With the election now behind us and a new president on the way, we can all look forward to a new hope and beginning. A season of change for the better. If we are going to get a vaccine, this also gives us all a chance to dream about being able to dance Tango again!
For all of you tangueras out there needing dresses and masks, let me be your one-stop shop. I'm still here for you! I am planning something special soon, so stay tuned!

Camping Bears Mask

We live in a time where the daily news is almost always dire. Those of us who are lucky enough to be alive and well are choosing our paths whether we mean to or not.

I'm super grateful to have so many friends, acquaintances, colleagues (and customers!) who are a source of inspiration for me, even though we are physically distant.  I am here to tell you I have tried to go on a positive direction, even though despair fills the air.

The pandemic seemed from the very beginning a harkening to go inward to find oneself, to rediscover the valuable things, the things that make life worthwhile for oneself, apart from other people. It's a time for discovery of what is within and a recollecting a true appreciation for others. Like that song says, "don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone..."

With that in mind, yoga has been good to me over the years and now with the extra time,  I do it twice daily and started meditating (like I always meant to) and it has made a solid difference. I highly recommend Jason Crandall's core strength workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GHQYLQmGgk

For you tango dancers, we know it has been taken away for now, but we are lucky to have so many good online instructors. I recommend Jon and Judy, I have sometimes dropped in on their Friday Cabaret gathering online. You can contact the organizer by email to be added at: tangowithjudy@yahoo.com



I'm sure many of you have found ways to cope, to do something that resembles socializing as best you can. I would love to hear about them. Please feel free to message me. And stay safe!

Like a lot of you, during this pandemic I've also been baking. I came across a few recipes to share. The basic bread recipe was pretty easy and I exclaimed happily when I took it out of the oven! The chocolate macaroons recipe was inspired by my housemate, who requested I pick one up at a local bakery. I got one too, and decided to try to make them. I was also happy with those results. And finally, the Bajan coconut bread recipe was something that sounded good and it was!
All this baking inspired me to make potholders. I developed a liking for mushrooms, so I decided to make them mushroom themed. I'd really like to make them from Scandanavian textiles, getting back to my Nordic roots! Stay tuned, I might make a limited edition for sale on my site soon.

Quite a number of people asked me if I was making masks to help out with the crisis. I hemmed and hawed for a while and went online, being confused about all the different designs, tutorials, arguments about efficacy, etc., being confused in general, with a good dose of anxiety.

Then a ligh tbulb went off finally and I thought I would just do what comes naturally, do my best, and go with the creative flow. Et oula as they say in France, my mask line was born. I have tango ones, regular ones, and fun ones...because we could all use a laugh.

Now! As I age gracefully, I ask that you be patient with my ever dwindling adeptness (and interest) in the technology of web building. That is, you may have noticed my shopping cart isn't up yet. While I work on that, please don't be shy. You may call or email to place an order and I will do my best to get it to you in the safest and fastest way possible. I'm always hoping we will conquer this thing soon,  so I made tango masks to go with tango dresses. I want to put the wish out there that we will be dancing again before we know it!

Yes, they are the ones that let us have an excuse
to go outside and play hooky from shelter in place.
God love 'em.

I've been making masks for people. I have two designs. 10 bucks each!
ORDER MASKS
 HERE

I'm really amazed at and inspired by the singularly unselfish act of self-isolation by most people so far (two weeks). After a few days of going out for my early morning runs, I quickly stopped that, seeing how dangerous it was, even though I saw almost no one out and figured that overnight the virus would have receded. I was further chagrined by listening to updates from Andrew Cuomo, who convincingly reinforced with great conviction the stay at home order.

Seeing other businesses shift their focus to selling online got me thinking I should do the same. But I'm still wondering if that is responsible, since I am so small, I would have to interface with the post office to ship orders (or have UPS pick them up). Either way, it's exposure and maybe I can just wait until the danger is past by taking myself out of circulation. But can I afford it, since stores aren't open and thus not selling my designs? And are people even buying clothes right now?


I guess I will use the time to sketch new designs. And make a few samples and start wearing them around the house to test them out. I will take pictures and you can tell me what you think! Meanwhile, I have been painting and here's a sampling of pieces I've done during the SIP:

At midnight, they ordered shelter in place for Alameda county and surrounding counties. I think its a good idea and if we stick to it, we might see the virus subside more quickly. At least that is the hope.

In the meantime, I've been looking for ways to cope and spend my time during this disruption. Sure, I think about all the things I miss. I've been noticing how wonderful the air has become with less traffic. It changed almost immediately. We've been having gorgeous clouds, skies, sunrises, and sunsets. The plants and animals seem to be thriving and I can really enjoy nature and being part of it. One way I decided to get out there (in a legal way) is order a pair of running shoes and get out there early. That's been really helpful in beating back any blues I may have suffered had I done nothing and lamented on those activities I miss so much. And the people that go along with them.

I did go visit my parents right before the lockdown and went for a hike/picnic with a nice man I've been spending quality time with (a dance partner from Tango). I have regular texts and phone calls from a few friends and family, so I am VERY blessed. I try to check in on the news less and less each day so I can focus on what I'd like to be doing, instead of being concerned with "recent developments". The developments will develop.

I did a bit of purging, cleaning and organizing. Did some baking and checking the food stores so I could be ready for the lockdown. Because I'm out of a job again, I need to look for one of those. Also got a really good book recommended by a close friend. It's about Chakra Systems, so there's a lot to learn there! And I broke out my watercolors to paint. So, there are many things to keep me occupied. It reminds me of those New England winters and springs where we were inside for weeks and months and had to discover how to spend our time indoors. That was before the internet, though and we really could be more creative with our time and energy.

I hope you are also finding the silver linings in this time, and patience and gratitude for life itself.

Finally, I'm making a bit of progress on my site. I have a few pieces from my new Tango Collection (which is still growing!) in my online shop, just to test it out. These are pieces I have found to be the most popular so far, as I've had about eight pop ups with them. Please visit my shop at www.margarettelaizure.com and leave a comment. I have a lot of work to do on the website, so it will help my progress. Thank you for stopping by!

La Clotherie presents:

La Clotherie Cottage is much more than a vintage shop mixed with hip, locally made designs. Its a place to go to meet and mingle and get dressed up. We will help you with your fantastic new look if you want, or just browse for bargains and unique treasures!

Don't miss one of the most hip fashion sales ever!