Time Out

I failed miserably in my blog challenge. I started, then got really busy and failed to see the merit in spending time performing these little tasks I wasn’t that into. Here is a list of things I did not post (and my reasons for not doing so)

1. All your earrings, rings, necklaces and/or bracelets. (do you REALLY want to see that? thought not)
2. Your jewelry box. (it’s fairly boring, and not worth a picture)
3. Something that you only wear around the house. (eh, no. obviously)
4. Something you only wear in the summer. (this is getting lame)
5. An article of clothing/ accessory that you consider lucky. (i have a lucky necklace, but again, lame)
6. Your favourite pair of shoes. (they are all over this blog already!)
7. Shoes you love but hardly wear. (this is a whole post in itself)
8. An mismatched outfit that you’d never wear (go wild: earrings, belts, crazy skirts etc). (huh?!!!)
9. A hat. (see below)
10. An outfit you are ashamed to say you wore. (I only regret the things I didn’t do)
11. Something that is your favourite brand. (I’m on it)
12. Something from your favourite store (I think this means fav high street, and I’l get on it)

*Aside warning* Mostly, I just wasn’t that interested in photographing my rings, showing you rubbish clothes I shlep about my house in, …It’s a bit over-personal and just isn’t my style baby. I had a really interesting chat recently with fellow blogger Alex Donald about blogging and finding the right balance between sharing and maintaining a comfortable level of privacy and indeed integrity. It was really nice to talk to another blogger about these things, and it got me thinking about what level of privacy is best for both blogger AND reader. As in, me putting a picture my fleecy tracksuit bottoms on the internet serves no purpose other than an overshare; if anything, the reader would be better off if I were more private. I don’t think we drew any conclusions, but there is definitely a fine line. Blogging as a genesis demands an intimacy from the writer, as it is a personal thing, but what is too much?

Anyway, aside over. Speaking of hats (no. 9), I lost my hat that I had got to replace a hat that I lost. Basically, as soon as someone mentions Coppers, I lose a hat….I wouldn’t mind, but I didn’t even go this time….

my lovely bowler, last seen on or around my head, somewhere outside Whelas….

Oh, and I got an internship, and a j-o-b, so I have been a busy little bee starting to get myself in ship shape for finally getting myself to London at the end of the summer. WINNING.

That’s that new Sh*t

Yesterday I was too busy to blog. And the day before. Soz. Sooooooooo….right. Wednesday’s challenge was “your latest purchase”. Yesterday’s is “you and someone wearing matching clothes”. I am not going to trawl through facebook to find a pic of a clothes twin, and I am defo not gonna take a new one. Instead, it’s gonna be a bumper “newest purchase” and “newest made” post instead. (Today’s challenge is “an article of clothing you made or altered” – perfect timing!!)

I mentioned a while back that I was going to try dip dye stuff, so I did a lil tank and a shirt – the shirt, being polycotton, didn’t work as well as the tank but I am pleased with the results. I had a bit of a dye disaster earlier in the week, but seeing as I’m an old pro at dealing with dye-lab disasters, I totally sorted it, and the results are no longer blotchy stains! While I was fixing my dye-saster (groan), I rooted through my box of leftover/I-promise-I’l-do-something-with-these-someday fabrics, and tie dyed some jersey. Then I watched some more Breaking Bad…..uhoh….i’m in danger of describing what I had for dinner here…

SYNOPSIS: I made three tops from scratch on Wednesday, customised two, spray painted a pair of shoes and made an apple crumble. You don’t care about the apple crumble, but it sounds impressive.

Dip dye tank. I bought tank ages ago

I make the tie dye. I make the tshirt!

Stripey tank fun. I make this too

It has shirt tail back detail. I have funny face

 

I also went SHOPPING last week. IN A SHOP!!!! I couldn’t even believe it myself, the whole experience was so foreign and surreal, it has been that long. However, the lovely folks at Forever 21 had sent me a giftcard to get something nice, and I did just that. The shop still terrifies me a lil bit, it’s so big – I didn’t do myself any favours by visiting on a Saturday afternoon mind – I am not sure the floor plan shows the stock clearly. I also got the impression that some of the stuff I was admiring on the website wasn’t in store, but I have a feeling that they have targeted a certain Dublin market, so I guess man repeller pants are probably not gonna sell so well.

Nevertheless, I sifted through and soon had my hands full of things I wanted to try on. I settled on a lace-backed tribal-print-front tshirt, and a stripey shirt. I was also taken with another navy long sleeved number, and a red, scalloped edged skirt (that didn’t have my size, sob….note to self – never try on a really teeny size small for the gas. Gas will not be had).

Forever 21 shirt, I couldn’t decide to have it out or in, kinda like it halfsies. Urban Outfitters vintage skirt. Silly face, stylists own.

My face is ACE!

Today’s challenge is a “piece of jewellery that everyone compliments you on”. Easy peasy, my face is the clear winner. Huh? My face necklace that is. I literally can’t wear it anywhere without people remarking on it, and in many cases, start touching my neck/decolletage…erk….

I notice myself doing the same to others. Feature pieces (note i did not use the word statement*) are such a good way to make small talk. I am quick to compliment or converse about a design detail or an amazing piece of jewellery/shoes/bags. It’s like a really visible common ground or something. Despite the fact that I wear strong looks or fierce jewellery, I can be quite shy, so having something I am comfortable talking about with strangers is a definite plus, and far less awkward than being all like, “soooooo………….what music do you like”.

I almost always have a million giant rings (just so we are clear, this is hyperbole. Usually the number is closer to five) and some form of large necklace on me. I recently got asked out by a guy who nicknamed me Don King. I’m pretty sure it’s not a compliment, but stinger for him for asking me out anyway?? So why do I feel the need to be a pasty white girl version of Mr. T? All lion head rings and gigantic necklaces? Or rather, why do I wear attention seeking things, when I really don’t want all the comments and the attention they invariably bring?

Well, I have always been hopelessly naive when I dress. In true man-repelling form, I dress for myself, (and, psychologists and academics would argue, for the approval of my fashion and design loving peers), rather than for attention from the general world. I wear things that I think have interesting design, things that flatter me, or have interesting colour combinations, rather than the traditional messages or signals that they might send. However, to the rest of the world, I dress loud. To them, I dress for attention, which is not the case, but short of wearing a sign around my neck, there is no way of other people knowing this. An acute example of this is my red disco pants, which I can’t wear without being literally heckled by lads all the way down the street….Who knew shiny red trousers were controversial? I thought they were just a big of fun…..But let’s be honest, I’d rather fend off a few unwanted remarks than wear crappy clothes, am I right?

So without further ado, or indeed analysis of cultural meaning, here is my face necklace. And my face. And my buddy Christine’s face. Taken on my Lego camera a while back.

*AND ANOTHER THING…..I don’t know if I have mentioned this before, but DEAR GOD….magazine world, pleeeeease, please please STOP referring to large or outlandish things as “statement pieces”. What statement? Seriously? A statement piece implies there is some very lucid reason for wearing that particular thing, to convey a message, it implies that you are saying something. If the only thing you wish to say is that you have a most unusual piece of jewellery or fashion that you would like others to admire, then it is a FEATURE. Jeeeeez.

Thanks for Calling!

Today’s challenge is a piece of jewellery that a grandparent gave you. I am not doing it, because some things are private, and my grandparents and their gifts are off limits!! I will tell you however, that the three of them I had the privilege to know were (and one of them still is) inspiring, amazing people. My grandparents have taught me, by example, so many things that are ingrained in my personality; a sense of mischief, a love of clothes, craft and the benefits of studying hard (and playing hard too!). My nana, for example, always finishes phone conversations with “thanks for calling”. It’s such a small thing, but it shows a warmth and respect that is so often lacking in our times.

So, instead of the jewellery, here are some pretty impressive images from two photographers I quite admire, Zoe Zimmer, and Tom Blachford.

Tom Blachford

Tom Blachford

Tom Blachford

Zoe Zimmer

Zoe Zimmer

Zoe Zimmer

images via behance.net and Dazeddigital

7 Days and 1 week….late!

Second time I am late on this challenge….My blog my rules!! Day 7′s challenge was “a cute outfit of yours”. Honestly though, I would rather show you several cute outfits from Givenchy’s Resort collection? Have you SEEN IT? Swooon. Divine prints, and glorious shapes. Oh Ricardo. How badly I want to work for you. And, clearly, win the lotto and wear all the clothes! Also, Preen’s collection was printy-licious.

Part of the reason I was so reticent to post a Cute Outfit is because I don’t do cute. I do fun, I do functional, I do short skirts and I do lace, but cute is not really part of my repertoire. I’m not entirely sure how to define it, but I know that I am not it. I suppose cute has connotations of being friendly, non-threatening, diminutive. It’s hard to be tall and diminutive. Even as a kid, I felt weird when my mum dressed me up all cute.

But nevertheless, here is my interpretation of a cute outfit.

Then, yesterday’s picture was supposed to be my most expensive article of clothing….The most expensive thing I own (or rather bought full price) is my Christian Dior saddle bag, that I am patiently waiting to be old enough to wear again…but that’s another matter. The thing in my wardrobe that has the highest RRP are probably my Nicholas Kirkwood shoes. And really, I look for any excuse to talk about them. WOWOWOWOWOW. THEY ARE HOT. The heeeeel. The architecture in his shoes. They are so high, like so so high, they can only be worn in small amounts (I’m not normally bad at heels, so that lets you know). Still tho. Totally worth it.

Nicholas Kirkwood baby!

Then TODAY’S photo is supposed to be a cute skirt/dress. What’s the story with these people’s obsession with cute?!! It’s almost as bad as NICE, which everyone knows is the blandest compliment you can give. Instead I’m going to show you some of Givenchy’s Resort 2012 dresses, because they are TOO CUTE, LOLZ BBZ (in normal speak, that means they are out of this world amazing).

Givenchy Resort 2012

A pair of pants that aren’t jeans

Day 6….

I am already beginning to regret committing to this, as it turns out that my “free time” is actually already booked up with a bunch of really time consuming things! However, in a very busy way, I am really enjoying getting back into blogging, and thinking and writing – and of course, I hope you are too!!

So, day 6, a pair of pants that aren’t jeans. Now you’re talking! Where I lack in jeans, I make up in slacks. How cool…….ahem. I mentioned yesterday how jeans shopping makes me sad. Slacks shopping is a far more therapeutic exercise, as modern trousers tend to have plenty of darts and other tailoring features meaning they cut a leaner figure. WIN.

And then there are Disco Pants. These lil babies came into my life when I started working in American Apparel. Let’s be clear about this, they are not leggings. They are not jeggings. They are shiny, skin tight, Sandra Dee trousers. I was terrified when I first tried them on, but there is something in the fabric that does wonders with your bum. If you don’t believe me, try it out for yourself! Disco pants are great for slouchy days, with an oversize top and a pair of easy shoes. They are great for nights out, with a fancy top and big heels. So much so that I own three pairs of them!  I’m not a skinny malink, but they are flattering on pretty much everybody. If you are curvy, they make your curves look like BAM! If you are straight up and down, they make your legs look ridiculously long and ridey. So, what else do you need to know? Not much. And, as per my blog challenge, here is me in my favourite Disco Pants – black, of course!

disco pants: American Apparel, shirt: Primark, shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood

Day 5 – Dilemma

I have a confession to make. I don’t really own any jeans. Which is odd, because I own plenty of denim. And multiples of most things. But really, I have 2 pairs of jeans that I wear with any sort of frequency. Which should make day 5′s challenge of “favourite pair of jeans” really easy. But instead, it has just made me aware of the fact that I don’t have a decent pair of jeans…

My first pair of jeans are an old battered pair of skinny’s that I got in Urban Outfitters years ago on sale. They have long since been relegated to when-everything-else-is-in-the-wash wear, and more recently, even further down the pecking order to print-day wear (read: ink & pigment stains all over them). Yes they are comfortable. No they are not favourites. NEXT…..

My second pair of jeans are my MOM jeans. I got them in a charity shop in Dalston for £2.50. Not bad for a pretty pristine pair of Paul Smiths. So far so good. They are really baggy, which I like. But I feel like I’m not really skinny enough to pull that whole super-baggy-mom/boyfriend-jeans thing off. In my head I’m going for that easy chic, masculine tailoring with a twist thing, but really I just look like a messy mess with wonky jeans. So I don’t really wear them out that much. Thus they are not my favourite either?

So, I guess it’s time I got a new pair of jeans? I have a voucher for Forever 21 so there are a few on the website I might indulge in…..And then of course, there’s Acne (droooooooool)…….Someone buy me some Acne, please?

Acne Jeans, nom nom nom

 

Slightly drop crotch Acne Jeans. I wish these would look good on me....

 

This is what I think I look like when I wear my mom Jeans. I don't.

 

I might buy these lil Forever 21 numbers?

 

Or maybe these? Again, Forever 21....

images via acnestudios.com, asos.com and forever21.com

Also, I would just like to point out how truly PAINFUL jeans shopping is!! Once you find the right pair it’s like meeting your soulmate, but man, what an ordeal. I recently made the mistake of half-looking for a new pair, and it properly ruined my weekend. Trying on a pair of jeans for the hell of it is a surefire way to make yourself feel truly crappy. Big calves and skinny jeans = tears. Bums and jeans = tears. Thighs and jeans = bucketloads of tears. Try on a baggy pair to cover the above up, look like a whale. Try find the right pair of skinny’s, minefield. No wonder I don’t have any jeans! Maybe I should hold off on the next reconnaissance mission until I’ve eaten a few more salads….

Day 4

Ok, so today I’m supposed to post a photo of “a shirt I haven’t worn”….SO….considering that I have worn all my clothes a million times, that’s not going to work. So here is a picture of a shirt that I have not worn…yet, haha. It’s Theyskens’ Theory, Resort 2012. I love the ombre effect, I am planning on dip dying some of my shirts to get the same effect this week (will post the results if they turn out well).

Theyskens' Theory Resort 2012

image via Style.com

I also love the blazer, looks rad! And check out the runway, I can’t figure out if it’s outside or just the lighting, but it’s super cool! Ok, well I’m going to get ready for djing tonight, if anyone is around I shall be spinning hip hop chewwwwns in the Chocolate Bar, Crawdaddy from 11. Come say hi!

x

Day 2 – The Shirt….And Day 3, oops….

What makes a “Favourite” shirt? Is it the one you have had fondest memories in? Or the one that looks best on you? Does one lead to the other?! Is your favourite actually that one from yeeeeaaarrrrrsss ago, that you don’t wear really anymore but just looking at it brings back a warm fuzzy feeling. Emotional attachments to clothes aside though, picking a favourite anything is difficult. Perhaps it’s just because I am hopelessly indecisive, but I find it very difficult to pick one thing whose characteristics are head and shoulders above the rest. With my shirts for example, while one might have better shoulders, the other might have a better drape, and yet another the best collar. Also, does the person who wrote the challenge mean “shirt” as in the American way of saying it, basically meaning all tops, in which case I am well and truly up the swanny!! AAAAH!

So for today, I need to show you my favourite shirt. So, do we talk about my trusty favourite, the ubiquitous denim? Or my true fav, the sheer blouse? I currently own 6 sheer blouses. Which might seem excessive, but when you break it down by colour, shape and texture, it’s really not, ok?!!

For me, shirts serve a funny purpose in my wardrobe. I use my sheer ones as a way of being…well, covered but not covered. I like the notion of having a full shape around you, but it being sheer, so really it’s not so much a blanket or a cover. Perhaps it’s a look but don’t touch message, as opposed to just having bare skin, but I’m on the verge of getting very deep here, and that could get lengthy. My denim shirts and oversize dress shirts (I have four tuxedo shirts…I have a problem) are throwovers, things to pull on over an outfit. I wish I was better at integrating middle layers into outfit plans, but alas….I’m not. Either way, my denim shirts are functional, and comfortable, which make me a more functional and comfortable person (it makes sense in my head – I guess it’s like, I tackle challenges easier, walk quicker, am not afraid to do things, etc). While you should never let the clothes wear you, I definitely feel like I choose clothes to emphasise certain characteristics – on a most basic level, short skirt on a night out type thing.

So here’s my first outfit post in nearly 2 months….time flies! I have been kinda nervous to do one the last few days, it’s like I have forgotten how to do them or something…..stand in front of camera, do that blogger half smile, how hard can it be….heh….This is my favourite shirt. I stole it from my mum years ago, and it’s still going strong! So. Day two, my favourite shirt.

Shirt: vintage, Skirt: Pennys, Shoes: Office, Necklace & rings: gifts

P.S. Only a day in and I’m falling behind, not a good sign!! In my defense, real world stuff (aka window mounting samples for the exhibition tonight) came up and I was too busy to take the actual picture. So, instead, here is a bumper day two and three rolled into one. Day 3 = jewellery a friend bought you, and my friends have bought me all the jewellery I am wearing, aren’t they nice! Also, I ditched the blogger pose, I feel weird doing it. Having a bit of a laugh is far more my style!

30 Days….

I half-said on my tumblr a while back that I would undertake this 30 day blog challenge that I came across, as soon as I had time. Well, now that I have it, I feel like it will be a good way to get my creative blogging juices flowing again. Here’s the deal….

30 day clothes and accessories challenge POST A PICTURE OF….

1. Your closet.
2. Your favourite shirt.
3. A piece of clothing or jewelry that was a gift
4. A shirt that you haven’t worn yet.
5. Your favourite pair of jeans.
6. A pair of pants that aren’t jeans.
7. A cute outfit of yours.
8. Your most expensive article of clothing.
9. A cute dress/ skirt.
10. An outfit you wore on a special day.
11. A piece of jewelry that a Grandparent gave you.
12. A piece of jewelry that everyone complements you on.
13. An outfit you wish you had.
14. Cute socks.
15. Your newest purchase.
16. You and someone wearing matching clothes.
17. An article of clothing that you made or altered.
18. A piece of jewelry that you made.
19. All your earrings, rings, necklaces and/or bracelets.
20. Your jewelry box.
21. Something that you only wear around the house.
22. Something you only wear in the summer.
23. An article of clothing/ accessory that you consider lucky.
24. Your favourite pair of shoes.
25. Shoes you love but hardly wear.
26. An mismatched outfit that you’d never wear (go wild: earrings, belts, crazy skirts etc).
27. A hat.
28. An outfit you are ashamed to say you wore.
29. Something that is your favourite brand.
30. Something from your favourite store

So, it seems easy enough, apart from 28, because I’m not really ashamed of anything I have ever worn, really. But no matter, we shall cross that bridge in four weeks, ha!

Here is my closet. From yesterday. Before I started my big post-college clear out. Yes. I am a pig. I know this.

don't judge me, I had other priorities

 

And here is a picture of what it looks like today, post-clear out. I am going to do an even better clear out soon, before I move to London town. I have so many clothes that I love but never wear, I’m thinking it might be time to put them up on eBay?

 

things, on hangers. better.

 

Listening to Beaty Heart. They are good. Have a listen.