In the real world...

Grandma’s House

Today, after 47 years of living in their modernist Eichler home in Sunnyvale, California, my grandparents, Bea & Ralph, are moving to Hawaii. It’s a strange feeling, because my whole life, they have been there. Yesterday, I was saying ’see you later’ it was bittersweet, because it’s the end of an era in my family, yet, they will be closer to my dad and uncle who live on the islands, and heck, it’s HAWAII. I often ask myself why I don’t live there. Oh yeah, because I like winter accessories too much.

My Grandmother, has a keen eye for fashion. Her wardrobe was almost entirely handmade in her sewing room. She was always checking out the latest fashions, and had an amazing collection. As a girl I would ask her to teach me to sew, but my attention span and practice wasn’t that great. Yesterday, while over at the house, they told me I could have some bits and pieces, along with some furniture, I picked up some really cool items out of her wardrobe:

Her favorite winter coat. This is from the 60’s, handmade wool, with lining, and bell sleeves.

A plaid cape, my aunt Charlene said it’s been around as long as she can remember. It has really great buttons, and you can button the bottom to create sleeves too. This blouse is designed and made by my grandmother, it’s really amazing on. I love the geometric collar, and it sits right at my waist, so it has both and interesting and flattering silhouette.

I’ll miss my grandparents… but Hawaii isn’t too far away, and I’ll have these pieces as tokens of them in my daily life.

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