Sunday, May 30, 2010

Outfit Backlog: Green? Supah green!

Sorry, couldn't help it. The Fifth Element is still awesome to me. And Gary Oldman's character? Classic.

So while I may whine, at times, over Puerto Rico's constant unrelenting heat, there's another downside. Le temps est capricieux. One day, we will have sweltering 100º heat. The next day will be windy and cloudy, not to mention quite rainy. Such was the case of this last Thursday. And the rest of the weekend.

So since the weather was manifesting itself and the office's air conditioner is not too kind either, it was time to bust out the tights once more. I'm also wearing one of the...several cardigans I picked up at Old Navy's mega 50% off the clearance sale. Cardigans for $2.00! SOLD!


Outfit details:
Earrings: Marshalls
Top: PacSun
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: Ovalop
Skirt: Rave
Tights: Rave
Boots: Nobello Booties from Nine West

Let me tell you a story about these boots. I fancied them. Hard. But they were way too expensive for me and my student budget. So waited patiently until a discount popped up. But by the time I waited, they were gone, gone, gone in my 10.5 size.

Sigh. Story of my life.

Fortunately, for some reason I decided to look for them on Amazon, and voila! They were there! Only one pair left in my size! I bought those babies faster than you can say "check please"! And now I adore them and am afraid to wear them out. I'm also afraid to wear them in front of Genghis, lest he bite the bloody hell out of them.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Outfit Backlog: A little French, a little Gatsby Wednesday

I love The Great Gatsby. I also love the 20s, hats, wide leg pants, and stripes, among other things. This outfit to me is the perfect encapsulation of casual wear to me. I felt super comfortable all day long without feeling schlumpy. I sense many repeats of this outfit in the future. Or at least variations. Why? Because I bought a helluva lot striped fabric to make tops with, yeah!

Hopefully, I will find a way to manage my time well and actually make the shirts soon...sigh.

Outfit details:
Hat: Urban Outfitters
Top: Gap via Salvation Army
Necklace and ring: Made by me!
Jeans: Kmart (yes, Kmart!)
Shoes: Payless

Outfit Backlog: Tuesday

Tuesday's outfit was an attempt to cheer myself and funk it up. I may not repeat it, since I felt very awkward wearing this pencil skirt for work. I'd much rather wear it when going out with friends or on a date with the boyfriend. But I appreciate the fact that I took a chance and went a bit out of the norm for my work outfit. At least, my norm for work outfits.

It was also one of my several attempts at casual updos. I usually just brush my hair and hit the road, but I felt I should be stepping it up. So far, this is my least favorite of the attempts, but again. I tried! And trying is half the battle!


Outfit details:

Earrings: Native American-made from New Mexico
Top: ??? (tags were removed) via Salvation Army
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Forever 21
Necklace as bracelet: Made by me!
Shoes: Target

Friday, May 28, 2010

Outfit Backlog! Manic Monday

I had meant to put these up before, but unfortunately, my internet access was limited. Meaning, I couldn't upload any photos. So here's the first of this week's outfits.


Look at the pained expression, the awkward pose...fashion gods, save us all! No, seriously, I feel incredibly awkward taking pictures of myself. Anyway, outfit details!

Earrings (yes, I've worn them a lot lately): Kress
Shirt: ??? via Salvation Army
Belt: Primark
Skirt: Gap
Bracelets: Can't recall...Kress, maybe.
Shoes: Marshalls

Guaynabo's Crepe Make: Review

Warning: extremely picture heavy post!

Damian and I are foodies. Like, seriously. We never consider our outings or vacations complete unless we have good food. We never really plan the sightseeing (despite my repeated attempts to do so), but we always manage to go to Yelp.com and plan the hell out of our food touristing.

Unfortunately, in Puerto Rico, foodies have to go to great lengths to find truly good food. I may sound like a snob here, but I'm really demanding about my food. And, sadly, a lot of places that we've been to here that are supposed to be top-notch have fallen into the category of dismal.

Our friends recommended a place in Guaynabo called Crepe Maker and, well, we knew we had to go. We really like crepes and we hadn't found a place in Puerto Rico dedicated exclusively to crepes. We quite missed a crepes place that we chanced upon in London, so hopefully this would be a suitable replacement.

I think it is. The food is quite good; it's prepared right in front of you and it's all fresh. The only downside is that it always seems to be full, but hey! That means business is good and they'll stay open. Unlike many good restaurants that we were loyal to, but weren't economically successful. Asiquesi, anyone?

So here are our main courses! Savory crepes with chicken and black bean and raspberry accents, respectively.






Dessert! A cheesecake, strawberry, banana, and nutella crepe. Altogether now! Yuuuuuuuuuum.





Maiz = Corn = very cute pants!

I've been ogling these pants for the longest of time. I've held back. I don't need them, I tell myself. I don't know if they will fit me, I whine. But everytime I visit the Brooklyn Industries website, I weep a little inside. Because I know that deep down I want these pants.


For some reason, the link to the larger picture doesn't work, so this tiny image will have to do! What about you? Do any of you have a preference for crazy or at least, off the beaten path colors?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A new LBD?

Why do I like this? I mean, look at the shoulders? And it would probably be ridiculously short on me. So short that you should probably whistle the Pretty Woman tune in my general direction.


Yet, it calls to me. I really dig it. I'll give this puppy a chance; I'll try it on! I could probably rock it with some bright high heels and insane jewelry. Or dress it down with some nice flats and a wrap.

We'll see if I jump in or back out on this one.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Carversation 2.

"But what about you. You like Batman. What's his name. Uh."

"Christian Bale."

"Ah. Christian Bale."

"..."

"And Robert Downey, Jr. Do you like Robert Downey, Jr? I mean, I know you like him as an actor, but...I don't think you find him attractive...right?"

"..."

"Do you?"

"Uh..."

"?"

"Maybe? Yeah. I do."

"Oh."

"Why?"

"Well, do you think his drug recovery took? Or you still think, you know?"

(Disclaimer: Damian thinks both Christian Bale and Robert Downey, Jr. are very good actors. However, I think he intensely dislikes that I find them attractive. You know, it's just a hunch. ;)

Hair.

"You know, you should really get some highlights in your hair."

"Why?"

"It would brighten it up! It would make it look nicer!"

"I hate dyes. I refuse to do it. I think my hair is okay as it is."

"Well, I think some red highlights would really make you look good."

"...At least you're saying red, not blond."

"Blond? No. You're already yellow."

Monday, May 24, 2010

Carversation.

"Which actresses do you like? I mean, I already know you like Penelope Cruz."

"..."

"I don't know. She's...ugh. Her buggy eyes...she has no butt, no legs. Her nose looks like the mosquito's body part used to suck blood."

"..."

"And her lips are all scrunched up. Yech."

(Disclaimer: As an actress in Spanish-language films, I think Cruz is an incredible talent. However, in English-language films, I think not. Perhaps my disdain for her is caused by two of my professors publicly fawning over her in casual conversation. And by Damian ogling at her while we watched Volver.)

Sunday, May 23, 2010

More to-dos...

My co-worker (and friend) M had suggested a local chain store to find some vinyl/pleather for a project that's been on my mind for what seems ages now. Not that I lacked faith in her word, on the contrary: fabrics and textiles are her forte so I knew she would be the best to ask. No, I just knew that that same store on my old side of the island did not carry that. You know, because the raptors ate it.

(My co-workers joke that I come from the dinosaur side of the island. We've got raptors and t-rexes ambling around. I promptly reply that of course, that's why I'm so late when I come back from the island on weekends. Had to fight raptors to reach the tollbooth.)

Now, let it be said, she and the rest of the people I have the opportunity to share an office with at work are all incredibly talented. In fact, I feel so grossly untalented around them. Sometimes I just sit and stare and listen intently when they discuss design. I've been working on and off on design for years now, but I have never obtained the proper education in it. So to hear people who studied it talk on the subject is an incredible education on the subject and it only heightens my respect for these people.Back to the subject: I'd visited before and saw something that caught my eye, but I wasn't completely sold. Today, in search of elastic, I decided to visit the vinyls and pleathers one last time. Whoa. Well, just cut some of that fabric right up for me, won't you?


The first vinyl, the dark green one, is meant for the trial run. The wearable muslin, if you will. The second, the mock croc, is going to be my pride and glory, if I can make it work right.



You see, since I honestly don't have a spare $875 to invest in the Alexander Wang Rocco Mini duffel bag, I'm going to make one myself. Yes, make one myself. You read correctly. Don't look at me like that! I've made purses before! Hand-sown. With beading, to boot. So don't you feel sorry for me!

All joking aside, I am concerned. I've made purses and clutches before, but it's been with fabric: denim, taffeta, etc. Never with vinyl or pleather. So I'm quite worried that my skills aren't up to the game. But, we will see. This is a labor of love. I'll have to fit it in between work and puppy. Who seems quite intent on chewing everything he encounters...

I'll keep you posted on the process!

Thrift Week! Outfit 6 (or an outfit for island living)

Yes, my darlings, I am going all the way with TW. I am rocking the thrift all the way 'till Sunday.

This is the outfit I wore yesterday to indulge in some delicious crepes before the drive back to Raptor Land. The pictures also herald the return on Genghis K.!


As you can see, this look is covering a lot less than my weekday looks. Puerto Rico is the island of eternal summer. We only have hot and hotter. Temperatures only drop down to the 80s during "winter" and that's it. With the coming of proper summer, we're scratching the 100s everyday.

I am extremely susceptible to temperatures. I'm very vulnerable to the cold (I shiver at the slightest breeze) and it's even worse with the heat. The other day, I nearly fainted when we exited the office for lunch. The office temperature is at 70 degrees...while outside it was a 108. Fun!

Therefore, summer outfit plans are motivated by the simple need to cover as less as possible without looking like a scarlet woman. Please take note of my wet hair; it's a necessity to have some sort of cooling device!

Shades: Fake Bans from SA, .50¢
Earrings: Kress changed into sterling silver hooks, $1.50
Vest: Marshalls, $5.00
Dress: Handmade from SA, $1.00
Belt: My mom's from the 70s-80s
Shoes: Century 21, $4.99

Pictures and review on crepe's place are forthcoming!

Thrift Week! Outfit 5

I'd had this outfit on the brain since I bought this top. I'd seen it at the SA several times and thought about it. I'm a sucker for gray and pink or gray and yellow. But it was too big. However, I figured that cinching it up with a belt would make it work. And I think it did! Don't think this is the most flattering angle to illustrate how the outfit works, though...


It's all Damian's fault. He took my outfit picture and between feeling remarkably self-conscious and holding my laughter in, my face and pose are not the best. Oh well. I stand by this outfit! Might need a little work though...

Hat: Urban Outfitters, $9.99
Top: Salvation Army, $2.00
Belt: My mother's from the 70s-80s.
Jeans: Old Navy, $17.99
Shoes: Gifted by Damian's mom, Clark's.

Thrift Week! Outfit 4 and 4.2

A bit late bringing these up, I apologize. I didn't really have internet access until now. Here are my outfits for Thursday. This is Thursday's day outfit. I wore it to work and to pick Damian up at the airport.


This is Thursday's night outfit. The shirt is new, but I desperately wanted to wear it! It's from Forever 21 and it's ever-so-soft. The vintage element is courtesy of my cross-over leather bag, bought at the CR flea market for a whopping .50¢


Day:
Dress: Salvation Army: $2.00
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini: $? (quite old, don't remember)

Night:
Top: Forever 21 Striped top: $10.80
Scarf: Gift from Damian @ NYC
Bottom: Gap Jeans: $8.99
Shoes: Old Navy: Probably less than $10.00
Not pictured: Purse: CR Flea Market: .50¢

Friday, May 21, 2010

Apartment living: on broken ovens.

Say you want to surprise your significant other or your friends and coworkers with a yummy batch of brownies. You pull out all the stops, use the finest ingredients, and whip up a batch. Only, calamity strikes! You turn on the oven and doesn't work!

What do you do?

First of all, don't fret my pet. It happens to the best of us. But here's what you do.

You've got a microwave? Good. Pour some milk into the batter, mix it well, and stuff those brownies into that microwave. 6-7 minutes on high. There you go, problem solved!

You'll need the milk in the mixture as cooking the brownies in the microwave will suck the moisture out. Stop and open the microwave to rotate the brownies a quarter of the way every two minutes.

Remember this the next time your oven strikes out!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Labels are love?

Let me tell you, when I was growing up, I loved the labels. In fact, everyone at school loved the labels. But, at my school, we were going for very particular sorts of labels. Roxy, Quicksilver, Mossimo (remember when Mossimo was not owned by Target? Yeah...), Hurley, and sundry where the labels to love. If you weren't a surfer or skater back then, you were pretty much nothing. At least in my town. Maybe it's an island thing...

Like any good teenager, I tried to fit in, but it wasn't really of my interest. I love the beach and admired surfers and skaters, but that scene was most definitely not for me. I am terrified of deep water. I tried my hand at skateboarding and it was an utter disaster. I didn't need anymore stress on my poor damaged knee and learning to skateboard seemed to involve a lot of time avoiding the floor. No, not my style thank you. I'll salute you from afar. I'll wait for my boy on the shore as he swims by and far from the buoy. While I freak out thinking, Oh my God, don't let there be sharks!

But I always had respect for fashion. I'd seen pictures of my grandmother and mother while young and they were into trends. My grandma rocked the 40s and 50s and my mom wore purple velvet bell bottoms that I'd wish she'd kept. (I would've never fit into them, though...she weighed only 95 pounds back then! What a little thing...) One of my first memories of Yves Saint Laurent were my grandmother's perfume and the sheets she got for my mother. But, above everything, it was all about being put together.

I later went through a phase where all I wanted was high-end clothes. Fortunately, it did not last very long. I realized that what mattered wasn't the label inside, but how I felt wearing it. (Fit's important too!) I particularly don't care where it came from. Which shocked my mother, since she witnessed first-hand my short-lived label frenzy. Of course, respect to the fashion houses is due, but I cannot suffer or punish myself because I may not be in the economic place to make certain purchases.

That said, I'll always have a soft spot for Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, and Coach among others. Even if I can't afford them. Ha! But my weakest, tenderest point? Oh, thrifting!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

London.

We were speeding through the British countryside, on our way to London. Well, London proper. Crystal Palace is a suburb of London, so we were told, but we were heading into the city. What day of the trip it was, I don't know. I remember getting increasingly nervous about Oxford. I was to present there.

Little did we know of the surprises that awaited. My not getting published due to missing days of the conference. The loss of Damian's camera. My usual detainment by customs because I clearly look dangerous. But what we gained, to me, was more than that. We got to spend time alone, with each other. We got to see Stonehenge. He showed me Barcelona. I met his grandparents, who inevitably reminded me of mine. I met his little cousin, who we gave a dragon costume to.

I gazed out the window, thinking about Oxford and how much we could get done that day. We'd made it to London before and miscalculated the distances of everything. Turns out the Thames river isn't as short as we thought. And everything seemed to close early. We'd gotten to The British Museum 10 minutes before closing. We'd eventually never make it to the Victoria & Albert. Fashion would have to wait.

Suddenly, a fox. Ambling about the small hill on the side of the tracks. It pauses and looks at the train. I see it's adorable little face looking and immediately turn to Damian. "A fox! There's a fox!" He rises from his meneito-induced slumber and turns to the window.

It was gone.

Thrift Week! Outfit 3: A Gray Day

Folks, I am doing my darnedest to keep this TW! challenge. I quite like this outfit, even if it was put together last minute.

I don't know how I got out of bed this morning. I literally only recall a flash of opening the door to let the dog out and that's it. I closed the door and went back to bed. I woke up two and a half hours later. Ugh. I also had to make myself lunch, since last night I just had a sandwich.

The shirt and skirt combination had been ruminating in my mind since I bought both items. However, I felt that all the pockets on the shirt would not go well with the striped skirt. I'm not a pattern-mixing kind of girl and to me, this was just too busy. But I couldn't get the combination out of my head until I tried it on. And it worked!

As always, Sir Genghis Iñigo Jones Montoya Khan makes an appearance. He's the best accessory to any outfit! Except when he's chewing on it...


Hat: Urban Outfitters: $9.99
Wrap: Forever 21: $4.99
Top: George via Salvation Army: $2.00
Skirt: Old Navy via CR Flea Market: $1.00
Flats: Old Navy: Presumably under $10.00
Bangles: Charlotte Russe: 2 x $8.00

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Thrift Week! Outfit 2

The second outfit of this week's thrift-a-thon! Still sick, so what better way to cheer oneself up than to step it up fashion-wise? Well, there's always getting better, but until then...I've got fashion.






It seems Genghis will be a permanent addition to outfit posts! I don't mind, he's adorable. He does seem to have bitten my dress though. Must fix that.

This outfit is almost completely thrifted.

Hat: Urban Outfitters (or Forever 21): $9.99
Dress: Jessica Howard via Salvation Army: $1.00
Necklace: Made by Moi! (2 for sale, if you're interested ;)
Leather belt: CR flea market for .25¢
Shoes: Liz Claiborne via Marshalls: $15.00
Velvet blazer: Salvation Army: $1.00
Genghis: Priceless!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Thrift Week!

I don't think you, my dear readers, are strangers to my love of thrift. I like going to thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, the Salvation Army and Goodwill often. Not only because it causes a significantly less amount of damage on my wallet, but because I like thinking what kind of story comes with the clothes. What did the previous owner do in it? Did they love it? Did they hate it? Why did they give it away?

However, sometimes, (actually, more often than not) some of the thrifted finds need to be fixed. It can be little details (fix a button or a hem) or big ones (taking in, dramatic shortening, sleeves) that they can be forgotten in the hassle of fixing them. Actually, forgetting to fix them.

In an effort to bring my thrifted finds front and center, I have decided on two things: thrift week and a moving clothes rack. I'd wanted a moving clothes rack for quite a while now. The original purpose was to put the week's clothes on it so I didn't have the hassle of last-minute closet trashing in order to find an appropriate outfit. With a clothes rack, I take out any outfits I imagined for the week with a few extras added in, just in case my original plans fell out.
Clothes rack action shots!



In the spirit of my newly acquired thrifted finds, I decided to use the clothes rack to put all my recent thrifted and hand-me-down finds and integrate as many of them into an outfit as possible. I have also used the rack to put the repair-needy thrifted items front and center. Complete with hastily made signs.


To start off the first TF of 2010, I decided to wear this brightly patterned dress. I'm quite under the weather since Friday, battling a nasty cold. How zonked am I? There was a 5.8 earthquake on Sunday morning and I thought I hallucinated it during a feverish haze. Fabulous! I needed something to perk me up and I thought this dress was perfect for it. Upon trying it on again I realized that it is a little big on me and it will need to be taken in, but I'm happy with it!


Look who decided to join in on the photo action!

The super huge Iris Apfel-style sunglasses in the picture? Thrifted this weekend for a whole ¢.50!

So what does Thrift Week consist of? Simple: the ultimate goal is to wear an entirely thrifted outfit. If that is not possible, the outfit must contain as many thrifted elements as possible. Certain things are exempt from this: underwear and shoes, as I only have 1 pair of thrifted shoes. I'm a size 10-11; I can barely find shoes in my size in regular stores!

So there you go. Stay tuned for my other thrifted outfits!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Genghis; destroyer strikes again.

I had an outfit post all lined up and then my software went boom. Wonderful! I'll update tomorrow with either pictures or a sketch I did of my outfit. I think that may be more interesting that my delightful morning posture.

In the meantime, I am glad to have survived another roadtrip with Genghis. While doing 75 MPH, he decided he was in the mood to climb my lap. While he attempted this, he shifted the gear with his weight. So from drive to neutral in .59 seconds on the freeway. Fantastic!

I still love this dog, though. How could you not love this face?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The truth is...

...I'd love to have an Iron (W0)Man suit. Paul Bettany as Jarvis? Hell yes.

The truth is, I'd probably die out of claustrophobia.

Where's Zelda?

Decide to jump start my blog here by posting outfit pictures. This is today's work outfit. Oh, my bleary morning face has been cut out. I need to work on my posture/morning mood.



I look like Link in Legend of Zelda! Except I don't have magical powers...oh well.

Hylian look brought to you by:

Dress: 5-7-9 ($5.00 I think)
Belt: Primark (£1.00)
Leggings: Zara ($9.99)
Boots: from the now defunct Steve & Barry's Line Dear by Amanda Bynes ($9.99)