The English Teacher's Stepford Wife

I never read the Stepford Wives novel nor have I watched the 1970s movie, but I am the happy owner of the DVD for the 2004 version. Despite it's glaring plot holes (are they robots or just brainwashed?!) I watch this movie repeatedly- I am visually addicted to it. I love the color choices, the psychotic tidiness of Stepford, and the wardrobe choices. Example:



This screen cap inspires me to have a wardrobe full of spring dresses, particularly Faith Hill's dress with the little lace trim and the big, bright poppy print. It's not necessarily the dress styles that I love, but just the visual enjoyment I have when looking at all theses dresses together, the colors and the patterns, and the idea I could have that same thrill when I open my closet. It's only February, maybe by May I'll have sewn up a fleet of spring dresses, or at the very least collected fabrics which are sometimes just as fun to look at stacked together.

Cluster-happy

During these dark cold nights while the Husband is doing grad-work I find myself at a loss for something to do. My homework is not nearly as intense as it has been in the last couple of semesters, so I do have quite a bit of free time. Last night I took out some of my jewellery making stuff, a random assortment of cheapie beads and wire, and decided to have a go at making some cluster rings. I've seen them on Etsy and they are so attractive to me, shiny, bright, cheerful groupings of beads bound together in an organic, random way. Here are the fruits of my labor:






I kinda just winged it (is that the proper past tense for that phrase?), but these YouTube video tutorials were extremely helpful for the technical stuff (i.e. construction, what gauge wire, how to wrap, etc):
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Brevity Is the Word of the Day: Book Reviews

Love it so far, a bit cumbersome with all the names and separate accounts.



Slightly overrated, but provides excellent conversation material.



Love the idea, hated the projects. Uninspired and unimpressed unfortunately.



As a 26 year-old I probably should not admit the extent to which I loved it and that I am now obsessed.

I was doing so well

...posting so often! Oh well, I've got loads of thrifty finds to share I just need to haul out the camera, but between oral surgery, work, and homework lately I've little time to do so...not to mention the dearth of actual daylight to take good pics. Will update soon!!

Ebay Look #2 Inspiration: 3.1 Phillip Lim

I really love the look of a minimal, monochrome look with a big statement piece. Once again I looked to eBay for vintage finds. While the sweater is F21, it's at least budget-friendly, however this style and color sweater is basic enough that it could just as easily be an investment piece if one wanted to splurge.

Sweater via Forever 21

Michael Kors turtleneck via clee2574

Pants via my_designerdeals

Necklace via savingsbay

Shoes via jessamyneast

Runway photo: style.com

So Fresh 'n So Clean

Happy 2009!

A year in which I will hope for the following:

.::the ability to let stuff go, stop dwelling on things already!::.

.::increased sewing/crocheting/knitting skills::.

.::motivation/desire to go to the gym again::.

.::a vet-free year::.

.::successful completion of an accounting class::.

.::(cliche disclaimer) to recognize the times where I should just be living in the moment::.

I hope for health and happiness for me and my loved ones, and for you and yours!

.::Sigh::.

My boy...

Bottle of Advil: $4
Bag of chocolate: $6
3 Emergency visits to vet in 2008: $2500+
Not being reported to the ASPCA: priceless

Sketch, flip image, repeat

Love this tutorial from Design*Sponge. I was just playing around with her instructions and design for my own and came up with this similar design. Not sure what I'd do with it, but it's so much fun to construct!

Self-serving final project

I took a digital art class this semester and just finished up today-hurray! For my final project I wanted to do something that I could use once the class was over, as I have far too many old projects just lying around the apartment collecting dust. So I did a series of zombie t-shirts (a la my 28 Weeks Later shirt). The last two shirts I used the pic I posted below, and the top one is an image from a 2 Halloweens ago. As you can see, I'm not so keen on ironing.







The transfers I used are crap for sure, very plasticky and cracked as soon as I folded the shirt. If I do this again I will use my original method or find a better brand of transfer. But at least I have the images ready to go.

When at Work on What Should Be a Snow-Day, One Should Avoid Doing Any Actual Work, No?

I love Jessica's style over on What I Wore! Via WIW, I sometimes read her other blog, Love Puppy, on which she made a great point yesterday about designers borrowing (sometimes heavily) from vintage pieces. As I mentioned in a post earlier this week I can't and won't spend huge $$$ for something that is fairly trendy which I can find thrifting for potentially similar quality, in my humble opinion.

So, inspired by Jessica, I scoured eBay and etsy for products to make an outfit similar to this outfit Lindsay Price wore on Lipstick Jungle which is presumably new, pricey clothing:

image via celebutopia

Not identical, of course, but similar without the huge price tag, or sacrificing quality. Also, because these are vintage or handmade items one will not run the risk of seeing the exact piece on someone else. Ah well, if nothing else it was fun searching for the clothing and playing around in Paint on a day I should be home with the Husband who did not have to go to work!

Necklace made by wiyomu
Via eBay: jeans via kittens_treasure, shoes via lulamaybeholly, shirt via jtandcompany, jacket via leatherbarn