Friday, October 31, 2008

Q & A.

Sarah D. at The Year of Living Thriftily did this and told her readers to consider themselves tagged, so...here we go!

Other than yourself, who are your favorite designers?

You actually want me to pick, oh the travesty. Yves Saint Laurent, Rouland Mouret, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Marc Jacobs, I can't remember any more!

If you could come back as a dress, which one would it be?
I have no clue. I can't pick one. A particular dark green dress from one of Rouland Mouret's old collection does come to mind, but nothing in particular that I'd be over the moon for.

If you could come back as a model, who would you be?
None. I'm quite happy with myself, I wouldn't want to look like anyone else!


What's your favorite color?
Green. Pretty much every shade of green except neon green.

What's your favorite junk food?
Hm. French fries dipped in ice cream is a possibility.

If you could have another body, what would it be?
Mine, but without the levels of unfit I have now.
A little more muscle would be fine. Other than that, I'm content.

Who are your fantasy dinner guests?
My grandma, my best friends, Damian, la Llorona, Abraham Lincoln (to discuss his premonitions), Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Frida Kahlo, and my thesis director, Dr. Irizarry. There may be some people missing from this list, though.

Where's your favorite place to have a drink?
La Cava de Amós and Salvatore. And the drink is an appletini, if you please!

Last book you read?
Something to do with la Llorona. That's all I ever read now.

Pets?
Three dogs, Chewy, Maya, and Patch.

Breakfast?
Cereal, usually. On Sundays, scrambled egg sandwich.

At age seven, you wanted to be?
A movie star, a singer, and a doctor. Yep.

What's the one thing you find easy to forgive?
Actually, I'm not all that good at forgiveness. This is a problem.

What's the one thing you find impossible to forgive?
Cruelty to others, ignorance.

What's your biggest self-indulgence?
Shopping and travel. And books.

Favorite Place to shop?
Salvation Army, thrift shops, flea markets, Marshall's, Old Navy, and eBay.

Whose wallet would you like to steal?
No one's. I'd feel too guilty knowing that that money wasn't mine.

Whose diary would you most like to read?
No one. I consider it a violation of their privacy. I wouldn't like it to be done to me, so.

If you were an inventor, what would you invent?
A way to convince everyone to be nicer to each other. I'm sick of all the assholes.

What's your nickname?
That's private! Well, actually, I had some when I was little, and I do consider those too dear to me to reveal. I have a friend who calls me Ella (due to the Rihanna song), Chromy (from Chromachord). Other than that, Stellita is all I can think of.

When and where are you happiest?
When I'm with my friends, with Damian, and when I share a really good moment with my students.

Who is your best friend?
I have a couple of good best friends, but they should remain private! However, in addition to them I think Damian is my best friend. I know some people think that you're significant other can't be your best friend, but we started out as such, so...

Who is your worst enemy?
I don't know? I've had a couple of negative people in my life, but enemy? Well, I know some people hate me/consider me their worst enemy, but I'm not out to fuck anybody up. That's just lame.

What piece of art would you most like to own?
I'm more a fan of photography, but I do admire deeply a lot of Frida Kahlo's work!

What's your favorite vacation spot?
New York City, probably. I've been there five times! But Europe is great. And I need to go to Asia, seriously.

What's your most treasured possesion?
I can't just pick one...but I remember that I had a bandanna of my grandmother's, and everytime I would see it, I'd burst into tears remembering her.

What's your favorite band?
Shit. Can't pick! But Queen, Garbage, No Doubt, Muse, Enanitos Verdes, Mago de Oz, Mojinos Escozios, probably more.

If you weren't a designer what would you be?
Well, I'm not a designer, unless graphic design counts! Wait, it does, no? Ok. Well, I'd like to work for a fashion magazine or be a travel writer. Photography is right up there with awesome. But I think the ultimate would be Samantha Brown's job...travel show host.

What's your biggest fashion regret?
Hm. None? Well, okay some outfits, like my eight grade prom dress, but all in all I think fashion is always going to change. So I'll love something now and ten years later I'll hate it. Then love it again.

Always...
say you're sorry if you messed up. I know I'm not good at this, but I try. Tell people you care about them. And, most importantly, be yourself.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Gulp.

I just finished sending out proposals a while ago. Have no clue when I'll hear back from them: there is no reply by date. Ay ay ay. Commence the wait.

However, I have a truckload of things to do (including writing more proposals), so I guess I won't think about it as much.

Riiiiight.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Love letter.

Ah, the love letter. A lost art in the modern age. Replaced by e-mails, text messages, and the phone, there is no longer the "I pine for you" letter that would be anxiously awaited for, received, and devoured.

I don't think I've ever received a love letter (I've received some creepy letters and e-mails). I've gotten some sweet emotionally charged e-mails, but never a love letter. And when I read this one (which is very simple and to the point), I wonder how I would feel. Would I be jaded? Would I be moved?

I still think they're sweet and cute. I mean, come on. We all know about Beethoven's Immortal Beloved!

I'm opening up this subject to discussion on the comments: I'd like to know your thoughts on love letters. Kitschy? Cute? Nauseating? Waste of time? I want to know!

And please, be reasonable...provide explanations for your position so you don't fall into the realm of logical fallacy. :)

Mango (not the fruit!).

Mango (the store) and I have a bit of a troubled history. Everytime I go into the store, I never find anything that I like. Usually, what I come across is ugly overpriced monstrosities. In polyester, to boot! (Yes, I admit I have some sort of discrimination with polyester, but am now attempting to overcome it. Now I don't have a problem with polyester as long as it's not expensive and the scratchy kind.)

I think Damian just fainted at my previous statement.

So anyway. Another reason why I hate Mango is because Penelope Cruz promotes it. I'm sorry, I just don't like that woman. There is something about her that just ticks me off. But we won't get into that now.

So I feel weird because now, I stumbled upon the Mango retail website and am in love. I still think that some of the things are expensive, but the designs are so much more appealing than what I've seen in store! What is going on?! Is it because we are in Puerto Rico, we get shitty stuff in store? In the name of the retail deities, please, throw us a bone!

So I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm approving of Mango. I am openly coveting things from Mango. Here are a few that I think are remarkably cute.

I need this brooch! Guh, so gorgeous!



I think I'll stop now...I'm gettin overwhelmed by all the things I cannot buy! :(

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fascinating feathers frolicking fabulously.

Say that 6 more times!

Anyway, before I begin I'd like to give a disclaimer: I didn't get this because of Kenley on Project Runway. Granted, she has made them more accessible due to her exposure on the program, but I've been wanting one of these for close to a year.

So without further ado, I present to you all, my feather fascinator!

Isn't it sweet? I can't wait to have an opportunity to wear it. I would've preferred a headband, but this will do. In any case, it was what I originally wanted a year ago: I only began to think about the headband because it seemed more probably to be available in stores. Never happened so, the Bay saved my arse again.

Problems with this accessory? I know I can't wear this to school. So many people here aren't that keen on adventurous fashion. Also, with the nasty rains, the poor baby would get wet, and we just can't have that, can we?

I haven't found outfits to wear this with yet. It's easy to go overboard and turn into a character with this thing, so it would have to be a simple outfit that doesn't outdo the hairpiece. The person I saw it on, who restarted my whole obsession with feather fascinators, only had a simple black dress on, so I guess that's the way I should play it. Except I don't really have any simple black dresses. Just one that I got from the Salvation Army some time ago.

And one last picture, except this time it's an action shot! (Well, the fascinator is on my head, even though I'm not wearing it out...) Excuse the manginess, I'd just finished working out!




Also, for those of you wondering how it went for me at the Victorian Literature Festival, it went good! My old (old as in previous, not in reference to advance age) Victorian literature professor did not glower in disapproval and she seemed satisfied with my presentation. And I could see (well, what I could see: I had a spotlight aiming right at my face, wee) nods of approval and faces of interest from the audience! So I'm very happy. All I've heard so far is very good.

Now back to my cave of working on abstracts and proposals. You'd think that doing a 100 word abstract would be easy, but no. I always go over the damn 100 words.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Sartorialist approved!


People, I have this skirt. This exact same skirt. I kid you not. Well, okay, the plaid is a different plaid, but they are the same length, same fringe at the front edge, same leather straps to the side. I think my brain's going to explode. Of course, I would not wear it in this exact same fashion (I have to admit, it takes fashion cojones that I don't have...yet), but I am pleased to see that there is someone else rocking the tartan. And! That this someone is feature on The Sartorialist. I'm not saying that the Sart is the be all and end all of the fashion world, but, it's a pretty good place to be!

I'm so excited!

Oh, and where did I find my tartan? At the Salvation Army for less than .50...amazing. And it's a real tartan too.

Yay!

ETA: Apologies for the large image...I clicked the small option, but this is what showed up! Also, this picture is property of Scott Schuman, the beloved Sartorialist. Long may he photograph!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Chupacabras will rule the world!

So you've heard plenty of the famous (or perhaps infamous) Chupacabra shirt. Here it is, finally, an action shot.

Our model, Tovi, is sporting his shirt all the way over in the States. I got the shirt for me after he started harassing Damian and me about it.

So there we go. Slowly, but surely, the Chupacabras will conquer the world!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Gee, thanks.

So my friend, the great priest of the Cthulthu worship has thrown me under the bus. I have to drum up a 15 minute presentation for a literature festival tomorrow. Wee. On one hand, it's pretty awesome that he went said that I should be the next choice. On the other, dammit, I already have enough shit to do! So you can add that to my already lengthy to-do list.

Luckily, I have an old paper that I am going to edit and rework for this purpose. Extensively rework. And also, make a presentation, just in case! Guh.

I think it's funny that this can be construed as whining. Which in a way, it is. Because, man, I've got a lot of work to do. But I also deeply appreciate this opportunity and I know my friend did it because he thinks I am good enough to do this, which is a great honor.

Anyway, back to work. Will update with pics of a feather fascinator I scored recently!

I <3 Carbs.

For those of you who don't know me, I have some sort of...tempestuous love affair with bread. I cannot resist it. If you put a basket of bread in front of me, it will disappear. Truly.

But a lot of people say that that's impossible. That I'm exaggerating. Well, I beg to differ! And I have proof that my obsession with bread/carbs goes far back. Very far back. Can you handle it?

Bam!


I'm probably 2-3 years old in this picture. And I already have that "just try to get the bread away from me, TRY" look. Heh.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

That was unexpected.

I made a student cry.

I can't believe that.

I'm not proud of that (well, sort of...), but it happened.

The student had committed plagiarism and I had given him an F on the assignment. I expected him to question the grade, per usual, but he was a bit more sassy than usual. He gave me attitude! After blatantly committing plagiarism, he had the audacity of questioning the grade. So I gave it to him straight: I told him that had he paid attention in class and read the text, he would not be in this situation. The conversation carried on for a good ten minutes or so, and I noticed that his face was getting red. I thought, "oh shit, this guy is getting pissed." But then I saw that his eyes were watering. Obviously, I was shocked, but I had to maintain my composure and reaffirm the punishment. I told him that he had a chance to make up for the grade with the rest of the assignments in class, but he had a zero in this one.

*still can't believe it*

In other news, my car almost drowned in a flood. Yay. Yay for Colegio and bad campus layout!

Monday, October 20, 2008

I am distracting you!

Sorry for the radio silence people (hm, I feel like I've said that before...). I've been under a pile of essays and oh my God, the things kids write these days. Other than that, took Damian to the airport. Which means Stella is sort of bummed out for the next two weeks. However, I think I'll be so busy, there is a very high possibility I will have hardly any time to think. I have to finish drafting up proposals, send said proposals, work on other projects, work on my thesis, and correct more papers. Among other things. I should make a list. In fact, I'm going to do that right now.

To-do list:
-work out
-finish grading papers
-show students their cumulative grade up to now
-finish first chapter
-finish and send proposals
-work on Cobi shirt
-work on English Major design
-work on Chupacabra '08 design
-not lose my mind
-clean room
-hang out with friends
-take dresses/jacket to tailor
-do TA and professor observations
-work on TADS portfolio
-do thrift shopping
-harass Damian about leaving me alone here

Ah, shit.

In an attempt to distract you (is it working?) from the quiet, I present to you with a picture of my darling precious adorable dog Maya, one of the house pack. Can you resist that face? Those puppy dog eyes? Can you? I can't. Not when combined with a sheep plushie. Normally, I wouldn't show pictures of my dogs (yes, I am that paranoid), but this one is too cute to hide.


Until the next post then!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

National Geographic lust continues...

Continuing my adventures into the HG shop, these bangles also cater to my obsession with brights and patterns. Aren't they gorgeous? Made in Kashmir, they're 5 for $28.00, which I think is a pretty okay price.

Interested? Go here to purchase.

(Oh, and this is definitely going to my Christmas wishlist...)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

And the Christmas wishlist begins!

So I caught a glimpse of the National Geographic catalog at the boy's house and I fell in love with this bag. I can't help it. Suede (and not the Project Runway kind) seems to be one of my weak points. Along with green and any animal that is exorbitantly cute. Another sartorial weakness of mine is anything that is boldly colored or patterned. And I think this bag fills up plenty of requisites.

Isn't it gorgeous?

$85.00 at the National Geographic store! (Click.)

Serenity now?

I am going to calm down, attempt to get some rest, and hopefully I'll feel better later. I hate the fact that I'm quoting Seinfeld (I've barely seen the show, and from what I've seen, it has no appeal to me). There's a "but even more so" clause to this, but I don't want to discuss it here.

In the meantime, I'm digging this Gap top. Yes, I am distracting myself with pretty things. But I am scared that, indeed, this top may be too country. A little bit too Becky Mae? (Not that I'm purchasing it. At $48, it may be too steep for me...)

(Yes, I'm cheap. Well, no, I'm not cheap. I just like inexpensive purchases most of the time.)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Triumphant return!

Apparently the PRTC read my last post full of fury and decided to get their asses her. Pronto.

And they called this morning at around 8:30 and decided to fix my internet! Good job. If I had cookies, I'd give you some, PRTC. Now don't let this happen again.

It turns out that some loons that were supposed to have been fixing the internet actually changed the codes for almost an entire neighborhood. The attendant told us that this was the fourth house he was fixing an internet/phone problem for.

(Notice how internet comes first? I don't care much for phones. They ring at inconvenient times. Like when you're in the bathroom.)

So our problem was caused by the very company. Way to go PRTC!

Now if you excuse me, I will go get ready to go to school.

Monday, October 13, 2008

PRTC I despise you.

Regular blogging has been interrupted due to the dickness that is the Puerto Rico Telephone Company. More to come on that later, I guess.

When I'm not leeching internet in the plaza, listening to NIN.

Grar.

Oh, and I just miss my holy grail bag on eBay. Due to lack of internet.

PRTC, you bitch.

Later.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Building an outfit.

(Warning: Lots of pictures.)

I had the intention of chronicling my work wardrobe this semester. Unfortunately, as you can see, I have failed miserably at that. However, I decided to do a post today since I was wearing a particularly loud piece of wardrobe. By Puerto Rican standards anyway, it seems.

So here we go. A step-by-step outfit creation post. Of course, outfits don't always flow this easily. Sometimes it takes 17 shirts, 12 pants, 5 shoes, and one change of undergarments later.

Oops, you didn't need to know that last part?

Anyway, here they are. The pants. Or as mom thinks, the crazy pants. Because they are so loud I can be seen from another planet. Neat!





Next step: adding a top. I decided to add a simple white top because, honestly, the focus of this outfits are the cosmic pants.







Almost done! Now, to cover myself up because I am the example of public decency, I put on a vest with some pins on it. And I cannot resist saying that the pins are half "do it yourself" because they were earrings and I just popped off the earring part and stuck a pin on it. Wee!


To finish it up, add some nice accessories and shoes, and, bam! You've got a work appropriate outfit! (Well, it all depends on where you work...)








Finished outfit:


So yes. Hope you have enjoyed this graphics-heavy post. If you are male, my apologies. Please do not kill yourself due to fashion overload.

Before I forget, the Mayagüez Salvation Army is having a half-off sale. Guess who went bonkers? Uh-huh. I mean, it's already cheap. And now it's cheaper?!

Count me in.

I'll tell you all about that jaunt later. Right now, I'm tired and it feels as if my eyeballs will ooze out. Have a good night everyone!

Boots: the obsession continues.

Now, most people (either of the parental or male persuasion) think that I have enough shoes. But, when it comes to boots, there can never be enough. Right now, there's no other way of saying it: I'm totally slobbering over these. My God, not only do they cater to my obsession with boots, but with high boots. And they're flat! And leather! And, from what I've read, they are actually slim in the calf!

To top it off, they're riding boots.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, I'm obsessed with horse riding. I've always wanted to do it, but I never had the chance. Nor did my parents encourage it: mom thought I was going to fall off the horse and injure myself and my father considered it unhealthy for my scoliosis. Wee.

Anyway, if they weren't so expensive, I would get them in a split second. Oh well. Maybe I can save up for Christmas and order these? Meanwhile, guess I'll just put the website on my favorites and check it repeatedly. And drool. Drool!

If anyone is interested, here's the link: click me (you know you want to!)!

Monday, October 06, 2008

You need more Cho!

Have I done this before? Have I spoken about the comedienne wonder that is Margaret Cho? No? Then I will, I must! Enlighten you to the path of funny.

Well, I think she's funny anyway.

I like Margaret Cho because not only is she progressive (gender & minority rights, among other things), she is transgressive (honestly, she goes where other people don't go). And she is damn funny.

So here you go, a YouTube video from one of her stand-up comedy tours. The first one is from Assassin. The second one is from Revolution.

Warning! Not for people who lack an open-mind!



Sunday, October 05, 2008

200th post!

I thought this post was going to be monumental, all-encompassing, a celebration of my 200 posts here and my two years or so at my blogspot address.

Yet, no.

This is for you, Vivi. To show you we are stuck under some sort of gigantic and everlasting rain-producing cloud. (Or series of clouds.)




And guess what? It rained the day after that! And the one after. And it's raining today as well. WOO!

I spoke to Keyla yesterday and she told me that we're supposed to have even more rain this week. Sweet merciful weather lords...

Anyway, happy 200th post!

(Though perhaps I should be disappointed in myself? I mean, over two years and only 200 posts? I've got to step it up, people....Step it up!)

Friday, October 03, 2008

Chupacabras and pirates and more.

Warning, picture heavy post...

So here are other highlights of the birthday loot. First, the flapper hat. Remember that I'd been kvelling over the blue hat from Forever 21. So Damian got it for me. Here it is, just hanging out with an empty candy bag that Damian gave me too. Well, he gave it to me with candy. I devoured the contents. Note how it is the small candy, not the big one. Somebody trying to tell me something? (What is that? You're just trying to stop me from getting adult onset diabetes? Oh.)


Here it is, on my head. The hair is decidedly non-flapper, but I still think I can make it work with dark red lipstick, no?


Keyla gave me this insanely awesome pirate nutcracker. In the name of Pete & Pete, it's great. Here it is, accompanied by a duckie bean bag that Damian also gave me.


And to round up the lot, here is something that I featured in my Chupacabras round-up! Chupacabras pins! Damian picked these up for me too.


These weren't all the presents, but I just wanted to show you the most particularly peculiar and curious. I loved all my presents and want to thank everyone for them!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

A very happy birthday to me.

A very belated birthday post...

So my birthday began as so many other days have begun on the island lately: with skies that have nothing to envy of London. Still, I had harassed a number of friends (sadly, I forgot to invite some people, I apologize!) last minute so we could meet at a beloved haunt, Tapatío. I'd like to think that it was the promise of friends together that lured people there, but it very well could've been the the good food and yummy margaritas. I'll delude myself into thinking that you people love me!

Anyway.

We got there and not fifteen minutes later it started raining. Damn. I could've sworn Snoopy was going to get out of the car, slap me twice across the face, and then say, "happy damn birthday, bitch" for making her go out in that rain. Fortunately, my face remains intact. Margaritas were had, too much food was consumed, and we spoke too much of a certain professor's scrotal area.

Oh shit, overshare? Moving on...

Thanks to all of you guys who were able to make it! I had a great time. I'm already plotting how to make monthly get-togethers or such. Because, sadly, we've all become thesis-writing losers that have no life. (Well, most of us.)

After gorging myself on delicious Mexican food for lunch, dinner was to be Chinese. DUMPLINGS, PEOPLE. DUMPLINGS! Ever since my good friend Gloria introduced me to them, it's some sort of inescapable vice. So of course, I made sure we went to a Chinese restaurant that had some. So that's where my parents, Damian, and I went. And once again, I ate too much. But I left some space, for at home, I had this waiting for me:


A cake. With a sheep on it. Awesome. For those of you who don't know, I have some sort of obsession with sheep. I think they're too cute. So I requested a cake with sheep on it. And parents delivered. Sweet. Also, Damian would very much like it if I showed you the following picture:


Why was I smiling so much? Because I'd just received these bad boys.


The boots look black, but they're actually dark brown, like in the picture. I haven't worn them yet, I don't want them to get ruined with the rain. So I'm saving them for a colder, decidedly not so wet occasion.

I've got some other pretty awesome stuff on my birthday (CHUPACABRA! PIRATES!), but I'll save those for tomorrow. I'm beat. I have to work on my students' grades and my thesis. Am facing a conundrum regarding deletion of a possible subtopic. Suck.

Again, thanks to everyone who came to my last-minute birthday lunch and to all the well-wishers.

'Till next time!

Softies.

If I ever get pregnant, I need to get one of these:
I think this is one of those nesting behaviors people talk about. I would probably end up making plushies for the baby. Big penguin and owl plushies. And a baby chick dressed as a pirate.

Anyway.

If you are going through a nesting phase yourself, here's the link:

Click.