Making Things

I have a real problem with starting projects and then letting them sit and ferment while I forget all about them.  The one thing that will spur me on to finishing is if I want to wear my project (or hang it on the wall, or give it as a gift).  Such was the case with this necklace/body harness.

The materials were gathered and the plan drawn, but nothing was being done about it.  Until last weekend, when I wanted to wear it, finally.  So I finished it. 

The waitress told me that she really liked my shirt.  So.....either she's into classic white button downs.....or she didn't know what the heck I was wearing.  Either way, she really liked something I was wearing.  Win.  ;)

Friday Fantasy

A random fantasy for Friday/Saturday.
I have adored this guy's look from the moment I ran across the top pic many moons ago.  I don't even remember where it came from.  But I still dig it.

I found the watch on Pinterest last week and I think it's one of the coolest things I have ever seen.  A wooden watch.  I am a watch person.  And this watch is begging to be on my wrist.

And how great is that last shot?  Hot apple cider and pumpkin spice doughnuts.  (at least, that's what I'm pretending it is.)  There are always masses of amazing things over on Modern Hepburn, where this pic came from. 

I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Hugs and Warmth to You.
~Jo~

P.S. This post was scheduled to be posted on Friday....but blogger failed to follow through.  Happy Saturday all. 

Note to Self......

...buy a long skirt.
What are you waiting for?


~While we're on the subject, let me ask the guys a question. Do you think long skirts are sexy? I know you think mini skirts are sexy, but what about the long flowing skirts? Just curious.


*1, 2, 3, 4

June

I promised you guys that I would get caught up on all of June's happenings once the smoke cleared, and I am here to do just that. Starting with my Nanny Ruby's birthday. (nanny=grandmother, by the way)
This is the cake I made for her birthday party. I was hoping to do something feminine in soft colors, but mom picked out the party colors. This was my first foray into using gum paste, so I kept it simple, making a little blue bird and some flowers and hearts. I really should have gotten a better picture of the bird.

I just had to try my hand at the heart cakes that you keep seeing pop up all over the internet lately. I have to say, I was worried that it wasn't going to work out. I know it's a messy picture, but I was just insanely excited that you could actually see a heart inside when it was cut! I also have to say that it was a big pain in the ass and worth every second of it. Partly because three days later, my brother had to inquire about how it was done. He had racked his brain trying to figure it out. You know it's pretty cool when your big brother can't quit wondering about it.

On this same day, my aunt brought me two dresses that she had found while cleaning out my Nanny's attic. They are dresses that my mom made and wore before she was married. My mom is quite the seamstress. There is honestly no telling how many things she has sewn in her time. I love being able to keep a few of them for myself. Especially this one. I fell in love with this one.

Quite a bit shorter than anything I'm used to, but so freaking cute! Look at those sleeves!


This dress is made out of dotted swiss, which is a printed cotton with tiny dots all over it. It also happens to be quite sheer. I could never wear this out in public without a slip. Problem is, I don't have a slip this short! Guess I'll have to find one.

So, there you have it. Nanny's birthday and mom's old clothes.
I will be back with pics from the wedding and a cake catastrophe. Also, I am very slowly but surely getting the new bags listed on Etsy. It may be tonight before the first ones are up, but I'm getting there. Finally.

A New Leader

New York/Paris/Milan is the most fashionable place on the blahda, blah blah blah, yaddah, yaddah. Yeah. I'm sick of hearing it. Whatever. I think you guys have some catching up to do. The real style icons are in Moscow.





Just happened upon mskstreetfashion the other day. Let me just say..... the ladies of Moscow have got it going on. Every one of these looks are kicking some serious ass.

Rant and Roll

First of all, it's late*. I should be in bed. But I'm not. I should have worked out tonight. But I didn't. I should have had at least one vegetable with dinner tonight. But thanks to my husband's family's affinity for meat, I had none. But that is all beside the point. I am here to talk about fashion magazines. More specifically, I am here to talk about why fashion magazines piss me off.


I love me some fashion magazines. And everyone who loves fashion magazines knows that fall is the fashion industry's favorite season. Therefore, I have a big pile of freshly printed magazines hanging out at the foot of my bed, all glossy and smelling of perfume samples. Ahhhhh. Fashion design. I love it. But what am I supposed to do when all good fashion sense gets thrown to the wayside? How am I supposed to cope when fashions greatest are throwing pies in our faces? Tonight I give you ..... "A New and Revised List of Stupid Shit I Keep Seeing in Fashion Magazines." Enjoy.

*Models jumping. Why? Why the hell do photographers think that models need to jump? I am sick of it. Who jumps? Do you ever see people jumping up and down besides at a concert? No. Especially not in heels.

*For the love of God, why on earth do designers want their runway models to look ugly? Ugly hair. Ugly makeup. And some of them are not only ugly, but down right creepy or dirty looking. How does making a model look like crap help your clothing? STOP! Be more like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. Pretty is better. Ugly is just.... ugly.

*I am seeing an unusually high number of photo shoots in the desert lately. Yeah. I just threw on this ten thousand dollar ensemble and am now traipsing around the desert. That happens. All the time.

*Hey fashion industry, you can feel free to stop reminding us that 50 year olds can look like 20 year olds now. We get it. Money can buy the fountain of youth. Next time you put out an "Age Issue", try using people who actually look their age.

*Stop printing political pieces. We all know that you are going to take the liberals side every single time. We are here to see fashion. When I want a political view, I will turn on Fox news. Because, yes, I like fashion AND I am a conservative.

*Androgyny. Okay. This one is killing me. Girls who look like boys and boys who look like girls. And then, throwing all of those boy/girl looking people in a pile and making you guess which is which. I am lesser endowed than most. That doesn't mean I want to look like a boy!! And, for heaven's sake, Stop Putting Lipstick on the Guys!!!! {I'm looking right at you, Burberry} Pick a side.

*When was the last time you took your clothes off and hugged your purse? Oh, just this morning? Well, in that case, never mind. Purses modeled with naked bodies. Don't get it. Also, I am seeing nudity in the oddest of places lately. Not just purse and shoe adds. For instance, topless girl hanging out at the ball court with all her man's friends. I don't have a problem with nudity, when done right. But, come on. Do you really expect this to boost a young girls idea of self worth? About as much as the fact that you still use size zero models.

The fashion industry never has and never will be the best role model in the world. And I wouldn't want them to be. It wouldn't be nearly as fun. But sometimes they do make a normal girl want to bang her head against the wall in disbelief. Who comes up with this stuff? We really don't have to have the shock factor to stay engaged. The blogging world has proven this to great measures. You can see a million photos of living rooms, flowers or Paris. They don't have to blow our mind every time. They just need to portray beauty. Beauty always works. Beauty will always captivate. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles.

Let's just call it what it is. Pretty is pretty. Ugly is still ugly. Stupid will always be stupid. And models jumping without a puddle underneath them still makes me say "What the hell?"


*It was late when I started. And then I went to bed.
**I think this photo came from Slumber Designs. Although, I could be wrong.

Perfection

If there has ever been an ensemble that defined fashion perfection to me, this is it.


There's nothing else to say. Well, maybe go check out the entire Preen collection. The rest speaks for itself.

Woo Hoo for Fashion!

I have never been one for over-the-top fashion looks. I have never even remotely liked clothing that brings to mind the Victorian era. Certain prints and fits just make me squeamish. Blech!

But the very moment that I laid eyes on pieces from the Fall/Winter 2010 Collection from Balmain, I felt my heart go pitter patter. These looks, I totally go for.

The top one is my favorite look of the collection. There is so much shine, deep colors and perfect fits. I mean, seriously, when was the last time you saw brocade look that good? Never, right? Somehow, Balmain has taken prints and fabrics that have historically looked "stuffy" and "gilded" and given them the perfect mix of femme and edge.

I'm sure that this is one of those love it or hate it collections. I, for one, absolutely love it. (And you must check out the dresses. Wow.)

What do you think? Would you wear this look?

You can check out the entire collection on the Balmain website.

Greener Grass

Do you ever find yourself contradicting the natural way of things? I have noticed that I tend to do it a lot. One of the most noticeable places that I do this is in fashion and beauty.


It's not even really summer here yet, and my brain is longing for things that feel like fall. Let me explain. Last week I painted my nails a gorgeous deep aubergine color. Very fall. And I loved it. It was so beautiful. I very, very rarely even paint my nails, but now I am going to have to actually resist the urge to keep them aubergine all summer. I just planted lots of new plants today in my flower beds. Marigolds, coleus, dusty miller. All late summer/early fall showstoppers. I passed on the pansies, petunias and begonias. Classic summer flowers. When I should be wearing corals, pinks, turquoise and pastels.... I am drawn to dark purples, indigo, forest green and gold. And I have been regularly spraying on my Burberry perfume, which is a distinctive cold weather scent. Very cozy and sensual smelling.

The crazy thing? When fall and winter rolls around, I will break out my bright colors. I always do. I will once again gravitate towards things that feel like summer. Gap Grass perfume. Bright pink lip gloss. Sunny make-up palettes.


It's not that I am wishing my seasons away. Lord knows I hate cold weather. But it does seem that my brain has been hardwired backwards when it comes to seasonal choices. Indeed, I realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the calendar. But maybe the green will be a grassier shade when I get there.

*photo from Everything Fabulous.

Etsy Love

Well. Thank goodness it's Friday! It has been another long week here at the shop. I'm glad to be going out of town this weekend with friends for some fun and sun.

I've been collecting some pretty awesome Etsy finds in my favorites lately. They are just perfect for spring and summer. I figured it's a good time to share a few with all of you. Enjoy.

How sweet is this Tea Party Dress by Amanda Archer? Pretty darn sweet! I love the colors of this one. But if you lean towards to solid end of the spectrum, she makes the same design in other colors and fabrics.

I am a very cold natured person. Once the sun goes down I have to have something covering my arms. I thought that this little shrug top with shawl collar looked just perfect for cool spring evenings. Once again, My Lola Fashion makes these in multiple colors.

Okay. Is this not the most adorable dress you have ever seen? I am always won over by the nautical look. This Sailor Pin-Up Girl dress is from 007 Fashion. In the designers own words, its so cute that even a Bond Girl would wear it. I agree.

I have to say that I am not super crazy about the whole ruffle trend that's happening right now. However, Coralie Beatrix has changed my mind about wearing ruffles. Her Ruffle Tease have made my heart crumble. They are somehow both darling and edgy at the same time.

Happy weekend, dolls. Hope to see you back here next week.

Hello, Sweetheart

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. And I wish I could send each and every one of you a little valentine and a bag of candy. But I can't. So I will share with you something just as sweet. A few pics from the Blumarine runway.

I am in love with the bright colors and tie dye. (They make tie dye look so chic.) And, in case you haven't spotted their magazine ads, please check out those piles of chunky, bright skulls and roses rings on their fingers! I really want to rock this look.

I have to say that the runway looks a little scary to walk on. But I would be willing to try it for a pair of those shoes in the last pic. (Like I mentioned before...; I am a child of the 80s.)

I hope you have a super sweet Valentine's Day. Make sure to hug someone. Even if its a stranger. Everyone needs a hug now and then. Especially on Valentine's Day.

Love to you all

XOXOXOX ~Jo~ XOXOXOX

She's got the Look

Just a few things that you've missed if you still haven't checked out Lookbook.

What You Need For Fall ~ punk doll edition

Just in case you couldn't come up with anything to spend your money on this season, I give to you a selection of Etsy delicacies sure to make you hungry. This is the Punk Doll edition. I've got more to come. Barbed wire hoops. Sexy and sharp. I bet you won't run into anyone wearing the same kind! These are made by Girl Tuesday Jewelry. The barbs are actually filed down and flattened so they aren't uncomfortable to wear.

Raw gemstones are becoming quite fashionable. I love the way they look. Magical and mysterious. This one comes from The Social Cellar.

You gotta love anything that makes you think of track suits and boom boxes. And that is exactly what comes to mind every time I look at this ring by Steven Shein. Just be sure to take it off before break dancing.

And finally, this is something that I have been lusting over for a long time now. I want a hoodie from SCHiZO soooo bad. Her designs are always so clean and meticulous. They are close fitting and crazy azz supa fly. LoVe. lOvE. Love. LOvE. Gotta save my allowance for one of these. ;)

Hope you enjoyed. I'll be back next week with a more classic edition. Have a wonderful weekend all.

Love ~ Jo