Winter Inspiration Board

With funds running so short in my life, it's difficult to really expand and creatively work with my closet. Maybe it's a mental stump, where inspiration and resources at hand don't quite match up the way I wish for them to. Whatever the case, I feel like starting with an inspiration board will really help boost the neurons into kicking up some really neat winter outfits from pieces that I've had and worn for years now.


70's period makeup and styling inspired by Angelica Huston


Elegant floor-length gowns


Sequins and flow


Lauren Moffatt's 60's aesthetic for her Honeymooner's collection


Sweet longer-sleeved day dresses


Large cape-like outerwear pieces


Fur, military, and thigh-high socks

Let the experimenting begin!

Autumn Beauty

It's unbelievable how fast summer is going by. All I want to do with my day is just relax on a couch with my kitten sleeping nearby and read The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm. (A lovely book that I would recommend to anyone, as his concepts of love seem almost perfect and universal to all.) Although I do have summer school and I am obligated to spend much of my time and attention to the mundane activities of my education, summer feels the most liberating in the sense that the weather is just too perfect and warm here in San Diego.

But despite summer fantasies, I've got my own inspiration board in line for this Autumn season. The most notable change I've made to my wardrobe to accommodate changing trends is the reintroduction of pants to my wardrobe. Although not very many, I've stuck to ankle-length black slacks and dark boot cut jeans in order to bring in a warmer and more casual alternative. And now that my hair has grown much longer in length and shorter in fringe, I've been really looking into diving into the "undone updo" look, although I'm horrible at creatively achieving it. Anyone have any ideas on how to make it work?











As for the last two images, I thought the ruffles and the light airy fabric was just so lovely. Despite what some people may think about it's appropriateness for the fall season, I find it to be lovely and just right for layering and staying feminine.

Josephine Baker

We all have our own inspirational historical heroine, from the fast and furious Edie Sedgwick to the timeless and classic Audrey Hepburn. But what ties these women together is that they continue to inspire countless girls who grow up fashioning themselves after their own icon.

When I took a History of Paris class, I was introduced to one particularly lovely and amazing woman by the name of Josephine Baker. She started off as a simple American entertainer, but helped the French Resistance during World War 2 by using her status as a European celebrity to smuggle information past Nazi soldiers in Paris. Beyond that she was an active speaker for the Civil Rights Movement, refusing to perform in any segregated venue, and shames the Angelina brood with the adoption of 12 children from all across the world.

To me, she is an example of the few women in this world that can really used her status to create a name for herself in history for more than her looks and talent. With the cheeky smile and charm that seems to resonate from every photo, I was so immensely inspired that I wanted to share her influence with everyone out in the blogosphere.











Photo Credit: Josephine Baker Website
Learn More @ Wiki

to lust is so painful

After a magical afternoon cruising through the streets of Alhambra CA, I found myself truly experiencing the waves of a heated California summer. While I'm basking here in Orange County, I'm counting to the days when I'm back in San Diego and into the waters. I always feel so at ease in the water. Perhaps it's that feeling of freedom, of release, that sense of weightlessness that seems to be lacking in my life on land. Not that I insist on being melodramatic, but it doesn't hurt to enjoy the occasional release from even the slightest of stresses.

My 21st is creeping up soon. It's eerie how quickly this entire year passed by. It feels like yesterday that I was fresh out of my Sophmore year of college and now I'm simply a year away from leaving San Diego and onto bigger endeavors.

For a brief moment tonight, I think I'll put aside my heavy thoughts and indulge in some (slightly) painful lusting.


Zooey Deschanel by Ellen von Unwerth
Vintage-inspired one-pieces, cute little updos, and the perfect beachy eyewear



Julia Stegner by Carter Smith
Light airy neutral fabrics, beautiful updos, and ruffles


Sasha Pivovarova/Natasa Vojnovic by Craig McDean
Romantic beautiful lingerie-inspired pieces

Time for me to swimsuit shop! I can't seem to find any place with a wonderful variety of affordable vintage-inspired swimsuits. Anyone have any suggestions?

blessa

Toro y Moi - Blessa









so transient

Relaxing in Georgia,
checking out the antiques and the history and the vintage clothes.
These pictures pretty much reflect how I feel right now

Inspiration: James Jean

Ever since I saw his artwork on the cover of the comic book series Fables, I was instantly in love. His work is fluid, romantic, creepy, organic....it's got so much soul and imagination to it that I'm just constantly mesmerized by the work he does. I definitely would not mind having my walls covered in his prints and my room littered with his gorgeous journals, although it seems as if a lot of his collected art books are ridiculously priced. ($300 for the collection of Fables covers?! Give me a break!)

I'm hoping you all will be as inspired by him as I am! More of his lovely work can be seen at http://jamesjean.com, including some work he did for the Prada store. (Oh, and did I mention he integrated some of his artwork into Prada merchandise like scarves and dresses? If only I could wrap my hands around one!)











As a sidenote, I do plan on redoing my ClosetBug layout. I've had this for nearly two full years! It's time for a change, and fast.

Designer Loves & Zooey Deschanel

I recently saw this video, and am utterly in love with it! Of course, the bias of Zooey Deschanel is a part of why I adore it so much, but really it's just a well put together video. And isn't Matt Costa just adorable? I saw him before during a music festival at school, and he's just utterly a doll. But that's besides the point. The point is, all these costume changes and hairstyles and Zooey being utterly adorable just makes me giddy and ache for her wardrobe.



On that side note, I had considered buying a form mannequin for the future use of sewing. Unfortunately, it dawned on me that my current talent for sewing is rather poor and that I should really focus on advancing my technique with the machine. But it was an exciting fleeting thought!

While I pondered over the purchase of the $50 form mannequin, I also browsed though a mess of pretty seasonal clothes from various designers such as Wren and Secret Squirrel. I'm simply in love with these pieces!



Eco friendly fashion at Sublet


Beautiful pieces by Willow



Fun prints at Secret Squirrel





Inspiring photos by Dear Creatures

Tues Nov 10th - Blustery Days

I've been spending copious amounts of time looking for inspirational and lovely photos. Maybe it's the chilly weather, but I love just imagining how I could reinvent my space into something new and different.




In the mean time, I'll just go about my day as usual with starry eyes and look for anything fun and crafty to make.

For my outfit posts, I'm thinking of putting in the prices I paid for each piece. I think it'd give a nice look into my little world of fashion, no? I might stop for after a while...but for now I think it'd be fun to see how thrifty I can get!



Blouse - Gap ($20)
Skirt - Forever 21 ($13)
Coat - MetroPark ($20)
Tights - Ebay ($5)
Booties - Ross ($20)
Clip - H&M ($5)

Total: $83

magazine spreads

Instead of making a regular post with a bunch of pictures, I decided to instead do this post a little differently.

I recently drafted up some magazine spreads with some small stories I threw together. It's nothing serious, but I figure it gets my point of view across as both a graphic designer and a fashion-minded individual. So without further ado...






Enjoy!