You've been nice and/or appropriately naughty. You've written the cards. You've shopped for the gifts. You've strung the lights, decorated the tree and poured the nog. Or perhaps you've just bought the movie tickets and booked a table at Yang Chow. In any case, shouldn't you be rewarded for your holiday exertions? Now through Jan. 4, you can give yourself (or your especially worthy loved ones) the gift of Worn Free T-Shirts for 30% off the retail price. That's 30% off our entire stock of insanely cool, gossamer-soft tees, including designs originally worn by John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Frank Zappa, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Joey Ramone, Muhammad Ali, Keith Moon, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck (such as the saucy "Oh, Yeah?" as seen on the gorgeous Laura Kightlinger in the photo at left) and many more. Of course, each ultra-cozy shirt comes with a handsome "backstage pass" hangtag/sticker featuring the classic photo that inspired it and the story of its provenance. But you knew that. What better way to upgrade your wardrobe for 2010? Just enter coupon code NEWYEAR when you check out. But don't delay; head over to WornFree.com and pick your favorites before Jan. 4. And on behalf of the Worn Free community, have a lovely holiday and a safe, stylish New Year.
Frequently, I will fall madly in love with a piece of furniture that leaves even my closest friends & allies scratching their heads in confusion. Such was the case with my new desk. When I first showed it to my husband, I could tell he was skeptical, but knew better than to say so...When the glimmer is in my eye, just back away.
It was love at first glance on Craigslist for me:
So I contacted the owner to arrange a viewing. We had several conversations over the course of a few days while attempting to fit our schedules together and I learned that the desk had belonged to his mother and he had the pity-able task of sorting out her belongings. I told him that I was a furniture maker and would take really good care of it...that I wasn't sure if I would refinish it, or leave it alone, but either way it would be loved. In a small way, I think these exchanges may have been a bit therapeutic for him, as I sensed he was perhaps a bit choked up on the other line.
I should mention, in addition to being incredibly kind, he was also extremely fair with the price ($45 for desk, chair, & mirror) and generously offered to deliver it to me for free.
So yesterday, when he showed up, it was an easy no brainer. I saw it on the truck, knew it was love, handed him the money, and brought it in the house. It was a little dirty from being in storage, but a little simple green & elbow grease was all it took to clean up nicely:
While pulling out one of the drawers, my husband discovered hidden treasures had fallen into the back of it. I couldn't believe it - a beautiful desk AND hidden treasure! I had hit the jackpot. The best things we found: an antique bottle opener, stolen from a San Francisco hotel called The Raphael; a porcelain lid to a tiny box (this must have made her CRAZY trying to find it); an old silver swiss army knife? or nail cutter?; and best of all - a tiny gold skeleton key with a #2 on it.
Doesn't that just pique your sense of wonder & adventure like crazy???!!!! WHAT on earth does that key open and HOW will I find it?
Well, those questions may have to go unanswered. I plan to call the man today and offer him what I found...but I'm REALLY hoping he doesn't want them back, because I love them so much! I would like to keep them with the desk, either displayed behind my computer or in a shadow box on the wall. Each item has so much history and so many secrets to tell...If I am allowed to keep them, I know they will provide endless inspiration and possibly good luck while spending long hours feverishly writing at this desk.
When I was a desk jockey in San Francisco, I frequently changed my desktop image to something happy and tropical because I was, well - unhappy & cold. Now that I'm back in Hawaii, I wanted to put some images out into the internets, in case anyone out there is searching for warm, flowery, happy, tropical, Hawaii wallpaper:
As the pipe clamp blisters began to pop and heal on my hands, I knew I was in a race against myself to find my next gig in woodworking. I had just quit my job after I was put on a mandatory 72-hour work week schedule, which was neither safe nor necessary in the warehouse where I was a full time furniture maker. From my first taste of sawdust, I was hooked. I loved everything about it, especially the aches & pains associated with putting in a hard day of manual labor.
I had moved thousands of miles from my industrial Michigan factory roots, only to go to college and decide the blue collar life is what I wanted. I quit my job, only when it was obvious that it would either kill or permanently injure me...but it was still one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. Besides the fact that I love it, I realize now how wrapped up I was in the identity of being just one thing...In my working life, I have always had to have at least three side hustles going on and I've done everything from nude modeling, to being a maid, a well-paid executive assistant, an extra in movies, a make-up artist, to an apprentice sander in a woodshop.
When I call home to update my family, typically, whatever it is I describe is met with unconditional love & acceptance, even if there is a tinge of it not necessarily being understood. As a woodworker, I was finally able to align myself with an identity - one thing that I loved being and doing...and it was so much easier to explain that!
Predictably, when the job fell apart, I scrambled for any paying gig I could find on craigslist. As it turns out, it was a good time to be involved with film making and I even signed up for acting classes. Being involved in the process is as exciting as it seems like it would be - even the long hours of waiting, while being completely dressed to the nines for a 6:00 a.m. call time, shouldn't be exciting, but it still is.
Around this time I also found work as a fit model, working for a local design house. It's a job that pays very well but the work is inconsistent. Still, I am extremely thankful to have it, even if it is a bit weird for me to use it as an identifier at the dentist's office and have the receptionist squeal and ask me a bunch of questions about the job. That's a rock star moment, I'm not going to lie, but it's completely foreign to me to identify myself as "model" in any capacity...especially when "factory rat" was a closer signifier just weeks ago.
I'm not sure if all the discomfort in lacking a fixed occupation or identity squarely rests on my shoulders, or if I am reacting to other people's confusion when I try to explain, "Well, I'm actually a furniture maker, but I'm out of work, so I'm doing the acting and modeling thing, while looking for another woodworking gig." Who does that? I'm not sure if I even understand myself anymore.
In the long run, it's probably a good thing that I am so versatile & adaptable - I always have something relevent for any type of resume I'm creating for myself (and I have at least 3); but I long for the day when I have a short answer to the question, "So what do you do?"
John Van Hamersveld has created some of the most iconic images in the history of pop culture, and Worn Free has been proud to offer several of these -- Crazy World Ain't It, Indian and more -- on our T-shirts.
Now it's our great pleasure to offer eight museum-quality posters of JVH art. Whether celebrating rock icons, surf culture, or JVH's glorious "Indian" image (aka the cover image of his acclaimed book Hippie Nation), the works of this unpredictable visionary are graphically gorgeous artifacts to electrify any room. And here's the best part: For a limited time, we're offering a limited run of these extraordinary prints SIGNED by John Van Hamersveld himself.
These posters are printed with lavish care using the finest materials; details on our poster page.
You can snare these ravishing works of art for 20% off the already reasonable retail price if you order by Dec. 31 (but order NOW for any chance of a Christmas delivery). So put some unforgettable eye candy under someone's tree -- or your own -- by ordering today. Just use coupon code POSTERUP when you check out.
Yep -- now you can keep warm with the coolest designs.
We're talking Worn Free classics like Debbie Harry Punk; Frank Zappa Rental; Joey Ramone NYC; John Lennon Working Class Hero; Iggy Pop Dublin Sounds; Kurt Cobain Hi How Are you, Flipper and Sounds; Nudie's Rodeo Tailors; Island Records and more, now in incredibly comfy hoodies, sweatshirts and long-sleeved tees.
Would any one of these cozy items make a superlative holiday gift? We're thinking yes, especially as you can get these cold-weather collectibles for an amazing 20% off if you order by Dec. 14. Just use coupon code BUNDLEUP when you check out.
We love Jodie Livingston, and not just because there are some pictures of this self-described "true-blue Aussie" in WF attire that we consider great art (full disclosure: a few have gotten us in hot water with the missus). It's also because she's wonderful.
And since she's participating in the My World Tour contest, which will give her an opportunity, should she prevail, to travel the world covering music festivals, we want to increase her odds of victory by giving her some online support. So visit this link to demonstrate her ability not only to stop traffic but to generate it.
We're hoping that she'll model a few Worn Free designs (like this John Lennon Home shirt) during her travels, as we can't imagine a better brand ambassador.
Meet Nick Dresti, AKA DJ Space Cowboy: personal DJ for Lady Gaga (and co-writer of several of her songs), protege of Fatboy Slim, remixer of Paul McCartney, Fergie and The Darkness (among many others), recording artist and clotheshorse.
The French phenom is seen here at the legendary retail spot Decade in Pittsburgh sporting WF's Queen Crazy Tour tee.
Fun facts: His debut album, Across the Sky (released on Fatboy's Southern Fried label), was Japan's third-biggest electronica release of 2004. His new collection (and U.S. debut), Digital Rock Star, hit store shelves and iPhones in October of this year.
Another fun fact: the Queen Crazy Tour T-shirt is available right here, and can be had for 25% off (if you order by midnight tonight, 11/30).
Stephanie Pratt, as some of you probably know, came to prominence as a co-star on reality TV phenomenon The Hills. She has also been fodder for lots of snarky, bitchy, at times frothing-at-the-mouth commentary from the blogosphere.
Has she courted some of this infamy? It's not for us to say. But we will note that Stephanie is pictured here dishing out grub at the Los Angeles Mission's Anne Douglas Center Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless -- and what is she wearing for this large-spirited work? Worn Free's John Lennon Come Together tee.
Are we saying that this very cozy iteration of Lennon's positive vision bears some responsibility for a reality star feeding the needy? That would probably be a stretch. But we will say we're glad to see Stephanie Pratt (and her mascot friend) helping out.
It also bears mentioning that this shirt and every other on the WF site is now on sale at the deliciously discounted rate of 25% off. Just enter keyword THANKS when you check out, and hurry -- this sale will be over on Dec. 1.
Time for our Thanksgiving sale -- so hie thee to WornFree.com and stuff your cart like the proverbial turkey. We're offering EVERY WORN FREE SHIRT at 25% off.
Every shirt, you ask?
EVERY SHIRT. Including our killer new Muhammad Ali tees. And our kick-ass Elvis Karate. Not to mention classic designs originally worn by John Lennon; Kurt Cobain; various Ramones; Frank Zappa; Debbie Harry; Joan Jett; Keith Moon; Joe Strummer; Rod Stewart; Janis Joplin; the guys from Squeeze; Peter Cook and Dudley Moore; and too many more to mention.
Just use the coupon code THANKS when you check out. But don't delay -- these couture-quality, ultra-comfy tees are going faster than a plate of candied yams.
