Friday, November 27, 2009

Summer outtakes in Black and White

I have recently been reading The Photodiarist who takes lovely pictures and uses Black and White as the medium for the main blog (there is also a colored photo blog).  I was inspired to go through some of my photos that didn't make it to the blog and turn them in to Black and White.  For some reason Black and White photos are so appealing to my eye.  I don't know if it's because they invoke a vintage feel but I think that might be it for me. To see more pictures of my kitty check out my kitty blog "Angel Cat Sam".


This was taken on top of twin peaks over looking the city
Shirt and Jacket-vintage
Raw silk scarf-gift from BF's mom
Jeans-Overdyed DIY from Ross
Glasses-HnM


Taken in the car at twin peaks this and the top photo by D.H



This was taken by me in my house, my friend was visiting with her dog and my cat wouldn't let her out of his sight.  Lucy and Sam on the right


Taken by Willow at baker beach
Lace cardigan-Vintage Gunne Sax
Dress-Vintage altered by me
Slip-Overdyed by me
Shoes-Vintage Mexican sandals


Taken by me at Baker beach.  We saw dolphins and many other sea creatures this day, it was magical.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

One of my fave Etsy sellers

I ♡ Angie from "I heart Norwegian wood".  I have a pair of her leggings and they are one of my favorite things to wear. Every time I wear them I get complements.  This little video is so cute, check it out!  Angie recently did a collaboration with Topshop, she is going places, keep an eye on this talented gal.





These are the pair I ordered, made with vintage fabric.

Worn with
Tunic-Anthropology
Belt-Vintage
Shoes-Jessica Simpson








Thursday, November 19, 2009

Say Hi to Goodbye

I have been reading  Daul Kim's blog on and off for a while and was stunned to hear that she had left us.  I send my love to her family and friends and everyone who was touched by her and her art.



photo by Cecile Bortoletti

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Quick outfit shot!

I went to the thrift store today to try to find some cute holiday decor but there wasn't anything great for the holidays.    However,  I found some other amazing things including a Diane Von Furstenberg dress for 7.99$  It fits perfect and is the perfect gray and black combo for work.  I also found a great wooden box and lamp at another store I stopped in on the way home. I am a fan of unique, foreign and tribal looking things for my living room so the box and lamp are a perfect fit right next to the cozy, big pile of pillows on the floor for lounging. 

Outfit details
Dress-vintage (cropped it about 6 inches)
Velvet blazer-vintage (I added the vintage button too)
Mini belt-vintage
Tights-Marshals
Boots-Etsy, vintage
Feather earrings-DIY



One of the best finds recently the DVF dress for 7.99$


The cool Moroccan style lamp and wooden box used as a side table for the futon/pillow pile.  I still need to get a proper lame shade but for now I put the metal thing (on top) that I also found at the thrift store today.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

DIY tote

I found this amazing vintage fabric a few weeks ago at community thrift, one of my favorite thrift stores in San Francisco.  I was going to try to make a dress with it but then this design popped into my head a couple days ago.  I decided to execute it today and share it with you.  The holidays are approaching and  this is a great gift idea/project for those of us that are short on funds (isn't everyone these days) but have time and sewing skills.  I suggest using a strong cotton type fabric for this design.  You could use scraps and sew them together as well.  You can click on the photos for more detail.



Here is the design, I folded the fabric in half so the bottom did not need to be sewn.  The bow is a bit hard to see in this photo so see the details below.


The basic shape of the tote


The extra piece for the bow detail, make sure it is wider than the bag piece. Hem the sides of the bow piece.


To make the bow sew a small piece of the fabric together around the middle.  It can me movable but make sure it is tight enough to stay in place well.


Next, sew the bow to the front piece of the bag, then turn inside out and sew the sides together.  If you are confident you can just pin the bow to one side and sew it together all at once.


Sew part of the sides of the bow down (only to the pin shown) to the front of the bag so it doesn't sag.  And then the attach the straps.  The straps were made by using a piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and ironing both sides down and then folding it in half.  You can also see the tote I used as a guide in the back ground here.  Everyone has one so I would suggest using one that you like the size of and tracing it for the pattern.




Monday, November 16, 2009

R.I.P a bit of my childhood Ken Ober

I was so obsessed with MTV when I was younger, you know back when it was actually mostly videos. It was the coolest new thing to come along during my childhood and I would sit and watch it for hours. At that time I was living in Portland, OR in a beautiful, old, large home.  
Watching MTV is still one of my most lucid memories in that house. The other being the
night a piece of jewelry disappeared, never to be seen again. Then our Christmas tree fell over in the middle of the night too. I swear that house was haunted. Ken Ober was a fixture on 
MTV at this time and I am sad to hear he has passed on. I'm not sure why yet but I will update
when I find out. :( Something is wrong with the font layout right now so sorry its all jacked up, I have tried to fix it to no avail.


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Modern Art

The Sf MOMA is having a Richard Avadon exhibit right now.  We finally went to go see it today.  Seeing his photos up close and personal was a amazing experience.   Most of his art is simple but striking which allows the personality of the subjects to really shine through.  In addition to the R.A. exhibit we checked out the rest of the museum which was really neat.  There were lots of very simple art which most times I can't get into.  A huge painting of a all grey canvas does not speak to me at all.  I guess I am more into the art that seems like it takes a special talent and creativity to come up with.

I really liked the outfit I choose today, it was sort of a accidental, magical pairing.  I put on my dress, tights, shoes and as I was finishing up the mending of my vintage kimono I tried it on to make sure I had sewn the sleeve back on correctly and it somehow looked perfect with the rest of my outfit.  This is the same kimono I got a couple months ago and am in love with.  I hadn't been wearing it because it was in need of repair.  I am so glad I got a chance to fix it today which lead to it perfectly complementing the outfit I had already chosen to wear.  I love happy accidents.

Outfit details

Dress-Vintage
Tights-Marshals ?
Belt-Vintage (new this week)
Necklace-New DIY (Pretty Pirate Designs)
Boots-Vintage
Kimono-Vintage
Bag-Marshals
Eye Glasses-Vintage from Grandma H



The Ceiling of the SF MOMA


The cutest little mini, embroidered hippie shirt


Not quite sure about this piece, it was made from lead, scary


Close up of the necklace I made out of a vintage belt that was my moms

Friday, November 13, 2009

My new (old) glasses

I am one of those people who has been dreaming of having glasses my whole life.  Until this month my eyes were never bad enough.  This being said, my eyes are still not really bad per say but they are bad enough that the insurance will pay for glasses now.  I always knew I wanted to use these frames that were my grandmothers.  So here I am new glasses and all.  I am in love with them.  These are my favorite of the two pairs that I have from my grandmother.  The other pair is smaller and pinkish/silver.  These seem to suit my face better so now I can see a tini bit better.  



Thursday, November 12, 2009

400+


I just realized I passed my 400th post, wow.  I can't believe it's been so long!  Thanks to everyone for sticking with me and reading all this crazy talk!  I started this blog thinking I had this great/unique idea to start a fashion blog, can you believe I thought I was the only one.  Wow, was I naive or what.  Since then I have had the pleasure of corresponding with so many sweet ladies and gents via this amazing thing we call the interwebs. I also realize I am a little fish in a huge pond.   I am a social person in real life so being able to extend that into many parts of the world has been a great experience.  I truly have enjoyed blogging and have finally given up trying to be a famous/popular blogger.  I am much to old for that.  :)  I believe blogging is just another extension of my creativity and something that I enjoy no matter how many people are reading.  I love to share things with all you and I hope you all have gotten something out of my ramblings.  Thanks so much for reading this little project of mine, I am well aware that I am not the best writer.  In fact english/writing was my least favorite subject in school.  I do feel like writing this blog has greatly improved my terrible writing skills.  So now I leave you a few of my favorite old outfit photos and DIY's  that you might not have seen if you are new!  :)


I love this outfit, I don't often wear heels but this was really fun.  Taken on my back porch!

Dress-vintage altered
Scarf-Multiculti in SF
Leggings-AA
Shoes-Thrifted
Socks-Marshals



It's no secret I love cream and lace, here is a great example of that.  Taken in my hallway.
Vest-Vintage and thrfited
Dress-Buffalo excange
Belt-Etsy
Purse-Thrifted (sold to someone in Japan via my Etsy)
Necklace-Found on street in giveaway box
Shoes-70 hand tooled vintage and thrifted



Pretty sure this is my fave all time outfit on the blog at least.
Lace blouse-Thrifted vintage
Sweater coat-thrifted (I have been wearing this non stop lately)
Shorts-thrifted
Belt-Etsy (fave one ever)
Tights-Marshals
Boots-Etsy



This was one of my first outfit posts, I think the combo is really sweet.
Shirt-Buffalo exchange originally F21
Belt-vintage thrifted
Shirt-Thrifted
Socks-Somewhere in Seattle
Shoes-Thrifted


Diy Dress (Pretty Pirate Designs), it is now a shirt.  I love the big bow on this one.


DIY tights

Dry Shampoo Review

I just left a long comment for Sally Jane about dry shampoos so I figured I might as well do a proper review of these products.  These are the only ones I have tried so far.  I have heard good things about the bumble and bumble powders as well but haven't tried them yet.   Here are my two cents on the ones I have tried.




Here is what Sephora says about this one.......

Naturia Dry Shampoo
Perfect for the gym bag, long flights, camping, office drawer, maintaining your hairstyle, or avoiding frequent shampooing, Naturia Dry Shampoo cleanses hair in minutes leaving it light, luminous, and perfectly healthy, without using water.

This unique formula instantly absorbs impurities and oil on the hair and scalp with a patented formula containing kaolin clay, silica, rice, and cornstarch powders for antistatic and antisebum action as well as the high absorption power of essential oils of peppermint, caraway, and basil to soften hair.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- Triclosan

And I say.....

This is the first dry shampoo I ever used, it changed my life.  I loved how it worked.  It managed to take my oily fringe and make it seem freshly washed with the natural volume back.  The only problem I had with this product was the smell.  After I would apply it I felt like my hair was emanating a really weird smell.  Otherwise I liked how it worked and it turned me on to something amazing.....Dry Shampoo.


Here is what Sally's has to say.......

Beautiful delicate fragrance
Instantly leaves hair feeling clean
Quick & convenient to use
Made in England

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo with a beautifully delicate fragrance, revitalizes greasy, dull, and lifeless hair between washes. Instantly leaves your hair feeling clean, full of body, and smelling amazing! Made with rice starch.

I have to say.......

I really liked this one, the smell was right up my alley. It didn't seem to clog up my scalp pores or leave a weird buildup.   This particular brand has a few different smell options but this is the only one I have tried.  They were founded in the 70's and after just peeping their facebook page, it looks like they are being revamped to keep up with all the new hype surrounding dry shampoos.  I noticed they had a new one for brunettes which would be amazing because with all these products the white powder like consistency can look a little strange on dark hair or even red like mine.  To avoid this I always spray it underneath the part.  This product is a great value for the price and I liked the smell the best out of the three I have tried.


What Tigi has to say...........

The secret is you don’t have to shampoo everyday! Spray at roots to absorb excess oils, make hair smell fresh and keep it rockin’ one more night. This stuff is so funktabulous!

To Use: Shake can well. Spray throughout hair to absorb oil and odor or just at the roots for volume and texture. Wait a minute, then brush or work lightly into hair.

The Lowdown:

Less frequent shampooing saves hair from heat styling damage and colour loss.
Unbelievable texture is perfect for big hair or updos.
Near colorless formula won’t show on your clothes or pillowcase!

What I have to say.......

As a professional hair stylist and colorist I have used tons of products by TiGI and have received advanced training in their rock star hair cuts and colors.  I love the company for their creativity.   I apprenticed with a Italian hair dresser who started working with this companies founders in the 70's.  I am not in love with their products but some of them are amazing like Manipulator and After party.  This particular one fell a little short for me.  I really felt like it was clogging my scalp pores.  It felt really weird on my scalp.  The smell is like orange citrusy freshness, it's nice.  I have a whole bottle to use up so I might change my mind about this one, but In my opinion the second product is the best value for price and the way it did it's job!


Please feel free to weigh in with what you have tried and like/dislike!  Thanks!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Stepping back in time, a blast from the past

Here is a little peek into our spare bedroom where I do all my crafts, sewing, haircuts for friends as well as my self taken outfit pictures.  I am obsessed with vintage hats, dresses, shoes and decor.  Most of the things you see are handed down from my lovely grandparents.  By making the photos black and white, I feel like it really takes me and hopefully you back to the days of old. 

My dresser
Small pictures on the wall are both old sheet music from my Grandma H, I have so many more of these and they are all beautiful.
The larger sheet in the middle is a piece of wrapping paper that my Grandmother M had, I believe it's a reproduction from the 1980's
Large leather Suitcase-My grandfather H brought over when he came to the states in 1930's from Hungry
Vintage leather
 doctor bag-Etsy




Misc vintage hats-from Grandma H mostly
Vintage dolls-From Grandma M, who was a collector of dolls, the smallest one is from the 20's (it's a pin cushion doll from germany)  The other two are most likely 40's-50's
Beaded purses-from Grandma H

A closer view :)

Details of todays outfit
Dress-vintage
Coat-Kings Tailor Hong Kong (thrifted in small town in Oregon) I'm not sure if it is vintage but it's really well made.
Necklace-F21 (first run) these are really popular now and also smaller
Boots-Vintage from ebay, I'm in love with them




Sunday, November 8, 2009

I'm a stylist, finally!

This year for halloween I got to help a few friends with costumes.  I loaned out clothing and styled the outfits.  Here are a couple of the costumes I helped created straight from my closet.  I did another one for a Marlin Monroe costume but I didn't get to see her all dressed up, I'll post pictures if I get them.

This is a bavarian type look, on Lisa
White blouse-from last years costume (plain white button up that I altered)
Pakistani vest-Vintage
Booty shorts-from a costume I wore years ago
Boots-Vintage 60's from Red Light in Seattle
Belt-Vintage 80s



A vampish vintage look on Kristy
Hat-vintage
Wig-old costume
Boa-thrifted
Faux leopard wrap-Vintage
Vintage Crinoline-Gift from a sweet male coworker in Seattle
Shoes-Vintage
Tights-Models own


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Día de los Muertos

The day of the dead celebration in San Francisco is my favorite event I've attended here thus far.   People are so festive and decked out.   What a beautiful way to celebrate all our loved ones who have passed on.  The altars people made were stunning.  My friend Eliza made one for her step father who was a falconer and passed away many years ago.  If you live in the area and haven't been to this event I highly recommend you go next year, it's stunning.  Sorry some of the pictures are blurry, my camera died after the parade so all the pictures of the altars and party in the park are with my Iphone.


Eliza and I (I made my headdress yesterday for the event and wore one of my favorite vintage floor length dresses from the 30s.)


Beautiful woman with baby


Drummer boy


Scary lady hidden from the world


Peace NOW


Dancing ghosts


Some of the many notes strung up for loved ones who have passed on.


This altar was so amazing, I wish I had been able to get a better shot


Some of the huge crowd


One of the many bands and music groups playing


Eliza's altar for her stepdad


An altar on the stairs of a house, I think it was all musicians