HI MISS ALICE ✩

What the hells that 'sposed to mean?



I finally finished the FOX COLLAR OF AWESOMENESS!



Katie approves of it.

***

This has been my life for the last few weeks. I have a pretty vicious TO DO list to finish this month if I want to be on schedule for world domination in 2 years.

The difference between crap and quality. A good point is made, that quality is determined in the eye of the beholder. It is entirely subjective to our own purpose.
Beyond the basic standards of what we deem to be appropriate clothing, (utility/function, identity/decency, and durability) a lot of people don't give a damn.
"Personally, I don’t care about wearing clothes; my driver is making them. My wardrobe planning is defined by not embarrassing who ever I happen to be with." I wish I could be half as cool as this woman. By the way, if you are interested in fashion design, go buy her book.

I think entirely too many people associate quality with popular brands and nothing else. I'll admit there are some brands that adhere to higher quality standards than others, and I do harbour a few brand loyalties/preferences - though never blindly so.
I'm also disturbed by the elitist mindset of single-serving clothes, the concept of "I'll never wear anything twice."

Despite being a no-name newbie designer and poor starving artist, I am fairly particular about my wardrobe (and probably equally concerned with what my children wear). But I'm not an unreasonable fashion snob. My definition of quality is fairly basic, and is never limited to brand names, or big numbers on price tags. I shop at thrift shops more often than regular stores, to be honest - it saves the world in little ways.
I look at each article of clothing independently to determine quality. I always take note of the fabric content - and avoid some (curse you, knit rayon). I examine the design and fit, the stitching and seams, the pattern or print, colour, etcetera.
It all weighs in on whether I'll buy it. Because brand names hardly matter as long as the item itself is durable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. My personal concept of crap versus quality is for most part, pragmatic - will this fall apart tomorrow or in 10 years?

Hey, I told you I could rip my own jeans.
Check out my star fray:

Posted 31 July 2011:
"Who is awesome enough to get thrown out of a bar at their highschool reunion for being too drunk? ME!"

Overall, it was a great night (until I got thrown out). I wore school colours, teal and silver - go LVA! Woo! I got free drinks (my friend Tiffany knocked me in to the pool, seriously, who actually does that?). And I got to see lots of old childhood friends and acquaintances.
Dorky Dave drank till he dropped, literally, he totally fell out of his chair.
And the photographers enjoyed taking pictures of me dancing and acting a fool. A miserable wet fool - thanks Tiffany!
Everyone was amazed at how I hadn't changed at all since school. Which I have to admit, was the most perfect reunion I could have imagined.

Today, I'm going to spend the day packing and preparing to leave the city that I have lived in 2/3 of my life. I'm sorting all my belongings in to two piles - TAKE and GIVE AWAY. Its heartbreaking, but at the same time, exulting. I feel relieved and elated to be rid of material belongings, to move on with a chance at a clean slate, and a fresh start.
I have often found myself saying to other people who had cried at me about losing their phone, breaking their computers, ripping their new pants, etcetera, "They are just things."

I'm excited for this leap to an overbearingly religious city, with a stinking cesspool of a lake (see previous post). No, I really mean it.
I recently read an interview of a SLC fashion designer, "I don’t have to wear couture. I don’t have to have the latest. I’m not superficial about it. What I love is the artistry of it. Clothing is just what people put on their bodies to keep from being naked, to keep their butts from scraping on rocks when they sit down…but fashion is what you have to say about it, expressively and responsively."
Word.
Most fashion falls in to two base categories: utility (cover, modesty, or protection from elements), and for identity (uniforms and corporate apparel). The third is beauty (something with no purpose other than vanity), and sadly, not as popular.
What really tickled me - "I took my mom’s square dancing petticoat, sewed giant sequins all over it, and wore it to school once. I think the kids told me it was the “devil’s clothes”."
Check out her store here: Haus of Mirth or drop by Unhinged, 1121 E. 2100 S in Sugarhouse (free parking in back).

When I got home today, I mended 12 shirts, 2 skirts, and 3 pairs of pants.
I hate mending and fixing clothing - even though I'm fairly good at it. Its one of those tedious tasks I set aside until the situation becomes dire.
In this case, my irritation at seeing the monstrous mending pile outweighed or overruled my lethargic tendencies.

I live and love by the philosophy that if something is broken, you fix it - you don't throw it away.

I love Alberta Ferretti. I own a gray cardigan by this designer. I altered it today, so I was looking at the care label. It is made of 100% cotton backing and knit wool cables on the front. It says Professional Dry Clean ONLY.
WHY must 100% cotton be dry cleaned??
I'm baffled. I also have tons of designer clothing made of cotton and silk that say "dry clean only". You know what? I throw them in the wash. Cold and gentle all the way - so far no problems.
Silk, especially, is a monofilament that is stronger than most synthetics and manufactured fibres. Its not delicate or fragile.

When I was in college, I did an internship for a designer, whose family owned a garment cleaning (dry cleaners) service. She confessed that in the back, their secret weapon was a regular old washing machine.

I haven't been posting pictures of "what I'm wearing" lately, I have been packing and preparing to move and most of my nice clothing is in suitcases at the moment. I don't suppose people want to see pictures of easy fit t-shirts and athletic shorts, and/or bikinis & flip flops every week.. but maybe that would work!

I noticed my hairstyle has suddenly become popular. For years now, on my days off, I've braided my hair when I got out of the bath, I'd leave it braided until I washed it again. I would sleep with it, go to the store with it, etc. It'd turn in to a messy sloppy side braid, with my bangs and stray hairs.
I thought it was charming in a country romani bohemian sort of way.

Oh! Here is my first nail swatch. I have mentioned this colour before, its my favourite for summer! Sadly, with all neon colours, its difficult to capture it properly in photography. This was taken in bright natural light.

[Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze]

"Hey, what do you think of this purse? Does it match my outfit?" *poses*

".. IT MAKES YOU LOOK FAT."

I got this polish a long time ago, and it has been one of my favourites.



Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze.
This is an ultra fluorescent, loud colour (and I have to warn, like with most neon colours, it doesn't show up well in photos). Its a peachy coral type pink, with a hint of orange. The polish itself is matte, and dries in an instant. Coverage is decent, but I find myself using 4 coats sometimes for an even look. I smother it in a shiny clear topcoat.
It is beachy summer fun in a bottle:



Lo and behold, Flip Flop Fantasy on my toes. Oh, and Michael Kors straw platform wedges.
Hello Summer!

I posted this photo, 6 December 2011, of what I was wearing that day.

[What I was wearing: retro Abercrombie wool track jacket, white lace shorts, navy scrunchy socks. Michael Kors blue tunic, and white Hollister skirt.]

I got a general positive response to it, and figured I'd do it again, when I wore something to merit another photo. I forgot.

Around the day I took this photo, I was told by a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch, that I didn't have the look, and was simply too old to be a model for them, even though I had originally filled out the paperwork to be a candidate for their new 'diversity' campaign. I thought I was diverse enough. Maybe not.
Incidentally, I'm wearing mostly Abercrombie brand clothing in the above picture. :(
Despite the negative interactions with the company, I'm not angry enough to stop wearing the clothes. Ruehl No.925 (RIP), Abercrombie, and Hollister happen to carry 'casual luxury' clothing of decent quality that fit me very well. IE, I own a lot of their clothes.
SO, to get to the point of this long rant - I will try to post a weekly picture of me wearing Abercrombie & Rich brand threads, JUST TO SCORN THE COMPANY THAT THOUGHT I DIDN'T LOOK GOOD ENOUGH IN THEIR CLOTHES.

I CAN BE A MODEL, DAMMIT.