Sometimes when I’m in a new area of the city, I like to walk around and see what’s happening. During those solo jaunts I might notice a restaurant I’d like to try or a store that inspires me to shop or indulge in a new hobby. About a month ago I happened upon Anna’s Store at 2815 1/2 at 28th and Vernon, on my way to work, and became intrigued by its plethora of fabric, trims and yarns.

Since one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2024 is to learn how to sew better, I made a promise to myself to go in one day and check it out. After briefly talking to the store, manager, Joe, I found out they’ve been at this location for 15 years, do tailoring, alterations, and make curtain sets too.

Cozy, old-school, and intimate my mind swirled with ideas about things I could make with their off-white, Victorian-style trims, brightly colored, floral fabric, and red and green Christmas material.

Upon seeing their yarn and embroidery hoops, I also remembered my other resolutions to improve my hand needlework and learn how to knit and crochet. Inspired beyond words I remembered my long-held dream to create tote bags for women undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I first came up with the idea at the Academy Of Art University when I was working on my MA for Fashion Journalism in my sustainable fashion class.

As a breast, cancer survivor myself, since 2015, I recalled how traumatic nine hours of chemo could be, and I always hoped there was a way to make it easier. One way I used was to always dress up and bring a tote bag, full of books, journals to write in, and fashion magazines to look at as a means of escape. Not only did this help me, it also made the process more bearable.

Although my totes are still in the planning stages, and I need to definitely improve my construction techniques before I design a prototype, the times I spent at Anna’s Store definitely helped motivate me to make my dream a reality soon.

Description of photos in collage:

• Books read to Zombie at his Story Time or while waiting to catch the bus.
• Drawings in a homemade sketchbook.
• A journal entry from a diary I write in daily.
• A coloring page from an adult coloring book.
• A cardboard roll wall or table collage.
• My cat Zombie.
• A sweater and scarf by Uniqlo.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.—Jane Austen

The day I got my MA in Fashion Journalism from Academy Of Art University I had visions of taking my new knowledge and skills, and working, either at Vogue as an editor, teaching a series of personal style classes for the main stream at a community college, or writing, reliable fashion books for the consumer.

Unfortunately, these plans had to be placed on the back burner, momentarily, due to my mothers passing, and the increasing complications and obstacles caused by my SLE, lupus disability and constant exposure to COVID-19 on my day job in education for a major school district.

With the sadness of my mother’s death, unforeseen emotional, and financial difficulties also forced me to remain in education, despite its low pay, insufficient hours, and growing abusive treatment expressed by those adversely affected by their low-income status and Covid-19.

It didn’t matter that I was an alumni of this district, starting with the third grade and ending with my high school graduation, that I grew up mostly in the areas that I worked in or am an African-American, the “world of hate” I existed in then when I tried to give back to my community would’ve overwhelmed and destroyed me if I didn’t keep my perspective.

Of course I knew I was breaking stereotypical rules by succeeding in school and having the gall to write professionally, but I was unaware of how offensive it was to some until it was thrown in my face with such vitriol. All because I dared to break through and smash those outdated tropes to realize my vision.

One of the most obvious ways I did, this was by dressing very stylishly, in clothes and accessories that reminded me, and those I encountered, that I am a fashion journalist first who communicates sartorially and isn’t inferior to anyone despite the circumstances, and a regular employee second.

The other way, I did this was by ratcheting up the creative side I’d learned to cultivate at AAU by writing blogs, reviews and articles regularly, and becoming crafty by drawing, painting, and constructing collages that expressed who I am.

I even introduced introduced my art to the schools I’ve worked in during this tumultuous period. Now that I’m on the other side of the battle, I can honestly say it kept me sane and help me keep on keeping on.

Starting today I’m going on a short creative hiatus to work on some new ideas for the Every…blog site. Please keep up with me on IG https://www.instagram.com/ victoriamoore 2105 and FB https://www.facebook.com/victoriamoore.3597. See you when I get back!

Summer reading is the best!