Flora/Fauna

It's Marvelous Monday again! Time to get enthusiastic, yo. If you don't know what Marvelous Monday is, feel free to learn.

This week's theme: floral!

I put on a dress I haven't worn in a little while, which was definitely nice. It has this great ditzy floral print, and it's just so comfy, and why haven't I worn it in so long?

Whatever, the problem has been fixed.

Dress: Ross | Earrings: WalMart | Necklace: gift | Bangles: vintage| Headband: Target | Shoes: Payless

Also, there are kittens in my life! Charlie had her kittens last Wednesday, and I've been bonding with them ever since, ugh. I am starting to look for homes for them, though, as we'll only be able to keep them for the necessary eight weeks. But still, kittens!

And be sure to check out the others' flower-covered looks!

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Whatevs

So, as you likely know, I'm going off to university in August, and I'm going to be staying in a dorm. As such, I've been thinking about decorating and stuff like that, and I decided that, hey, I want to make a banner.

So I did.

The funny bit is that it's in my school colours, and it was completely on accident. I like accidents like that.

Anyway, here's what you need in order to make this:

• Fabric, in coordinating colours or not. Your call.
• Scissors
• A rotary cutter, which isn't necessary, but super useful for cutting your triangles
• A straight-edge, which will make your life better when cutting those triangles
• Ribbon or bias tape
• Fabric marker, or a really soft pencil, or whatever will mark on fabric without lasting forever
• Embroidery thread
• Embroidery needles
• Sewing things, which might just include a mom willing to sew everything together while she's sewing anyway.

I totally changed the fabric midway through. Not even sorry.

Miss Nature

It's Marvelous Monday again, and if you don't know what that is, head over here and that will change.

This week's theme: an outfit inspired by nature.

We all know I love this top. It's just so pretty, and it goes with everything, but sometimes you just have to stick with what you know best. I did pair the outfit with different shoes from the usual, though, so there's that.

Unfortunately, it's chilly and windy and very cloudy today, so I guess I'm bringing the outside in with my flowery outfit.

In addition to my floral look, I've given you pictures of me in various other floral crowns, just because.

Oh, and I made my bed.

What even is this pose?

Renaissance flower crown, oh yeah.

Top: Marshalls| Skirt: Fashionbug | Bracelets, earrings: Claire's | Headband: WalMart | Shoes, both flower crowns: DIY

Now, go forth and find out how the others channeled Mother Nature, will you?

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Dust Bowl

Marvelous Monday is here!

If you're not sure what that is, then pay a visit right here and educate yourself, yo.

This week's theme: maxi skirts or dresses!

You know how I totally play favourites with items of clothing? Today was no exception. I love this skirt.  I paired it with boots and a jacket, effectively covering most of my body and keeping me safe from this ridiculous dust storm my town's been caught in. It's absurdly windy, and everything smells like dirt, and you can barely see for all the dust outside. It's like a brown fog, but more...particulate.

My mom and I braved the Dust Bowl-like outside world to get groceries. In the brief minutes between house and car, it already felt like I was coated in the stuff.

Not pleasant.

Hopefully, the others have had nicer weather.

Charlie likes to roll all over the floor to get my attention.
Needy.
Just kidding, I love her.

Skirt, jacket: Forever 21 | Top: Torrid | Boots: Forever | Sunglasses, earrings: Claire's

And now you should go pay a visit to the others, because I'm sure you're as curious about how they styled their maxi things as I am.

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Breakfast Burritos and Naps

Guess what, guys: it's Monday! Awww yeah. It's marvelous.

Our philosophy is this: Monday is nobody's favourite day of the week, but maybe its terrible reputation is a little undeserved. We're on a mission to make ours (and hopefully yours) a little less awful by dressing marvelously!

This week's theme: something we have trouble styling.

I have a whole bunch of things in my closet and dresser that I don't wear much anymore, unfortunately. Tops, sweaters, leggings. A lot of leggings. I'm really not one for them anymore. But when I pulled out this denim dress, I knew that the leggings would come out of hiding. I have trouble trying to find a way to wear them in a way that I like, and that fits my current aesthetic, and I think it totally worked out.

It's all cause of the boots, man.

This is what I wore to get up way too early to run errands with my mom after my rotten cat woke me up at 3:51 in the morning by climbing on a panel of fabric on my wall. Le sigh.

It was worth it, though—I got a breakfast burrito, and then I came home and took a nap.

This is my spring break, and I'm so okay with that.

Dress: mom | Leggings: WalMart | Jacket: Forever 21 | Boots: Forever | Bag: Charlotte Russe | Sunglasses: Tilly's

Now, go head off to see how the others styled their troublesome items!

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Keep On Rolling

So I'm heading off to Sedona in May, and I'm really looking forward to it. My mom suggested that I bring my pencils and a sketchbook, and I've been trying to find something clever and small to keep my gear in, since my art box won't exactly fit into a suitcase. Space is limited when you travel by plane.

I saw this tutorial, and thought it was super clever. While mine is far (far) lazier than theirs, it's the same basic idea. And it works fantastically!

The really clever bit, though, is that you could absolutely use this for anything. Pencils, makeup brushes, knitting needles, etc., etc., etc.

Here's what you'll need:

• A long piece of cloth. You'll want at least an extra foot or so, so keep that in mind. And seriously, any cloth will work.
• Scissors.
• Something to mark with (if you're doing this for pencils, and you've got your 8B handy, that's absolutely perfect).
• Things to put into it.

Gather your stuff and prepare thyselves. It's actually really easy. And no sewing!

Five Things: 2012

I thought I'd round this year out with five things that have happened to me in 2012. Because I know you care.

Deeply.

1. I did some traveling, and it was amazing. I went to some new places, some old places, and all of it was perfect. I don't think it's a big secret that I am continually under the influence of wanderlust (at the same time, I doubt it's common knowledge on here), and I'm always happy to go somewhere different. Even if it's a museum twenty minutes away, or a national park two days away. I can only hope that I'll get half as many amazing opportunities in 2013!

I love the Arizona desert.

2. I adopted Charlie, who has continued to get bigger and bother/adore Angel and take up all the space on my bed. I'm okay with all of this, though. Even the whole climbing-on-my-clothes thing.

3. I've developed unhealthy attachments to various TV/radio shows and movies, and their collective actors and writers. The list is long, continually growing longer. This is me, regretting nothing:

4. I've made new friends, reconnected with old friends, and continued to make people look at me strangely while in the company of close friends.

Erika, aka Snowflake. Because she is a special 
one.

Casey, aka the Tony Stark to my Bruce Banner (science bros!).

5. I've passed all my classes, enjoyed the company of some amazing classmates, and learned a new skill (o due).

My year has been awesome, and I can only hope that 2013 will continue with that trend. And I hope that everyone else has had an excellent year!

Huzzuh!

Quattordici

This is what I wear when I brave the Christmas Eve Eve (I felt like Phoebe, and it felt good) masses of WalMart.

It's also what I wear when I try to get my cat to come out of a tree because, no, you are not going to catch that bird, you're not as stealthy as you seem to think you are.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: mom

Other stuff:

Bag: Target | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless | Sunglasses: Tilly's
(Go pay Dani and Jess a visit for their 30x30 looks.)

Otto

Today, I turned in my art portfolio and took my final for Italian.

Guys, I got an A in Italian. I'm pretty thrilled.

Anyway, this was an outfit chosen with one of my art friends in mind. See, every time she sees my red shoes and red tights (separately), she always tells me that I ought to pair them together. So I made it a thing (complete with my red heart sunglasses) and made her day.

Finally, cat.

30x30 Items:

Blouse: Torrid | Skirt: Fashion Bug

Other Stuff:

Barrette: Target | Necklace: Fashion Bug | Shoes, bangles: Forever 21 | Watch: gift | Tights: WalMart

On a note I nearly forgot, this outfit makes me feel like I'm in high school again. It's mostly the top and hairstyle, but I feel like they both need a bit of a resurrection. With some of my newer, older, wiser (ha!) tricks. Because I have those. Apparently.

Tre

I got dressed for approximately fifteen minutes. Essentially, it was long enough for me to look at the Christmas lights with my nephew looking on approvingly. I don't even know.

All I do know is that this counts as day three, because there are clothes on me, and they are all part of the list. So it works.

My room is still messy, and I feel like it will continue to be this way until the semester ends. Just seven days left. Seven. I can do this, man!

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: Fashion Bug

Other stuff:

Flats: Payless

Rainy Days are the Best Days

It's scientific fact.

Because it's cold and rainy and I actually have to go out into the world, I'm dressing as warmly as I ever do, minus the tremendous wool coat that I just can't wait to break out.

The green tea makes things warmer and fuzzier and generally 
nicer.

Sweater: Thrifted | Dress (as skirt): eShakti | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless

Now, I'm off to take Charlie to the vet (nothing bad, just a booster shot), assuming my brother is finished playing video games.

No, not assuming.

Hoping.

A lot.

Sigh.

Oh, and before I go: I gave a presentation in my Italian class (on Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara. Google him if you're interested in marine biology) and didn't mess up! Cue proud moment. It was made nicer when the guy immediately after me did a presentation on spaghetti and meatballs, complete with samples on the class. Man, I love Italian.

Cooler Than Fezzes

I've finally christened my bow-tie dress. About time, too.

Also, I wore a cardigan because for some peculiar reason, my Italian class is always at Absolute Zero, and I was fairly determined not to freeze today.

Also of note: I spent two hours (two hours!) drawing a paper curl and I wanted to punch it in its nonexistent face, I enjoyed some jalapeno poppers, and Elementary might be one of my new favourite shows. I do love a good Sherlock Holmes adaptation.

Same room, new angle. You may have noticed the missing poster. 
The one Charlie brought down. On my head. At six in the 
morning. He's lucky he's cute.
Dress: eShakti | Cardigan: WalMart

Both pins are vintage heirlooms.

Got this at some little store in Old Town, San Diego.

Icing by Claire's.

Payless.

Troublemaker and my art box.

Purple and Black

First: I've finally seen the new Doctor Who episode, and I'm just so excited to see more of Oswin.

Second: I'm starting a new project. Today.

You see, a couple years ago, I bought this giant palette from Sephora. It was cheap, considering the brand, the quality, and the sheer amount of stuff. But in two years or so of owning it, I've hardly used it. I've finally decided that I'll change that. What better way to, you know, enforce that than to use it (and only it) for a full week? For the next seven consecutive days, I will be using the Sephora kit, various brushes, and my Rimmel mascara. That's only because I'm not going to use two-year-old mascara. Sorry.

Today, I went for some purple and black to match this skirt. What can I say? I like the combination.

I layered purple and black gel eyeliner, dusted a thin layer of purple eyeshadow, and applied slightly iridescent purple lip gloss. Let it be known now, though, that I'm not the best at applying eye makeup, and the lip gloss didn't have the best payoff, but I'm happy with how it all turned out. Hey, maybe my skills will improve! I can only hope.

Also:

Summer Daze

I'll start off with tonight's outfit, because that's how I roll. I just wore this for Chinese with Casey and my mom. Also, buying more nail polish and lipstick, neither of which I lack. Oh, well, it was cheap.

Top: Ralph Lauren/given by my mom | Skirt: Fashion Bug | Bag: Ross | Shoes: Payless

Now, to cover two days, where we didn't do much but took a lot of pictures regardless.