Firefly's Works

Selling: Missoni Scarf

2012-01-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Long time no see. :) Sorry I've been gone so long, life has certainly been busy!

Holiday shopping has been frantic, and somehow I have ended up with a genuine (NOT Target!) Missoni scarf that needs a new home. This is genuine Missoni, 20 by 68 inches, and is pre-owned, but is in great condition, no stains, discoloration, smells, or holes. It is a poly/mohair/wool blend.

This is the original picture from Ebay of the exact scarf I bought.

I'm asking for $34 plus shipping to the US. Please leave a comment if you are interested!

Missoni for Target

2011-09-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Missoni for Target is out! However, I'd suggest waiting for Target to restock, since much of its items sold out on the first day!

What would you get?

Missoni for Target® Women's Shoulder Bag - Passione

Missoni for Target® Short-Sleeve Knit Dress - Multicolor Zigzag Print

Missoni for Target® Cardigan Sweater - Multicolor Zigzag Print

I personally like their cardigans, however, the material quality doesn't seem to be that good, and it's sold out both in stores and online. However, I will try tracking down some of the items later!

Support Stacy Lomman on Kickstarter!

2011-08-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Fashion has been increasingly outsourced to outside countries, making costs for producing American-made clothing more expensive for smaller designers. Stacy Lomman is using Kickstarter to fund her Spring 2012 collection, "Biohazard". Help support the economy! Clothing made in the United States are more expensive, but are often of better quality, and ensure that laborers have a higher standard of living that the US is so acclaimed for. Pledgers of $20 or more on Kickstarter will also receive bonuses like bracelets, calenders, and even VIP seating at her show.

Hurry! There are only 12 days left to fund her show, and she still needs $1865 to reach her goal, or else she doesn't get a single cent. Pledge + More Info Here!

Her Fall Show:

Interesting Links: Peculiar Beauty

2011-08-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I've been working on some personal projects for while, so I apologize for the silence on this end.

However, I've found some interesting blogs to browse through, one of them being Peculiar Beauty, a blog written by Bonnie Downing on ancient beauty remedies and vintage tips on anything from fashion, to exercise and cookbooks. It's an entertaining and informative read; I've spent hours on her blog just browsing through the archives! Mostly, though, I'm just glad modern beauty products and treatments have evolved from lead powders and kohl.

If you have time, be sure to give Bonnie's blog a read!

DIY of the Week

2011-07-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

I found this really cool craft project this week ad thought that I would share it with you: Ribcage T-shirt. I think the idea of doing something creative to the back of the shirt is really neat! It would be great for Halloween because of the skeleton factor, but it would be also fit any occasion where you would want to dress a little edgier.

I am definitely going to get pictures of this if my DIY attempt goes well!

Rawr

2011-07-31T22:28:00.000-07:00

For my friend's birthday, I wanted to make something from scratch. Well, nearly scratch anyway. She had been seeing some people wear hooded sweatshirts with dinosaur spikes, and she asked me to make one for her. A dinosaur hoodie? How could I refuse?

Sorry this is the best picture I have, but T-Rex is already safe and sound with zir new owner.

This wasn't a true DIY unfortunately, since I bought the hoodie beforehand. All I did was to cut a sheet of felt into teeth shapes, sew them onto the hood, make eyes, and finally sew spikes (also made of white felt) down the back. If anyone wants me to make a full tutorial, I'll be more than happy to.

Unfortunately it doesn't have a tail, but I would say that the facsimile is close enough, don't you think?

New Header

2011-07-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't been posting often, but I'm working on a new header for this blog, which means there is a temporary one right now. It might take a while since my computer is very laggy, but it will be up soon I hope!

But now for a short product review: Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss. I got this gloss in pink after I lost (another) tube of lip balm. This is 95% organic and goes on smooth, not sticky although your hair does catch on it. The color, Flirty Pink, does not show up very well on my pigmented lips, but it is nice and moisturizing and pretty shiny. It does have a mint tingle when you first apply it, but it's not a big issue in the summer. As for performance, I find all lip glosses/balms wear off in a few hours, and this is the same. But for about $6 at Target or your local drugstore, it's a good organic alternative to mainstream cosmetic brands. They have a nice selection of colors, and I would personally recommend this product to others.

This was not a sample from the company, this was privately bought.

4th of July

2011-07-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Since it's a national holiday today, I'll leave you with this:

Stars, Stripes, and Polka Dots by dewfall

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Summer Music: Paramore

2011-06-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to Paramore's latest album, Brand New Eyes, for days now, ever since my friend so graciously gifted me a hard copy (a CD! How shockingly old-fashioned). Well, first off, I love the cover art. It has a lovely picture of a butterfly pinned to a wall/sidewalk, and besides the taxidermy factor, is really quite intriguing and appealing. And (hard copy only, sorry) the booklet inside (which I only discovered a minute ago) is filled with beautiful images relating to the album, with lyrics to the songs written on them. Plus, the booklet is made of 30% recycled paper! How could you not like that?\

Now, I know the album is pretty old, but they didn't have any good albums at Fry's, where my friend picked this up from. But it is still a good album, and has quite a few songs will make great summer jams.

Shoessss

2011-06-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Hi there! My exams are over for now, but I still have classes throughout the summer that are gonna eat my brain. So for now, all I have are a few pictures of the shoes I painted:

I think that Blogger hates my images because for some reason, I can't upload the other pictures? The rest are from Photobucket, which also dislikes me.

You can't tell from the small pictures, but I've painted (from 2nd picture, top to bottom) the Swan Nebula, the Milky Way, the Crab Supernova, and constellations which include Leo and Cancer. I got the idea from a friend, who wanted me to paint supernovas! It took me about 5-7 hours on these? I also finished them in glossing medium, which makes them shiny and a bit water resistant.

I am also very broke right now, after my tablet broke and I need to buy a new one. I'm selling shoes with any kind of design you want on them! Info on my page: Here!

That's all for today! Gotta go eat lunch. :)

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 30

2011-05-30T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the last day's challenge: something from my favorite store.

This puffy green jacket doesn't look like much, but it's really cozy and perfect for low-key days where you just want to wear something comforting. I got this from Marshalls after stalking it for a week. Marshalls is a great store, not necessarily my favorite, but as many of you already know, it's a great place for stalking designer brands at lower costs. They have everything from Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta scarves to Missoni knits at their similarly-marketed store, T.J.Maxx. They are also a good place to scour the new trends for cheap, and they always have affordable basics such as socks and camisoles. Perfect for any fashionista, or just anyone looking to save a little cash!

We finally made it! Today is the last day of the challenge, and it is also the last day of consecutive posting. I have exams and all sorts of stuff to do the next few weeks, so I won't be able to post as much. It was really interesting to go through my closet this month, and figure out what trends I gravitate towards and dig out some sentimental pieces I had. I hope you also enjoyed it!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 29

2011-05-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite brand. I don't really have any particular brand loyalty whatsoever, but this cardigan should be familiar to a few of you. This is the black lace cardigan from the original Rodarte x Target collection. The pieces from that collection were phenomenal, however, this was the only one I bought. I don't wear it as often as I feel I should, but when I do, it makes its unique mark!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 28

2011-05-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

An outfit that I am ashamed to wear! Is it no wonder that it's workout gear? Here it is, in small view, to prevent your eyes from burning:

Basically, an old shirt and a pair of Adidas pants. Pretty basic right? Not at all glamorous!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 27

2011-05-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

A hat! Now this little straw number posing on my lamp is my trusty straw fedora. It's great in the summer for taking walks or just for completing an outfit. This is probably the only hat I can wear besides a beret or a newsboy hat that I can decently wear? I picked up this one in TJ Maxx or Marshalls, next to a felt fedora. I realized later how useful having a decent hat could be. I should have bought both hats! Does anyone have any fine millinery crafts to share?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 26

2011-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

A mismatched outfit I would NEVER wear. Now, the pieces separately might be a little out there, but still wearable. But together they are just over the top! From top: fedora, sunglasses, Zac Posen for Target shirt, belt, vintage skirt.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 25

2011-05-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes I love but I don't wear a lot. These are my hand-painted Converse. I spent about 2 weeks on these? You can't see it really well, but these have stars and supernova and galaxies all over them. I also water-proofed them, but they are kind of my babies. These were made using acrylic paint and glossy varnish/medium.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 24

2011-05-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite shoes. Well, fall/spring shoes I guess, since it's too chilly for sandals still, even in May! On Tuesday, it even started raining! Which is a big deal here, since we get pretty dry this time of year. These flats are from Naturalizer, which sounds like a stuffy unfashionable brand, but their shoes aren't bad and they are actually pretty comfortable. I always have to wear socks though, but I still need to break them in a little. I love the strap, since it doesn't rub against my foot and it helps keep the shoes on!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 23

2011-05-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

A lucky piece of clothing. This isn't exactly lucky, but I've had this scarf since elementary school. Either my grandparents or my parents gave this to me, and it's pretty much been a constant, treasured part of my closet every since. Every time I wear this I feel sophisticated and put together, which is a miracle at six-thirty in the morning! Do you have any lucky pieces, or clothes that make you feel like you're on the top of the world?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 22

2011-05-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Something I wear in the summer:

Which is just an ordinary black jacket. However, I can't wear this is the winter because of the short sleeves, so it has be relegated to my summer clothing section. It's interestingly detailed in real life, but it photographs pretty bad indoors.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 21

2011-05-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Something I wear around the house...which is

Just this old tee shirt. Hey, it's big, it's soft, and it's comfortable. And it tells you to recycle! How could you resist that?

What do you wear in the privacy of your home?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 20

2011-05-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

My jewelry box.

Again, pretty messy. The box is just a small gift a friends gave me a few years back. I love the dragonfly though! Larger pieces of jewelry hang on my wall and in the drawer, which you can sort of see below the box in this photo.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 19

2011-05-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

All of my jewelry! Ready? This is going to be messy:

Ahhhh! As you can see, I was pretty rushed when taking this picture, and everything inside is all jumbled up. I need to organize it soon! There are a few pieces from Halloween, a necklace from vacation, a dogtag, and other bits and pieces inside.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 18

2011-05-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Jewelry I made:

I made this watch necklace a few years ago, and it's still one of my adored pieces. I had the chain already, and when the watch face arrived, I simply strung them together. Voila! It's my current substitute for a pocket watch.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 17

2011-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Clothing I altered:

This shirt may seem simple enough, but what really adds pizazz is that frog clasp on the neck of the shirt. To me, that's the most unique part about it! You'll never find anything like this(at least, that I didn't make!).

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 16

2011-05-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Matching clothes! Unfortunately(or fortunately) this hasn't happened before, so here's a substitute:

Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Skinny Cargo Pant - Quartz Grey

I'm sure lots of people have skinny cargos, if not that pair (From Target, incidentally).

Have you or anyone else worn matching clothes before? Any embarrassing or hilarious stories?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 15

2011-05-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Newest purchase:

Is this simple striped tank top! I had to alter the strap length, and it is still a bit low, but I love the light stripes and the ruffle detail! Unfortunately, it is raining tomorrow, so I'll have to wear it sometime this summer.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 14

2011-05-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Cute socks!

Sorry that the lighting and shadows make the bottom of the socks appear grimy, but aren't these the cutest socks you've ever seen? These are a gift, but I would probably buy these myself, too. There is an adorable little puppy flying on a broomstick on these! How could I not? I find a pair of cute socks are an unusual, but cheery, way to brighten up an outfit.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 13

2011-05-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

An outfit I want.

Can I look like this all summer?

Part of ShopRuche's spring/summer lookbook.

Everything is perfect: the wedges, the ruffled top, the sweater....dreamy. In fact, the entire lookbook is a delicate garden party filled with lacy dresses, airy scarves, and beautiful prints. I recommend you check it out!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 12

2011-05-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

A piece of jewelry that everyone compliments you on.

Strangely, for me, it is this labradorite pendant. This photo does not do it justice, as in real life it flashes a stunning blue gray in different lighting. I actually wire-wrapped the stone myself, and bought a chain to string it on. My wire-wrapping skills are amateur, but it stays put!

One of my friends is always fascinated by this necklace, and once commented that she liked it best out of all the necklaces I owned. I don't know why, but that comment has stuck with me since then.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 11

2011-05-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

A piece of jewelry a grandparent gave me.

My grandparents gave me clothing, not jewelry, as a child. However, my mother gave me this necklace to take care of, so it's sort of mine? It was a gift from my grandmother to her, and so it's pretty symbolic now! It's a pretty amethyst color, but the clasp is rather funky, and it requires a bit of fussing to remove. However, I really love the style of this necklace. They don't make them like these anymore!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 10

2011-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

An outfit I wore on a special day.

This one has also a bit of an unusual story. My grandparents bought me this dress in elementary school, and I dug it up and wore it to a dance just recently! It still fits, since when I was little, my grandparents shortened the straps for me. I guess it's not so bad keeping old clothes some time, as I found a good use for this dress. You can't really see it in the picture (which was taken indoors with bad lighting), but the dress has almost a cave painting-like pattern on it, with trees and animals and people. I wore this to a dance a while ago, so that's what I'll always remember about this dress.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 9

2011-05-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

A dress/skirt

This skirt has quite a bit of an interesting history. I found this skirt one day in my mom's closet, and decided to try this on. It must have been at least 10 years old, judging from the fabric and the pattern. It seems to made out of some polyester/synthetic material that feels quite unusual. The pattern is very vintage, but I like it! It reminds me of that joke with "what is black and white and red all over".

The answer? My skirt?

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 8

2011-05-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Your most expensive piece of clothing. Again, I'm cheating, since technically this is jewelry, not clothing. I usually don't buy expensive clothing, since I know that garments made to last (wool, silk, etc) won't get much use here on the sunny coast, and that lightweight fabrics are more easily harmed. My mom gave this gold butterfly necklace to me a long time ago, and even I have no idea how much it cost. It must be pretty expensive though!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 7

2011-05-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

A cute outfit. I'll admit, I didn't have an outfit on hand, so I quickly pulled something together out of the items from the other days of the challenge. It's quite simple and not that sophisticated, but whose judging?

It'll be perfect for an outing with friends. Striped top, black cargos, a stack of bracelets, a braided belt, and a silver necklace.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 6

2011-05-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

A pair of pants that aren't jeans.

These are (one) of my black cargo skinnies. I know, one? I must have 3 pairs of cargo pants right now. I would blame the military fad, but I secretly wish it holds on, at least till next winter! Theses pants are rather thin and stretchy, and are quite short in length, which is perfect for me. The only problem I have is that they do not have pockets on the back, which annoys me. I have to be careful what I wear with these! Another thing that annoys me about black clothing is that no matter how carefully you wash them, they fade and collect lint. These cargos are already showing a dark gray-blue edge on the hems.

I'm not really a fan of the really skinny jean either, but it seems like the only thing in stores lately. Bootcut/flares jeans and pants are coming back, but I fear the coming is slow. Stores, get the message already! I still want to hold on to my cargo skinnies, though!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 5

2011-05-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

A favorite pair of jeans.

These are nothing specially really, pulled off the rack on sale for imperfections. I don't mind, but I really should have found something in a smaller size, as these jeans are quite stretchy! I love the fact they have an off-kilter button and an even dark rinse though.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 4

2011-05-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today is a shirt that I haven't worn yet. I recently bought this shirt from Aeropostale, after being brought along for a trip to the mall by my friends. This was, incidentally, the only thing I bought.

From this shirt alone, you may have realized I have a love for stripes!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 3

2011-05-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today is...a piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift. Is it cheating that mine is technically an accessory? My grandparents brought back this thick, patterned scarf on their trip to visit us a few years ago. The scarf itself is wonderfully cozy and has a fun woven pattern.

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 2

2011-05-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

It's day two of the challenge! Today is: my favorite shirt.

I bought this at a dinner for charity in a silent auction a few weeks ago. I've tried to find out more about the brand, Trafaluc, but I haven't any luck! It's one of those blogger T-shirts that are so popular these days, though I don't know if it's an actual blogger that's featured on the shirt or if the shirt is just "inspired by" those shirts. The bow on top is a quite amusing addition. I'm been really liking clothes with 3-D details!

30 Day Clothing and Accessories Challenge Day 1

2011-05-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

I got this idea from Flying Saucer, who is the writer of a wonderful blog. I figured that I needed to post more, and what better way than to post a picture, every day?

POST A PICTURE OF….

Your closet.
Your favorite shirt.
A piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift
A shirt that you haven’t worn yet.
Your favorite pair of jeans.
A pair of pants that aren’t jeans.
A cute outfit of yours.
Your most expensive article of clothing.
A cute dress/ skirt.
An outfit you wore on a special day.
A piece of jewelry that a Grandparent gave you.
A piece of jewelry that everyone compliments you on.
An outfit you wish you had.
Cute socks.
Your newest purchase.
You and someone wearing matching clothes.
An article of clothing that you made or altered.
A piece of jewelry that you made.
All your earrings, rings, necklaces and/or bracelets.
Your jewelry box.
Something that you only wear around the house.
Something you only wear in the summer.
An article of clothing/ accessory that you consider lucky.
Your favorite pair of shoes.
Shoes you love but hardly wear.
An mismatched outfit that you’d never wear (go wild: earrings, belts, crazy skirts etc).
A hat.
An outfit you are ashamed to say you wore.
Something that is your favorite brand.
Something from your favorite store

Day one: my closet!

It's really messy right now, with blankets on top, shirts and tops on the left, and pants/shorts on the right. On the shelves are scarves and the like. Does any one else have a messy closet?

Bag Musings

2011-05-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not really a bag person. I've become more of a shoe person I guess, since buying quality flats (like the Cantara from Naturalizer) and not wearing the same things every day (and yes, I do count myself as a style blogger sometimes. Shocker I know). But lately, I've found myself gravitating towards buying a bag. One bag, one bag only. Because I have backpacks for lugging around binders and little purses suitable for carrying around a total of a wallet and a cell phone and I have messenger bags that I don't know what to do with, but I need an in-between bag.

This prompt realization, of course, led me to hours of searching on Etsy. I've come to realize that I want (Very specifically) a vintage, leather bag, which should be medium-sized and not white, ivory or cream.

Vintage Etienne Aigner Brown Plum Shoulder Bag with Metal Logo

Why vintage? Well, modern bags tend to be more expensive but made with cheaper materials (canvas, pleather, polyester). Also, most modern styles are too ostentatious for my liking. A more personal reason for me is also that I don't like buying leather, though it is usually better quality and more biodegradable than it's pleather counterparts. Vintage solves that problem for me, as I know that it's less wasteful than buying new (except for shipping).

Back on the subject of bags, I sort of want to lug around all my folders in there, too. Which leads me to this: REDUCED Vintage Leather Handled Satchel - Briefcase OxBlood Color

Though it'll be less practical, I suppose, since toting around a large briefcase is mildly suspicious at best for anyone not wearing a three piece suit(when will they come back in style? Don't hold your breath). But I blame my real love of satchels and school bags (backpacks are so boring) on the one and only, Proenza Schouler PS1:

Believe me, if I had an extra $2000 to spare (plus tax), my qualms about modern handbags would go out the window. I can't even explain why I like it so much. My adulation can be, at best, described as a combination of why-is-this-so-beautiful and holy-cows-who-has-two-thousand-to-spare. But to whomever has change to spare and is feeling quite generous, I'm here on this blog! I would appreciate that bag! *hint hint*

What do you think, fellow bag connoisseurs of the world? And is anyone related to a millionaire?

Image from net-a-porter.com

Spring is Here!( And an update)

2011-04-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

For once, it's starting to feel like Spring here on the West Coast. It's sunny outside and everything is turning green. A few weeks ago, while testing out our new camera, I snapped a couple of pictures of these buds...

And not of nature, but of henna:

I've always wondered what getting henna would feel like. Recently, at a school's diversity day, I got the chance to try it out. When the henna is first applied, it is cool and in a paste-like consistency. It smells kind of medicinal and herbal at first, but I gradually got used to it. Over a period of a few hours to a day, it dries into a dark crust. After the first hour, it felt itchy, but after leaving it on for a night, I barely noticed it. I washed it off the next morning, and it left a medium red-brown stain left, which darkened over the next few days. It lasted about 7 days for me, and started fading around the 4th or 5th day. My artist was quite talented, and drew a lovely paisley leaf design on my hand. Overall, I thought it was an interesting experience and a beautiful cultural tradition that I got to participate in.

And an update on the Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips: Well, they didn't quite last for the ten days they claim on the package. I took it off the 6th night, because I am quite rough on my nails and it was beginning to chip, though it looked good from a distance. However, I have been typing and painting all week, so someone who doesn't abuse their nails as much might have better results. Also, I found that if you have leftover strips, even if you duct-tape the container, they will still dry out. I found the dried out strips to be less flexible and not as adhesive, so I couldn't use them. That would allow you only 2 manicure with one package of the nail polish strips. $5 a manicure might be less of a deal for you, however, I found the product unique enough to make it worth it, especially as I can never have a nail polish look excellent for 6 days.

What do you think? Is it worth the money, or is regular nail polish a better deal?

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

2011-04-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

Whole Foods has a pretty good return policy for cosmetics apparently. I (well, my mom) ended up returning the nail polish because the changing color just "wasn't working for me" (Guess the British TV reference!). So yesterday, at Target, I went looking for the perfect coral nail polish. Unfortunately, the cosmetics aisle was filled! The nail polish rack was crowded with people. In all the hullabaloo, I decided it wasn't the best time to ponder different coral polishes. Besides, I could hardly find a single one! All I could see were yellows and blues and reds, but not a single coral that wasn't red based. And then I the new nail polish strips on the top shelf, and decided I might as well try them out.

Application: The directions are relatively easy to follow. I have short nails, so I cut each strip into two and rounded the edges. I found that the directions tell you to file the excess down, however, I would recommend sticking it to the free edge of your nail before you do so, and wait a while, otherwise it will tear.

Sorry for the weird picture, my camera wouldn't focus correctly.

It did take me a while to apply these, but after a day, they are still looking gorgeous, so I can't complain (and I was watching Doctor Who). Though I think they would look better on longer nails, they look professional either way. Tips:

Wait a while after you apply these before you shower/wash your nails, or it might peel off. I put a coat of topcoat on, and it held on fine.
Add a clear topcoat over the patterns for extra wear time.
To prevent the unused strips from drying out, I just put them back in the original container and duct-taped it. Not the most efficient way, but hey. It (might) work.

Wear time: They are supposed to last ten days. I'll keep you posted!

Color: The patterns look professional and don't stretch out, which is a plus. The black areas of the hounds tooth have what look like air bubbles in them, but it could just be a manufacturing error.

Would I buy these again? Definitely. There are a lot of different patterns to choose from, like animal print, lace(which I'm leaning towards), and even solid neons. Even though the price ($9.99, find at your local Target/drugstore) is pretty expensive, if you cut each strip into two, it can give you 3 manicures. Pretty cool for something you can do at home!

Again: not sponsored to review this product!

No Miss Nail Polish Review

2011-04-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

My camera is out of batteries, and apparently we don't have any left! So you get this review with no pictures, boo.

No Miss Nail Polish is touted as a less toxic nail polish with no toluene or formaldehyde, and says it has UV inhibitors, a glossy finish, and all that good stuff. The ingredients is short and sweet, with only the few essential ingredients and colorings. But does it live up to its word?

(Not the exact product, but I couldn't find a single picture! Image from nomiss.com)

Application: Almost a one-coater, which is good! The color I got, Pinellas Peach (Which is really more of a vermilion) was too red for my tastes, so I tried to tone it down with (almost half a bottle of) Essie Limo-Scene. Well, last time I try frankening with old polish. Though the application before was great, after it became slightly thick, though still easy to apply.

Color: Like I said, I tried adding a lighter pink (Essie) to tone down the almost-neon hue a bit. Even though I added almost half a bottle, it didn't change the color a bit! However, the polish, once I applied over a not-quite-dry basecoat, became darker. Not evenly dark, but streaky dark, which is strange because it looks very light and even in the bottle. It seemed to do this once it touched water, too.

Wear time: Without a topcoat (which I don't want to add because of the streak issue), about a day before the edges show a bit of wear. It's better than E.L.F., though, which lasted a day with topcoat until it drove me mad and I replaced it with No Miss.

Overall, I think it's better to use the No Miss base and top coat with this polish. I don't know if it's the frankening or just the product, but it seemed to become darker sometimes when I applied it. I like the range of colors, but the cost( about $7, and you can find it at your local Whole Foods) and the fact I can't find reliable swatches for the colors means that I'll only buy these if I'm looking for something more natural and if I don't mind a hit and miss.

What do you think? It is worth a try? And if you have any suggestions, I'm still on the lookout for a bright, summery coral nail polish!

If I was sponsored to write this post, I would not be broke. I am (broke, that is).

No April Fool's Prank?

2011-04-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! As I'm sure you have noticed, the web was buzzing with April Fool's jokes. My and my blog, however, stayed quiet. Well, apart from the lack of a working camera, I refrained from impromptu jokes because they almost never turn out well. In my opinion, there are few necessary elements to a good prank:

Setup. Plan your prank a few weeks beforehand, rehearse it, prepare whatever you need to do to make sure it goes without a hitch. Speaking of hitched, one of teachers and another teacher schemed to convince their students they were engaged. The thing was, though, he wasn't prepared, so the joke had less impact (plus no one believed him).

2. Tone. Be serious, make it convincing! Have all the props, and make sure no one bursts out laughing in the middle of the prank. Going all out is more convincing than a halfhearted attempt. Change your blog-header, buy a fake wedding ring. Also, if you want to trick your friends even further, start preparing your joke the weeks beforehand. If you want to trick your friends to think that you are getting married, hint at it weeks beforehand, to make it more believable.

3. Duration. Pranks should end on April 1st, but to string out your victims out a little more, end it the day after. Don't do this with very crucial matters however! Don't keep up a joke about sensitive matters after April 1.

And if the prank-ees can't figure out that you are joking, tell them. Take the engagement example: That teacher's students still think she's getting married!

March is Women's History Month

2011-03-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit, I just found out approximately 5 seconds ago that March is officially Women's History Month. But hey! At least I found out while it is still March.

Women's history, to be honest, is something that is not usually thought of in the battle of civil rights. Martin Luther King is famous for his activism in racial equality, but Susan B. Anthony and many other inspiring women often go overlooked. But women's rights are important. About 50% of all humans are female, but yet so many misogynist comments are made daily about a woman's intelligence, looks, or sexuality. The same are not said about men, or if they are, are not found to be degrading. If you discriminate against someone because of their race, it becomes offensive and "taboo". So why is this not the same when someone gets discriminated against for their gender? Nobody can control what race they are, just like how people cannot control which gender they were born as.

Yes, women and men are biologically different (obviously), but both are humans, and they both deserve respect and rights that everyone is entitled to have, and the right to not be confined by gender stereotypes and double-standards. Qualities, whether they be bravery and strength or calmness and sympathy should not be "divided" to either men or women specifically.

Everyone, no matter if you are a man or woman, should deserve equal respect. But think about much women are discriminated today, and of the harassment they have to face daily. Is this fair? What can you do to change it? And finally, remind everyone the importance of women's history and the women's rights movement.

Have a wonderful Women's History Month!

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Taylor, beautiful actress and movie star, died yesterday at the age of 79.

To say the truth, all I knew of her before my art and retro movie fanatic teacher was that she was in the advertisement for the perfume White Diamonds. And then we watched a clip from Cat on a Tin Roof.

I'll admit, I was entranced. She was truly a gorgeous movie star, as well as an AIDS activist in her later and life and good friends with Michael Jackson. But her acting was what won me over.

When I got home, the first thing I did was to watch the full movie. Her expressions, that careful, hesitant behavior in the first scene with Paul Newman-all were incredibly realistic and tense. Even her Southern accent was spot on in terms of local color: it added to the setting of the movie, but not too unrecognizable. Actually, the acting throughout the whole movie is pretty spectacular. The tense scenes, emotional breakdowns, and fits of yelling were all extremely real and emotional.

In terms of story, I think the way the director pieced together the broken bits of their family was interesting. You get Brick (Paul Newman), alcoholic, melancholy and apparently violent and not in love with his wife. Maggie the Cat (played by Elizabeth Taylor), the suffering wife of Brick who is strong and constantly endures her hardships. Big Daddy, the strong, powerful tycoon who favors his younger son Brick but has a strong temper. Big Mama, Big Daddy's wife, who almost parallels Maggie: she too loves a husband who has fallen out of love or has forgotten how to love again. The characters and their individual conflicts are revealed piece by piece throughout the movie, soon tying together to tell an intricate story of a family's complicated relations. In the end, though, (SPOILERS! Non-explicit) what got me was the realistic portrayal of the news of death in a household. To see the transience of life, and the love that makes life worthwhile, touched my philosophical side (okay, it made me emotional too). The characters realize that death has to come, just the way that Elizabeth Taylor once said in an interview that she doesn't fear death. May her legacy live on.

Interview here: http://blog.movies.yahoo.com/blog/977-elizabeth-taylor-1932-2011

Images from yahoo.com, www.pennsylvaniatrustsandestates.com

Fall 2011: 3.1 Phillip Lim

2011-03-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

I think I may always be a person who loves eccentric fashion. However, the sky-scraping carved heels at Alexander McQueen and the opulent luxury of Chanel are too extravagant for "real life", which is why the casual minimalism at Phillip Lim appeals to me with it's simplicity. Texture, draping and basic colors are the main focus of the collection, yet it doesn't suffer from being boring or monotonous. One of the clever details that caught my eye was the tying of the scarves and sweaters. This unusual detail is simple but makes but the clothing have a messily put together vibe, without being sloppy. And the textures. Tweeds, satins, cardigans, leather- gorgeous! It adds a richness to the collection that you can almost feel (literally).

As a whole, I would say this collection is very refined and elegant-with a twist on minimalism and of course, modern. I didn't totally go awaroq9qfg on it, but there a lot of elements I liked. Can you look at that scarf, in the second look? I want a scarf like that, to tie in a bow and attach to my ridiculously long, unbuttoned tweed vest. Yep. With the green pants too!

Japan Tsunami and Earthquake Relief

2011-03-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

I think most of you have already heard about the 8.9 earthquake and disastrous tsunami in Japan already. It was one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, and many people have been affected by it. To donate and give aid, visit these organizations:
Japan Earthquake Tsunami: How to Help

RIP Camera

2011-03-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hello there! This is your absentee blogger again, this time with another excuse. Our camera broke a while ago, so photographs will be short in coming...

A while back a friend and I went to a restaurant. While this may seem a simple thing in itself, this year had been quite busy for everyone I know and a visit with a friend was one sorely needed. As we were walking back from lunch, it started raining. We did not think to bring an umbrella, but before I could start worrying, I realized that the sun was still out. It was a beautiful sight. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture the mist-like rain fall, but I did manage to take a quirky picture of a leaf:

I moved a leaf over and realized it had left an imprint on the ground! And so the cameras were quickly whipped out. I actually posted the picture to my Deviantart, found here: My account. My friend's account is also linked from the picture there.

Posting might be delayed, but have a great day everyone!

Target GO International Collection

2011-02-25T14:09:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been frequenting a lot of style and body image blogs. This got me thinking more about I how I express myself through clothing. A lot of what I wear is casual, with random accessories thrown in, hence the lack of outfit posts. I wish I could dress more interestingly, but my current schedule and budget prevents it. On the other hand, I feel that peer pressure is also a reason for the lack of creativity...and the fact that everyone around me is perpetually stuck in skinny jeans and Abercrombie. Didn't that fad die a long time ago?

But encompassing many of the trends propelling the Target collections is the newest collection composed of 34 dresses created by former collaborating designers.

The lookbook can be found here: Target Designer Collective Lookbook

Knock Out

2011-02-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

It's surprising that I feel busier on break than on a normal weekend. I, however, felt obliged to post up something that I recently purchased:

The rings on the right looks like a normal ring huh? Except...

Bam! It opens up to reveal a hidden compartment. Personally, I keep a note in there, but a piece of tissue soaked in perfume would also fit. A word of warning, though: I got this on Ebay, and the seller didn't provide a picture of the inside of the locket, or the catch. When I got it, the inside was tarnished and the catch didn't fit the locket well. So buyer, always ask for more pictures if they are not provided!

If I were feeling more flush (and had a few thousand to spare), I would get this:

Edburga Poison Ring-Diamond by Wendy Brandes

image not mine, from her website

Sadly, I am broke as always. But hey, at least the weather is getting better here! (What a clever change of topic) And the flowers are in bloom:

At least it stopped pouring...

In other news, some pictures from Target's GO collaboration have been posted! I'll try to find a few to show.

Fall 2011 RTW: Creatures of the Wind

2011-02-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day, guys! Or Singles Awareness Day or whatever you want to call it...(my favorite so far has been 'forever alone' day). I finally started checking over the Fall 2011 collections and discovered a brand I had previously not encountered before. I'll admit, I checked it out mostly because of the name (Creatures of the Wind? How could I not?), but I was really digging the retro-inspired vibes from the collection a lot.

I don't know why, but I really like this look. I don't like that the skirt is rather sheer, but the combination of the sweater + embroidered skirt just gives off an oddly appealing school matron vibe...strange, I know.

A more elegant look. I still like it because of the unusual shoe choice, but spruce it up with some jewelry and an evening bag (do people still say that?), plus high heels and this could turn into an outfit for a more formal party.

Finally, the outfit that got me interested in the collection in the first place. Again, I saw a really retro school-inspired theme throughout the whole collection, which was reiterated here. The color scheme would seem out of place anywhere else, yet it works in this outfit, each part of the outfit echoing the texture or saturation of another element. And the shoes kind of scare me. But they seem like an interesting weapon, so that's a plus?

So, yay! I know many of you are starting to get bored with the retro vintage hipster old school thing that's been floating around for a while, but this collection, even though it wasn't groundbreaking, was still interesting for me because of the way they incorporated those common elements into something visually interesting and fun.

Inspiration in the Mundane

2011-02-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

Life has been chasing after me lately. I feel like I can't catch up...and, my camera really sucks so I can't take many pictures of stuff I want to post up! So, instead I made a Polyvore set to grasp and make some of my inspiration tangible...

Pretending to be Normal by dewfall featuring cropped pants

Vivienne westwood anglomania tops WHITE, 238 GBP
Minimal white shirt, 105 GBP
3.1 PHILLIP LIM 1106421HSD BLACK SILK DRAPED OVERLAP BLAZER, 474 GBP
Black Stud Leather Gilet**, 85 GBP
Scilli Cropped Cigarette Leg Trouser by Sportmax, 199 GBP
Neosens Rococo 799, $369
Vintage Inspired Bracelets by Ollipop, $46
Gourmette Chain Necklace, $895
linkin park lyrics(:
King of Anything lyrics- Sara Bareilles

On the bright side, I went to the flea market today and got a leather studded cuff I've been wanting. Now I need to find a way to incorporate punk into my look...

Honeybee Gardens Watercolors Nail Enamel Review

2011-01-30T09:57:00.000-08:00

...why such long names? Regardless, here is the low down:

This nail polish is water based, and so has no chemically smell. It does, however, have a faint whiff of acrylic paint, which comes from the acrylic, but this really doesn't bother me.

I got the color in Nude Beach, which is a cream warm-toned beige. Now, onto the important facts:

Application: This was...not bad, if you have a steady hand (I don't). Even for a cream, it didn't streak too badly, though I would advise two to three coats. I expect a shimmer would be less noticeably uneven.
Wear Time: Meh. Without a base or top coat, about a day or two. I would advise to shower only one or two hours after applying this product, otherwise it will chip. However, it dries in about ten minutes and doesn't smudge after, so that's a plus.
Finish: It's not as shiny as a traditional polish, but this, I imagine, would be quickly remedied with a clear layer. It is much shinier than a matte or satin finish though.
Removal: It was easy to remove with 70% ethanol, and didn't totally destroy my nails like normal nail polish does.

As a total? Not bad! They do have a limited range of colors, and buying options may be limited, but at least no body at home complains about the smell. I got it for $6 off of Ebay, so it's definitely affordable for me. Would I repurchase? Yes, for something more natural, this is definitely an acceptable alternative to chemical nail polish.

I was not sponsored to review this product.

Just Someone...Else

2011-01-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

So I actually finished homework early today, so of course I have to procrastinate on my outline. Yes.

And of course, as I was browsing through some blogs, I came across a picture of a tea cup. Mundane, I know. But soon, my mind began to wander...what kind of person would own that tea cup? Where would they live? What would they do...

The one tea cup...that started it all

Kaleidoscope Felt Collage Necklace

In my mind, this would be ideally in New York...not realistic or happening, though, since the apartments are in Poland, and I'm not sure if I want snow down on my bed?

Images from katespade.com, anthropologie.com, www.momoy.com, ewainthegarden.blogspot.com, and atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com

Slowly, Steadily

2011-01-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

Well, life and school decided to gang up on me after break! Suddenly, I get a ton of stuff to do, most of which I have no idea how to do. So you know the deal, more sporadic posts. Yay.

On the bright side, I found an easy way to jazz up bobby pins! Just get some plain black ones and paint them with nail polish. Let it dry, and finish with a clear topcoat. I can't believe I did not do it before...

And in hair news, my blue hair faded out and became bluish/green/yellow, so I dyed it auburn. However, I realized my hair doesn't take dye well, so it's kind dark brownish red now, and it still smells like bleach. Blech.

And in personal wishlist news, I got a new pair of boots...again. These:

Nine West Peroxy Ankle Boots

They are from the Vintage America collection, and are pretty nice for suede, though I'm afraid of them getting wet. Where can I buy suede-protecting spray?

It's still pretty cold here, so I realized I need a new jacket. Something like this:

I'm really into bomber jackets lately.

G by GUESS Maddy Toggle Bomber

Anyway, I should really edit my outline now. Have a good week!

Hey, 2011!

2010-12-31T13:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've been gone, I was on vacation without any wifi the past few days. The Grand Canyon was amazing! Las Vegas, not so much, maybe because we went with a travel group that stayed in cheap hotels. Anyway, happy almost New Years! Is anyone going to celebrate? I'm thinking of hitting the sack at my normal time to get up early tomorrow in case the flea market is in town. This has been a stressful year for me, trying to keep up with school and life. I can't make any promises, but I'm not going to give up on this blog! Thanks to everyone that has stuck with this blog, and have a wonderful 2011!

Orly Out of This World Swatch

2010-12-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

Um, I promise this is not going to turn into a nail polish blog. It's just that it's been rainy and cold and I haven't been able to see the William Rast for Target collection yet. Boo! Anyway, recently I bought Orly Out of This World, from the Cosmix FX collection at CVS. It's a really pretty color. At first I was disappointed because Space Cadet was sold out, but after wearing this-wow! Out of This World is a purple iridescent shimmer with flashes of pink and green-gold. In the first picture, you can see in looks near black in some lighting.

But under sunlight/good indoor lighting? Pow! It comes alive. I've had this on my nails for almost 5 days, but had to redo some of it (I keep smudging it! Plus bad base coat), so it doesn't look it's best. But the wear time is pretty good, and the shimmer is more forgiving than a cream finish.

In other news, break is here at last! Although I'll be missing some of it, as I'm headed for a 4 day trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Has anyone else been there?

Movie Review: Tangled

2010-12-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

Another late movie review for me!

Anyway, Tangled turned out to be pretty good. It's an animated fairy tale about Rapunzel and the thief who "rescues" her, Flynn Rider. The animation was detailed and the clothing designs were elaborate, but all you want to know is the story right? Well, Tangled is a musical, but the songs really aren't the focus of the story, and aren't that memorable. The story is about average, no really big plot twists at all, but fun to watch nevertheless. Oh, and Rapunzel has an adorable chameleon by the name of Pascal, too.

Rapunzel is a lost princess, locked away by Mother Gothel because her hair has magical properties that can turn back time, and Gothel wants to be young forever (stereotypical much?). Fast forward 18 years. Rapunzel has grown to be a lovely young woman, who is curious about the outside world, and the lights that appear each year on her birthday. After Mother Gothel refuses her request to leave the tower, Rapunzel faces an unexpected guest: Flynn Rider, an infamous thief that has stolen the royal crown. Rapunzel hides the crown, and proposes a plan for Flynn: if he takes her to see the lights, she'll give him back his crown. It's a plan that he reluctantly agrees to. And so her adventure begins!

Even though the storyline was nothing extraordinary, the humor in the film is what really makes it come through. There were plenty of lines that had the whole theater laughing, and the humorous elements (besides the awww factor) are what would make this a film great to see with the whole family, twice over.

More Horrible Words

2010-12-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

"Tragically Hip"

Oh, stop it with the subcultural (or really, now it's quite mainstream) appropriation. Yahoo! Shine is nowhere near subcultural, though weird articles and impractical and rather silly and insipid tips run abound.

So you say your friend is "tragically hip"? Has a tragedy fallen upon your model or fashionista friend? Tragic and hip are two word, that when juxtaposed together, seem to say that the writer is desperately trying to be "ironic" or "hipster" or whatever the fad is these days.

Does anyone else see the ridiculousness of these words, and the mindset of these "cool" people?

10 trendy beauty gifts for the holidays

Sister Wolf Fundraiser

2010-12-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

Readers, (are you out there?) I usually don't advertise on this blog, leading to useless stuff and spam. I won't now. However, I will post something if it's for a good cause.

Help Sister Wolf! She has had a devastating loss this year, and $35 from the purchase of the Little Woolf necklace by Wendy Brandes will go to Sister Wolf to raise money to fix her leaking roof.

Help a fellow blogger! Click here to buy the necklace.

I am not sponsored/paid to write this post.

Word of the Day

2010-12-04T16:41:00.000-08:00

Or rather, words.

"Ironically Preppy" are two words I never want to hear. Especially not when describing a cape:

Sure, she looks like a misguided school girl. But this is not "ironic", because there is no context to suggest that the way she is wearing it is ironic. Something is NOT automatically ironic if say, you wear a school uniform blazer but are 10 years too old for school. Irony is being overused in our culture, and my Literature teacher is probably not happy.

Here is the rest of the slightly unrealistic article: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/winter-coats-to-fit-your-budget-2415467/

In other news, the William Rast for Target photos are out! They don't include the prices of the items, but here it is: William Rast for Target

Now, finals are coming up (eek!) and I am off to study!

Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties G Review

2010-11-25T22:52:00.000-08:00

...Another long title, coming your way. Anyway, I realize these were from summer, and it is now fall (feels like winter!) but summer scents are equally uplifting (if not more so) in cold weather. :) Plus, I only spotted them today at Sears.

Image from fragrantica.com

Sunshine Cutie G comes in a cute bottle, with the doll on top wearing a "tuxedo" bikini top and blue-green swim shorts. There is a picture of plumeria flowers on the package and in her hair. This version of G sports new notes of (from Amazon) mandarin, coconut water, heliotrope, and vanilla bean. Now, when I bought these, I had no idea. I sniffed Love, and it smelled too floral, but their were no testers, so I took a chance with G.

At first sniff, G smells ridiculously of coconut. With a weird floral note behind it. And I was not pleased. But after a while (or was it just the influence of other reviews I saw online?) it began to grow on me. The coconut faded; yes, it still smelled like a beach, but now it was drier, will vanilla and more florals backing it up. It's a warm scent, sweeter than I would have liked, but still quite lovely.

But now I must warn you. Scents don't really change on me, from the mid notes to the dry down. After about 10 hours, it smells a little less of floral, but that's it. Maybe it's because I have bad circulation or dry skin or whatever, but just saying, so other people know how scents work on me.

Sunshine Cuties G actually reminds me of...Cool Water Woman, because of that last sandalwood/vanilla note. But in a good way. I've heard it compared to Creed's Virgin Island Water, but I wouldn't know. Overall though, it's a good perfume. Lasts only a few hours, but the packaging is as cute as heck.

I did not receive compensation from any company to write this review. My mom bought this for me. XD

Fall Shopping

2010-11-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

I'm shopping way too much lately, really. For the last few weeks, I've been buying fall staples...jeans, cargo pants, sweaters, boots, and cardigans.

So to prevent my bank account from fainting on me, I've been living vicariously through online shopping, creating fall outfits in my head. Can you believe it was 80 degrees today?! Fall is out of whack(yes, I know that is a really old reference).

Here we are: Casual/Business

Open for Business Cardigan Pair a sleek, casual tank underneath this cardigan to transition from business to casual wear.

Traipse Around Town Top

Pris Skirt

Quirky, and playing into this year's leather trend, this skirt brings just a little bit of edge to an otherwise strict outfit.

Today I Met the Perfect Boot

I just realized that all these items look very business/classy/casual, so why not continue the trend? These boots are perfect for dreary gray days, and have the right amount of sass to stand out on their own.

images from modcloth.com

Disclaimer: I don't get paid to endorse ANY thing on my site, if I link to another site, it's because I think they're cool. I buy everything I review myself.

Giveaway Reminder

2010-11-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

La Petite Fashionista is holding a giveaway on her blog for a Parameter motocycle Jacket! Don't miss it!

can you hear the whispers of a thousand hearts beating?

2010-11-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, my hair has blue streaks in it. In case you can't tell, it's on the left side of my head. Had to bleach it twice because my naturally dark hair WOULD NOT lighten. Also redyed it three times, because it's semi-permanent and started to fade. It's not this noticeable in real life; it's only this bright when sunlight hits it (like a vampire? not!).

I could never be a nail polish blogger. This teal is Sonia Kashuk's Taunting Teal from the fall/winter collection, and while gorgeous, dries to a darker shade than what's in the bottle. Like, really dark. I'm wearing this with a slightly shimmery satin topcoat, so the color is not quite true. Love it though.

I haven't been to the flea market in a while, but I ended up finding something for my friend's birthday(shh, don't tell her!), a mask pin, a scrap booking/inking pen, and a fleur-de-lis bracelet. All for under $20!

The watch and the horse pin are not from this trip's finds; the watch was from Etsy and I added a chain, the silver pin was from a different trip. I thought the mask pin was fitting, seeing as our school is performing a Shakespearean comedy!

That's all for now! I'm beat, and I still need to study!

Halloween!

2010-10-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year, everybody. Who is going to dress up? *raises hands* I'm going to be Subaru from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. Does anyone else have any plans?

Anyway, has any one heard of Target's GO collections? Apparently, they will be celebrating 5 years of designer collections with a 34 piece collection next spring! This apparently will contain reissues of past designers' dresses. Is anyone interested?

Fall Finds

2010-10-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Fall has come so quickly this year; only two weeks ago, it was 80 degrees out! However, now, even on the usually sunny West Coast, the weather is getting colder, and just yesterday it started raining. Time for fall, and fall trends!

Jeans: I found out just today that Target has really upped their denim game. Currently, they have six different fits (though I only saw four in the store), like mid-rise, low rise, relaxed fit, etc. throughout the store, with different washes and styles and lengths in short, regular and long. This makes denim buying a snap! As long as your know your fit and size, it's easy to buy a particular style of jean. I'm especially pleased that they have different lengths, because usually pants are too long for me, and it's annoying to hem them. However, the jeans I bought were cheap, stylish, and fit perfectly! I definitely recommend going to Target if you need new, budget-friendly jeans. (Note: The fit 6 jeans come in odd sizes, are are more of "juniors" jeans. The rest come in the typical women/misses even sized jeans. Also, this is 99% cotton, so it might stretch a bit in the wash, though I haven't tried.)

Nebby Navy Cardigan

Knits: Hand made, alpine, and cable sweaters are getting popular this season. Keep warm this winter!

chelsea crew citrus lace-up ankle boots

Boots: Utilitarian style boots are back, but more feminine-softer contours, slimmer heels and and comfier than platform heels.

Nail Polish: Gray, brown, taupe, and green nails (keeping in with the military theme) are the focus here, from Chanel to drugstore. I like Sew Psyched by Essie, a greenish-gray shade.

Steampunk Necklace Gothic COSMIC OWL - Vintage Old Watch Movement with Silver Wings and Chain - Steampunk Fashion Jewelry from Cosmic Firefly

And not necessarily on trend, but how cool is this steampunk necklace? Definitely statement jewelry.

images from : beautysolutions.ca

Spirit Day

2010-10-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Ugh, I totally forgot about it until I went to school today. I did have some purple on my jacket, though.

Support acceptance and tolerance for all! :)

Death of a Whale

2010-10-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

A blue whale was recently killed, running into a ship, and the mother whale's body washed up on shore. We went to go see it yesterday.

(This post contains sad, slightly gruesome imagery)
Actually, I was going to post pictures, but decided that most people would be horrified by the sight of a picked-at, broken carcass of a huge whale with the baby calf torn out of its mother's womb. So I decided not to.

Even now, I can smell the stench of rotting fish, hear the caws of the gulls and feel the chill in the air, even now I still think about the sadness of the death.

The scene was rather...disturbing to me at first.

When I came across it, I saw the sea gulls first, loud and flocking around the rocks. The coarse sand was strewn with seaweed, and as I observed it carefully, I realized that there were...organs, scattered and picked at around the shore. There was a form, similar to a whale, pale and almost complete. I recognized one part as a tail, and now I believe it was the fetus of the pregnant whale. I had to climb on top of the rocks to get a better view, and soon the smell drifted up to me. Covering my nose with my jacket, I scrabbled across the other side of the rocks, avoiding entrails and baleen, hissing at the sea gulls to get a better view.

The whale was large, but somehow I expected it to be bigger. It was lying in an odd position, stomach out, head hidden (we couldn't see the head, and maybe it was lost), tail almost severed from the rest of the body, chunks of fat and flesh showing. Almost all of the skin was gone, and it looked almost as it had never been alive. It made me rather queasy to see such a destroyed corpse, once a magnificent, living animal.

How quickly life can be destroyed, rendered subject to the waves and beak of the birds, the wind and decaying of flesh.

How almost...surreal, unbelievable something can be once a silent tragedy has been occurred.

I am still sad, almost uncomprehending still, of what happened. Maybe in time I will realize this, but even as I try to wrap my head around the evanescence, the fragility of life, the stark and indifferent world, I will only remember a lonely feeling inside, and the images that remain.

A Little Bit of Everything

2010-10-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

I've been only inspired to post about my personal life, which really is kind of typical.

Let's see, I got a horrible haircut, bought three packs of blister shields for my feet, found out shoe liners were the best thing EVER for flats, bought Splat hair dye (Blue Envy!), am stressing out over school and more school, and found out that Malaysian curry is awesome.

So! I find that Polyvore is more inspiring, like so:

Nothing Neutral by dewfall featuring 3 4 sleeve tops

A Détacher / Kieta Top, $565
Juicy Couture Cotton-twill military jacket, $300
Floral Twirl Skirt, $50
LACE STITCH SOCK, 39 GBP
stripe wedge shoe, 685 GBP
Vintage YSL Brown Clutch Bag, $1,365
Erickson Beamon Brave New World chain necklace, $1,355
Alex and Ani Bauhaus Limited Edition Bangle Set, $148
John Lewis Felt Feather Trim Veil Hat, Black, 40 GBP
OLUNDA, $40
PJÄTTERYD, $50
i can read

My thoughts and more stuff I like shoved into one little box.
I find that this fall there is a thing about wedge shoes/boots, neutral grunge and military. Military is very prominent, but the other styles are just...reoccurring? "Hidden" trends/styles? I don't know, but I also feel an urge to do something very Victorian (lace, lace-up boots, hats, high socks) juxtaposed by something anti-establishment (blue hair, surfer/punkish).

I think that's just the schizophrenic weather we've been getting. Or just my age.

Another Lesson Learned

2010-10-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

2. When you sell an item on Ebay or Etsy, ask the buyer to PAY IMMEDIATELY. Or else you might be stuck with someone who wanted expedited shipping, then doesn't reply to your emails for four days.

Learned this one the hard way too. Just specify how and when you want to be paid when you create your listing.

And buyers, please check your messages and emails. Or you might have an angry seller giving a Second Chance offer to someone else.

A Lesson Learned

2010-10-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Even if you are wearing flat shoes from a company like Naturalizer, even if you have already wore the shoes indoors, even if they feel comfortable, always break them in before an event involving a considerable amount of standing.

Lesson learned: Patent leather flats are not meant broken in after one-and-a-half wears. I should have already learned my lesson from Already Pretty (she has a great post about breaking new shoes in) but I naively thought that because they were rather soft flats, they would be comfortable straight from the box. Not so. After walking for two hours today, I got blisters and peeling on the sides of my heels. I was supposed to wear the flats to a dance tonight, but I guess I'll have to wear sandals now. Another lesson learned: wear socks when breaking shoes in!

Rodarte Spring/Summer 2011

2010-09-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Oh Rodarte. You never fail to intrigue me with your steadily evolving collections. I think personally that this season's clothes are...more raw? I don't know, Rodarte's inspiration has always been from different sources, but you could tell that this collection was more woodland/childhood themed, with wood prints and lots of contrasting layers.

Love the texture of it all, but the shapes were...simpler? Or just a different look? The shoes, though were EPIC though you can't see them well from this picture.

Prints and shapes. I see they are into the ankle socks and sandals trend! But sheer!

This is something that I would personally wear. Well, if the weather was hot down there and cold up there, that is.

And finally, something to contrast the woody vibe! Preppy seems like something that's in one collection or another, or so the style.com's "get the look" button tells me. This look is like Rodarte for people who want something more "wearable", to over use that term. I like the pattern on the pants, and just the simplicity of a shirt+pants combo.

I don't know if I like this collection more than previous ones, but for sure, there were a lot of interesting looks in this collection. And as always, Rodarte never fails to wow me with their shoes. (Seriously, go find a picture of their amazing wedges. You must!)

Also: This week is Banned Books Week and No-Makeup Week. I never wear makeup anyway, so that one is easy. I love banned books, though, because I am in love with the idea of free thinking. And anti-establishment. In fact, we're going to be reading one such controversial book next week!

Banned Books List

Images from style.com

Dr. Martens for Auction

2010-09-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Dr. Martens I was talking about are now up on Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320592993308&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

For anyone interested. :)

Music and Design

2010-09-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just some sites I got to for inspiration, like music and crafts:

We Are Hunted
An awesome site, with 99 of the most popular emerging songs.

COLOURlovers
You can search for colors, palettes and patterns here. Even though the main site interface is monochromatic, the actual patterns are a rainbow explosion!

How About Orange
Craftiness galore! This blog is fun and fresh, with lots of great ideas to inspire DIY's.

Craftster
Ah, this brings back memories. This used to be the go-to site for me, to get inspired by the amazing projects and designs. However, now I don't have much time to craft, but this might just inspire me again...

Random post is random. Today was a mix of bad+depressed, so these are just some sites for your entertainment. :)

Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2011

2010-09-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

NYFW started and no one told me? Wha?
Well, to be honest, I was studying, so that might have been it...but now the collection reviews will commence!

What a classy collection. I'll be honest again: when I think of Jason Wu, I still think of Michelle Obama. And even though she wouldn't wear the sheer blouses prominently featured in this collection, I can see why she enjoys his designs. The shapes and color of the dresses in this collection really invokes a bright, feminine but still modern outlook on fashion here, similar to the image she is trying to project.

Exaggerated geekiness can be so chic, you know.

Lady on safari! Like the huge bow, reminds me of Tavi's, and the ensemble is balanced out.
Another thing I like about Jason Wu's collections is that the impact is on the clothes, not the shoes. And before you readers shun me, I would like to explain that it is because they aren't overly complicated, and don't detract form the clothes in general. I love sculptural shoes, but they don't fit in with his "classic" looks. The shoes and bags are still beautiful, but simpler and more wearable.

I don't really think this fits in with the rest of the collection, but the dress looks like it is made out of rose petals! So of course, I had to include this quirky piece. More sculptural than wearable.

I like this Spring collection, because it reminds me of spring, instead of Missoni resort reminding me of...winter. Big surprise, eh? Even though I prefer designers that are more avant-gare, I still enjoyed this collection for the simplicity and elegance of it all, and the exaggerated contrast between the feminine blouses and bows and the tailored suits. However, the outfits in general form a cohesive "look", keeping it from yo-yoing back and forth. It looks to be a solid, well performing collection that will inspire trends and knock offs next year. I suggest you see the full collection, to get a glimpse of the colorful turbans and gauzy dresses(wanted to keep the pictures appropriate here).

Images from style.com

2010-09-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

Back to scheduled posting tomorrow.

A moment of silence to think of all those affected by 9/11.

Just Squeezed

2010-09-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Bright, bright, and cheerful.

This is on my toes currently, Just Squeezed Nicole by OPI. It's a bright, almost neon orange with fine pink an dgold shimmer. Really pretty, but the color is so hard to capture on camera! Also, excuse the weird nails, I've been too busy to grow out my nails and I only threw one coat of polish on to show you what it looks like on the nail. Sometimes it looks darker, almost like vermilion. You should probably wear a basecoat with this one, as it's pretty bright and the shimmer is annoying to remove from bare nail. It's holding up okay, but I'll need to do a full wear test to be sure.

It reminds me of fresh orange juice and a tango!
Anyway, school has been stressful, and I haven't been getting a lot of sleep, so posting will be odd and uninspired. I'll try and update though! Thanks for sticking with it. :)

Fall Trends

2010-08-19T12:06:00.000-07:00

You've heard this a million times already, but...
military, circle skirts, clog boots, chunky knits!
Is it just me, or am I getting a bit of 70's/90's vibe here?

Fall 2010 by dewfall featuring James Perse jackets

Crafted Long Sleeved Grunge Cropped Knit, 25 GBP
James Perse Cropped cotton military jacket, $295
Cinch You've Been Gone Skirt, $650
Swedish Hasbeens High Heeled Jodhpur Clog Ankle Boot, $421
Alkemie + Textured Stacking Bands with Austrian Crystal Detail, $140
Beige large corsage brooch, 7.50 GBP
Erickson Beamon Brave New World chain necklace, $1,355
American Retro Shirt Courtney Love, 79 EUR
Circle Skirt
Free Texture Tuesday: Nebula Grunge 2 | BittBox

This is just for reference, not really inspired.

BTW, my Dr. Martens have arrived, but they run a little big...so if you wear US size 7/8 or men's size 6-ish and want a classic black pair of Dr. Martens boots, this is your day! In great condition, soles are not worn down, almost new, with a few minor scratches. I'm asking around $40(these are the "classic type of boots, and are unisex), but will negotiate. (Not including shipping, but if you are interestes, ask). Contact through the comment box! I always check the comments.

Product Review: Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint

2010-08-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

...Another long name.

Anyway, this will be short, because these braces really hurt.

This lip tint provides sheer color, with light shimmer. Not in your face, but subtle and good for low-makeup days. The wear time is a few hours at most, and it doesn't really dry out your lips despite the peppermint taste but if your lips are really dry, you might want to layer a lip balm underneath. I got Coral Sunshine, and the color I thought was perfect. If you have pigmented lips though, only the shimmer and the lightest tint will show up. No SPF, so be careful! Wear a lip balm with SPF under it. That said, this this 95% organic and pretty inexpensive.

Recommended!(I'll admit, I take that from Susanna of Jewel Box Dreams)

Inception and Despicable Me (movies)

2010-08-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's overdue. Again. But I somehow felt obligated to write this, so here we go:
Inception

I had heard that this was extremely confusing, so I read the summary beforehand. It's been out for weeks, so I'll just get to the review. It was good as a whole, with a clear story planned and a lot of explosions (err, kind of a good thing). It was great for those who like a lot of action and sci-fi, and even had a bit of humor thrown in (sometimes unintentional). However, I felt the general plot was too simple and the characters other than Dom had very little development-except for Ariadne. The flashbacks and dream sequences were often confusing, and sometimes lacked coherence. My main gripe, though, is the end: it doesn't give an resolution for the main characters (again, except Dom) and Dom's ending is open to interpretation, as the director made it purposefully unclear whether it was a dream or not. The movie was exciting though, and is worth watching if you enjoy dramatic action movies and can handle rapid scene changes There is supposed to be an extra story after the credits, but my friend and I sat through the whole credits-including the Sony Entertainment stuff-and it still didn't show. So it may depend on your theater. After I saw the movie, I had a bit of mental overload-so you might want to sit away from the speakers.

Despicable Me

A light-hearted animated comedy about an evil villain trying to one-up a newcomer villain for . Who adopts three adorable girls in the process. And has cute evil minions.
Hm, this one is way older than Inception, so you may want to catch this one on DVD (or whatever they're showing it on these days). The plot is quite predictable-which is not bad for younger audiences, but the movie still manages to pull it off in an enjoyable way-bad guy turns good guy and gets a new family. There are, however, some take offs for older audiences, like the 'Lehman Brothers' sign and the infectious rap in the background (I'm still waiting for the full version!). The movie is hilarious, with the naive minions, giggly girls and all sorts of plans gone wrong, and is a great family movie. Definitely good for a family movie night!

Images from: screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com and the-reviewer.net

The Art of Camoflauge

2010-08-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not making fun of her, but her dress really blends in nicely with the red carpet, doesn't it? This made me smile.

Image from:

Knite

2010-08-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

I found this awesome flash comic on DeviantArt from a friend: Knite

It is so nostalgic. When I visited China, the air was so bad, with humidity and high temperatures combining with dust and smog in the air. The pollution was horrible. Even after a rain, the sky never fully cleared. And there was always construction going on, so if you left a window open, dust would blacken the window sill during day. And in the late afternoon, the sun would burn dim red. Rather creepy, no? I felt really depressed without the blue sky and the stars. It also was really depressing to think about the state of living there...people dying of pollution, homelessness, no food or drinking water, money, etc.
Knite really sets the mood for hopefulness though. Even when you can't see the stars, you can make some...

Topshop Fall/Winter Lookbook

2010-08-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

We don't even have a Topshop here, but I saw the "Out of the Wild" lookbook on Nitrolicious and had to share:

Love the drapey skirt and the boots. Kind of reminds me of Marc Jacob's fall collection. Delicate and punk!

Ooh, pom poms. So fun and whimsical in such a dreary and harsh setting (apparently it was supposed to look like a post-apocalyptic world?)

The headband is back...oh wait, it never went away. I like the combination of the ripped shrug over the floaty dress. Like a combat-boots wearing princess who could lead a band of survivors into the destroyed world...(I'm thinking too much into the setting, aren't I?)

Basically, I'm interested whenever a collection incorporates dark, depressing elements in it...but only when it can be used for dramatic appeal.

And for this fall, I want...slightly grunge/punk boots, flowy tops and dresses combined with more structured, utilitarian pieces, heavy knits and interesting accessories. Of course, come this fall it will be combined with a heavy workload and a depressing attitude. Yay.

Darkoogle

2010-07-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

Come to the dark side...er, what? Nevermind. Anyway, this is such a good idea! Darkoogle is a more energy efficient search site that utilizes a dark background to save more energy compared to lighter colors. Even though now cheaper monitors have less impact on energy use,
"Our web technology (that relies on AJAX) eliminates the need to reload the whole page when you submit search requests. It reduces bandwidth, server load, and creates a chain of more efficient computing connecting all the way through - starting with your home or work computer and ending in the datacenter of the hosting company. Even if the energy savings are small, they all add up."

While the dark monitor is hard on my eyes (and doesn't have more search options), the idea is intriguing. It's relatively simple, but the energy savings could really stack up in the long run. What do you think of Darkoogle and other energy efficient sites?

Miu Miu-Costly But Pretty

2010-07-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Now, I loved Miu Miu's spring collection (you know, the one that inspired rants and cravings from fashion bloggers? The CAT one?) as much as th enext blogger, but I knew there was no justifying spending $300+ on any item from that collection. However. I've been looking for a pair of elasticized-back ballet/Mary Jane flats for a while now (even though I don't wear flats) and what do I find?!?!

THESE.

*ranting, obsessed blogger mode going on*
Gorgeous print, Miu Miu, Spring 2010 Mary Jane flats. I can't even describe. BUT $300+ bucks?!?
Sigh. Tis' but a lovely dream...an image on a computer screen. Actually, writing this makes me want to wash my face in cold water. All this is doing is putting this obsession down on a permanent hunk of cyberspace. Oh well...

Image (TAUNTING me) from bluefly.com

*Might remove this later, or I will go insane. Or not

Modcloth Finds

2010-07-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Err, I have been kind of boring and obsessive these past few months and I'm sorry about that...you would think, that with summer and vacation and time and all I would be able to be interesting and productive but no...I had to slack off and be lazy and browse websites full of coveted clothing that I won't buy. There is something about summer that says, "Hmm...I want to do something memorable and fun, but it's such a lazy day, I can always do it tomorrow, who cares"...and then it's the end of July (and I'm a year older!). And you have no inspiration. And have to prepare for the new school year.

But alas! This post is devoted to more frivilous things. Here are things I want to buy from Modcloth, a sweetly retro website I found out about months ago:

Staffordshire Tights

Perfectly 90's with my new Dr. Martens (news coming soon!)

Elegance in Orbit Headband

Something I wouldn't wear, but that Lady Gaga might!

Sightseeing Sandal

Lovely and elegant. Too bad I have too many shoes.

Fisherman's Wharf Jacket

I've heard that the military trend is carrying on through fall. This short-sleeved version would be great for layering.

Proud To Be Your Scarf

Such a gorgeous scarf! The color and the design make this one pop.

I love the play-on-words names and the funky, colorful vibe of the store. So delightful to browse through(I really shouldn't so often). Also, can you see that fall clothing is on my mind?

Images from modcloth.com

Copyright Restrictions

2010-07-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

Just a little rant here. Scroll to the last paragraph for shopping/online surfing woes.

Today I just found out one of the best sites for reading online scanlations of manga (Japanese comics) is going to close down because manga publishers don't want them to affect English readers buying their copies. I understand that the companies think that this will harm their business, that this is a copyright violation, etc. But. Most of the manga on the site isn't even licensed outside their home countries, and thus most readers living outside those countries would have no other way of reading those kinds of manga. This wouldn't even affect their sales. Also, American publishers that translate manga are notoriously slow. Take for instance a certain manga that was licensed last year. Volume 1 finally came out last December. However, right now in Japan volume 10 is being sold. At the depressingly slow rate of the American publishers, volume 10 will be released in quite a few years. Sales won't be in jeopardy because of the timing, and devoted fans will buy the volumes anyway once it comes out. What's the point of not letting readers get a glimpse of the material beforehand? Buying a paper copy (since there is no official digital version *cough*) is different than reading it online.
Also, several weeks ago Daria came out on DVD. Most of the episodes on Youtube were deleted. This I understand. I mean, if you're releasing the complete series of a long-awaited DVD, you'll want to make sure everyone has to buy it from you, right? (Sorry MTV. Apparently, the new generic music sucks and I don't have that much money.) That much I agree with. However, I'm not adverse to tackng things down online. While I'll usually watch new movies in theathers (Despicable Me was good!) old movies, like from 9 years ago, if I can find them online...I don't have Netflix or something like that. Do they even sell 9, 15, or 50 year old movies anymore? But anyway, the point is that copyright restrictions and legal issues regarding ownership of manga, books, or movies/shows are important. But sometimes, they can be a bit silly and paranoid.

And yes, I realize scanlations are considered illegal, but remember translators are not making money off of them but they do NOT own the manga. For legal issues, note that I take a stand in-between. I do not endorse piracy or violating copyright restrictions. Another edit: This is the not-wanting-to-be-arrested edit I must make, in this airbrushed, euphemism using culture. Thank you very much.

Another thing: Shopping sites are completely addictive. I've spent hours browsing shoes and the like on various sites. Urban Outfitters and 6pm get me every time, but I've already bought four pairs of shoes this year and need new sneakers!

Givenchy Fall Couture 2010

2010-07-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

For a while, I wasn't exactly enamored with this collection. Maybe it was because of the skin-toned bodysuit covering under all the lace and fringe. But gradually, I became more accepting of the oddly layered outfits, then became almost enraptured by the intricate detailing of the gowns and the regal air around the collection. Very couture.

Frida Kahlo was one of the inspirations for this collection, but the dresses looked nothing like her vivid portraits. Instead, the collection was influenced by her obsession with "religion, sensuality, and, given the painter's lifelong battle with spinal pain, the human anatomy". (Tim Blanks)

The colors rather remind me of the Rodarte fall collection, with pale colors and incessant fabric detailing. However, apparently there were morbid hints hidden in this collection. A skeleton, skulls, and bones were cleverly incorporated into these seemingly innocent designs.

This collection reminded me of the obsessive appeal of couture. The dedacence, yet the meaning behind the clothes, was thoughtful and intriguing. An excellent example of an extravagant collection that still has thought value.

Metal Fangs

2010-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Or claws, really.

Talonalia

The Hawk Talon

Starling Skull

The Magpie

Finally...get ready for THIS:

Predator Rings 5piece set by DanielleNicoleMetals

Freakishly amazing.

And no, I am not going to start collecting skull replicas or attaching spikes to my clothing anytime soon. It's just that I had seen some fine specimens of claw jewelry around the blog-space, plus then one of my friends reminded me of where I found them...the last piece I saw on an Etsy Storque post. I think the skulls are a bit morbid, and the rings could possibly do some serious damage (don't know if they actually do claw though), but the individual talons are intriguing.

Why has this suddenly turned into a bunch of long, drawn out sentences?

Anyway. These types of pieces always fascinate me. Maybe because I don't spend enough time looking for cool jewelry on blogs, so I'm always late to the party. Or maybe because I'm slightly morbid.

Chanel Fall/Winter 2011

2010-07-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just look at this pictures form Chanel's fall/winter show:

Is that a giant pearl and lion sculpture behind them? Why is Baptiste wearing a lion mask/headgear? What is Karl Lagerfeld going to do with that sculpture after the show is done? (But, how cool is that?)

Image from socialitelife.celebuzz.com

Whee!

2010-07-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me~

Thanks to all my readers for sticking with this little blog also. I hope this birthday and upcoming year will be awesome! :) I have strong hopes and determination, even though I will be going through some changes with school this fall. Wish me luck!

Image from thefashionspot.com

New Sandals

2010-07-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Take that, Lourdes.

The gladiator sandals that weren't.

Inspiration: June

2010-06-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

Or more really, of things that I want/I've been thinking of.

June 2010 by dewfall featuring Jil Sander shoes

【ELLE SHOP】リリド　ゼロファイブ｜ＳＥＴＴＩＮＧ　ＳＵＮ　タンクトップ　　｜ファッション通販エル・ショップ, 7,875 JPY
Swingle Collarless Military Jacket, $196
Silk printed mini skirt, $942
Jil Sander Nappa Leather Lace Up Brogues, 185 GBP
Coral Branch Stretch Bracelet, 79 EUR
Kuo Ting Jewelry Briolette Crystal Necklace in Gold, $98
party cat eye sunglasses, $11
Essie | Coral Nail Polish | Buy Essie Nailpolish
APOD: 2007 February 28 - Stars, Dust and Nebula in NGC 2170
00340m.jpg (JPEG Image, 320x480 pixels)

Just an obligatory post with miscellaneous items.

In other news, for the promotion of Madonna and her daughter Lourdes' new line for Macy's, Lourdes (Lola) has started a fashion blog. And apparently, "OK but no joke gladiator sandals are OUT." Lest I incite another person's fashion rage (like the girls across the street yesterday), could the reader's of this blog suggest a comfortable sandal that WON'T incur a 13-year-old blogger's wrath?*

*Not that I care what someone with horrible grammar/internet speak thinks, but gladiator sandals aren't my preferred choice of sandals, and I need a new pair. I feel kind of irked though.

More Resort 2011

2010-06-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Collette Dinnigan:

Well, maybe not inspiring or particularly modern in a sense, THIS is what I want to be wearing in the summer. And also what I probably should have worn to graduation instead of a conservative, faded sweater and a knit dress.
I mean, Resort is what bridges the gap between Spring and Fall collections, right? And isn't that called SUMMER? As much as I enjoy some of the minimalistic looks from other Resort collections, I can't imagine wearing them in 80 degree weather. They felt like more pre-Fall (which is like SUMMER, right?).
But anyway, I love the colors. The style is so simple, yet perfect because of that.

More lace, anyone?

Missoni:

Ooh! Do I see blatant subcultural references in this collection? Again, not something comfort-appropriate for summer, but anything with subcultural fashion references (usually) catch my interest.

Like the shoes! And the possibly vertigo-inducing print.

Really, not much I wanted to say, I was just browsing a couple of random resort collections. I've been posting sporadically again, but somehow I've been having a lot of stuff on my hands. Also, can you believe the U.S. won against Algeria? I usually don't watch sports, but that last goal scored was pretty epic. And other stuff, as usual, is going on in Canada and with relations with Russia (which I think are getting better?)
Okay. Back to watching the Russian Sherlock Holmes and maybe slacking off/being busy.

Images from style.com

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

Have a happy Father's Day to fathers around the world!

Giveaway Alert

2010-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

There's a giveaway on Fashlynable's blog-don't miss it!

Stella McCartney Resort 2011

2010-06-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

I wasn't really inspired by anything from the 2011 resort collections, and I didn't have anything I wanted to post, because it's summer and I wanted to sleep in (didn't get to, unfortunately, but then I saw the Stella McCartney Resort collection on geometric sleep and it was SO GOOD.

It reminds me of the dress a friend wore to graduation. One shoulder, floral lace design, paper doily-like shoulder poof? Good enough for me.

I loved all the shapes of the dresses this collection. So frock like, resembling the coat Madeleine wore in... Madeleine. Like a paper doll in antique patterned paper. (Sensing a pattern with paper, vintage patterns, and florals here?)(more on floral later)

Amazing. I loved all the florals in this collection, because they seemed so new and inspired, more like a greenhouse than wallpaper. This (first) was even more epic from the side, but the only picture was on geometric sleep. Scroll down, and look. The second dress is also amazing, something I would personally buy if I had the money.

Well tailored, I think we might see someone wearing this on the red carpet soon. I kind of dislike the pants though, because together with the jacket, they make the silhouette seem elliptic. Or maybe it's her hands. The collar is an interesting touch; it makes the ensemble slightly different from it's-a-suit-in-black-and-white.

I also liked the cross cut jackets, but not the color. Too fall-like. Well, maybe this one is okay.

To summarize: well tailored, crisp, clean looks for Resort 2011, with "fresh" (I know, overused) floral patterns, a touch of vintage charm, cohesive (or at least wearable) colors and interesting shapes, even though she reused a few designs. So yes. It makes me want to dress up and have a fancy occasion to go to (which I am usually not one for).

Images from style.com