Ali Moment #451

Mini ... Artist? Maybe?

Ali Moment #451:

Me: "Aww you gave Keith (Victoria's boyfriend) a banana with his lunch? That is so cute! I bet he throws it away and just eats the good stuff though.

Victoria: "He better not! Money doesn't grow on trees!!!"

Me: "Neither do bananas." ..... "Wait..."

I'll admit it, I have what my family/peers call "Ali Moments"; a lack of common sense for a hot second. JUST for a hot second. I promise I'm brilliant every other second of the day. Promise. At least I have the gift of making people laugh without really trying. It's more like when kid's say the darndest things ... the kid thinks what he/she's saying is legit, but in real life, it's totally backwards. 

Yes, my loves, today's blogging sesh is cut short. This little lady needs her beauty sleep. (I feel like all I talk about in my blog lately is sleep, ironically, I don't get any.)

Welcome To Seattle.

It's a beautiful day in Seattle. Wait ... no? We're still in Jersey? 

You could have fooled me ...

It may seem ridiculous to wear a knit hat in the "summer time", but this weather has been so depressing, I feel as depressed as I usually get in the winter time. Just be happy that I'm not sporting my snowsuit and fancy mittens, because trust me, it definitely crossed my mind.

Just when I thought this rain was over, at about 9pm tonight, I hear a wooshing sound outside my double windows. Imagining to look outside and see trees swaying erratically, due to the high wind forces outside, of course, I peered through my blinds to see what we've only seen 22 days of this month. Rain. Did we do something wrong? Or is the earth just really thirsty. Maybe we can arrange for the skies to open up and rain some Gatorade instead, you know, just get this whole "earth dehydration" thing over with. 

Today was a day full of way too much stuff. And I'm only talking about my actual paying job. We had our first huge, enormous, way too serious, with tension so thick in the air, you were scared to sneeze or someone might fire you on the spot, visit. (Since Macy's had changed from a Macy's with regions, to merged districts about two months ago.) I am a Visual Merchandiser for Macy's. That means that I make stuff look good, I wrestle mannequins and change them on a daily basis, I create the entire setting for events, I climb 20 foot ladders with a drill in one hand, and a heavy object in another - risking my life on a daily basis, I can even reupholster a chair or make you an entire "fake" outdoor patio setting, complete with brick and pebble flooring, hanging lamps that actually light, and a floral arrangement that Martha Stewart would be proud of. I wear many hats as a Visual Merchandiser. I'm forced to be Ty Pennington, Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, and Bob Vila on a daily basis. Literally. There are only four people for my entire three story store, so the workload is a heavy one. Now, today's visit was specifically for us four visual merchandisers. A clan of people in head to toe black suits/black ultra trendy yet still professional outfits, spent an entire 8am to 6pm day in my store, critiquing, criticizing, applauding and praising every architecturally correct floor-gridding planogram, to every little pin in each mannequin. With all these black suit gangs and all of this thick tension following them, you expected Obama to be trailing behind them with two inhumanly large bodyguards en tow. 

Needless to say, the visit went phenomenal. Which is surprising, because our district boss is the most anal human being on earth. I swear, his eyes are actual levels. He pointed something out that was "crooked". "It's an eigth of an inch off." 'He is insane', I thought to myself. Swearing up and down that it wasn't, I just had to measure it for myself. Needless to say, the little freak was right. I bet he combs the tassels on his curtains every night before bed. 

I've been up since 5am for for last two days, with not much sleep for about two weeks now. So as you can imagine, I am about to drop! Think of me tomorrow as I'm cleaning scuff marks off of mannequins' toes. Although I mean that as sarcasm, it sadly is probably the truth.

Toodles!

No Repose To The Revelry

NEVER!

Yes, I am completely aware that I have been completely separated from my blog. My dearest apologies.

Life has been an insane, crazy, but still very lovely ride. Although I hate excuses, I have perfectly valid ones for not being the perfect blogger.

My social butterfly wings finally grew back after being clipped due to a lack of life, due to an increasingly insane amount of work. You know what's funny, actually ... I have more work than I've ever had in my life: From my actual career, to starting this company, to working for my church, but all the while, I've never had so much fun in my entire life. Life is really really great right now. I wouldn't trade this in for a single thing. I've finally began hanging out with some true, solid friends, all while making new ones in the process. I'm surrounded by a really amazing group of people, I have huge supporters, and my life has never been so incredible. I really just love what life is bringing me. I thank God every day for what He has put me through. I knew it was all for a reason, and this is just the beginning of that reason. This is only the sneak preview. Grab your popcorn and soda, this is going to be one crazy show.

If I can choose one word to fit my past couple of weeks, that word would have to be revelry. I'm sorry, but I was born for places or events that embraces my loud, obnoxious behavior. I'm probably having too much fun for my own good. I'm way too much fun to fit into this little five foot two frame of mine. There IS a reason I'm so loud and jumpy, you know. I gotta release it somehow.

Although I know it's probably going to be forced upon me soon, I have no near future intentions of slowing down. I probably should take it down a notch and repose every couple of days. Why slow down when you're chuggin' along? I swear, I'm some sort of robot. I just keep going. Seven days straight of four hour nights of sleep, and I have enough energy to wrestle an alligator. 

I should probably thank coffee makers and Starbucks Double Shots for that though. I know I didn't do that all on my own.

Well, kids. The usual update is here:

The dress for the Prim Suspect launch is coming along. It's taking me a LOT longer than I had planned, simply for the fact that I can not choose a freakin' design. I have 50% of it done, but the kabillion ideas I have in my head are totally distracting me from finishing it. I just can't decide how I want to finish it. Maybe you'll get a sneak peek picture soon. MAYBE. 

SO many meetings and errands and fun/not-so-fun things to do for the company. Even during the not-so-fun things, I'm in love with this company.

As for my musical update, I am now completely obsessed with the band Phoenix. Introduced to me by a friend who just knew that I would be super into this band, he was totally right. He knows my taste of music, dead on. Props to him! It's music that totally keeps up with my energy flow. In fact, if you listen to any of their songs, the way their music sounds is how I feel on a daily basis with all of this energy buzzing through me. The combination of the two is lethal for me.

I had this brilliant idea for a new art project for myself. I'm going to have to just do it and post a picture of it. If I tried to explain it to you, you might call a Mental Health Hopsital and have me admitted. Seriously. 

Sadly, today is father's day (Happy Padre Day, DAD!), as well as the unfortunate event of the third year anniversary that my Pop Pop had passed. I miss him. A lot. 

Hope you're all enjoy this not-so-summery summer!

Toodles!

Big Fashion News!

Rachel Roy for Macy's.

Can I freak out now, or later?

WHOA. News!

Jimmy Choo will launch a handbag & shoe line in H&M this November? Is the apocalypse right around the corner or something ... because this news is absolutely nothing to joke about with a fashion lover like myself.

THEN ...

I received an email at work today that Rachel Roy will be designing for Macy's! Only eight stores will be receiving her line. One of those stores, is MINE! AHHHH!!!! I can just DIE. 

Looks like I'll have to save up a little (a lot) extra cash to spend on some ridiculous pieces to add to my bustin-out-of-my-two-closet wardrobe. The last time I can remember being this excited, was when I found a $375 Ellen Tracy raw silk and mesh mini dress for $38. I could have like, ran the streets naked out of pure excitement with a find like that. 

Now that I've gotten that out of my system ...

Life has been super hectic and insanely crazy, with consecutive nights of sleepless to 4 hours of sleep per night. I wouldn't have it any other way. I would never stay up past 10:00pm doing something for my "corporate" job. But you can find me draping a dress simultaneously with the sun's rising at 5am. I love this stuff. It's in my bones. In fact, I'm staring at a newly, 1/4 constructed dress on my dress form and it is seriously annoying me. I just want it to be done and fabulous and on some super lucky chick already. That day is going to blow my mind. I'm going to have to set that girl up with a full fledged photo shoot for my own pleasure one day. There is nothing more incredible that watching someone feel confident in your outfit. Nothing. Not even birth. Ok, I'm pushing it. 

Unfortunately, that's all the major news I have for today. It's only 9:30 and I seriously have to get some sleep. I'm beyond tired - you can ask my assistant at work. Poor thing. I was in such weird form today, and she laughed right along with me through it. I think the "I wish I had maracas to play with this song right now" comment totally escalated to new heights of weird, overtired exhaustion. It's ok, she understands. 

Hope you all have a faaaabulous rest of your weeks! 

Toodles!

Drowning In Seas Of Fabric

It's all in your perspective ...

Today was a majorly eventful day.

Work was, well, work. Afterwards, I had a meeting with my partner and our featured/main artist. I could not be more relieved to have this dude on board with us. Already a friend of mine, and an incredibly talented artist, he really gave me a breath of fresh air. It's amazing to have found someone who is just as excited as I am about Prim Suspect. I'm building up to living my dream, and I can't even wrap my head around it.

I've FINALLY begun constructing the launch dress for the line. I have the "bones" of the dress set, it's finalizing the shell that's the hard part. I have so many ideas, and I want to just mesh them all into one dress. I am kind of sold on this one concept that I came up with. I have a feeling that's going to me the winner. It's the best of both worlds, let's just leave it at that. :)

This is not going to me the normal exciting tirade that I usually have for you to read. I apologize. It's midnight and I had less than five hours of sleep last night, I have been nonstop since last monday, and I am in the middle of constructing this dress. I needed a break. I stopped and looked around and realized that the floor of my bedroom was a sea of fabric. That means one of two things: 1. I'm making major progress: don't touch a THING. Or, 2. Help. This was kind of a hybrid of the two. I knew that I was way too tired to start constructing this dress, yet, I just had to at least get the bones of it done. I slave drive myself, if that's even imaginable.

Well, my little loves, it's definitely way past due for bedtime. I'm inching toward delirium. You know things are getting bad when it's only Tuesday, and even coffee has given up on you.

Toodles!

New Info Alert! // Success!

Bridal Shower Flowers!

My sisters and I: Nicole, Stacey, and me!

I was on bow-hat making duty. It, of course, came out beautiful.

Today was a complete success!

Today was my sister Stacey's bridal shower. Surprise bridal shower, which is why you've heard nothing about it. Rumor has it that she reads my blog. And I would be the one to let the cat out of the bag, so I decided to zip it and wait until it's over to finally tell you all about it. She was completely and utterly shocked, which is always amazing when you're planning a surprise party for someone. We had her party at this gorgeous restaurant and everything went perfectly according to plan. I'd say I should be a party planner, but I'd rather stick a fork in my eye. No, really.

So my iChat decided on a whim today that it wasn't going to let me use alipinho@mac.com as my screen name anymore. iChat, YOU are a serious hater. So, I had to put my clever heels on (some people wear "thinking caps", I wear "clever heels". To each their own), and think of something witty to use as a new screen name. Hipster Sister was an option, I mean, it would link everything together. But I decided to leave Hipster Sister for blogging/twittering circumstances only. My new screen name is now ToughLuxe8. I despise screen names with numbers in them, only because I can't ever remember them, not that I really need to, it's just the fact of the matter, but my clever heels were really starting to hurt my feet, and I needed to think fast. So PLEASE, add me to your buddy lists and shoot me an IM, because along with ditching me completely, alipinho@mac.com also left me with not ONE screen name from my buddy list. Kind of disappointing. My screen name totally divorced me. I should have signed a pre-nup. 

Also, I don't know if I told the world this yet, but my email has also changed. It is no longer alipinho@mac.com (we've already established that that screen name/email has been burned), it is now alisonpinho@optonline.net. So please, add that as a contact to your little black books as well.

While at the bridal shower today, I faced the most difficult task of my life thus far. After lunch and after opening gifts, we were all sitting around, chatting and sipping our coffee from our dainty white mugs, when the waitresses walked in with what was, to me, the apocalypse. Out came platter after platter after plater, intricately decorated and piled high with desserts like,  Triple Chocolate Dream Cake, Tiramisu I Love You, and Holy Canoli's. Yes, I gave all of the desserts names as they were being placed on the table in front of me. That's how amazing they looked. Only, I couldn't eat them. Thank you for ruining the best part of life, Celiac Disease ... Tiramisu. I was never really bothered with the whole Celiac's thing. Until this. Not being able to eat those desserts just down right hurt my feelings. I LOVE sweet. That's what I live for. So disappointing.

Well, my trusty little blog readers, who, I love DEARLY. It's off to bed for me! I'm super exhausted and have a nice long week of work to look forward to. I am not excited. Not at all.

Toodles!

Hot Rod

Hot Rod is indefinitely added to my very short list of favorite movies. It it now newly added number four, as of last night.

If my calculations are correct, I'm pretty sure I laughed every 3-5 minutes during the entire movie. The result? A DIY face lift. I swear, my laugh muscles in my face totally injected botox into my face for working so hard.

I'm not sure why I didn't like Hot Rod so much the first time, but I'm totally happy that I got the chance to watch it again. My favorite line ever? "I used to be legit. I was too legit. I was too legit to quit. But now I'm not legit. I'm unlegit. And for that reason, I must quit." Considering the lyrics, "too legit.....too legit to quit..." are constantly playing in my head, I found this funnier than most others probably did. By the way, I TOTALLY knew the taco would kill the grilled cheese. ALWAYS root for the taco.

I spent my Friday/Saturday in Philly with the doods. One of them is practically the love of my life, the second is my friend soul mate. We have everything in common, which is awesome ... considering he's just the guy I'm seeing's roomate, and he just so happens to love The OC (he is seriosuly seth cohen, to a tee. It scares/excites me.), all of my favorite songs, and it twice my size. I mean ... the size thing is just beneficial to me, in case, you know, walking through the streets of Philly gets sketchy or something.

Speaking of Philly, I'm seriously contemplating moving there, as I am also contemplating moving to about 3 other states, and 2 different continents. One day, I'll settle. I hope. I'm going to be that city hopping nomad that gets by on green apples that she finds in the trash, and is still dressed to a T, because she knows all the right things to pick out at Good Will. 

Well, I'm off to see a Grateful Dead cover band play tonight. I have very high hopes for this one. I hope it's as good as I'm imagining it to be in my head!

Toodles!

Three Jobs, Six Technological Ways To Contact Me, & K Ford

Friends, meet Kyle Ford, my new best friend. 

Love your hipster guts.

Wow.

I have been BUSY. I'd love to tell you about this past week, but really, it's all just blurred together at this point. All I can say is, whoever made up the fact that 24 hours should be in a day, obviously had way too much time on their hands and needed to shave some hours off. Way to keep the rest of us "busy folks" in mind, ya jerk.

Today I realized that I work three jobs, and get paid (not nearly enough) for only one of them. I'm a Visual Merchandiser, I just took over the missionary stuff at my church, and I have my clothing line, all of which take up ample time. In fact, I only have enough time to sleep five hours per night. And that's if I actually want to sleep that night. Hello, dark under-eye circles, pale skin, spinning head, and malnourished-because I haven't had time to eat in three days-body. I'm going to be one hot entrepreneur, no?

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally not complaining. In fact, I love being super busy, I'm much more productive that way. Otherwise I'll procrastinate my face off, in hopes that someone else will pick up my slack. Ok, that's not true. Well, at least not entirely. 

Dress Update: ... or lack there of. I have yet to finalize my design for my major dress project. Partially because my head is in twelve other things, and partially because I am so incredibly indecisive when it comes to finalizing something this major. This dress will reflect not only me as a designer, but my company as well. I think that's why I'm overthinking things so hard. I'm going to burn a hole right through my skull with all of this intense thinking. That puts a whole new meaning on "blowing my mind."

As if I haven't already bitten off more than I can chew, I had this brilliant idea for making some extra money, without tacking on job number four. I've been doing some research on how I can catch some freelance fashion writing. If any of you beautiful people know of anything out there, let me know! Help a hipster sister out. I can write my face off, I swear. 

Job Post: Also, if you draw, can do sick graphic design, or happen to be creating a graphic novel, you can be a part of my clothing line! Shoot me an email at primsuspect@gmail.com. Or....get ready for the ridiculous list of technological ways to contact me....

Myspace: www.myspace.com/alipinho

Facebook: Search name: Ali Pinho

Twitter: Hipsterrr

Company Email: primsuspect@gmail.com

Personal Email: alisonpinho@optonline.net

And no ... you can't get my phone number, you stalker.

.......no wonder I can't sleep at night ... my Blackberry is making noises every 5 seconds (almost literally) because of technology advancements. Please, stop.

Toodles!

P.S. - I love my fellow hipster bro, Kyle Ford. Google him. He's amazing. Wow, I actually have a friend that you can google and get legit info about? This is gettin' weiiiiird. Love you, and your fanny pack K Ford!

Hammer Time For Hipsters

This absolutely made my day. Why can't this happen to me in real life ... and I mean dance around in gold hammer pants in public...

kanYe West : Blog : HAMMER PANTS DANCERS CRASH TIGHT PANTS HIPSTER STORE

Dreams.

So this is a total eye opener ...

I had a silly away message up, saying that I was "Tailoring my dress." Which, I was. By the way, it came out insane. I have never owned a better fitting dress than the one I had tailored myself. Seriously. And I'm not just saying that because I tailored it, because I know dang well that the chinese lady at the dry cleaners down the street does a bomb tailoring job. But this, my friends, is a tailoring masterpiece. Anyways, a friend of mine had IMed me saying, "Isn't that what a designer is? A Tailor?" This struck a little cord with me. Yes and no. As a designer, I do things right the first time. You know, taking 1 kabillion measurements of one's body to ensure the perfect fit. This, of course, resolves any present or future take-ins or let-outs. (I'm not responsible for any chocolate, ice cream, or 1am chinese fixes that you might inhabit.) Although I shouldn't ever, I like to compare myself to Vera Wang: "You don't alter Vera to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera." For any of you that know about fashion, clothing - whether it's making your own or finding an insane vintage piece, you can vouch this as truth. Sometimes, you just have to make you work for the clothing, not the clothing work for you.

It is SO weird to hear someone say, "You're works always comes out beautiful." 

Say whaaaaat? It's SO weird to hear that. I mean, I hear people say, "You make really awesome stuff.", or, "You're gonna sell that, right?" Never once have I heard someone call myself, "beautiful". It was ... well ... nice. Designers are so insanely critical of themselves, it's ridiculous. I think it's safe to say that we're almost egotistical, how critical of our work we are. I can make the most perfect looking garment, and it is still not good enough to me. The only want to describe it, is like this ...

Picture your absolute dream that you want to live. Whether it's moving to a gorgeous island, doing exactly what you want to do in life, or doing something that you're 1,000% passionate about. There is no possible way to transfer that dream into a reality. That's what it's like for me. Being a fashion designer with my own company and my own line has been a dream of mine since I was six years old when my grams taught me how to sew pillows for her dolls on her 1920's sewing machine. (which I gratefully inherited) I have images in my head of things that I would die to create and accomplish, it's just not physically possible. What you envision in your heads, is so hard to turn into a reality. It's mind blowing to think that you're right there, creating your dream. You almost don't even want to accomplish what's in your head, because that means that you've reached your goal, and that it's time for another goal. 

I want my goal in life to be long lived. I don't want to have a dream and a vision in my head and just find the solution to topping off that dream. I want to build myself bigger and better than I ever thought I could be. Because nothing is better than coming so close to your own dream, only to force yourself to do better.

Messy Inspiration, Bklyn, and Steam Punk Fawns

They don't call her Hipster Sister for nothin'.

What a lovely weekend. 

I still haven't decided if this weekend has been way too short, or if it was just right. You know, sometimes it just feels like you've had a long weekend, and then you officially hit the, "I never want to go back to work again because I'm in vacation mode", mode. I could totally retire right now. I definitely made that decision while laying by the pool for 4 hours today.

This weekend has been chock full of raging designing madness. Seriously, you should see my bedroom right now. I would take a picture of the intense inspiration that is scattered about my room, but it's actually a bit embarrassing. (That's where all of the creativity was running wild. My sewing room just wasn't havin' it.) There's scraps of fabric scattered literally everywhere. I even found a piece of orange plaid fabric floating in my fish bowl. So sorry Reef. It's terrible. It's a mess. But it's also very inspiring. I've managed to bang out a couple of new pieces. All of which we are using to launch with, so I, unfortunately can not show them to you. Sigh. Soon enough, babies. Soon enough. Lots and lots has been getting done for the line. Things are going at a pace that I haven't expected. How can I describe it, oh, like my line is taking off on jet fuel. I need more than 24 hours to get everything done on a daily basis. I've even been doing work for my line, while at my other job. Needless to say, my boss found my "To Do" list for Prim Suspect, and added to the bottom, "Don't forget about your FIRST job!", and "Keep busy at work!" No offense, boss lady, but that's why I come in an extra half an hour early every single day. Did you think that I woke up at 6am on a daily basis because I find it enjoyable? 

On a really fun note ... My partner works in NY, so he lives here in NJ for part of the week, then in Brooklyn for the other part of the week. We've basically decided that we want Prim Suspect to be based and run out of Brooklyn, makes sense, considering our target customer is Brooklyn itself, basically. So he's being a serious trooper and gathering up a ton of listings for us to find a place to live, in between working. He's an awesome dude. (High five, Rob!) Hopefully we can live in a decent area and start ruling the big BK in no time!

I found a new store that I'm completely and utterly obsessed with, Opening Ceremony. Just drop me off out front and pick me up in 5 hours. I would probably come out looking like I just competed in the Olympics. Gold metal champ, for sure. 

And I'm STILL so so so into Steam Punk. I just can't get over it. And no, I will not apologize. (See Steam Punk deer in above photo.) Maybe it's a little creepy, but I can totally see a twenty first century Bambi coming out of this....

You heard it here first.

BTW: By The Way....

Holy Toledo!!!!

I have hyped up this new Hurley job, and I've never told you the outcome. Gees. I am such a slacker. Actually ... no, I'm just WAY busy!

So, I have decided to not accept the offer with Hurley. Was it an amazing job opportunity? Yes. Would I have been living the best lifestyle ever? Yes. Would I be working a dream job? Yes. Would I have probably met 12 pro surfer future husbands, absolutely. 

I had such a short amount of time (3 weeks, to be exact) from when the job was offered, to when I would have to literally be in my apartment, totally moved in and actually starting work. It was a a tough situation, but I figured, if I'm supposed to be there, it'll work out. Everything worked out amazingly, UNTIL, I had to get a new car in order to work there, and I had to get an apartment down there, the two most vital things that I needed. I couldn't get a new car, it's just not happening right now, and every single email/phone call I made about apartments down there, went in the opposite direction than I had hoped it would go. I was only looking for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, not-so-amazing apartment, when all I was falling into was either "garden apartment", which, apparently, in Virginia Beach, means you own a piece of a garden, or something? (I'm still not totally sure), or a 2 bedroom apartment for way more than I was willing to spend. All I could do was pray about where God wanted me. Clearly, He does not want me in Virginia Beach. 

Do I regret saying no? Kind of. But I am completely, 100% realizing all of the things that I would have been leaving behind if I did go. My family, the few friends that matter, my church, and all of the people in it, being close to my partner of my clothing line, being able to drive an hour and 10 minutes to get to Philly, an hour and a half to get to NY, or 10 minutes to my favorite beach, my favorite places to shop, the little farm market where I get all of my veggies and fruits for dirt cheap, my neighbors dog - who I'm secretly obsessed with, the fact that I can see any family member within a bike ride's distance, MY DOG (I literally cried every single time I thought about leaving him), having mom turn my coffee pot off when I forgot to on my way out for work, bumping into all of the people that I grew to know that work at the stores I visit way too often, all of the little local spots that you just can't get anywhere else. There's SO MUCH that I'd miss. And being an adult, the most surprising thing was that the things at the top of my list that kept me here, were family, my dog, my partner of my clothing line, and the silliest of things.

They say you don't realize what you've got until it's gone. Here, that's not the case. I was about to let go of everything that I've got, until I realized that it's all I've got. Yea, maybe I don't belong in Jackson, NJ, maybe I'd fit in a little better in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Maybe I won't live here for the rest of my life, but to give up everything I've got now, for a future that nobody knows what holds, would just be plain silly. I would rather wait a little longer on the future, than have to pick of the pieces of what I've lost.

I'm happy to still be in NJ.....even though I'd be packing right now to leave for California to work the US Open of Pro Surfing. ::I will not kick myself:: 

The lesson learned? Appreciate everything that you have, because everything can be taken away, or changed in the blink of an eye. 

Hot Child In The City

My closet has a bad case of stealing my clothes ... and never giving them back. If it weren't for photographic opportunities, I would never even remember that I owned some of these pieces. For instance, I stumbled across a photo of me wearing this great linen 3/4 sleeve, drapy linen sheer top with denim cut offs. I had no idea I "lost" this top. But I want it back. It was a really good find that doesn't exist anymore. Give it back, vicious closet. 

In amidst of creating clothing, I found myself playing with much different pieces than I usually play with. Playing stylist is my favorite past time, there is no doubt about that. In fact, I'd rather find new ways to wear the clothes in my closet, than go out with my friends on a friday night. Pathetic? No. I call it motivation. Drinking at a bar will get you a big sloppy hangover in the morning, but playing stylist will give you an outfit that turns heads/inspire someone else to experiment in their own closet the next morning. I choose the latter. Much more rewarding. I've been insanely into the vintage style of the 40's and 50's. Incidentally, that's what my clothing line is based off of. I can not get enough. Is it possibly to be born in the wrong era? Or maybe I'm just the one responsible for bringing this era back. I'll totally take on that responsibility ... hell, I think I'm the best woman for the job anyways!

How can you not love the 40's and 50's fashion? High waisted everythings, headpieces, bolero jackets, cinched waists, outrageous hats and ladies starting to wear menswear prints. And for men, incredible vests, fedora hats, patterned suits, long, double breasted suit jackets, and the the best part, the Zoot Suit. I think fashion actually started in the 1940's. Think about it. That's when The Depression was at it's end, and substance mattered much more than style did. Clothing had to be practical and sturdy. All of the good fabrics, which was all of the natural fibers, were being used for the soldiers in the war. Can you imagine a solder running through the battle field, and then his pants rip in half because of the not-so-awesome 50% cotton, 50% rayon blended fabric that they were made from? Not cool. But, Italy and Europe were the "fashion leaders" (in my opinion, they will always  be the fashion leaders), so to wear something "too flashy", meaning bright colors, bold print, or just too ... fashiony, would result in you being a traitor to your own country. Ouch.

It was actually at the end of the first world war when American started showing it's individuality, strutting bright colors and bolder outfits. Hello Swing Era. Double breasted suits and bright colors. Awesome. Kind of reminds me of the emo/punk kids I see today...just....a little backwards. 

I wish I could go back to school, just to take fashion history classes. I'd enjoy that way too much. Oh, and maybe a sketching class too, so I can sketch like Karl Lagerfeld (the designer ... eh hem ... genius behind Chanel). I can't imagine calling sketching and art history a "class", that makes it sound so .... terrible.

Random, off topic, fun fact: I heard "Hot Child In The City" by Nick Gilder, and was instantly sucked in and obsessed. Now I'm convinced that Nick Gilder wrote that song specifically for me. Love it. 

Well, it's back to work for me, babies! 

Toodles!

Yay Horray!

Found this. Love this outfit. 

Top: From mom's closet.

Skirt: American Apparel

Necklaces: Vintage/Forever 21

Bracelet: Vintage

My brain is running havoc.

Since last thursday, I have not had a bed time earlier than 1am, or later than 5am. Regardless of what the clock reads when my brain finally decides that I'm allowed to rest, I wake up at 6am ... and every hour in between there, dead on the hour. There has got to be some reason for this, I'm convinced that there is. But the insomnia fairy has left no hard evidence. 

I know that the reason I haven't been able to get any sleep, is because of this clothing line. You know that analogy that people use, "You know when a kid is going to disney world, and it's the night before, and they can't sleep because they're too excited. But their mom and dad say that they have to go to sleep, or they will be too tired to see Mickey when they get there?" I'm that kid. Definitely overly excited. Definitely not sleeping. And I don't care about Mickey, I just want to see my clothes on people, for crying out loud. This is all so incredibly mind blowing to me. Things are actually happening. There is a serious positive snowball effect going on over here. And I will do no complaining about it.

So, my partner has decided to make my dream come true, and have me design and hand make an outrageous high fashion dress for the line to sell. This is my incredible fantasy that I dream about on a daily basis. When I sketch things, I picture them on the people walking by. I'm sick, I know. The thing is, I'm feeling the pressure. Like, seriously feeling the pressure. I want it to be a dream dress come true. I want to make something that Balmain would be proud of. I want to make something that people will look at and say, wow, that's incredible, and not wow, who the heck would wear that? I sketch the best ideas when I'm not even thinking about it. But now I'm thinking SO hard, like, losing sleep over it hard, and now I have too many ideas. Help. I'm having design overload in this little brain of mine. I've expanded it beyond it's capacity. So, ladies, any ideas of what YOU would like to see, would be helpful. Please, help me sleep at night.

Things have been going really well. I'm really really busy, with no free days, ever, but I love it. I'm working on my dream, and that will never get old, boring or exhausting. I love every last second of it. And hey, what's an extra pot of coffee on a daily basis, right?

Toodles!

Um, is that .... me?

Now I know how celebrities feel when they find random pictures of themselves on the internet....well, kind of.

I had a had a sinking feeling when I was looking online at fashion websites, and found the picture above. I have that blazer, I have those shorts, I have that tank, I JUST bought a black sling bag, and all I wear are my aviators. For a moment, I thought someone had gone paparazzi on me. Which, wouldn't be weird, considering the name across the picture is a Street Fashion Wear website. It turns out that I just have an identical twin, floating around somewhere in this world. Surprise, surprise. At LEAST twice a week I get the old, "hey, you know who you look like?...", followed by either, Lindsay Lohan (which I actually got this past Saturday night.....again...for the gabillionth time), the girl from Orange County (the movie), Jenny Lewis (the girl that sings in Rilo Kiley), any given Olsen twin (I definitely don't see that one, although I wish it were true.), Kate Hudson (DEFINITELY don't see that one!), or, some girl that I know. Great. I'm a carbon copy of like, 50 million people in the world. At least the majority of them are remotely good looking. Thanks? I think?