Jackie Ormes-First African American woman cartoonist

I'm so late on this. In 2008 The University of Michigan Press published 'Jackie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist' by Nancy Goldstein. I had not heard of Mrs. Ormes until today.

http://www.jackieormes.com/

Kansas City Public Library

http://www.kclibrary.org/event/nancy-goldstein-jackie-ormes-first-african-american-woman-cartoonist

Here is an interview with Nancy Goldstein discussing her book.

http://www.archive.org/details/NancyGoldsteinJackieOrmesTheFirstAfricanAmericanWomanCartoonist

Comics Crusader: Remembering Jackie Ormes

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93029000

She began with the Pittsburgh Courier and in 1937-1938 "Dixie to Harlem" was published. She also created "Candy", "Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger", "Torchy in heartbeats".

From the cartoons came the Patty-Jo dolls and the Torchy togs cut out paper dolls.

I've collected dolls and I don't recall the Patty Jo doll. I will check my doll books and see how I missed it. My collection is generally modern porcelain artist dolls so I wasn't out there looking for vintage or antiques. Because these dolls were created as play dolls, finding them in good condition might be tough.

Made by the Terri Lee Company in late 1947-1949. This wasn't the stereotypical African American doll that was found on the market at the time.

I soooo want those Torchy's Togs paper dolls. I'd frame them--LOL!

Trying to borrow the book.

Where are the size 9s!

I have been to at least 12 stores trying to find some shoes. Particularly casual mary jane type.

I saw a few online and because I need to try them on I went searching for them. They had some out there in the stores but did they have a 9? NO! Plus I have a limit on what I want to spend and $50 plus wasn't it.

I didn't try either of these ons. But this is what I was looking for. I did find one and the price was right BUT of course the 9s were gone! Nevermind now that I can't remember the style name.

The search goes on....

Fall bags and shoes

Almost 2 years ago I spotted a wonderful Tignanello purse. It was retail about $160 and though I really liked it, I didn't like it that much. I later saw it on Macy's website on sale. After computing the shipping it put the bag almost back to the retail so that was a no. It is rare that I get attached to something and experience a "gotta have it" moment. While browsing one of my favorites shopping spots I saw "my" bag. TJMaxx had it for $79.99 and that was still more than I wanted to spend but I got it. I got it in black and it's been my everyday bag most of the time. I have others that I carry occasionally but I fall back on this one. I spotted this bag in TJMaxx on clearance much later and briefly considered snagging it but didn't want to pay for it. It may have been about $45-$50! I wasn't thinking that I couldn't find something else I liked as much. My bag is in fairly good condition considering how long I've had it. The straps of course are showing the wear with fraying. So I keep searching for the next "gotta have it" bag.

Today I was browsing again and nothing really jumped out at me. They had a few Tig bags and though they were cheaper than my current bag they didn't say "hey" pick me. I was about to leave the purses when I saw something in the clearance section. I had seen it before but it wasn't "it". I examined it again, held it up and thought this won't work for everyday BUT the soft leather makes it dressier. Add to that the size is smaller. I turned the tag over and stared---$29. Is this right? Hmmm it could work. I had to debate it since it wasn't an everyday bag. I looked back at the manufacturer's tag and retail was $179. What?! Discount was $89. So I got it.

Coming up: Shoes

Purging your clothes closet for fall and winter

I know it's been a month. I've just been lazy---too lazy. I have to get on the ball now. The season is changing and that closet is so unorganized. I'll keep picking the same 5 tops and bottoms if I don't get it together.


If you only have one closet designated for clothing (as so many of us do) then you have to switch out the clothing (shoes too!) that you wear in the spring and summer.

There are numerous books, magazine articles, websites, tv shows, etc. that tell us how to do this. Particularly when dealing with clutter control. We could just take all the things out of the closet, fold them and pack them away until the next season. That's fine but if we do that then we'd never get rid of the stuff we no longer need. So before packing let's ask a few questions.

1. Do I like this garment?

2. Can I still wear this garment---really wear it?

3. Does the garment need mending?

4. If I don't like, can't wear or need the garment can someone else use it?


Apply the questions to each garment. If you still like it, can wear it and it doesn't need mending then place in a pile to be packed. If you like it but can't wear it--ask yourself realistically will you be able to wear it the next season. If you believe you can then keep it. If not, place in the donate pile. Do this for all the clothes in the closet and drawers.
Once those are ready to store or donate then get the fall and winter clothes unpacked.

Apply the same questions to those garments BEFORE you put them in the closet. Honestly if you didn't wear it last year you won't likely wear it this time around unless it was something that didn't fit then and now fits.

An assessment of the garments allows you to rid yourself of excess and allows you to share with someone else. Sometimes you just don't care for something anymore. It no longer suits your lifestyle or fits your personality. Sometimes we have these impulse buys and after a couple of wears realize that it really wasn't right for us. It's ok to let it go. Someone else will love it and that frees up space to get things that you love and things that fit!


This applies to shoes, accessories and undergarments.

Six weeks ago my first post was about letting go. I started and created keep bags and go bags. Guess what they haven't gone anywhere. Find a person or place to donate to and do it!