Find: Ann Taylor Leopard Skirt

As I have been only shopping for black, white, and cream coloured garments, I find myself wondering if I'm becoming boring and predictable. While there is some intent and formula when choosing what I acquire, I don't want to set myself into a box, either. This item is also still fairly conservative, but, considering the handful of skirts I own fall in these two categories: childish tutu & leather mini, I think I needed this one. While browsing at a random Echo Park thrift store, found this for $4. I really like the classic cut, the grosgrain waistband & exposed CB zip. The leopard print is bold and subtle at the same time. Not tacky; woot!

skirt: Ann Taylor

Conan the Barbarian (1982) soundtrack

DIY: Thom Browne Inspired Spiked Shoulder

Met Gala 2013.... obsessed. Fell for this Thom Browne gown worn by Taylor Tomasi Hill. I just love it. I love the idea of feminine and soft mixed with spiky sharp metal. I was unsure of this top before, but now I absolutely love it.

Inspiration image: Thom Browne spiked shoulder gown.

Materials:
-a soft feminine top (or dress)
-1/2" wide strip of leather
-varying sizes of spikes in preferred color

Tools:
-sharpie
-measuring tape
-scissors
-leather hole punch
-seam ripper

First, measure out where the spikes will go through on the leather with sharpie. Cut excess. Then make sure you pick the proper size on the leather hole punch for the screws of the spikes to fit through. Punch the holes.

Decide where you want the spikes to go, pin the leather piece to the inside of the garment. The strip of leather is there to help keep the spikes together and also to have them lay flat on the garment. Line your spikes and screws up together.

Cut through the garment with a seam ripper. Keep the holes very small, just enough for the screw to push through. Screw the spike on. Start in the middle, work your way to the edges, making sure the leather is laying well on the inside. And the end :p Wooo, spikes!

 

Delerium - Self Saboteur

(Favourites) DAMAGES of June

Hand Book watercolor sketchbook- got this to keep outfit inspiration images on. Josie Maran coconut watercolor cheek gelee-- first blush I've bought in 3 years- after my allergies came down on my head like whoa 3 years ago, I stopped wearing a lot of make up; now I'm on the hunt for natural and easy make up. Ralph Lauren cardholder, because I sorely need a wallet but this will do for now~

I have a mission, but I think I also have a problem. These are some of my favourites from this month. Seems like I got a bunch of pretty things, and I might be escalating? But I actually really need things I can wear... unlike most fashion type bloggers out there, my problem isn't that my closet is overflowing. I actually really need better things to wear. It's probably reasonable to spend $200 on 4 new Joie pieces (total) but it was a lot for me. It was my most precious haul of the year, and I'm obsessed. I will just have to save up for the next time. I'm getting quite competitive when it comes to looking for quality pieces at really good deals. I want to ask for help or intervention, but well, I don't think I'm being unreasonable yet. In this process of expanding and purging my wardrobe, I've sold a few things, which paid for a few of these. But I'm also getting skincare products and bought new mascara for the first time in 3 years? Hah. Though unfortunately, those things are usually at retail price, ehhh.

Ann Taylor LOFT jacket... when my friend Whitney left LA 4 years ago, she left me this jacket-- I've recently found it and gotten it dry cleaned-- it's just like new! This BCBG top has become my go to easy top when I'm feeling lazy in the morning and don't want to deal with tight fitting clothes :p It matches the color of the jacket -perfectly-!

Joie cami... I fell in love with the dainty embroidery + faggotting trim + nonfunctional self-covered buttons. It must be the tech designer in me. Talbots top for some structure + dark skinny pants (that I still have to hunt for, my last one ripped a couple months ago, lol)

Joie jacket & Blu Pepper top... soft color + texture.

Lancome X Alber Elbaz Doll Lashes mascara, Rose Coquette eyeshadow palette-- new make up I probably need but haven't used much. Probably time to start taking allergy medication daily.

I used to spend on flowers every week; got this orchid from the farmer's market because they last longer <3 BCBG top that has sleeves, I can wear on its own, hah! Vince dress-- I adore Vince, and find their pieces easy and comfortable to wear.

Vince & Etoile Isabel Marant peasant tops, easy and light for the summer or year round here in LA. New Balance shoes (stolen/borrowed from sis) that made me consider quitting high heels forever. These shorts (from Grace from her office sample sale)... because gray tie dye! Slightly big on me, so comfy!

Forever 21 unicorn necklace, because one of my nicknames for bf is unicorn (also snowman, caterpillar... he's a creature, obv not human -__-) Kimski Makes feather necklace (courtesy of Grace) because it's SO me and Grace really liked it, so I <3 her :D

Joie cami & Joie woven tee... I just can't get enough of this brand!

Sloth ring (from Vanessa)... because I'm a sloth, and Vanessa is awesome. <3

Metric - Gold Guns Girls

Notes: Short Dress Outfit Inspo

I realize I take things as they come, and I'm not exactly being rigid or structured when it comes to putting my wardrobe together. So I decided to get a sketchbook and put together outfit inspirations from runway shows, just to get ideas of what can be done, and what pieces I actually really need. Here's a peek inside of short dresses- I rarely wear dresses, though I like them, unsure about payoff between 1-garment-that-can-be-worn-by-itself-easy-outfit-option VS needing-moar-dresses-for-variation.

Ellie Goulding and Madeon - Stay Awake

DIY: Jason Wu Inspired Leather Harness

 blouse: French Connection, harness: selfmade

When I borrowed the leather hole punch from Lita (our trim lady at work), I announced to the room: "I will make a leather harness!" It was purely innocent excitement, ofc, but my coworker friends were like :O!! "A WHAT?" Hah. Ok, ok, probably starting from my goth days, I have had a liking for S&M inspired pieces for a long time. Ofc, the complete fetish look isn't really appropriate or mainstream, but a hint of it, balanced with something normal or innocent appeals to me. This is a very basic harness, first try. I'll probably experiment with more complex designs later.

This is my inspiration image, leather harness by Jason Wu.

materials:

-1/2"w strip of leather, enough to go around the body

-metal o ring or something similar

-screw on spikes to screw the leather strips together

-nipple stud as closure

-leather hole punch

 Thread a strip of leather through the o ring, punch holes on each side, and screw a spike on to keep the loop together. Do this 3 times, 2 on top to go over the shoulders to the front, and one going down at center back.

Measure each leather strip to go over shoulder and front, and just enough going down the back. Loop each end through a piece of leather strap to measure a loop. Punch holes on each side and secure with a spike. Do this to each end of the strips of leather.

Now measure another piece of leather to go around torso where the straps end. Pull this piece through the loops.

Punch hole on one end of this leather strip and secure the nipple stud closure. Punch  a hole or several holes (to be able to adjust tightness) on the other side. This part should be able to be pulled open or secured like a belt with the nipple stud. Now, the harness is complete, and can be worn like a vest over t-shirts, pretty blouses, or billowy dresses.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Kiss Kiss

Digressing: Jacaranda Love

  Stop for a minute, forget all the sources of stress. Find your happy place.

Metric - Love is a Place

Find: BCBG Runway Yoke Applique Dress

 

This seems fairly standard, but I love this color.. a soft purple gray, and the applique has just a touch of dimension that makes it subtly uncommon. I was pleasantly surprised by how the silhouette stays fairly slim, even with the pleats, because the lining fits, keeping the bulk at minimum. It doesn't hurt, ofc, that this is another expensive ass BCBG Runway dress... that I got for 13% of the original retail price. Yes, I know, I shouldn't gloat ): TY, whatever force in the universe that keeps throwing me these chances... ahhh.

 

Blue Foundation - Eyes on Fire (Zeds Dead Remix)