Stoned Soul Picnic*

(click image above to enlarge)

Summertime is quickly approaching and that means picnics, festivals, barbecues, the beach, et all. Whether you’re dining al fresco at Dolores Park, Fire Island, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, or just your own backyard or terrace…here’s some goodies for your outdoor soiree.

1) Mr.Peacock loves these exotic looking Bongenre Melamine plates in vivid colors with swirls and mandala patterns. They are available in 9", 10" or 12" plates.

2) This clever ice orb is a vertical ice tray. It can be used as an ice bucket, a cold vessel for foods (ie dips), or as a champagne or wine cooler. It makes 21 cubes and can store up to 51 cubes.

3) These eco-friendly bamboo utensils can be used over and over again at all of your outdoor parties.

4) Dwell Studio designed these chic black & white cotton napkins for Target. What a bargain for $9.99 for a set of four!

5) Any gentleman peacock would appreciate this self-contained folding hardwood picnic table. Don’t limit it to picnics, it would also make a great indoor bar table for your next party.

6) This inexpensive polywoven picnic basket and flatware caddy would come in handy for hauling or organizing goodies for your alfresco feast. The colors and woven pattern reminds me of a sewing basket my mother had when I was kid.

7) This little lime green charcoal picnic grill (15"d, 12"h) will come in handy for grilling kabobs and quesadillas this summer. The lid locks in place and features vent holes and a silicone-topped handle. And the compact design makes it great for setting up just about anywhere.

Don't wait until the last minute (like Mr. Peacock), be prepared for your next summer event and organize your goodies now! Surry down to a stoned soul picnic! *homage to Laura Nyro

Adieu Tobias Wong

Mr Peacock was taken aback when he read about the passing of artist, Tobias Wong (above, from Esquire 2007) this week. I didn't know this fellow Gemini peacock personally, but it pained me deeply reading his obituary.

Whenever these tragedies happen (as with Alexander McQueen), I want to swoop in at their moment of despair and help them see a glimmer of hope. A personal friend of mine, took their own life last year, and I’m still saddened and in shock.

Here’s some of Mr. Peacock’s favorite Tobias Wong pieces.

Cokespoon #1 2005

Part of his INDULGANCES range (for the man that has absolutely everything). Gold plated, bronze cast Bic pen cap. Get your own here.

Cokespoon #2 (with Ken Courtney) 2005

Based on the 1980’s McDonald’s coffee stirrer.

Silver Pills 1998

“24 hours of pure silver leaf—so your shit will sparkle”

Calling Card 2002

Laser cut semi-transparent film stock with web address laser engraved.

Tattoo 2002

Tobias Wong asked artist Jenny Holzer (at an exhibit of hers) to write a maxim “Protect me from what I want” and signed it in ink on his arm. Mr. Wong turned it into a tattoo.

Money Pad 2000

100 real dollar bills bound with peelable notepad glue and cardboard backing.

Ballistic Rose 2004

Part of the permanent collection of MoMA New York. Get one here.

Mr. Peacock sends his heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Wong’s partner and family.

Happy Spring...

Above: A shot of Mr. Peacock’s kitchen.

You’re probably wondering where Mr. Peacock's been the last few months? My unexpected sojourn was due to my time being completely consumed by work, and not allowing me any free time to blog. A few weeks went by and before I knew it… it’s already June 1st!

I've truly missed blogging and chatting with everyone! Thank you for all of the nice emails inquiring about my whereabouts, and wondering if I was okay. I appreciate it.

My work load has become more manageable and I’m ready to blog! I won’t be posting everyday, but will share things that inspire me whenever I can. And I look forward to chatting with everyone.

Best,

Mr. Peacock.

Elbows to the Grindstone…

As of late, Mr. Peacock has noticed some of his favorite jackets and shirts are showing some wear on the elbows—specifically the right elbow. It's probably from rubbing my elbow on my desktop when I use the computer mouse. I guess I need to add some elbow patches.

The past few years have seen a revival in elbow pads in menswear. For some of us peacocks, however, elbow pads have always been a mainstay in our wardrobes.

Elbow patches began as a strictly functional repair—a way to hide wear and tear on jackets, shirts or sweaters. Over time they became mere decoration...and somewhat of a cliché...think of a pipe-smoking gent in a tweedy jacket with oval suede elbow patches standing by a fireplace. The elbow patches of today are far from cliché, and aren’t limited to just oval swatches of suede.

This jacket is traditional tweed, but the elongated rectangle elbow patches are very modern.

This corduroy blazer with suede elbow patches is a classic piece—and I love the lining too!

Mr. Peacock loves this modernized tweed hunting jacket with beautiful pocket detailing...

...and elbow patches. It's at the top of my holiday wish list! (here's another tweed jacket—with tweed elbow pads).

You won’t feel like Mr. Rodgers in this simple and elegant camel colored wool cardigan sweater with leather patches. It's also available in navy.

This slim red cardigan with leather buttons and suede elbow patches and would be festive this season.

Mr. Peacock likes the contrasting red wool buffalo plaid elbow pads on this navy crew knit sweater.

Here’s a navy merino wool turtleneck with elbow patches.

This vintage inspired Pendleton shirt with suede elbow pads looks cozy.

Another vintage inspired shirt with elbow pads.

Buffalo plaid is given a different twist as a rugby shirt with elbow pads.

You can find ready-made elbow patches at your local fabric store and sew them onto your own garments—or have a tailor sew them on for you.

Remember to keep your elbows to the grindstone and stay warm!

Mr. Peacock's Cashmere Sock Sweater

My father wasn’t into having a lot of possessions, but he was very particular about the way he dressed. I never saw him wear flip-flops or sneakers—only lace up oxfords or golf shoes (both usually alligator) and always with black or charcoal gray cashmere socks.

When my father passed away in the early 90’s, we gathered enough cashmere socks to fill a hefty trash bag. My sister was ready to send them off to Goodwill, but I wasn’t ready to part with them (I’m a sentimental hoarder). They sat in the bag for some time—I wasn’t sure what to do with them. Some of the socks were well worn with a hole or two, while others looked brand new—but all of them were either black or charcoal gray...and very soft.

One weekend I sorted all of the socks by color (black or gray) and if they had any holes (usually on the heel). I started cutting the holes off and splitting the socks open, and realized I had a generous swatch of cashmere. I decided to patchwork them together—not sure what I would end up with...maybe a throw blanket. I decided to try and make a patchwork sweater out of my cashmere sock pieces.

Here’s how Mr. Peacock made his cashmere sock sweater. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or a newbie, this project is fairly forgiving—“mistakes” and haphazard stitching add to the uniqueness of the sweater. This sweater doesn’t have a neat and tailored cut, it's more of a bohemian loose style. I would plan on dedicating a weekend to finish this project. I hand stitched it, because I think it added to the style of the sweater, but you could certainly use a sewing machine.

Here’s the tools you will need:

• Needle & Heavy duty thread—I used a heavy upholstery thread
• 
Straight pins
Sharp
• Scissors

• Glue stick

• Sharpies
• 
Ruler

• Newspaper

• Sweater Shaver—you can get them for a few bucks at discount stores like Walgreens (my mom gave me one years ago, I though it was a joke, but this little tool is amazing—it “shaves” off any pilling or loose threads on wool or cashmere without damaging the garment)
• A bag of old cashmere or wool socks (you could also use a few old holey cashmere or wool sweaters instead of socks)

First you'll want to make a "pattern" for your patchwork sock sweater from a favorite existing pull-over sweater in your wardrobe.

Glue stick pieces of newspaper together and lay out on the floor. Place your sweater on top of the newspaper and trace with a sharpie pen.

The lines don't have to be perfect, but if you prefer you can use a ruler. Cut the pattern out along the lines and set aside.

Wash all of the socks in hot water and throw them in a dryer. They’ll shrink a bit, but the washing process will almost “felt” the wool or cashmere and deter unraveling when you cut the pieces. I don’t recommend cotton because it will tend to unravel and be problematic.

After you wash and dry your socks, carefully shave any pilling (little balls and bumps) or excessive fuzziness.

You can now begin cutting the pieces. I was somewhat methodical about cutting. First I cut the tops off (make sure to save 2 elasticized tops for your sleeve bottoms), then the heels, and so forth. The goal is to get large swatches of cashmere (or wool).


I stacked the pieces into like colors and textures (some were smooth, and some were ribbed). I then laid them out on the floor over my paper pattern, leaving enough to cover the pattern—until I was pleased with the arrangement of the shapes. It’s good to mix the colors and textures. I then pinned all of the pieces together, and repeated the entire process.

I used a basting stitch (above), with course upholstery thread. Baste all of the pieces together—leaving a ¼ inch seam allowance on the corners.

Above: A couple of patchwork sweaters from Comme des Garçons Winter 2009 season for inspiration. You can mix patterned socks with solids for your homemade patchwork sweater.

You should have 2 basted patch worked pieces of socks that fit over your newspaper pattern. Place the pieces together, with the basted sides facing out. Lay the pattern on top, and pin the 2 pieces together, using the pattern perimeter as your guide. Don’t pin the bottom of the sleeve openings or the neck opening. Baste these together, and remove all of the pins.

Above: Dolce & Gabbana featured a few patchwork sweaters in their Winter 2008 collection. It's the same idea as my sweater—I like the gray palette.

Carefully try on the sweater. Now is the time to make any adjustments, like making the sleeves tighter, the sleeves longer (I made my sleeves longer), or the body length shorter or longer (I left mine shorter).

Now take the 2 saved elasticized sock tops and baste each one on the end of the sleeves (inside out).

With the sweater inside out, go over all of the seams with a blanket stitch (above). Trim the neck to your liking. I chose a boat style neck on my sweater. Blanket stitch along the entire edge of the neck. Carefully remove any loose threads, and it's ready to go. I think the sweater looks equally appealing with the sewn seams showing, or turned inside with the sewn seams hidden—it just depends on your mood and style.

Above: Mr. Peacock loves the knitwear by Clare Tough—a couple sweaters from 2008. I like the addition of the asymmetrical zipper.

Depending on your sewing experience, you could add a zipper or buttons on the front of your patchwork sweater.

As I said, this project is fairly simple, even if you are a beginner crafter. Once you get started, the process will make more sense to you. This patchwork sweater would make a great gift too. If you start this weekend you can make one as a holiday gift...and one for yourself!

Can you spare a dime?

(click image above to enlarge)
Money is on the mind of everyone right now! My neighborhood grocery store has one of those self-service automated machines that counts your coins and gives you a receipt with your total, which you then exchange for cash at the front counter. Each time I’m at the store, someone is pouring a large container of saved coins into this machine hoping for a large total.

Here’s some of Mr. Peacock’s numismatic inspired goodies on his wish list right now:

1) I like the way this foreign coin necklace looks! I think it would look interesting draped around the neck of a gourd style lamp. You could also make your own charm necklace with all of the souvenir coins from your own travels.

2) Mr. Peacock has been obsessed lately with the estate of the late floral designer/party planner extraordinaire—Robert Isabell (and fellow Gemini). He was a keen collector with exquisite taste...and what treasure-box home he created (see more here)! His estate will be auctioned at Southeby's on December 17th.

He had an amazing coin sofa (shown above in a room at his home, from the NY Times) designed by the artist Johnny Swing, made up of over 7,000 nickels and 35,000 welds (detail below left).

The sofa is too large for my apartment, but the butterfly chair (#2 at top) would fit quite nicely. It’s made up of over 1,500 half-dollars and 7,000 welds (detail above right). It would be very luxurious lounging on money!

3) This vintage inspired gold coin and ribbon necklace would be a handsome gift for any hero in your life.

4) There are many different cuff links available made of vintage or replica coins. I like these elegant cuff links made with vintage Mercury dimes embellished with black enamel.

5) Everyone needs a touch of Fornasetti in his or her home! This brass and wood tripod occasional table decorated with drawings of Roman coins would add a chic decorative accent to your décor.

6) Mr. Peacock has always liked anything with a secret compartment (especially my Pee Wee Herman watch!), and these “Spy Coins” are no exception. The tops of these real coins pop off revealing a hidden hollow space perfect for hiding an illicit piece of paper, your bank code, or some high tech tracking device. These coins are the perfect stocking stuffer for the person who has everything!

7) This decorative lidded box (14.5"H x 11.5"W x 8.5"D) adorned with faux Roman coins reminds me of my mom’s vintage faux Roman coin medallion brooch. It would be a perfect vessel for saving cherished cards and letters.

8) Mr. Peacock has amassed a collection of exonumia (flattened embossed souvenir pennies) from various destinations across the United States. The machines are frequently located at touristy spots. Each one costs fifty cents, plus one sacrificial penny.

I just love watching the penny roll down the gears and get rolled flat, and then embossed with the tourist location...and plop out as a warm oval disc at the bottom of the machine. I’m not sure what I’ll do with my collection of embossed pennies...I guess I could make a charm necklace.

Anyway, I’m very glad to be back after a brief blog sojourn. Thank you for all of the kind emails and wonderful comments—I appreciate it! I hope everyone has an abundance of coins this holiday season!

My apologies…

Mr. Peacock is happily buried under project deadlines right now, but I’ll be back next Monday. Thanks for stopping by, and for all of the wonderful emails (I’ll be catching-up on emails this weekend too) and comments! Happy Thursday.