Category Archives: My Life Experience

My life from behind my own eyes and ears. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Jul 22 2011

Ground Hog Day

I may sing, I may dance but I do not crawl on my belly like a reptile. It’s not that every day is creative for me.  At times, I feel like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day but I’d rather have my life than sitting at a desk all day, hating my job.  Everyone can choose what they want to do in their life.  I choose to be creative!

Today, I have an appointment for a color and design consultation.  I’m looking forward to this because the client likes contemporary decor mixed with an eclectic touch.  That is my design forte’, I believe.  Her condo is overlooking the ocean.  I’ll pick neutral colors most likely but will spice it up with ocean blues and brighter shades of her choice.

Also this week, I researched boutiques and spas to carry my wearable art, sang at our gig on Friday night at The Vintage Steakhouse in San Juan Capistrano, painted five large pieces of silk, photographed some finished pieces, created a video or two and babysat my grandson.  The last part is the toughest.  Just kidding.  My little Aidan is the best part of my week.

It’s my routine weekly. If I seem like I have a lot going on.  I do. You are probably thinking,  “Make up your mind, girl.”    How can I stop at one thing when I have such a versatile life?  I am grateful that I have skills.  I went to school for the design but the School of Hard Knocks taught me to use the natural talents I was born with.  Every time I strayed from my artistic bones in my body, I ended up falling off the wagon, so to speak.  I found out that I’m happiest when I’m creating, and I mean creating anything.  It could be design for a home, as simple as a greeting card, or a new piece of art which could be on paper, silk, canvas or a wall.  I love design and everything associated with it.  You’ll find in my writings that I’ll talk about fashion, interior design, art, and product design too.

If you ever feel like your day isn’t creative enough, just rent Ground Hog Day and you’ll be laughing in no time! If you can’t laugh at Bill, who can you laugh at?  He’s my favorite comedian.  He really rips me up.  People forget that being creative doesn’t have to come in the form of being artistic.  You could write, sing, garden, knit, sew, bake, shake, rock and roll. You must try and enjoy your life if you hate your job.  Choose to be creative at something, anything!

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Apr 27 2011

My Lunch with Sharon

How many people have friends for 40 to 60  years?  I do and I feel pretty special.  I have friends I’ve stayed in touch with since Kindergarten.  I think that’s amazing!

Today I had lunch with  Sharon. She and were models at Cole of California Swimwear in the 70′s.  In an earlier blog,  I talked about how we had to walk around half naked.  Sharon and I worked in different design rooms but we shared some of the same embarrassments.  After a few days, you got used to everyone tugging on you, sticking pins in you and gawking over you.  We found humor in all of it and became good friends right from the start.  Sharon Today

Today, she came over to meet my little grandson, Aidan and to catch up with me.   Little Aidan swept her away with all his flirting.  I’m a bit prejudice but I happen to think he’s pretty darn cute and very smart.  She recalled how adorable my own son was was back in the day when we were young kids ourselves.

What’s interesting to me is how we’ve stayed friends over so many years.  We even lost touch for awhile but low and behold!  Ten years later, we were both sitting in front of a large mirror, waiting for the aerobics instructor to arrive.  All of a sudden, both of us shrieked loud enough to break the glass.  You know how girls are?  They sound nutty when they haven’t seen each other for awhile. We picked right up where we left off.   We know more about each other than our Mom’s ever did.  That’s probably a good thing.  I think the reason for our long relationship is because we have so much in common.  The first thing that brought us together was our job as models.   Along with that, we’ve always taken the best care of ourselves and we’re holding up better than most.  We also love food although she’s a much better cook than I.  We do find that it is very artistic and self gratifying.  You can make a whole lot of people very happy with food.

Sharon and I also share the interior design talent.  It comes natural for us.  We like similar design themes although I’m the crazier one bending more on contemporary.  Sharon twists up her traditional side with a mix of Asian art and accessories which suggests a playful elegance.  I’m not Lady Gaga but I would love to create a very wild side of me in my own home.  I’m married to a very traditional man so I’ve got to keep it eclectic instead which satisfies my wild side.  Sharon and I  also have that crafty talent.  If we see something we like or we don’t want to pay full price for it, we’ll try and make it ourselves first.

The thing that I like best about my friend, is she is an incredible mother, possibly to a fault.  She’s spoiled her three boys although, she or I would never let our kids sit on their laurels as they all turned out great.  Sharon is also an amazing wife.  I’m sure her husband, Tom will agree with me on that one.  She spoils him more… as it should be.  We have the same ethics about family and our position.  We are soft around the edges but don’t pull too many punches on us or watch out!  We know what we want although we won’t let anyone walk all over us (any longer).  And, we love life and people.

When I think of the best buddies that have stuck with me through thick and thin, you really can count your best friends on one hand. I hope most of you out there have true blue friends and soul mates like I.  If so, you are a very lucky soul!  I certainly am.

Apr 21 2011

I hate Spam

I hate spam and I don’t mean the kind you eat.  I hate liars and cheaters and that’s what it really boils down to.  I’m trying to make a living, eek out a paycheck just like everyone else.  On my website for clothing, about every third day, someone is trying to send me a big cashiers check.  The worst part of all this is that you get excited that someone is willing to  buy your goods.  In my case it would be my talents as everything I’m got in the shop is hand painted.  I did not just to to china, buy a shit load of it and bring it back, mark it up to the ceiling.  I worked hard and I do get excited when someone likes it enough to purchase it.

I’ve got to deal with these fraud maniacs.  The last one suggested they were on their way to church and couldn’t wait to hear from me. Ha!  He/She wanted to buy my $6,000.00 Elvis painting, sight unseen.  They are going to send a pick up agent to pick up the piece.  Hmmmm, I wonder???  Well, I was anxious to sell the piece so I replied to see if the person was legit.  They wanted my email, phone, address of where I live.  I responded “I do not give out my address to everyone, but you can call me and we can talk.”  I gave them the opportunity.  As I thought, it was fraud in full motion.

What I really hate about this is that they probably get away with it at times and more often than not they prey on the old folks or anyone who is eager to make a sale and profit from it.  How sad that these slime balls having nothing better to offer in life but sick behavior.  Ok, I’m done.  Just watch out for them you all!  You’ll know it if it smells!

Apr 16 2011

Great Models Make The Difference

It’s amazing what a great model does for clothing especially if they have a beautiful face and attitude to go with it.  This morning I was fortunate to shoot with a darling gal, Annette.  She’s not a pro yet!  It is her desire to become a model so how lucky I was to find her.  It won’t be long before she can quit her day job where I met her.

I was a model when I was 17,  “It was a very good year”,  as Sinatra would sing it!  I worked in the studio for Cole of California Swimwear back in the….no never mind…I’m not giving away my age today.  I modeled suits for the buyer shows.  I also worked directly with the designer, Barbara Grossman.  I was her model to design things right on my body.

I’ll never forget my third day working.  She made me try on a bathing suit inside out.  There was another male designer that was her assistant in the room.  She had to cut the bra cups out of the suit because it was pulling.  I stood there with my chi chi’s hanging out through these cuts.  I was mortified!  After many fittings, you got used to walking around half naked all the time.  The buyer shows were a bunch of dirty ol’ men saying, “Come a little closer, honey!’

I’m giving the industry a bad rap.  It wasn’t always like that.  I learned so much being in the design room looking over  Barbara’s sketches and watching her make corrections on artwork for prints that came in from New York, fixing patterns, and choosing the right textiles.  In the same room were pattern makers,  a cutter and seamstresses that took me under their wings. They would check out my sewing and make me rip out the stitches if I did it wrong.

Here’s the background on this nostalgic swimwear company.

Always in style


Founded: Formed by Fred Cole from family knitwear firm in Los Angeles, 1923. Company History: Began collaborating with Hollywood costume designer Margit Fellegi, 1936; signed Esther Williams to represent the company, 1950; began producing swimwear from Christian Dior, 1955; purchased by Kayser-Roth, early 1960s; sold to the Wickes Company; launched Anne Cole Collection, 1982; signed licensing agreement with Adrienne Vittadini, 1983-93; company purchased by Taren Holdings, 1989; Juice junior line debuted, 1990; acquired by Authentic Fitness Corp., combined with Catalina to form Catalina Cole, 1993; Anne Cole introduced the “tankini,” 1997

After being around all this talent,  this information stuck with me for years.  I goofed off a bit and teased with becoming a designer of lingerie.  I turned out some real cute things for a budding kid.  I just did not have the funds to pull it off.  I made sure I hired models way back then.

I could easily lay a scarf on a mannequin but it isn’t the same as live models.  People can easily visualize themselves wearing it.  When you are selling items online, it’s important to see how a garment lies on the body.     I have a great return policy in the case folks aren’t quite sure.  So far, I’ve had great luck because of the talented ladies that have added their beauty to my beauties.

Mar 24 2011

Finding Time

I have the most wonderful life and I mean it but today was tough.  I feel like I’m in service to everyone but myself.  It’s all good but I do not have a choice at the moment due to the scheduling.  Three days a week I babysit Aidan, my grandson  who is the most adorable child on the face of the earth.  I love this kid so much that he can do no wrong and no matter how much I’d like to do something for myself, he comes first.  If he sleeps three hours during the course of the day, I might have time to get something done but it’s not dedicated to painting.  I have to keep a close watch over this little guy.

My husband who is also a most incredible man in my life will call me throughout the day to do some things for him. I”ll send emails or make spread sheets  for his business.  He needs help when it comes to computers. I will also work on our music career.  In other words, I’m a PR agent, a secretary, bookkeeper along with being a wife, chef, housekeeper, grandmother and babysitter.

After I’m done for the day, my son will ask me if I can will bring over Aidan so Grandpa can see him.  This is totally OK with us as I’m not going to miss out on more bonding with my little cupcake.  I do a workout three times a week, get on Facebook once a day, answer my own emails and try and figure out what my priority is.  I know there are many mom’s  as well as grandma’s that might be hearing me.

When do I get my big moment?  I have this great dream board but I guess it will have to wait or maybe all those things will just appear right before my eyes.  I would not give up this life for anything even though I have a bit of anxiety over my time schedule.  I know it will all fall in to place just beautifully.

For now, I’ll cherish the moments I have now.  Time is precious!  I’m a lucky gal!

Mar 8 2011

Morgancreations gives birth to creativity.

“Holy Moly!” I just revisited the movie, “Grumpy Ol’ Men”.   I’m stealing that line from Walter Matthau.  It’s a terrific line because it sounds like a whole bunch of trouble and also exciting.  That’s how I feel like right now!

It has been two years since I’ve was serious about writing a blog.  I was immersed in my interior design company until the “you know what” hit the fan.  If you do not know what I’m referring to… It was the beginnings of the recession.  I poured my heart and soul in to that business. and loved every minute of it.  I still love all the aspects of design.  It’s in my blood, never to leave… it remains part of me. In my blog,   I wrote about all the latest trends in furnishings, lighting and mostly about my forte in color.  Little by little my heart sank each day as the rug was being pulled out from under me.  ”Why Me?”  It took several months before I realized everyone around me was going through the same thing.

Holy Moly!  I saw it happen to my folks.  It happened in the great depression to my grand folks but never I never thought it would happen to moi.  Not I?  Well honey, you can sit there and whimper, do nothing, or figure something out.

Now, I’m faced with me.  Yes, me!  I came in to this world and I’ve always known what this little gal is.  I tiptoed and tapped, dabbled and danced a bit in the arts and clothing design.  I never trusted myself to proceed with such an awakening as I have today?  Deep down inside, we all know who we are or what talents that we bestow.  Yeah,  boo-hoo! Life gets in the way.  I get that.  Am I’m reaching you guys out there in any way at all?  Are you in touch with your driving passion in life is or just working at something?

Sounds corny a bit?  Yes? No?  Ok, I’m hear to just say that finally, after my many years of floundering, I’ve woken up to what will work for me the rest of my life and that is doing what I do best!

Since the arts is very subjective, I will say that I’m doing what will be best FOR ME!  Whether you like what I do or not, is not of extreme importance until the one day when I have unfolded the many works of art and rationalize it’s time to get approval of others.  I reproduce because I cannot stop.  I have closets and walls full of art.  I’m ashamed to say that I have that “It’s not good enough” syndrome.

But, I will prevail and keep on keeping on.  I’m sure other family members must wonder deeply at times.  Oh, how I’ve wondered about myself but back very deep in my soul  but…I feel pulsating triggers that torment me to create.  I cannot stop until I can look at my work and say, “HOLY MOLY!”