we know of, suffering from them daily. Some of them are as deadly as cancers and heart failures.

Compulsive hoarding, like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), is one of the anxiety diseases. More than 3 million of Americans suffer from it. Unlike OCD, hoarders normally don't realize it's a problem. They just think they can't part with the stuff as they are valuable and sentimental to them.

One of the signs of becoming a compulsive hoarder is chronicle disorganization. I don't know about you but I think I do from time to time: one piece of paper fell on the floor, and I was busy on something else so I was thinking: I am busy right now; I will get to it later. And when that "later” never comes, things will get out of hand. The more things are accumulated, the less we feel motivated to organize them.

Depression tends to lead to hoarding habit as well. When people suffer from an emotional or physical loss, such as family member, fire, flood, things become more important and valuable and they feel the anxious need of replacing them. Some turn to eating; others turn to acquiring and posession of stuff.

Over the weekend, I was watching A&E "Hoarders" on Netflix. (Full content here: http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/ ) This reality TV show follows more than one hundred of compulsive hoarders to their houses and discover how they get this far. Some of them are quite disturbing to look at: buried alive, living in a dumpster of trash. The problem becomes deadly when the hoarding habit is threatening the life of their own and their families. The show is not always pleasant to watch but quite educational and eye opening. I would like to recommend it to those who are like me, hoarding clothes, shoes, and cosmetics. Hobbies can be very dangerous. :)

The Way We Were

This morning, I decided to go with an All Black outfit: black faux fur vest over a black wool jacket and a black soft edge hat. My husband, who normally doesn't comment much on my day to day outfit, surprisingly liked the black jacket. He asked if it was a cashmere piece. I said "No, it's a 5 year old Bebe jacket. I believe it's an angora/silk blend". His face was like "Unbelievable"...


This triggered me to write today's entry. Why things aren't the same way they used to be made? This is a good question and many of us have been asking.

First of all, I don't have a degree on Economics or any related field. These are purely based on observation with little or no data. So please don't quote me on the subject. :)

No one is doing business for free or no profit; it's always the more the merrier" when it comes to money and revenue. Companies need their investors and stockholders keep their faith; the only way is to keep the profit going up. Here are my guesses.

1. Natural Causes
It could be natural disasters or simply the change of the natural habitats for those which produce raw materials.

Over the Christmas my husband could not get the gift he wanted to give to me because the flood in Thailand shut down all the factories where they make this product.
 
Chinese output fell 15 per cent to 84,000 tonnes in 2009, according to the International Sericultural Commission, and a drought that began in late 2009 has further reduced production. All these caused the price of raw silk rising every year.


Cotton, wool, and other natural fibers are facing the similar soaring. So we either see a higher price tag for the same sweater we like or a cheaper replacement for the materials.

source:wool.com

2. Cost of Labor

In spite of most of the stuff is made overseas in developing countries such as China, Thailand, Vietnam and India, the cost of labor in these countries keeps going up as things are changing very fast in these third world countries. They might be still less expensive than American and European workers, but they are no longer wanting the same wage as in 60s and 70s.


On the side note, more and more companies are cutting cost by outsourcing to overseas. But at the same time, quality is compromising indirectly. It's not that they don't have quality control anymore; it's the cross boundary such as culture, time zone, language, and communication all becomes very challenging. The end result? Things just aren't the same anymore!


3. Newbie vs. Veteran

Competition is tough everywhere. When the new comers try to establish its brandname, they have to come up with either lower price or high quality, preferably both to impress their potential customers. Once the clientele is built up and stable, money becomes top priority again. A very good example is Rebecca Minkoff. When she first opened shops and was fairly unknown to many of handbag lovers, she was trying hard: good leather, nice craftsmanship and very easy communication with customers with a much more decent price tag. Now what is she doing? I don't know her in person but everything just tells me she no longer cares about all intangible benefits to her customers she used to offer.

A good vintage coach bag is still coveted by so many of us. It's not just the style, but that's how a handbag is supposed to be made!



4. Return Policies

I didn't grow up in US so I don't have firsthand experience on how people used to shop here. But I was told by other people who did grow up here that back to 80s and 90s people just had to make up their mind when buying something because there was no return!

I believe most of the retailers initially offered a return option with the strategy to attract more buyers. Some of us indeed tend to buy more when there is a nice return policy. And this worked...to a point. I'm not saying all of those who make returns are abusive, but some are. Accepting returns means loss of profit. Who pays for it? Sacrificing profit is the last thing that the merchants have in their mind, so the overall price has to go up to meet the margin...or simply cut the quality as sky high prices may scare away people. Sneaky? yes, but they all do that and our wallet suffers.

A typical return line at stores after holidays.

What was Old is New Again

I used to be very excited to see what new pieces were coming in to my favorite retail stores every season. It's funny how these retailors always come up some ways to fool us with same stuff. After a few years of hoarding, I realized it just doesn't make sense to buy more but not wear them.

J.crew has been creative for a few years. These creativities mixed in good and bad and in between. However most of us noticed that this spring, they are really bringing back some of that old pieces, literally. Like this bubble necklace, they didn't even bother changing up too much in color.





I got mine a couple years back in this same turquoise. Yesterday a dear fellow blogger Ella posted hers in modern red color. I promised her to share my thoughs on this piece. So here you go: nothing new or more creative, but an old piece is worn as new. LOL

Home Decor Inspiration: Art Deco

I was watching a very old British TV series called "Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence". It comes with 11 episodes and made around early 80s. The lighting, makeup, and the quality of the picture all look very...retro.



Agatha's fans know that Madam's books were pretty much based on between the 2 wars and some in later period. The TV show apparently took 1920s all the way, from interior decoration to actors' costumes.



One thing about 1920s in Europe and America is the Art Deco style flourished all over the places: architecture, fashion and jewelry design, interior design...Started in France, Art Deco ia probably one of the most recognizable styles in the entire art history, with its large amount of geometric patterns, motifs, and lines.

I believe I spotted a mirror the other day when passing by my favorite local thrift store. It was a sunburst frame piece, purely art deco style. I didn't look into the details so I'm not 100% if it's a true antique piece or simply a remake.

It looks very much like this:



As much as I love Art Deco, I probably wouldn't decorate my home inside out with this style. Art Deco pieces can be fun and very artistic but at the same time, it may lack of coziness and comfort, which a home wants to have no matter what style we choose. And some of the patterns do require a vast space to show off. However a bit here and there as detail would not matter that much.

I would love to own a true Art Deco poster to hang on my walls.





An art deco home like this doesn't make me feel very ....homie, however the pop of orange out of brown and ivory is ingenious.



Mirror Mirror on the wall.



I sincerely love this carpet:



This illustration poster is just like the stage from "Tommy and Tuppence" show.



A window art panel might be a good choice for detail.




I actually more likely will just get a piece furniture like this, practical, fun and easy to work with.

Dan Stevens

So, PBS is airing "Downton Abbey" season 2, finally.

By the end of season 1, lots of clues and hints were left on purpose so that the show could go on ...and on.. and on...Mary refused Matthew; the great war started; the mysterious story behind Bates' marriage was still uncovered...

In spite of all the mixed comments and perceptions on season 2, I overall still enjoy watching it. The high picture quality which is almost "film noir" in color, amazing victorian, pre-war costumes, unique personalities of each individual, and of course, Dan Stevens.

Dan Stevens first caught my eyes when he appeared as a german solder Mike Faber in BBC's new "Miss Marple" episode of "Nemesis" (Geraldine McEvan as Miss Marple, 2007). The character is supposed to be bitter, sad and hateful to his father. I was drowned in those piercing blue eyes. LOL




In 2008, BBC decided to re-adapt Jane Austen's books. "Sense and Sensibility" was one of them. Only when I turned on the DVD, I realized that Edward Ferrars looked familiar! It was Hugh Grant who played this shy, good hearted role in 1995 version of the film, directed by our own Ann Lee. At the beginning, I thought the producers were too lazy on selecting such a Hugh Grant look-alike actor to play the same role. To me Dan is too handsome and too cheerful for the role of Edward. I had to say he's cute but not quite suitable.


Dan Vs. Huge



Time has flown to 2010. PBS started airing a new Bristish TV series called "Downton Abbey". It was surprisingly well received in UK, and in US later. The same writer from Oscar-winning film "Gosford Park" was not afraid of repeating himeself in many ways in this hit show: the setting (historical mansion), the mix yet very clearly divided classes (the upper class and the servants), and pretty acting crew.

When I saw Matthew Crowley, the super handsome cousin, who would inherit the large mansion and money, I literally cried out" Oh, it's Dan again". Of course in the first season everybody has noticed that he put on a little bit of weight, which was taken off by the second season. I don't think Matthew was designed to be as complex as Mary, but the love-hate story between them makes him interesting to follow.



Would he and Mary get together eventually? That's the mystery we all so want to crack.

I thught they make a really cute couple here.

How to Wear Brooches

I love all kinds of pins and brooches. They might sound old fashioned but can be whimsical and fun at the same time.

During my research, I discovered several ways to play with a vintage pin.

Pin them up like TV characters, such as Joan Holloway ("Mad Men") or Emma Pillsbury ("Glee")

Joan's way is more classic. Normally she just pins it on a cardigan or dress.




source: jewlr.com

Emma is a current day character who happens to love regal pin-up style. Her signature pin is normally a giant enamel flower pin.




Among all the style icons, Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Kennedy probably are two of the most famous stars because of their large collections of brooches.

Since the passing of Elizabeth Taylor some of her stunning jewelry collection have emerged in auctions, including some of her brooches.

The one that always cacthes my attention is this diamond brooch she wore on the wasit of a ivory dress, unexpected yet very classy


Jackie Kennedy's sunburst pin is one of the rare pieces that she bought herself in 1961 in London. Rumor has it that she even didn't have that amount of money to pay at once but  the store, used to attend her mother as regular, allowed her to make several payments. The way she wore it in this presidential event made it truely worth the $$$

She looked more like a royal princess than the first lady. :) This brooch was one of her favorite pieces.


A closeup on the sunburst brooch



The Queen of England Elizabeth II probably is not as known as a fashion icon, but along with her most standard English accent, her dress up style has its own followers and admirers.
I think it's really cool to pin a scarf like this. :)

source:hipstertipser.tumblr.com

I don't remember since when I started collecting vintage and old brooches. No, I don't think I have ever owned a true antique piece, but the enjoyment they brought to my daily life is just priceless.

Wearing it on the necklace



Pin it on a hat. See how to DIY here.



On a fur collar



On a overcoat

DIY Inspiration: Lulu Frost

Lulu Frost, a new kid on the jewelry design block, founded around 2004, has become one of the sensations with its perfect mix of antique, vintage and modern elements in the statement jewelry design.

A recent corporation between Lulu Frost and J.crew caught my eyes for the first time. Lisa Salzer's work for J.crew seems majorly focused on the Art Deco era.


source: stylebakery.com



source: kaboodle.com

But the one that totally inspires me and makes me want to DIY is this "100 year necklace" by Lisa Salzer.

She ingeniously used pieces from her own antique and vintage jewelry collection and perfectly created this encyclopedia of "100 years of jewelry design" (1860-1960).

There are several versions of the necklace. It's time to dig out my old jewelry box to see which pieces I can use for the assembly. :)

source:lulufrost.com





source: fashionologie.com

Home Decor Inspiration: Window Seating

I guess you can say one of my qualities is diligence, once I put my heart into something. However at the same time my focus shifts quickly, too. :)

I was recently inspired by one of my girlfriends over the internt and started feeling very interested in home decor and renovations.

Although we live in a fairly small space there will still be lot to do and lot to update. I am trying to priortize all the needs and wishes so that I don't spend big bucks all at once and make less impulsive decisions.

Here are some pictures that could be my first home project: window seating. Picture myself sitting there crafting, reading, browsing or simply day dreaming...LOL