Get to Work

Last week I ordered a Lens Adapter for my new camera. I have an old Nikon that didn't work anymore with a 50mm lens that I loved, so I thought I would try the lens out on my new Canon. I asked Kylie out to dinner to test it out and here are a few of the shots she got of me.




Sunglasses - Raybans / T-shirt - Vintage / Overalls - Secondhand / Boots - Dr Martens / Bag - YSL Manifesto bag won on Coute que Coute
(I love this bag so much, I use it so often but I just realized I haven't done an outfit post with it yet)

And for good measure, how amazing is Kylie's purse tail? I remember her buying it at a thrift store and I love it on that bag.
I'm excited to shoot more with this lens. I would really like to dig out my tripod and shoot some video with it too. It has such a nice gradual fade while focusing, I think it would look great in film.

And while we're on the topic of Kylie... (it seems like every second post is about her, us bloggers stick together!!) She's been working for ages on an online store. She's one of the craftiest people I know so I was looking forward to seeing what she would come up with and she doesn't disappoint. The perks of being friends with the designer is that I've had a few of the pieces for a while now. I have the fringe scarf in black which is such a staple in my wardrobe, as well as the one shoulder epaulette which you may have seen on my blog before (HERE or HERE)

SHOP MODERNITY

And those spike leggings might look familiar from when a certain blogger met a certain design duo powerhouse for the first time! HOW MAJOR IS THAT? The Rodarte sisters even said they liked them!? UNREAL. Dubbed "Epic Leggings Of Death" by Tavi herself. Definitely of my favorite item in the shop. So go check out the store! BUY BUY BUY!!!!! Bye!

monday

I've been collecting files in my "inspiration" folder forever, and I thought it would be nice to share a few of my all time and recent favorites. I'm the worst for keeping track of where things came from so I can't really give photo credit. It's safe to assume many are from coute que coute, the fashionisto, and fuck yeah goths, among others. I've also thrown in a few of the songs I've been into recently.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

this is how we do it

This dude was crazy! He knew my blog, too!





I think it's about time I introduce you to some of the good looking people of my humble city. I've gotta start bringing my camera out more. Here's some photos from Friday night. Insane time. Finally, somewhere I can hear all the Nicki Minaj I want!

I'm obsessed with the mess that's America

( T-shirt - Brian Lichtenberg, Shorts & Flannel - Vintage )
I'm a sucker for a damn good vintage store and I've got a little treasure to share with you guys. I've been following Brooke Candy (of Bloody Guts fame) ever since the Suburban Burger days (anyone? anyone?) and I was thrilled to hear she was launching her own online boutique with the help of a few others. This girl has got style and I've literally day dreamed while scrolling through her tumblr about living the American dream so stylishly and carelessly as her and her friends do. This may be the closest opportunity I'll get but I'll take it. American Apocalypse is a creative collaboration between some of San Francisco's coolest kids and it's at it's beginning stages of it's launch. It's got a nice mix of affordable luxury pieces (and I mean affordable literally) and hand picked vintage pieces that don't look like they're from your grandma's closet. Here are some of my favorite pieces.

Vintage Fringe Leather Jacket which reminds me o-so-much of my dear jacket I lost at a pub!


Betsy Johnson Goth Gown for $60 this dress is a steal! I absolutely loveeee it.


Shredded Snake Lady T-shirt How incredible is this? GAHHH!


Lace Figure Skating Tank This reminds me of so many of my friends.. such a great piece.


Mesh Mini Mesh. Mini. Enough said.


I encourage you all to check out the store for yourself! And this may be a good time to mention that I may be working on a vintage store project of my own. I'll fill you all in later but for anyone who knows me this has been a dream of mine for years and I think it might be an actuality. Like the people of American Apocalypse I don't want to do anything halfassed, so if I do it I'll do it right.

PS: THIS MODEL LOOKS LIKE RACHEL FROM GLEE IT'S KIND OF FREAKING ME OUT

who what where when why how

Bowler Hat - ASOS, T-shirt - Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jacket - Vintage, Jeans - Old Navy, Boots - Dr Martens


Went for dinner last night with Kylie of Nice and Shiny and my jaw dropped when she pulled up with this hair!! It's incredible, so 90's cyber goth. This girl has balls when it comes to daring hair styles and she totally kills it. It's my honor and privilege to show it off first (she hasn't even posted it yet!!)






And you've probably noticed already, but I've kind of done an overhaul of my blog. The header is just temporary, though. I tried starting a new one last night and I'm feeling totally uninspired so I'm not going to push it. I was just so sick of the small images and I figured with the arrival of my new camera, no better time than the present to blow them up!
Please excuse the earlier entries, I know they're not the prettiest now.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

DIY: Pleated Belt Piece

I recently saw this image in an editorial from lord knows where (I've got to start keeping track of these things) and it got the DIY cranks in my head turning. I put this one together this afternoon and it was totally trail and error, but I'm quite happy with how it came out. Smaller than the one in the editorial but I like it like that. I might try to some more now that I've got the steps all worked out. I thought I would try to do a step by step for you guys. I hope it's not too hard to follow, I'm pretty bad at explaining! Comment and let me know if you need any clarification.

What you'll need: Material, scissors, iron, sewing machine


I chose to use the selvage edge for the bottom hem, just to reduce bulk by not having to fold under the bottom edge.


When cutting out your piece there are a few things to consider. Make sure you're cutting your fabric width wise at least double the size you want your finished product to be. I wasn't too particular with the size I wanted to I just followed the lines of the plaid in a size that looked appropriate. Also consider how long you will be making it, as you'll be folding under the top to make a belt loop in a later step.


Turn over both left and right sides of your piece and press, hiding the raw edges.


Make your first fold. I just guesstimated how large I wanted my pleats. (total trial and error but it worked) If you like to be accurate I'd encourage measuring but if you trust your eye, go with that! Press.


Continue your folds. Make sure you're making them consistent in size. The sizes of the pleats is totally personal preference but just make sure they're the same throughout. Make sure you're pressing very well at ever fold.


Continue until you've reached the end of your fabric piece. Give it a hard press on both sides now. Pin down at the top as you will be sewing in the next step.


Sew from the raw edge at the top about 1/3 of the way down. Depending how long your pleats are this will vary. Just make sure you sew far enough that when you fold your fabric over to create the belt loop, the entire thing will be sewed down and laying flat. Sew each pleat as close to the fold as possible.


Fold over top to back, leaving enough room for a belt to pass through when completed. You can either do a blind stitch if you prefer to not see the stitching from the right side. You can also just run it through the machine as I did. I figure a machine stitch will hold up longer after wear than a hand stitch would. Again, total personal preference.


Here it is after sewing! My stitch is a little sloppy but you get the idea!



There you have it! Your very own... pleated belt piece? I don't even know what to call this thing! I hope some of you are interested enough to try this for yourselves! It's super simple and only took me about 40 minutes to do. If anyone does try it I'd love to see it!

Who wears skort skorts?

I'll apologize now for my unexcused absence from my blog. I've been doing God knows what for God knows how long but the moral of the story is I'm back!! I've got some great stuff to share with you lovely, patient folks so soon. I finally got myself a new camera (Canon Rebel T1i) so I'll be shooting some HD dancing videos and snapping outfit shots as often as possible. I've also had some great hangouts and thrift finds, including the above skort, that I can't wait to share. Plus, I've got a DIY or two up my sleeve. I just need to round up a few more supplies and we'll be cookin'!

Thanks for sticking around. I promise not to be a stranger.
Oh, and before I go... What do we think of the skort? I'm dancing dangerously close to cross dressing territory as of late but that's what's fun about fashion, right?