Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
This summer was too damn long but luckily here in Artist-Narnia otherwise known as Iowa City, there's no such thing as a boring summer between amazing graffiti, Indie concerts, and our world renowned Summer of the Arts.
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| Christy Brown Kwaiser at Pizza on Dubuque May 10, 2012 |
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| Shakespeare Sugar Cookie at The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) May 2012 |
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| Christopher the Conquered at The Mill, August 2nd, 2012 |
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| The Feralings at Java Blend, August 31, 2012 |
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| Bank of the West's Washington D.C., Sand in the City, August 10-12 |
Everyone who has been around me since Solstice knows that all I ever do is bitch about the weather, which defeats my reasoning for never bitching about cold weather. But I'm a polar bear! Me likes cold! So in the attempts of staying cool, I'm trying to wear modest thin layers in the two outfits I've documented.
The questionable part of this $10.50 top from Mimi Chica that I found at Revival is where it lands on the waist, making anything I wear with it for jeans or skirts would make me look a little bottom heavy. But, I can look past that fashion faux pas and absolutely love this thing. This wins over my Peace Generation pink sparkly penguins for sure!
And as we all know, given that my main love for polka dots never die -- so once more when I enter the "Holy Gates" of Revival I find a very adorable $10.50 loose white tank top with a tie ruffled collar full of navy blue polka dots from Old Navy, girl has to jump for any polka dots they can find.
Since shapeless and thin is possibly the best option next to strategic apartment nudism, I was a little hesitant about how it makes me a little larger which is why I went for my red jeans -- and yeah, maybe I did wear this on the fourth, what of it? -- to give the whole outfit a little more density. Downside of this top exactly? having to wear a cami underneath, but this is the most known top from my closet in the past three weeks since I bought it.
And how cute is this $14 (but got it for $12 at a Revival 20 percent off sale) R Tease dress? The light cotton, although black and black is bad for summertime, itself is good for a moderate day, which today was but I think despite the double-breasted gold buttons (which I absolutely love) makes me look a little top heavy but in the long run, all you need is a belt but kudos to R. Tease for making my boobs look awesome!
And how cute is this $14 (but got it for $12 at a Revival 20 percent off sale) R Tease dress? The light cotton, although black and black is bad for summertime, itself is good for a moderate day, which today was but I think despite the double-breasted gold buttons (which I absolutely love) makes me look a little top heavy but in the long run, all you need is a belt but kudos to R. Tease for making my boobs look awesome!
I love reading these kind of articles because I find myself influenced, so I hope to impart a little of my everyday routine on to whoever's reading! (Within feminine standards anyway)
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Colorful Hair Clips and especially ones that are psychotically cheap (IC'ian ladies, look no further than Silver Spiders $1 or $2 tables, depending on your taste, I got this one in the picture for 2 dollars because I'm a sucker for darker colors, makes the hair color stand out more) and it's even better if you immediately put it in afterwards. I have to warn you though after wearing it on a 100 degree day of July 4th, the hair put up in said hair clip will be drenched with sweat.
Despite all the effort I put into my hair, having it perfectly dried and rounded under (since the right side of my hair tends to flip out) I still put my hair up after all that effort, and said effort goes into Garnier Fructise XXL Volume Mousse (which is very effective),
Garnier Fructise Sleek and Shine Blow Dry Protector and Fructise Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray because I'm a perfectionist like that. And with my quickly growing hair, it is very thankful for my official three steps that really altogether costs under ten dollars. You can get these for fairly cheap at CVS at 3.99 depending what the product is and... it's magical. Like unicorns and rainbows magical.
One of the many things that makes my hairline sweat like me on July 4th (this year's holiday was hell on a stick for me) is Viveca Jensen's awesome workout of Piloxing and while I'm always slow on the up-keep on these things in being a newbie to the workout world, there is something rewarding between ballet-inspired cool-downs and the mixture of pilates and kickboxing. And maybe also a slight criticism on the moans and groans of the workout army behind Jensen (not that I'm complaining... it wakes me up a little... ahem).
But otherwise it's a great workout although it doesn't nearly stretch my body out like yoga or straight pilates can but it helps me eat a whole lot more during the day. Is that the goal of Jensen's mantra of "Sleek. Sexy. Powerful" exactly? Because despite the dancing portions in the video I find myself at my most feminine (maybe sexy?) just during the ballet-inspired cool-downs. Not everyone enjoys dancing and I find that intrusive. But again, it's fun and anything to melt away the excess around my triceps, right? Jensen even becomes relatable as she throws in a little silliness and "I feel it too" or "It's OK, just a little longer" as if sympathizing that yeah, it sucks but it's rewarding, and the process will make you laugh at her. That's what a good DVD instructor should do and that makes all the criticism for this workout melt off a little. Again, like the excess around my triceps, in time.
There is one arena of beauty that will NEVER make me critical and it's the world of Essie Weingarten or better known as just Essie. But I got to hand it to Weingarten for the latest line, Mirror Metallics, metallic but not too overwhelming and not so summery but enough to go with summer outfits. Sheer perfection, I say as I am wearing Blue Rhapsody at the moment. 
And while Nylon Magazine did influence me towards Essie, paying $7.49 or $8 for the little bastards at CVS, I can also blame Musings for Manhattan. And since I am rather susceptible to the power of Nylon Magazine anyway, I had to follow their word for Biore Make-Up Removing Towlettes and ho-lee crap, it's worth the $6. If makeup wipes are $6, it really cannot be worth it and just take it off with your face wash -- um, no you have to convert to this power. It doesn't smell like alcohol! It smells a little fruity! It has slight ridges so it grabs makeup really good! If that doesn't get you, just read Nylon, they probably worded it better than I did.
Seriously, I despise summer -- what a way to start a post after a two week hiatus of revising creative projects but I do despise late summer probably the worst.
When talking to a certain beautiful female, she corrected me when I said that. "Well, the Celtic wheel of the year says it is late summer since midsummer (the 21st is also known to be the first day of summer as well)."
Sometimes I forget that I live on another planet.
And here's five things that have been making me happy on Planet B (not withstanding Planet Z)
Buying into all of Entertainment News beliefs that Carly Rae Jepsen (I hate myself for knowing that name)'s hit song "Call Me Maybe" is the song of the summer is not the smartest thing, because as a friend told me once that I am a "music guru" (I have to amp up my ego right now, my parents are coming into town later!) and my powers of persuasion through all that is voguegasmtastic is well done. Here are my candidates although I truly know that Alex Saidac's "Stay in the Moment" is the winner. And the fact I can't get the song out of my head. Vote in the comments section!
When talking to a certain beautiful female, she corrected me when I said that. "Well, the Celtic wheel of the year says it is late summer since midsummer (the 21st is also known to be the first day of summer as well)."
Sometimes I forget that I live on another planet.
And here's five things that have been making me happy on Planet B (not withstanding Planet Z)
Dear Disney and Tim Burton, Don't Fuck This Up!!
Completed as of June 25th, Disney and Tim Burton will once more be back together with the strangest movie-child. Well, not the strangest since the 1984 live action short of "Frankenweenie" was and is a portion of the Holy Grail to the Burtonites. And what better way to make a longer movie than to use Burton's stop motion animation that put him on the map. But what lesser Burtonites don't realize, this new movie merges his two first shorts together. Vincent (which is elegant and so wonderfully early Burton before Alice in Wonderland happened) and Frankenweenie.
But should we really be worried? Maybe. That's what movie speculation amongst friends is for!
Watch the trailer and we'll talk. Expect Frankenweenie in theaters October 5th!!
"Katy Perry, Consider Yourself Schooled!"
Because that's all I have for a blurb, so I'll let Le Kid take over this explanation.
Leela Lee Takes Angry Little Girls to Further Heights
What would be more magical than to see Kim, Disenchanted Deborah, Loco Maria, and the other little girls with big problems in animated shorts? Unfortunately I can answer that rhetorical question two ways, buying a five dollar ALG t-shirt at Silver Spider and the fact that MNet is taking a line-up of ALG episodes for their 2012-2013 season. Dates? That's still TBD but let us bask in this happiness through monstersandcritics.com
.Is Healthy the New Skinny?
I have truly given up on the whole crap of sizeism. If someone is too small it's discrimination if you say something close to "Twiggy" or too skinny and if someone is too large you hear the word fat or pig and if someone is in the middle, they're just not good enough. So in light of that, I have finally decided to go with whether women have full hips or not. And thank you Jesus... and BUST Magazine... and Vogue Italia for making me a bigger pervert for beautiful women as three "plus size" models with real curves took over the cover and pages of Vogue Italia... last year but I'm enjoying them now. Now this is beauty or am I just being biased and beautyist?
2012 Candidates for Song of the Summer
Buying into all of Entertainment News beliefs that Carly Rae Jepsen (I hate myself for knowing that name)'s hit song "Call Me Maybe" is the song of the summer is not the smartest thing, because as a friend told me once that I am a "music guru" (I have to amp up my ego right now, my parents are coming into town later!) and my powers of persuasion through all that is voguegasmtastic is well done. Here are my candidates although I truly know that Alex Saidac's "Stay in the Moment" is the winner. And the fact I can't get the song out of my head. Vote in the comments section!
Well, here are my summer rules and since I neglect to take pictures of my nails (which I totally should), I must recommend shimmery light glitter polishes for summer... I feel so Musings from Manhattan! Speaking of you, MfM, I miss your face... er nails...
Patterns Make the World Go Round... Specifically Polka Dots...
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Because polka dots are a girl's best friend with the multiple ways of wearing them, but lately I found the majesty of pairing them with my essential red jeans that finally feel good and broken in; and really comfortable sandals always work... but back to polka dots, showing off both worlds as the black and white top (although a little snug with a thin fabric and a cinched in hem that doesn't help the figure much) is from Ragstock for $5 in the Recycle Area (aka. my God) and the white with blue dots from Revival for $8. I find no sin in even accessorizing with polka dots and red jeans with lighter girly colors like the baby yellow head band (Silver Spider, $1 Table) and this super badass pink skull cuff from local artist Kim Sun Designs for 10 bucks at the local arts fest..
The Essential Summer Pattern: Flowers, Flowers, Flowers!
Whether retro like my adorable Prime Time brand pink with blue roses or my latest flowery and my latest Cheri flower dress (magically structured with a corset-like waist and pleats with pockets) (Revival, $12 during a 20 % off sale) (did I mention... WITH POCKETS!?) which is long enough to go bare-legged but not bare-thigh because some girls need to keep shit in. That is my cross to bear but it leaves opportunity for black leggings to go with the most COMFORTABLE T-SHIRT EVER! (Revival, $6)
And Rockstar to Usher in Fall
Because what is more badass than a $10 dollar t-shirt from Nylon to commemorate their 13th anniversary designed by Nylon's art director and a $6 black skirt from Revival that can be removed with one short zip? Awesome. And of course what can be more cool both weather-wise and bad ass than black and white stripes? I'm so ready for fall... and to go shopping on this week's impending paycheck.
(Esther Williams Swimwear modcloth $90) from Glamour Magazine
(Asos Bandeau Dress with Bell Skirt in Cupcake Print, 40.38
from Nylon Magazine)
What am I looking for in music this early summer 2012? Sleek, polished, yet somehow dancey (I do love me girly sixties in the summer a lot) but on the other side of the spectrum I look for some heavy electro that goes with a good languid hot summer afternoon just before I escape into the icy cold recesses of a library or grocery store.
Foxes, or rather British Louisa Rose Allen and the quiet yet ever present Sam Dixon, is a London duo is like Kate Bush running into an Emilie Autumn concert -- sleek and to perfection, and a little gothy. Did I mention Miss Allen is GORGEOUS? New girl crush! I can't say no to a girl with heavy bangs and thick eyeliner. Thank you recommendations on youtube!
Just as summer is finally getting boring towards the end and some of us just can't wait for it to be over (fall cannot get here fast enough); What did we learn about fashion this summer? Or rather, what kind of outfits can you get away with in the summer? What do we have to look forward to?
I thought you'd never ask.
I thought you'd never ask.
Coming Up Polka Dots
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| Polka Dot Skirt (Revival $7) Dress (Ragstock est. $14) |
It seems rather ridiculous for me to pin-point polka dots just in the summer, because polka dots are so adaptable and um... awesome? Here is a skirt I really do swear by, other than the fact it's more of a high waist and rather tight on me and a dress I never seem to wear enough! But despite the drawbacks of these polka-dotables, they are rather summery and the skirt is a fantastic transition into fall.
D-D-D-Denim
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| Denim Skirt (Ragstock $5) Union Jack Shirt (Gordmans est $13) |
This Month's Nylon is begging for you to look at your denim differently, colored jeans (skeptical island, population me), skirts, dresses, and even a really cute dark washed suit blazer that I'm in love with. What am I going to do with this fall trend for summer? The only thing you should do, go completely 90s with a Union Jack, leggings and my trademark biker boots. I feel like my childhood fashion heroes: Daria and Clarissa Darling all in one!
Colorables
This fantastic twirable pink baby doll has already made its appearance in my vspot, and I love it so much I had to advertise it here as well. Neon is a huge staple this summer and if you can find one good bright color (my yellow leggings or this pink doll top) it will be easy and natural to dress it down with some duller fall accessories or, as my solution for everything is biker boots. It's making a comeback I tell you!
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| Yellow Lace Dress (Revival $7) White Crochet Dress (Revival est. $12) |
While pink is fine for every so often, I'm finding my own signature color combination is surprisingly white and yellow. They are so close together on the color wheel they shouldn't look right together! Depending on your taste (or pain tolerance for bright colors), it works... darker yellows will look better with white. And this yellow dress, since my flip phone does me no favors, it's all lace starting at the bust until the hem at the bottom. And I swear by this white dress. I love it!
While it wasn't too painful coming up with this week's list, oddly placed in the middle of the week when I should be - oh I don't know - not spending money on a Sweet and Sara vegan peanut butter s'more and some metromint spearmint water ... I consider this a necessity for this disgusting heat, as the mint almost helps hydrate more than the water... - instead of grocery shopping and cleaning my apartment. So in lieu of the internet being messed up at my apartment, I am here at the library giving you the 7 most tingly things that have happened to me in the past 2 weeks.
As I promise a Summer-Must-Have post in the near future complete with pictures, I cannot wait any longer to show off this cute little number I found at Ragstock for five dollars... and then I bought a hoodie there, which may or may not appear in the Autumn-Must-Have post for TWO DOLLARS! ... anyway enough of my gloating and look at this cute little number.
What I love most in life (besides a cute girl... you know who you are) is late night last.fm free download searches. But sometimes, like a cute girl, free music just happens to you. Allow me to distribute.
**Link!** The Postelles cover Joe Jones "California Sun" **Link!**
**Link!** Dum Dum Girls "Coming Down" **Link!**
**Link!** Madison's "Hot Hot Love (Kids at the Bar Remix) **Link!**
**Click!** Sallie and Crew's facebook **Click!**
Everyone either loves to hate or hates to love the Kardashians but you know, I think they are hilarious. Kris Jenner is like a copy of my mother in most clips, Kim as you watch her closely enough is one big ball of paranoid OCD-ness and Khloe? Well she's just hilarious and makes all the shows worth watching (such as her playing with her blow-up giraffe she named Henry). But what about the line of nail polish that is coming out this winter but everyone already got all the swatches in advance? Truthfully, I think it's a little much but if they want to put a stamp on the fashion world -- why not? Khloe should be a covergirl for her beautiful Amazonic size. But check out the colors... if I had to get any of them definitely "Khloe had a little Lam Lam" despite its moronic title. That one would be the dark-dark blue green up on the first row. But is it just me or do the colors look a little biased to the Kardashian's dark skin tones? Think about that...
Since everyone already knows that this blog is practically a love letter to Nylon Magazine, I'm sharing a site from their widget on netvibes of a website they recommended on their weekly Song + Site of the Day. Now since I have the great gift of never having the ability to actually be hung over or can give a sympathetic giggle, I somehow see the hilarity of the owls looking the way they do. And we all know I love owls.
Dum Dum Girls do Jesus...
... and Mary Chain's "Teenage Lust." Or more appropriately Dee Dee from The Dum Dum Girls and Tamaryn covered this in a project called Les Demoniaques, either way, it's awesome. Like the covers I love, I actually have never heard the original but I can only guess it's less mid-summer suffocatingly hot as this one. It's sexy!
New Super-Amazing clothing essential
As I promise a Summer-Must-Have post in the near future complete with pictures, I cannot wait any longer to show off this cute little number I found at Ragstock for five dollars... and then I bought a hoodie there, which may or may not appear in the Autumn-Must-Have post for TWO DOLLARS! ... anyway enough of my gloating and look at this cute little number.This is a description of what I consider a piece of clothing very Nylon (Magazine), something that is slightly neon and can be switched up in any attitude. The only thing I don't like about it (other than the high voltage pink which is OK but not my favorite color in the world) is the spaghetti straps. I have very rounded shoulders and thin straps tend not to not like this type of shoulder. But the elastic underbust looks great on my shape and the pockets! Oh the pockets is what made me fall in love with it along with the almost-baby-doll look to the top.
My mission for this top is to get a plain crew neck white or black t-shirt and wear it underneath this for fall. As Cinderella sang, "This is love."
Free Music
What I love most in life (besides a cute girl... you know who you are) is late night last.fm free download searches. But sometimes, like a cute girl, free music just happens to you. Allow me to distribute.
**Link!** The Postelles cover Joe Jones "California Sun" **Link!**
This song is absolutely fantastic for this fucking awful weather and even better imagining Gidget and every bad beach movie to the tune of these guys. Speaking of Gidget, it's on this Sunday on Turner Classic!
**Link!** Dum Dum Girls "Coming Down" **Link!**
Fuzzy and slightly reminiscent of the 90s makes you think something between twee and full-out Daria attitude, the Dum Dum Girls are back with their impending release of their sophomore album "Only in Dreams" coming out September 27. I will be getting back to Dee Dee in another project she took part in covering the Jesus and Mary Chain's "Teenage Lust."
**Link!** Madison's "Hot Hot Love (Kids at the Bar Remix) **Link!**
Sometimes you just need a good loud electonic vibe and while I'm not the biggest remix hoarder, I support any free music from Madison 'cos well, one cannot ignore her impending message of taking over the world.
Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside
I love all music and somehow finds a little solace in a bluegrassy or jazzish feel in live music, mostly just live. So when I heard Jolie Holland was in town doing the Intimate Series at the historical Englert Theater, I was on board for ushering. Then... Portland's own Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside happened to me. Sallie looking like a piece of 90s twee adorableness with large glasses and a mass of curly hair, I fell in love with her slight Buddy Holly hiccup and the fact it was a real bass melting my face. I love their subtly.
**Click!** Sallie and Crew's facebook **Click!**
The Civil Wars
Another band I must recommend for their subtly, sounding like a mix of something bluegrassy from "Barton Hollow" to completely revamping the Jackson 5 in a lo-fi cover of "I Want You Back" but best known for their biggest hit on Grey's Anatomy "Poison and Wine", John Paul White and Joy Williams, already an indie star in her own right, The Civil Wars have melted my face and I have yet to recover from John Paul's hotness. Yes I said it, this man is beautiful, like I have mentioned on facebook already he is a man-baby of Sirius Black and Johnny Depp. *drool*
Kardashian Nail Polish
Everyone either loves to hate or hates to love the Kardashians but you know, I think they are hilarious. Kris Jenner is like a copy of my mother in most clips, Kim as you watch her closely enough is one big ball of paranoid OCD-ness and Khloe? Well she's just hilarious and makes all the shows worth watching (such as her playing with her blow-up giraffe she named Henry). But what about the line of nail polish that is coming out this winter but everyone already got all the swatches in advance? Truthfully, I think it's a little much but if they want to put a stamp on the fashion world -- why not? Khloe should be a covergirl for her beautiful Amazonic size. But check out the colors... if I had to get any of them definitely "Khloe had a little Lam Lam" despite its moronic title. That one would be the dark-dark blue green up on the first row. But is it just me or do the colors look a little biased to the Kardashian's dark skin tones? Think about that...Hangover Owls Tumbling
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| oh i get it! owls are like humans *headpalm* |
Dum Dum Girls do Jesus...
... and Mary Chain's "Teenage Lust." Or more appropriately Dee Dee from The Dum Dum Girls and Tamaryn covered this in a project called Les Demoniaques, either way, it's awesome. Like the covers I love, I actually have never heard the original but I can only guess it's less mid-summer suffocatingly hot as this one. It's sexy!
Shoelaces by the Submarines
Go Outside by the Cults
God Only Knows (Beach Boys Cover) by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Bang by the Raveonettes
Alien Summer by The Toxic Avenger feat. ANNIE
Popsicles and Icicles by The Murmaids
Nice Day by Persephone's Bees
Swimming Pool by Freezepop
Kids by Sleigh Bells
Now someone go eat a popsicle for me!
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