Mon T-Shirt En Vrai

Pictures of my DIY 3D floral t-shirt. I've been making a t-shirt like this for years; every time one gets worn out, I re-make it with a slightly new design. The one I made this year is just simple, and highlights the fact that I love a bold shoulder. In the last few years, as I've been making these shirts, I've noticed that other designers,  from everywhere to whoever-designs-for-Target to Giambattista Valli (see photo above, courtesy of www.vogue.com.). Coincidence? I think not. In fact, I think they secretly stole the idea of me. They felt my aura, and were inspired (Could I sue for that? Seriously. I need cash).  Shirt homemade (with Merona t-shirts). Jeans by Jolt.

Style Icon: Christine Centenera

Photos of the lovely Christine Centenera, editor of Elle Australia. Photos courtesy of www.thesartorialist.com. www.jakandjil.com, and www.vogue.com.

Obsessed w/: Office Helpers

These cute animal office organizers will certainly make even the most humdrum of tasks seem...well, slightly less humdrum. The day that I get an office (which will also be the day I get a beautiful house, see below), I will purchase these, assuming they are still in stock, and suddenly *bam*: I will be the master of all dull tasks, the champion of avoiding work-time boredom. Though, hopefully I'll have a job that I love, and these animals will be of no use but a place for me to store my equally colorful erasers and binder clips. Both available at www.momastore.org.

Breakin' A Sweat

I have recently been very into sweat pants chic (what is this like Walmart chic? gross. hold tight, hold tight.). Comfy, warm, and let's be honest, quite classy when worn right.This outfit is inspired by Alexander Wang's collections. Sweatpants, Blazer, and Striped Tank by H&M. Necklace by Forever Twenty-One. Shoes by Franco Sarto. Additional photos courtesy of www.alexanderwang.com. 

House Crush

Yes, it's true, I have a crush on a house. It is also true that every time I go into a new house, or even room, I imagine what I would decorate it like. This may seem weird, but think about it: your awkward neighbor is still going on about the prize pumpkin they grew two years ago for the county fair, and all you can do is nod nod nod, but no! You are secretly an interior decorator with nothing to stop you from completely mind-make-over-ing her house. So I guess if your neighbor aren't boring, this idea is irrelevant (sort of like my life...). But, I have seen my future, and this is it. Photo courtesy of www.vogue.com. If you don't check out there "Homes" section (under "Culture"), check it!

Puff Daddy

No, this is not where I talk about my love for Sean Combs (should I have titled this post P. Diddy? Is that more appropriate? I guess I'll deal with copyright issues later...), but instead where I talk about my undying love (yes, it's that bad) for this H&M cardigan. It is not a new purchase, but instead one I have owned for about three years. It can really spice up any jeans-and-a-white-t shirt combo. Plus, it's a nice textural flashback to the bold shouldered look. (And comfy, did I mention comfy?). 

Cardigan, jeans, t-shirt, and scarf by H&M. (Dude I could totally be in their next ad campaign). Shoes by some shitty unknown company I bought at some shitty unknown store in Belgium. Good luck finding them. (But they were only 20 euros!)

Party of Five Glitters

This post is not what the title makes it to be. It is, however, a petite text about what I did yesterday. Yes, I discovered Wet n' Wild's Fastdry in Party of Five Glitters Nail Polish. There I was, simply picking up some shampoo at Walgreens when this mini party in a jar jumped off the shelf, threw me to the floor and said "Buy me! Buy me! Buy me!" And that I did. And it is my new favorite. While initially a little difficult to put on (you have to mix the, uh, goop with the glitter first), it turned out to be a very fun change to my normally naked nail beds. I offset the pink glitter with a pink thumb nail. Though this was not my original intention (long story...maybe another time...), it turned out to be quite nice, perhaps my new signature? Glittery nails with a solid colored thumb? But well, glitter is all you really need on a Sunday morning, isn't it? It's like Saturday night threw up on my finger tips. Wet n' Wild Nail Polish, available at all drugstores.

Oceans 18

Fun in front of a new wall of photos. Speaking of photos, I have had a weird obsession with photo/digital print clothing lately. Dress by H&M. Jeans by Jolt. Scarf by Primark. Shoes by Aerosoles. Flag from Belgium.

Is it here yet?

The Oscars are coming the Oscars are coming! Yes, it is that time of year again, the year of award show after award show, half of which no one has heard of (but hopefully the nominees have...). Normally, I get bored bored bored watching such shows, but the Oscars are of course the exception. I intend to dress up for the occasion (though I'll be going no where special, just the lounge..). And here my dad said I would never re-use my prom dress! I know what you're thinking. Prom dress? "At" the Oscars? That's not tacky at all (note the sarcasm). But you know not my dress: a vintage, knee length, black and gold beaded shift. Yes, it is beauty. I thus created a set (thank you, polyvore) inspired by both my dress and the Little Gold Man himself.  Though, if I had to do it over (with a bit more money in my bank), I would wear this eerily similar Zac Posen gown. If anyone wears it to the Oscars, it better be someone I admire. Or I will be grumpy with them. And their stylist. On a side note, the film HUGO was nominated for best picture, best costume, best art direction, best directing, best film editing, best music (original score), best sound mixing, best sound editing, best visual effects, and best writing (adapted screenplay). How many nominations is that for Hugo, then, my math-geek freinds? That's right: count 'em up TEN. If I had a vote in this, Hugo would sweep the show.
Top picture: Created by abakibeck, www.polyvore.net. Bottom picture: Courtesy Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2012.

Obsessed w/: Wooden Cities

It is times like this when I really feel I need to get away. Slush, wind, and ice (ice under slush? kill me now). While I'm sure January still exists in NYC or Paris (if you read that with a French accent, the two cities rhyme), a little vacation never did anyone any harm. Plus, there would be less tourists. It's that ugly time of year between the winter holidays and Easter. But alas, I cannot afford to jet half-way around the country, or half-way around the world, so I'm stuck with these wooden guys (plus the screen saver of Hong Kong on my laptop...). Wooden Statue of Liberty stamp and Paris wooden block toys (which is perfect for a desk decoration or any YUPy babies you know), both from http://www.muji.us. 

Pattern Pants for the Win

I love love love pants. I'm very picky about jeans, skirts, and dresses, but pants I LOVE. (I have two favorite pairs that I would wear every other day if I could, but alas, that is only socially acceptable in Europe. The Parisians get it...) Harem pants, slouchy slacks, baggy jeans, and my personal favorite: patterned pants. Patterned pants were everywhere this past fall, and I still can't get over them. I was inspired by style icon Christine Centenera and Proenza Schouler, but toned it down a bit. I wear floral pants in cool colors as opposed to Celine (on Centenera) or PS pants in hot orangey tones.
Blazer by Anne Taylor. Shirt and pants by H&M. Shoes by Aerosole. Necklace by Forever 21. Vintage watch.
Additional photos credited to www.thesartorialist.com and www.vogue.com.

My Man Magritte: Decorators Addition

These are a few of my favorite things: paintings by Belgian surrealist artist Rene Magritte, and dinosaurs. Both of them combined? Major win. I bought this paper-weight/doorstop/statue/new bestie a few years ago, before I had even heard of Magritte. When I went to the Magritte Museum in Brussels last spring, I saw the top painting and was like "Whaaat? I recognize that...but from where?" Needless to say, when I got home and made the connection, I gained a new favorite dinosaur (but don't worry Petrie, you're still my number one).

Quicky DIY: 3D Floral Shirt

 1) You will need: At least two plain white t-shirts; a pencil; tacky/fabric glue; white thread; scissors 

 2) Draw jailbird lines one inch apart on the t. 

 3) Cut the strips. 

 4) Sew/scrunch each strip. 

 5) Sew together the end of each scrunched strip to make a flower shape. 

 6) Glue five flowers on each shoulder. Wait 24 hours. When glue is dry, sew the flowers on for extra support. 

More photos to come soon! Have a happy Tuesday!