Thursday, March 31, 2011

e.e.


i like my body when it is with your
body. It is so quite a new thing.
Muscles better and nerves more.
i like your body. i like what it does,
i like its hows. i like to feel the spine
of your body and its bones, and the trembling
-firm-smooth ness and which i will
again and again and again
kiss, i like kissing this and that of you,
i like, slowly stroking the, shocking fuzz
of your electric fur, and what-is-it comes
over parting flesh . . . . And eyes big love-crumbs,

and possibly i like the thrill

of under me you quite so new

--e.e. cummings

lair-dwelling

In my high school art room, there was a box of cards with information about various plants and animals.  I was looking through it one day and found a card describing something called a manul, a furry cat-like creature.  One of my favorite things about it was a part in the description that said that a manul "cannot be dislodged from its lair," because it implied that some misguided person is going around attempting it.


This is a manul, and today I am emulating it.  That expression perfectly captures my mood, because it's 9:31 in the morning and I've already had about as much of humanity as I can stand for the day.  I think the dreary weather is making everyone grouchy.  No matter the reason, I am holing up in my lair (dorm room) to draw for the rest of the day.  And I absolutely cannot be dislodged.


 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

and what do we call this?


There are only 4.5 suns on this extended forecast.  NOT ACCEPTABLE.  Can't someone do something about this?  Anyone?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

oh my.

I want this so much, this whole scene.  I want to curl up with one of my very favorite people and watch movies outside, with twinkly lights and tea and popcorn with cinnamon and sugar.


1

good morning

I woke up today in such a good mood, full of energy and inspired to work on the million things I need to get done before spring break.  And two of my very favorite pally-pals and I are in the same block next semester.  YAY!  Here's what I'm listening to while sewing, sketching, and writing.

















♥♥♥

Monday, March 28, 2011

disco bath

For some reason (possibly because I'm living in a dormitory with no opportunity for a nice bath, and because it's been so cold), I'm obsessed with baths lately.  Doesn't this look like a wonderful place to spend an evening with a book, until the candles are almost burnt away?


 

Sunday, March 27, 2011

but seriously...

The past few weeks have been ridiculously busy, and it's only going to get more hectic for the next three weeks.  As a result, it's 11:53 p.m. and I'm writing a midterm paper that's due tomorrow at 5 p.m.  Oh, good.  Here's what I've been trying to avoid:



And I've been doing pretty well!  Instead...


...I made a little bishop's hat for my finger out of quilted outerwear fabric.


IS IT SPRING BREAK YET?!?!?!


1.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

fill-in-the-blank...saturday?



I'm running a bit late with this week's fill-in-the-blanks because I spent yesterday and today having a wonderful visit with my family.  I hadn't seen them in a couple months, and getting to have some time with them was so, so nice.

1.   My most prized possession is : ooooh, I'm not sure... I try not to get too attached to objects.  But I would have to say one of three things:  the stone owl that my mom gave me because she thought it looked maternal, my tin of vintage buttons, and a leather journal that a friend had made for me.

2.  If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be: 20, the age I am now! Although that only applies if I get to graduate from school even if I don't get any older.  But it's certainly the best age I've experienced yet.

3.  The best way to spend a weekend is: with family and friends on Saturday, with lots of laughter and yummy food and fun excursions, and then Sunday to have alone-time, which usually involves writing, reading, watching movies, and making things.

4.  My outlook on life is: generally very sunny.  But I'm a firm believer in living, not just going through the motions.  I think growing up without television has a lot to do with this, and while I love movies and I do follow a few TV shows, I think the idea of 'watching TV' as an activity is very strange.  I'd much rather do something myself than watch other people's lives.

5.  If you want to annoy me, just: talk when you have nothing to say.  Or be passive-aggressive, or complain about a situation without doing anything to change it, or don't take responsibility for your own actions and decisions.  I can handle pretty much anything else, but those four things drive me batty.  Oh, and spitting.  Not acceptable in any context.  Ew.

6.  I am completely defenseless when it comes to: stationery.  I was looking at some notebooks and cards today for a school project, and I was only stopped from buying literally hundreds of dollar worth of stationery because I reminded myself that I have a desk drawer full of blank notebooks and cards already.  Also, by the fact that I have other expenses besides paper products.  But it was close for a second there.

7. When dressing for the day one should: wear what makes you happy!  For me this is mostly florals and twirly skirts and dresses, but it always shows when someone isn't comfortable in what they're wearing.

Now I have to finish the Photoshop part of my outerwear project, a Strawberry Shortcake-inspired snowboarding collection.  Here's a sneak peek at two of my designs for it, as they were scanned in earlier.


I hope everyone's Saturday was as refreshing and fun as mine was!

♥♥♥





Thursday, March 24, 2011

mail time!

My scarf from Modcloth's Funday Monday contest arrived today!


I love it so much!  It's even cuter than it looked on the site.


They sent me a lovely little double-stranded headband, too.  Thanks Modcloth!


♥♥♥


 

keep it clean

I can't get enough of Camera Obscura lately... their music is soft and pretty but still interesting.  I especially love this song. The line, "I wish you could have said so before now" is so simple and honest.







♥♥♥


 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

sunshine on a cloudy day

Between my last, rather glum, post, and this dreary weather, it seems like a good time for a pop of yellow.  So here are some of my favorite yellow things.




The picture frame (currently empty) and the cup were fantastic Christmas presents from my friend Josh, and the bunny is from Sylvanian Families, which I've been collecting since I was nine or ten.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I have my books, and my poetry to protect me

This is how I feel at the moment.  I really wish I didn't.  I can feel myself building a sharp exoskeleton.







 

Monday, March 21, 2011

yay!!!!

This is the post about the previously mentioned exciting thing!  Hooray!  Modcloth runs a contest on Twitter every Monday, "Funday Monday," and today I won!  I'm still really excited about it.  And here's what those lovely, lovely Modclothians are sending my way.

String of Pearls Scarf


Isn't it pretty?  It's definitely something I would have chosen, too-- it actually reminds me a lot of the Recall The Willow cardigan that I mentioned in my last post.  I love soft fawn-brown for spring, it's such a pretty neutral.


Just in case you're curious, the question that Modcloth posed today was, "What are your three essential suitcase items?  The most useful or inventive wins!"  My answers were: 1. black ballet flats, for strolling, 2. an extra bag, for inevitable shopping trips and 3. a sundress that can be dressed up for night.


♥ I'll post pictures after this lovely scarf arrives-- Thank you, Modcloth! ♥


And speaking of contests, Julianne and Jude are so, so close to winning a honeymoon in the 'Best Engagement Video' contest, and there are only five days left to vote.  If you could vote for them here, it would be fantastic! You need to log in with facebook to vote (after clicking 'Vote for This Entry'), but it won't cause any spam or anything.  It just moves two absolutely lovely people closer to having a honeymoon after their wedding this May!


♥♥♥♥♥♥

wishlist

I seem to be in an acquisition phase.  One of my favorite bloggers/podcasters/people-in-general, who went by Violet on the now-defunct knitting podcast Lime & Violet, expressed a theory once that it's possible to go in phases of acquiring and getting rid of things, and I think I'm in the throes of that.  From fall into winter, I hardly bought anything at all, and almost no clothing.  But lately... oh, lately there are just so many things I want.  I already mentioned the De Chelley sundress I recently bought from Anthropologie, but there are just so many pretty Anthropologie dresses that I want at the moment...For instance,

Tuileries Dress


Flounced Mocha Dress


Around the Maypole Dress


and in the non-dress category...


Recall the Willow Cardigan


Radler Blouse


(I think the Radler Blouse might be what I'm coveting most of all.  It's just soooo pretty!)


Wispy Cirrus Blouse


I think part of why I'm suddenly craving soft, summery prettiness is because I'm so much less stressed than usual, and thus getting excited for walks in Central Park and along the High Line.  I have vast amounts of schoolwork, as per usual, but for some reason I just can't bring myself to be overly anxious about it.  Around this time last year was one of the worst times of my entire life, I was really stressed out and depressed, and I reached the lowest low that I think I ever will.  I was sick constantly, too.  Even though I still get overwhelmed with the amount of schoolwork I have to do, I approach it differently now.  It's no longer a matter of life and death whether every single stitch of a garment is perfect, or if an illustration's pinkie finger is off-kilter by 1/32nd of an inch.  My work still means a lot to me, and I strive to make it as close as possible to the way I envisioned it looking when finished, but getting stressed out to the point that I was last year just isn't a viable option for me.  I'm certainly not more productive when I'm like that.  Instead, I've figured out that I work best when my mind is occupied by an audiobook, so that I don't over-analyze every little detail of a drawing.  I've also taken to bringing my art stuff over to 'Snice and working there while sipping tea-- that way, my bed isn't singing its siren-song of "Naptime... Naaaaaaaptiiiiiime...."  That sneaky bed.


Being less stressed has had some definite physical effects, too.  As I mentioned earlier, I was sick almost constantly last year, once with a flu that nobody could figure out what exactly it was. So that was reassuring.  I've had a few minor colds this year, but nothing major, and definitely nothing that confined me to my bed for a week like the mystery-flu.  Seriously-- that involved actually being seen in sweatpants in the lobby of my building, for the first, last, and only time.  I have time to exercise again, too, and I'm sleeping much better because then my body is as tired as my brain when I go to bed.  Yay!!!


Update! Something exciting has happened since I first started writing this!  But it's already getting to be an unmanageably long post, and I want to do a separate exciting-thing-post.  Wheeeeee!


Stay warm and dry in this icky weather, lovelies!


♥♥♥♥♥


 


Sunday, March 20, 2011

goodnight and go

Tonight I am very much in love with this song by Imogen Heap.  The video is wonderful, too, whimsical and pretty, but slightly dark.


Unfortunately, I couldn't find a video for this that plays when it's embedded in wordpress.  But I promise it's worth clicking over to youtube for it.







Ending my night with yoga, a shower, and some poetry. It's been a really lovely Sunday.



 


 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

songs of springtime


Songs that I listen to during wonderful weather, like today.























 

 

 

Friday, March 18, 2011

the inimitable miss parker




"The Passionate Freudian to His Love"

Only name the day, and we'll fly away
In the face of old traditions,
To a sheltered spot, by the world forgot,
Where we'll park our inhibitions.
Come and gaze in eyes where the lovelight lies
As it psychoanalyzes,
And when once you glean what your fantasies mean
Life will hold no more surprises.
When you've told your love what you're thinking of
Things will be much more informal;
Through a sunlit land we'll go hand-in-hand,
Drifting gently back to normal.

While the pale moon gleams, we will dream sweet dreams,
And I'll win your admiration,
For it's only fair to admit I'm there
With a mean interpretation.
In the sunrise glow we will whisper low
Of the scenes our dreams have painted,
And when you're advised what they symbolized
We'll begin to feel acquainted.
So we'll gaily float in a slumber boat
Where subconscious waves dash wildly;
In the stars' soft light, we will say good-night—
And "good-night!" will put it mildly.

Our desires shall be from repressions free—
As it's only right to treat them.
To your ego's whims I will sing sweet hymns,
And ad libido repeat them.
With your hand in mine, idly we'll recline
Amid bowers of neuroses,
While the sun seeks rest in the great red west
We will sit and match psychoses.
So come dwell a while on that distant isle
In the brilliant tropic weather;
Where a Freud in need is a Freud indeed,
We'll always be Jung together.

--Dorothy Parker

fill-in-the-blank friday ♥


via the little thing we do


1.   The best deal I've ever gotten is: Hmm... I don't do enough shopping to be on a constant look-out for deals.  But I was pretty thrilled to find a really cute Anthropologie sundress on sale the other day, there were only a few left and one was in my size.  That was exciting.  The same dress actually turned up on Glee a few days later.  And in the process of looking for a photo, since it's no longer on the U.S. Anthropologie site, I ran across Fashion of Glee, which is a really fun site to look around.  I've been noticing that they've been dividing the girls up by style recently-- Brittany and Santana have been very '70s, with high-waist bell-bottoms and floppy hats, and Quinn and Rachael have been very sweet and prim, lots of Anthropologie pieces.  I loved Quinn's woven cloche hat, too.  Okay, this question is getting way off-track.  But here's the dress, and how it was worn on Glee.



2.  If I were hosting a dinner party and could invite people from my fantasy guest list it would include: Dorothy Parker, my best friend Marissa, John Cusack, Betsey Johnson, Ringo Starr, Anais Nin, and John Donne.  I think it'd be an interesting evening.


3.  Something that inspires me is: Cecily Mary Barker's flower fairy illustrations.  Whenever I'm feeling creatively stuck,flipping through my Treasury of Flower Fairies book is always helpful.  I'm also inspired by 1930s and 1950s fashion.  Watching films does it, too, either by having a character that I'd love to dress, or a mood that I want to match with clothing designs.


4.  If I could only choose to eat one flavor of food for the rest of eternity (sweet, salty, spicy, bitter....) I would have to go with: sweets!  Oh my gosh, sweets, no contest, I love them.  But I've been really good lately, I've totally eliminated stuff like candy and cookies and replaced them with fruit or herbal tea.  Then I don't feel bad about getting some sort of yummy pastry thing on Saturday and having half of it then and half on Sunday.  (Pasticceria Rocco, on Bleecker, is my favorite.)


5.  I dream about: What sort of dream are we talking about here?  I have really vivid dreams at night, unfortunately I get some pretty bad recurring nightmares.  Ugh.  For a while this winter I was waking up with them every two hours or so.  But they've eased up lately.  I also have a lot of dreams about clothing-- like, sometimes I'll have designed and created a whole new wardrobe for myself, or found amazing vintage dresses, and then when I wake up I'm either sketching like crazy or pouting that I didn't wake up to lots of pretty new clothes.  I daydream a lot, too, about what life will be like after school, and about what it would be like if my favorite characters from novels came to life.  Other things too, of course, but those are the more common themes.


6.  My weekend will be spent: doing homework, mostly.  I'm on RA duty tonight, so I'm staying in to do some tidying up and watching movies.  ...Okay, who am I kidding, I'm going to do all that, but I'm also going to work on my outerwear project.  Which is fine, because I'm really excited to have some time to devote to it.  It's been treated like the metaphoric red-headed-project-stepchild with all the other work I've had lately (and no offense meant to actual red-headed-stepchildren).  I'd like to have another cafè day soon, too, so if I get enough done tonight, I'll do that tomorrow.  And not just in hopes of running into this man.


7. If I could only  watch one movie or TV show for the rest of my life, it would be: probably The Office.  I've watched the whole series three or four times by now, because it's standard late-night Netflix fare for me when I'm doing school stuff, and I still find it funny and smart.


♥ what a week!  so, so glad that it's finally the weekend. ♥


 


 


 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

en plein air


I've always loved the idea of bathing outside-- If I live somewhere semi-private when I grow up/ get out of school/ am not in Manhattan, I fully intend to have an outdoor bathtub or shower.  The thought of bathing in water and sunshine at the same time is just too lovely to resist.


wearing of the green




Happy St. Patrick's Day!



images from Cuba Gallery on Flickr

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Japan



The disasters in Japan are just devastating.  I'm sure everyone's seen the footage and photos, and I'm so, so sorry if you've lost loved ones or friends.  I can't even imagine.  I didn't want to post anything about ways to help until I was sure about the legitimacy of relief organizations, but I've found two that appealed to me the most because they seem the least likely to be stalled by political red tape.

Direct Relief is an organization that exists to provide disaster relief and health care to people all over the world.  They have a really good reputation for making sure that 100% of donations go toward helping those who so desperately need it.

Japan Society is a New York-based operation that is "investigating and vetting organizations that can make the maximum impact, both in terms of immediate relief needs as well as the longer term recovery process."  In addition to donation instructions, their website has a list of other ways to help, including concerts that benefit recovery efforts in Japan and ways to contact (and not to contact, since phone calls can tie up lines that need to receive emergency calls) friends and loved ones in Japan.

Even if it's something as simple as making coffee at home for a few days and donating the money that would have been spend on a morning latte, every bit of effort counts and is needed.  As usual, I'm impressed with the generosity of the Etsy community, as many sellers are donating part or all of their profits, from specific items or for a certain period of time, to disaster relief funds for Japan.  Here's one such Etsy treasury:



No matter how little you feel like you have, it's now incredibly evident that thousands of people have much, much less.  Even though we've made up imaginary lines dividing us into countries, we're all inextricably linked by our humanity, and nobody should be alone and unsupported during this time of crisis.

1


 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

current obsession: gray gingham

Mmm!  I've always loved gingham, but I'm currently coveting these soft, subtle gray versions.











[caption id="attachment_785" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="these aren't gray, of course, but aren't they wonderful? red gingham Louboutins.  pretty please?"][/caption]

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.



 

Monday, March 14, 2011

cfda peek

Hi lovelies,

I know I've been promising pictures of my CFDA project for ages, and I really will put them up soon.  But I just counted, and my finished project has fifty-two separate pages.  Fifty-two. Apart from how mind-boggling that is on its own, that's a lot of files to convert into .gif or .jpg and water-mark in order to post them (currently, they're all in .pdf or .psd).  In the mean while, though, I've completely finished my project revisions in order to hand it back in tomorrow, and I've taken a few photos of what it looks like at this point.  Please pardon the less-than-perfect photographs, as they were originally intended only to be emailed to my mom, so she could see the finished presentation before I hand it in again.

[caption id="attachment_770" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="box lid"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_771" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="presentation inside box"][/caption]

 




[caption id="attachment_772" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="bottom of the box-- forty-something layers of tulle with silk rose petals between every few layers"][/caption]

Everyone did such an amazing job on this project, I've been completely blown away by every one that I've seen.



sunshine daydream

Some work from one of my favorite artists ever, Alphonse Mucha, an art nouveau painter and illustrator from the late 1800s and early 1900s.  I've loved his work ever since I first saw it, in an art book of my dad's, and like the work of Belle & Boo, I think it's pretty clearly influenced my illustration style.







One of the upcoming projects I'll be working on for school is designing a sustainable clothing line, and I think Mucha's work is a natural choice of inspiration for it.  Yay, I love when things just work out like that!


Sunday, March 13, 2011

words on film pt. 1

Poetry, literature, and movies are three of my favorite things, so understandably, I'm often drawn to movies about poets and writers.  I wanted to post about some of my favorites of these films, but the post was becoming really long, so I'm splitting it up into a series of posts, 'words on film.'


Dangerous Beauty tells the story of a 16th century Venetian poet, Veronica Franco, who becomes a courtesan after realizing that she isn't satisfied with the prospect of an arranged marriage.  Ladies weren't educated, but courtesans could read and write, and as a poet, Veronica was determined to maintain her right to do so.  The costumes in this movie are absolutely beautiful, and the acting is excellent, too.  Catherine McCormack is strong yet vulnerable, subtle and witty in her portrayal of Veronica.  I'd never thought of Rufus Sewell as a romantic lead, probably because I've usually seen him as an elegantly sneering villain, but he was charming as Marco Venier, Veronica's first love.

The storyline was wonderful and compelling, but what really took my breath away about Dangerous Beauty was the costuming.  There are so many layers and textures and details to look at that I found myself pausing the movie just to try to absorb it all. The courtesans' costumes were particularly spectacular.














Dangerous Beauty was based on the biography of Veronica Franco, The Honest Courtesan, by Margaret Rosenthal, which I'd love to read, probably over the summer.  The movie is available to watch instantly on Netflix-- if you watch it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!