Bag Musings

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

Slowly, Steadily

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!

Orly Out of This World Swatch

 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?

More Horrible Words

"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

Death of a Whale

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.

Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2011

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

Knite

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...

Copyright Restrictions

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! 

Whee!

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

Inspiration: June

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

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

Alice in Wonderland (movie)

I finally got to see the movie version, directed by Tim Burton, of Alice in Wonderland today.  I must say, I enjoy these types of movies-the kinds with interesting spins on old classics and good music, characters, and scenery.  I especially liked the sci-fi feel to it, reminding me of a movie version of The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, another version of Alice in Wonderland.  It has the same dark, slightly twisted feel and surreal descriptions of their world as the new movie.

The story begins with the past, showing 6 year-old Alice Kingsley and her father, Charles.  She tells him she is having dreams about Wonderland, and he tells her not to worry; dreams cannot hurt her.  Thirteen years later, her father has died, but Alice is still having dreams about that same place.  Arriving at her own engagement party and wanting to avoid answering her suitor, she chases after a white rabbit in a waist coat and thus begins the main story.

 

I think many aspects of this movie are spot-on.  The settings, the characters, the costumes, and the special effects produce a world of slightly morbid fantasy that is new to the normally innocent and curious children's story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  Even though this is rated PG, my mother expressed doubt that children under 6 would understand the movie.  I agree.  It would take someone who has read the original stories and appreciates a fantastical, darker twist of plot to fully enjoy this movie.  That said, there weren't many witty one-liners except from the Mad Hatter himself, and the plot was a rather typical remake of Alice in Wonderland.  However, I did enjoy the Mad Hatter's dancing.  Quite.

Image from media.onsugar.com

Liberty for Target

How come I didn't hear about this one?  I guess that's what I get for not having phone or Internet connection for a week.  Anyway, the trip was great.  Later I'll probably post pictures of the amazing scenery (guess where!).  I just got back, and was going to watch Alice in Wonderland, but I missed the showing because our clock was off.  Now for more info!

 

Hey, I'll like any collection that has an awesome flower-print bicycle in it.  I need a new one!

Can you tell I'm in an Alice in Wonderland mood?  I love the combination of the colors and design.  ...Now all I need is a teacup set.

And an umbrella.  Trust me, even though I may not sound excited, I would so buy any of these pieces.  If only to remodel my room into an vintage museum.

The only things I didn't like were the cut and style of some of the clothes.  The women's clothes looked very cheap and I felt the styles were not the best they could have come up with.  But the patterns?  It would be worth it for the fabric patterns alone.

Spring! *boing*

For a while now, I've been obsessed with cherry blossoms and plum blossoms.  I don't know why.  They aren't particularly large or showy, and they don't have very bright colors or a superb scent.  However, there is just something about the delicate shapes of the blossoms and the way they completely blanket  the trees with white, or the way they fill the air with a subtle sense of spring that gets to me.  The trees have been in bloom for a while now, but the past week has been rainy and cloudy, so I wasn't able to get decent pictures until now.

We usually have a Cherry Blossom Festival every year...maybe this year I missed it?  But for me, this truly means the arrival of spring...along with daffodils!

 Unfortunately for me, I'm leaving next week for a week-long school trip to a cold, wet, and snowy place...right when Jean Paul Gaultier for Target launches.  Oh well.

On a different note, all the Fashion Weeks seem to be against my schedule!  Just when I'm getting over a bout of SAD, the fall/winter collections come out!  However, this piece from Iodice's RTW collection is certainly ready for spring:

Wear this to somewhere warm...

Photo taken by John Aquino, image from wwd.com
Have a nice week!

Inspiration + Infatuation

I was busy with sickness and school the past few days, and I was feeling a bit uninspired on what to blog about.  In an act of desperation, I turned to some wonderful blogs and photos.  On style rookie, The Clothes Horse, and Fashion Pirates I realized they had all posted on inspiration.  Such as, what is inspiration?  How does something influence you or inspire you?  Something that influences me:

from UK Yahoo

Sherlock Holmes.  Victorian England, dapper gentlemen, practical yet elegant clothing/accessories.  A modern touch on a classic in the movie, with fighting and skilled manuevers.

 Turns into this:  My Christmas present for myself.  I bought the face form Magnoliasupplie on Etsy, and used the chain to match it.  I wore it to see the movie!

Some more influence, this time from Teen Vogue:

from Teen Vogue

The name of that slide show said it all: Rebel Chic Fashion.  Edgy, clean, but colorful.  Everything is expensive though.

from FRUiTS magazine

What can I say?  I like street style.  I very much enjoy seeing non-models pull off what they want to wear.  I like color, especially since it is so foggy here.  I like contrasting elements too.

Overall, I'm not sure whether is is influence, inspiration, or just interesting to look at (but for your information, my bet's on all three!) but it's fun looking at culture + fashion.  I needed a break!  What do you think about this? 

Sick Days

Hey, I've been sick (and my whole family) today, but I'll try to post pictures of what I got from Target soon!  Don't worry, I'll still take my pictures (I hope) for Nice 'n Tacky! her blog

Check it out, and I hope everyone has a great start to 2010!
By the way, how awesome are these Rodarte boots?

Click to see post

Image from JAK&JIL BLOG

New Year Resolutions

My mother has been asking me to write a resolution for a few days now, so I thought I would do it on my blog. Our family has been getting sick and such, so I wanted to post this so I wouldn't forget, Anyway, these are my self-goals, so some (most) are kind of selfish, and are general "ideas".
Onwards!

1. Study more and pay more attention to my work. Self-explanatory, but I might as well include it.
2. Be more creative and pay attention to details. On everything, like for projects and design. Sometimes ties into #1.
3. Exercise more (and take more calcium!) so I can grow taller. It's harder being short when most of your friends are three inches or more taller than you.
4. Practice drawing. I want to be more consistent, and improve my drawing "style".
5. Try pay attention to the people around me, and be more aware of the world. It is good to reflect and think about things like that. Also, be comfortable meeting new people.

Be unique.Comments? Questions? Share your thoughts? What are your resolutions? Enlighten me. :)

Happiness in Sweet Packages

Even though I am still sick, today was one of the best days I've had before break. Mostly to my friends for taking time to give me little gifts of joy that exponentially raised my blood sugar levels. I feel kind of bad because I was sick and couldn't give out planned gifts, but I am still happy that they thought about me. Thanks so much.

Fashion Book Read: The Classic Ten

Normally, I'm not that interested in women's fashion, but I was in the library looking for a non-fiction book for a project, and stumbled upon The Classic Ten The True Story of the Little Black Dress and Nine Other Fashion Favorites by Nancy MacDonell Smith. I am almost always interested in the history of modern culture, and so I was drawn toward this descriptively titled book. It did not disappoint. Written by fashion news and features director of NYLON magazine, Nancy MacDonell Smith explores the meaning of the little black dress, lipstick, high-heels, pearls, the trench coat, the cashmere sweater, jeans, sneakers, and the white shirt. She gives a detailed history of the meaning of these items that people wore, and how it reflected upon their culture and ours. When I read this, the meaning of fashion really struck a chord. I could understand a bit more why people dress the way they do "in fashion" in our culture. However, this book is also just a great read for a person who not only enjoys fashion and new styles, but likes classical pieces in a woman's closet (aka: not me). It was fun to read and interesting-a great book to read while at the airport or a rainy-day read.

Sales Are Not Good For Your Wallet

Black Friday...such an ominous name, but such a strong attraction it holds...Tomorrow, when I should be doing my projects for school, my mother will be most likely be sailing through sales at Walmart. I might follow later, because I need a coat(or ski jacket) and a top for our school's trip this winter. Even if merchandise is marked down as "sale" most of the time they are still expensive when added up.

This Thanksgiving I was truly worried about a family member. The appointment is scheduled for the eighth of December, and we are waiting for the test results, but meanwhile his health is deteriorating. Thankfully, my parents say it is not critical, but this in between stage is the worst, when you are waiting, but now is not serious enough to be sent to the emergency room. I worry for what is to happen, because he will need surgery. I hope for a brighter day soon.