Style: Jumble of Neutrals

The weather was all over the place today, and I went browsing for shirts at the mall: I needed clothes that were simple, interesting, warm, and lightweight. My mom thought it looked very "funky" and would be better with black shorts- I agree with her, but I don't own any. I'm on the lookout at thrift stores for black leather shorts!

thrifted tuxedo button-down, Land's End shorts, Target tight and boots

Style- Interesting Monochrome

Wore this to go out shopping- I like to look put-together in public, which is something my family and friends like to tease me about.

thrifted H&M satin tuxedo vest, altered Target tee, Target jeans, boots, and sunglasses

Originally this outfit included my grey wool fedora, but it felt distracting to the look; I took it off.

Update- Been really, really busy- I promise to continue regular posts!

This past week I've been testing a variety of ways to disguise the fact I have no eyebrows (a side effect of which is a flat-looking face) and have made some interesting discoveries.
Sunglasses are the fastest solution, provided that the pair in question is big enough to cover the whole brow area, and it's sunny outside- not a problem in SoCal.
Since I didn't technically shave my eyebrows- I gave them a very close trim- I can also use brown mascara to color the light hairs and a swab dipped in moisturizer to clean the shape. It takes practice, time, and a steady hand. I can deepen or soften the color with a light sweep of matte brown eyeshadow. You can see the result in the Style- December 24th photograph.

Downtime means sewing for me- Dad brings me hole-y cargoes to darn, Mom has a button that needs reuniting with its polo, I have to finish altering a white button-down, create a skirt from scratch, and complete the pillows calling my name. This Saturday, I break out the sewing machine.

I've been watching the sales with a hawk-like eye and preparing to swoop in at a moment's notice. I already picked up some much-needed black jeans and black ballet flats at Target, along with grey trousers and black motorcycle boots, which I have been waiting for to go on sale all year. I'll also be angling for a trip to Saver's early-to-mid January, which is an excellent time to get goodies; "people" like to drop the stuff after Christmas/New Year, spring cleaning, and summer's move.
I had better shut up here before I give away any more of my secrets!

Style- Evening Style

Thrifted I.N.C. button-down, thrifted skirt, Merona flats, Claire's clock necklace

Style- Mad Hatted Whimsy

Mossimo tank, Fred David shirt, Mossimo Curvy Fit Boot Cut jeans, thrift leather boots, Claire's hat, vintage pin and ring

Makeup- Firebird/Bird of Paradise Masque

I've been planning to do this makeup look for a while- it was a matter of having the right products.

Yes, I shaved my eyebrows! I absolutely do not recommend this for everyone, but I have very thick, hard-to-cover-in-traditional-ways eyebrows. I'm get loads of strange looks on the street and it's definitely the most extreme way to go. If you can avoid it, avoid it. In retrospect, it would probably be overall easier to bleach my eyebrows, but I wouldn't get the same smooth slate.
Here I've applied tinted moisturizer, concealer, and powder; and eyelid primer in a three inch ring around my eye.. Note overall robotic expression.

Drawing lines...

                                     Half complete. Yellow within entire area of the black lines.

Orange-red swept up the "feathers" at the top, and hot pink blended on the eyelid with in the second set of feathers.

                                       Pink added as a gradient to outer edges. Blend well!

High-shimmer gold shadow added to inner corners, lids, and entire top of mask. Black lines redrawn with black liquid eyeliner, and black mascara applied.

Note- I buy all my own makeup products!
Products used:
1. Physicians Formula Organic Tinted Moisturizer in Light/Natural
2. Maybelline New York Express Makeup 3in1 in 02 Buff
3. Burt's Bees Vanishing Facial Powder
4. E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Natural Sheer
5. L'Oreal Paris 16HR Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner in Black
6. E.L.F. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Purple
7. E.L.F. Studio Holiday 144-Piece Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette
8. L'Oreal Paris HiP Studio Secrets Shocking Shadow Pigments in Visionary
9. Maybelline New York Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black
10. Clinique Re-Moisturizing Lipstick in Ginger Flower (combined with-)
11. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge in Bold Bordeaux

Artwork- Anime

There was point in time right after I finished making the Star Wars sketches that I did not even want to look at a portrait, let alone make another one. I simply went to the opposite end of the spectrum- Manga-style Anime drawings. It was so different it really gave me a break- and a clean slate to work on, as I finished the current sketchbook with them.

Style- 1940's Hollywood Edition

I've been trying to find a reason to wear what I wore to a job interview last week, but events and weather made a concerted effort against me. Finally, I went- "What the hey, might as well get it done!" slipped into the clothes, photographed, and slipped back out again.

Target fedora, I.N.C. shirt, Cato skirt, Mossimo shoes, vintage belt, vintage pendant

This is a jazzier version of what I wore, as the original outfit had a faux croc belt instead of a rhinestone buckled one, I did not wear the hat, and I wore clear balm, not red lipstick.

Fresh off a viewing of Casablanca at the Star Theaters in Costa Mesa, I made an effort to channel Ingrid Bergman here, as I think she was very beautiful and elegant. And because my hair is the perfect length for the period.

Style- Sorrow Dolly

Today's outfit is brought to you by the Frankenstein's Monster Method. To use F.M.M:
   1. Walk, uninspired and sleepy, to closet doors.
   2. Raise arms at ninety degree angle from shoulders, straight in front of you.
   3. Close eyes and make gravelly moaning noises (if you're a night person, this should come naturally).
   4. Grab first thing you touch. Build outfit around it.

Mossimo tee, vintage skirt, Merona tights, Mossimo ballet flats, hand-made necklaces.

I was already wandering in the shirt and tights, having discovered the shorts I wanted to wear were horribly proportioned for my planned outfit. I used F.M.M. and caught this from my skirt area. I immediately thought it wouldn't mesh well, but it actually ended up reminding me of Alice Roi Fall/Winter '07. Which is great, because I have been trying to make an outfit inspired by that precise show.

They, in turn, were inspired by "[T]he book Madeline... the idea of a little girl, but broken and a little scarred up."



Alice Roi F/W '07 from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/powersearch/slideshow?designer=design_house118&event=show1543&iphoto=7&origIphoto=7



DIY- Pillow!

Spent today relaxing and doing a little sewing- a sham pillow for my bed. I want to make three or four, but started out simple to get a feel for it!
20 x 20 royal blue jacquard, partially made on my mother's sewing machine and finished with a whip-stitch by hand. It will be nice to lean instead of a hard wall/closet door when I'm reading on my bed.

Wow- I never noticed this corner of the room looks kinda... spartan. It doesn't all look this way!

Style- Daytime Sequins

Weather patterns will disrupt even the best laid plans, and so I will not be immediately wearing (and showing you) the white button down and black midi pencil skirt I wore on Tuesday. I will, however, show you what I wore today- daytime sequins!

Aeropostale plaid ruffle button down, thrift sequin tank, Merona Curvy Fit Bootleg Jeans, Reebok athletic sneakers

I suddenly noticed a small creature crawling up the wall...

Update

Oof, this has already turned out to be a busy week!

On Monday afternoon I went to the DMV to register for a State ID- I need one to get a job. Standing in line on way in I saw a guy I haven't seen in several years- Christian, a guy who used to work at the Mother's I shop at, then moved away. He was leaving so fast I didn't get a chance to say hi, but still! Interesting. And amazingly, I was in there for only about 45 minutes. Whew! Anyway, on that day I wore the exact same outfit I wore on November 18th.

On Tuesday, I had a job interview at Trader Joe's. It went really well- they already know me, and I got the job- but since my private school doesn't issue Minor's Work Permits, I have a few bureaucratic hoops to jump through before I can start. Hopefully I can get that done before next week. I'll post the outfit I wore tomorrow.

Style- 1950's Inspired Sketch

This is an outfit I'm working on.
The sketch of the skirt is pretty close to the actual pattern- red, white, and charcoal grey plaid on lightweight cotton. There's a vintage shop in Fresno my uncle used to work at- I bought it there when I was twelve. It still fits!
The white ruffled button-down was too wide with long sleeves a good three inches too short- I've already taken in the sides of the shirt, and later today I hope to take out the sleeves completely and hem the arm holes. Then it should be finished.

Jewelry- Mermaid Necklace

Glass beads, plastic beads, and gold spacer beads.

Jewelry- Shell and Turquoise

Glass sead bead and blue seashell with turquoise pendant

Style- Pretty, pretty

These photos (courtesy of the self timer) came out looking gently softened. I think it may have been the light- the sun was setting and turned the whole western sky gold and sky blue, but it was overcast right above us.

Thrifted Old Navy Jacket, vintage silk blouse, Land's End Shorts, Mossimo flats; Claire's clock necklace, grey freshwater pearl necklace

This is what I call my "fairy-tale princess" outfit. I rarely wear pink, though as my mother consistently reminds me it makes my skin glow, but it's nice on occasion. The blouse's loose fit has a relaxed, romantic feel to it. The whimsical necklaces complete the effect, and the military jacket balances it perfectly.

I made the grey pearl necklace I'm wearing. It's one long strand looped twice.

Style- Mixing prints

This was inspired in part by Alice's clothing in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The detail in her clothes- down to the stripes on her petticoats, socks, and gloves- is incredible.

Target tee- thrift skirt- Target shoes- Icing by Claire's headband- vintage necklace

As I show here, prints can easily mix when they share main colors: the black-and-grey of the shirt is echoed in the flowers of the skirt.

I've been fascinated by the sartorial statement of being dramatically flopped on the floor. My brother and I love film noir and occasionally write our own murder mysteries, so while we took the photos we discussed why the girl (played by me) was dead, what had happened to her, and generally created a back story for her.

Style- The Grumpiest of Them All

Kenneth Cole Reaction tee; H&M vest; Mossimo Jeans; Nordstorm boots; hematite necklace

THE SUN IS IN MY EYES. ACK.

No makeup today... I don't wear it all the time, only if I feel like it. I have good skin despite my age, I think because the combination of desert and ocean air I live in keeps it from getting too oily or dry.

Style- Tie-Neck Blouse

Ah... very nice weather right now, although my skin is beginning to feel the dryness...

Here I am wearing a blouse looted from the depths of my mother's closet. *wink*

Vintage polyester blouse, Land's End shorts, Calvin Klein belt, Mossimo flats.

Style- Blue, Tan, and Black

This outfit moves really well.

Wow, did I have a busy weekend! Didn't even get on the computer- but I did take a photo of my outfit on Saturday and I'll post it later.
Felt like wearing something more classic today- I'm not sure what the weather is going to do seeing as it poured yesterday and is brisk and clear today, but I am prepared for whatever it throws at me (short of a hurricane).

Target tee, tights, and shoes, Theory skirt, Calvin Klein belt, vintage key on a chain

Style- I have magic!

Thrifted cotton tee, thrifted Faded Glory shorts, thrifted Old Navy military jacket, Target tights, Merona ballet flats.

Watch with wonder as, with a change of a jacket, I transform a rainy-day boho grunge look into a sharp, sophisticated ensemble worthy of shopping downtown with my elegant mother!

London Fog trench coat.

 Taa daa!

Style- Camper, Maybe

Croft & Barrow men's flannel shirt; Eddie Bauer jean shorts; custom leather boots from Nordstrom's. Vintage beaded necklace.

Not entirely sure why it looks like I broke out a fog machine. The glare, perhaps? The effect is cool anyway!

Camper Chic

 As you can see, I've been exercising recently:

Behold- the Deadpan Squat!

Style- Thrashed

Ooo, I’ve had these pieces forever. I think I bought the jeans three years ago- I haven’t taken them off since! The tee is from the men’s section of Walmart; it’s durable, devoid of girlishness, and I cut out the crew neck a long, long time ago. The scarf tied to the bag is vintage, from my Grandmother.