Sugar Drunk

Artwork by Susannah Dotson, the head of hair

So I washed my hair and got it together as Camila's class is doing a show this weekend and the opening was last night with a small batch of people I like and who's work I enjoy. As far as the rest, I'm going to go with the "say nothing on the internet, don't get in trouble by instructors" approach. Once I finally graduate, all bets are off, people.

Reflected neon rainbow eyelashes.

Geanna and her equally rad boyfriend, Eugene! As you can hyperlink, she was also in the class and the show. She's adorbs.

Piece I was most in love with: Beautiful chair, desk and plant. It wasn't art though, it was the front desk.

Camila is doing her best panda/sideways beetle.

(Jacket: Tripp, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Necklace: Thrifted)

I got a chance to dress in less black as I've been exceptionally lazy due to the cold but not at a place where I was going to be standing for longer than a train commute.

The cross necklace bashfully tucking itself into my shirt offset the buttons rather nicely and then a clean navy jacket to add dimension without fading out or clashing. For people who complain getting good clothes cheap is impossible, I'm toying with a regular feature on cheap but fashion savy posts. I got the jacket on sale for about 8 or 9 bucks.

(Pants: Tripp)

The pants I mentioned last post as unworthy of the world with metallic leopard print, but they're still pretty snazzy. I love Tripp so much, I am preparing a future post on their snazzylicious pants to which I own several since high school.

She did not intentionally choose her piece to pose in front of (or did she?)

I was forewarned as I arrived at the door there was this drag queen girl performing (aka just walking around like Sue Ryan* as Regine Hunter for Halloween) and I was making a large girl-faux pas by wearing the same print.

*Or Ms. Lady T if you're nasty

Naturally I joked about a walk off and she thought I was serious, so like a drunken Kathy Griffin trying to host America's Next Top Model, we strutted our stuff. I asked if we should give off a frenemies vibe but she was busy looking stern so I of course responded with non-committal Cat Scratch Fever and random kung fu fighting moves like I was Hong Kong Phooey played by David Carradine.

Fortunately for you Camila instinctively taped several seconds with my dying camera. You will only see backside which is where the real posing begins.

If you're dying to become her drag mother, her other stuff: Alexandria Eregbu

If Camila were a model, this would be her signature Road Runner* pose: Ready to GTFO. Get The Fudge Oasis.

Showin' off her cool Matrix H&M coat with vinyl sleeves and leather gloves to complete the robot arm effect. The night was complete!

*You thought I would say Speedy Gonzalez, didn't you?!

I'd like to be described as "intellectually competent"

Lately I've been missing home, or more accurately I miss good dim sum and not doing homework. And bagels. Chicago, what do you have against good bagels?

So today as I made the choice to be late for class (as the education gods smited me by making the screw fall off the tripod I am borrowing from school), I lazily fell into a shirt that reminded me of home and my default accessories for black or gray.

Of course I've also been slugging around my winter coat and sweater, which is crazy because it's just November and inexplicably 60 degrees outside.

(Necklaces: thrifted/from home, Sweater: Barney's Co-op, Shirt: MinkPink, Dress: 291 from Venice, Bracelet: Leighelena, Boots: Doc Martens)

These boots were a pity party birthday gift to myself during the summer which I highly do not regret.

Now diptych time photos with better close ups of my shirt:










Bonus Camila update (Camila-date):

Texted to me by Karma Camila-n (contain your surprise), this photo is perfect!

Bacon Falafel Arousal

Cards go quick, guys.

So the BFA Show was a success, and by success I mean it happened. I really wanted to photograph some of the beautiful outfits I was mentally stealing but I felt like a creeper doing that. I'll wait until I have more confidence asserting that to strangers, I at least have some other friend's outfits in the works so the world knows I have friends plural.

Camila's piece went off without a hitch, reading it even made her aunt tear up which I could understand. I got there halfway in and didn't get to photograph Molly, another Robin Richman girl, maybe they're like a goth Charlie's Angels? I will capture that minx in a picture some day...

The ladies at Robin Richman knew at goth prom, she better be prepared. It's so Lydia Deetz I am kvelling, I would want to wear that every day of my life.

(Necklace: Jacki Holland, Dress: Helmut Lang, Belt: vintage, Shoes: Mossimo)

This is Camila's book jacket photo when she becomes an occult mystery writer in 1994.

I was going for casual "I'm a delightful woman author" but I only managed to look bewildered.

So call her for a good time, ladies and gents. By good time, I mean paid artisan labor.

To see the piece in person and the rest of the show:

BFA Fall Undergraduate Exhibition
Sullivan Galleries
33 S. State St., 7th floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Show continuum: October 15–November 12, 2011

I don't know why I'm self-consciously explaining like a freshman in their first crit

My mornings are basically like this, Ally McBeal and Rickie Vasquez as a murdered pre-op transexual.

Wednesdays are my pick up Camila from work day + adventure to the train, to which we dress cuter as she has work and I have um, a camera.

However, today I had to go get my second Gardasil shot (can't accuse me of not sharing enough) and tried some San Pellegrino limonata which I would try to hide in my bag like a homeless person because you don't look cool drinking from it and going "Whoa that is STRONG" to no one in particular.

Either way I over thought getting dressed through several weird levels of self-esteem and mental fashion advisers until I settled on something to wear. I had said "I need to wear cool shoes today" to which I was glad I live alone, but my ultra special Alexander Wang heels that fall weird I learned are forever "just standing shoes". As much as I'd love to be Rachel Zoe and be a classy muppet hooker, I am a normal human not a Lookbook. Also everything in my closet is in boxes, I need a one bedroom apartment just store all my stuff or just stop eating in my kitchen.

I can't for the life of me align this type of image with my layout, forgive me.

This is one of those deceiving shirts without hanger appeal. I picked it up loving the print but hating the draping wondering if the designer considered they would be making a person have ruffled armpits. But then I had a feeling they knew better, so I tried it on and I'll be a son of a daughter of Cher it hung beautifully in the back. So many bad puns in that last sentence, but save that with my assuming Chaz could win Dancing With The (Sorta-)Stars. I'll show the back on another occasion.

The leaves in the park are so lovely right now. I thought my class would be outside today but my teacher threw a curveball so for once she chose to stay inside. This was my only take with a tripod that didn't have composition issues or some dude lying on a bench taking photos of his feet. I really should be using my baby (Cannon EOS 30D) but it's heavy and I worry about leaving it somewhere when I'm daydreaming about Mexican wedding cookies.

(Earrings: Regal Rose, Shirt: Torn by Ronny Kobo, Shorts: Zara, Bracelets: Leighelana & thrifted, Boots: Cole Haan x Air Nike)

Impenetrable cow lick why do you ail my bangs? I was wearing my sunglasses and wide brim hat earlier but the consensus among people was that I was more obnoxious than the Corey Hart song. I realized I don't have the proper jewelry for this shirt which is probably why I've never worn it until now. Curse my teenage years for poorly equipping me for adult accessorizing.

What's sexier than patchwork heart socks from middle school you meant to hide in your shoes?

Cue My So Called Life Jordan Catallano pose. On the upside(?), side bra! It's the chest-deficient ladies version of reminding people you too kind of have them and can also forget to wear a shirt under something. Side bra for some reason makes me picture someone saying "Sister wives, brah!"

Camila is an animal, a wild animal. She can attack from one whole direction.

(Blouse: Mossimo, Pants: Thrifted, Shoes: Marsell)

So let's talk about these shoes shall we? Camila works at Robin Richman, which if you're a Chicagoan, is where you would shop if you had money and taste (sorry Lululemon, but activewear is meant only for the gym, the trip and/or errands back home) and snagged these beautiful shoes with horseshoe heels on 'em! Snazzy snazzilicious or something clever, I'm trying to type and eat the aforementioned cookies.

Yeah, that's right, gingerwoman Frankenstein holding beloved(?) Home Improvement's JTT.

And this will serve as the advertisement to come to the BFA thesis show where Camila will have one of her works she's been pfaffing her butt off on in the studio in the exhibition. Come have her sign your clavicle tattoo, enjoy the artwork a.k.a steal some water bottles & snacks, party hearty. The 411 or 911 or whatever:

BFA Fall Undergraduate Exhibition opening: October 14, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Sullivan Galleries
33 S. State St., 7th floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Show continuum: October 15–November 12, 2011

Fall is almost here, hear the yell

So recap on Full House:
It's still nice out before Chicago weather assaults us with full on winter menopause. So yesterday on one of the last nice weekend days, I went to an art opening with my friend Allegra who lives in Andersonville.

I wish I could've gotten a picture with the leaves, the colors were fantastic together. I'm sorry, not a professional blogger with a tripod. I'm a human! So don't sue me.

I finally joined club turban with the one scarf I have. They're a lady's gift to girls who can't properly wash their hair.

Waiting for the bus. I was going for "70s Afrikaaner adventurer". Another dress I accidentally won on eBay, it's a little big on me so I have to belt it, something I don't really like to do as much. A lot of times ladies make the mistake of wearing something that is supposed to be not bodycon and instead of taking it in or not getting it, they throw a belt on and ruin the flow of it.

(Scarf: thrifted, Glasses: Etro (Lens Crafters, maaan), Necklace: Alliway, Cardigan: Splendid, Dress: 291 Venice, Belt: Eugenia Kim, Bracelets: Leighelena and thrifted, Shoes: Calvin Klein)

Stayed out too late and got home at 6:30 AM while marathon runners were just getting on the trains! What uppp, I have a life on occasion. Although that life is eating donuts and hanging out with my friend and her "abusive sassy waiter" cat, Toby.

So get excited for winter coats on your arms and legs and bust out the hot chocolate mix for your marathons of Happy Endings & The League.

Dressing Around An Accessory

(Image: Married With Children)

Good news readers (Camila)! I won this awesomeblossom Leighelena wide natural python bracelet sponsored by Belles & Rebelles! I could've photographed the whole process of un-opening it, but I only just thought of that now so hindsight is 50/50. Needless to say Leighelena not only wrapped it in pretty tissue paper and a fancy velvet satchel but put candy in there! Guys, you know this was like, a free deal right?

And because I'm a sucker for candy (eh? EH?) and winning things, I decided to pair an outfit along with online pictures of other possible style options to match with this bracelet. In other words, I only have the energy to change clothes once.

So I went only a several block radius from my house trying to catch the light while it was still bright and the weather isn't so Chicagoan. I know this is a lot of primary colors action that is Cleopatra comin' atcha, but work with me here. I laid on a ground probably used by animals as the thesaurus would say is a "powder room". That means I love you. Yes you, candy. I mean, Leighelena.




Shiny disc antichrist nails, y'all. As a lapsed Catholic and now atheist, I am okay with exploiting Satan for ironic teen goth fashion. I used to talk to God for hours about my parents dying and the Spice Girls so somehow that makes me feel less awkward about being allowed to do it.

(Sunglasses: Vintage, Shirt: Ben Sherman, Dress: Morphine Generation, Bracelet: Leighelena, Tote: The Met's Alexander McQueen exhibition, Sandals: Calvin Klein)

Okay, posing naturally just... doesn't come naturally to me. I can feel Tyra Banks at the judges panel giving me a critique about my hands and foot. I would counter-point with smizing.

I think I thought I was going to be all Hulk Hogan but I look like a constipated taffy puller. Suddenly very aware of why people tell me I remind them of Señor Chang from Community.

(Romper: TBags, Image: Shopbop)

Personally, I love print on print on print. It's much more daring and visually interesting, it also takes a really trained eye to do it in a tasteful way. I don't do this often enough because instead of shopping thinking of what pairs with what, I just have sort of mini-seizures of "lace! architectural seams! reminds me of Clarissa Explains It All!" and then will forget anything about neutral accessories.

This tribal print romper by Tbags above on sale for $60 is pretty sweet and compliments the color scheme of the bracelet, it can also transition to the fall with grayish green tights. I planned to pair it with the outfit from my last post sans belt which had a crazy color that would still work with the organic nature of the bracelet.

You could even just throw on an All-Saints t-shirt and some jeans with this bracelet and be good to go.

(Dress: Improvd, Image from: I Don't Like Mondays)

For those who prefer simple refined outfits, you could pair it with any neutral color outfit, a black dress like this more draped androgynous Improvd dress pictured above on sale for $160, or you could go more 80s Human League like this jumpsuit at ASOS on sale for $44. It could have any number of styles or decades because the shape of the buckle can easily be translated from the 70s to the 90s. And sleeves. I'm not sure why I only picked sleeveless garments but it was a general coincidence. It also helps this bracelet comes in other colors and a thin size as well as the choice of a gold or silver buckle.


These ideas can obviously apply to other situations in order to enhance jewelery, especially when you want to show the world you CAN own nice things or in my case, jewelery that isn't from Salvation Army or my uncle found on a plane. The exciting world of being a fancy lady. Thanks Leighelena, if I'm ever in Texas I will stop by and give you an uncomfortable, lingering hug.

Jacketeering

So in my continuing ebay addiction/compulsion, I bid on this Yansi Fugel jacket because it was a lovely green. ..And it was cheap. I like the rush of bid wars and I thought someone would outbid me but guess not.
I'm trying to wear at least several items per week that I've never worn in my closet. Instead of letting it sit in my closet, I decided to put it to use immediately while the weather was still good.


It was between getting a good shot or continue listening to Aqua, although unless someone pranked me by putting Hoobastank on my ipod, the earbuds are always staying in.

(Sweater: New York & Company, Other stuff: Thrifted/Vintage)

Camila somehow has the perfect casual stance made for style blogs. She also has the style made for style blogs. And style blogs style blogs. Style blogs.

(Sunglasses: Vintage, Necklace: Thrifted, Jacket: Yansi Fugel, Belt: Eugenia Kim, Dress: Torn by Ronny Kobo, Shoes: J-41, Bag: The Brothers Bray)

I was pondering deeply in the sunset Chairman Mao style even if I look dazed like I have Alzheimer's.

I was planning to pair this outfit on my future post for my awesome winning but I will be semi-creative-ish and come up with another outfit to pair it with (I plan on two!) Proving this blog is doing what I want it to do: Getting me undeserved free stuff.