What’s this foil thing about? Why is she so shiny?  What has she got on her head!??!

It’s kinda just fun to watch – to sit back and say “Oh wow, this is really, really silly, and I’m kind of into that.”  It’s one of the BEST worst films you’ve ever seen. (The soundtrack, which topped the charts totally makes up for the excess of camp and hilariously amazing musical numbers.)

Here’s to you, Photoshop glow tool.

You know what’s a little crazy about watching this movie?  How much the style they’re rockin’ resembles a lot of the street style I’m seeing today.  Batwing/dolman sweaters tucked into tulip skirts.  Harem-style, halter jumpsuits.  Harem pants in general!  Little flippy shorts and tailored tops.  Strong shoulders and swingy mid-length skirts.  STRIPES! Floaty dresses + slouchy boots and an over-load of fringe.  Big florals and fishnets.  Yellow and black dots.  CRAZY lycra jumpsuits.  The end montage shows off a wide array of animal print, and there’s even a tightrope walker that makes me think of all the hipster-y girls in their teeny, floral, micro print dresses and tights. All their 80′s-does-40′s (and just straight 80′s style) has been all-the-rage for the last year.

Maybe it’s because the 80′s just became vintage.  Because neon is cool, because we’re okay with tapered pants again, and because rollerskates are totally all the rage – right?  Well, aren’t they?

Okay, and there’s a Xanadu Marvel comic book?  Are you kidding me?

(Read the rest here)

As cheesy as this movie is, it’s definitely a cult classic and it’s one of MY favorites.

This is probably the cutest thing I’ve seen all day! Special thanks to David the Majestic and Beautiful Laura of Birdie Royale Adornments. The music is Ondulé by Mathieu Boogaerts. I love this video so much – and we had such a great time shooting photo and filming! Yay!

Thanks again to Laura and David (especially since Laura was one of our models too!), to Gorgeous Kirsten for being one of our models, to Mitsy for modeling, and to Kimberlee of Deco Modiste for designing all the clothing and for letting us raid her house. More photos will come, eventually… Stay tuned!

PS – Don’t forget to enter the Haute Summer Night Fashion Event Giveaway! There are only a few entries so you have a very good chance of winning. Please, and Thank you! xoxo.

In a grand gesture of “I DO WHAT I WANT”, last night Scarlet bleached out sections of my hair framing my face and I took the plunge.  See, my hair is this mix of blue demi-permanent dye mixed with a purple-silver-black demi-permanent dye.  You can tell it’s this indigo color in bright sunlight, or – if I’ve got my hair pulled back, you might discover the tiny baby hairs around my face are blue.  When the color fades I mix a little Special Effects blue with my conditioner and my indigo color springs back to life.  That is, unless Scarlet has bleached out portions of my hair, which then turns this manic cobalt color.

I’ve always had hair color that isn’t my own (since I was … 14?) and I think it’s fun to play with color that way.  But it was always a red, auburn, sometimes the color of cherry cola… and then a few years back I lightened up and we put some orange into it.  My job at the time scoffed, but decided it wasn’t my whole head.  It was also a color close enough to real hair color, so that they left me alone.

And then we played with highlights…

And then I decided it should be pink – or at least partly so, in order to keep “the man” off my back about having an “interesting and unnatural” haircolor.  The hilarious thing about that was being called out at work – a passing comment in which our HR person told me, “Well it’s not like it’s blue or purple or green.  It’s close enough to real hair color so we won’t have to write you up.”

It never dawned on me until then that I could maybe be “less” if my hair was a strange color.  I mean, it’s not like the dye alters your brain.  The society we live in is more accepting of tattoos, piercings and things out of the ordinary, so why should I be written up for having HAIR that’s an interesting color.  Of all the things that could be “wrong” about me, as a person, you pick that?  Something as harmless as hair follicles.

Last night as we pulled the blue color through the bleached hairs, I thought back to that feeling.  I’m interviewing for some freelance/contract stuff right now and I wondered for a moment if having fun highlights in my hair might ruin my chances for work.  Because let’s face it – we still live in a world where “the man” can reprimand us for self expression.  So I may NOT get the job – regardless of whether or not I work harder than the next girl who doesn’t use bright colors in her hair.

I had a brief second of “O wow. What have I done?” and then I realized that I don’t want to work in a place that doesn’t accept me head to toe.  I will put my best work forward for that company that says “we don’t base your performance reviews on hair color”.  I realize that comes from a position of privilege – some people may not have the option of saying “I don’t want to work anywhere that doesn’t like my (unnatural) hair color, tattoos… etc”.  But I also think there has to be a way to approach these companies we work for and say, “Listen, I want to express myself this way – You know it doesn’t affect how I work for you”, without fear of reprimand.

And there’s a whole ideology behind that statement – “I whip my hair” is the power of individuality (that, or I’m reading too deeply into pop culture).  It’s the power of you over those who think they can keep you down.  Fear of individuality?  That’s no way to live.

What do you think?  Is your company cool with that? How do you handle self expression at work?

Big, bold, badass.  I love the idea of giant, lovely, beaded necklaces.  I love the layers.   I want big bright jewelry for summer!

OH HELL!  This long, flowy, chiffon dress from Modcloth looks amazing!  I like it’s tattered bottom, and versatile top.  Hell, I even love that it’s in black because it gives everything else you’re wearing a chance to shine.  Also, black is totally acceptable in the summer, in the Northwest.  Of course, for those sunnier days…

I like the tailored hem on this little number.  Oh and if you’re going for microprint, I suggest whites, blacks, blues and something sweet.

For those days when a 4″ heel seems a little frivolous, I’m loving the kimono style print on a lot of the little sandals available this season.

So while I wait for the sun to come out and play, I’ll be saving my pennies for my wardrobe needs… What’s on your list to buy for summer?

Apparently the other day, Scott Schuman – the Sartorialist – announced that he hated style blogs.  No big surprise there – The Cut said: “The Sartorialist’s Scott Schuman is unimpressed with girls who dress up and take pictures of themselves and post them online, mainly because they don’t seem to have extensive wardrobes.”

It sparked a pretty great Twitter conversation through members of Independent Fashion Bloggers – but it all boiled down to one thing:  Your style is much more influential than the Sartorialist.

You see, most of us suffer from smaller closets.  Not many of us have money to throw at an “extensive wardrobe” – and in an age of minimalism (not to mention expensive apartments!) girls don’t necessarily want to keep all that extra junk around.  Women are constantly looking for a few simple and effective pieces that always work. They want pieces that they can mix and match, not a bulging closet where you can’t tell what you’ve got.  Parisian style is in – small closets, staple pieces in quality cuts and colors; not this American idea of “have it all, and have it all shipped to you!”  And the women and bloggers I know who have more simple wardrobes are actually much more inspiring than Mr. Stuck-up.

While I do own a copy of The Sartorialist book, I don’t see it as a style bible.  I see it as a great work of portraiture (not even photography in general – how hard can it be to shoot someone outside in natural light after you’ve meticulously posed them?) and the expressions he captures are just fine.  But as far as style goes, the “style” of this “street style photographer” is all his own.  It’s not a style I necessarily identify with, and after about 10 pages, all the subjects start to blend together.  How stylish is that?

What I love from the blogging community is that there are so many gals who take the leap – they set up a timer, they snap their own photo, they become vulnerable as they put their own image up on the net for anybody to gawk at, to see, to comment, to tear apart.  The ways in which they mix and match from a limited number of items inspires me to mix up my wardrobe.  Your style is much more creative, much more fun, MUCH MORE INFLUENTIAL than the Sartorialist.

It’s that simple.

I found out that there are a few rules when attending this event that one might follow if one is so inclined… Actually, we made these rules up for giggles (why so serious!?).

Fragrance Festival Rule One – you pay $25 to be there.  Therefore, we decided it’s equitable to drink at least 5 drinks and taste every snack that comes around to break even – even the rhubarb pastries.  (I don’t generally eat rhubarb, but these were pretty good.)  By the end of the night you’ll be having a hilarious time with the lady you met in the bathroom who totally just bought the Dior scent you’re wearing.  Or you could just purchase a yummy new scent and get your money back on the purchase!  Everybody wins.

Fragrance Festival Rule Two – Make best friends with the ultra stylish, very awesome guy who’s working the Chanel table – he has the hook up.  While they have the best scents, they don’t always offer gifts with purchase.  But because your Chanel guy is a sweetie, he may slip a trial size Chanel Rouge Coco lip color in Mademoiselle into your shopping bag if you pick up a bottle of N^o 5.  This is my new favorite lip color.  OH and did you know that the French government reports that a bottle of Chanel N^o 5 is sold every thirty seconds and generates sales of $100 million a year?  Also, he might let you set your bags down while you go retrieve another drink from the bar.

Fragrance Festival Rule Three – Are you a blogger?  Did you bring your camera?  Leave it in your bag.  I took ONE lousy photo.  LOUSY.  The lighting is no good… But the film grain on the Chanel bottles looks romantic, right? Trust me, don’t even try.  However, do carry cards because there are a million billion interesting people to talk to.  Also, you’re more interesting when you’ve got a drink in hand, right?  You know the bar is free?  (And it’s nice to discreetly tip your bartender).

I made this photo extra small so you couldn’t see the horrible lighting/graininess of the photo.

Fragrance Festival Rule Four – Try and buy.  But try it on a card… or spritzed in the air or… anywhere not on your bod. Trust me, if I had let them actually spritz me I might have hurled after about 10 minutes.  There’s a LOT of fragrance in that little room and you don’t want to spray something on you that might turn sour in an hour.  Oh, and if you think you like it?  Just put it in your bag (along with all the samples and free gifts).  You can sort it out later when you’re a little buzzed and trying to add up just how much cash that bag of pretty bottles is going to cost.

Fragrance Festival Rule Four… The Sequel – The one thing you DO want is that bag with the Donna Karan Cashmere deodorant in it because it’s hot, and you’ve been drinking, and I felt the need for an emergency application about halfway through the night.  I know nobody will notice, because you’re in a room full of perfume, but peace of mind is priceless.

Fragrance Festival Rule Five – Bartering… that might work?  Maybe if I retrieve a drink from the bar for this nice lady standing next to the Gucci table….

Rule Six – You’re never going to be able to use all the little samples you got, so share them with your friends!  Mitzi hands them out at parties (and I’m in the process of giving a bunch away).  Sending out gifts?  Great addition if you know someone’s signature scent.

So, tell me – whats your favorite scent?

It’s raining out now and I’m contemplating a run to the market in the horrible downpour we’re having right now.  And while I contemplate I’m looking at a few items that would make my rainy day a little less wet, and a lot more fabulous.  For example:

April Showers Rain Loafers from ShopRuche.com

Rain Loafers!  Say goodbye to ugly old rainboots.  These are cute!

Also from Ruche:

Dewy Gardens Victorian Rainboots at ShopRuche.com

Hell yes to cute boots with buckles and a pretty damask…

And since I find it almost impossible to find a suitably cute raincoat right about now…

Purple Trim Bubble Umbrella on Amazon

I’m in love with that purple magenta color right now and how fun would the bubble be for our torrential downpours?

Or this:

Bella Umbrella Black and White Pinwheel Pagoda Parasol

You know you would be the belle of the ball toting around this pretty parasol on a rainy day.  FUN!

Until I’ve got a little extra money saved, though, I’ll be trodding around in my winter coat and oversized ugly rain boots.  But a girl can dream of splashing through puddles in some delectable rain gear, right?

Diana Vreeland was a wise woman with those words.  Wiser still was the realization that I CAN turn summer dresses into wintry spring wear, with very little effort.  And you can go out, laze around in the park with your dog, have fun lunch adventures, and the world will smile as you walk by because you’re a fresh breath of air in a cute summer dress.

So here’s how you do it.  Toss on some leggings under a little white ruffled tank dress.  Throw on a cute sweater with covered buttons… Put on a light colored boxy jacket, to offset the rest of your bodycon outfit.  Wear big sparkly jewels, and cute heels.

And voilà!

What I wore to lunch with my friend David, and then later to get smoothies and hang out in the park talking about how people should meet people in real life….

• Leggings – American Apparel
• Symphony Pumps – Miz Mooz
• Little white ruffle dress – H&M
• Gray covered-button Cardigan – LOFT
• Little gray boxy wool Jacket – Thrifted (a gift from Deco Modiste)
• Various rings – Thrifted
• Sparkly heart necklace – Tarina Tarantino (LOOOVE!)

I think it turned out well, and it’s a great way to turn any summer dress into something you can wear right now.   It’s also a great outfit to do the Charleston in your livingroom…

Who doesn’t get dressed up to dance around in their livingroom?    What’s your favorite way to wear your summer dresses in the still-winter weather?

Now that Cameron’s site has been launched, I can show you a sneak peek of the photos I took!

Find out more about Cameron here!

Cameron’s designs are beautifully artistic, incorporating her background in dance and ballet, while minimizing the impact on our environment.   This Black Feather dress designed by Cameron, was featured in Seattle Magazine’s “Best of the Decade” feature.  She’s definitely a designer to keep an eye on!  And stay tuned for more photos with Cameron. �

Hidden treasures, a little winter wonder, my favorite Etsy finds.

And if you want to check out the rest of my pretty finds, Click Here for Treasure by Totally Blown Glass on Etsy

Do any of you make treasuries?  Care to share?