Practice (and nit-picking) makes Perfect

Oh dear! I'm behind on my blogging! Right after I told myself that I should up my ante! Exclamation points! Oh the ill-timed irony...

But you know who I'm going to blame?

THIS.

You thought Nemo was cute? You thought wrong. Look into his cold, dead eyes. Uh, eye.

Recognize the goldfish? Well, it all manifested into my first project of the semester. My attitude near the end ranged from "I should work on this a lot more" to "I JUST WANT THIS FINISHED, DANG." Who knew that tweaking, editing, more tweaking, printing, cutting, gluing... would all take several hours?? Admittedly, youtube breaks were, uh, involved. But it was completed. Eventually. Which is why:

What's Lovely for February 7, 2010: Getting shit DONE.

Though the terrible stigma that I have is trying to perfect everything while putting it off to the absolute last second. Note: perfectionism + procrastination = some haphazard result that may or may not be adequately successful.

Even "high fashion" model poses in my head turn out to be awkward as hell. Here, I look like I'm eating my bowler. Omnomnomnomnom.

A lesson which I apparently never learn. For my other impending project, we had to take photos of ourselves for designing a magazine cover. Seeing as how I had no fancy point-and-shoot and veritable photo skills in general, I requested the help of my wonderful photographer friend. Though this went a little out of my way (and hers), I was utterly grateful and trusted that she'd do a really good job. Despite my incapability to look like a pin-up, I think she more than fulfilled my expectations!

Furreal, y'all should check out her flickr: I'm a big fan of her work and creep on it when I can.

I apparently forgot how to close my mouth.

I promise you that I don't ever look mighty fierce or hawtt (with two t's); it totally helps that I'm paler than a snail's underbelly.

Dress (underneath)- Goodwill : Pants but not really- Macy's? : Tights- We Love Colors : Shoes- Old Navy : Bowler- Target : Necklace- gift

Speaking of how ridiculously pale I am...

What's Lovely for February 8, 2010: Seeing someone in my classroom wearing a Pale Force t-shirt (ironically in a class where we're discussing racial issues and skin color). I'm... sure it wasn't planned.

Jim Gaffigan and Conan O'Brien: two incredible weirdos who I think are endlessly hilarious. Does this make me a weirdo? Most likely.

PS: Does anyone know what these types of pants are called? The name is currently escaping me...

Merci, danke, 감사합니다, however you say it

What's Lovely for February 6, 2010: A shout-out (hey!) from the dear Ms. Indigo

Can anyone believe it? I can't?! My little blog was mentioned amongst well-established bloggers who all have amazing photography and style skillz (with a z, mind you). Needless to say, this is my reaction:

In a less dramatic tone: thank you! :) I really need to up my ante, don't I?

In other news, I've been taking full advantage of this Saturday by being one of the most unproductive sloths you've ever seen. With this upcoming Olympics in Vancouver, I feel like that this laziness should be made into a sport. But what I lacked in productivity (I'll get to my projects in due time, dammit), I made up for youtubing inspiration.

I haven't blabbed about how I'm in love with the swingin' 60s quite enough, but I really do love the shift dresses, the colors, the rebellious style, the eye make-up, the music-- that's a good amount of blabbing, right? What about you: is there a particular decade that speaks to you?

The Bird and the Bee is one of my favorite bands, and they fit perfectly with the 60s kick that I've been having. Inara's voice is simple euphoria, light on the notes but not on style. Coupled with Greg's music, they're 60s-inspired pop that's just lovely.

This song is entrancing and great; but I really did go "what the CRAP" at 2:15-2:21. Really, what. the CRAP.

Hopefully I'll do an inspired outfit post about them later. I've been wanting to do so for awhile...

I've also been alternating Bird and Bee with some Edith Piaf, who's another huge favorite of mine (only a lot more classic). The movie about her life might have been a bit extensive, but it really did capture how difficult her life was. As they say, her beautiful voice holds all the tragedy she had endured. And dear God, did she endure.

This live show happened one year before she died at 48. The tragic thing about this video is not her voice, but the fact that she looked about 30 years older than she was.

OK, I really need to go tweak goldfish now (it's for a project, I swear), but I'll probably go sneak a watching of An Education instead. Wish me luck! ;)

Pay it Forward to Casual Fridays

Look! for lack of a better, more clever caption, let's point out how I found a new place to haunt for the sake of photos.

I feel like the only thing missing from this outfit was a cup of coffee and a hip, glossy magazine like Nylon, or something.

Compared to yesterday, I was in a neutral mood... literally. I usually opt for some color in what I wear, but I let the winter flurries get to me decided to keep a casual, simple silhouette (throwing in some patterns) with a dash of red lips to keep it interesting. (I guess I was subconsciously reminded of this look)

I'm actually ninja-layering three shirts underneath the first one... but who's counting?

"London" tee- from Korea : Cardigan- TJMaxx : Skinnies- Gap : Flats&Beret- stolen from Mom


What's Lovely for February 5, 2010: Pay It Forward.

I heard of this simple yet perfect little project from Brandi of Not Your Average Ordinary (it's a great blog that I only found recently-- it has a whole mix of things to share, and has one of the most delightfully colorful layouts I've ever seen). It's not only perfect because it's such a fun activity, it takes the best thing about the movie while leaving out the fact that you're left sobbing at the "wtf" ending and going oh whyyyy the injustice whyyy... ahem. I digress. There are but four rules to follow.

1. I make a handmade gift for the first 3 people to comment.
2. I have 365 days in which to send you the gift.
3. The gift will be a total surprise.
4. You keep this going by posting Pay It Forward on your blog.

Simple, right? It's like a big online chain letter of hand-crafted love, a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers! Cue the cheese, I'm gonna give you all a hug.

If you're one of the first 3 commenters who want to participate, leave your email address please! :)

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go listen to Zooey Deschanel for the fifth time. Dear sweet baby Lord Jesus, I sound so indie.

What's black, white and red all over?

I spy with my little eye... Charmalade's stuff thrown aside in an untidy pile. Can you spot it?

Technically, there's some purple, brown, tan, and a little bit of blue involved, but other than that.... c'est moi!

This is the Modcloth dress that I was harping on and on about-- it was like a coming out party, only for the dress! This really is a longtime wish of mine come true (me and my silly wishes-- I also want to see the Colbert Report live at least once in my life). Just like a kid with a puppy, I've always wanted a Modcloth item to come home with me.

Can y'all recognize this brick wall? I'm quite fond of this wall. We go way back. Like last semester.

I seized the opportunity to wear it on the warmest day of the week (almost 40 degrees, what the what?). I figured I should take advantage in this brief time before the snow and chill bite down again! rawr.

What I really love about this dress is that it's super comfortable while not sacrificing style. What more can one ask for? A perfect marriage of parts. I'm already scheming on how to remix this dress, one diabolically sneaky plan at a time.

Dress- Modcloth : Under-tights- We Love Colors : Over-tights: Macy's? : Blouse- magic : Red scarf- American Apparel : Blue scarf- Target : Coat- Tommy Hilfiger : Booties- Rebels via TJMaxx

Speaking of sneaky, I tried to be ultra sneaky when it came to taking these pictures (hence why I look so stiff in some of them). I really love this little courtyard type of place in between two buildings on campus, where there are little trees and brick walls to satisfy any photo shoot's delight. The problem is... people tend to occasionally walk through this place to, y'know, get to class and stuff. Once I was in the process of taking off my coat when this guy la-dee-da walked right past me as I tried to oh-crap casually put my coat back on. This happened about several more times. Oh, the ridiculous things I go through for pictures... Has anyone else run into this problem, too? Or am I just a schmuck who needs a partner in crime?

Another wonderful thing about the dress? It made me feel both elegant and hip. 'Sup Madame Dawg.

Which is why taking photos at work is comparatively safer. Though there's that high risk of colleagues who know me walking in, wondering why I'm posing like .... that *points up above*

Speaking of how pseudo-ninja I am...

What's Lovely for February 4, 2010: When really tall people talk to really short people. This just tickled me.

I love how she had to crane her neck upward just in order to see his face. Frankly, I found it adorably funny.

Topsy Turvy

Today has been more or less, a topsy turvy day. Only with less jingles, jangles, and jesters.

To keep it short and simple, I wasn't in the best of moods when today started. Blame it on lack of sleep, but you know that really cheesy saying that they say on TV shows for kids and old people? Laughter really is the best medicine. The more you know!

Silly me ranting aside, I should share what's lovely. :)

What's Lovely for February 3, 2010: I actually took this picture yesterday (shhh don't tell), but I forgot to share the other day. But isn't it lovely to find such a cute and random thing in the middle of the street?

Look, a bunny! Hello Mr. Bunny! Ms. Bunny? Just Bunny? How about Sir Madame Bunny? Oh, how I live for random moments like this.

A close second to What's Lovely: Finding out that your favorite Greek restaurant is moving near where you live. Hellooooo, gyros.

And the figurative cherry on top-- a fun song! that I'm sure most of you have already heard, thanks to that one car commercial. It's that type of song that always manages to cheer you up, one cute lyric and whistle at a time.

Tangerine already shared this on her latest music post-- she always does find the best mellow songs to share. Actually, Indigo's verily cool too. You know what?? They're all lovelovelove and funfunfun. :D

What say you? And you? and you?

Wachoo lookin' at, bub. Oh me? Sorry. Right right, I know, I'm in the bathroom. The lighting was good.

I actually didn't think that I'd put up an outfit post today, but here I am! I actually am curious on what people's opinions on this outfit are. Which brings me to what I think is an interesting point.

Today in lecture, my professor said "Women don't dress for men, they dress for other women." And she's not the only one who agrees. It's sorta true, isn't it? I'd like to think that I dress for myself, but there really is at least a kernel of truth in there.

This would've been a little more interesting and a lot more awkward had someone walked in on me taking pictures. "Oh... heyyy, what's up."

Shirt- Old Navy : Tee- Pitaya via Indigo : Bermudas- Gap : Leggings- mystery? : Bomber- JouJou via TJMaxx : Scarf- Mom's : Booties- TJMaxx

I think that really loving and living fashion leads you to experimentation. Which could lead to potential disasters, but also great rewards-- but each one is a lesson, right? Today I wanted to try incorporating my summer bermudas into balmy 30-degree weather (no seriously, it feels like spring here... for now). I think I'll try tights next time instead of leggings, but enough blabbing: yea or nay? And if nay, any suggestions?

Anyway, here's some food porn (only the photo quality's nowhere near as drool-worthy as the real thing):

Awwwwww yeah, take a look at that grilled eggplant sammich. Yous one sexy bitch, gooey brownie.

And a sneak peek at the dress that came today! eeeeeeee (goes to eeeee some more like an idiot) I'll probably wear it on Friday... sometime later this week!

Also thanks to Modcloth, I came upon this amazing clip. No wait, it's actually ah-may-zeeng. I may have declared my "What's Lovely" for February 2 a bit too soon...

Never did I think that I would feel so inspired and swell with emotion worthy of a dramatic movie due to MGMT.

Thrice Makes Nice

You know what they say: random news comes in threes.

So just because I like some organization, this post will come right at you in three parts!

Is that a rock glowing, or are you just happy to ... oh, never mind.

1. What's Lovely for February 1, 2010: A little naughty look at Disney "princes."

OK OK hold up, let me explain. If there's one thing out of many tidbits that one should know about me, is that I heart Disney with all my heart. Despite a deep love for the characters, music, and animation, I occasionally like to tease. Hence, the (somewhat questionable) pictures I share with you now.

Now warning: these drawings are more than a little NSFW (ironically, my friend Natalie showed these to me while we were at work). Above I put the link to the blog post showcasing pictures of Disney "princes" had they chosen to drop their swords in favor of underwear. In fact, y'all should dally on over to the original artist's site, since he has the genuine talent worthy of Disney studios. Bless you, David Kawena, bless you and these interesting illustrations.

Source: Zumpf and the Blythe! Blythe! Blythe! pool @ flickr

2. What's Lovely for February 2, 2010: Blythe! Blythe! Blythe!

Both a little creepy and a little entrancing, these vintage dolls have this eerie, childlike beauty to them. There's a whole pool of them at this Flickr slideshow-- you should go dive right into the weird magic.

Can you come up with a suitable caption for this? I'm at a loss of words.

3. Remember those ramen noodles randomly thrown out in the snow that I mentioned a few days ago? Yeah, so I finally got a picture of them. They're still there, still inexplicably there.

and PS: I hope to receive my very first bona fide Modcloth dress in the mail tomorrow, if not soon. :) Exclamation points, I'm so excited!!