tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80908600037243105682024-03-12T21:20:59.591-07:00Your Yokodress-up, DIY, disgrace.Daynahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11540230608412681214noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-7256854796494792832013-04-18T19:48:00.000-07:002013-04-18T20:48:29.282-07:00You can go your own way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB1_ZaOEAO2leZ34nH5lTAAnfj5vbI2vulWQ0aOyM_Lf0zL9G1YIViiFGt5lrBdyNZOu240AnGEGfdG_h1yK70nMtyRHowc7-M6izZ5MMwl08Z3_5HTrnuebty8Z4n3s820satKaeXkyu/s1600/go-your-own-way.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB1_ZaOEAO2leZ34nH5lTAAnfj5vbI2vulWQ0aOyM_Lf0zL9G1YIViiFGt5lrBdyNZOu240AnGEGfdG_h1yK70nMtyRHowc7-M6izZ5MMwl08Z3_5HTrnuebty8Z4n3s820satKaeXkyu/s1600/go-your-own-way.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">OK *breathes deeply*, here it is. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I haven't touched this blog in weeks (months, even). I was on an unannounced hiatus, but I'm ready to talk<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />This is a place for whimsy, sharing pretty things I love, talking about clothes I can't afford, laughing at my own neuroses, and dissecting semi-serious issues with silliness. I'm not a private person. Look, you know <a href="http://www.youryoko.com/2012/07/lowercase-b-boobs.html" target="_blank"><b>my bra size</b>.</a> I have a post in the works about my gastro-intestinal woes. It's the interpersonal stuff<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">;</span> </span>the hard relationship battle<span style="font-size: x-small;">s</span> just don't belong here.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But, well, something big happened. So big, that I have to break my own rule and let you know what's up. I will soon want to start blogging about the transformation of my new apartment, complete with curiously hyper-feminine colour schemes and my polka-dot fridge. There will be questions. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />Here's the thing *hard swallow*: two months ago, I left my husband. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"I'm OK."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"It's totally OK<span style="font-size: x-small;">."</span> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I will reassure you. I will manage your grief because it's almost harder to bear than my own. I will convince you, with my laughing and with my business-as-usual tweets about puppies and pretty wallpaper and eating burritos in my underwear, that everything is normal. That I am thriving. That I do not have doubts or fears or sadness.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />But I do. Sometimes.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You may not think that I am weeping outwardly enough. <span style="font-size: x-small;">M</span>y level of drama might not befit the tragedy. But while you and my mother and my friends are hearing this news for the first time, know I have suffered an entire year in silence, as doubts and questions about my marriage simmered well-hidden under my lid. By the time it happened, I was already making my way towards acceptance. Not sharing much about my feelings with anyone meant that there was silent bathroom crying, private-blogging, and other out-of-sight coping. I was wearing black on the inside.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />I'm at a place now where I'm <i>not</i> going to waste full Sundays in sweats, eating Costco-sized bags of Sour Cream n' Bacon Ruffles, watching back-to-back-to-back episodes of Being Erica (and relating to her, like, <i>bigtime</i>). I will be OK. But please know this: it is the hardest thing I've ever done. Ever. The decision did not come easily.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />Put very simply, we grew apart. In an opposites-attract scenario, meeting in the middle sometimes involves too much compromise. You expect to grow and settle into a beautiful happy middle<span style="font-size: x-small;">-ground</span> (and we did for a while), but fiercely stubborn people will sometimes grow straight up, towards the sun, independently. We are proud sunflowers with woody, rigid stalks and we are growing in different fields, miles apart.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I spent 7 years with Alex. I love him. I have possibly too-optimistic hopes that we will stay good friends. We are co-parenting two dogs, after all. But so far, so good, you guys! I could maybe write a book on the subject of clean, mature break-ups. Or at least a future blog post. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'm managing <span style="font-size: x-small;">your expectations here.)</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH49Ghyq43x0UD3YzvQ7-Utj822b7Z8dPHEqvOfH152qfR802rLL-1aTxqUwAUPYzlfVqrvusDlxgdwy_1goQ5T-OIa8TTUJzKQQ4MFS01jcmPqzXSuaO5KIhb0LMiDHNIktu3L1mSsFo/s1600/keys-new-apartment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH49Ghyq43x0UD3YzvQ7-Utj822b7Z8dPHEqvOfH152qfR802rLL-1aTxqUwAUPYzlfVqrvusDlxgdwy_1goQ5T-OIa8TTUJzKQQ4MFS01jcmPqzXSuaO5KIhb0LMiDHNIktu3L1mSsFo/s1600/keys-new-apartment.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Two weeks ago, I moved into my new apartment. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIczyw22y6NbQ8eGpkCVY1Cqc5cXx8nOVZHhq37BSTbKzUwmZDsjE-sxKuVVHaaClZrXHh7TMA-tXb6uDFF6I5ZXxOvIYtIVZQQWEk-cToxmxIToN1oKBuq7l3s_c9XnWWLq1GIfQxmuKN/s1600/new-apartment-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIczyw22y6NbQ8eGpkCVY1Cqc5cXx8nOVZHhq37BSTbKzUwmZDsjE-sxKuVVHaaClZrXHh7TMA-tXb6uDFF6I5ZXxOvIYtIVZQQWEk-cToxmxIToN1oKBuq7l3s_c9XnWWLq1GIfQxmuKN/s1600/new-apartment-me.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Two weeks ago, I started a brand new life as a 3<span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span>-year-old single girl. *gulp* </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My ensuing posts and tweets on the subject will return to the style you expect from me: "Dying alone with cats since 2013." and<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>"Who's gonna open my jars, now!?" and<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>"Dude, I have sooooo much legroom in bed!"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span>"Eating all the chips because I live alone."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span>"<span style="font-size: x-small;">Off to get my eggs fro<span style="font-size: x-small;">zen, you guys!* </span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">B</span>ut please don't think I'm being insensitive or making light of a really, really hard situation. It's a protective shell, and it's how I cope. Sarcasm = drugs.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />If you know me IRL, here's some advice: I love your texts and your hugs and your visits to my tiny new pad (<i>avec</i> wine, please). OK, shower me with ALL <span style="font-size: x-small;">THE </span>attention, aiiiight<span style="font-size: x-small;">?</span> I need that more than I let on. And trust me, it's not an awkward subject. Ask me outright. Not a private p<span style="font-size: x-small;">erson</span>, remember? Not at all<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Bra size<span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span> 34A<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span> Current chequing account balance<span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span> $8.06<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">. Number of meals involving tacos in the past week: 6.)</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB3hNrJI4Iqzdsg8spxzTwA9GgqfIpzL5yOAapirNLYpPQDJdR5kEd-JKhxiq6VimtcH0z_6La0US8pWGqAVd_1kXUScF9fiFE_i5PC7T97_9QVaNqjtXVw6g46FGEHVviT3-PzLECFXW/s1600/ikea-furniture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB3hNrJI4Iqzdsg8spxzTwA9GgqfIpzL5yOAapirNLYpPQDJdR5kEd-JKhxiq6VimtcH0z_6La0US8pWGqAVd_1kXUScF9fiFE_i5PC7T97_9QVaNqjtXVw6g46FGEHVviT3-PzLECFXW/s1600/ikea-furniture.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> *builds IKEA furniture by herself* *makes it on her own*</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-74700500352422496812013-02-11T20:48:00.000-08:002013-02-12T00:59:14.917-08:00Supper Club!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj7oOgwURKqr3okNHr839znz5pp-Xp8FS1xSy292W7PuCnxkoELIP81wNoIALU5hCi2ZxyKk0XEIdGt1-OQB9iHyg_A09BXnVC09RUTmYtn0qFjsYXUQ0ea97Tt2Y9UbGdga7cJutCZWh/s1600/supper-club-dinner-lunch-pinterest-vegetarian-gluten-free-meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj7oOgwURKqr3okNHr839znz5pp-Xp8FS1xSy292W7PuCnxkoELIP81wNoIALU5hCi2ZxyKk0XEIdGt1-OQB9iHyg_A09BXnVC09RUTmYtn0qFjsYXUQ0ea97Tt2Y9UbGdga7cJutCZWh/s1600/supper-club-dinner-lunch-pinterest-vegetarian-gluten-free-meal.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kay. Bear with me here.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is an experiment and you are my test subjects. No, I will not force to you inhale pollen and then inject you with a new trial antihistamine. No, you will <span style="font-size: x-small;">n<span style="font-size: x-small;">ot be poked. Nor prodded. </span></span>No, you will not be paid.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I will, however, force to you read what will likely be gibberish, as my typing is fueled by tequila and white wine. The experiment is as follows: I blogging in a timely fashion. As in, fresh. Like, ALMOST LIVE, YOU GUYS. *gasp*</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This never happens.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I like to write a bunch of nonsense, edit it 60 times over the course of 4 months until the content is irrelevant and stale, and if I'm not toooootally bored of it, post it sheepishly and hope you'll read it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I suck at punctuality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But, I'm kiiiiinda excited and energized by a pretty lovely group of gals that just whooshed out of my house (literally 10 minutes ago!) after an awesome night of nibbles and drinks prepared by me!</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's the thing: I'm left-brained, so I'm supposed to be a better cook than a baker. True. But I'm so repelled by rules that I <span style="font-size: x-small;">frequently</span> botch meals due to over-experimentation. (I think I know everything. I will not be convinced otherwise.<span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But sometimes, I'm lucky. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tonight, I hosted Supper Club – a monthly food-centric get-together with seven of my gal-pals. The previous hosts decided to work around themes (Mexican, Thai, Paleo), but I elected to use my night to try out some recipes I'd spied (and pinned) on <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/" target="_blank"><b>Pinterest</b></a>. A social media-themed meal<span style="font-size: x-small;">? </span>How very, very predictable. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Because the recipes were so well-received (even though, of course, I meddled with them), I decided to share them with not only my Supper Club, but also with you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks, internet.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyMl2CZGWMDr456RtB0FRhj7jhqoI4XNdTjbJnsFsmF_6oJEchZWWVp3S5GBRhBzWkcMu-LW2jJ4DZUZkONElg00IFt_ys0tCw8XChjaJF3TV6hdhiS1_4hbrS6IvNiCfrYOpTmc199ou/s1600/cucumber-fizz-quinoa-chick-pea-salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyMl2CZGWMDr456RtB0FRhj7jhqoI4XNdTjbJnsFsmF_6oJEchZWWVp3S5GBRhBzWkcMu-LW2jJ4DZUZkONElg00IFt_ys0tCw8XChjaJF3TV6hdhiS1_4hbrS6IvNiCfrYOpTmc199ou/s1600/cucumber-fizz-quinoa-chick-pea-salad.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The <span style="font-size: x-small;">M</span>enu:</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">App:</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.refinery29.com/easy-appetizers?page=4" target="_blank">Goat Cheese Balls</a> (note: ran outta time and didn't make these, but they're too cute to skip)</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Meal:</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://spoonforkbacon.com/2011/11/cheesy-quinoa-cakes/" target="_blank">Cheesy Quinoa Cakes </a></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/roasted-butternut-coconut-soup/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Roasted Butternut & Coconut Soup </span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://jujugoodnews.com/lemon-quinoa-avocado-cilantro-chickpea-salad/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lemony Avocado Tomato Chick Pea Salad</span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Drink: </b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://seasidekitchen.blogspot.ca/2011/05/paleo-cinco-de-drinko-caveman-cocktails.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cucumber Lime Fizz</span></span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VUKoI0raMc7kU1XuDgxuefdk0EwdHCeWlS_lUaJO_g9IfOOYd2yIr89BvSeAZ3jJz9Uiukd_gpd-m6j5EIQgJ473Fin_eU24g0OmddE8xB-AUNVFhtvj-ZWg6JEvquIKjzjriwRn0QH9/s1600/butternut-squash-soup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VUKoI0raMc7kU1XuDgxuefdk0EwdHCeWlS_lUaJO_g9IfOOYd2yIr89BvSeAZ3jJz9Uiukd_gpd-m6j5EIQgJ473Fin_eU24g0OmddE8xB-AUNVFhtvj-ZWg6JEvquIKjzjriwRn0QH9/s1600/butternut-squash-soup.png" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uMGCJuS5QvXR-9rHYnXR5lXCc1nZDwGRjyVbmPbgWsy09zzaQ1PLbGA-wPMYT5MYHCg0Sa3xttwFT9D_KvxwliKPKajsyFEMW3qVrNSNDvSd2rnCVcL9RixwAIiVkvk8ZM4FMtXT6AiD/s1600/quinoa-cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uMGCJuS5QvXR-9rHYnXR5lXCc1nZDwGRjyVbmPbgWsy09zzaQ1PLbGA-wPMYT5MYHCg0Sa3xttwFT9D_KvxwliKPKajsyFEMW3qVrNSNDvSd2rnCVcL9RixwAIiVkvk8ZM4FMtXT6AiD/s1600/quinoa-cakes.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMBdE7qddiTW2EVlivx_x7sTc-bhAqAZKHRXahfJPY01_FUXrw8giCSEFRa4ahMqk8LFeIYy-TAaj54OvEBRY9YHUJB7VpioF6oeDBnGpOWNWSFetAf_w_r0P2JyHpvWbsFlrNq_dEzzP/s1600/cheeseballsopener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMBdE7qddiTW2EVlivx_x7sTc-bhAqAZKHRXahfJPY01_FUXrw8giCSEFRa4ahMqk8LFeIYy-TAaj54OvEBRY9YHUJB7VpioF6oeDBnGpOWNWSFetAf_w_r0P2JyHpvWbsFlrNq_dEzzP/s1600/cheeseballsopener.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. The whole meal is gluten-free (I subbed rice flour for wheat flour in the quinoa cakes), and vegetarian!</span></span><br />
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</span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{ Images/recipes c/o: <a href="http://jujugoodnews.com/">Jujugoodnews</a>, <a href="http://greenkitchenstories.com/">Green Kitchen Stories</a>, <a href="http://spoonforkbacon.com/">spoonforkbacon</a>, <a href="http://refinery29.com/">refinery29</a>, <a href="http://seasidekitchen.blogspot.ca/">Seaside Kitchen</a> }</span></span></div><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-50894490822854792182013-02-06T20:53:00.001-08:002013-02-06T21:02:17.448-08:00virgin (tattoo) diaries, pt. 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg26JrG9ZRAleQr-CqvtNmPInK2Fb0NS3uadJRyKom2PCrJU1_dUv3aq6ScgvVOMEnuzLtwEBu4G-5m2DOELUc4nr6v0QJfpOhS718IXI6VUSbfCFCTxutffuf1IuCcijTCCIeQYQTBCv/s1600/tattoo-bird-arm-color-colour-david-glantz-girl-lace-flowers-dots-komono-watch-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTg26JrG9ZRAleQr-CqvtNmPInK2Fb0NS3uadJRyKom2PCrJU1_dUv3aq6ScgvVOMEnuzLtwEBu4G-5m2DOELUc4nr6v0QJfpOhS718IXI6VUSbfCFCTxutffuf1IuCcijTCCIeQYQTBCv/s1600/tattoo-bird-arm-color-colour-david-glantz-girl-lace-flowers-dots-komono-watch-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you're following my <a href="http://www.youryoko.com/search/label/virgin%20tattoo%20diaries" target="_blank"><b>adventures i<span style="font-size: x-small;">n ink</span></b></a>, you'll remember my latest dilemma: to colour or not to colour.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As if it was even a question! C'mon. I am actually incapable of monochromatic, let alone grayscale. Hubby puts his foot down at one accent colour in each space (*pout*) so my house is definitely a compromise. When it comes to my body, though, he has zero say. I'm a walking bag o' Skittles, mostly. He's OK with it, provided I don't push it on him too much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I try, though, because I'm a giant pain in the ass. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had the remainder of the work done in October (yeah, I'm shit at timeliness) and I am absolutely in love. Smitten! I decided 5 minutes into my appointment, however, that I just wouldn't be totally satisfied to leave it as-is. I like to meddle with things, over-work them. It's why I can't make pastry to save my life (I'm my mother's biggest failure). But <a href="http://www.archivetattoo.com/" target="_blank"><b>David</b></a>'s a total pro and won't lead me astray. I'm saving up to get some additions to it, maybe in the fall. More flowers, more confetti, more awesome.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fzOKIjBjKDtI_jplOB4qEaw-e3z7I93SiL_s0pDeC0qR1oAxbuEsIz75MgLuy7MdOo19AUjtcs4_CcfKpALrZiIL79kKeBNDYF8luD-jAQhB3naT7BcmID_SH0o7aawIG6Nyr4uunDlB/s1600/tattoo-bird-arm-color-colour-david-glantz-girl-lace-flowers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fzOKIjBjKDtI_jplOB4qEaw-e3z7I93SiL_s0pDeC0qR1oAxbuEsIz75MgLuy7MdOo19AUjtcs4_CcfKpALrZiIL79kKeBNDYF8luD-jAQhB3naT7BcmID_SH0o7aawIG6Nyr4uunDlB/s1600/tattoo-bird-arm-color-colour-david-glantz-girl-lace-flowers-1.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm probably not going as far as getting sleeves, but I definitely feel like it has the potential to be even more spectacular if we expand it. Just a little.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It feels right. It feels like me. It was worth the pain. (It hurts, you guys. A lot. Like hot Exacto-knife slashes, over and over. Don't let anyone tell you that it's like "a million bee stings" because that's an understatement. And a bloody lie.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I may be reconsidering my original tattoo body map. I'm thinking that I like concentration: fewer, bigger pieces. David does amazing things with poppies and I'm so very fond of his animals. He'll be seeing a lot more of me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course, now that I'm hooked, I'm stocking up on <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/inked" target="_blank"><b>inspiration</b></a>. Here are some gems, for your eye-feasting pleasure:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqze75j-2RAMcEACHPm1XRFa3w3pjaDszuKGH9cYAdWu6KM8EAZZEx6FYNY45XSfncJcbInRGfb5O35_1r1GGU97nas8HZ9fydI4mlxGaGf4gvnLZ5fYq3DkcY3oNTl05ItZysZKvU1Pf/s1600/rose-tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqze75j-2RAMcEACHPm1XRFa3w3pjaDszuKGH9cYAdWu6KM8EAZZEx6FYNY45XSfncJcbInRGfb5O35_1r1GGU97nas8HZ9fydI4mlxGaGf4gvnLZ5fYq3DkcY3oNTl05ItZysZKvU1Pf/s1600/rose-tattoo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OUoxqe0jjghvLk31Nm4uYYmjN_GDKSqGRzXEOZyu9lE9KCZ30mq1zgxDYPmJjP6g4U8Nl1MGEQeWE9UJRwSfyups9Ce3KHM-i7ikiluZgc_cLvaMMpdnNX1uDL2GUc_9U9Lz9C0xNGJU/s1600/tattoo-feather-cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OUoxqe0jjghvLk31Nm4uYYmjN_GDKSqGRzXEOZyu9lE9KCZ30mq1zgxDYPmJjP6g4U8Nl1MGEQeWE9UJRwSfyups9Ce3KHM-i7ikiluZgc_cLvaMMpdnNX1uDL2GUc_9U9Lz9C0xNGJU/s1600/tattoo-feather-cloud.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHlr3JdW4yZADoAbEuAhnNF7UQ7bfcmqnaTtvRrBZZyhW2TQmncFZMFVAXeGz9dpSEg2UF6CoVvSPaek0cFAzoNu9besUJoJ9_-dWzzjNVBIGD5pnseot18b3_pkFJElZ5cu_oOgK-Pb9/s1600/quote-tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHlr3JdW4yZADoAbEuAhnNF7UQ7bfcmqnaTtvRrBZZyhW2TQmncFZMFVAXeGz9dpSEg2UF6CoVvSPaek0cFAzoNu9besUJoJ9_-dWzzjNVBIGD5pnseot18b3_pkFJElZ5cu_oOgK-Pb9/s1600/quote-tattoo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm7VfapWIfWp1mj9hg4wHJ2MHTFLM10dW35vjXFlrfT3TJLUBHfhh2Np0Bra1J1IBtbA0Qcn0U-cxlM3OJ0Vr-u4hG7H3Mjzi_7MiUkMCVImduTcaulnlX4GdM_UI04t8TnXTzfjsuimJ/s1600/tattoo-moth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm7VfapWIfWp1mj9hg4wHJ2MHTFLM10dW35vjXFlrfT3TJLUBHfhh2Np0Bra1J1IBtbA0Qcn0U-cxlM3OJ0Vr-u4hG7H3Mjzi_7MiUkMCVImduTcaulnlX4GdM_UI04t8TnXTzfjsuimJ/s1600/tattoo-moth.jpg" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-50917087965474407862013-01-19T09:57:00.000-08:002013-01-19T09:59:15.800-08:00Cuz I Rhyme Tight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsQs8P-EZNaZqmBd9xoKb6IZyB8rH641tHpbT7GcBfkyafTKT2vLRj6ztxx-n2KIo5ImEjTXMqhh2rnc368PU1-_dGI_DbEPyBNMvFseLzWKZlJ5b2CgCvLZ-MG7cONn3-_IgUILEnsY6/s1600/muneshine-youryoko-header-panam-style-flight-girls-fly-cobalt-60s-video.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsQs8P-EZNaZqmBd9xoKb6IZyB8rH641tHpbT7GcBfkyafTKT2vLRj6ztxx-n2KIo5ImEjTXMqhh2rnc368PU1-_dGI_DbEPyBNMvFseLzWKZlJ5b2CgCvLZ-MG7cONn3-_IgUILEnsY6/s1600/muneshine-youryoko-header-panam-style-flight-girls-fly-cobalt-60s-video.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I used to read Word Up magazine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(No, I didn't.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's really no secret that I think I'm kiiiiiinda gangsta. Before you have a chance <span style="font-size: x-small;">for rebuttal</span>, I'll help yo<span style="font-size: x-small;">u</span> (I'm aware<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">;</span> I just like m<span style="font-size: x-small;">y delusions</span></span>):</span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I grew up in the middle-class suburbs of Ottawa.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My dog wears a little tartan coat.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clueless is, like, one of my favourite films.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I like Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U<span style="font-size: x-small;">SA"</span> and I'm not sorry.</span></span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm into yoga. And lattes.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sometimes, I have to use the Urban Dictionary<span style="font-size: x-small;">. L</span>ike, for real. </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But guys, can I puhhlease get some props for my latest sorta-gangsta gig? I was in a muthafuckin' hip hop video, yo! Canadian hip-hop, but STILL. You can read more <b>here</b> about how any of this is even possible considering the facts above.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Well, this is it:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="338" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Aee82GUlC14?rel=0" width="600"></iframe><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Directed by the ever-lovely and talented<a href="http://danieljardine.com/" target="_blank"><b> Dan Jardine</b></a>, pulled together by a cast and crew of some of the awesomest people around, this is the newest vid for <a href="http://whoismuneshine.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Muneshine</b></a>'s track, There is Only Today. Check him out! (Ignore that snarky bit about "Canadian hip-hop". I was being facetious.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's been a fairly ridiculous and (almost) completely unattainable goal of mine to dance in a music video. Janet Jackson was my longtime spirit guide. My friend <a href="http://vivekshraya.com/" target="_blank"><b>Vivek</b></a> cast me in the never-released video for one of his tracks, and Sweet Thing pretty much stopped making vids before I could weasel my way into a bit role.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But this finally happened. It's not dancing, I know. And I requested minimal camera time because I felt a bit <span style="font-size: x-small;">drag</span> in all of that makeup. Whatevs. I'm close to being "mid-30s" so these kind of opps are rare, amiright?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I also have wardrobe credits on the vid for the Pan Am looks I pulled together for the fly girls (including me)!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixulxpeTrreDKQmVjjjRDvniBYPKkbEzIsy3nDPhyphenhyphenMj6WLDqj3Lj95evMFrNN2S91rC-VcW9dToP0K8-KkAPvAjhe6-NadazfZF8vWqOlWGajm4SRvGx9WACr9Gu7SVV1B0lqxDhiM2piA/s1600/muneshine-video-behind-th-scenes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixulxpeTrreDKQmVjjjRDvniBYPKkbEzIsy3nDPhyphenhyphenMj6WLDqj3Lj95evMFrNN2S91rC-VcW9dToP0K8-KkAPvAjhe6-NadazfZF8vWqOlWGajm4SRvGx9WACr9Gu7SVV1B0lqxDhiM2piA/s1600/muneshine-video-behind-th-scenes.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKY_46NgQbqb3_BBiIfidUsm297vcJx5JDB7wQfWz3LUMdXUXswQ0i68UlF4_Nmj47fIqi9DdBQ0surjIsCSFCE6qs-CfzLoeriGD-5goGa0fBlo2CmN_DVpdiGxClnPLhIjsQDMzViht/s1600/muneshine-natalia-dayna-video-panam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKY_46NgQbqb3_BBiIfidUsm297vcJx5JDB7wQfWz3LUMdXUXswQ0i68UlF4_Nmj47fIqi9DdBQ0surjIsCSFCE6qs-CfzLoeriGD-5goGa0fBlo2CmN_DVpdiGxClnPLhIjsQDMzViht/s1600/muneshine-natalia-dayna-video-panam.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ISN'T THIS AWESOME!?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now I drink champagne when I'm thirst-ay? (Nope again.)</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeedVoT0g0Av3-efWoK8QOENJ_ILeAlP_OMSjNnHRfcj9KNSu0BxeJw4kr0VhYHclQ1naR-kHGp5wMxUevtKJ9Gk-Z7eOdZtvlhHydwffqaHgpBMff6okSMYNKsrtjwbeSCaNmqgmgVHw/s1600/muneshine-behind-the-scenes-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. I will also have you know, in an effort to gain additional gangsta points, that I once <span style="font-size: x-small;">lyrically </span>KILLED Bust a Move at <a href="http://neverforgiveaction.com/hhk_main.html" target="_blank"><b>Hip Hop Karaoke</b></a>. Like live DJ, no<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>bouncing<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>ball<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>stylez. Only looked at the lyric sheet once. Wut-wut. That is some hard shit, you guys. Also received a high-five from a<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>HHK veteran with some spot-on Dead Prez rap steez. I haven't been brave enough to return to the stage because it got all profesh somehow, but I could pull out some mean Salt N Pepa lyrics in an emergency. Just so you know.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-58524082245066506532012-12-30T18:39:00.000-08:002012-12-30T18:39:22.927-08:00Upholstered!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH12O4X24FrFP8LCS9mpSXTghXpZgqbAUSkjuwigHoUHVIAsuTd69I8wa_bVnAhEd3e-pQZXTN0qBGCbWvkx6wNzXrzkcQnjr89wRtto3OvQ6iXOwOmmt2dTyzqPL4t_G6MUkSnBmiApWs/s1600/upholstery-diy-projects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH12O4X24FrFP8LCS9mpSXTghXpZgqbAUSkjuwigHoUHVIAsuTd69I8wa_bVnAhEd3e-pQZXTN0qBGCbWvkx6wNzXrzkcQnjr89wRtto3OvQ6iXOwOmmt2dTyzqPL4t_G6MUkSnBmiApWs/s1600/upholstery-diy-projects.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, awesome.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have a new hobby. Let's add that to the 598624 other hobbies that end up in labeled Rubbermaid containers in our basement. OK, wait. Really, my <i>hobby du jour </i>is merely a branch of my umbrella hobby: "makin' stuff". Anything that involves getting paint on my clothes or hot glue burns on my hands or a staple through the thumb is my idea of spare-time-awesome. But where is my spare time? What am I DOING with it? (I smell a resolution comin' on.) Clearly I'm not blogging enough. I even worry that my dogs and my husband get neglected. How do people add <i>kids</i> to this mix?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Magic, obvi.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't have/make enough time to cut and paste and bedazzle, but I'm getting better with the help of my equally crafty friends. We've been combining socializing (something I won't forfeit for extra time) with sewing and crafting to help encourage each other. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu0gcALg_CwsSA_9lZT-fG8AizePi4tSwwAjC0RJ2MRwCWbjqyucvmWoqKkYXlTgK5nYvTGFTlse3gSOjFEm3sJcBhiYXzUyClgAr_-Jp0mL4Io8egUHpr1G_pAdOaMvezhcJ1J96nZxc/s1600/dress-diy-houndstooth-green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu0gcALg_CwsSA_9lZT-fG8AizePi4tSwwAjC0RJ2MRwCWbjqyucvmWoqKkYXlTgK5nYvTGFTlse3gSOjFEm3sJcBhiYXzUyClgAr_-Jp0mL4Io8egUHpr1G_pAdOaMvezhcJ1J96nZxc/s1600/dress-diy-houndstooth-green.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{ the fruits of my labour and too much day-drinking } </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to these mostly-wholesome get-togethers (OK, there's still booze and raunchy convo topics), I pumped out 2 dresses, a handful of necklaces, a pendant lamp, and a chair over the summer. More than I could (would) do on my own. Whee!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyxQtww23q-CHVYsl-yiuqlhwWTPoVCV5yT1-klYCO3UQ58sbCrLWrAG9NLwoSgekisztBWiTIbUYCzjj5z2MkcoNCrvjOdM3XzmytkP_9tei_k2EWfCI2qtMDdKZ73YWNlNXEcGM7jVu/s1600/upholstery-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyxQtww23q-CHVYsl-yiuqlhwWTPoVCV5yT1-klYCO3UQ58sbCrLWrAG9NLwoSgekisztBWiTIbUYCzjj5z2MkcoNCrvjOdM3XzmytkP_9tei_k2EWfCI2qtMDdKZ73YWNlNXEcGM7jVu/s1600/upholstery-1.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The chair in question was my chosen piece for a 2-day upholstery workshop that I took with Bunce this summer. I've dabbled in some furniture recovering (self-taught, trial-by-error-style as usual) but wanted to really dive into the guts of upholstery.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC87WiTtGhokaVCgojD5JPXij7JzWypyxI2McX1kBsVye7Lpf3hwe0WodL0v5ylHIt4IiAZLwxjHbSCdV9O646oz2Z3GXRQLmjTdmWE6XiqiES0JidUFGfTHV8hx05Ive-2-BnIouRxMg/s1600/upholstery-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC87WiTtGhokaVCgojD5JPXij7JzWypyxI2McX1kBsVye7Lpf3hwe0WodL0v5ylHIt4IiAZLwxjHbSCdV9O646oz2Z3GXRQLmjTdmWE6XiqiES0JidUFGfTHV8hx05Ive-2-BnIouRxMg/s1600/upholstery-11.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lG2Sd7O0W0eXgRvhzcUisR18YiQkgsn0LtjS_W2tZFuQys26ANDHQZR4IlJs6EH2XZIkpX3WKR0V2CANeMH5XKGneSP0qBHL8z_YPJMp-Ljlp3DyMEif3rzx2Pz1NK2P9jX2CkSf2ue_/s1600/upholstery-diy-before-after-makeover-chair-ikat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lG2Sd7O0W0eXgRvhzcUisR18YiQkgsn0LtjS_W2tZFuQys26ANDHQZR4IlJs6EH2XZIkpX3WKR0V2CANeMH5XKGneSP0qBHL8z_YPJMp-Ljlp3DyMEif3rzx2Pz1NK2P9jX2CkSf2ue_/s1600/upholstery-diy-before-after-makeover-chair-ikat.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{ before aaaaaand after! } </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm kind of in love with every part of it. Pneumatic staplers! Rotary sanders! Upholstery tacks! In 2 days, I took a deflated and stained chair seat and gave it back its confidence. Springs tightened, foam refreshed, webbing reinforced. It's also pretty chic now with a light sanding, fresh coat of varnish, new ikat fabric and a clean row of finishing tacks. It's my new sewing chair. It's divine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I also started a little footstool – a confusingly small piece that I picked up from a thrift store.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Like hobbit-sized.</span> Before and after pics to come!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bunce, that ambitious little beaver, tackled a bench and two chairs in the same amount of time. They were more straightforward (no guts and springs) but proved to be a major challenge due to immovable stain and grit (th<span style="font-size: x-small;">is</span> bench once belonged to a fast food chain!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSO_OqkvhgdhL_PO_OXeEjymV0vcaeS981AOdOLIDgu531lLuxCNTuUvgBUwE7vaYE8LPveDlOHXGLEKPDQadhTv5ZU_0cQg81kQioWK4HGv2ovLPpRXF01J9ATdhpwOR0GcWbHAgNkEp/s1600/upholstery-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSO_OqkvhgdhL_PO_OXeEjymV0vcaeS981AOdOLIDgu531lLuxCNTuUvgBUwE7vaYE8LPveDlOHXGLEKPDQadhTv5ZU_0cQg81kQioWK4HGv2ovLPpRXF01J9ATdhpwOR0GcWbHAgNkEp/s1600/upholstery-2.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqbWIWD-6I9I2xdnUDhcpYQUYjuEM7UQcCK2BvNVwpDxS45nHu2dhUwGgHpTqjlUZoxrUFxUHcelpWFgvhaoj-KaCXg3WNr-8Q3hItZNKn-PmZHeXvGY68fbZfCKGgeLZgABvPl1rah1x/s1600/upholstery-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqbWIWD-6I9I2xdnUDhcpYQUYjuEM7UQcCK2BvNVwpDxS45nHu2dhUwGgHpTqjlUZoxrUFxUHcelpWFgvhaoj-KaCXg3WNr-8Q3hItZNKn-PmZHeXvGY68fbZfCKGgeLZgABvPl1rah1x/s1600/upholstery-8.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After the workshop, I asked for a pneumatic stapler and compressor for Christmas. "Santa" was kind enough to oblige! Guess I was on the nice list this year? (A slip-up, for sure<span style="font-size: x-small;">.)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No chair, couch or footstool is safe now. Neither are your eyes, BTW; wear goggles at all times, my friends. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two chairs rescued roadside will finally get a proper makeover, and I may even tackle our couch this year (it's the victim of two terriers). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG16baKCXfVKBGWNneak_kWHZFmLQTsNtHwbwVVGiKm6t-wRZnExhEgjj0NC8P_aogOk2UMZHqDzeeR4S1oRzaeYvaXE_eR0HNquHrnD-qfKBEUz5aFHVFYslmF6_kAiRZD-JxAlNX6XKp/s1600/jane-hall-upholstery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG16baKCXfVKBGWNneak_kWHZFmLQTsNtHwbwVVGiKm6t-wRZnExhEgjj0NC8P_aogOk2UMZHqDzeeR4S1oRzaeYvaXE_eR0HNquHrnD-qfKBEUz5aFHVFYslmF6_kAiRZD-JxAlNX6XKp/s1600/jane-hall-upholstery.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> { Pinterest gems // <a href="http://www.janehalldesign.com/" target="_blank">Jane Hall Designs</a> }</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As usual, I've also been stacking my <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/" target="_blank"><b>Pinterest</b></a> boards with inspiration. The total of all of the projects in my <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/crafts-diy/" target="_blank"><b>Crafts + DIY board </b></a>would take me into the next century to complete, but the secret to eternal life will be discovered in my lifetime, yeah? I'm counting on it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uBwKjak93OGFQOsmHWCxfc2-orYC1QbatFpPW2fW-r58bWUjcsi6MKtDdUGtnl9fmN1YSMCfIAmqwj-lG2oGNmustGW1uYKiMBEtKP7z8U1f84MMB5sovuY6avBtbW7Z59C2Z7XXmgJI/s1600/upholstery-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>RESOURCES!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For Torontoites looking to learn the craft, I recommend contacting Andrea at <a href="http://www.restylestudiotoronto.com/" target="_blank"><b>RE:Style Studio</b></a>. Her workshops are self-directed, casual, and really hands-on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uBwKjak93OGFQOsmHWCxfc2-orYC1QbatFpPW2fW-r58bWUjcsi6MKtDdUGtnl9fmN1YSMCfIAmqwj-lG2oGNmustGW1uYKiMBEtKP7z8U1f84MMB5sovuY6avBtbW7Z59C2Z7XXmgJI/s1600/upholstery-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uBwKjak93OGFQOsmHWCxfc2-orYC1QbatFpPW2fW-r58bWUjcsi6MKtDdUGtnl9fmN1YSMCfIAmqwj-lG2oGNmustGW1uYKiMBEtKP7z8U1f84MMB5sovuY6avBtbW7Z59C2Z7XXmgJI/s1600/upholstery-7.jpg" /></a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you already <span style="font-size: x-small;">know <span style="font-size: x-small;">your way around a tool belt and a sewing machine</span></span>, check out this<b><a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/fabric-paper-projects/diy-chair-upholstery-guide/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"> </span>online tutorial </a></b>via Better Homes and Gardens.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCW8ZKL2uSf6_y30JpGZ-fxnuHL3ij2CBWQ9Z__A7G4qjGCN1ayD9y5LLLRRiEJ0RWAXtHWhbT6yDyRMWmFeBC7EEtens8byundJa9rSIEZWiyvzhRXuGZB46DyYNAqoZ-o48mxc1rCVi/s1600/upholstery-diy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCW8ZKL2uSf6_y30JpGZ-fxnuHL3ij2CBWQ9Z__A7G4qjGCN1ayD9y5LLLRRiEJ0RWAXtHWhbT6yDyRMWmFeBC7EEtens8byundJa9rSIEZWiyvzhRXuGZB46DyYNAqoZ-o48mxc1rCVi/s1600/upholstery-diy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Also, this handy yardage estimator is a must. See the full chart <b><a href="http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com/yardage-chart.htm" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo4yhDlZO7mTQm1mk8G7zEJ33YnkWOERH6J2lEbq0Qy-3m6ejyeCF4hz9bQHTXBaF6NEz1Pcedy31pVUd6ScsI1F3SshlSpau80g_3Ut553eYEHoObogmR0pF4qTXMSHtYO-wCSdq_T8u/s1600/diy-upholstery-yardage-chart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo4yhDlZO7mTQm1mk8G7zEJ33YnkWOERH6J2lEbq0Qy-3m6ejyeCF4hz9bQHTXBaF6NEz1Pcedy31pVUd6ScsI1F3SshlSpau80g_3Ut553eYEHoObogmR0pF4qTXMSHtYO-wCSdq_T8u/s1600/diy-upholstery-yardage-chart.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-9155610368855685132012-11-19T21:05:00.003-08:002012-11-20T13:20:59.021-08:00City of Craft!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dudleyandbea.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4FJoPMBjy1N5zN_qV2C_FJM5RI9-KJx3_JBOBo06azXV19mG2KaD2QKsY-1QK-iD72tdRjvgaXMYVuDFfnJ8WroP3afcu0hMX5LkmjSf92PGaPYkfT-gWLF7g6-EE1OPy9HFjgaikK2m/s1600/dudley-bea-dog-accessories-city-of-craft.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm in! I'm in!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Waited oh-so-patiently and it paid off! I was accepted into <a href="http://www.cityofcraft.com/index.html" target="_blank"><b>City of Craft</b></a>'s holiday show and I'm just so thrilled! I was neglecting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dudleyandbea" target="_blank"><b>my little Etsy shop</b></a> over the summer. I shelved it to attend to more pressing matters like: patios and brunches and music festivals and mojitos and canoes an<span style="font-size: x-small;">d picnics </span>and outdoor movies and hammocks, of course. Then I spent<span style="font-size: x-small;"> early fall recovering from those hardships.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm back, puppies.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now I need to get motivated to cut and sew and design like crazy. Probably I should set aside some weekends, but they're filling up so fast. Yikes. It's only<span style="font-size: x-small;">, err,</span> 3 weeks away; that's closer than it seems. And it seems close.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm in trouble. Especially because I can't say no to <i>anything</i>! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luckily, I somehow secretly slipped a clause into my marriage contract that basically means hubby<span style="font-size: x-small;"> must (by law!) cut fabric sha<span style="font-size: x-small;">pes and iron seams until <span style="font-size: x-small;">his hands bleed. Anytime I ask! <span style="font-size: x-small;">JK<span style="font-size: x-small;">, you guys<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">OK, i</span>t's not a la<span style="font-size: x-small;">w. I<span style="font-size: x-small;">t's </span></span>just a reeeeealllly b<span style="font-size: x-small;">ig debt accumulated over years of band-wifely <span style="font-size: x-small;">support. JK?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stop by and see me December 8th & 9th, won't you? It's one of the best holiday craft shows of the season and I'm so stoked to be a part of it! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Aside: can I get away with saying "stoked"<span style="font-size: x-small;">? Like, am I too<span style="font-size: x-small;"> old?</span>)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.cityofcraft.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zKawLmuf2Eg5Ei9S2VSvjrA3nfq6Y0AgZ52ddFCdUrReeS80l2z0G_MsgrlFeQXhHwjcZSR58cQsQoXKS3kk_ug514Hp4PmwqUJnglsk9gzngrkQ6jj_Pb8DyZfzM-oEveu-qw6IJNhU/s1600/2012crest1.png" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. Eventually I will need an awesome graphic designer/web<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span>wonderperson to help me revamp <a href="http://dudleyandbea.com/">dudleyandbea.com</a> and this blog. Barter, anyone? I have to stop pretending that I know what I'm doing. I have other talents<span style="font-size: x-small;">. Sewing, I mean, SEWING. Geez. (That's enough out of you<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">.)</span></span></span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-72262083008785528842012-11-13T20:15:00.003-08:002013-01-08T13:01:42.053-08:00Side Dish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDmsrlm_utEoJnZhUpcpBVb82Au3L2E_KIUj8cs1U0k6lTSlu7JWNvpdVOZyJUUp8PksLmgELprt2bhey2mPGbdlEXtToel_tOhFCSdSey6cpus7dD8HeKHgDakci5xAaGOy9hwh6piJ0/s1600/dayna-winter-sewing-diy-cutting-fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDmsrlm_utEoJnZhUpcpBVb82Au3L2E_KIUj8cs1U0k6lTSlu7JWNvpdVOZyJUUp8PksLmgELprt2bhey2mPGbdlEXtToel_tOhFCSdSey6cpus7dD8HeKHgDakci5xAaGOy9hwh6piJ0/s1600/dayna-winter-sewing-diy-cutting-fabric.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't
just do one thing. Maybe I've finally made peace with the fact that I'm
not going to be the kind of girl with a "5-year plan" or a "career
path". I've been pretty lucky to have jobs (like my current one) that
let me do a million different things and appease all of my conflicting
interests. It's not that I don't have dreams or goals, it's just that
there are a lot of them and I might be shooting around wildly hoping to
hit a few.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Imma just gonna do stuff I like.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I guess I'm afraid to <i>not</i>
indulge my every whim for fear that my true calling will get missed.
It's why I can't say no. It's why I have 5,674,936 hobbies. It's why I
come off as flighty, directionless. Maybe, though, my true calling is
"DOING AWESOME THINGS". I agonized forevs about choosing one career over
another (Should I have pursued journalism? Is corporate retail where I
belong?), about what I should have studied in school (I had the math
grades for Engineering but I wanted to design clothes), about how I saw
my life in 5, 10, 20 years (panic!).</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg9TzYFdkLQoGcuJ5tHzVl8xzx_AfPvnXZ5R63bn3FJD68co_A5aUb2fqmZBxXrfK6p0w9pQVdrnx8Qc12oygq1ceNTw7d5dULL7C_j1KhCPmBw9yMLqG_RC9wsfdDVnr99DlQq-997ZI/s1600/emilycarr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWg9TzYFdkLQoGcuJ5tHzVl8xzx_AfPvnXZ5R63bn3FJD68co_A5aUb2fqmZBxXrfK6p0w9pQVdrnx8Qc12oygq1ceNTw7d5dULL7C_j1KhCPmBw9yMLqG_RC9wsfdDVnr99DlQq-997ZI/s1600/emilycarr.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { grade 8 // this is clearly not a new problem }</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Can't
I just dabble in everything? Why isn't that allowed? So, as it turns
out: it is. It's a little frowned-upon, but in a city is rife with
floaters and dreamers and slashies, I fit in. I romanticize living in
the sticks, but I'm pretty at home here with aimless weirdos like me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On
top of being insanely busy at work (but I'm getting an intern! yay!),
I've also signed myself up for some pretty big side gigs leading into
the holiday<span class="Apple-style-span">s. I have to sew my face off for a <a href="http://www.cityofcraft.com/" target="_blank"><b>City <span style="font-size: x-small;">of Craft</span></b></a> – it's coming up in less than a month. But I haven't even <i>started</i> because of another project that just wrapped up on Sunday.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to some work I did on some videos for my day job, I made some friends in the movie biz. Heh. <a href="http://danieljardine.com/" target="_blank"><b>Dan</b></a> was our DOP on a few <a href="http://www.gelaskins.com/" target="_blank"><b>GelaSkins</b></a> vids (and he directed my directing, too!). When a personal project came his way – a music vid for his hip-hop artist friend, <a href="http://www.muneshine.com/" target="_blank"><b>Muneshine</b></a>
– something possessed him to hire me. As a stylist! Oh boy. I was
totally in over my head but I wanted to do an awesome job because
getting paid to shop is pretty much my dream (OK, one of seven billion
dreams).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was
excited<span style="font-size: x-small;"> but </span>nervous about the role. My challenge: to outfit 5
girls in the style of 60s-esque stewardesses. On basically no budget.
Hey: my look-expensive-while-being-broke superpower is paying off
outside of my own closet!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I
was also somehow smooth-talked into being "talent". Totally against my
will. If you know of my not-so-secret and completely unattainable
Broadway aspirations, you are rolling your eyes. But honest: I didn't
want to be in the vid. Mostly because I hired 4 mega-babes who
completely out-babe me. Seriously, <span style="font-size: x-small;">you wanna</span> juxtapose me against teeny dancer bodies and high cheekbones. Crap.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3iNfAzz3YMLewSouFarrn_s3ofALJWPNn0Bt1Q0tNzCzohXldDS9AIY7YVIlO7E60_tJ02Bt6LzTPGL1LtH7vsTAVvVRCJ29p-f8TuMWBP4MXSsadEyg0LBqpXhAb_P_sgbKSS3fXIwU/s1600/pan-am-girls-shlomi-amiga-muneshine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3iNfAzz3YMLewSouFarrn_s3ofALJWPNn0Bt1Q0tNzCzohXldDS9AIY7YVIlO7E60_tJ02Bt6LzTPGL1LtH7vsTAVvVRCJ29p-f8TuMWBP4MXSsadEyg0LBqpXhAb_P_sgbKSS3fXIwU/s1600/pan-am-girls-shlomi-amiga-muneshine.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { sneak peek! <span style="font-size: x-small;">photos:<a href="http://www.shlomiamiga.com/" target="_blank"><b> shlomi amiga</b></a></span> }</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Once
I have a chance to wade through the photo-aftermath, I'll post some
behind-the-scenes eye-candy and my thoughts on make-believe career
#5,674,937. Let's manage expectations here, though: it won't be anytime
soon. I'm diving straight into sewing while attempting to dodge
holiday-ish invites with minimal FOMO and working longer-than-normal
hours at my uber-busy day job. Blog neglected again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See?
I have so many side dishes that I don't even have time for my very
favourite among them! I would like you to know that I currently have
NINE draft posts sitting in the wings. All becoming less relevant and
timely the longer I wait. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am well-meaning. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The road to hell...", yeah?</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-7793344099355712762012-10-09T17:56:00.003-07:002012-10-13T16:07:13.113-07:00Playing Dress-Up: Suzy Bishop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi333XsssHyBeF8eKuKsDYE1BA4thyphenhyphenRDh1iLC9QJ9MJB4aYvqvDslnbTnJMRw-9mf3fdQB-Jq_trX2AEKEx_X2VxIsKi9TicMZfv-hfH6aGUF37ca7ilYJj1hGKzhRms_hTIeKnzID9kq_e/s1600/suzy-bishop-style-halloween-costume-dressup-diy-shopping-tara-jarmon-wes-anderson-moonrise-kingdom-FRAME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi333XsssHyBeF8eKuKsDYE1BA4thyphenhyphenRDh1iLC9QJ9MJB4aYvqvDslnbTnJMRw-9mf3fdQB-Jq_trX2AEKEx_X2VxIsKi9TicMZfv-hfH6aGUF37ca7ilYJj1hGKzhRms_hTIeKnzID9kq_e/s1600/suzy-bishop-style-halloween-costume-dressup-diy-shopping-tara-jarmon-wes-anderson-moonrise-kingdom-FRAME.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Vintage binoculars on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search/vintage?q=binoculars&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US&vintage_rewrite=vintage+binoculars&original_query=2" target="_blank"><b>Etsy</b></a> $25-$250 // 2.<a href="http://www.harveynichols.com/womens/categories-1/designer-dresses/day/s424613-peter-pan-collar-stretch-jersey-dress.html?colour=RED+AND+WHITE" target="_blank"><b>Tara Jarmon</b></a> peter-pan collar dress $460 // 3. Cicada earrings on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=cicada%20earrings&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US" target="_blank"><b>Etsy</b></a> $25 // 4. <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/363/Products/Eyes/Shadow/Eye-Shadow/index.tmpl" target="_blank"><b>MAC</b></a> eyeshadow in Aquadisiac $15 // 5. Vintage tackle basket on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/epochco?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><b>Etsy</b></a> $50 // 6. Portable record player on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=portable%20record%20player&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US"><b>Etsy</b></a> $70-$300 // 7. <a href="http://www.solestruck.com/jeffrey-campbell-prospect-black-bone/index.html?utm_source=Polyvore&utm_medium=affiliate&clickid=0004cb93693774b10a2a1846ad00328f" target="_blank"><b>Jeffrey Campbell</b></a> saddle shoes $115 // 8. <a href="http://www.shirise.com/FALKE-London-White-Knee-High-Socks/PAHKADHOPOKAIPIP/Product" target="_blank"><b>Falke London</b></a> knee socks $24 // 9. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jaysworld?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><b>Vintage books </b></a>and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/StupidFlamingo?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><b>handwritten love letters</b></a> on Etsy $5-$35</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">---</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is probably going to be my Halloween costume this year! Not surprising, right? I'm just so thrilled to have another Wes Anderson female character to emulate. I've wanted to re-do <a href="http://www.hdofblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/5166919402_d1b2783127_z.jpg" target="_blank"><b>Margot</b></a> since I embodied her several years ago, but recycling ideas seemed cheap, especially for a Halloween über-enthusiast like me. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So yea, Suzy! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyPDjEVZ1wTw4d05DbCkMbk99FFdWc_QqcbB1spQnG7kSuGPDlrnlv-RWmLhcmaTVKZrwRKHjStUQLZSQTEOrcspiNESuupR-HljucVoJ_dnBi_craZ9m79E9zRtPevgv2GRfHd_k26yM/s1600/suzy-bishop-moonrise-kingdom-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyPDjEVZ1wTw4d05DbCkMbk99FFdWc_QqcbB1spQnG7kSuGPDlrnlv-RWmLhcmaTVKZrwRKHjStUQLZSQTEOrcspiNESuupR-HljucVoJ_dnBi_craZ9m79E9zRtPevgv2GRfHd_k26yM/s1600/suzy-bishop-moonrise-kingdom-2.jpg" /></a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ scene from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/" target="_blank"><b>Moonrise Kingdom</b></a> }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course, I will find a way to MacGyver most of it and keep my budget to a minimum. I'll scour Value Village over the next couple of weeks, and maybe pick up the odd Etsy item to round it out. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hubby is obvi going as my pre-teen love-interest, Sam Shakusky. It will involve a hearty face-shave (i'm nervous). We both get to pretend to be 13 again. Pretty cute, since we were 13 when we first met on a yellow school bus.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos coming soon! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. I even curated a little<b> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA4NzQxMDd8MjcyMDg0NTgzNw/mr-anderson" target="_blank">Etsy treasury</a></b> for more great Wes Anderson costume inspiration!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">---</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Additional image credits: Collage by me, Portable record player via <a href="http://ubiquityrecords.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><b>Ubiquity Records</b></a>, Cicada Earrings via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/karileigh4?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><b>The Village Idiot</b></a>, Binoculars via <a href="http://bruneauvsbennett.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Bruneau vs Bennett</b></a></span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-9561165521568894862012-10-08T12:54:00.001-07:002012-10-08T18:49:22.949-07:00virgin (tattoo) diaries pt. 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ_2cRagpjVE3Zydi0z4GFUvaobnwvoJFxBpEVKgP4aegvQbOXQjEzcazvYNX4gdRIRYalWG4DH8JFeS95KT3fbyr2iDcPhHRbwOL0i5k0IMyqQUV1odyX3BkDYqge7h1MOVQgOtEX6Zl/s1600/tattoo-bird-header-youryoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ_2cRagpjVE3Zydi0z4GFUvaobnwvoJFxBpEVKgP4aegvQbOXQjEzcazvYNX4gdRIRYalWG4DH8JFeS95KT3fbyr2iDcPhHRbwOL0i5k0IMyqQUV1odyX3BkDYqge7h1MOVQgOtEX6Zl/s1600/tattoo-bird-header-youryoko.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sick today. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Delirium is setting in: I'm convinced that this super-cold will be my ultimate demise. Oh, the <i>agony</i>! I'm pretty dramz about being sick. My Mother just spit coffee at her netbook screen (understatement of the year, yeah, Ma?). It's not that I am a wimp when it comes to pain (hello, giant arm tattoo). Mostly, I just can't stand letting go of control. Body aches and sniffles forced us to cancel our big Thanksgiving dinner (this vegetarian was even gonna cook a pork roast!) and abandon all plans to do home improvement-y stuff. Well, now hubby's flying solo on those projects, and the pork has been demoted to the freezer. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On the upside, I can catch up on some blogging and delve into guilty-pleasure TV. Umm, <b>Breaking Amish</b> and <b>Drop Dead Diva</b>, anyone? I won't apologize. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So yeah, blogging. Typing actually hurts. Hurts! But, it hurts the core of my being to be a giant lazy blob (I thrive on being busy). And in the spirit of pain, shall I give you the latest in my adventures-in-ink?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvME8ytp7IpDYxdqKVqEzlFHpIxFUL4SBio0j40gJ6gg9YhmHFiAR3DW-MOnEby-66Eb81HciNuUWf_ieSvwqKIDIQhzfHoRDo-ZjA8kYakPLRh0KlFCZDHTGgRpqBeUgIKB2D_VEyeALB/s1600/tattoo-bird-girl-youryoko-david-glantz-black.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvME8ytp7IpDYxdqKVqEzlFHpIxFUL4SBio0j40gJ6gg9YhmHFiAR3DW-MOnEby-66Eb81HciNuUWf_ieSvwqKIDIQhzfHoRDo-ZjA8kYakPLRh0KlFCZDHTGgRpqBeUgIKB2D_VEyeALB/s1600/tattoo-bird-girl-youryoko-david-glantz-black.jpg" /></a></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(This is officially a saga, by the way. More parts than the goddamn Lord of the Rings.) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My precioussss is two weeks (and four days) old today. Technically it's not flaking or scabby anymore, but there are shiny areas that resemble scars and I'm <i>for sure</i> going to get in trouble for picking. I didn't pick. Well, mostly I didn't.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In less than two weeks, I get it coloured. But wait. I can't imagine loving it anymore than I already do. TRUE LOVE FOREVER! Maybe I'm having cold feet about the colour? Me! I'm flip-flopping, but I'd better decide very soon. <a href="http://archivetattoo.com/galleries/david-glantz"><b>This man</b></a> is highly coveted and I've waited 7 months for my appointment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If I go colour (which I've always wanted), I can't go back. If I stay black and grey for a while, I can always change my mind.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> But the design was meant to be coloured - there are parts that seem unfinished. Will that just bug me? Also, <a href="http://archivetattoo.com/galleries/david-glantz"><b>Mr. David Glantz</b></a> is a colour master!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When in doubt: Photoshop, right? I attempted to see what my new tattoo would look like in Technicolor but it resembled a child's colouring book. I won't share the results. Let's just say it wasn't a win for Team Colour. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Instead, I'll compare some of my faves from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>inspiration board</b></a> on Pinterest and elsewhere in the blogosphere:</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>{ BLACK + GREY vs. COLOUR }</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Place your bets!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaDuaG0-DoFIYFbtk2qC6cUhtVotJo5gbhOn2grgNYGG2zrFsnhYAKL8kY7gMRAg6rnjWSDHd3Y_WHQn4N6GWNW4ObI-9dVAthKFX9H0JdNM2KbCy75rudR-Rolh6DrdQuDNqNvfI4l39/s1600/tattoo-girls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaDuaG0-DoFIYFbtk2qC6cUhtVotJo5gbhOn2grgNYGG2zrFsnhYAKL8kY7gMRAg6rnjWSDHd3Y_WHQn4N6GWNW4ObI-9dVAthKFX9H0JdNM2KbCy75rudR-Rolh6DrdQuDNqNvfI4l39/s1600/tattoo-girls.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>Pinterest</b></a> // <a href="http://inkedgirls.inkedmag.com/"><b>Inked Girls</b></a> }</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIEkcfBlqNx1chd7G_Vf2igTMxbIsWuQV8Ti1aQ9N5J83WgOXu9pv7P52_5cHeXqcct9YrBQtDoU16ZZ9KbAd6z3ENLzJw75go0tu2pQRuLzkgdS9nQ7RLUisWgw8AlRx5TCHf0CjJONF/s1600/girl-boudoir-vintage-tattoos-feather.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIEkcfBlqNx1chd7G_Vf2igTMxbIsWuQV8Ti1aQ9N5J83WgOXu9pv7P52_5cHeXqcct9YrBQtDoU16ZZ9KbAd6z3ENLzJw75go0tu2pQRuLzkgdS9nQ7RLUisWgw8AlRx5TCHf0CjJONF/s1600/girl-boudoir-vintage-tattoos-feather.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>Pinterest</b></a> // <a href="http://nowandthan.tumblr.com/"><b>Now and Then</b></a> }</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9MytQTzsjVmfkBW8aAxNeXvY1JU-v_B2rDZedZiuXQ_eyVve2LtXpGlJRr0F3NDTGd7mJ7PwEEgpP5tLar0w1Y5gDHUuSUyjoy0oJN1Wl_PyOvQL0fiOsV47le60AKHed-I22imLJ5mg/s1600/tattoo-flowers-black-color-ink-bodyart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9MytQTzsjVmfkBW8aAxNeXvY1JU-v_B2rDZedZiuXQ_eyVve2LtXpGlJRr0F3NDTGd7mJ7PwEEgpP5tLar0w1Y5gDHUuSUyjoy0oJN1Wl_PyOvQL0fiOsV47le60AKHed-I22imLJ5mg/s1600/tattoo-flowers-black-color-ink-bodyart.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>Pinterest</b></a> }</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHD4gYdtvywp0fVBpjoPeaVPjwc_O3qhygVR3lST89mk4EkiBjLtQs49pr2679hXWBHKo2aY_lEyU7oNIy_bs5PmU5cNys7iZRiKOzVWr7CpwH-oY2ZHjiycSXd7y68wxCjR6nFUfqF_2/s1600/shoulder-flower-tattoo-girls-ink.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHD4gYdtvywp0fVBpjoPeaVPjwc_O3qhygVR3lST89mk4EkiBjLtQs49pr2679hXWBHKo2aY_lEyU7oNIy_bs5PmU5cNys7iZRiKOzVWr7CpwH-oY2ZHjiycSXd7y68wxCjR6nFUfqF_2/s1600/shoulder-flower-tattoo-girls-ink.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>Pinterest</b></a> // <a href="http://inkedgirls.inkedmag.com/"><b>Inked Girls</b></a> }</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0Nt8ZTWsBuZwEw8McRNMnfwHq8oxx432E9PEG2pblCQKwEsKBy_6ZaQiWk4mpDiAkeQyhKjO1xadIk_YGCMTa_p9x8uVpBsDaKKoC0Dq24s3UJf7RRFny_gpDBplZpwkgNc3jNtMVjHj/s1600/tattoo-sleeve-black-color-colour-fashion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0Nt8ZTWsBuZwEw8McRNMnfwHq8oxx432E9PEG2pblCQKwEsKBy_6ZaQiWk4mpDiAkeQyhKjO1xadIk_YGCMTa_p9x8uVpBsDaKKoC0Dq24s3UJf7RRFny_gpDBplZpwkgNc3jNtMVjHj/s1600/tattoo-sleeve-black-color-colour-fashion.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0Nt8ZTWsBuZwEw8McRNMnfwHq8oxx432E9PEG2pblCQKwEsKBy_6ZaQiWk4mpDiAkeQyhKjO1xadIk_YGCMTa_p9x8uVpBsDaKKoC0Dq24s3UJf7RRFny_gpDBplZpwkgNc3jNtMVjHj/s1600/tattoo-sleeve-black-color-colour-fashion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>Pinterest</b></a> // <a href="http://jasonkimphoto.com/"><b>Jason Kim for BlackBook Mag</b></a> }</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0Nt8ZTWsBuZwEw8McRNMnfwHq8oxx432E9PEG2pblCQKwEsKBy_6ZaQiWk4mpDiAkeQyhKjO1xadIk_YGCMTa_p9x8uVpBsDaKKoC0Dq24s3UJf7RRFny_gpDBplZpwkgNc3jNtMVjHj/s1600/tattoo-sleeve-black-color-colour-fashion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. I'm still conflicted!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-34589176312901644122012-10-06T14:30:00.002-07:002012-10-06T17:55:56.691-07:00colour-lust: red + mint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2WUrrDL0fsaBJfqfQa-qJQyH7CpuXtEoU73Vt6utKZLq1eopP7qX5xqRM8uoXM13jB3gkcTsd8sWgTkZxhQujSelKSc87wNS0rx-vwHXzSYDiQgd3-rWWufEICGSxgSmdBPVTYIDX8xL/s1600/mint-red-combo-palette-color-colour-youryoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2WUrrDL0fsaBJfqfQa-qJQyH7CpuXtEoU73Vt6utKZLq1eopP7qX5xqRM8uoXM13jB3gkcTsd8sWgTkZxhQujSelKSc87wNS0rx-vwHXzSYDiQgd3-rWWufEICGSxgSmdBPVTYIDX8xL/s1600/mint-red-combo-palette-color-colour-youryoko.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm "colourful". OK, that's a euphemism for "criminally insane" (borderline, yeah?). But I'm OK with it. I wear it on the outside with irrational pattern combos and upwards of five accent colours in one outfit. If I had my way, our apartment would be saturated in tangerine and fuchsia and shots of turquoise and crazy conflicting pattern-on-pattern (that's what my insides look like, or so I imagine). But I'm sharing Lead Decorator role with a decidedly more <strike>stubborn</strike> conservative human. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I won't stop dreaming in full colour, though. Dorothy is my homegirl.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe it's because I leafed through a book on cars of the 60s yesterday, or because Pinterest is swimming in S/S 2013 runway looks, but I'm daydreaming in a seriously unseasonable colour palette. It happens to be one of my most loved combos of all time, actually. I grew up in a 1950s time-capsule, so it's no surprise that my tastes err on the side of retro. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qWTHep3s5U7D6Zt0ruIrIf_uqJK2M8dmNIFtHYHc9Kmof1D4w9-iOIaDQDOA9tlojhL0b6Ya9QqeF80VA-v_gvkrcj4Q6EYSV1y42d9uc38z6U8I3b8_Enf_P3VrWw3bZrCpfVlWu52X/s1600/mint-red-vanilla.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qWTHep3s5U7D6Zt0ruIrIf_uqJK2M8dmNIFtHYHc9Kmof1D4w9-iOIaDQDOA9tlojhL0b6Ya9QqeF80VA-v_gvkrcj4Q6EYSV1y42d9uc38z6U8I3b8_Enf_P3VrWw3bZrCpfVlWu52X/s1600/mint-red-vanilla.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mint + apple-red + vanilla!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's sounds like a very yummy cocktail, <i>n'est ce pas</i>? Wanna meet me at the diner and sip one? Two straws. Batting eyelashes. Footsies. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just for funsies (and to set the mood for this post), let's pretend we can experience colour with all of our senses. Yes, I am eight.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Smell: <b><a href="http://www.cbihateperfume.com/in-the-summer-kitchen.html">"In the Summer Kitchen" by CB I Hate Perfume</a></b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taste: milkshakes </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hear: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAKmLWGfMyU"><b>One Fine Day</b></a> by The Chiffons</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Touch: melamine + taffeta </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe this snapshot of my little kitchen studio will illustrate my love for this combo:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFqyNctqLvCO1Dm4iTlFw7MElDehacHPmKNU4g5JvMFqQhzKwG6E2-wY0jeOtrjA4NlFKmYzTeGw8EgQ11f5oSZmmlCNju4smG0472qbyWN-uZ_PKNpHGyeU3WLouv3bOYOzxF77C6TXA/s1600/me-studio-mint-red-portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFqyNctqLvCO1Dm4iTlFw7MElDehacHPmKNU4g5JvMFqQhzKwG6E2-wY0jeOtrjA4NlFKmYzTeGw8EgQ11f5oSZmmlCNju4smG0472qbyWN-uZ_PKNpHGyeU3WLouv3bOYOzxF77C6TXA/s1600/me-studio-mint-red-portrait.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ photo by: <a href="http://jbsmithphotography.com/"><b>Jessica Blaine Smith</b></a>, 2011 // dorky hair + awkward smile: my own handiwork } </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> More delicious examples of this gorgeous union of colour are everywhere in life (and all over the internetz)!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbzHSc5leH9-3ZEKSjO_YKfeLNu1j4IGYhdQ2g8W-iJU7QL6CR7cQxU7ikzYLEa9LWL8BJaEEauvXtEdUTBAagMREKGteO7nmo2GacPVaqtSQca9Thn_Xgoizu_FM1WZRRM6sAeMy7j1b/s1600/metal-tackle-box-lunchbox-vintage-etsy-mint-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbzHSc5leH9-3ZEKSjO_YKfeLNu1j4IGYhdQ2g8W-iJU7QL6CR7cQxU7ikzYLEa9LWL8BJaEEauvXtEdUTBAagMREKGteO7nmo2GacPVaqtSQca9Thn_Xgoizu_FM1WZRRM6sAeMy7j1b/s1600/metal-tackle-box-lunchbox-vintage-etsy-mint-red.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> {ia's Vintage <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/iasVintage?ref=seller_info"><b>lunch box</b></a> // AM Radio <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AMradio?ref=seller_info"><b>tackle box</b></a> }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO-zvMuUKGmIdVb2mIDepHKO1CMRApxMTvP_02FdFC4r9zYV-KsduwVn0xn-5JKXDwAC1Hf9KqRX6Tt6j_NA32VCBaORWHK4MCcXjIj3_5sww0OpubAJcPRB2ligMMRhZWJ8pT1cMcrGE/s1600/mint-red-rooms-interiors-decor-design-shelterness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaO-zvMuUKGmIdVb2mIDepHKO1CMRApxMTvP_02FdFC4r9zYV-KsduwVn0xn-5JKXDwAC1Hf9KqRX6Tt6j_NA32VCBaORWHK4MCcXjIj3_5sww0OpubAJcPRB2ligMMRhZWJ8pT1cMcrGE/s1600/mint-red-rooms-interiors-decor-design-shelterness.jpg" /></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ interiors // photos via:<b> <a href="http://shelterness.com/">shelterness.com</a> </b>}</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfdoSnQ95IeS8sLcizOyP3NHWppUbAVf_PzEtfbdpyCP58Vl9kAJH37kQT0dbl8709B4P0xSZGBI6c0Rv4SYJk6UpmrqldXGJ_p5VpcRIKBm1JIMqMcBwB5BbmJ-TAZUfiUXJO8MiA-Y-/s1600/mint-oxfords-custom-red-etsy-goodbyefolk-shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfdoSnQ95IeS8sLcizOyP3NHWppUbAVf_PzEtfbdpyCP58Vl9kAJH37kQT0dbl8709B4P0xSZGBI6c0Rv4SYJk6UpmrqldXGJ_p5VpcRIKBm1JIMqMcBwB5BbmJ-TAZUfiUXJO8MiA-Y-/s1600/mint-oxfords-custom-red-etsy-goodbyefolk-shoes.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ custom handmade oxfords by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/goodbyefolk?ref=seller_info"><b>goodbyefolk</b></a> }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6jAzNvSx1Rnyq-1IbHSviBGZrUAmXDWWHeOYdx6b7FEx6YB7IRiT-sFz3sMI_Ae48S1CdtXk0JQmXUSNklUHnq5kgBzuQsbZWk7YI4ZikZAoAkYK07xQi_3hfjNDmgcxYdtRmwurcFe/s1600/selectivepotential-laviepetite-red-mint-outfits-streetstyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6jAzNvSx1Rnyq-1IbHSviBGZrUAmXDWWHeOYdx6b7FEx6YB7IRiT-sFz3sMI_Ae48S1CdtXk0JQmXUSNklUHnq5kgBzuQsbZWk7YI4ZikZAoAkYK07xQi_3hfjNDmgcxYdtRmwurcFe/s1600/selectivepotential-laviepetite-red-mint-outfits-streetstyle.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ awesome street style // pics by<b> <a href="http://selectivepotential.com/">selectivepotential.com</a> </b>&<b> <a href="http://laviepetite.blogspot.com/">laviepetite.blogspot.com </a></b>}</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbzHSc5leH9-3ZEKSjO_YKfeLNu1j4IGYhdQ2g8W-iJU7QL6CR7cQxU7ikzYLEa9LWL8BJaEEauvXtEdUTBAagMREKGteO7nmo2GacPVaqtSQca9Thn_Xgoizu_FM1WZRRM6sAeMy7j1b/s1600/metal-tackle-box-lunchbox-vintage-etsy-mint-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWg8V-fCl3yOwNzwMaPhOC8YkIgD1_D80MOUsrDIx93ZjV29-5_KJUoElBBRoHBWIJ7ivBDYgwQTsIrfpyFPWuFHeBXSDxTHPIarqM2hvb-NO4DV8sKLX85Bo7znafTVQvPye7ZO9rgCb/s1600/necklace-chevron-wood-mint-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWg8V-fCl3yOwNzwMaPhOC8YkIgD1_D80MOUsrDIx93ZjV29-5_KJUoElBBRoHBWIJ7ivBDYgwQTsIrfpyFPWuFHeBXSDxTHPIarqM2hvb-NO4DV8sKLX85Bo7znafTVQvPye7ZO9rgCb/s1600/necklace-chevron-wood-mint-red.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/105010115/red-mint-and-gold-large-colorblock"><b>wood chevron necklace</b></a> on Etsy }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6jAzNvSx1Rnyq-1IbHSviBGZrUAmXDWWHeOYdx6b7FEx6YB7IRiT-sFz3sMI_Ae48S1CdtXk0JQmXUSNklUHnq5kgBzuQsbZWk7YI4ZikZAoAkYK07xQi_3hfjNDmgcxYdtRmwurcFe/s1600/selectivepotential-laviepetite-red-mint-outfits-streetstyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiOICk0JNAiUuB8xD4si0aZTxCGkRKjcLBj139vsmkMDKD9S4yeJnGUT3GGR89A81QQdJaZGW3J1HZ-0YVmiwPgWkhAfqY7rtvSQpK-qfZzPjTfbfoBh00SDGFPQdhUg0EiqLP8RoSom3/s1600/mint-camera-photo-retro-caliente-car-vintage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiOICk0JNAiUuB8xD4si0aZTxCGkRKjcLBj139vsmkMDKD9S4yeJnGUT3GGR89A81QQdJaZGW3J1HZ-0YVmiwPgWkhAfqY7rtvSQpK-qfZzPjTfbfoBh00SDGFPQdhUg0EiqLP8RoSom3/s1600/mint-camera-photo-retro-caliente-car-vintage.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ photo by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Andrekart?ref=seller_info"><b>ANDREKART</b></a> // photo by me! }</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUZNhMf5rLLLRpEVmmiHtMqsp-4_1fIDRCu5KyFevHcKYK4XtgL8YV6bvzvKQorctsopAKkv8CC_n2IYneJp7I8-tAnig_YPXcDhjMMDhOf5w7f_W3fD3jSS8Q97Euu2suYKG9dZrPBCY/s1600/berry-bowl-etsy-vintage-mint-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUZNhMf5rLLLRpEVmmiHtMqsp-4_1fIDRCu5KyFevHcKYK4XtgL8YV6bvzvKQorctsopAKkv8CC_n2IYneJp7I8-tAnig_YPXcDhjMMDhOf5w7f_W3fD3jSS8Q97Euu2suYKG9dZrPBCY/s1600/berry-bowl-etsy-vintage-mint-red.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/claylicious?ref=seller_info"><b>berry bowl </b></a>by Claylicious on Etsy }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY6jAzNvSx1Rnyq-1IbHSviBGZrUAmXDWWHeOYdx6b7FEx6YB7IRiT-sFz3sMI_Ae48S1CdtXk0JQmXUSNklUHnq5kgBzuQsbZWk7YI4ZikZAoAkYK07xQi_3hfjNDmgcxYdtRmwurcFe/s1600/selectivepotential-laviepetite-red-mint-outfits-streetstyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCqTbjhzxZ49Ig69nzdh9N5Zrr2_byBvAkrD8vlxCW8vBZ4M1ygLWbrOWmLtZohimPLshPX-eCfBxTFP6tkZYJ6trvG8k-7hfmdgGxtiH_jnLfiPhcF_-QGhOu1CQpZfjKtSqF4jmJUjk/s1600/table-fan-desk-lamp-vintage-mint-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCqTbjhzxZ49Ig69nzdh9N5Zrr2_byBvAkrD8vlxCW8vBZ4M1ygLWbrOWmLtZohimPLshPX-eCfBxTFP6tkZYJ6trvG8k-7hfmdgGxtiH_jnLfiPhcF_-QGhOu1CQpZfjKtSqF4jmJUjk/s1600/table-fan-desk-lamp-vintage-mint-red.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/109080592/vintage-mint-table-fan"><b>vintage fan</b></a> // AM Radio <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AMradio?ref=seller_info"><b>vintage desk lamp</b></a> }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiOICk0JNAiUuB8xD4si0aZTxCGkRKjcLBj139vsmkMDKD9S4yeJnGUT3GGR89A81QQdJaZGW3J1HZ-0YVmiwPgWkhAfqY7rtvSQpK-qfZzPjTfbfoBh00SDGFPQdhUg0EiqLP8RoSom3/s1600/mint-camera-photo-retro-caliente-car-vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. in case you thought I was joking about that 1950s time capsule stuff. This is my parents' basement:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyztW64S-FWHKP1f_vOP6-VsydeQz2YBCFFfJw1pZs0ZRrhI79X5geMHPog6uKoyTeCUOS02Z1dLVNMYaQheuvWvYQzSSmyklQBrbHtt-__nPisIiRSCgxfqwDqh2pSS8SDuJsA_HWI89/s1600/basement-50s-momdad-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyztW64S-FWHKP1f_vOP6-VsydeQz2YBCFFfJw1pZs0ZRrhI79X5geMHPog6uKoyTeCUOS02Z1dLVNMYaQheuvWvYQzSSmyklQBrbHtt-__nPisIiRSCgxfqwDqh2pSS8SDuJsA_HWI89/s1600/basement-50s-momdad-house.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Header photo, right panel: <a href="http://rgbsf.bigcartel.com/product/ruby-belle-cezanne-emboridery-dress-mint-red-floral"><b>Ruby Belle Dress</b></a></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-12710780168992763182012-09-25T19:38:00.002-07:002013-02-06T20:57:28.042-08:00virgin (tattoo) diaries pt. 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDrDHpSR0n04tsH8xxYQ2REYwDUeasB-wCB8Fwv9EUz0LlSHnlLoBPYIdpK9EYPraNyQIfN-Ab1F-8uSGw22Una-HC-QVW531ryv2IbikztNGCcmsVbmdKs-bvbhYYEQamHd6SblvALFO/s1600/tatto-in-progress-archive-david-glantz-toronto-bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDrDHpSR0n04tsH8xxYQ2REYwDUeasB-wCB8Fwv9EUz0LlSHnlLoBPYIdpK9EYPraNyQIfN-Ab1F-8uSGw22Una-HC-QVW531ryv2IbikztNGCcmsVbmdKs-bvbhYYEQamHd6SblvALFO/s1600/tatto-in-progress-archive-david-glantz-toronto-bird.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I did it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You wanna say I'm all mouth, yeah? OK, sometimes I talk a big game. Sometimes I sissy out. But this is my year, remember? I'm just doing it. All of it. Bunce wondered aloud if we really do "get things out of our system". Maybe we just scratch the itch and enjoy some temporary relief. I think I'll always be itchy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Like my 5-day-old tattoo. Oh, the itching.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are some people in my life who share my affliction. 30-something going on 16? You know who you are. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how to satiate my inner irrational teenager while staying within the confines of my responsible adult existence. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/"><b>Cabin in the Woods</b></a> of the soul. Spoiler alert! I'm making sacrifices to my demons.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My demons are happy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My actual 16-year-old self didn't rebel with a hasty, amateur Daytona Beach dolphin ankle tattoo. I experimented with hair colour and pierced my nose on a New Year's Eve dare, offering up my guinea pig face to a beauty school freshman. My folks weren't especially strict about that stuff but I remember them being pretty anti-tattoo (until, at 50, my mother beat me to the punch) and I <i>wanted</i> to be a good girl. Also, I was quite self-aware at 16. I was fickle and flighty and pretty uncomfortable with being me. Not an ideal candidate for permanence, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I never wanted a dolphin. I always wanted a bird (see? I'm not being impulsive). It doesn't mean anything. It's just pretty. And while that might sound like a silly reason to choose a specific tattoo subject, I think it's smart. An aesthetically pleasing representation of nature will never cease to be relevant.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViviWXNN6mYRlhfedTrk1-Oxar5VX1Mp91ZAafyYl3sHVmZQSdwTtFnmtUj7aGv5VMoQuCAaLJuiubFSkBO37dzTGrHcYqWw56ofgg4UkVru_06Q8eLYlMareFyyfUPjYzTfYEcN1BIdW/s1600/tattoo-drawing-bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViviWXNN6mYRlhfedTrk1-Oxar5VX1Mp91ZAafyYl3sHVmZQSdwTtFnmtUj7aGv5VMoQuCAaLJuiubFSkBO37dzTGrHcYqWw56ofgg4UkVru_06Q8eLYlMareFyyfUPjYzTfYEcN1BIdW/s1600/tattoo-drawing-bird.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">{ get ready... }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm 33. I feel 16 (angst and all) but I know who I am now. I'm comfortable in my skin (itchiness aside). And I decided I might be – well, I AM – the kind of girl who chooses a full-forearm tattoo on her very first go. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My first of two sessions at <a href="http://archivetattoo.com/"><b>Archive</b></a> was last Thursday. I was hella nervous but I was pretty sure that it was the good kind. Like first-date-with-cute-boy nervous. Not STD-test-after-unprotected-sex nervous.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://archivetattoo.com/"><b>David</b></a> was a total pro and just an awesome person. The atmosphere (non-pretentious, clinical-but-cozy) was ideal for a first-timer like me. The pain was probably hiding under adrenaline and good conversation, so it wasn't as excruciating as I'd been made to believe. I also told myself that it was less horrible than roller coasters and and PAP smears and job interviews. It was. The last portion of the shading started to get to me, however, and I realized that 2 hours was probably my threshold. No matter – David finished a beautifully-executed starling perched among wispy freesias (a whopping 7x4" piece) in time for me to be home for dinner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In a month, I'll get my colour done. I can't imagine loving it any more than I do, but I'm a sucker for colour. All of them. RAINBOWS!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1MOKKjAvfYg-BD2CB_7-lB8s4nLJQbxEvDjvf6Y8NbJXt7ZNT7rrJkvyCKHTS03flzxqzpkcsP66YNg4KQcnzxZJiIANbu0gPIIOqS4hB41w86PCTWtSbGf1slyVgHKU38XcPzjvdgPp/s1600/craft-girl-sewing-bird-tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1MOKKjAvfYg-BD2CB_7-lB8s4nLJQbxEvDjvf6Y8NbJXt7ZNT7rrJkvyCKHTS03flzxqzpkcsP66YNg4KQcnzxZJiIANbu0gPIIOqS4hB41w86PCTWtSbGf1slyVgHKU38XcPzjvdgPp/s1600/craft-girl-sewing-bird-tattoo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> { this guy will be making a lot of cameos in my photos. forever. }</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the meantime I'm trying to ignore the fact that I am molting. Molting! Yeah, like a seagull or a tree frog. JUST PIECES OF MY BODY FALLING OFF. I would generally be inclined to pick at and "encourage" this process. I'm a picker. But I have been strongly advised against it. Forbidden! Put me in a straight jacket. Please.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I blubbered "It completes me!" after admiring it (again) in the mirror tonight. Hubby was surprised to learn that <i>he</i> hadn't already been the last piece of my wholeness. I'm sure he and ink-bird will learn to live harmoniously. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And if they don't? Tattoos are a lot more permanent than marriages, so you can guess how that will go down.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Totally kidding. He loves it.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">More non-iPhone photos when I start looking more like a girl and less like a reptile. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">---</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Read more about my adventures in ink <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/02/virgin-tattoo-diaries-pt-1.html"><b>here</b></a> and <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/08/virgin-tattoo-diaries-pt-2.html"><b>here</b></a>.</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-23424724950392563042012-09-17T21:34:00.001-07:002012-09-18T06:50:52.889-07:00Fall, head first.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB6NeeMXLHsVgZC20Ew-6u1YzqzMDX6OBn7in7DgBDzeSGDdkMW-FeS097xU9n9oNB9wikzyYkWkPvrAcLQ25BzookUUS8t5b-_2TKiD5DHYKQfFz0tAIELp964F9FQmIk8ALZmVquI-A/s1600/header-fall-etsy-toque-vintage-knit-handmade-youryoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB6NeeMXLHsVgZC20Ew-6u1YzqzMDX6OBn7in7DgBDzeSGDdkMW-FeS097xU9n9oNB9wikzyYkWkPvrAcLQ25BzookUUS8t5b-_2TKiD5DHYKQfFz0tAIELp964F9FQmIk8ALZmVquI-A/s1600/header-fall-etsy-toque-vintage-knit-handmade-youryoko.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm kinda resisting the change of seasons. Which is crazy because I LOVE fall. The season of layering and multi-coloured tights and crunchy leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. Oh, and Halloween! Seriously? The best.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But I've been purposely wearing sandals and leaving my coat at home and wearing white after Labour Day (gasp). The weather is making it too easy. Do I just have a rebellion-lust this year? Am I stumbling upon uncharacteristic pessimism? "All good things must come to an end"? </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't really believe that. But this summer was pretty magical and also highly indulgent (read: unsustainable). It's OK, the new budget and food restrictions have been good for a girl like me who gets caught up so easily. Healthy. But I guess it's making me associate fall with the end of a good ride. The optimist's perspective: it's still a ride, but we're rolling up the windows. Just a little. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Truthfully, renewal (September is the new January) is exactly what I need. And in the way that you'll crave Hot Rods (yes, even as a vegetarian) when your body really just needs protein, my subconscious is already jumping in piles of leaves and sprinkling nutmeg with fervor. It's trying to tell me something. How do I know? My <a href="http://etsy.com/"><b>Etsy</b></a> faves are suspiciously seasonal. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHUU2ERUY7WIbRJ1qvDPg93QOQuWSRnVpMznDfnec84yddOzn_jIiwzBOh3smcyeY4dMN5wCd5gQVn0NquFVRWOkKEE3iy4O4ZlAAbUGzl0vUaeJkvBrBC9-QhQ7Zc0VsMjkT6mRkLdBL/s1600/clour-palette-fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHUU2ERUY7WIbRJ1qvDPg93QOQuWSRnVpMznDfnec84yddOzn_jIiwzBOh3smcyeY4dMN5wCd5gQVn0NquFVRWOkKEE3iy4O4ZlAAbUGzl0vUaeJkvBrBC9-QhQ7Zc0VsMjkT6mRkLdBL/s1600/clour-palette-fall.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> { a surprisingly subdued colour palette for this gal: soft black, goldenrod, slate blue... and sometimes a dash of cinnamon }</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course, because of my ongoing shopping ban, I can't actually <i>purchase</i> any of these Etsy covets. Minor detail.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When I'm allowed to spend again at the end of this month, the weather will be less forgiving. Sandals are out of the question. It will be a great time to finally embrace the fact that time charges forward. My summer of excess will be but a sweet memory and cluster of <a href="http://web.stagram.com/n/youryoko/"><b>Instagram</b></a> captures. I will buy some pretty cardis (3/4-sleeved to show off my new tattoo!) and tall boots and maybe even give up being a quasi-blonde. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, look. All this talk is getting me excited. Finally. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My dream fall, in things, inspired by <a href="http://etsy.com/"><b>Etsy</b></a>: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XHW3yNr7WW4jgwSldaKBJ3_nyS75vhyphenhyphenQ1hzlhlydtbK8UPE22HX3flwv_77_VKyDjVfXZShGKAqJInCHefT4i7YUTle9Vv5JipZMsUOl3Sw1R3tmh0Hp8937H1QwT4zpqYE-HEAKHhmM/s1600/sheer-black-vintage-dress-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6uiwdm4ETo_GBZQ7FGr_AVXqwge74ynsUcVFdz5AbswFnktMhm3J8ODwNjtx8aeoUKJSbtbwwL7SMEftjoxCX73t5wicpS9lJAeyovsyQbGiQn4Z56kQFDTW7iv1m6HF2o4ntD5YpOFj/s1600/60s-barware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6uiwdm4ETo_GBZQ7FGr_AVXqwge74ynsUcVFdz5AbswFnktMhm3J8ODwNjtx8aeoUKJSbtbwwL7SMEftjoxCX73t5wicpS9lJAeyovsyQbGiQn4Z56kQFDTW7iv1m6HF2o4ntD5YpOFj/s1600/60s-barware.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I referred to something as "half Mad Men, half Girls Gone Wild" yesterday and my friend Dawn said it totally described <i>me</i> "200%". Oh boy. Probably I should lean towards the Mad Men side a little more, yeah? These should do just the trick. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/aniandrose?ref=seller_info">Vintage barware</a> $23 </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQb5nrSIeBykoGbX7-CSlyxIRvMc5ivLP2LASZgXDbJLfGgleYkq-azKZZY4t77mgYmxJY7Gf-IQiqljNBwUKh95B0008s2NcNdPnVAXzCys1iZIz7T8CPlSIKmzkFzEOZRqVKO0U18VF/s1600/brown-leather-tote-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQb5nrSIeBykoGbX7-CSlyxIRvMc5ivLP2LASZgXDbJLfGgleYkq-azKZZY4t77mgYmxJY7Gf-IQiqljNBwUKh95B0008s2NcNdPnVAXzCys1iZIz7T8CPlSIKmzkFzEOZRqVKO0U18VF/s1600/brown-leather-tote-etsy.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm a bells-and-whistles kinda girl (tassels! snaps! fringe!) but occasionally, I find awesomeness in simplicity. This bag is perfection. Leather tote by </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ribandhull?ref=seller_info">Rib & Hull</a> $290</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWSH9W5UvT6oOPuKski81QuzoFcp_4SSypxoasUbAeHESkxvP9iYSzxSwbTzxRoGq2yXK3G5vGIt4e7RkB-6LuBj6SfctHH4j5uA4m8e90gdOwAbae1y4f-y_UxJZV8NUhwHDyyCDZTtz/s1600/burlap-pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWSH9W5UvT6oOPuKski81QuzoFcp_4SSypxoasUbAeHESkxvP9iYSzxSwbTzxRoGq2yXK3G5vGIt4e7RkB-6LuBj6SfctHH4j5uA4m8e90gdOwAbae1y4f-y_UxJZV8NUhwHDyyCDZTtz/s1600/burlap-pillows.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm kind of obsessed with burlap. Like the way it makes you cough a little when you breathe it in. I just made pillows for our living room out of some old coffee sacks we picked up in Perth last summer. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWatsonShop?ref=seller_info%20"><b>This Etsy shop</b></a> makes darling things out of the scratchy stuff. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Burlap pillows $45</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPn6Anm88nYqXVYuUxtk371DlUOHzQX9eW8CZpD7KDXdhZrm159ZALGzcBZiVzsBgoZ7GmHhg7gy5fmVXNrLBQOnKMGDW_8oY72xpUY-COYD6R6AmjilGoKhThEHdRbtlCcAuHHCT_av/s1600/chevron-print-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPn6Anm88nYqXVYuUxtk371DlUOHzQX9eW8CZpD7KDXdhZrm159ZALGzcBZiVzsBgoZ7GmHhg7gy5fmVXNrLBQOnKMGDW_8oY72xpUY-COYD6R6AmjilGoKhThEHdRbtlCcAuHHCT_av/s1600/chevron-print-etsy.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simple, graphic, lovely. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Chevron%20print%20http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrseliotbooks?ref=seller_info"><b>Chevron print</b></a>, $36</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZDWXpM37Yw9NZH8nIYFFKe9ko8ZU9YxMuCsZBZzzCRiuh-VAJjXuOhFsMeNEbYuR7IGbl6i4QSoZtkGtKvT3i5jaliNFvdgmExk7rQTMFt1cxJd6JZrCRxAq9AWChACzCKiuetrFp1Ct/s1600/cinnamon-soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZDWXpM37Yw9NZH8nIYFFKe9ko8ZU9YxMuCsZBZzzCRiuh-VAJjXuOhFsMeNEbYuR7IGbl6i4QSoZtkGtKvT3i5jaliNFvdgmExk7rQTMFt1cxJd6JZrCRxAq9AWChACzCKiuetrFp1Ct/s1600/cinnamon-soap.jpg" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had a long-term love-thing with peppermint. It was monogamous. Peppermint everything. But a little lip balm I picked up in Montreal turned me onto cinnamon again (in my post-candy-hearts adult life), and maybe I have two loves now. Scandal. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BabylonSoapCo?ref=seller_info"><b>Cinnamon soap</b></a> $6.50</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XHW3yNr7WW4jgwSldaKBJ3_nyS75vhyphenhyphenQ1hzlhlydtbK8UPE22HX3flwv_77_VKyDjVfXZShGKAqJInCHefT4i7YUTle9Vv5JipZMsUOl3Sw1R3tmh0Hp8937H1QwT4zpqYE-HEAKHhmM/s1600/sheer-black-vintage-dress-etsy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XHW3yNr7WW4jgwSldaKBJ3_nyS75vhyphenhyphenQ1hzlhlydtbK8UPE22HX3flwv_77_VKyDjVfXZShGKAqJInCHefT4i7YUTle9Vv5JipZMsUOl3Sw1R3tmh0Hp8937H1QwT4zpqYE-HEAKHhmM/s1600/sheer-black-vintage-dress-etsy.jpg" /></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I have great underthings. Surely they deserve a little show & tell. Kidding? But please, tell me this isn't the greatest dress you've ever seen. Stunning. I'd do fantastic things in this dress, I'm sure. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplicityisbliss?ref=seller_info"><b>Vintage sheer dress</b></a> $145</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxocohOMv1N3f-hCuDKeFaqNnwAOneE1Z1OCB6MHXLCF5aiyk3ib0Ddp4MEganHi2el3F6XuyJUY5GV0twO_aDfJfYWt6ubf3IMoV9wayAHFp5tXG8m03IwSgaMnJ2MEbltgpXIszdHgK2/s1600/french-kitchen-jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxocohOMv1N3f-hCuDKeFaqNnwAOneE1Z1OCB6MHXLCF5aiyk3ib0Ddp4MEganHi2el3F6XuyJUY5GV0twO_aDfJfYWt6ubf3IMoV9wayAHFp5tXG8m03IwSgaMnJ2MEbltgpXIszdHgK2/s1600/french-kitchen-jars.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In my fantasy life, as a Parisian boutique owner (slash model, slash <i>journaliste)</i>, my baking needs would be stored in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RueDesLouves?ref=seller_info"><b>vintage enamel canisters</b></a><i> </i>in the kitchen of my <i>petit</i> loft apartment.<i> Trés chic, n'est pas?</i> $145</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa7wqCivqNlxPNCAnDa-L1K9ggtrlbTIIoLHL2G8OqyCf5IZxhjNA3Y1j0zo3U94QI9qIKIq1TOmicCEyjVz2u_xD413lupmgyORPuJD_axc7qhy_suC0BQBH1eZCDV_G9eGSfpK-AkQg/s1600/gold-turban-toque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa7wqCivqNlxPNCAnDa-L1K9ggtrlbTIIoLHL2G8OqyCf5IZxhjNA3Y1j0zo3U94QI9qIKIq1TOmicCEyjVz2u_xD413lupmgyORPuJD_axc7qhy_suC0BQBH1eZCDV_G9eGSfpK-AkQg/s1600/gold-turban-toque.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MondayCraft?ref=seller_info"><b>This hat!</b></a> $40 </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH9m5kILcY-PRteITQp3Sbv5UGBtDddZvjEOQF7PLDUbnpEqLA5rv9-4WMNZoMq8XCPX7dIoDse0JzREY5sQlKHRs_NPKdC5PLy4m8ZZC36rE_xaWXt55ZSnA6mNl7JWCCjrb4B1ng8L8/s1600/metallic-leggings-snake-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH9m5kILcY-PRteITQp3Sbv5UGBtDddZvjEOQF7PLDUbnpEqLA5rv9-4WMNZoMq8XCPX7dIoDse0JzREY5sQlKHRs_NPKdC5PLy4m8ZZC36rE_xaWXt55ZSnA6mNl7JWCCjrb4B1ng8L8/s1600/metallic-leggings-snake-etsy.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not gonna lie: as soon as this shopping ban is lifted, these are the very first things I'm buying. High-waisted? Metallic? Animal print? You're speaking my language. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bartinki?ref=seller_info"><b>Snake print leggings </b></a>$45</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4-AHA1EXPyENxTbvnkUe9a7JsV0qZppxL4E6_4ik7FR6Ufilc3aErUBs_vso246jtW-KwPTfk3xgDSUoL8_dl96L9YGuuBYd91PzsnD0Hsa54N-cPes0fT14P0K6tBHzkdbk46NL-MLD/s1600/racerback-lace-tank-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4-AHA1EXPyENxTbvnkUe9a7JsV0qZppxL4E6_4ik7FR6Ufilc3aErUBs_vso246jtW-KwPTfk3xgDSUoL8_dl96L9YGuuBYd91PzsnD0Hsa54N-cPes0fT14P0K6tBHzkdbk46NL-MLD/s1600/racerback-lace-tank-etsy.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">OK, maybe there is actually something wrong with me. I just really, really want you to look at my underwear, obvi. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/murmuration?ref=seller_info"><b>Lace racerback</b></a> $95</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvhbVSljB_v9-TA30hsofTay-IidK1aglkwxsKrf1ZmIhkx7cuWjVxx74pA9kgdmn4GbDHvw9oGD-03vdt3XkP2uaWHogQ9ONCiQyoJbo5JgDd0BfmsDj9NjuPW11XSYZPOAFOpys5355/s1600/typewriter-etsy-vintage-smith-corona-slate-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvhbVSljB_v9-TA30hsofTay-IidK1aglkwxsKrf1ZmIhkx7cuWjVxx74pA9kgdmn4GbDHvw9oGD-03vdt3XkP2uaWHogQ9ONCiQyoJbo5JgDd0BfmsDj9NjuPW11XSYZPOAFOpys5355/s1600/typewriter-etsy-vintage-smith-corona-slate-blue.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My childhood typewriter is still in the possession of my parents. I tried to reclaim it when they forced me to absorb the rest of my junk trying to exercise squatters' rights in their storage closet. But apparently dad uses it to type up the labels for their juke box. Dedication to authenticity? I just want to look at it because it's pretty? OK, I guess he wins. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RustBeltThreads?ref=seller_info"><b>Typewriter</b></a> $80</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-59477261374926481372012-09-11T21:42:00.001-07:002012-09-11T21:42:21.831-07:00The $0 Wardrobe Re-invention Project: UPDATE!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBW_pt43J1Ynsk8iL2G-2SCd3HeQeZlGtA2Ba2cgwm6xUoRxC32gjvhBET_OA7cE0aiHJyEfk5dhLQ1UK71w6sjVvSK8EK8xu9HypvIxmgSdFrGYH9REOqH_YPHbNPSu0mOVwgw-Z-lCe/s1600/me-header-outfits-summer-gingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBW_pt43J1Ynsk8iL2G-2SCd3HeQeZlGtA2Ba2cgwm6xUoRxC32gjvhBET_OA7cE0aiHJyEfk5dhLQ1UK71w6sjVvSK8EK8xu9HypvIxmgSdFrGYH9REOqH_YPHbNPSu0mOVwgw-Z-lCe/s1600/me-header-outfits-summer-gingham.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">[ highly suspicious outfit activity... ]</span></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Technically, I should have successfully completed my shopping diet almost a month ago.
If you need to know more, <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/06/0-wardrobe-re-invention-project.html"><b>read here</b></a>. Basically, I've grounded myself
from shopping for anything frivolous and unnecessary (ermmm, clothes and
beauty). Cold turkey, baby. I can only function in extremes.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">But guys, I'm going to be totally honest here.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I cheated.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">FOUR TIMES. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My
"diet" which officially began on June 11 was slated to end mid-August. But bad behaviour landed me back in the slammer. I added
another month to my sentence.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sure it would
have been much, much worse, except that my birthday conveniently landed smack
dab in the middle of my ban. Mom treated me to a little shopping
spree at the new Marshall's (apparently a very big deal in Ottawa,
though it's pretty much exactly like Winners). I scored the a denim shirt, ikat/geometric skirt, and green leather clutch. Gifts. Not cheating. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacFkTu5GaqGZrTpGxHxKxYZhesLiKbKb-Fyq6jsNTs160qSm7RevAgcyaZesxXsiqYRHAb1c4VWxpqhyA4BORbU7TKRhvBbCNi3PJLZZhcZaRs9LTg8gI6IaDk6LxP51xR-eTB0TCq_t5/s1600/denim-shirt-levis-geometric-skirt-ikat-beats-by-dre-gelaskins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacFkTu5GaqGZrTpGxHxKxYZhesLiKbKb-Fyq6jsNTs160qSm7RevAgcyaZesxXsiqYRHAb1c4VWxpqhyA4BORbU7TKRhvBbCNi3PJLZZhcZaRs9LTg8gI6IaDk6LxP51xR-eTB0TCq_t5/s1600/denim-shirt-levis-geometric-skirt-ikat-beats-by-dre-gelaskins.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>[ yay, mom! ]</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then,
my lovely friends</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">
lavished me with beauty essentials (girl-crack)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and bought me gift cards for <a href="http://www.blogto.com/fashion/philistine-toronto"><b>Philistine</b></a> (umm, YEAH, I link to my own articles) and MAC. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNGjcJX_M8-Fnde0G4qEVfrSR9_icNiBMOsiTlEZ-NXGnbeycLfs-zDbCB3OdmsggkIlCneJCgJkhRN1pJtfST0IPcU0RqEjIHiqJcjK8YGsXZIgn0QdjuoxijM6og0B4ihlGQYXAlo2c/s1600/outfit-youryoko-philistine-tunic-rust-summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNGjcJX_M8-Fnde0G4qEVfrSR9_icNiBMOsiTlEZ-NXGnbeycLfs-zDbCB3OdmsggkIlCneJCgJkhRN1pJtfST0IPcU0RqEjIHiqJcjK8YGsXZIgn0QdjuoxijM6og0B4ihlGQYXAlo2c/s1600/outfit-youryoko-philistine-tunic-rust-summer.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> [ my new philistine "tunic" is a dress on normal-sized humans ]</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">But still, I fell off the wagon.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">FOUR TIMES. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are my crimes, petty as they may be:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1.
Bowling trip to Vaughan Mills on our July staycay ended in innocent "poking
around" in some of the outlet shops. I resisted a French Connection Maxi
and deeply-discounted tees with sassy slogans. But a <b>cute pair of
on-sale skinnies</b> (photo above) at H&M broke me. I even ignored my "no cheap denim"
rule. I was in a bad way. Damage: $20</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.konadnailart.com/"><b>Konad</b></a>
polishes. Cathie bought me the kit, and it kind of became a new
obsession. My mom also bought into it (she thinks she's 17, mostly) and
we were possibly both a little high on acetone. I beefed up my kit with a
new colour and design plate. Damage: $25</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3.
<a href="http://www.joefresh.com/"><b>Joe Fresh</b></a>. Gets me EVERY TIME. Mom (bad influence!) and I went to
grab groceries at the SuperStore while I was in Ottawa in July. In the
'burbs, the Joe Fresh shops are RIGHT INSIDE THE GROCERY STORE. As in,
next to lettuce: moderately priced pants. Oy. I genuinely needed new
sweats for camping, and I was lured by $6 tees. Damage: $30</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. Maybe I shouldn't even count this one, but in the interest of full-disclosure, I thrifted a <b>like-new J.Crew gingham top</b> for $7 at Value Village. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieos81HNL6klR4G-_ixSVTcxhtjXQa-rCCarPJ9InZhbWvOwXagJY_WvbNWEkFvpxMFiWI-ikyDSq1Enupvy4u8wdh3_y92lMl5aWki-lbz8EHYvOv1TZu472r1k1vt-9RW5KlOLViQqlz/s1600/youryoko-outfit-style-gingham-jcrew-shorts-mint-hotpink-summer-classic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieos81HNL6klR4G-_ixSVTcxhtjXQa-rCCarPJ9InZhbWvOwXagJY_WvbNWEkFvpxMFiWI-ikyDSq1Enupvy4u8wdh3_y92lMl5aWki-lbz8EHYvOv1TZu472r1k1vt-9RW5KlOLViQqlz/s1600/youryoko-outfit-style-gingham-jcrew-shorts-mint-hotpink-summer-classic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> [ cute shirt, right? ]</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">For me, $82 in almost 2 months wasn't bad. But I'm disappointed that I couldn't make it through. Alas, early parole DENIED! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then: I didn't buy a THING in August and most of September. Yay, me!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today is my new release date. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Correction: was. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I almost made it. I could almost smell the mall-smells in my imminent future. New leather and Cinnabon and heavily-perfumed sales ladies. Then, I spied an adorbs pair of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/94038689"><b>cherry-red vintage bowling shoes</b></a> (in my size!) on Etsy yesterday and just HAD to have them. I don't bowl a ton anymore (I was a league kid), but I'd like to, and maybe these kicks will kick it off. Damage: $40</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I need a support group.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Besides my slip-ups, I'm pretty happy with my restraint, and otherwise,
my wardrobe reinvention has been coming along nicely. I've tinkered with some <b>
jewellry repairs</b>, <b>tie-dyed some tees</b>, <b>reinvented an out-of-date skirt</b>, and <b>altered a pair of pants</b>. I
also took home a sweet haul at a <b>clothing swap</b> last month. My biggest
projects are still sitting untouched on my sewing table and I'm putting
myself on house arrest for most of the month to get things done.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M9cw6avvGZWeJ59jC__2xA2cmsmKagVLZuiFfzn_5ZIYKUil5NT0RliAL7yyxg7Q_Eu1JVX2IFFDEyDUQPA6QIfn2infn8si55F9xyLU1UaeEe7fdJVwMmvHdUPcGzbJxrFHy6L622hQ/s1600/outfit-summer-youryoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9M9cw6avvGZWeJ59jC__2xA2cmsmKagVLZuiFfzn_5ZIYKUil5NT0RliAL7yyxg7Q_Eu1JVX2IFFDEyDUQPA6QIfn2infn8si55F9xyLU1UaeEe7fdJVwMmvHdUPcGzbJxrFHy6L622hQ/s1600/outfit-summer-youryoko.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> [ church rummage size-16 midi skirt gets a new life as an above-the-knee size 6 ]</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">As thrifty and crafty as I may be, though, that last little shopping infraction just cost me another 2 weeks. I'll need the busy-hands distraction.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Plus: I'm currently putting myself
through a month-long detox AND Alex and I just drafted up a pretty aggressive budget plan for the next year. Yeah, all at once. Because,
well, I enjoy torture, obviously.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">As of October I can spend (and drink and eat junk!) again, but I think the break from my toxic ways has been so positive that I'm going to be smart about falling (purposely) off the wagon. Using my credit card for anything other than emergs? Never. Doing shots on a work night? Rarely. Midnight burritos? Well, sometimes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You know how much I love getting into trouble. This is hell. But worth-it hell. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Right?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I need a bloody drink.)</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-28366977032773178362012-08-12T20:09:00.000-07:002013-02-06T20:58:02.998-08:00virgin (tattoo) diaries pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k7Ra14Uy3Q2OwCxR41vQdTtNgLq0exvimCn3lE7cvs7cLgBz0MB9RYTn75QKT1QTGOwBITFCwQaowg0hy2i71Phn3ZiuDnnaqN6sZOwhX_4doGaFJlVL5AfkbrfSDB5Jk08mDJJ9VcBR/s1600/header-tattoo-ink-flowers-pretty-birds-girls-peter-aurisch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k7Ra14Uy3Q2OwCxR41vQdTtNgLq0exvimCn3lE7cvs7cLgBz0MB9RYTn75QKT1QTGOwBITFCwQaowg0hy2i71Phn3ZiuDnnaqN6sZOwhX_4doGaFJlVL5AfkbrfSDB5Jk08mDJJ9VcBR/s1600/header-tattoo-ink-flowers-pretty-birds-girls-peter-aurisch.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One month! One month!<br /><br />If you haven't read Part 1, you can do so <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/02/virgin-tattoo-diaries-pt-1.html"><b>here</b></a>. Lazy? Here's the gist: wanted a tattoo forever, finally committed, booked a super in-demand artist, had to wait 6 months for my appointment. Well, 6 months is now 1. 40 days, to be exact. I'm not quite sure how I haven't been bursting with impatience. Well, I have. But what can I do? I haven't even seen the final drawing yet. Really, I'm not even sure he's started it yet, but I'm trying not to be THAT girl. I'll bug <a href="http://archivetattoo.com/galleries/david-glantz/"><b>him</b></a> in a couple of weeks, yeah? <br /><br />All of this waiting has not allowed doubt to creep in, like you might expect.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nope. In fact, quite the opposite. I've already decided on my next THREE tattoos. Oh boy. Here's the thing: if, in an interview, say, you asked me to name my greatest weakness, I'd probably not say "getting caught up in things" but that would be the truth. I'd likely choose a strength disguised as a weakness ("I'm <i>such</i> a perfectionist."), something that didn't paint me as a flake prone to too-romantic whims. But I am that. And well, I'm "caught up" in this thing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I suppose I should wait for my 1st before being so rash. Extreeeemes!<br /><br />But if I love it as much as I think I'm going to, here's the (body) map of my tattoo-plan:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HYMu17an5l0Vhc3QUngejpM9wlNL4w7Y6xYh1dG2JNEFDMxvsMlceyFqNrWWyUhuhDDyOFk5o72-mgC7SzNjGWWRJ1Xnptub6f2mkqYQr6Av4COcKwq-ltD6lAEx1Ofs6gdd2KvLv8wO/s1600/tattoo-map-dayna-winter-youryoko-bird-bike-bee-word-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HYMu17an5l0Vhc3QUngejpM9wlNL4w7Y6xYh1dG2JNEFDMxvsMlceyFqNrWWyUhuhDDyOFk5o72-mgC7SzNjGWWRJ1Xnptub6f2mkqYQr6Av4COcKwq-ltD6lAEx1Ofs6gdd2KvLv8wO/s1600/tattoo-map-dayna-winter-youryoko-bird-bike-bee-word-3.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Lower left arm: birds & flowers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Upper right arm: bees!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Right wrist: my sis and I are getting matching word tattoos, something from our secret sister-language, natch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Leg TBD: bike (<i>avec</i> doggie riding in basket!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm a ridiculous human.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also just bought tickets to see <a href="http://www.richaucoin.ca/"><b>Rich Aucoin</b></a> (my latest music-crush) at Lee's Palace on the very same day as my tattoo appointment. Bloody gauze and front-row dancing. Yeah!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Stay tuned, my pets!<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Until I can share images of the actual thing, enjoy some inspiration I found in my travels:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2aNbRWNknOC80kEyHxZ79_HewtBSvQ7fAnPf2QtjH4da-rYt9pyTnzcBATkn4sUS90wMlKF40cyZJbvS_-oCgK5R2TiHKtg4CCYUasPo7m7_vsY15UG9WhopeqtjeW8WwD99eEW2If5/s1600/tattoo-birds-fox-owl-flowers-peter-aurisch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2aNbRWNknOC80kEyHxZ79_HewtBSvQ7fAnPf2QtjH4da-rYt9pyTnzcBATkn4sUS90wMlKF40cyZJbvS_-oCgK5R2TiHKtg4CCYUasPo7m7_vsY15UG9WhopeqtjeW8WwD99eEW2If5/s1600/tattoo-birds-fox-owl-flowers-peter-aurisch.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs_AY5CfDRV8V94CUapjjB6FoknoIhofon-HEfxCDcrbFCHSunv35JndfIzQJTg3Qbym1ybyDAGzPoW0yBG7HhVjZpjEKp6pDgH3-T_vogegdDNBaf9GJ0Sg2U-s2eZiZkJLX0_J73FNs/s1600/tattoo-flower-bird-girl-peter-aurisch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs_AY5CfDRV8V94CUapjjB6FoknoIhofon-HEfxCDcrbFCHSunv35JndfIzQJTg3Qbym1ybyDAGzPoW0yBG7HhVjZpjEKp6pDgH3-T_vogegdDNBaf9GJ0Sg2U-s2eZiZkJLX0_J73FNs/s1600/tattoo-flower-bird-girl-peter-aurisch.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHlIKgQx7F3yAaWd54R5Ki_BeE_R59JDWAYQETUP2O5bxiNGAh3_7ryhzt68EhpKAQFPPQOauaZ2Z0tPyEbqkIcv7Pt-BP2rfzp3JlI_BICO48xpS8a6rjfiMmD7RPN6kPE56tWyXHeVg/s1600/tattoos-flowers-peter-aurisch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHlIKgQx7F3yAaWd54R5Ki_BeE_R59JDWAYQETUP2O5bxiNGAh3_7ryhzt68EhpKAQFPPQOauaZ2Z0tPyEbqkIcv7Pt-BP2rfzp3JlI_BICO48xpS8a6rjfiMmD7RPN6kPE56tWyXHeVg/s1600/tattoos-flowers-peter-aurisch.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">p.s. The images on the left side of each panel above are the work of tattoo artist <a href="http://peteraurisch.com/"><b>Peter Aurisch</b></a>. One day I will travel to Berlin and make him draw pretty things on me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Other photo sources <a href="https://pinterest.com/youryoko/tattoo-inspiration/"><b>here</b></a>)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-80451278549878689212012-08-09T18:04:00.002-07:002012-08-09T18:20:17.549-07:00tough as nails<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN-OVJvKIcbpE0QbGs-g0_2MMdpnHVH7mqpH_aq1AqnquGwuy9YEq67uaiCMPftf5y8VYAY6sMX9SFz85onDmv5LuThcdlauBobABYQa4qeQfmmEBOy3aJODGTSW9VllcMqZMJeI5zXcF/s1600/nails-header-manicure-glitter-strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN-OVJvKIcbpE0QbGs-g0_2MMdpnHVH7mqpH_aq1AqnquGwuy9YEq67uaiCMPftf5y8VYAY6sMX9SFz85onDmv5LuThcdlauBobABYQa4qeQfmmEBOy3aJODGTSW9VllcMqZMJeI5zXcF/s1600/nails-header-manicure-glitter-strips.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prelude: This is kiiiinda gonna be a product review. Which I don't normally do, because no one pays me to and mostly I'm narcissistic and I think my ridiculous banter is way more interesting (it is, right, mom?). First, though, I'm going to waste 4 paragraphs on a giant tangent/rant about packaging and copywriting. Stay with me. I'm worth it.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seldom do I fall for the marketing jargon used to sell me products. I used to (and sometimes still do) write that garbage. </span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pretty packaging? I'm a sucker. Don't try to woo me with words, though. Chemicals disguised as whimsy? The Periodic Table of Make-Believe? Thesaurus trickery? Dude. I watched enough Columbo to see through your story.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The claims made by most beauty products are hilarious and ridiculous. Trademarked science-y sounding terms are my absolute favourite. Now with Bioteen™! Cellusmooth™! Lipoluxe™!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Are you patronizing me? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I skip straight to the ingredients, usually. That's where the truth lies. You can't win me over with natural-sounding buzz words when you're crammed with carcinogens and things I can't pronounce. You might trick me for a bit with beautiful branding and gorgeous typefaces but when I shake myself out of package-porn drunkenness, I can sometimes discover the very best products. I've said it before: <a href="http://www.100percentpure.ca/"><b>100% Pure</b></a>? Ugly branding, awesome product!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Like, edible-awesome. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm also not completely swayed by brand cachet. As in: your double-page $70 skin cream spread in Vogue doesn't mean I think you're more worthy than the <b><a href="http://www.dermae.com/fc_portals/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=dfc.portal&CMD=DEI.DPRODUCTS&SESSIONID=1629258927A&PN=2300ea&WHICH=st_ndc">$20 stuff</a> </b>I buy at the dusty smells-of-patchouli natural food store. Mostly because my frugal ways are deeply rooted, but also because I've used <a href="http://live-clean.com/products/apple%20cider%20vinegar%20-%20clarifying%20shampoo%20and%20finishing%20rinse"><b>$8 shampoos </b></a>that I've liked as much, if not more, than $30 shampoos. My <a href="http://www.stives.com/Facial-Products/Naturally-Clear/Blemish-%28and%29-Blackhead-Control-Apricot-Scrub/"><b>favourite scrub</b></a> is 4 bucks and my <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Volum-Express-OnebyOne-Washable-Mascara.aspx?shadeId=575"><b>go-to mascara</b></a> is 8. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF5g4yCVXlQfVBp6vsot9LkF15M8kKBkLDOhGjRCeMtR42HJro_r3X33n0S7FwzdMTFHDVjl66r97HixVb1zGWU1Z4_DJu7HzxZ3iByflDfhsY3kMotKJNLellMEYT0G4H_qQ_vNSAJiB/s1600/cheap-inexpensive-beauty-favourites-drug-store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF5g4yCVXlQfVBp6vsot9LkF15M8kKBkLDOhGjRCeMtR42HJro_r3X33n0S7FwzdMTFHDVjl66r97HixVb1zGWU1Z4_DJu7HzxZ3iByflDfhsY3kMotKJNLellMEYT0G4H_qQ_vNSAJiB/s1600/cheap-inexpensive-beauty-favourites-drug-store.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ beauty bests (on a dime): St. Ives scrub, Sally Hansen Salon Manicure, Live Clean hair care, Maybelline ONE by ONE ]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I believe in paying for quality when it comes to, say, denim. Or escorts. In beauty, though you're probably not getting much more for your money if you spend $40 over $10 on a lipstick. Same chemical soup. $30 in sexy packaging and ad space, probably. Hotshot copywriters would have you believe otherwise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Reverses the aging process!" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">IT'S A TRAP! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> OK, so I will <i>sometimes</i> (in an optimistic, I-need-a-miracle state) buy these products with the hopes that the effect will be even <i>half</i> as spectacular as promised. I brace myself for disappointment and/or convince myself that I'm just OK with placebos this time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's pretty here in la-la land. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">--- </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">OK, let's talk<b> <a href="http://sallyhansen.com/products/nails/nail-color/salon-effects-real-nail-polish-strips">Sally Hansen Salon Effects</a> </b>nail strips</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpHbWZTAsPtaUZBTsw3KnGahyphenhyphenrEobDi4O5GnsIyxXUzOUz3xzXQb-6T584fa7-LOzUcPkLmBKEB-IqSPayE3b0KxIxIc90sqh9yqDOKyAoHpzbeeQj3t0II1y7QdynhUxEG0fVs1OOZ8H/s1600/sally-hansen-salon-effects-nail-strips-packaging-art-polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpHbWZTAsPtaUZBTsw3KnGahyphenhyphenrEobDi4O5GnsIyxXUzOUz3xzXQb-6T584fa7-LOzUcPkLmBKEB-IqSPayE3b0KxIxIc90sqh9yqDOKyAoHpzbeeQj3t0II1y7QdynhUxEG0fVs1OOZ8H/s1600/sally-hansen-salon-effects-nail-strips-packaging-art-polish.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I probably never would have picked them up on my own. If the horrific packaging and very skeptical claims like "lasts up to 10 days" weren't enough, a single use is $10. Strikes 1, 2, and 3. Nail polish, another item not worth the extra spend for premium brands, can run you on average $8 a bottle in the drug store. A bottle will last through several manicures. It's pretty easy math: one-time strips for $10, not worth it.</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">However, a friend bought me a set for my birthday recently. I applied them while watching TV with the Mister the other night. The aligning part is tricky, but otherwise they were pretty simple to apply. I thought they'd be more like stickers, but the effect is like polish in the end – flawless, seamless, flat. I wondered about using a top coat. I mean you ALWAYS need a top coat, right? The packaging mentioned nothing of top coats, so I didn't risk it. I suspected that they'd last a day or two before chipping/peeling. That's usually how long I can go without mussing up a mani.</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mine lasted ELEVEN DAYS. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg504wDwtVUQhVnJqwDmGWjdMAB0vTtF-5S-B31_tvuq5k3VeQlYEMEddEdSqO1kG-6_oBVRklz3-SLKRIPqwhhjcOOPeng3ew3cWJ8Ve0aCzNO98Er-Q4ka7A1Bo1njZ8lep79ExWj7Duv/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-salon-effects-time-lapse-10-days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg504wDwtVUQhVnJqwDmGWjdMAB0vTtF-5S-B31_tvuq5k3VeQlYEMEddEdSqO1kG-6_oBVRklz3-SLKRIPqwhhjcOOPeng3ew3cWJ8Ve0aCzNO98Er-Q4ka7A1Bo1njZ8lep79ExWj7Duv/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-salon-effects-time-lapse-10-days.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not a single chip! No peeling, fading, dulling, rubbing off. Amazing! You could actually see nail growth. There was some very slight uniform wearing at the very tips, but it only became noticeable on the last day. I probably would have had a good 2 days left with them, but metallic animal print can get a little exhausting. Nail polish that outlasts my love of leopard print? Huh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I like this idea too: use one strip as an accent!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_uUrpPBNd9XabYrDP385ixI8xWhCVka4FWlTHPttfscqzWhDbeDSAfmDQK0iPKWyO4oZGDHgmUNasnb-gcAtAm1ViSIm3WI6WNid9GBuGjE8up817d0_AKzqmVlQi7RYXRbXRcThHMnH/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-manicure-PSbyDilla-com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_uUrpPBNd9XabYrDP385ixI8xWhCVka4FWlTHPttfscqzWhDbeDSAfmDQK0iPKWyO4oZGDHgmUNasnb-gcAtAm1ViSIm3WI6WNid9GBuGjE8up817d0_AKzqmVlQi7RYXRbXRcThHMnH/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-manicure-PSbyDilla-com.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ image c/o <a href="http://refinery29.com/"><b>refinery29.com</b></a> ]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So let's talk removal process. Sally Hansen claims that removal is "easy" with polish remover. Ominous cloud of skepticism. It couldn't be worse than their <a href="http://sallyhansen.com/beauty-tips/how-videos/sally-hansen-gem-crush-nail-color"><b>Gem Crush</b></a> glitter polish, which basically annihilates cotton pads. It's gorgeous, but like it's like sandpaper. I read <b><a href="http://www.xojane.com/diy/how-to-take-off-remove-glitter-nail-polish">this helpful piece of glitter-coated wisdom</a> </b>a little too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The nail strips were, as promised, removable with regular polish remover. "Easy" might be a stretch, but the process didn't induce a sweat mustache and that's my effort benchmark. Sally Hansen does offer an extra strength version, just in case. Next time I might try the glitter polish technique.<b> </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR75zUsOhrZrfpbBKCdcCMKmKw51_GXj2X5__KHe5juiEZQjV7TvflrnAgmYhRuG7oWKkJvXiJQzEI_BOs8grG9_iOBr4HEQjnJQMBNM_rkr39W72t_RSijXa32shao4xmPId6-SUFsIy/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-manicure-variety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyR75zUsOhrZrfpbBKCdcCMKmKw51_GXj2X5__KHe5juiEZQjV7TvflrnAgmYhRuG7oWKkJvXiJQzEI_BOs8grG9_iOBr4HEQjnJQMBNM_rkr39W72t_RSijXa32shao4xmPId6-SUFsIy/s1600/sally-hansen-nail-strips-manicure-variety.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Overall, totally worth the $10 price tag!</b> I think these would be especially great for vacations – no fuss! My only complaint is the variety of designs. I'm only a fan of a handful of them. Maybe that will save me from falling into financial ruin. Death by manicure. <br /><br />My office mate discovered that <a href="http://www.sephora.ca/"><b>Sephora</b></a> carried a similar product (uh oh) and that the designs are way better. Unfortch, you pay for cachet (what did I tell you!?) and these puppies are going to run you $14. BUT, basic internet-sleuthin' revealed that some of the designs are currently on sale! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yep, <a href="http://www.sephora.com/trend-tips-P299606"><b>waaaaay better designs</b></a>. Ikat, cherries, lace! Oh my. There's even a <a href="http://www.sephora.com/betsey-johnson-trend-tips-P308400"><b>Betsey Johnson line</b></a>! Some for </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 to 7 bucks, yo! This could get ugly...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuOrdnYTcSO__5prCPxc_790Va10DAsnSj0Qu0g1RDodTM6VbqP9DXFybhi-rd1LHz8Ob0TcTzZYEMnBh0DbYdpzy0MaZg3xDoDZceHSHVwoCCDTRJc6rYBYz1Ug0nNE2lCZyCycpM_l_/s1600/opi-sephora-nail-strips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuOrdnYTcSO__5prCPxc_790Va10DAsnSj0Qu0g1RDodTM6VbqP9DXFybhi-rd1LHz8Ob0TcTzZYEMnBh0DbYdpzy0MaZg3xDoDZceHSHVwoCCDTRJc6rYBYz1Ug0nNE2lCZyCycpM_l_/s1600/opi-sephora-nail-strips.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm going to busy myself with my new (birthday-aquired) <a href="http://www.konadnailart.com/"><b>nail-stamping kit</b></a> to save myself from forbidden spending. My shopping diet lives on!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I smell another product review. Yeesh, I really should be paid for this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. Another way-too-long blog post. I need to write more. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-69307489079412488732012-07-23T20:06:00.004-07:002012-07-24T16:19:06.749-07:00lowercase-b, boobs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGAeUOvUcCyMgykUB6FAyLXi_ZwK5BRj09Z-nHEJQ7ysCJJaVu5WXwggmkwEf8T9Q-yerzdz4WNReMoqoxRCfPFJDWpXuAKIVIdOIUl086Gis_i-cWR_QKpC4wQOZdElVPb0-3sd2jgtY/s1600/bras-boobs-blog-youryoko-bustier-small-lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGAeUOvUcCyMgykUB6FAyLXi_ZwK5BRj09Z-nHEJQ7ysCJJaVu5WXwggmkwEf8T9Q-yerzdz4WNReMoqoxRCfPFJDWpXuAKIVIdOIUl086Gis_i-cWR_QKpC4wQOZdElVPb0-3sd2jgtY/s1600/bras-boobs-blog-youryoko-bustier-small-lace.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Before we get started, children, pick up your pencils. I'm going to need you all to complete a short questionnaire.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Are you:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A. My father</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">B. My brother</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">C. One of my in-laws</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">D. One of my male co-workers</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">E. Prudence McPrude </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">F. None of the above</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you selected F, read on. If you selected A through E, I must warn you that reading any further could result in permanent blindness, post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmare-driven panic attacks or all of the above. Proceed with extreme caution.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Also, don't let the subject matter fool you. You won't like this nearly as much as you might think.)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">... </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Anecdote! I was visiting my new-mom friend a few weeks ago. Her babe was maybe 2 months old at the time. When the men left the room, she grabbed my arm (hard) and gave me what she <i>thought</i> was super helpful advice for a soon-to-be (not <i>that</i> soon) mom: "YOUR BOOBS WILL NEVER LOOK GOOD AGAIN."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wait.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alright, I knew about the body-morphing and the tearing and the episiotomy and the after-birth and the pain and all of the other "miracles" of child birth. I also knew about the temporary huge boobs. I was looking forward to having a cup (or two?) promotion while pregnant, but I guess I'm romanticizing it? I figured I'd bounce back. I *gulp* won't?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I mean, I'm not delusional enough to think I'll be one of those mini French women with the little basketball up front. <i>Trés petite</i>! Nor will I fit back into my skinny jeans the very next day. Nope, I will most definitely be a HOUSE. I'm not a "big girl" necessarily, but I'm tall and I like to eat. Add: "eating for two" and irrational preggers cravings, and well, watch out. The Japanese make movies about these things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rawr! I will eat your skyscraper!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1XUsNKAnaJNyKYlwLhYDDjqF0Ecqi5OYlQSrQuJdVXZYrqjlY_HEUslnH_CLgN6JeO-4J8wj_xZjBMbe3qtfBq9V9ccNYG40214d7dxgSMvyzOqJ71avDFiJ3fAlxpFuZnH2Od9mzuMm/s1600/godzilla-scream-woman-cult-horror-classic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1XUsNKAnaJNyKYlwLhYDDjqF0Ecqi5OYlQSrQuJdVXZYrqjlY_HEUslnH_CLgN6JeO-4J8wj_xZjBMbe3qtfBq9V9ccNYG40214d7dxgSMvyzOqJ71avDFiJ3fAlxpFuZnH2Od9mzuMm/s1600/godzilla-scream-woman-cult-horror-classic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">But yeah, boobs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's why I'm concerned: I'm 33 but I have the boobs of a 20-year-old. The rest of my body is aging appropriately, but my boobs! It's because they're little, though. </span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Whatever, I'm not gonna make excuses about liking myself! I deserve this strut, so let me. Ladies, we don't say enough good things about ourselves. (Can I get an amen up in hurr?!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I absolutely hated (<i>hated!)</i> being tall and meager-chested during high school. It was (according to my fragile, irrational teen brain) the absolute worst punishment Mother Nature could have ever bestowed. Dramz! TV and fragrance ads told me that men like big boobs and tiny women. I conveniently ignored that fact that I had essentially a runway-model body (back then, people, BACK THEN). It was boyish and willowy no matter how many calories I crammed in my face. Foot-long, please, extra mayo. Oh, to have that metabolism again! Stupid, stupid girl. So many years wasted on insecurity and slouching and the grunge era. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I piled on almost 30 pounds since the 9th grade. 30! PURE MUSCLE, OBVIOUSLY *ahem*. My doctor says I'm still
at the "low-to-average end of normal for my height". However, the smug
trainer at my gym pinched my arm flab with that cold blubber-measuring machine and proclaimed
my body fat percentage to be higher than normal. Betch. The extra fat
wasn't kind to my face or thighs, but it may have helped in the boob
department. OK, they didn't actually <i>grow</i>, but fat from my armpits can double as extra bra-filler. Resourceful. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love my height now. And my small boobs (<i>avec</i> extra armpit-fat help). It took me way too long to realize that these are highly coveted qualities. Being a typical never-satisfied woman, I, of course, have found new things to hate: I scrutinize pores, poke at fatty thighs, complain about my hair, frown at my less-than-satisfactory derriere in the double-mirror. Sigh.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So let me have this one, OK? </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDvG4kIHNpJSilKvJ7nRQKjGemjS6YkEQOCBNPKl_VTPqERof2In-dEbQd412tml7aIpEGJLlxEJugErhJvFSekWY59NzfiohTSl3Yb2YSK1bKIL7K_4MGJsSbxp2OU9vs2p41tal3nsW/s1600/internet-boobs-leopard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDvG4kIHNpJSilKvJ7nRQKjGemjS6YkEQOCBNPKl_VTPqERof2In-dEbQd412tml7aIpEGJLlxEJugErhJvFSekWY59NzfiohTSl3Yb2YSK1bKIL7K_4MGJsSbxp2OU9vs2p41tal3nsW/s1600/internet-boobs-leopard.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ this is all you get, puppies. alex is currently hovering, threatening to post his "junk" on Facebook ]</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I think I have a point here, though. I do, I do! Mostly I started this post as a result of being traumatized by the imminent choice: kids or good boobs. I pick kids, but I will make them pay me back via years of chores. WINKY FACE! (One day they will read this, gawd help me, because the internet is FOREVER!) Oh yeah, a point: what I realized, while having self-centered thoughts as my momma friend struggled with "latching" under her nursing cape, was that I need to relish this (possibly brief) burst of good body image. I should probably just walk around naked and wear things that are body/age-inappropriate, yeah? Or take off my shirt at an LMFAO show (yes, I did that).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Or, I could just turn my epiphany into a PSA and soak up some good karma. Small-boobed? Here's a pep-talk about your girls, girls: </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Guys like boobs. Not just big boobs. All boobs. BOOBS.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">You won't sag. I mean maybe a little, but really where is an A cup gonna go, sister?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">You can wear a LOT of things that other girls can't. Especially things that don't require bras. I've worn bandanas as shirts, band-aids instead of bras. Do it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">But bras? Still your friend sometimes. 4 words you need to know: <a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/bras/"><b>Victoria's. Secret. Push. Up.</b></a></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRDqaD50VwC8IzZB6bOFDJX7B5JNpx4nJ1Y-ZMWhos0SkQn7DzOyDJ7wOZvlEiD_6uaTAA7sMve570vBo7lZOPmhnuUxwYnPwF3GhVvF5xKcTwKXzDp-41iuXyX3Isa1f8ta43aJOOpso/s1600/topshop-bra-boobs-bustier-polka-dot-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRDqaD50VwC8IzZB6bOFDJX7B5JNpx4nJ1Y-ZMWhos0SkQn7DzOyDJ7wOZvlEiD_6uaTAA7sMve570vBo7lZOPmhnuUxwYnPwF3GhVvF5xKcTwKXzDp-41iuXyX3Isa1f8ta43aJOOpso/s1600/topshop-bra-boobs-bustier-polka-dot-blue.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ wear this, because you CAN // <a href="http://www.topshop.com/"><b>topshop</b></a> $40 ]</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I could have used a guardian angel when I was 14. Say, a foul-mouthed 33-year-old version of myself from the future? I'm sure I am somehow a better person for the "suffering", though. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We're almost <i>expected</i> as women to tear ourselves (and each other) apart but I kinda think I'm quitting that club. I'll probably still ask "does this make me look fat?" and wish my double chin was more of a single, but I refuse to be afraid to celebrate/flaunt what I actually love about myself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boobs.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [ Header photo: <a href="http://www.nastygal.com/clothes_intimates/aire-soft-bra"><b>Nasty Gal</b></a> // <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-intimates/22932230.jsp"><b>Anthropologie</b></a> // <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sorcery?ref=seller_info"><b>Sorcery on Etsy</b></a> ]</span><br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-55666477998930863692012-06-19T22:05:00.001-07:002013-05-31T12:16:18.410-07:00The $0 Wardrobe Re-invention Project!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnATLOMivpyW-d4AGUdMqtZkZzFtil21xN_0Yf1UWVyMTDWNVbSSFwIPwR38zpNL_vFdXSXPKLJdMgzPk3TmbVD4YCuEu8BHzNnVa8QmHqVxxudrc4LbuEmoYR08VIM0CRkW4e4x1EBbF/s1600/style-outfits-mix-match-thrift-ecclectic-budget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnATLOMivpyW-d4AGUdMqtZkZzFtil21xN_0Yf1UWVyMTDWNVbSSFwIPwR38zpNL_vFdXSXPKLJdMgzPk3TmbVD4YCuEu8BHzNnVa8QmHqVxxudrc4LbuEmoYR08VIM0CRkW4e4x1EBbF/s1600/style-outfits-mix-match-thrift-ecclectic-budget.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am on a shopping diet.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's self-imposed, but will happen under the judging, disapproving eye of my minimalist husband. He doesn't <i>actually</i>
have a say in my purchases. My money is my own, and I'm currently the
winningest bread-winner in our duo. However, he definitely has a right to pipe up about
this shoe purchase or that new shirt: my closet is just the worst. I
ran out of hangers. Again. And have I mentioned that I share the lone
(and tiny) storage space in our whole apartment with that poor, poor
man? My skirts constantly taunt his slacks. My blouses bully his shirts. His wardrobe ends up huddling together at the very edge of the rack, hoping for a safety-in-numbers approach to survival.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's not just a space issue, though. if I'm ever going to pay off debts and save up for grown-up
purchases like houses and cars and Airstreams and hot tubs (and tattoooos!), I need to curb spending.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>So here's my challenge: no new clothing/shoe/accessory/</b></span><wbr></wbr><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>jewellery/beauty/non-essential
spends for 2 months. Nothing frilly. Nothing frivolous. NOTHING.</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vaUn1KC7qrqzzhF1zoFKMrF8i5AmN_FhgnPmpzs-gZGiFeMtOpwfGi6keoh8jEGRdihyphenhyphenc4jax-C7Qs8DQJqtwuhiA1CzP-FLdl8PDRS0aUlTgxUHvOVYOlSD9F2MAwMgH9uuZkyU56Wc/s1600/oy-beer-oops-drnk-stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vaUn1KC7qrqzzhF1zoFKMrF8i5AmN_FhgnPmpzs-gZGiFeMtOpwfGi6keoh8jEGRdihyphenhyphenc4jax-C7Qs8DQJqtwuhiA1CzP-FLdl8PDRS0aUlTgxUHvOVYOlSD9F2MAwMgH9uuZkyU56Wc/s1600/oy-beer-oops-drnk-stripes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ oy, can someone puh-lease get me another beer? ]</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I actually started (officially) last Monday, so I'm already more than a week in! <b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Exceptions:</b> a proper haircut, non-vanity products (deodorant, toothpaste, sunscreen), underwear if needed
(needed), and a nude strapless bra (to replace the one that exploded while on my body in the middle of the No Frills produce section).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh yeah, and the necessities of life: tacos and beers and the like. Duh. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yikes. I might wilt and fade and die without chameleon-like
style-self-expression. How, oh <i>how</i>, do I reinvent myself each day with
the same old pieces from last year? <i>#firstworldproblems</i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's doable with a little
resourcefulness, a mess of creativity, and a good pair of fabric
scissors. Luckily, I have all three. But even the DIY-challenged can
breathe new life into last season's rompers, pants that fit a
much-skinnier former self, and dresses hoarded since high
school. Without spending a dime. </span><br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wardrobe CPR</span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span></b></u><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1. Trade.</b>
Have you not yet discovered the wonder of clothing swaps? Sister,
PLEASE. I have a friend with a bit of an attitude about used
clothing, but these are your FRIENDS, girl. Surely you will not contract imaginary/worst-fears-come-true parasites if the hand-me-downs
come from a friend who shares your personal hygiene OCD. I have gleaned
many an amazing piece and have peacefully parted with gems I couldn't
bear to drop in the big metal Goodwill bin. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYTSNMv_OpkpoMO3XpaRGp-a9g_QLCrGKklbklqtRT8B3YgHABV-T2Q2SO27hVUNTb-2_ohEXUEshRGK7hvsR2PjNOEO3KWwO_s_HbX1AiL7K0U-1vhR_seZo-my_yOgyWKqubBjdYrV/s1600/clothing-swap-outfits-chevrons-color-thrift.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmYTSNMv_OpkpoMO3XpaRGp-a9g_QLCrGKklbklqtRT8B3YgHABV-T2Q2SO27hVUNTb-2_ohEXUEshRGK7hvsR2PjNOEO3KWwO_s_HbX1AiL7K0U-1vhR_seZo-my_yOgyWKqubBjdYrV/s1600/clothing-swap-outfits-chevrons-color-thrift.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ swap scores: vintage teal petal-print skirt // denim jacket // chevron tank ]</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>2. Revive.</b> Dye, tie-dye, paint, embellish,
restring, stamp, re-purpose, darn, mend... I actually darned socks once, during my poor
student days. I felt all wartime-y. Like I was doing my part for my
country. Of course, said socks did not end up on the feet of soldiers.
Also, they were red with monkeys on the ankles. A girl with an actual
salary can probably stand to avoid darning, but I'm excited for some
more interesting revitalization projects. I restrung beads from two
vintage necklaces to make this one. I'm inspired to make more!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bdJrF7DguEgQd1ItdtTataIGk5CxpFQVxODGTtBXTf3JXe6qcz5xdU_MfjHdrcOOWeOWradwbO4WwN02kPSEXC2WJ5aJ0oq7hr_4c5pdH4UGAfqI1PSJZVY8LPdXFllVE-OXs7wvO9ul/s1600/red-necklace-repurposed-vintage-beads-handmade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bdJrF7DguEgQd1ItdtTataIGk5CxpFQVxODGTtBXTf3JXe6qcz5xdU_MfjHdrcOOWeOWradwbO4WwN02kPSEXC2WJ5aJ0oq7hr_4c5pdH4UGAfqI1PSJZVY8LPdXFllVE-OXs7wvO9ul/s1600/red-necklace-repurposed-vintage-beads-handmade.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvvE-rDIPTpNzFXI6FQZqzin8Wyk8J5W-MApO2ut1yk4wc0TSej02710Zi4LB2qx4wvP6e3uSKzTkwdw77nDumMQCkUf0AfGGLW-yUtnlyirdQhtuu_5U7eLhfeSRFOUX-doaAeD-pAN-/s1600/asos-chucks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvvE-rDIPTpNzFXI6FQZqzin8Wyk8J5W-MApO2ut1yk4wc0TSej02710Zi4LB2qx4wvP6e3uSKzTkwdw77nDumMQCkUf0AfGGLW-yUtnlyirdQhtuu_5U7eLhfeSRFOUX-doaAeD-pAN-/s1600/asos-chucks.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[ $80 at <a href="http://asos.com/">asos.com</a> or... I could DIY my plain white chucks with some <a href="http://pinterest.com/karboojeh/fabric-paper-diy-stamps/"><b>easy stamping</b></a> ] </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>3. Layer, mix, (mis)match.</b> Not
a new concept, and really my all-the-time M.O. I just need to start getting a lot more creative in the next 8 weeks. Example: I have this midi-dress in white
with crocheted bits. I have worn the shit out of it. The top is a bit
ill-fitting now and the armpits reveal many a sweaty summer bike ride.
But the skirt portion is pretty lovely. Throw a light gauzy tee over the
whole mess, and voila! I considered converting it to a skirt, but the top portion is perfect as a layering cami. Win-win. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAbR-pY8C2lI2bU1dW9tKXIBmGh1c0NKaqY50b0Lx2BZdNGR0Ywn4D5vl1euqfwbYtScTwTOF6H8bRh-uhYm2Z08EzFys0FgsWNPF4EsLpmH43HF8xxfew19uBYgLQmOYVuFboDd1P7Tp/s1600/outfit-alley-graffiti-summer-blue-layering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAbR-pY8C2lI2bU1dW9tKXIBmGh1c0NKaqY50b0Lx2BZdNGR0Ywn4D5vl1euqfwbYtScTwTOF6H8bRh-uhYm2Z08EzFys0FgsWNPF4EsLpmH43HF8xxfew19uBYgLQmOYVuFboDd1P7Tp/s1600/outfit-alley-graffiti-summer-blue-layering.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>4. Nip & tuck. </b>You
don't have to be a master seamstress to make quick alterations to your
too-big, too-small, outta-style pieces. There are plenty of great online
tutorials, some not even requiring a machine! See <a href="http://psimadethis.com/"><b>P.S. I Made This</b></a> and <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/projects-a-beautiful-mess-diy-index.html"><b>A Beautiful Mess</b></a> for some fun examples. My new projects for the coming weeks (if I can ever find time to do anything hobby-ish) are to convert two dresses into skirts. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">First: my actual wedding dress. Back in tha day, I ripped apart an off-the-rack BCBG dress and re-made it to suit my farm-themed wedding. Now, I'm going to lop off the bodice, slash out most of the lining and turn it into a semi-sheer summer maxi skirt. I'd like to vintage-up the colour but the poly lace won't take to normal fabric dye. Suggestions?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gSMPPvXQm48IQeaT_5aquUHvVyllYRkJo30WqkDA7-P_eZrKWWVDFHUDVMJB31SL61mjBgu1Y-tnbHJdmmUWdTro26IlJV209K5bSq4thkjaegD50HajwoWUHEpaLdZQkXIHIy8whkev/s1600/wedding-dress-before-after-DIY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gSMPPvXQm48IQeaT_5aquUHvVyllYRkJo30WqkDA7-P_eZrKWWVDFHUDVMJB31SL61mjBgu1Y-tnbHJdmmUWdTro26IlJV209K5bSq4thkjaegD50HajwoWUHEpaLdZQkXIHIy8whkev/s1600/wedding-dress-before-after-DIY.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[ before // after... ]</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYB0-EQHbOfm0x-P83e9x3Cfhyphenhyphen5sO91X-FXtbYAUYtxTtljh2UqFJL0snLjW-SljjdbRosaJWBSGpIhgNp4SVGZNG7W2V70lkhvlTuj3lVZqcoLQw2leiyAsdSzLV49IMlx0M9jeKAVCh/s1600/white-lace-maxi-chictopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYB0-EQHbOfm0x-P83e9x3Cfhyphenhyphen5sO91X-FXtbYAUYtxTtljh2UqFJL0snLjW-SljjdbRosaJWBSGpIhgNp4SVGZNG7W2V70lkhvlTuj3lVZqcoLQw2leiyAsdSzLV49IMlx0M9jeKAVCh/s1600/white-lace-maxi-chictopia.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[ after-after? // via <a href="http://chictopia.com/">chictopia.com</a> ]</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Secondly, I have a <a href="http://www.wonhundred.com/"><b>Won Hundred</b></a> dress in an awesome pixel pattern, but the bodice won't close over my boobs anymore. I'd like to tell you it's because I'm suddenly a lusty, chesty broad. No such luck. I think I just got too fat in the armpits and back. Joy! This dress, too, is destined for a similar fate: the guillotine! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>5. Dress up/down.</b> Also not brain surgery, but think beyond the LBD (that's "little black dress" for the dads/husbands). I'm a firm believer that every dress has two personalities – Peggy by day, Joan by night. I originally bought <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-S2012/189503/779538/PETER%2BPAN%2BCOLLAR%2BDRESS"><b>this Zara pink peter-pan-collared dress</b></a> for a wedding. I accessorized it with pearls and black patent for a faux-Chanel-Barbie look: sweet, classy & feminine. But I discovered that it can be work/play appropriate, too, with flats and tights! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, I can do pretty much anything in any season with my little green dress (LGD!):</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqARySfUD6dOboEuJMkslLdOiw6CL7se_jXTZVZ94sJlyHXb-zEjJc-hGDK3zpTMGC4jGzkuXydXoJMXiztQpRyMOO2KN7VnfjPijHFur7FDPs_98CzYF69cww73rk-sFje8Xq4UAdi-gM/s1600/green-dress-multi-outfits-mix-match.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqARySfUD6dOboEuJMkslLdOiw6CL7se_jXTZVZ94sJlyHXb-zEjJc-hGDK3zpTMGC4jGzkuXydXoJMXiztQpRyMOO2KN7VnfjPijHFur7FDPs_98CzYF69cww73rk-sFje8Xq4UAdi-gM/s1600/green-dress-multi-outfits-mix-match.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>6. From scratch, baby.</b> There are some awesome beginner patterns online that require only the machine basics. I tackled this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/101182161/ava-sweetheart-neckline-dress-or-peplum"><b>Victory pattern</b></a> in a barn in 6 hours.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHzsNhKU5CO1RHPMjUnC79NcQyVmJ-9aCpkB85ozAKwbEXRjxucwLkqTirgwLswkOeUU6GK21opGDFFFVI7G1ca2SPRmcZrsVyhCbMmzscRpUO8iC-i__PVy5Rw3_vopHHM0DOXES3JB4/s1600/sewing-dress-victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHzsNhKU5CO1RHPMjUnC79NcQyVmJ-9aCpkB85ozAKwbEXRjxucwLkqTirgwLswkOeUU6GK21opGDFFFVI7G1ca2SPRmcZrsVyhCbMmzscRpUO8iC-i__PVy5Rw3_vopHHM0DOXES3JB4/s1600/sewing-dress-victory.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We'll see if I have any time for even <i>one</i> of these projects. I am WAY too ambitious, pretty booked up socially, and terrible at time-management. I'm not setting any unrealistic goals here. However, I'm pretty confident that I can stick to my shopping diet. It will be tough, especially when I visit my mother next month: "Oh, just buy it!" and/or "It's sooo you." and/or "I'll pitch in half."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What are your secrets? Tell me! Help!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-1866588626420563972012-06-03T11:36:00.000-07:002012-06-03T20:05:20.075-07:00New Orleans Style – Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHrDPxwQRvIMgVde-6bCSwRZdkrtR7rdBNjl5_ikFQVyjSaQ-Lr_4oeUJVctbO7t_hX8GI42v48esDnNzkxlBFzben2bKpWFazisdb4nZ7HozbKsy9vm2l2R5vfcPyRIW0CjbyWh6kdyp/s1600/gap-d&g-ads-nawlins-nola-style-summer-bohemian-casual-compare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHrDPxwQRvIMgVde-6bCSwRZdkrtR7rdBNjl5_ikFQVyjSaQ-Lr_4oeUJVctbO7t_hX8GI42v48esDnNzkxlBFzben2bKpWFazisdb4nZ7HozbKsy9vm2l2R5vfcPyRIW0CjbyWh6kdyp/s1600/gap-d&g-ads-nawlins-nola-style-summer-bohemian-casual-compare.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">{ D&G // Gap }</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ooh, surprise! I lied and didn't post Part 2 of my New Orleans style quest before my trip (see Part 1 <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/04/new-orleans-style-part-1.html"><b>here</b></a>). Meh, I was busy. What do you want from me? I'm getting too old to be apologetic about my own inadequacies.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I suppose, though, since I DID do a lot of the legwork, I might as well make this a style-postmortem rather than the informative little packing post I had planned.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So yeah, I didn't really know what to expect, other than hot steamy awesomeness (I was right). I was unsuccessful in my search to find an authentic (and good) New Orleans-based style blog. No help there. So I could only go by my perception of the city based on what I've absorbed through Googling and movies (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462295/"><b>FLAKES</b></a>!). Also, my over-active imagination (it likes to make things dreamier than they are).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ecijj9xUciVM2Urmxy-MgFEXanostAyQfprF9wO5MCWDW-wVDbUX73RYlZot687DBqEwjDBTpxklNmhktUw6vyTclDsSzpgx6D-1rnXEJNUOqXi54SUz6rYNfHuQvj4qRE602q-i8EN3/s1600/new-orleans-style-fleur-de-lis-skirt-nola-nawlins-outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ecijj9xUciVM2Urmxy-MgFEXanostAyQfprF9wO5MCWDW-wVDbUX73RYlZot687DBqEwjDBTpxklNmhktUw6vyTclDsSzpgx6D-1rnXEJNUOqXi54SUz6rYNfHuQvj4qRE602q-i8EN3/s1600/new-orleans-style-fleur-de-lis-skirt-nola-nawlins-outfit.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> { of course, I packed this skirt. but what else? }</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What <i>is</i> NOLA style? Bohemian <i>avec</i> bling? Hillbilly-chic? Disco Stevie Nicks? Tragic southern belle?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><i>(I was wrong on all accounts)</i></span> </div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I was envisioning a soft 70s thing happening: floppy hats, long skirts. Mostly because of the heat. Fashion forced by necessity. I assumed that the music scene and the french influence MUST have some sort of impact on style. Jazz! Le Français! Bourbon! Heatwaves! Casual but classy. Breezy, effortless, classic (good GAWD, I am none of those things!).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maxi skirts and sequin boleros! Raffia wedges and multi-strand pearls! Floral tunics and wide-brimmed hats! SO MANY HATS! SO MUCH ROMANCE!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(OK, I was postulating. And setting myself up for disappointment.)</i> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Whatever. I was NOT going to end up looking silly again. The nun habit and school headmistress gear is collecting dust. If we were gonna spend post-trade-show-floor time sipping fancy bourbon drinks and patting our brows with embroidered vintage handkerchiefs and absorbing some local culture (via oversexed dancing?), I wanted to look the part. Sigh, I romanticize everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(In reality, I was drinking king cans of Chelada and ghetto Red Bull-based "cocktails" while attempting to wrangle 5 raucous drunks. It's a living.)</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Based on my speculations, I made a healthy donation to my summer wardrobe in preparation for the trip: kelly green strapless ruffle dress, <a href="http://www.costablanca.ca/"><b>Costa Blanca</b></a> cream lace shorts, swishy black racerback tank, platform wedges, <a href="http://www.hm.com/gb/product/96864?article=96864-A"><b>H&M denim light-wash sundress</b></a>, GAP birdie hair scarf, amazing was-$400-on-sale-for-$27 sequin Pink Tartan skirt!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU4DZK5AWJWOJYmGkY3cqvs-N4P_8MEMmH8GxURc5y-_JmXLpNrASIpTCdNHLMUO3I-WTXlPobjGPqflAufi7zVPHt6a_CEy2XPK7fKDirgx2m4XOS9FBsciVO6YcfIl5g47JVRrDmU9-/s1600/costa-blanca-lace-short-hm-dress-denim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU4DZK5AWJWOJYmGkY3cqvs-N4P_8MEMmH8GxURc5y-_JmXLpNrASIpTCdNHLMUO3I-WTXlPobjGPqflAufi7zVPHt6a_CEy2XPK7fKDirgx2m4XOS9FBsciVO6YcfIl5g47JVRrDmU9-/s1600/costa-blanca-lace-short-hm-dress-denim.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> { costa blanca // H&M }</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZIuTLBHmMP6SJbbg3_xSptXBHuhDw9kUaIgmlRPahV84kWXEJm8kbDsik3sNR4ry6biK8DjqiJ2foNUvgI5QRrMHws3bA30tJF1-_5IHLylH0B0JDF_ged5_c6x6ujvGWxtCePLG4HNM/s1600/girl-car-challenger-muscle-car-green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZIuTLBHmMP6SJbbg3_xSptXBHuhDw9kUaIgmlRPahV84kWXEJm8kbDsik3sNR4ry6biK8DjqiJ2foNUvgI5QRrMHws3bA30tJF1-_5IHLylH0B0JDF_ged5_c6x6ujvGWxtCePLG4HNM/s1600/girl-car-challenger-muscle-car-green.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> { maxi dress, Winners // belt, Zara // bag, Jessica Simpson // sunglasses, vintage Ray Bans // ring H&M }</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Despite the awesomeness of my new purchases, I kinda style-failed again, but at least in a direction I can handle. Nawlins is an incredibly beautiful, magical place. But it ain't fancy. I was overdressed. But hey, that's my comfort-zone, and I felt preeeeetty glam under the circumstances. Unlike <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/01/leaving-las-vegas-but-not-entirely.html"><b>Vegas</b></a>, where I felt like a washed-up hag, I felt fresh and noticed. Hey, boys. Little ego boosting is good for the soul, yeah?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My packing advice (</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">oh look, we're doing this anyway!)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">, more appropriately-timed now that I'm a seasoned pro: </span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tiny, flow-y cotton dresses and shorts</b> – casual, people, casual. (I wore sequins, but that's me. I'm arrogant and manage to get away with it.) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Hair elastics </b>- just put that shit in an up-do, yo. Heat tools and anti-frizz products? That humidity will just laugh at (then annihilate) you. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Flats.</b> Only flats. A comfy wedge if you have to (I had to) but <i>girrrrl</i>, don't even THINK about packing those pumps. The streets are either cobblestone or in terrible need of construction. And you want to be walking a lot, because it's gorg. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>A light cover-up.</b> You don't actually need to wear a jacket outside. Ever. Even in the rain. But, those folks looooove their A/C and you'll be sorry mid-oyster feast that you didn't plan for frostbite. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15wbE7Bq53VxB_E1XSbb_woUfaG_q0aBnutp3HDxSFnFr6o4y95TCTR9A5FxrLzcxrFyI0mhtW8BXVdvYSvVRg1U6aWjkUttPKe83xgGdprwMRP0AwfiknMN5ScdS3cqLvLi8lKivRD_9/s1600/ikat-cobat-outfit-style-everly-nola-gelaskins-hardcase-melody-miller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15wbE7Bq53VxB_E1XSbb_woUfaG_q0aBnutp3HDxSFnFr6o4y95TCTR9A5FxrLzcxrFyI0mhtW8BXVdvYSvVRg1U6aWjkUttPKe83xgGdprwMRP0AwfiknMN5ScdS3cqLvLi8lKivRD_9/s1600/ikat-cobat-outfit-style-everly-nola-gelaskins-hardcase-melody-miller.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{ ikat cover-up, <a href="http://everlyclothing.com/"><b>Everly</b></a> // iPhone case, Melody Miller for <b><a href="http://www.gelaskins.com/">GelaSkins</a> </b>}</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQXsyUz6cVRZzNCsChiUinQ419dZMo4kRfdyyNX1JoID5JgVL-GvEeqBhEG5xwNH_X4LBOrwj2OfoEVUo_oCpmKcRR7OxPfmsbx3aUK7guHNEneyR_AmyIMHncs2fJua9RSfvrPVWkXu/s1600/scarf-hair-redhead-retro-updo-bun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQXsyUz6cVRZzNCsChiUinQ419dZMo4kRfdyyNX1JoID5JgVL-GvEeqBhEG5xwNH_X4LBOrwj2OfoEVUo_oCpmKcRR7OxPfmsbx3aUK7guHNEneyR_AmyIMHncs2fJua9RSfvrPVWkXu/s1600/scarf-hair-redhead-retro-updo-bun.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{ headscarf, thrifted // necklace, <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/"><b>J Crew</b></a> // dress, H&M }</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUkgWXc2m7CqYKsab-xieTNDbYhiR6Ct-dfVYPC4w-8lMhELQyA2W8UXRobmqyKx3QLkkAFk_aY6fk8AMuvf82TSBtj05MzdHTSnoig9OgX2-xRDSjNIdUWq2RHWWPPHC8oTMHfY27oT3/s1600/dress-ikat-cobalt-urban-outfitters-everly-outfit-nola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUkgWXc2m7CqYKsab-xieTNDbYhiR6Ct-dfVYPC4w-8lMhELQyA2W8UXRobmqyKx3QLkkAFk_aY6fk8AMuvf82TSBtj05MzdHTSnoig9OgX2-xRDSjNIdUWq2RHWWPPHC8oTMHfY27oT3/s1600/dress-ikat-cobalt-urban-outfitters-everly-outfit-nola.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{ <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21181086"><b>dress, Urban Outfitters</b></a> // sandals, Zara }</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Now that you know how to pack, I insist that you go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And, take me with you.) </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-10417665562174747012012-05-31T21:50:00.001-07:002012-06-03T08:39:33.526-07:00Hold me closer, tiny dancer.<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1oHZEIbGG_1-UnrZ5MgHQGtY_tpU8R7uSFaHzd3L4POyhIxFYMZz7lZ3wSi4IdHhlleuQdrI-d9DNO67tlVJt40C5mToRKMZ1KffvS_UDW5KgzZ7dfbo35pvEO15yCkBcMr5ENJcUCkn/s1600/sweet-thing-music-cd-release-sweetthing-modclub-toronto-dayna-winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1oHZEIbGG_1-UnrZ5MgHQGtY_tpU8R7uSFaHzd3L4POyhIxFYMZz7lZ3wSi4IdHhlleuQdrI-d9DNO67tlVJt40C5mToRKMZ1KffvS_UDW5KgzZ7dfbo35pvEO15yCkBcMr5ENJcUCkn/s1600/sweet-thing-music-cd-release-sweetthing-modclub-toronto-dayna-winter.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's too weird that I haven't been all bandwife-y lately, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I admit it's been a while since I so much as
casually <i>mentioned</i> a certain band. THE band, obvi: The Mister's
(Wonder)-bread-and-(i-cant-</span><wbr></wbr><span style="font-size: x-small;">believe-it's-not)-butter and the fodder
for many a dramatic post. Really, a huge inspiration for this blog, at least in the affecting-me kind of way (because obviously it's
all about me). Annnnnyway, I've been mum for a reason. While I can't
really get into specifics, let's just say that the boys are on a bit of
an "indefinite hiatus". That's what I'm allowed to say (and I'm trying to be less mouthy and rebellious). </span><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">No rehearsing, no recording, no shows, no tours. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioXQ2U92eXSK6ojkKymfWOcCrq2VHve1MgRl4fJh9PaXMX95vkRAbGoTQyqEv6TYDio3bGek7eTuhft-FdbKCtUaSq0eUluh2IM-KZCnfZ3JH075wl6jRdniige6hLuKT99DJ5QQrKraU/s1600/morgan-waters-alex-winter-sweet-thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioXQ2U92eXSK6ojkKymfWOcCrq2VHve1MgRl4fJh9PaXMX95vkRAbGoTQyqEv6TYDio3bGek7eTuhft-FdbKCtUaSq0eUluh2IM-KZCnfZ3JH075wl6jRdniige6hLuKT99DJ5QQrKraU/s1600/morgan-waters-alex-winter-sweet-thing.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> { why is this not happening? like, now? cold case. }</span></span><br />
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</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you know me in real life, I've undoubtedly blabbed the whole story in person. If I haven't, we clearly need to do coffee. Stat!) </span></div>
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<div class="im">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />What does this all <i>mean</i> in
the grand scheme of life/music for Alex and me? We still don't know.
But while </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.sweetthingmusic.com/"><b>Sweet Thing</b></a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> is on an unspecified break, I do know that I have a
lot less me-time and it's making me squirm. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="im">
</div>
<div class="im">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look at me! I soaked pillows upon <i>pillows</i> with fat tears feeling sorry for myself and my tragic lonely bandwife condition. Now I'm complaining that I never get the
house to myself? Can you believe this girl?! Impossible to satisfy. I also know that I really, really, REALLY miss it. It = everything.
Especially the cheering. Oh dear. I'm a piece of work.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0Hqhpbj7Pgd9EK-e9GgBflNxyqolrOuFHYR1ep15WV4qWrnwgVO0eiSv2o6UDQ9vvCY2KHnYhMAth36ULz2BGxgBifpsyGrVOvwBo6Qw1j0m39N64V1jaYjwhZlrfpsSP4BRAFpdzxQU/s1600/dayna-alex-winter-couple.jpg" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{ I mean, who ARE these people!? } </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I should be less self-involved. This big empty space is his burden, not mine. During
this weird limbo stage in his life, Alex is contemplating this: what,
oh what, to DO with all of this free time! </span></div>
<div class="im">
</div>
<div class="im">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Write an album, of course. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="im">
</div>
<div class="im">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm
sure he'd rather I not trumpet this fact to the masses (or the 8 people who read my blog) but it's his fault for
marrying an oversharer/big-mouth. INYOFACESUCKA! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">He's built himself a
"music room" in our unfinished basement. I am convinced that mold spores
will be the cause of his untimely death. But he's a badass musician,
right? A big middle-finger/crotch-grab to death!!! Not really. He's just
SO desperate for his own space that he's willing to make himself a
little sick for it. Sigh. We need to move.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-upB0wWHNXb-aL4uJQ_f09wIyTQ9Xnh2sTyRG7ouXaeqvE4jnvoS1xJzUNlaQRtyLMiy9chOnZN9BXHqFZloKJgCM_yRF8jPvtQAnJeLu-akv9C5JE0emqJa9BcTj5mzMOrHapX2-ur/s1600/alex-winter-sweetthing-mancave-music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm-upB0wWHNXb-aL4uJQ_f09wIyTQ9Xnh2sTyRG7ouXaeqvE4jnvoS1xJzUNlaQRtyLMiy9chOnZN9BXHqFZloKJgCM_yRF8jPvtQAnJeLu-akv9C5JE0emqJa9BcTj5mzMOrHapX2-ur/s1600/alex-winter-sweetthing-mancave-music.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">{ really? unfit for humans. even for THIS caveman. } </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />So the music plays
on, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sweet Thing</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> or no Sweet Thing. It's a good thing. I think. It's the only
"career" he really wants. But I'm pushing for a more stable Plan B in
case the music thing doesn't work out. I sound un-supportive. Oh no, no. It's not for any lack of faith in
his awesomeness, just complete disdain for the pathetic, crumbling
music industry (especially in Canada). </span><br />
<div style="color: #666666;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="im" style="color: #666666;">
</div>
<div class="im">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sure, I married the creative left-brain type. I AM the creative left-brain type: <span style="color: magenta;">"Spontaneity! Romantic poverty! Starving for art! Love is all you need!"</span> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">But that side of me is very equally balanced by my
plan-ahead, pragmatic right-brain: "Investments! Budgets! Colour-coded file folders! 5-year plans!"</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="im">
</div>
<div class="im">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And this side of me is displeased. But he's trying. He has a
solid background in the tv biz and is going through the
soul-crushing task of writing endless cover letters and applying for
roles for which he's hella-overqualified. I can't believe we're back
HERE again.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">And what of me? Since my bandwife role has been
stripped bare, I feel disconnected from his music-life. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp_yiQa-TX9xxUoPvp3FOlAsvuecDh-kizYPtsJiQbUrSO7hpV6WKNyKHOR3V6QoQnI-UdJjJaN-GiCPcozVXbjAfNos1YfzHJJ-wk-twuUkToZ08OsK0dfaQSaHsY9e8f1cTHToAzN70/s1600/dayna-alex-winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp_yiQa-TX9xxUoPvp3FOlAsvuecDh-kizYPtsJiQbUrSO7hpV6WKNyKHOR3V6QoQnI-UdJjJaN-GiCPcozVXbjAfNos1YfzHJJ-wk-twuUkToZ08OsK0dfaQSaHsY9e8f1cTHToAzN70/s1600/dayna-alex-winter.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> { scruffy beards and wayward dress-straps? we belong in a green room }</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So I've asked to
help. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">We've already decided that if the solo thing takes off, I'd be
his daily biz manager (ahem, nagging wife with additional accounting
duties) and responsible for all of his big-upping (I'm experienced). But what about now?
Oh, well, y'know, I'm just going to...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">WRITE LYRICS! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">So excited. He's
agreed to give me 2 unfinished songs and I get to pen the words! Are you really understanding how awesome this is?!? Don't
laugh. This part requires little to no musical ability (and I have
little to no musical ability, emphasis on "no"). I'm not a bad poet and I love words to
death, so I might actually pull this off. The vocal melody is there, so easy-peasy, yeah? Also, if we write a hit, I'll rake in the royalties. Ha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />John's <i>Imagine</i> was based on Yoko's imagination, after all. I need to live up to my handle.</span><br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-48745144099192504322012-05-24T21:20:00.000-07:002012-05-24T21:20:25.704-07:00Face palm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ggBhDFLdXuJO6geGuqxrSdtokjTmfjSJF974fQ2ZWZuUeZ0zcrTIbZv4THG0-zzWBjFuM9zQM7DnZlbxQT-KX0VDPtYtuzrjGx6J899Cac6qLIlZcYzg9OaPOeqvbn644KaC3M3joPrt/s1600/bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ggBhDFLdXuJO6geGuqxrSdtokjTmfjSJF974fQ2ZWZuUeZ0zcrTIbZv4THG0-zzWBjFuM9zQM7DnZlbxQT-KX0VDPtYtuzrjGx6J899Cac6qLIlZcYzg9OaPOeqvbn644KaC3M3joPrt/s1600/bikes.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ crime scene / exhibits A and B / today, 6:37 PM ]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh my god.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Out of pure humiliation, I would take this information to my grave, but there are two problems with this strategy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. It's just not my style #oversharingforlife!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. You would inevitably figure it out the next time you saw me on my bike</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And the bike in question? Yes, the one that was "stolen" 5 days ago. Read more <a href="http://youryoko.blogspot.ca/2012/05/ill-never-love-again-yes-i-will.html"><b>here</b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So today, after popping off the subway one stop earlier to run errands (I'm taking the subway due to my stolen bike, you remember?), I caught a glimpse of a familiar shade of turquoise. Sure enough, there was my bike locked to a post right there on Bloor Street only a couple blocks from my house! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The nerve of this bike thief! The effin' balls, man! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then I realized that the bike beside it, sharing a lock, was Alex's! Aha! Caught! As I prepared to wait it out, conjuring up an epic shame-on-you rant for the glorious moment when I would confront this bold character, it sunk in: the bikes were affixed to the pole with Alex's lock. The only person who could possibly be responsible: Alex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I couldn't decide whether to be overjoyed or mortified. (I'm still undecided)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's something we've done before. I'll paint it for you. Typical summer Saturday: bike <i>almost</i> all the way home from boozy night out, realize we are craving post-party greasy snacks, lock up our bikes outside the burrito joint, procure burrito, and start to walk home before remembering that we were, of course, <i>avec</i> bikes. "Oh haha, silly us." Honest mistake, though: BFB is walking distance to our house, and not somewhere we would normally cycle. AND, under the intoxication of refried beans and chipotle hot sauce, we're bound to lose our heads a little. This time, though? We left them there, walked all the way home, went to bed, and came to the only conclusion that made sense when our steeds weren't in their stalls the next morn. Stolen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm a sharp tack. A bright bulb. I am! And I have a crazy-awesome memory. I'll remember a face forever. I can still recite the Manitoba phone numbers of childhood friends I haven't seen since the 80s. I will regurgitate with perfect accuracy the he-said-she-said of our marital disputes (of course to prove that I am right, as usual). It's just so out of character! Dumb. If huge amounts of booze were a factor, it would make sense, but we had, at best, a mild day-drunk at the Jays game that had a good 9 hours to mellow before our trek home. If I could use that as an excuse, I'd feel better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I would have lied my face off about this. But you'll most likely see me whooshing around the city on my little blue flame and I'd have to sheepishly explain myself in person. Which would be worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">After putting on colourful and excessively dramatic pouting and self-pity performances all week, you are no doubt having a pretty good laugh right now. You're welcome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. While I'm relieved that I don't need to shell out unplanned dough (or grovel pathetically for early birthday money from my parents), I was really starting to buy into my silver lining. Gotta say, I was kiiiiiinda looking forward to pretty new wheels...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Oh, I am a <i>treasure</i>.)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-11974915520150325912012-05-23T21:09:00.000-07:002012-05-23T21:19:58.446-07:00I'll never love again (yes, I will)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV1T4KH7R8bsyChuogDsIQbLoaNFMVxjgMlS8p8risbNsKp6J6D2W9fmN8ZfWWhql351Cu_mjDDmBJLfptcMX872XMBuJfHNA786rF1eRbjhyyEZYTTHD9BrloUGDp6JGPmYuD6nI77Rc/s1600/bike-norco-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV1T4KH7R8bsyChuogDsIQbLoaNFMVxjgMlS8p8risbNsKp6J6D2W9fmN8ZfWWhql351Cu_mjDDmBJLfptcMX872XMBuJfHNA786rF1eRbjhyyEZYTTHD9BrloUGDp6JGPmYuD6nI77Rc/s1600/bike-norco-girl.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look at how <i>happy</i> I am – ignore that it was a put-on smile, flashed between barking photo-taking directions at hubby and trying not to have a head-on collision with a garage door – but yes, HAPPY! Did I know then, though, that my love-affair with two wheels would be so fleeting? Serves me right for being trusting. Oh, no one would <i>ever</i> come through our back yard and into our garage to steal our bikes in TORONTO. Never. But yes, of course they would. And of course they did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alex and I had our babies stolen this weekend. And while my bike was bought for practical no-fuss, gettin'-around reasons, and not lust-at-first-sight like my <a href="http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/bicycles/birdie.html"><b>current crush</b></a>, I became quite attached to the old girl. She didn't fail me. Not once. Except that she went and got herself <i>stolen</i>. Girl, didn't I teach you to be wary of strangers?! Deaf ears, man. Sadly, a salesperson with atrocious handwriting is the reason that I
will never see her again – a completely illegible serial number is no
use for the police report. She's gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While I mourn and eat ice cream in my favourite sweats (the appropriate reaction to any break-up, yeah?), a girl's gotta move on at some point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The time is now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm at the acceptance stage already, I think. A girl with a penchant for dramatics has a lot of history with (self-inflicted) grief. Man, I just roll through the 5 levels now, and I don't even think I stop on denial anymore. Express train.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bright side? It's an opportunity to get a bike that's maybe more "me". I picked a Norco hybrid for budget/practicality, but I'm not really doing much in the way of serious cycling, so I can afford to play the style-over-function card. I'll bike to the moon (the moon!), but I'm not racing. I just need something pretty that can handle a 50-minute round-trip commute. Something light, so I don't almost die when carrying it. Something that puts the <i>whoosh</i> back into my life. I fall in love easily, so that part won't be hard. But as hubby says, my eyes are bigger than my wallet. So is my heart. And my wanderlust. And my bucket list. Sigh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I used to think being simultaneously broke and in love was impossibly romantic. Kinda over it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Mister has back-up wheels secured, so because he thinks I'm <i>meow</i> (and wants an end to the pouting) he's helping me with my own search. It resulted in a Craigslist-related fight after I vetoed 600 of his picks. It's not my fault though!!! On my way home, I was wooed by Mikey, an adorable sales-creature at Curbside Cycle and this:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_PgGzsTUJZl-BN6g4BwoHaQDas6W22sYkMSrvK3WYWKmUtN71hyPefZ1E_wVbrI0GuBAmEEfAdMMYZ2Yas8aowK8nTN8g6fL8-zdbzbqR640ScqWI-nxxEtKQ3o75qUxm2trzeN-WnWF/s1600/aa-bobbin-birdie-green-w-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_PgGzsTUJZl-BN6g4BwoHaQDas6W22sYkMSrvK3WYWKmUtN71hyPefZ1E_wVbrI0GuBAmEEfAdMMYZ2Yas8aowK8nTN8g6fL8-zdbzbqR640ScqWI-nxxEtKQ3o75qUxm2trzeN-WnWF/s1600/aa-bobbin-birdie-green-w-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I very nearly swooned when I perched atop this minty baby. Sex. Just sex. But oh, $650. Hrmm. Not crazy-expensive in nice-bike world. But nuts when you're trying to be a good girl on a budget and you had a perfectly good bike just 4 short days ago. Dolla-dolla-billz, y'all. I could find ways to justify it then heap it onto credit with an audible gulp. I'm a master at justifying my terrible choices. A fucking Jedi. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But no. I am resisting her intoxicating lure. I'm back on Craigslist (with a much less eager helper-bee) hoping that I don't crack and just buy the first thing I can find. I'll hit desperation very quickly. I'll wither without wind in my hair. I will. <br /><br />In the meantime, let's engage in a little self-torture, shall we? Bike porn, baby:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW8vE-bu3I_fy-8RFTaQQc86XjwnaLBJEPCjDSGBPagkxz8mmH7geE3H4M4x9-wLELHJusoXdkZRHE7VZGSjFTUmogXU9UL_Ra4R3jemohw-6yg5uph01DHJWXjSkTdjTgo6QEEGyuS2A/s1600/abici-primavera-bike-bicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW8vE-bu3I_fy-8RFTaQQc86XjwnaLBJEPCjDSGBPagkxz8mmH7geE3H4M4x9-wLELHJusoXdkZRHE7VZGSjFTUmogXU9UL_Ra4R3jemohw-6yg5uph01DHJWXjSkTdjTgo6QEEGyuS2A/s1600/abici-primavera-bike-bicycle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBX9mwpN0Bcwwzym9dS_CCheqCBdx9PkS3ATQMAzC6z6fBJCeSQjnJuzf6msIJSY2Nf1-zqGBNauZOQdDTVrvyXB_VJC486Td0NZb1TrFq1Oa1JYvn9VNXO-N4cNYDAJFNQWBhKxPxP1b/s1600/bobbin-firefly-bicycle-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBX9mwpN0Bcwwzym9dS_CCheqCBdx9PkS3ATQMAzC6z6fBJCeSQjnJuzf6msIJSY2Nf1-zqGBNauZOQdDTVrvyXB_VJC486Td0NZb1TrFq1Oa1JYvn9VNXO-N4cNYDAJFNQWBhKxPxP1b/s1600/bobbin-firefly-bicycle-bike.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcRZAr4SWcskerTr_l9s57OQU4RzJp6nrXPynvHG4eBiNuFqBmHmMROloH2EgvtT72lijrwqgPbneziFPOTxIpi169PN_2wC-gXJJpxf4B90PMiA0MNmL9Pc8NV_gug6inWZSSHRCqUSP/s1600/public-bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcRZAr4SWcskerTr_l9s57OQU4RzJp6nrXPynvHG4eBiNuFqBmHmMROloH2EgvtT72lijrwqgPbneziFPOTxIpi169PN_2wC-gXJJpxf4B90PMiA0MNmL9Pc8NV_gug6inWZSSHRCqUSP/s1600/public-bikes.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbbhlCrXkHJO1GamMJh-Z_kt2pDhd1wlzzz-64yDpQaS-unrqCqUKNUZDfr0N-bbdqnkie7EKeoybJJPaLpZARt8-to6QXVYzovS7RpV4ArxApxu4hY-tNmnCCYxSRFj301LowmtmeMmY/s1600/public-creamcycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbbhlCrXkHJO1GamMJh-Z_kt2pDhd1wlzzz-64yDpQaS-unrqCqUKNUZDfr0N-bbdqnkie7EKeoybJJPaLpZARt8-to6QXVYzovS7RpV4ArxApxu4hY-tNmnCCYxSRFj301LowmtmeMmY/s1600/public-creamcycle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From top: 1) <a href="http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/"><b>Bobbin</b></a> Birdie 2) <a href="http://www.abici-italia.it/"><b>Abici</b></a> Primavera 3) <a href="http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/"><b>Bobbin</b></a> Firefly 4) <a href="http://publicbikes.com/"><b>Public Bikes</b></a> 5) <a href="http://publicbikes.com/"><b>Public Bikes</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Check out more here, on <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/bicycle-porn/"><b>my Pinterest board</b></a>! </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-92213986423467121912012-04-30T18:00:00.000-07:002012-04-30T20:01:59.368-07:00New Orleans Style – Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRBviLEBHnXmNuEIgDtdOMUaMyeYmvt8qZU372p7JTt2ApgMMmYalIC2JyLBCSHNT1prEnNAHyVYgRNOLbcXgl0Eq_6XVL3cpxY_DyVTCRx6y-d8zTOQWowd2e9LkAS928AoTDA5KFOoA/s1600/nawlins-outfits-new-orleans-style-mardi-gras-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRBviLEBHnXmNuEIgDtdOMUaMyeYmvt8qZU372p7JTt2ApgMMmYalIC2JyLBCSHNT1prEnNAHyVYgRNOLbcXgl0Eq_6XVL3cpxY_DyVTCRx6y-d8zTOQWowd2e9LkAS928AoTDA5KFOoA/s1600/nawlins-outfits-new-orleans-style-mardi-gras-color.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This post is easily 3 weeks in the making. I just can't seem to make time for blogging lately. Ugh. Life. I'm traveling for work in a week and am thrilled that this particular trade show just happens to be located in New Orleans this year. Oh em geeeeee! There are so many pockets of the earth that I've yet to explore, and I'm thankful to get to see at least a little BIT of the world on the company dime. We have plenty of chill-time on this trip, too. Stoked! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So you know I love playing dress-up, yeah? Halloween trumps Christmas in my world. Themes FTW! And since I was somehow terribly ill-equipped wardrobe-wise for Vegas, I'm planning ahead. Dressing the part is a little less straightforward this time around. Vegas = short dresses + tall shoes + glitta, dahhling. Easy (though I failed). But Louisiana? Aside from wearing as little as possible (have you checked out this<b> <a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/USLA0338">WEATHER</a></b>?!), I need to do some investigating on appropriate/thematic style. Of course, this is all just me being a weird-o ("quirky", right?) - any city infected with H&M-itis will likely look relatively every other city suffering from the same, but I'd like to believe there's a hint of unique flavour wherever I travel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">For funsies, I decided to challenge myself with a colour palette. What better hue scheme than one inspired by Mardi Gras? We won't be in Nawlins for the event, sadly. The official colours - kelly green, bright yellow, rich purple - are difficult to cram into one outfit, but if anyone can do it, it's me. I intentionally try to incorporate as many colours as possible into my style-world. I'm hell-bent on abolishing matchy-matchy. Today I'm wearing two pink things, though, and it's killin' me (it's the dog's fault – don't ask). I'm not literally going for a Mardi Gras theme as I shop/pack for the trip, but I'm writing this as a fun exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In Part 2 of this post (coming soon!), I will focus on space-saving packing with smart mix-in-match pieces and my must-haves for hot-hot weather. Basically, my REAL non-fantasy-dress-up travel style post. But for now, let's have fun with this theme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The two outfits above, deconstructed, plus some extra Mardi-Gras-esque goodies:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQkG943X5IRs83qUwjJkH3SU3Dol7A-uaAckP6s68jNdSdKvFBw12ifcXc4hxK5P52CslE5LK9w4mOw3TEcKiINoq4KE2o-N5gAZOYllbtbi9eM-AWxirE99CMCuvPzbz8FzTvFyAGdQf/s1600/fulton-green-scarf-95-larkspur-and-hawk-1300-earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQkG943X5IRs83qUwjJkH3SU3Dol7A-uaAckP6s68jNdSdKvFBw12ifcXc4hxK5P52CslE5LK9w4mOw3TEcKiINoq4KE2o-N5gAZOYllbtbi9eM-AWxirE99CMCuvPzbz8FzTvFyAGdQf/s1600/fulton-green-scarf-95-larkspur-and-hawk-1300-earrings.jpg" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Larkspur and Hawk $1300 // Fulton $95 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfX0v4ydqVWYGufdS-R0oV3HOOOuvbCVF46KHCQb85zFVi_VgNxdg9CaDBc6RE15kPM88l_Zwz2qHS4PHPgUA5F_pMd8wtymTGmcN02JlLO5W5YKVTJxL7BGxxF0B4jaw9Btq_8SJdJUa/s1600/modcloth-stylebop-platform-pumps-green-yellow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfX0v4ydqVWYGufdS-R0oV3HOOOuvbCVF46KHCQb85zFVi_VgNxdg9CaDBc6RE15kPM88l_Zwz2qHS4PHPgUA5F_pMd8wtymTGmcN02JlLO5W5YKVTJxL7BGxxF0B4jaw9Btq_8SJdJUa/s1600/modcloth-stylebop-platform-pumps-green-yellow.jpg" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://modcloth.com/"><b>ModCloth.com</b></a> // <a href="http://stylebop.com/"><b>Stylebop.com</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x959Rb5gbLf7Oqhghybf4FD2MYuIQBCFshXtxYe-O2bPPpbXnzCTKyI2oYAhuGycq_2U8N_POlE_kKZUSFykVxGotJQa95knlyaF4hunnEQD6hcfn1pfj-WFc3hVbUl6LORTLFgWcZ8s/s1600/lpcollectionCOM-225-dorothy-perkins-17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x959Rb5gbLf7Oqhghybf4FD2MYuIQBCFshXtxYe-O2bPPpbXnzCTKyI2oYAhuGycq_2U8N_POlE_kKZUSFykVxGotJQa95knlyaF4hunnEQD6hcfn1pfj-WFc3hVbUl6LORTLFgWcZ8s/s1600/lpcollectionCOM-225-dorothy-perkins-17.jpg" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://lpcollection.com/"><b>LPCollection.com</b></a> $225 // Dorothy Perkins $17</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1aQoC1p7JPKrb2G0Hm2W8q-sKTZN1KpsN103o6vRiY-TPjvpjzT8yjN7HLegAvH8GcvqqQOh3m4r1fibX4ck_KJ-5p2KX33BJ1XZW8otPSlF4xMU1jHu863Etd7zGjTSsTdCd-zN9GpH/s1600/farfetchCOM-500-debenhams-polka-dot-blouse-95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1aQoC1p7JPKrb2G0Hm2W8q-sKTZN1KpsN103o6vRiY-TPjvpjzT8yjN7HLegAvH8GcvqqQOh3m4r1fibX4ck_KJ-5p2KX33BJ1XZW8otPSlF4xMU1jHu863Etd7zGjTSsTdCd-zN9GpH/s1600/farfetchCOM-500-debenhams-polka-dot-blouse-95.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://farfetch.com/"><b>farfetch.com</b></a> $500 // <a href="http://debenhams.com/"><b>Debenhams.com</b></a> $95</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kjTefTq_tmwPPSkW4mJgiyCqr5ZXHoUG8nQoH9c_gBIV-92houC1SzqHXPtj-InChfjekIPVAvtJboTbEpygyq78yfa3kn3ypRbJAnDwjoTGtcf3veN_gg-m_d4nXeo_m2D3gePhPVoG/s1600/jcrew-minnie-pants-purple-polkadot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kjTefTq_tmwPPSkW4mJgiyCqr5ZXHoUG8nQoH9c_gBIV-92houC1SzqHXPtj-InChfjekIPVAvtJboTbEpygyq78yfa3kn3ypRbJAnDwjoTGtcf3veN_gg-m_d4nXeo_m2D3gePhPVoG/s1600/jcrew-minnie-pants-purple-polkadot.jpg" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/"><b>J Crew</b></a> "Minnie" pants $103 each</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw93OhDjVEiJqJPy9-Jcm2Hy4DgMXH-KHrz2f8x9kHFHyHlzDxznV6aaVHc2hsLIgLzEk_IwfhmLsme6mqszkJJbeW8PvITh7LdcNr3QKVmHHbOgDgLCT9x5XUtNNmqtqp7a3ItKrmmOkJ/s1600/luluguinessCOM-495-marc-jacobs-420-clutch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw93OhDjVEiJqJPy9-Jcm2Hy4DgMXH-KHrz2f8x9kHFHyHlzDxznV6aaVHc2hsLIgLzEk_IwfhmLsme6mqszkJJbeW8PvITh7LdcNr3QKVmHHbOgDgLCT9x5XUtNNmqtqp7a3ItKrmmOkJ/s1600/luluguinessCOM-495-marc-jacobs-420-clutch.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://luluguiness.com/"><b> luluguiness.com</b></a> $495 // Marc by Marc Jacobs $420</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUqbGdLvuUNM6DgzI0pIchLxyA8b0flu0Z13M0ohhBgVW_6YHT1y7-1ROdNr69QDSE7f6jVK1sRz5p-jAS9L7Y3RW-WxIpJBFHCgkDSAykXNcvkXXKwVeCNiTj8IBCgH7tuJwGi218UH2/s1600/karen-millen-modcloth-coats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUqbGdLvuUNM6DgzI0pIchLxyA8b0flu0Z13M0ohhBgVW_6YHT1y7-1ROdNr69QDSE7f6jVK1sRz5p-jAS9L7Y3RW-WxIpJBFHCgkDSAykXNcvkXXKwVeCNiTj8IBCgH7tuJwGi218UH2/s1600/karen-millen-modcloth-coats.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Karen Millen // <a href="http://modcloth.com/"><b>ModCloth.com</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff1KoeDyuIj4fyMVYVAiLIL3sYZOq2mm58UXkxNQX5mPUjojRP-ezmIBH4_rqKutdlkYhuE5ghiKb3m5a3GVjWGNNYh4i7fqo3gTpv97SN2lbvD1UFP-cO4cKGBHSSxZxgk_YHH8MhNOs/s1600/stevemadden-madewell-flats-ballet-patent-suede-purple-yelllow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff1KoeDyuIj4fyMVYVAiLIL3sYZOq2mm58UXkxNQX5mPUjojRP-ezmIBH4_rqKutdlkYhuE5ghiKb3m5a3GVjWGNNYh4i7fqo3gTpv97SN2lbvD1UFP-cO4cKGBHSSxZxgk_YHH8MhNOs/s1600/stevemadden-madewell-flats-ballet-patent-suede-purple-yelllow.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Steve Madden // <a href="http://www.madewell.com/"><b>Madewell</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANx87yrNELWw78p1EvHX5znDEqfO-3tBqlMqshQqPOXE4XBiurc_uCxNp5rWP1HfmZSC3eeHfi4KJ1FI8PJxpi5YCYY4UnB8HiY1u5XbBsJHtRuIrP2d6DubLga8CizIL5OKyKkMrR0A9/s1600/oasisCOM-100-x2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANx87yrNELWw78p1EvHX5znDEqfO-3tBqlMqshQqPOXE4XBiurc_uCxNp5rWP1HfmZSC3eeHfi4KJ1FI8PJxpi5YCYY4UnB8HiY1u5XbBsJHtRuIrP2d6DubLga8CizIL5OKyKkMrR0A9/s1600/oasisCOM-100-x2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> <a href="http://oasis.com/">oasis.com</a> </b>$100 each</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1aQoC1p7JPKrb2G0Hm2W8q-sKTZN1KpsN103o6vRiY-TPjvpjzT8yjN7HLegAvH8GcvqqQOh3m4r1fibX4ck_KJ-5p2KX33BJ1XZW8otPSlF4xMU1jHu863Etd7zGjTSsTdCd-zN9GpH/s1600/farfetchCOM-500-debenhams-polka-dot-blouse-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. Archie jumped up on the table and stood on the keyboard when I left the room. This was his contribution to the post: wssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184343.469412 -79.69904129999999 43.837039999999995 -79.0673273tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-10515222291547585992012-04-01T10:10:00.003-07:002012-04-01T10:14:17.890-07:00I call her "Red"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2_Ue_mbrSDidUl7W5yqyJbmHPcq1zGx1-Lin6mYSei46BVlsmB_NroflbQohU_fwDQihDFvGF4ajQ_KN6n7MpC3zrwGXPlmW9nFnaWYkEdCLwkmprJsnPLn-KVAATssVJvEl6lukx46s/s1600/redhead-ginger-red-hair-faux-dyed-copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2_Ue_mbrSDidUl7W5yqyJbmHPcq1zGx1-Lin6mYSei46BVlsmB_NroflbQohU_fwDQihDFvGF4ajQ_KN6n7MpC3zrwGXPlmW9nFnaWYkEdCLwkmprJsnPLn-KVAATssVJvEl6lukx46s/s1600/redhead-ginger-red-hair-faux-dyed-copper.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">OH-EM-GEE. So, remember when Jordan Catalano wrote that song called "Red" in that big warehouse where he rehearsed with his band Frozen Embryos and Angela thought it was about HER but it turned out it was really about his CAR?!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Didn't you just DIE?!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I still do, every time. 'Cause YEAH I own <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108872/"><b>the whole series</b></a> on DVD. Obvi.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6SjZAYN8u21g544IFe3S5R89okWO0MjAJ8y7s7lrPnM35vBYNKOWujLSBJ4CnFyphaO02kDfNDCWX6UfOEE_6IlMHJOmQnj41adATbeExxtmz-Vxfu_iiUgXxIGtQgWqMF4yE5vyCp-d/s1600/jordan-catalano-angela-chase-mscl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6SjZAYN8u21g544IFe3S5R89okWO0MjAJ8y7s7lrPnM35vBYNKOWujLSBJ4CnFyphaO02kDfNDCWX6UfOEE_6IlMHJOmQnj41adATbeExxtmz-Vxfu_iiUgXxIGtQgWqMF4yE5vyCp-d/s1600/jordan-catalano-angela-chase-mscl.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> [ girl crush! boy crush! CRUSH! ]</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The last time I dyed my hair that colour, it happened to coincide with Angela Chase's own awakening as a faux redhead. She was me, I was her. The show was for-sure-for-sure written just for me. Then I found out that every girl born between 1977 and 1984 believed the very same thing (they are WRONG, I tell you!). I am prone to delusions.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplkbHGdM_dH9dx_Sv381jLxHO9-oANwiRKf7p1YgmTf5u2_QrSZD9CaHMUPrULoQAJHOXIwpx9qOz_6b7M08NT2sIZ-1KAUjjk2IuwDxMujI3R6leGvMF2MLoX2IRWGQff74IHTUjMLjV/s1600/redhead-copper-ginger-red-hair-youryoko-dyed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplkbHGdM_dH9dx_Sv381jLxHO9-oANwiRKf7p1YgmTf5u2_QrSZD9CaHMUPrULoQAJHOXIwpx9qOz_6b7M08NT2sIZ-1KAUjjk2IuwDxMujI3R6leGvMF2MLoX2IRWGQff74IHTUjMLjV/s1600/redhead-copper-ginger-red-hair-youryoko-dyed.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I guess my inner transformations need to be marked by some sort of external metamorphisis. An indication, a badge of sorts. Like: "Hey, look at me, my brain and my heart are acting super sketchy right now but you can't see it so I'll just dye my hair to match so that you know you're supposed to pay attention to me!" </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spotlight-whore for life.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oversharing to the moooon!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anyway, I did it. See? I'm not just a big mouth.This totally happened. It's fading like crazy already - who knows if I'll be diligent enough to handle the upkeep? It may be short-lived. In the meantime, it's kinda fun, yeah? </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3cem-G7j-wkyn4NiJwQalumcsc3dB641gmRFF1o6ptlx4dlpDlYzmMcQarIDMY0wPiSU1VpQi1FbXMbMUUzQovR1JZS9CeGyUj9l22xxeCdbuUFcg5tyI7ZsVpo4d-_qybkrZxp2k0QT/s1600/before-after-hair-red-dyed-makeover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3cem-G7j-wkyn4NiJwQalumcsc3dB641gmRFF1o6ptlx4dlpDlYzmMcQarIDMY0wPiSU1VpQi1FbXMbMUUzQovR1JZS9CeGyUj9l22xxeCdbuUFcg5tyI7ZsVpo4d-_qybkrZxp2k0QT/s1600/before-after-hair-red-dyed-makeover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdDQ_jvvfHK-qXr1vb21Ag0LrZgmYM4M6917P9kSGE6ivP9sJ87z07zjkOAdq_7SDXzV5OylazsBIDYcbrkdP12_xyNvimrB6Pv62LBI5aDteCRbCP0HgLHQZk4dpehm8RWn4cSq-k_cz/s1600/outfit-spring-redhead-neon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdDQ_jvvfHK-qXr1vb21Ag0LrZgmYM4M6917P9kSGE6ivP9sJ87z07zjkOAdq_7SDXzV5OylazsBIDYcbrkdP12_xyNvimrB6Pv62LBI5aDteCRbCP0HgLHQZk4dpehm8RWn4cSq-k_cz/s1600/outfit-spring-redhead-neon.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-34733226956085326532012-03-27T18:35:00.001-07:002012-03-27T21:39:26.287-07:00Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vkQDAWVnp7bLT2FrNhxsW2DriyNkLFqezDlVVRAc7xcadbcA84kDIgYR7Mz_i852hJ3BgyOG7kRDQm1beAPD5uvuyLQ_uMo3fgFtK9rY6ktVGgkO0kZquirZEto0HX5-ffBbb7fmcFrB/s1600/trailer-camper-camping-road-blue-peach-retro-boho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vkQDAWVnp7bLT2FrNhxsW2DriyNkLFqezDlVVRAc7xcadbcA84kDIgYR7Mz_i852hJ3BgyOG7kRDQm1beAPD5uvuyLQ_uMo3fgFtK9rY6ktVGgkO0kZquirZEto0HX5-ffBbb7fmcFrB/s1600/trailer-camper-camping-road-blue-peach-retro-boho.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">[ Soundtrack note: stop now, grab your <b>Beach Boys</b> <i>Pet Sounds</i> LP and play track 1. OK, keep reading. ]</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
In the core of my being there is this nomadic, terribly romantic and restless bohemian soul. It's sometimes well-hidden, during brief domestic lapses in adventure. But it's always there. This spirit (which, let's be honest, lives at the surface <i>most</i> days) is a knee-bouncer, a why-walk-when-you-can-run type, a lover of tall grass and sun roofs and road-trip mix-tapes. As a wee person (OK, so I was never really "wee" – I was a 10LB baby for the love of gawd), I spent many a sweltering summer in the backseat of a station wagon trying, alternately, to kill my brother, jump from the window to freedom, and rehearse for eventual career in musical theatre (yeah, THAT happened). </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I remember it probably more fondly than I should. I was a miserable child (when it came to being confined to a small space with my family) and was prone to dramatics. "MOM, he's BREATHING on me." You'd think a career in the performing arts was a natural outcome. Too bad it also requires grace and rhythm. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Holy tangents, Batman.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5Ct5o5yAEe09J02oiwH9EdH69_nTzhCTokfFu04uyUdBspxCelmSUYwlpgBDwfh4_Uw3Q1NH63hGQFgIRB40ClhqJnH-x5GHhGW9NWXZp3zvvMGj3mL35TFnpLgf17AbHgQaTcW6qOQt/s1600/me-car-station-wagon-1984-80s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5Ct5o5yAEe09J02oiwH9EdH69_nTzhCTokfFu04uyUdBspxCelmSUYwlpgBDwfh4_Uw3Q1NH63hGQFgIRB40ClhqJnH-x5GHhGW9NWXZp3zvvMGj3mL35TFnpLgf17AbHgQaTcW6qOQt/s1600/me-car-station-wagon-1984-80s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ 1984 - still fairly tolerable but probably on the cusp of becoming the most dramatic child on earth ]</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aside from the frequency of my attempted "escapes" (sticking my head out the window while wishing I was Little Orphan Annie), I loved the open road. As an adult with a LICENSE TO DRIVE, BITCHES, I find the experience all the more liberating and magical. Sitting at the wheel, with the radio dial within reach? Nirvana. No, not the band. Well, sometimes. I haven't traveled even remotely as much as I'd would have liked. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You're all, like, "Amen, sister!" right about now, aren't you? You too, hey? Yeah, life, man. Life. Money and work and responsibility and the parts of adulthood you didn't anticipate when you were 12 going on 26, right? Stuff they don't tell you. I wanted to be a grown up sooooo bad. Now I want to hang from monkey bars and forget to go home for supper and have light-saber wars with tree branches and eat freezies as big as my arm. Siiiiiigh, those were the days.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UN_Eif1nN98YcazsDhC7Ii91O_Fo0m5Ysnn94weQSfczG-I4UgTYOsO8GntCZV7PhIDe7o28e0_crSRyBrFAma-I1v0as9_-CKsBU5VK73c1mM-whQ36TWeM4Oy_7_d0kfaFk_sVcVru/s1600/saskatchewan-canada-prairies-roadtrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UN_Eif1nN98YcazsDhC7Ii91O_Fo0m5Ysnn94weQSfczG-I4UgTYOsO8GntCZV7PhIDe7o28e0_crSRyBrFAma-I1v0as9_-CKsBU5VK73c1mM-whQ36TWeM4Oy_7_d0kfaFk_sVcVru/s1600/saskatchewan-canada-prairies-roadtrip.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [ big-girl solo prairie road-tripping. yeah, what! Self-timers FTW ]</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLlKUIr_1nMuzsQGk8g2DEDMuIa8l8XJeVx9B78dr_jpysyKDQMnZdWaoKkpKCILy7OU_tu8lA8CKtrDzlW8KK6RfMPWtlb5HKnQ0mro-Io6NgjH_d1Rkejwo3S4E5NlrmES0EIRg0M1F/s1600/road-trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLlKUIr_1nMuzsQGk8g2DEDMuIa8l8XJeVx9B78dr_jpysyKDQMnZdWaoKkpKCILy7OU_tu8lA8CKtrDzlW8KK6RfMPWtlb5HKnQ0mro-Io6NgjH_d1Rkejwo3S4E5NlrmES0EIRg0M1F/s1600/road-trip.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[ good road buddies are one-in-a-million ]</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I relive my childhood every time I embark on a road trip of any magnitude. Is it a military kid thing? Are we only happy when we're packing and unpacking our lives constantly?</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We had one of those pop up trailers, and of course an overly-complicated and hella-heavy canvas tent. Sleeping in mobile abodes was always sweet, sweet pay off after hours (DAYS!) spent in a non-air-conditioned station wagon. I'm prettttty sure AC existed at that time, but it took us forever to get anything even kinda modern. We had a rotary dial phone until the mid 90s.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3G0CqvG6sV0h5eQrASD-3KYY6kXxxgFSZkDtZIkT-R-C_3uQ8i8eHucmun9FMVRr72OFmBBPoQuoW8FBm3TCy78gjLw79dXZsijNd8ZYOlRistNoxyUvY2lbmnQtFCH3FruyFH9UW4ON/s1600/camping-1980-GTO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3G0CqvG6sV0h5eQrASD-3KYY6kXxxgFSZkDtZIkT-R-C_3uQ8i8eHucmun9FMVRr72OFmBBPoQuoW8FBm3TCy78gjLw79dXZsijNd8ZYOlRistNoxyUvY2lbmnQtFCH3FruyFH9UW4ON/s1600/camping-1980-GTO.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [ camping in 1980. i was born for this. ]</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm dreaming of another road trip. And really, a lifetime of them! Eventually (not now, because you know: money and life and blah-diggity-blah) I'd love for us to own a little piece of road ourselves. By that I mean: Aiiiiirrrstreams, baby! Or a VW van. Or some sort of totally retro and way-adorable mobile living space. Dogs and babies and flowery 70s curtains and Thermoses of coffee and bug-goo on the windshield and a million Instagrammable moments FTW! Double-sigh. It's the way I want my kids to see life. It's how I want to spend my summers. Coastal. Prairies. East. West. Doesn't really matter. Journey > destination, yeah?</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiKPlyKemQ0mHWApxcnngG3-BqH6_57wXQufaCa_0eb9D2bvvsVUgFLLaBJmZIEbzxWDvtCGGltjndEhbgs4fTLQiWXqgOdgGaDI1RDKjZWJpbQnZpsuv5xO9qddPx8myTWuIBFOTBkKi/s1600/airstream-interior-boho-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiKPlyKemQ0mHWApxcnngG3-BqH6_57wXQufaCa_0eb9D2bvvsVUgFLLaBJmZIEbzxWDvtCGGltjndEhbgs4fTLQiWXqgOdgGaDI1RDKjZWJpbQnZpsuv5xO9qddPx8myTWuIBFOTBkKi/s1600/airstream-interior-boho-3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [ dreamy airstream interiors ]</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Another catalyst for my road-life obsession: my parents (pre-me) lived in Europe for 5 years, driving their VW van up and over and through several countries. My dad painted the side of it. My mom was an impossible babe. So romantic. They still have the map, detailing their route. Pack rats have their merits. Since hearing this story, I've been longing to pack that map, rent a little van of my own and retrace their route. Double-romantic. The mister is on board for this part (though I'm not sure if he's as crazy about the 70s-curtained-Airstreams-every-summer idea). </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There has been talk between my parents of buying up a fixed-up 70s VW van so that they can use it to zig-zag the continent when dad retires. Some serious and aggressive Kijiji action was happening for a while. They've recently abandoned it, though. Not the zig-zagging part, just the means with which to do it. Damn, I was hoping for borrowsies. They bought a far less romantic, yet highly practical and reliable alternative: a brand new Santa Fe ("the SPORT model", my mother brags. Good lord). But I guess reliability trumps romance when you're pushing 60. And I know that baby will see a ton of mileage. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY2QWCKxlhIZfT_OUVyx32C8c5FENUqJr2_WpZRRe5RBcM2HWCzpWpzA2QKb92-4U4oT-Zd-X2KONdtx4cSgTFrAgfLNVFsdIEqouDsZDBZNg6S3lyxCt1Y_qpnRSEgZYuP1aLU2UjGNc/s1600/vw-van-westfalia-yurt-tent-camping-glamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY2QWCKxlhIZfT_OUVyx32C8c5FENUqJr2_WpZRRe5RBcM2HWCzpWpzA2QKb92-4U4oT-Zd-X2KONdtx4cSgTFrAgfLNVFsdIEqouDsZDBZNg6S3lyxCt1Y_qpnRSEgZYuP1aLU2UjGNc/s1600/vw-van-westfalia-yurt-tent-camping-glamping.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [ wantsies ]</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My in-laws own a motor home, too. They should use it more (I know you're reading this, mom and dad #2. There, I said it).</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aaaaand: my bestie and her hubby bought a VW van, fixed her up and drove here from Alberta WITH A TODDLER AND A NEWBORN. Yeah, she's my hero. So, wait. Is EVERYONE living my dream except me?!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">See: prone to dramatics.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anyway, I'm due. Mobile living just isn't in my budget unless GelaSkins will pay me to work remotely (I also know YOU'RE reading this. Hint, hint). We need to save money which is probably the least fun thing of all time. In fact the EXACT opposite of Airstreams and mix tapes and windy hair is saving money. And, I am yet again ending a blog post with this sentiment: a girl can dream. And I do.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bsPtOkaQKww?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[ More road life fixin' can be had on <a href="http://pinterest.com/youryoko/over-the-rainbow/"><b>my Pinterest board </b></a>(where you'll also find the source for all of my "borrowed" images) ]</span></div><div><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8090860003724310568.post-13554309107251234562012-03-19T19:41:00.002-07:002012-03-19T19:41:59.480-07:00Seasonally challenged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi1aw7aDVmYgDNlx3c7q2I-Y68rpMqZRvgOmH9VrYZ3knWzEiPTwrbWu3ZbbOJ6fXu7RnS0_Jl0SzeDMOfS3nzz0Y06NxI7D3e2_v3PKO8Xz2CZDZ6c8bnCXDPYMhRyt0db6YOnM_ttB6/s1600/spring-blues-fashion-style-cobalt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi1aw7aDVmYgDNlx3c7q2I-Y68rpMqZRvgOmH9VrYZ3knWzEiPTwrbWu3ZbbOJ6fXu7RnS0_Jl0SzeDMOfS3nzz0Y06NxI7D3e2_v3PKO8Xz2CZDZ6c8bnCXDPYMhRyt0db6YOnM_ttB6/s1600/spring-blues-fashion-style-cobalt.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spring, is that you? </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, I'm going though something (what?)
but I think it's fair to blame most of it on the weather, yeah? The sun is my mood ring in the sky.
She tells me what to feel, but she's clearing going through some crazy mid-30s thing, too. Mood swinging right along with me. Dude, <i>so</i> not helping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Winter, at least in these parts, was
flaccid. If not for two well-timed trips out of the city, my Cougar
boots would have seen zero action this season. And that's really no fun
at all. I see no practical use for celibacy. I'm not a skier,
normally. Nor have I laced skates in recent memory. But suddenly, I
wanted these things in my life. <i>Badly</i>. Because i couldn't have them, natch. You want my
attention: play hard to get. (No don't.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx2BJY2Q1epQ_6Sry5MYY-MUzHCiPwvLsGOhUrzbjfa2KfSJEpmcx6j2jt44tZyYRzndH7QY2-r5vrj3MTdEzbHEKIv18STZbF6-b8fHRmZj_TpzRP8-WPr5Zl5lOWhax06xro4bzb3Vq/s1600/keds-madewell-polka-dot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx2BJY2Q1epQ_6Sry5MYY-MUzHCiPwvLsGOhUrzbjfa2KfSJEpmcx6j2jt44tZyYRzndH7QY2-r5vrj3MTdEzbHEKIv18STZbF6-b8fHRmZj_TpzRP8-WPr5Zl5lOWhax06xro4bzb3Vq/s1600/keds-madewell-polka-dot.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Trading up my cougars for these puppies. But I don't deserve it yet //Keds for Madewell)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spring just isn't quite so delicious unless it comes on the heels of 3 months of suffering bus-stop
waits and near-frostbite due to ill-chosen footwear. This is why I love Canada, usually. Renewal and reward happen
naturally four times a
year </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(without asymmetric haircuts or accent walls)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So, YEAH I feel a little ripped off. A bit undeserving
of spring. Anticlimax. And you <i>know</i> how I hate straight lines - I thrive
on ups and downs and up-up-UPS! Stagnancy is my
hell. And well, fall bled into "winter" and suddenly became spring-ish without doing much work at all. Meh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">OK, I'm not <i>really</i>
complaining. I see an opportunity for melodrama, I take it. C'mon, you know me by now. In reality, it's having positive effects. It's gorge out this week and even though it doesn't <i>smell</i> like spring or involve <i>any</i> melting whatsoever, it's nice. My soul is getting a little colour. A few extra minutes of vitamin-D
absorption and I suddenly feel a renewed sense of motivation and
positive energy? Lawd, I'm SO easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Honest? I'm in the mood for spring. And love! And change!
And bikes! And drinking in the park! And really, whatever it may bring in these globally-warmed times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I need this. I'm trading up my drab winter blues for happier spring hues - cobalt and azure and periwinke, oh MY! Peppered with polka-dots and shots of orangey-red, how can I NOT feel uplifted? Kay, so I'm not allowed to shop right now, but it doesn't hurt to fill up dot-com shopping carts and hover a shaky hand over my credit card before I close the browser, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Enjoy some well-seasoned picks for spring (that you'll probably never <i>actually</i> see me wearing). Help a sister out, will ya? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GqNXsbyBjXnE93u0MXFSz-kZdjg-yzDEGHp5SfUGkNxKZRKpuSayKoGdPtJgbWhpVZ_a-ZDI702Z4gTVX1ZjNJCTKOVSJpICzWSSEjOywv2IE527A_mzPHiAFcUsT74q8V6KUQ3leTNv/s1600/mendoza-earrings-blue-gold-house-harlow-ring-antler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GqNXsbyBjXnE93u0MXFSz-kZdjg-yzDEGHp5SfUGkNxKZRKpuSayKoGdPtJgbWhpVZ_a-ZDI702Z4gTVX1ZjNJCTKOVSJpICzWSSEjOywv2IE527A_mzPHiAFcUsT74q8V6KUQ3leTNv/s1600/mendoza-earrings-blue-gold-house-harlow-ring-antler.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bling. <b><a href="http://modaoperandi.com/aurelie-bidermann-fw-2012/mendoza-earrings-60271/">Mendoza Earrings</a></b> $635 // House of Harlow 1960 <b><a href="http://www.shopthetrendboutique.com/hoofha19roca.html?source=pjn&subid=2845">Antler Ring</a> </b>$98 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD17YzowqtJKpIi19Yjk68XrR1VXx2vUCHlNfZMOnMupWdJ8I1yCnE-dI7E_mlLiA59JZa9aVnBEKOmqfpD6MjOUDKkKL6FXNW_z-mNVh5D0LOJBtW0cSC5zslBd3k1_5ly6_-qXwnDBZ/s1600/jcrew-stripe-baggu-tote-red-blue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD17YzowqtJKpIi19Yjk68XrR1VXx2vUCHlNfZMOnMupWdJ8I1yCnE-dI7E_mlLiA59JZa9aVnBEKOmqfpD6MjOUDKkKL6FXNW_z-mNVh5D0LOJBtW0cSC5zslBd3k1_5ly6_-qXwnDBZ/s1600/jcrew-stripe-baggu-tote-red-blue.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's picnic then make out in the sand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">J Crew Factory<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20JCrew%20Factory%20stripe%20top%20%20http://www.jcrew.com/womens_factory_category/allnew/PRDOVR%7E66700/99102681183/ENE%7E1+2+3+22+4294967294+20%7E%7E%7E205+17+4294966720%7E15%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E%7E/66700.jsp"><b> stripe pocket shirt</b></a> // <b><a href="http://www.baggubag.com/">Baggu</a></b> tote $35</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIbG6QyeBLjTmJTvOds-NwavBzX_tJ6duTeEM2bWTIbkJVakNwNM-jTl-ucdu1PK-BU9JVZyrS_qznP-47tJsddPgAV3hpaHgiEJ8F6gex_xjRKAn_2bLCgexP9Q1LIBqaM45GERdok9M/s1600/elle-france-2012-karen-walker-head-scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIbG6QyeBLjTmJTvOds-NwavBzX_tJ6duTeEM2bWTIbkJVakNwNM-jTl-ucdu1PK-BU9JVZyrS_qznP-47tJsddPgAV3hpaHgiEJ8F6gex_xjRKAn_2bLCgexP9Q1LIBqaM45GERdok9M/s1600/elle-france-2012-karen-walker-head-scarf.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Head scarves. I'll be such a babe in these. Also I may just start a hot-chick bike gang with <a href="http://www.ohmistletoe.com/"><b>this girl,</b></a> because she's on the scarf program too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Elle France / <a href="http://shop.karenwalker.com/"><b>Karen Walker</b></a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb83XqTABQ1mzZYEvyoHtLKAoyuBjUjQWuHy8YLu2pkqEAyiOunkYsbY5fjBD4FoYV7n5_ZaasbHmXMQs2f3aO10LbnXNW9-CKgf29zY6JCaKrYMmsWHk0mr6fDG-IGLu9EvLBikm_3Ut/s1600/maxi-dress-chevron-red-jersey-baggu-tote-stripe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb83XqTABQ1mzZYEvyoHtLKAoyuBjUjQWuHy8YLu2pkqEAyiOunkYsbY5fjBD4FoYV7n5_ZaasbHmXMQs2f3aO10LbnXNW9-CKgf29zY6JCaKrYMmsWHk0mr6fDG-IGLu9EvLBikm_3Ut/s1600/maxi-dress-chevron-red-jersey-baggu-tote-stripe.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh hi boys, just goin' to the farmers market. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pantora <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82390730/zig-zag-batik-inspired-long-sleeve-maxi">chevron dress</a> on ETSY - SOLD while writing this post (frownsy face!) // <b><a href="http://www.baggubag.com/">Baggu</a></b> tote</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57u2t3jhHT0RyJl4Sy8Aq1g4-5u33v3tRjmcgvBSRH33rUHtkwO9Ag6dwJ9a98rhOYjG8wfWoSOTdzOKHvE7TrAp07lCzeeqrk0a3pkXFVmwqVNvOj9jQLa5feF3TX9OqYv1VXC_1o04r/s1600/karen-walker-spring-2012-dress-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57u2t3jhHT0RyJl4Sy8Aq1g4-5u33v3tRjmcgvBSRH33rUHtkwO9Ag6dwJ9a98rhOYjG8wfWoSOTdzOKHvE7TrAp07lCzeeqrk0a3pkXFVmwqVNvOj9jQLa5feF3TX9OqYv1VXC_1o04r/s1600/karen-walker-spring-2012-dress-top.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shop.karenwalker.com/"><b>Karen Walker</b></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSoxWIgKHyjyMgoU-jKx28C4KREmU4dUWwAGUkELN59MjvsabIbWstHlL4bwA0Ppa8ABox8yfFfJVksi009zSx572O2xeakvCpqKkej8kJPdvi1C7MEcXTU-_6wDOostudOLuYaHz0GrC/s1600/Stripe_Sailor_Backpack_baggu-faryl-robin-shoe-wedge-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx2BJY2Q1epQ_6Sry5MYY-MUzHCiPwvLsGOhUrzbjfa2KfSJEpmcx6j2jt44tZyYRzndH7QY2-r5vrj3MTdEzbHEKIv18STZbF6-b8fHRmZj_TpzRP8-WPr5Zl5lOWhax06xro4bzb3Vq/s1600/keds-madewell-polka-dot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtzXOB1k5p_gTB-pPSZuaLg6DLpp8KEyqpVYwsQwNv9gQXnRqWnMnlDQlPUI_p2pMpKscdppB57T4X_zUNT4cn34xpkp2b9kxdEmUSjaFVDpNqBT0JNO-ea3_jD9tfA-UAGQU7xAlOkm3/s1600/polka-dot-circle-skirt-navy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtzXOB1k5p_gTB-pPSZuaLg6DLpp8KEyqpVYwsQwNv9gQXnRqWnMnlDQlPUI_p2pMpKscdppB57T4X_zUNT4cn34xpkp2b9kxdEmUSjaFVDpNqBT0JNO-ea3_jD9tfA-UAGQU7xAlOkm3/s1600/polka-dot-circle-skirt-navy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Jenfashion <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61253325/polka-dots-skirt-cotton-chiffon-airy%20">circle skirt</a> on ETSY $69</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSoxWIgKHyjyMgoU-jKx28C4KREmU4dUWwAGUkELN59MjvsabIbWstHlL4bwA0Ppa8ABox8yfFfJVksi009zSx572O2xeakvCpqKkej8kJPdvi1C7MEcXTU-_6wDOostudOLuYaHz0GrC/s1600/Stripe_Sailor_Backpack_baggu-faryl-robin-shoe-wedge-red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSoxWIgKHyjyMgoU-jKx28C4KREmU4dUWwAGUkELN59MjvsabIbWstHlL4bwA0Ppa8ABox8yfFfJVksi009zSx572O2xeakvCpqKkej8kJPdvi1C7MEcXTU-_6wDOostudOLuYaHz0GrC/s1600/Stripe_Sailor_Backpack_baggu-faryl-robin-shoe-wedge-red.jpg" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, 3rd <b><a href="http://www.baggubag.com/">Baggu</a></b> bag in this post. But don't you just love these?! There suuuper cheap, too. $35 // Faryl Robin <a href="http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/faryl-robin-894/product/81762517-faryl-robin-owen-sandal"><b>Pump</b></a> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">$79</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0y1rTcgmYhJZ3OBIIrDvsVwqqdE-Da-XCx9IpGKvNtr0QwCiA8YZo21y_v57hKUQUKDdQ3AW4qNo6PG-458pYa_FjPXkY2KBl8FfhBIgttwQaMe2fEwNDckViQYgAuM83aEpUuUQbgVR/s1600/t-strap-pump-suede-blue-shoe-kathryn-amberleigh+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0y1rTcgmYhJZ3OBIIrDvsVwqqdE-Da-XCx9IpGKvNtr0QwCiA8YZo21y_v57hKUQUKDdQ3AW4qNo6PG-458pYa_FjPXkY2KBl8FfhBIgttwQaMe2fEwNDckViQYgAuM83aEpUuUQbgVR/s1600/t-strap-pump-suede-blue-shoe-kathryn-amberleigh+copy.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kathryn Amberleigh <a href="http://www.gilt.com/sale/women/love-your-ankles/product/112429030-kathryn-amberleigh-t-strap-pump"><b>T-Strap Pump </b></a>$139 // <a href="http://www.fatface.com/hats-scarves-and-gloves/stripe-floral-snood/invt/34308/?cmpid=afc-ls-oas11%20"><b>Stripe/floral scarf</b></a> $30</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I feel better already.)</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01683069094068350718noreply@blogger.com0