Lavender is the New Pink (Lemonade)

When life gives you weather this hot, go to the store and make lavender lemonade! I'm absolutely in love with lavender (herb & color), so when I happened upon a recipe for lavender lemonade, I knew that the scorching weather wasn't my only reason to make a pitcher. It turned out as sweet and delicious as I'd hoped. Try it yourself!

In celebration of my new favorite summer sipper and color combo, here are two finds on my fashion want list:

via Free People

via Nine West

Keep cool!

B

out of the woodwork

image from www.audrey-kawasaki.com/

painting on alternative surfaces always entices and frightens me. summer is my favorite time to experiment with such endeavors. after finding inspiration from a fellow illustration student and artist Audrey Kawasaki, i've decided to take a stab at it myself. i'm currently working on a large panel of oak with graphite and acrylic (trying out oils is still on my list!) for my bedroom. photos to come soon! until then check out more of Kawasaki's work at the link above!

face check : i walk this beach

From The Fashion File

Sun, skin, music, accessories. Let me break it down for you:

1. Black Weaved Vinyl bag : Hands free is the way to be. Scored this baby at a flea market.

2. Red Sunnies via Civvies in Savannah,GA : Gotta keep the sun outta your eyes. These are similar to a pair I had last year with a little added metal.

3. YSL Parisienne Eau de Parfum : Feel sophisticated with one spritz. It's sweet and flowery without overdoing it & light enough for summer.

4. Smith's Rosebud Salve: Low key lipcare--I gave up on lip gloss in high school. This stuff gives just enough shine for me thanks.

5. Almay intense i-color: Any purple or dark colored eyeliner, really. I usually reserve this for evenings. Waterproof it up for nights at the beach.

6. deLiA*s Mint nail lacquer: Raved about previously. Still addicted to this color and I plan to wear it until the bottle or summer runs out.

7. CG translucent powder: I like to keep the shine on my lips; this tries to help out with that.

8. Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 55: I love a nice tan, but I also love not having skin cancer. This lotion + sunnies + a big floppy hat = heya, day at the beach!

9. Avon Gold Strength Fortifiant Top Coat: A gift from grams. Works like a dream! Nothing else makes my nail polish last longer. It also adds subtle gold specks for sparkle!

10. "Diamond" ring via Civvies: The most expensive diamond I can afford right now. I love the irony of it as well as the geometric design.

Music: Sleigh Bells (Treats), The Dead Weather (Sea of Cowards), Kasabian (West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum), Corinne Bailey Rae (The Sea), Spice Girls (Spice World) (& other random 90s music)

Happy, pretty summers, all!
Until Next Post,
B

body : image

"Thin isn't in" 2010 mixed media

'Ello all! Hope every one's summer is splendid thus far! I'm nearing the end of my first week on break and I must say its been somewhat uneventful but nevertheless relaxing.

Above is the last illu I did for my Materials and Techniques II class. I found it "suiting" with the ominous swimsuit approaching. I'm not bashing thin girls, but I am applauding the burgeoning appreciation for thicker girls. All in all the message is to love your body for what it is. Even if you were one size in the past and another size now, the confidence is what matters most.

Well, I'm off to work on a possible accessory/beauty post for tomorrow and organizing my portfolio site (link to come!).

Until next post mates!

B

almost jaded

Since the debut of the Chanel Fall 09 collection, I've been jonesin' for some of the refreshingly beautiful nail polish the models wore in the show.

Well, I got pretty darn close to the shade with my recent find from deLiA*s. Their shade is called "Mint" and Chanel's is "Jade" (it has a bit

more blue). It's the closest I've been able to get my hands on for less than 5

bucks! If you ask me, it's the must have nail shade of the season!

In other news...I'm currently working on the project for the scholarship gala. I'm running close to the deadline, but I hope to have it finished and fabulous in time!

The collection I decided to go with wasn't one of the three I was debating over. Instead, I chose to illustrate 5 looks from Alexander Mcqueen's final collection. It's sort of my tribute to his genius and the beauty that he left behind. He believed in breaking the rules and creating pieces that were more than clothes or garments and that's, and I greatly admire that.

Chanel Fall 09 runway detail

Chocolate Goodies

Today I finished a skirt that I've been meaning to finish for quite awhile. Initially, it was just the brown fabric. Then, I found the silver belt-like yardage at a yard sale. I thought to myself: "If a top with an embellished neckline allows a women not to worry about accessorizing, then I want a skirt that does the same, with my personal favorite accessory--the high-waisted belt." So, here it is. I call it the "Chocolate Kiss" skirt--for obvious reasons. Hope, you find it scrumptious too! Finally received a book I preordered a few months ago. 100 Girls on Cheap Paper is a collection of works by one of my favorite illustrators, Tina Berning. I discovered her a few months ago after needing to use an illustrator's style for a fashion sketching assignment (The croquis in my header was done in Berning style). The minimal technique she uses relays so exquisitely, even on "cheap paper." Below are a couple of great pieces from the book.
Tomorrow, I have a small fabric run to do for my internship and then I'm off to Savannah for a weekend with my girls! I hope to have some street style and personal style pictures to share upon my return!
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
B

The Blake Pool Party and Fashion Show

A limited selection of photos from The Blake Pool Party from last Saturday. V and I had camera issues :/. Anywho...

a loverly setting

my, pretty much, only favorite swimsuit from the show. so chic!

the best dressed party-goers that night! head to toe, they're all stylin'!

a shot of me in the dress I made...better detailed photos laterz.

**~**

In love with these tights from American Apparel!

Special thanks to Vicky for photos!

Oh, cut it out!

Allo! It's been a few days, yes, since my last post, but I promise with various good reasons...

I did a little t-shirt DIY today and yesterday. I'm still in the process of tye-dying my black skinnies... I'm being a little meticulous about the design and I've ran into a few supply problems (Mom actually had to use the bleach to do the whites).

I have photos from a little party I attended last Saturday. I made a dress for it (a big reason for my hiatus from the blogosphere) Photos up (hopefully) 'morrows!

I love the feeling of exposing just the right amount of skin. It wasn't until I read this article from Refinery29.com that I found myself DIYing a trend. I personally adored this jersey dress from Sophomore.

image from shopacrimony.com

Speaking of trends, I MUST acquire myself a pair of stay-ups. See why here!

I hope everyone's enjoying their summer. Until next post! B

Once upon a time...

there was a girl that liked to start things, mostly projects, and never seem to fin--

Yeah, that me. New summer goal: Finish something!!!! Photos below of a couple of my million projects going on right now. Not to mention the horrifying, unphotographed "I'll-finish-this-when-I-have-mad-sewing-skills" pile I talked in a past post.

Anywho, I'm working on a muslin prototype of my summer maxi and my tie dye skinnies at the current moment. I have hope that they will be completed. My story needs a new ending...well, it just needs an ending for heaven's sake! =/

the beginnings of the dress...

inspirations for my tie-dye/rocker skinnies:

the ankle length, slim fitting jeans spread in the August of Lucky magazine

Gwen Stefani's jeans and suspenders in July Elle magazine

and the Mods and Rockers issue of Metro Pop (and the studs I ordered)

Here Comes the Sun

I swear this isn't the same exact outfit from my fourth of July post. Girl Scouts honor...it is quite close though. I went a little more hippie/bohemian with this top and my peace earrings. Fascinating...I know. I felt like soaking up the sun a bit on my day off before heading to work with the designer I've been interning with. The past week has been a work/eat/sleep/sew/sketch kinda week. Nothing particularly thrilling. I've got some illustration work, DIY projects, and other sartorial things to share soon!

Stay tuned, lovelies!

B

top BCBGeneration, shorts thrifted, sunnies Civvies in Savannah, earrings gift

To DIY for

Ok dears, I need your help. I've been racking up a few images of things that have inspired some DIY ideas. So, which DIY should I DMS (do myself)? Below are the images. Please tell me what you think!

*~*

DiY 1: Dip dye white skinnies. I just bought a pair of white jeans as one of my summer staples. I've wanted to do this to them all along. ;)

Image from 80spurple.com

~

DiY 2: Cut out back tee. Find an oversized tee and cut it up! image from openingceremony.us

~

DiY 3: Boatneck t-shirt dress. This will be great to pair with some skinnies. I love an open neckline. image from openingceremony.us

~

DiY 4: Zipper leg leggings or jeans. I have a pair of jeans that would be great for this, but I've also wanted to try it with leggings.image from 80spurple.com

~

DiY5: Tie Dye skinnies. Ok, I like skinny jeans a little too much, but this would be fun to do. I'd had a little distress and hardware too.image from netaporter.com

~

DiY 6: Zipper high waist skirt. This might be a full on sewing project, but rather simple. Very Alexander Wang. I'd make it out of a funky, 80s-esque fabric.image from 80spurple.com

[>] Summer Playlist 2

As promised, a second summer playlist! This time 'round, I thought I'd give a short bit on how each song found its way on to the list. Like myself, the collection is quite random, but I like to have songs for different moods and things and places. I'd love to hear your feedback! =)

• "Daylight" by Matt and Kim /The entire album,"Grand" is basically AMAZING. The tracks are so catchy. Keyboard, drums, and lyrics. So simple and so great. I can't stop listening to it!

• "Don't Slow Down" by Matt and Kim/right now, I sing this to myself when I get a rush of customers @ work. Coming this fall, this will be my all-nighter theme song!

• "Warm Whispers" by Missy Higgins/ This girl's voice is so soothing. She sounds like her lyrics "honey and milk." It reminds me of feeling the sun warm on your face on a perfect summer afternoon. I like to mellow out and sing along to this one.

• "Machine" by Regina Spektor /My girl finally came out with another album! Spektor is an acquired taste, you either hate her or love her. Completely unique. The instrumentals and tempo sound just like a machine.

• "4 out of 5" by Peter Bjorn and John /I love songs that make you count (hehe). I love the tempo in this song. You'll be singing the chorus every time someone says 1, 2, 3...

• "Cheerleader" by Grizzly Bear/ I really enjoy the sound of the vocals in this song. This is another one great for unwinding.

• "Trouble" by Coldplay/I absolutely love the instrumentals in this song!! It has a less than cheery-sunshine-sound, but, hey, sometimes it rains. I overplayed Viva La Vida last summer, so in redemption, I'm listening to some older stuff.

• "July! July!" by The Decemberists/Because its July and it's the Decemberists. Simple enough.

• "Turn My Swag On" by Souljaboytellem/ This gets me off to work right =). It's great for getting ready.

• "The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid" by the Decemberists/ Totally makes me want to put on a Victorian dress, play the harpsichord, then go to a haunted house. Very odd series of events there.

• "A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left" by Andrew Bird/ The song that got me hooked. Recently found out I'll be seeing him in Asheville in October!!! I'll listen everyday in preparation!

That's all for now, folks! Happy Summer Days!

B

Granny and Gramps, can I borrow a thing or two?

Today's look is inspired by dressing in clothes that look like they came fresh out of the grand 'rents closet. The skirt adds a little twist.
And to get back on track with things, I'm posting a sketch of a collection I'm currently working on. It's for the "Duck and Cover" collection moodboard from a post awhile back.


Coming up this week I'll have summer playlist 2 post, something I've *gasp* sewn, and more sketches.

Hope every one's summer is marvelous!

shirt -thrifted, skirt-target, shoes-thrifted, belt-thrifted

Sunny with a chance of rain

As requested by K, I decided to take a photo...or two of my new U.O. umbrella. With no rain, that didn't stop a true fashionista from breaking it out anyway. A little help from mom, I did a few shots with "rain" (the water hose is magic!). Voila! Celebrate our freedom! Happy Independence day all!
B

umbrella Urban Outfitters, sunnies Urban Outfitters, top Belks, shorts Thrifted, shoes Isaac Mizrahi for Target, earrings Claires boutique (via by BFF!)