a musing of sorts

breaking in the baddest of bad

2010-10-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

macy's ruffled paisley top, f21 gold ring, thrifted cuff bracelet, vintage purse, shoes: e-mail me for more details

if i could sleep in these shoes...i would. i spent about 15 straight hours in them yesterday aimlessly prancing around my room, up the stairs, the garden, driveway, kitchen, you name it. then got them some well deserved attention when i debuted them at my friend's baby shower. of course, there were adults who thought i was completely crazy. whatevs! gotta do what makes me happy, right?! they really are that much fun to wear.

i'm thinking of ordering a second pair so that i can have one in mint condition and another that i can beat up & give some tough lovin' to. I can't believe i almost let these go. stuffing them with three pairs of socks seems to do the trick for my tiny feet! the original balenciaga's that these were inspired by were leather and suede but i'm really liking the faux pony hair & leather combo. I'm in direct contact with the supplier so if you are interested or would like more details, send me an e-mail (sidebar)!

p.s. i never know what to do with my hands.
p.p.s. i'm still super iffy about posting such huge photos of myself. particularly ones that show my backside...ahh! i feel so exposed. oh well, i guess it's all for the sake of outfit documentation.

yep, that just happened

2010-10-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

image source: chosun.com

little girl read my mind. or my last post.

just kidding of course.

too cute tho, isn't she?!

current stream of thoughts

2010-10-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

Shoes. coats. shoes. jackets. scarves. hats. boots. coats. black. white. shoes. grey.

fur. real fur? sometimes. but only vintage. i want bigger feet. lace. black. gold. shoes.

leather. LEOPARD. camel. tan. beige. arent they like all the same. nvm i take that back. purple.

but only the dark kind. pewter. mixed metals. i used to hate it. now im okay with it. burgundy.

shoes.

i love this weather.

for sale [just kidding]

2010-10-24T02:41:00.000-07:00

[EDIT] SO I DECIDED THAT I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT THESE.
IT ACTUALLY WORKS IF I WEAR THREE PAIRS OF SOCKS AT THE SAME TIME!!!
I BROKE THEM IN THIS EVENING AT A FRIEND'S BABY SHOWER.
OUTFIT PICS TO COME AND PHOTOS FROM MY SHOOT WITH BRIANNA.

$140 + Shipping

Leather ANKLE BOOTIES

[not] for sale

Size: US 5 / eu 35 / Uk 2.5 / Au 4

Never been worn, without box
Heel Height: 6 inches

I'm a size 4 and i bought these thinking

they'd fit right with enough stuffing.

wrong. =[

Don't miss out! these are just like the iconic

2006 balenciaga booties worn by bloggers & celebs alike.

Sam edelman is selling a very similar pair at $200 to $350 each.

this is a great deal and i really hate to have to see them go.

i hope they find a good home & i can just make my $ back.

if interested, please leave a comment

or contact me at: musingofsorts@gmail.com
>> More photos available upon request

my first time with a nasty gal

2010-10-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

just two behind the scenes pics from my phone

some of brianna's earlier work for acrimony and nasty gal

image source: shopacrimony.com, shopnastygal.com

A few days ago i styled my very first shoot for a model signed with look agency!

It lasted about 5 hours and by the end we were completely exhausted, but i can't wait

to see the shots. There was no set concept, but i was asked to plan 5 minimalist looks.

i was only able to use 3 of the ensembles that i pulled though, because the makeup artist was

running a little late (this seems to be a trend lol). I felt bad for Brianna because she had to

wear the skimpiest outfits with a fan going to lightly tousle her hair. Not to mention,

the studio was set up in the photog's garage so it was already about 60 degrees. brrr...

she was a trooper though and hardly complained. so very professional.

but what else would you expect from a look/acrimony/nasty gal?

genius.

2010-10-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

image source: jayperezphoto.com

Jay perez from San francisco has got to be ONE OF MY NEWEST FAVE PHOTOGRAPHERS.

The styling is perfect (wish i knew who did it) and the concept is brilliant.

Jay perez & team, if you ever read this...thanks for blowing my mind.

finally

2010-10-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

last looks from the shoot i styled for page a few weeks ago.

styling is so much fun, particularly when i'm asked to style with my own clothes.
many of these looks are ones that i myself would love to wear, but am
either too shy to do so in public or afraid that i won't be able to pull them off.
it's great to see my ideas come to life on a model though! especially one
who is petite enough to fit into my tiny clothes...which btw are still big on me haha

the goal of this shoot was to build page's portfolio and give her a variety of looks.
the last two ensembles are most similar to my own style these days, so they're def my fave.
i made the black top in the last look from scratch. it was so simple but i love
the way that it drapes on page. on me it looks like a garbage bag lol!

keeping me sane

2010-09-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

i need a hug. just like this.

top main sources of stress these days

1) keeping my mom company & helping her through her divorce

2) taking care of my 93 year old granny...love her, but man it can be difficult

3) figuring out what i really want to do with my year off before i go back for my master's

4) living up to my family's crazy expectations...I DON'T WANT TO BE A DOCTOR

5) not receiving much support for doing what i love...I DON'T WANT TO BE A NURSE

6) being surrounded by such money-oriented individuals...I DON'T WANT TO BE A DENTIST
7) trying my best to ignore my family's pressure/high standards. my uncle just told me i was fat the other day. wthhhh.

8) putting up with the question, "so why did you need your B.S. degree if all you want to do is fashion?"

COME ON PEOPLE. it's a business just like any other.

keeping me sane

1) my mister and his undying support

2) sewing & making things with my own two hands

3) the thought that I'll be back in school in a year researching what i love

4) styling shoots for photogs, models, and make-up artists who've been contacting me

5) the amazingness that is Rachel Zoe & Brad Goreski. looove her. love him. love the show.
6) my cousin who's been playing therapist. i'm so appreciative of him letting me vent

7) the silliness of Santino & Austin (two of my fave Project Runway personalities)

i ask any other bloggers to please give me proper credit/link back if you use this GIF or any of my personal images.
thanks in advance!

down the rabbit hole

2010-09-11T00:34:00.000-07:00

three of my fave shots from the shoot i styled for pagey baby!

still waiting for the more casual looks that i put together...

obscene strategies

2010-09-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

i'm finally all moved back from college. i miss my old apartment and i hate unpacking.

but...i do love finding old things in the process!!! i guess that's what keeps me going.

the photos above are of the first pairs of undies i ever made. i sewed them all entirely

by hand and out of 100% recycled fabric! they originally started out as a present for my

sister who loves my homemade gifts. unfortunately for her, they turned out too small.

lucky for me though, because the next pair that i tried making for myself turned out too

small again and ended up fitting my 4 year old cousin instead hahaha.

they're cake to make once you get the sizing right.

LANVIN for H&M?!?

2010-09-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Lanvin FALL 2010 Campaign

yesss please.

seriously hoping this rumor is true, but hoping even more

that some of the items actually fit me. i haven't shopped at h&m in a

while cus the size 2's weren't cutting it for my less than 5' 0" stature.

they better stock up on size 0's at my local h&m!

wait. does h&m even carry size 0's?!

i can't remember.

fml.

and another one

2010-08-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

photos from the shoot i styled are still slowly trickling in.

Page is just the cutest! she literally can pull off ANYTHING.

too bad she's not looking up...i asked her to keep her

septum piercing in for this look, but it's hardly noticeable.

i still haven't gotten the rest of the shots though,

so hopefully a few do her doll face justice.

i've been so busy lately that i've hardly had much time

to do anything for myself. but i'm really excited about the

project that my boyfriend and i are working on!

it isn't fashion related, but it's still fun.

sitting.waiting.

2010-08-21T00:19:00.000-07:00

just got these two shots from the photo shoot i styled a few weeks ago! i can't remember

how many looks i styled that day...i just remember it being super hectic.

i was still in the process of moving back from my apartment in Davis when i got a message from

Stephanie asking if i was available to style for her. everything was really thrown together since

my belongings were spread out between Davis and the Bay! i managed to pull

10+ outfits from my closet though, and it definitely helped to have my

mom's, grandma's, and cousin's closets to pull from too.

i absolutely loved working with Page, Stephanie, and Wendy. it was definitely a change to be

on a team of all girls. ever since i graduated, i've basically been on tomboy

mode (not a bad thing at all ^_^) just hanging out with my boyfriend and coming

up with random ideas we wish we had the resources to develop!

right now we're playing with the idea of making an android app/game.

we'll see how it goes! so far it's been pretty fun planning it out.

more photos from my shoot with Page soon!

night cleaning

2010-08-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

image source: various
i finally found some time to clean up my desktop... So here's some eye candy.
You're Welcome. :)

simpler things

2010-08-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

a simple and more wearable look that I styled
for my shoot with Char'Nae and Joshua

glare/pulling

2010-08-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

finally got the CD of shots i styled way back in April (i think?!).

can't help but point out the negatives in every single one.

i guess it's a good thing because i'm still learning,
and i think there's nothing better for growth and improvement
than to step back and be critical of your own work.

my motto: could be better

btw, off topic, but that reminds me...has anyone ever heard of the MBTI personality test?!
i know it's super generalized, and i've never really put much weight on those kinda tests
(especially because I had to take this one for a leadership class haha)
but i did find it interesting that my results put me under the "IDEALIST" temperament.
so very fitting for my fault-finding self. hmm...

anyway, now i'm (im)patiently waiting for the shots i styled for the lovely Page Ruth.

Designer/Styling: Chan.nel Karama Limited
Makeup Artist: Chinaka Hoshi
Model: Page Ruth

Page is a youngin' at only 16, but she's definitely wise beyond her years.
she's been modeling since she was 12 or 13 and really takes her work seriously.
my favorite part about working with her?! she does her job and let's me do mine.

behind the scenes of our first shoot together

Page getting her makeup done by Wendy

say she looks like Taylor Momsen and she'll break your face. lol jp.
she already knows she's cooler than her so she doesn't really care haha
(and yes, makeup is done in the kitchen...not so glam huh?!)

more to come from my shoot with Char'Nae and Joshua

dream a little dream

2010-07-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

my boyfriend came across Mila's Daydreams via reddit and couldn't wait to share the cuteness with me.
this is honestly one of the most adorable things i have ever seen. while Mila is asleep, her mommy imagines
all of the thoughts that may be going through her sweet little nogin. she then creates a scene
with everyday items and sneakily snaps a few shots before she wakes up.

i'm so bummed i never thought of this. i always used to wonder what my little brother/cat
Mellow dreamt about, and it would've been so fun to create art with him while he slept.
siiigh. i really miss that little ball of fluff.

i guess i'm just going to have to steal a baby in order to try this idea out...
lol. i kid.

mellow mello

2010-07-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Mellow/Mello Estoesta
March 1995 - June 2010

My sister and I have never been able to agree on the spelling
of our little brother's name. He passed away yesterday and
today he was buried in our backyard wearing a beanie
that I crocheted for him a few winters ago.

I'm going to miss him so much.

i had the time of my life [illegal choices pt.2]

2010-06-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

MY FINAL GRAD CAP DESIGN

If you can't tell, it's supposed to be a charm bracelet.
Charm bracelets are such sentimental pieces of jewelry and so
I really liked the idea of creating my own to display on my hat.

A CLOSE-UP OF THE "CHARMS"

1. A Polaroid of my sister and me when we were younger.
She scanned it for me because she couldn't
come for my commencement ceremony.
She lives on the East Coast and had work. TEAR.
2. A play on CHANEL No.5.
1988 is the year I was born in San Jose, California.
Now you all can stalk me properly haha
3. Representing my major!
UC Davis Textiles & Clothing = UCD TXC
I got a lot of questions about the beaker and Marketing and Economics briefcase.
Long story short, my major is actually more like
Marketing, Managerial Econ, and Fiber & Polymer Science
ALL MIXED INTO ONE.

OTHER "CHARMS"
[clockwise from the top]
1. A black flower and feather hair-clip that I used to wear a lot
2. My Chanel inspired double E logo
Don't worry Karl & ghost of Coco, I promise I'm not mass producing ;)
3. A locket with a photo of my mom and sister
4. The rest are just buttons and crystals!

THE INSIDE OF MY GRAD CAP
I was soo surprised the ink didn't run.
The day of my graduation ceremony was ridiculously hot. Up in the 100's!
I seriously expected the inside of my hat to be soaking wet from sweat
when I took it off but I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't.

The quote is in French. I don't speak a word, but it should
translate to "and our small life together."

Explanation?! While I'd love to be super successful so I can give my
mom the world (she deserves it)...I myself would be happy with a
"small" life. As long as I'm doing something that I love
and can afford to travel with my friends and family
I know I'll be a happy camper. Actually, I do also want
to be able to get custom made shoes regularly. AHAHA!!!
Curse my petite feet.

p.s. That's my 93-year-old grandma giving the deuce sign.
Not my sister's fiancé who is to the left of my G-Unit.

WOO!!!! I GRADUATED!
WOOOO!!!!! THIS LONG POST IS FINALLY OVER!

FIN.

illegal choices

2010-06-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

a purse that i made the summer of 2007...it's a play on
the double C's of the original Coco Chanel logo. my own initials are
double E's and my first name is Ely (sounds like Ellie)!!!

CHANEL pre-fall 2009
i'm currently inspired by the classic black chanel flower and
all of the wispy feathers used in this past collection.

so tomorrow is my graduation ceremony and i'm honestly not very excited...
i guess i'm more scared or nervous. plus sad because the family members
that i really wish could be there to celebrate with me won't be able to make it.

anyway, the first thing that came to mind when i started designing my cap
was to showcase my love for fashion since i majored in Textiles & Clothing
(which is not the same as majoring in fashion design by the way!).
i also wanted to keep it simple but still personalized and so i immediately
thought of the CHANELY purse that i made almost four years ago.

my sister said that it was illegal (she's a law student) so i never had
the guts to wear it out in public...but fast forward a few years later
and after seeing everything from sharpied chanel t-shirts to "quilted"
chanel paperbags...i now feel more comfy about wearing my design out!

i'm gonna be incorporating the logo someway or another into my
graduation cap's design. i'm just not sure how yet.

will post the final product sometime soonsies tho!

sretsis (and my inner child?!) rediscovered

2010-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sretsis F|W 2006 Collection

Sretsis S|S 2010 Collection

image sources: richyrit.multiply.com, maximillia.com

i remember loving the Sretsis Fall|Winter 2006 collection back when i was obsessed with both asian fashion and headbands (i still am, just different kinds now haha!). i also loved it purely because the name of the brand is really the word "sisters" spelt backwards and i love my sister! anyway, i tried to outgrow the innocent and overly feminine style because i was getting too many comments that i was dressing like a little girl...and without a doubt it was partly bc i was influenced by the school girl vibe of the collection.

anyway, after seeing a post about the online store Maximillia on PhospheneFashion, I checked out the link and was thrilled to see all the pastels and super girly frilly dresses by Stresis and it immediately renewed my love for the brand. i know it's weird, but that's when i really realized... i'm still young! i'm still playful! so why cant my style be too?! i've been beating myself up thinking that after graduation i need to get a completely different wardrobe with tons of career wear. and that i cant shop at fast fashion places anymore. but i still have plenty of time to dress like a big girl! and i can always buy "investment pieces" later!

some days i'll have to dress more grown up (interviews) and other times i want to dress sexier (clubbing with friends). but most of the time, i really wish i could dress like this again. but i feel like im so petite that if i do, im just gonna be mistaken for a kid bc i dont have the modelesque figure to pull it off! sigh...fashion is such a weird and complicated thing. or maybe it's just me?!

forever21 recycles! you should too

2010-06-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Just thought this was funny...

My sister and I have been trading this dress back and forth for a while now and our auntie hates it. Why? Well, because it's really her nightgown from the 1980's! I dug it out of her closet a few years ago, threw a turtleneck over it, hiked it up a bit, then called it a day. I've been styling it similarly ever since. Last fall, I paired it with beige tights and suede boots and when my sister came home for Christmas break, she wore it with a longer orange sweater, military jacket, and mid-calf boots.

I don't know what attracted me to it in the first place, but I do remember my aunt being a little confused. When I asked if I could have it, she first said no because it was an old rag that she never got around to tossing out. I managed to save it though and I'm glad I did because it looks like over a decade later her Mervyn's nightie has been resurrected in this new Forever21 Knit Rose Blossom Dress. Can't wait to show her!

you know that you're wetting my appetite

2010-06-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos from last Thursday's Black, White, and Bling event.
The cause for celebration?! To commemorate graduating seniors (including myself!)
and also because Textiles and Clothing (TXC) majors just love any reason
to dress up! My friend Perry is wearing a polka dot bow tie made by me,
and the other guy in the pewter bow tie also made by me is my main squeeze. ;)
A few other girls from the major and I worked on decorations and I also
provided the original stencil used to make the TXC and the City cut out!

I'm going to miss college so much.

influence

2010-06-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

image source: tfs

psychic city

2010-05-28T15:30:00.001-07:00

creeps.

design dilemmas

2010-05-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

the cheat

2010-05-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

image source: hothair.co.uk

Summer for me, as well as many others, has always been a time for reinvention. Some people like to buy themselves a whole new wardrobe, others decide to cover their bodies with ornate tattoos and piercings. I personally like to play around with the cut and color of my hair. Much to my mom's dismay, I started experimenting with dye when I was around nine years old and even before then with scissors. First I went for chunky bleached streaks with a "mushroom bob," then I tried working my way through Punky's rainbow of dyes until I got a detention for having blue streaks at my private school. In the beginning of high school, I kept my hair long with tints of burgundy and fried it to a crisp every morning with my straightener. When I graduated, I decided to chop it all off and donated it to Locks of Love—something I encourage all you long-haired ladies (and gents) out there to try some day! To donate, your hair must meet these guidelines.

This time around, I'm aiming for a cut that can complement my bone structure and simultaneously be fashion forward yet work appropriate. Then there's also friends and family members who just love to be critics (don't worry, I'm guilty of this too) and that I can't help but want to please. Deciding with all of these conditions in mind can be tiresome and is enough to make me want to cheat. Sometimes I can't help but think that throwing on a wig every morning might just be the best option. But accidents do happen, and with my luck, I'd probably lose my hairpiece in some extremely embarrassing situation.

Would you put up with a bad haircut or opt for faux locks with the chance they might fall out?

me likey.

2010-05-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

waaant!!!
Proenza Schouler Flat Top Frame in Tortoise, $ 310.00
Elizabeth & James Artist Shirt in Black, $ 225.00
Yigal Azrouël Techno Crepe Top in Dark Stone, $ 468.00
Alexander Wang Snap Army Pants in Green, $ 425.00
Alexander Wang Millie Satchel in Black, $ 795.00
Elizabeth & James Snake Wrap Ring in Silver, $ 125.00
Helmut Lang Dry Crepe Skirt in Black, $ 290.00
Rag & Bone Lightning Tunic Top, $ 160.00
Loeffler Randall Audra Snap Flat Sandal in Black, $ 295.00
VPL Dispersion Bra in Black, $ 145.00
Chloé Suede & Metallic Woven Sandals, $ 750.00
Elizabeth & James Doubled Cross Ring in Brass, $ 190.00

total = $$$

some of my styling work

2010-05-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

just some of my recent styling work!
i loved the team i worked with for this shoot. styling is a great way for me
to make use of the items that i've greedily hoarded throughout the years. lots of
times they don't fit cus i'm so petite, but i just can't seem to let go of an item
that i find beauty in! the pieces featured in this shoot are a mix of items
(mostly vintage) from my mom's closet, my grandma's, and my
aunt's. oh and the beautiful model is my friend char'nae.

please please please let me

2010-04-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

what i wish i could be wearing right now...or for my graduation/grad party
asymmetric kaftan, $ 325
emerald gold plated ring, $ 22.95
lanvin rope belt, $ 107
pollini patent heels, $ 627
house of harlow earrings, $ 107.84
retro lucia sunglasses, $ 174.32
gold chunky green stone cuff bracelet, $ 32.95
total = $ 1620.06
in my dreams.
Set made on Polyvore.com

through the sliding doors

2010-03-31T21:56:00.001-07:00

Helene Berman straw hat, Blouson Noir biker bra top, Mulberry
bow shorts, Christian Siriano for Payless printed pumps, Brian Atwood
studded pumps, Elizabeth and James platform pumps, Matthew Williamson
floral shorts, TopShop harem shorts, Plasma ring, Ugo Cacciatori
sterling silver ring, Alexander Wang bag
Set made on Polyvore.com

teaser

2010-03-31T00:10:00.000-07:00

F|W 2010 Back to School Lookbook Test Shot
Styling by me: MusingOfSorts
Model and friend: TheCocoaWaif

drool

2010-03-30T15:51:00.001-07:00

Chan Luu scarf, Stella McCartney lace top, YSL ring,
Love Label turquoise pumps, TRUSSARDI bag, L.A.M.B. wedges,
BEX ROX ring, F21 floral boots, Erin Wasson X RVCA tank,
Twenty 8 Twelve jeans, Ted Lapidus sunglasses, Brian Atwood dot
ankle booties, RJ Graziano beaded layer necklace
Set made on Polyvore.com

2010-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

S|S 2010 Wildfox Couture featured: all other items listed above

personal inventory

2010-03-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorite pieces. custom made "E" necklace,
other pieces from h&m, forever21, and random flea markets

some of my original designs and styling

2010-03-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

4th Annual Share the L♥ve Charity Fashion Show
FASHIONATION 2010 - Designs, styling, & makeup by me!

berkeley

2010-03-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

nom by my mom

2010-03-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Brunch made by my mom: peanut butter and banana french

toast, a cheese and bell pepper omelette topped with avocados

and hot sauce, and a side of fresh raspberries.

Mom's seafood creation: muscles and shrimp in a tomato,

garlic, and white wine sauce with a side of garlic grits. If you've ever

had Puerto Rican Mofongo, this dish tastes very much like it!

Raspberry dessert crepe: mascarpone, raspberry, and whip

cream stuffed crepe with dried blueberries, fresh raspberries, chocolate

chip gelato, and raspberry syrup!

the land awakening

2010-03-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

my mom's backyard. spring break felt so short...

rediscovering pancakes

2010-03-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

Mini breakfast for two made by my mister: mini pancakes, sliced
Dulcinea cantaloupe, veggie sausage patties - all drenched in maple syrup

and stacks of mini cinnamon-maple pancakes for dessert after dinner! ♥

playing ketchup.

2010-01-03T17:09:00.001-08:00

[Yes, that is a Jonas brother.]
(disneydreaming.com)

[halloween 09] $2 costume - last minute DIY

[playing dress up with one of my favorite cousins - Lady Gaga Inspired]

[isn't she beautiful?!]

This break I got to relax and spend time with my family and friends. My first few days back, I spent a lot of time with my cousin that I grew up with. We're very close...just like sisters, and I love that we can still play dress up together just like when we were little kids.

It's a lot of fun for us to both try out different outfits and makeup looks...even if the rest of our family thinks we're crazy! When we're together, we hardly ever get any sleep and we're always getting in trouble by her parents for laughing too loudly. We just really enjoy each other's company!

For Christmas, my boyfriend bought this awesome pendant for me...

Matte Circle Pendant

(jewelryartdesigns.com)

these elegant "O" earrings...

Matte "O" Earrings
(jewelryartdesigns.com)

and this dainty, almost fairy-like, pinky ring!

Rose Heart Ring
(jewelryartdesigns.com)

I absolutely loved everything that he bought for me, so I demanded to know where he got them from. He told me about LuShae Jewelry and so I browsed the site for a bit. I must admit that some of the items are very hit or miss, but when it's a hit, oh man it's a hit! I am seriously craving this Cobblestone ring right now. I'm imagining it with my asymmetric leather jacket and some sort of blush colored ruffle dress...

Cobblestone Ring
(jewelryartdesigns.com)

and I could totally see this ring as a part of Nicole Richie's House of Harlowe 1960 collection.
So boho, so awesome.

Envy Ring

(jewelryartdesigns.com)

Oh and for any of you bloggers interested in a chance of winning $5000, you should definitely check out the LuShae Sweepstakes. Takes no time at all to enter it and imagine what you could do with $5000 CASH...that's right! CASH! Not just some gift certificate to their own store or anything boring like that.

LOVE FASHION & CLOTHING? PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION!

2009-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Save the Division of Textiles and Clothing at UC Davis!

Due to budget cuts in California education, the Division of Textiles and Clothing at UC Davis is at a high risk of closing down. If you love fashion and clothing and understand the importance of the textiles and clothing industry, please support us by signing our petition at SAVE TXC!!!

UC Davis Textiles and Clothing graduates have contributed to many sectors of California’s fiber/textile/apparel industry, the nation’s second largest, including research on many related advanced materials in the public and private organizations as well as education and research at the universities in the U.S. and internationally. Special areas of emphasis and excellence include cotton fiber quality, textile marketing and cultural diversity, biomaterials, natural products, functional textile products for health and safety, and consumer decision making.
SAVE TXC! SAVE CALIFORNIA'S ECONOMY!
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Learn more about us at UCDTXC.com

in which i could pick cherries all day

2009-11-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

Cynthia Steffe

Louise Gray

Chloe

Ralph Lauren

(style.com)

One of the biggest runway trends for Spring 2010. I know a lot of people might be like, "WTH?! Why would they ever bring those back!?" but I've got a soft spot for overalls so I'm pretty excited. I've got a vintage shorts version that has been waiting for forever to be worn. It's most similar to the cutesy one at Cynthia Steffe paired with a flowy white blouse.

I really like the updated details and runway styling of this trend. I guess since it's a garment more frequently worn by little girls, the sugary, almost oversweet, and playful feel was the way to go. The rolled up cuffs and thick socks with heels reminds me of when I used to play dress up with my mom's shoes...it looks so innocent and chic at the same time.

exploring

2009-10-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

the mister and i spent our saturday exploring our college campus. it's our last year and there's still so much of our school that we haven't seen!

ps. i'm wearing the beanie that i made a tutorial for in my last post. my bf took these photographs

Beaded Beanie Tutorial

2009-10-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again, so get out your cold weather wear and sort through the good and the bad!

Moth holes? Pilling? Stains? Instead of throwing away your less than perfect sweaters, why not recycle and turn them into a brand new beanie and mitten set? Whether it’s thrifted, belonged to an ex, or the one you wore to last year’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party –as long as it’s got some stretch, it should work for this simple DIY project.

* Tip: Choose a sweater with some sort of cuff or band at the waist and sleeves if you want to make a beanie and mitten set with a fold-over cuff.

What You’ll Need:

Needle

Thread

Sweater

Pins (Optional but helpful!)

Something to measure with

Your sharpest pair of scissors

Something to make marks with (I’m using washable eyeliner here but chalk works too.)

Anything to add detail to your hat and gloves (Beads, old buttons, sequins, loose charms, etc.)

Step 1: Mark Your Measurements

Begin with your sweater inside out and laid flat. If you want to add a cuff, now is the time to fold in your sweater’s waistband onto the inside. Do the same to the sleeves if you want your mittens to have fold-over cuffs as well (See image above).

A 10-inch width and 8-inch length should fit most people, but also take the stretchiness of your sweater into consideration and adjust accordingly.

* Tip: It’s always better to be more liberal with your measurements. Otherwise, you might end up with a hat and mittens too small for you or whomever you’re planning to make them for!

A. First mark the full width (~10 inches) starting from one of the side seams and then find the center (~5 inches) and mark that as well.

B. Next measure the length of the hat (~8 inches) up from the center and make a mark.

C. Connect the marks that you’ve made into a dome shape for your hat.

D. Loosely trace your hand in the rough shape of a mitten.

Step 2: Snip and Sew

(Optional step) Pin the perimeter of your shape to avoid fabric shifting while cutting.

E. Cut hat shape out making sure to cut above instead of on the line to leave some room for error. Don’t throw away the extra sweater material!

F. Get caught up with your favorite show while you sew it all up! If you’ve got a sewing machine, I recommend using a sturdy zigzag stitch for your seam. For hand sewers, just do what comes easiest to you. It doesn’t have to look perfect since any mistakes will be well hidden and on the inside. Just make sure that your stitches are tight.

G. Remove your pins and trim off any excess fabric.

H. Now flip it back so the right side is showing and try it on!

Step 3 (Optional): Details and Decor

I. While wearing your hat (or mittens), mark wherever you want your details to go. This will help you sew your decorations on in the correct position.

J. Now sew everything into place making sure to cover up your marks. Be creative! I used three old buttons and a few loose beads from a broken necklace of mine. You can add sequins, flowers, or even pom-poms. (I recommend this tutorial.)

K. (Only for hats and mittens with a fold-over cuff)

With some matching thread, sew a small single stitch through both layers of fabric. Do this every two or three inches around the perimeter of the hat and mittens to keep the cuffs in place.

[Repeat steps F - K for mittens.]

Hope you’re all as happy with your work as I am with mine! Enjoy your sweet new hat and mittens or give them to a friend as a present.

If whatever’s left over of your sweater is still useable (no big stains or holes), save it and stay tuned for another project later: Recycled Sweater Do-It-Yourself – Part 2!

and he kissed me 'til the morning light

2009-09-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

and he kissed me 'til the morning light - 09.23.09

From this point on, I have one goal to achieve with any outfit post tagged as "bedtime stories" : to tell the story of that day through a song lyric/title and three photos alone.

Feel free to interpret. And guess the song title and artist too while you're at it. No cheating! ;)

Oh, and if you want to know more about the outfit, just ask.

birthday shh...it's the best time of the year

2009-08-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

so delish.

i had been wanting these for a while but could never bring myself to buy them because i was unfamiliar with the brand and its sizing. im extremely picky about buying shoes online since it's clear that vanity sizing has been on the rise. im finding it harder and harder to find a true size 4 women's shoe now. so depressing.

anyway, the good news is, my boyfriend knew i had been drooling over them and was quick enough to buy the last pair in my size as part of my birthday gift! the semi-bad news is, the soft and feminine champagne pair that i had fallen in love with was already sold out so he had to settle for the black version. im not complaining. =D

birthday shoes. the best time of the year.

twenty-one.

2009-08-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

celebrated my 21st here on the east coast just recently. as much as i wish i couldve been at home to celebrate it with the rest of my family and friends in cali, i cant deny that i had a great time. my sister and her boyfriend have been spoiling me since the day i got here! i've been staying with them for over two months without having to pay rent or utilities (im on the east coast doing a summer internship for a small-time designer/boutique owner) so i really wasnt expecting anything else for my birthday. but they also let my boyfriend crash at their place for two weeks, took me to dinner three times to celebrate my 21st, got me my very first dslr (ABOUT TIME!!! sooo stoked), oh yeah, and did i mention...an all-expense-paid trip to puerto rico for a week (time of my life). how ill ever repay them, im not quite sure... anybody have any ideas?! =)

Black, White, and (Go)Green Ball

2009-06-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

the boy and me at our table

heels + two steps = still shorter than my mister
(i wasn't lying when i said i was PETITE!!!)

my head-to-toe look

every year my major (textiles and clothing) throws a black, white, and [insert color here] ball. last year the color was pink, this year it was all about going green. in keeping with the theme, i decided to make my outfit out of the fabric that i had left over from one of my classes. luckily for me, the fabric i chose at the beginning of the quarter just happened to be white and green! i even made the boy-toy a matching bow tie. the bow in my hair was the one he was going to wear originally, but it turned out to be too small and it also clashed with his striped cardi so i made him a different one.

it isn't pictured here, but i also made a simple black and white clutch from some random black tarp i found in a janky recycling bin haha! will upload pictures of that another day.

ive been doing a lot of sewing and crafting lately...i find it's the best way for me to deal with not being able to find anything that i like in my size. being petite is really tough, but trust me, if you can get some DIY basics down, it'll save you a lot of heartache and frustration. now if only i could make my own shoes...

necklace: chain from one of my purses
shoes: from a line that i just started selling (only US sz 4 - 6 / EU sz 34 - 36 )
ring: san francisco flea market

im dead.

2008-12-09T07:28:00.000-08:00

this fall quarter has seriously taken a toll on me.

i feel so exhausted and just beat down and im about ready to give up. (academically, that is)

and it doesnt help that i have two finals coming up in less than an hour...so i really dont know why im blogging right now...

oh well, once those two are out of the way, i'll only have two more left and then im home freeee!

and now a random and style unrelated photo that always seems to make me smile:

A D O R A B L E

don't you just wanna pat that lil bum?! hahah

why wasn't i this cool?

2008-10-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

so my friend just recently moved to korea with her daughter and husband. since she knows how petite i am, she sent me pictures from some website that sells children's clothes to see if i was interested in any. being so tiny, it's really hard to find the right clothing and shoe options...especially when most of my choices are either bright pink with glittery butterflies from the gap or business suits and old lady shoes from petite sophisticate.

so imagine how stoked i was when i saw all of these pictures with what looks like fashionable mini-adults. apparently in korea, practically everyone, from toddlers to 55 year olds, follow fashion trends to a T! at least that's what my korean friends have told me.

anyway, i cant get over how adorable they all look. and granted that the majority of the clothes are for little boys, i honestly wouldnt mind owning almost every piece that they are modeling. i mean, they're all pretty much androgynous items

wish i was dressed this well as a kid!

actually, i wish i was dressed this well period. the little boy in the last photo could seriously give LULU and her dropped crotch pants a run for her money.

the shred wagon

2008-10-15T22:44:00.001-07:00

i jumped on it.

for quite a while, my time spent in class was usually spent doodling designs and coming up with minor alterations to basic tee's like dyeing, thinning, stenciling, etc...

i had seen the raquel allegra shirts on MK and erin wasson and loved the distressed look but i had never thought of trying my hand at it. after seeing a whole bunch of people's posts on shredded tee attempts, i figured i'd try it out too. but being the impatient gal that i am, i couldnt wait for thesomethingpicasso or camille to post tutorials on how they did theirs. so while watching project runway reruns, i went to work on a basic black tee that i cut into a tank. honestly folks, it's not hard. but it is time consuming. and i also found that my first few eager attempts ended up in big holes...so take it slow and be gentle =]

i used a mechanical pencil, a razor, and a needle...

i'm definitely not done shredding it. but i think it's really relaxing to do so i'm just going to add more shreds to it every time i wear the tank out and about.

the studs and chain are removable and temporary. i just wanted to see what else i could add to it.

but really, i'm already in love. too bad my boyfriend disapproves of me wearing the tank without a bandeau bra under! hah

because of bear

2008-09-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

Bear brought to my attention that i have been neglecting this blog. thank you bear for giving me some incentive to keep blogging. it's just, i've already said it so many times before and as much as i have tried and apologized, this blogging thing really does take a lot of work to update constantly! so to all of you daily bloggers out there, you've got every ounce of my respect. seriously.

here's what i've been up to since the last time i posted:

i had been wanting to make something similar to any of the dresses in christopher kane's spring 2007 collection but i just never got around to it. plus i had no idea where to start. i decided to try something basic at first, and now that ive managed to successfully sew elastic, im hoping to try something with more embellishment. it definitely needs a little more fitting...but that can wait.
the green slip dress was just something i put on underneath for the sole purpose of experimenting with my creation...

two detailed shots...

also, since school has just started and the weather is finally getting colder, i've been playing dress up a lot and have been trying to come up with tons of new outfits. i think that's the best part of fashion...being able to rework old pieces into totally different ensembles.

take a thrifted plaid shirt for instance...when i bought it, it was far too baggy in the arms so i simply took in a few inches to make it more fitted and flattering on me.

here's the first fall outfit that i used it in

quite simple, but i love it. and it's so comfy too!

this second outfit is equestrian inspired as if you couldn't already tell

i really need to find some better fitting boots. these are fabulous, but they just don't hug my calves right

and lastly, here's the "i forgot my pants" look. my personal fave of the three

ego boosting

2008-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

so the other day i was talking to my boyfriend and telling him how im actually sorta sad that i havent been chosen as look of the day from fabsugar.com's lookbook in quite a long time. right after we had this conversation, i began my daily fashion blog browsing and after lurking around chictopia for some time, i decided to hit up fabsugar. well imagine my surprise as i scrolled down past posts about beyonce and miley cyrus and finally came across my own featured look! yay. needless to say, there was some silly celebration dancing done to the amusement of my boyfriend. i know getting "look of the day" isn't much, but hey...it made my day. and as much as i hate to admit it, there's no denying that it makes me feel good about my sense of style.

after seeing this, i decided to look back through all the other looks of the day to find the last time i was featured. it was almost exactly a year ago!!! that would have been strange...or maybe thats just me making something outta nothing haha

anyway, here's me featured as the look of the day on august 15, 2007

though it was only a year ago, i think my style has somewhat changed. i actually dont think i would ever wear this outfit again...well maybe for like a themed party or a picnic. it's almost a little too costume-y to me now.

and here's my winning outfit for the look of the day!

Birthday Shenanigans in Color

2008-08-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

As promised...here's my birthday DAY outfit

i've always loved this color combination for some reason. some might think it's a bit random, but i find it refreshing and just fun! i've had this dress since i was a freshman in high school but i never got around to wearing it. 6 years later, it was still hanging in my closet just begging to be worn and updated with some strappy heels.

you can't tell in the first two pictures, but i had my hair in two braids that met in the back and looped into a little knot that was held in place by a beautiful orange hair pin. too bad i decided that i would just let my hair down though (last picture) without the headband or anything. i guess i was feeling sorta plain during the day?! i saved the headband for my night look anyway.

gold floral headband: made by me!
seafoam green/ blue dress: naartjie for kids! hehe
orange patent heels: nordstroms

Birthday Shenanigans in Black

2008-08-15T01:43:00.000-07:00

so it was my birthday a few days ago and i had a little birthday party with a few of my closest friends on friday night. i took these photos right before the party started, in my friend's old room. he's slowly moving out so there's lots of room for outfit documenting!

sadly, i had a guest at my party who commented that i looked like a stripper because of my shoes. anyone else have the same feeling about them?!? i'm guessing not since most of you fashion-y bloggers are also into the gladiator look right now. anyway, it still sorta made me feel insecure the rest of the night =/ hmph!

not a good feeling at all especially cus everyone was listening...until they started getting a little too drunk that is ahaha!

black top: forever21
leather belt: coach
black gladiators: nordstroms
black skinny jeans: 7 for all mankind
gold flower headband: made by me!
silver cross lariat necklace: made by me!

oh and i'll probably be posting my birthday DAY outfit sometime soon. this is just what i wore for night.

making up for my absence

2008-08-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

since the last time i posted back in june, i got a new camera as an early birthday present from my sister. i messed around with it a bit and then later decided that i still love my old one and its quality much much more. or maybe thats just me being attached and not really liking change. hahah. anyway, here's a few photos taken in my little backyard which i truly love oh so much. my mommy put a lot of work into it and im quite proud of her. too bad the summer heat is really getting to the lawn =/

some photoshop fun

more photoshop fun. i'd LOVE a pink lawn!!!

shoes: classified
hippie-esque fresh flower headband: made by me
dress: no name brand brought back from the philippines

it's a very minimalist look isn't it?!

i went back on my word

2008-08-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

although i said i wouldnt forget about this blog and that i would post daily, i havent updated in over a month...but with good reason i suppose. i've been super busy looking for a new apartment to stay in for the fast approaching school year, i just started summer school, and all in all, i just kinda felt like spending my time with my friends and family rather than blogging all day would be a more productive way to spend my summer.

oh and i forgot to mention that i was becoming a bit bored of the clothes that i owned and as a result, felt no need to document them through pictures and blog posts. however, recently i've been trying my best to reincorporate them into some new looks with a few new articles of clothing that i sewed myself.

take this outfit for instance:

this was early on in the summer when i had a picnic in the park with my mister and we decided to dress up in red and white. too bad after we decided this, i realized that i didnt really have anything that i wanted to wear. so i whipped up this skirt from some fabric that i had hanging around and i took my mom's old ill-fitting white top and altered it to fit me like a glove. i also made the flower headband.

right after i finished sewing the skirt and altering my mom's white top

in front of a beautiful victorian house at the park that we went to

me and my mister of three years ♥

my boyfriend and his cousin built a treehouse in his backyard so i had to take a picture in it! too awesome. it even has a little bucket attached to a pulley contraption...it's sole purpose is to haul a buttload of cold brewskies up to the treehouse. ahh, summer laziness.

shoes: classified
white basic top: banana republic
skirt and flower headband: made by me

polyvore phase

2008-06-25T01:29:00.001-07:00

so every now and then, i find an interactive site that i become completely obsessed with for about a week and then have to forget about so i can actually get things done. this week, i'm back on Polyvore and i'm afraid i've become too addicted. i love creating sets of outfits that i would love to own and wear. here are a few that i dreamt up.

this one sorta reminds me of a gothic ballerina. the color of the clutch is so amazing and i would kill for that peacock headband! the shoes are crazy fierce and over the top. if they actually had my size in them, i'd probably snatch them up in an instant and pair them with some super feminine flowy dress for contrast.

the next two sets are what i imagine i would wear once i am older and working in an office or something of that sort. for now, they are a bit too mature and dressy for anything i'd ever have to go to, but it was fun putting it together!

my favorite part about polyvore though is that you can add your own items, so you can actually plan out an outfit online without having to physically try it on to see if it works! though i must admit that playing dress up physically is still one of my favorite pastimes, Polyvore's soo convenient for those lazy days when i don't feel like folding and hanging everything that i've tried on. so here's another set i put together, working in both exact and similar items that i own

i call it "grandma chic"

and here's the set materialized on me...sans the scarf and glasses. i also opted for more colorful shoes than the navy pumps.

navy dress: FCUK girls (first post)
mustard 3/4 cardigan: forever 21 (two posts ago)
whiskey ysl muse inspired purse: urban outfitters

i couldn't decide which pair of shoes i liked best!
whiskey heels: vintage yves saint laurent
mustard penny-loafer pumps: vtg, custom made for aunt

the woman i worship

2008-06-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

yesterday was my mom's birthday. she is the cutest thing in this world, or at least i think so! we had dinner with my boyfriend at the restaurant of her choice and then went home to cut her cake.

so here's to my mum, the coolest adult i know! i hope one day i grow up to be half as fun and silly as she is.

my boyfriend and i made a cute little scrapbook for her

oops...i did it again.

2008-06-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

haha, so in my first ever post i said i would do my best at updating this blog frequently and daily, but that already fell through as i already missed 4 days of outfit blogging! i forgot to mention this and didn't get to apologize in my post earlier today, but since i dont have too many readers yet, i'm guessing it's quite alright.

anyway, here's what i wore for sunday mass this morning. my mom and i ran into my aunt and grandma at church and they were both quick to comment that my shorts were "too sexy for church" to which i replied, "naaah. khaki shorts can never really be sexy." maybe i'm alone in thinking this, but that's just how i feel after going to a private school for 8 years where plaid skirts, khaki shorts and white polos was the uniform.

cream braided belt: the gap
mustard 3/4 cardigan: forever 21
high waisted khaki shorts: arden b.
textured mauve tank: banana republic
mustard penny-loafer pumps: vtg,custom made for aunt
tan and cream shoulder purse: vtg, mom's old Dooney & Bourke

dance with the fairies

2008-06-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

maybe it's the color combination, since it reminds me of disney's tinkerbell...or maybe it's the ruffled silhouette that i created by bunching up the dress. whatever it is, this mossy green tank paired with my grandmother's vintage peach shirt dress makes me think of fairies frolicking by a flowing creek bend.

you can see in this first photo that the dress is a simple, full length shirt dress--which i find very unflattering and overwhelming on my petite frame.

i added a belt to create two layers by cinching the fabric, with the top layer being just long enough to hide the belt.
i wish there was something i could do about the wideness that all of the layering creates in my midsection though...there's no waist definition at all!

belt (can't be seen): joan & david
peach shirt dress: vtg, grandmother's
cream peekaboo heels with clear cut outs: vtg bruno magli's
moss green tank worn as vest: random brand from the philippines

the bee's knees

2008-06-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

ive just recently started to like the yellow and black color combo. i wish i could credit it to this outfit worn by one of my (as well as everyone else's) favorite models, agyness deyn:

but in reality, besides the yellow and black, i'm not too fond of it. sorry agy...i much prefer kim min-hee's take on it -which, btw, she wore a month before agy did!

quite similar no?! i think it's the fact that kim min-hee decided to make the jeans a pair of cut off shorts which in my opinion looks a whole lot better than the full on shredded pants that agy is wearing. now if only i could find myself a bat-print tank. i think a DIY project will soon be underway.

anyway, here's my best impression of a bumblebee ;) i tried a mustard yellow rather than the paler shade used in both outfits above.

gold clutch/chained handbag: thrifted
mustard long-sleeved basic: Forever21
black skinny jeans: seven for all mankind
black velour vest: thrifted little boy's section
mustard penny-loafer pumps: vtg,custom made for aunt

sushi shorts

2008-06-17T23:22:00.000-07:00

consumed copious amounts of sashimi and shredded daikon drenched in soy sauce and wasabi last night... it ended up being quite an expensive meal for the party of four present (my aunt, cousin, mom, and i--all of whom are under 5'4"). nevertheless, we agreed that it was worth it for the quality of food that we had. i think i will soon become a regular at Yuki, even if that means sacrificing some of my shoe savings for a 60 dollar meal. note to self: tis always a bad idea to wear anything high waisted when going out to eat.

of course i had to take a pic with a pair of dress up glasses. can someone explain my obsession with them please?!
oh and by the way, the blouse is long-sleeved but i rolled them up and cuffed them with a black hair tie on each arm.

ruffled sheer blouse: vintage
high waisted satin shorts: arden b.
black patent platforms: nordstroms
gold clutch/ chained handbag: thrifted
non-prescription glasses: Forever21

flower child

2008-06-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

not too hot or cold in my hometown today, so i decided to take my cousin's dog for a walk around the park. when it comes to accessories, i usually go really simple (a ring or a bracelet) or my idea of totally over the top (like you see here). when i feel like piling it on, i really pile it on. i probably wouldve been wearing way more bracelets and rings with this outfit had i not just moved back home from college and misplaced my jewelry box. oh well!

oh yeah, and is it just me, or is it really hard to capture a full length body shot with self-timer?! haha maybe it's just bc i've never done this sort of thing before. anyway, that's why i decided to include a close up of the two pairs of shoes that i was deciding between. i ended up going with the wedges since i knew my cousin's dog would inevitably break free during our walk, forcing me to run after him down the street.

top: Forever21
jewelry: mostly thrifted
cream braided belt: the gap
convertible clutch/shoulder bag: vintage
whiskey heels: vintage yves saint laurent
tan wedges: brought back from malaysia by my auntie!
cuffed denim shorts: made them myself from an old pair of jeans

here i go again

2008-06-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Here I am, trying out this blogging thing once again after stumbling upon an old classmate's blog (Erika). I've said I would take it seriously many times before, but with school, work, friends and the boyfriend, well...you know how it is. This time however I will try my best to update this fashion blog frequently, well, more of a fashion diary if you will...I'll be posting my past, present, and future daily outfits just for my own reference (you know those days when you just have no idea what to wear and have to resort to an old but fab outfit). In any case, I hope you can get some inspiration from my style as well!

i wore this last night to my cousin's party. i dont need glasses, but sometimes i wish i did since my mom so passionately disapproves of my playing dress up with pre-scripted ones (she says i'll go blind!). now i've resorted to punching out the lenses of my aunt's old christian dior frames which i inexplicably love.

ring: a gift that i never ever take off
gold swing jacket borrowed from my mom: Forever21
navy dress: FCUK girls (did i mention i'm super tiny?! like size 8 in kids tiny.)
suede slouch boots: custom made in italy (i have to get a lot of shoes made since i wear a sz 4 women's)

More about me...

I’ve always been fascinated with all forms of art—though nothing can compare to my obsession with fashion. Like many other little girls, dressing up Barbie dolls was a favorite pastime of mine. However, being raised by a single mother of two, I was not so fortunate to have every outfit, accessory, and miniature pair of heels that I longed to style my doll with. While my older sister lovingly brushed her Barbie’s tresses and preserved the pre-made ensembles that came in the box, I on the other hand hacked away at her hair, changed her lip color with nail polish, and altered her outfits as I saw fit.

Tired of hearing “not this time” from my mom at the toy store, I began creating dress designs cut from construction paper that I haphazardly taped onto Barbie’s plastic bust. Never the kind to be content with a first attempt, I then started sewing makeshift dresses from paper towels and “borrowed” corners cut from my mom’s bed sheets. After receiving light spankings for ruining too many of our linens and altering everything I could get my hands on, I decided it was time to move up to scraps of material that I collected from under my granny’s sewing table.

Seemingly born with an entrepreneurial spirit, I started a line of custom mixed lip-gloss, scented glitter body lotion, and hair accessories the summer before I entered the 5^th grade. Though originally meant as gifts for my best friends and something to keep me busy, my cutesy packaging and product names combined with word of mouth gained me a fair client base of elementary school girls. Not expecting to be such a hit, I gladly accepted donations and asked my customers to pay what they thought my products were worth. After receiving my first ten-dollar bill for a bottle of glitter body lotion that I named Twinkly Toesies, I called it quits and moved onto learning Photoshop on the brand new desktop that my mom bought for my sister.

Photoshop fascinated me. It was Microsoft Paint and then some. I literally spent hours after school and during the weekends learning to use all of the different kinds of brushes and tools available at the time. By the sixth grade, I was scanning my hand drawn apparel designs and playing around with the color tool to create the custom shades and prints that I wanted without ever having to compromise my original sketches. When I got tired of that, I moved onto sillier things like putting my head on Emma Watson’s body (I had the biggest crush on Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton when I was a kid!) or making my friends and family look like aliens. I kept with it and to this day I still play around in Photoshop just for fun! It's so relaxing and it's a great way for me to make collages for my blog posts.

My interests really haven't changed much because I basically just do the same things but at a deeper and more focused level. Now if I take a bed sheet from my mom to turn into a dress or skirt, she isn't so inclined to spanking me anymore ;)

Stick around for posts about my inspiration, designs, and miscellaneous ramblings.