Ta-da! The neat finished project!
Friday, May 16, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
I've been having so much fun with my nails lately! It's something that makes me feel creative and polished (no pun intended!).
My favorite brands of polish are Julep and Essie, and I had fun making this springtime mani below using a combination of their colors!
My favorite brands of polish are Julep and Essie, and I had fun making this springtime mani below using a combination of their colors!
It's definitely difficult to keep steady hands when you are doing nail art. I'm learning more and more every time I do my nails! Hopefully, I'm getting better too.
Another thing I've been toying around with is using Sharpies for detailing. Since I don't have the most steady hands using a toothpick/striping tool, I thought I'd do some dots with a thick Sharpie to see how that worked. It was awesome! My only advice: give the dots PLENTY of time to dry before adding the top coat or they will smudge a bit.
Here are my two latest feats:
These watermelon inspired nails were so fun! I used a Julep mint green and a Sally Hanson Wet n' Wild hot pink.
These are my current nails! I may have gone overboard with the polka dots, but this warm weather definitely has me feeling bright and fun! The highlighter yellow is from Lime Crime, while the lavender color is from Essie.
I'll keep you posted on more of my forays into fab nails!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Learning about post-WWI fashion is so much fun. Sure, you see many garments that you think you know the history behind. However, it's so fascinating to me to look in-depth and think about it from a social standing and cultural perspective. The fashions may have looked a certain why, but there is a reason why. That's what makes me love these images even more than I did beforehand.
I have always seen this image without knowing much of anything about it. Above is Babe Paley, who at the time was Mrs. Stanley Grafton Mortimer, Jr. She was one of the most well-dressed women, having worked for Vogue, and also wore many American designers. She is shown here wearing Norman Norell.
Here is another socialite, Mrs. Fellowes, wearing Elsa Schiaparelli (and looking pretty fabulous, huh?). Socialites were what women looked to for their inspiration, besides Hollywood. These two women in particular were major fashion trend setters for their time!
Here is another Schiaparelli concoction. She was always one of my favorite designers growing up, partially because I've always loved surrealism and partially because of her wacky taste.
Finally, here is the fabulous Wallis Simpson wearing a Schiaparelli evening gown for her engagement portrait to the Duke of Windsor, Edward VIII. The dress is stunningly original due to the delightful hand-painted lobster on the dress, done by Mr. Salvador Dali himself!
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
I'm currently enrolled in Costume History III: 1920-Present, and I have to do a project on a designer from this period! I was extremely excited to choose Mary Quant. We have to do a biography on the designer, research their fashions, and curate a faux exhibit showcasing clothing that highlights her as a designer.
Here's some information on her, if you don't know her story:
Here's some information on her, if you don't know her story:
Mary Quant was born in London in 1934.
While attending art school at Goldsmith’s College, she met her soon-to-be
husband, Alexander Plunket Green. Upon
graduation, they opened a small boutique called Bazaar in the Chelsea neighborhood of London. Though Quant was in charge of buying for the
store, she also created her own looks, which were wildly popular. Bazaar
used enticing store windows and lower prices to gain the youth audience. She also had many parties to show off the
latest garments, using chic models.
In1962, she gained a contract with J. C. Penney for mass production in the United States and began to receive worldwide fame. By 1963, Bazaar opened at a second location in Knightsbridge. Quant also founded The Ginger Group, which was a lower-priced line that broadened her reach.
Quant’s clothing brought in traditional ideas, such as checkered prints and school uniforms, and made them fresh and unique. She liked using simple designs with bold colors and prints, inspired by the youth culture that she was seeing. She was first to use PVC and brightly colored tights to match an outfit. Quant is most well known for creating and popularizing the mini skirt in 1966.
She felt that fashion was a full lifestyle. Under her brand, she also created lines of cosmetics, furniture, and housewares. Quant remained a popular British designer through the 1980s. Her brand then focused mainly on makeup, its main moneymaker. There are over 200 store locations currently in Japan and London. Currently, Quant is 80 years old and resides in London.
In1962, she gained a contract with J. C. Penney for mass production in the United States and began to receive worldwide fame. By 1963, Bazaar opened at a second location in Knightsbridge. Quant also founded The Ginger Group, which was a lower-priced line that broadened her reach.
Quant’s clothing brought in traditional ideas, such as checkered prints and school uniforms, and made them fresh and unique. She liked using simple designs with bold colors and prints, inspired by the youth culture that she was seeing. She was first to use PVC and brightly colored tights to match an outfit. Quant is most well known for creating and popularizing the mini skirt in 1966.
She felt that fashion was a full lifestyle. Under her brand, she also created lines of cosmetics, furniture, and housewares. Quant remained a popular British designer through the 1980s. Her brand then focused mainly on makeup, its main moneymaker. There are over 200 store locations currently in Japan and London. Currently, Quant is 80 years old and resides in London.
Monday, April 28, 2014
So sorry for the long wait between posts! I've been busy with school and many other things due to the fact that it is spring time now!
Here's a brief update on some of the cool things that I've been reading, purchasing, and viewing!
Movies:
Jamie and I have been switching off on movies - he picks one and then I pick one. Lately, we have gotten through Inglorious Basterds, The World's End, This Is The End, Pink Flamingos, and Midnight in Paris. Overall, they've been pretty good. We are looking forward to tackling more in the future, as well as more documentaries!
Books:
It's so nice to actually have some time for reading! I've just conquered Caricature and Ice Haven by the super talented Daniel Clowes, as well as The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. I really enjoy reading graphic novels lately, because I feel accomplished when I finish a book quickly! I especially loved Persepolis - it's such an inspiring and informational story.
My friends are avid readers and have also lent me the Scott Pilgrim series, Right Ho, Jeeves by Wodehouse, and the Tim Kinsella novel, The Karaoke Singer's Guide to Self Defense. I will post about them in the future once I get through them!
Beauty and Nails:
I just recently bought two fabulous colors (on sale!) from Julep, my favorite brand of nail polish. These both are vibrant and fresh for spring - what do you think?
Here's a brief update on some of the cool things that I've been reading, purchasing, and viewing!
Movies:
Jamie and I have been switching off on movies - he picks one and then I pick one. Lately, we have gotten through Inglorious Basterds, The World's End, This Is The End, Pink Flamingos, and Midnight in Paris. Overall, they've been pretty good. We are looking forward to tackling more in the future, as well as more documentaries!
Books:
It's so nice to actually have some time for reading! I've just conquered Caricature and Ice Haven by the super talented Daniel Clowes, as well as The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. I really enjoy reading graphic novels lately, because I feel accomplished when I finish a book quickly! I especially loved Persepolis - it's such an inspiring and informational story.
My friends are avid readers and have also lent me the Scott Pilgrim series, Right Ho, Jeeves by Wodehouse, and the Tim Kinsella novel, The Karaoke Singer's Guide to Self Defense. I will post about them in the future once I get through them!
Beauty and Nails:
I just recently bought two fabulous colors (on sale!) from Julep, my favorite brand of nail polish. These both are vibrant and fresh for spring - what do you think?
I also tried polka dotting for the first time (with toothpicks haha). I think that overall, it came out okay and it wasn't too stressful! Do you have any easy nail art tips for me?
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Since I had a lovely week off, I've gotten some reading accomplished! Now that I'm just a part-time student, it's also nice to be able to catch up on some reading I've been wanting to tackle.
I just finished up two Bryan Lee O'Malley books, Lost at Sea and the first installment of the Scott Pilgrim series, Precious Little Life. I also finished up Wish You Were Here, a great book profiling different music scenes in America.
Right now, I'm working on Please Kill Me, an oral history of punk music. I'm also itching to start on The Complete Persepolis, which I borrowed from a friend. Graphic novels are such easy and fun reads - I think they're slowly becoming a new favorite of mine! Any recommendations for good reads?
I just finished up two Bryan Lee O'Malley books, Lost at Sea and the first installment of the Scott Pilgrim series, Precious Little Life. I also finished up Wish You Were Here, a great book profiling different music scenes in America.
Right now, I'm working on Please Kill Me, an oral history of punk music. I'm also itching to start on The Complete Persepolis, which I borrowed from a friend. Graphic novels are such easy and fun reads - I think they're slowly becoming a new favorite of mine! Any recommendations for good reads?
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