Thing of Interest: Yixing Clay Teapot

I recently received a gift from one of my overseas coworkers: a Yixing clay teapot. I told her that while I was researching a green tea she sent me I discovered these pots. She went on to tell me plain ones can be obtained cheaply in Hong Kong and she would send one.

One day, in the mail I received a beautiful levered box and inside was my teapot. I still store it inside the box because it looks fantastic on my counter.


Yixing clay pots are unfinished and absorb tea throughout their lives. Eventually, the pot lends flavor back into the tea. Because of this, you should only brew one genre of tea in each pot. Mine is used for oolong. Some people have one of these small clay pots for each individual tea. I have yet to get to that point in my tea obsession.

Due to their unfinished nature these teapots require special preparation akin to an unseasoned cast iron pan. You can hear about the entire process of cleaning and curing your teapot from this guy:



...but I actually think he's kinda hard to watch (it's almost real time!) so here's a shorter break down:

1: Boil your pot and lid for about 10 minutes.

He explains the process from 1:00-5:25. Basically, use clean water, pot, and tongs, don't let the teapot and lid rattle because they'll break, be sure to fill the teapot with water, don't burn your hands, and let it air dry completely. You should see sediment from the teapot in your pot and the teapot will be shiny from the moisture and heat.

2: Season the pot with tea.

He explains this from 5:25-8:15 (he shows the end process at 9:30 if you want to skip his talk about how your pot will look as it ages). I would recommend using an unflavored favorite from the genre you're going to go with. This will seem like a waste, but it's worth it. You want the first thing the teapot absorbs to be something you really enjoy drinking because it's going to seep every bit of flavor out of the tea in this process. I used Iron Goddess for my pot brewed at double strength. This is the part of the video you really need to watch and follow. He explains it better than any other reference I saw when doing my research.

3: Drink that shit!

Your teapot is ready for use! You do not brew tea in a yixing teapot the same way it is brewed in European teapots. Skip to 10:40 to see the proper brewing method with these teapots. 

Do not skip the smelling steps. This is one of the most pleasing parts of the tea ceremony that is created with this brewing method. It allows you to pause, create some mindfulness, and really enjoy what you're doing on a deeper level. 

If you're thinking about purchasing one of these wonderful teapots, I recommend watching this video as well:



Here you can see the different styles of teapots and how to determine if a teapot is of good quality. Looks aren't everything; balance, size, and symmetry is much more important. This really helped me get a better grasp on my own teapot.

If you have any questions about my yixing clay teapot brewing experience, or want to see more posts about my interests in tea, please comments below.

Liquid Eyeliner

No matter if you're just going for a simple winged cat eye or, you know, this, you need a great black liquid liner. I used to swear by Almay's potted liquid liner (as opposed to the new pen). I've used it without issue for more than 10 years. 

As with many other things, I have suddenly become unable to tolerate this formula as it burns the shit out of my eyes. So I had to find a new liquid liner. Now that the cat eye is very popular there are a lot of options out there, so I waited patiently until I heard something fantastic.

My first attempted purchase was Rimmel's Scandeleyes Liquid Liner Pen.

It had several good review on YouTube for a lower cost option, but honestly I think it's just shit. It didn't go on opaque, smudged, and the pen dried up after one use. I have since learned that drying out often happens as the cap does not close securely for a lot of people. To me, that's just poor design.

Perhaps you will have better results, but for my time, it wasn't worth the lower price tag.

Disappointed, I headed to Sephora were there was a huge display of liquid liners for me to pit against one another. I didn't want to spend a small fortune (especially since Almay's liner is only $7) so I just tried out three that were middle tier on price: Urban Decay, Makeup Forever, and Kat Von D.

I drew three lines on my hand and let them dry. Overall, Kat Von D was the darkest (and very matte), but it rubbed off easily, so it didn't win my vote. Both Makeup Forever and Urban Decay held up to the rub test, but Urban Decay got my dollar.

At first I really liked this eyeliner. It went on super dark and had a cool vinyl finish that was different that other liners. I didn't love the thin, long bristle brush, but that isn't why I returned it.

After just three hours, this eyeliner began to flake. This was three hours of being at the house doing nothing. This wasn't three hours dancing at a night club or sweating in Florida heat. That eyeliner shouldn't have gone anywhere, but it did. It flaked right into my eyes where my contacts live. It sucked and I was really disappointed.

Determined to find my perfect match, I went with the less pigmented version from Makeup Forever. It has the usual matte finish and dries nice and dark. I had to shake it a lot to keep it opaque, but it does have the felt tipped brush that I prefer.

Because it is waterproof, this eyeliner still flakes when it is removed - that's just the nature of the beast. BUT, it stays on all day without flaking or smudging. I tried it on the weekend first. In the 8 hours of both indoor and outdoor wear, it didn't budge. Then I used it in a makeup look I did for a work party (coming soon!) and the same deal, 12 hours, no budge.

I think I'm in love. I can't wait to buy colors 7 and 10 as well.

Do you have a favorite liquid liner or think I'm just dead wrong in my opinions? Let me know!

Crone: Tabletop Roleplaying Game

For me, life is all about adventure. I look for it everywhere. Weird food? I’ll eat that. Goofy hat? I’ll wear that. Butcher my own food? Bring it on! It is probably this same spirit of adventure that drives my love for all things make-believe. And sure, video games, board games, they sorta scratch that escapism itch, but I don’t get to be too creative. On the other hand, table top roleplaying games let you be anyone.

This past weekend, I got to try out a new roleplaying game being developed called Crone. In this game, you play the role of an old witch. Here's the whole game (it's about 2.5 hours long):

I  had a lot of fun and would recommend Crone to everyone for several reasons:

• Rules Light

When you aren't in combat this game is very loosey-goosey. Some people call it “hippy” gaming. You narrate what your character does and there is no roll. For instance, when I wanted to be an elk, I didn’t have to check my sheet to see if I had any Wild Shape transformations left (like D&D). I just was an elk. I narrated what it looked like, and if I wanted candles in my antlers, I got it. DONE. If something had a chance to fail that would affect the game, a 3d6+modifier roll was made. It was easy to figure out which ability and skill to pick for the modifier because my character sheet fit on the front of a 3x5 card. That’s right, not two sheets, a single 3x5 card.

• Fast Combat

You have a hand of cards that represent what you can do. You can play as many per combat round as add up to your initiative. Super simple and everyone decides at once after talking it through. So a combat round is this: 1. GM plays their cards face down. 2. Players discuss and then play their cards face down. Everyone flips everything over. The round is talked through based on what you see on the table. Everything happens at once. Sounds like chaos, but it wasn’t. Check out the video in the last hour for examples.

• 'Dems Old Ladies!

Ok, I’m bias. I live in Florida and get to see all kinds of old lady troupes. It was so fun to act out a crotchety old shapeshifter who has a good heart. And because the witches are old ladies, the game wants you to assume you’re ultra powerful. If you want to shapeshift into a dragon, you can do that. You don’t have to start out being a mouse and work up to awesome. This makes the game great for one shot adventures (like a convention game). The Crone team has also posted Actual Plays for a campaign on Youtube that I can't wait to see.

• Great for new players

Sometimes it's hard to explain to people what roleplaying is without them getting caught up in all the rules. Because this game doesn't have as many rules, or tables, or lots to read, or weird dice, it's a lot more accessible to people.

Check out the video, then once you see how bitchin’ the game is, go to Kickstarter and throw your money at them. I especially like that I can contribute just $25 and get access to Print On Demand all the cards later at cost.

Got questions about my experience with the game? Think that being an invisible wolf covered in raining blood isn't metal? Feel free to share all that below.

Non-traditional Relationships

I wanted to talk about this first in a really basic way since it’ll come up as we go.

Hello, my name is Jess and I’m a bisexual chick who is in a polyamorous relationship. This means I have a boyfriend and a girlfriend. And my boyfriend and girlfriend are boyfriend and girlfriend. Here’s a diagram. -->

So very scandalous! Nah, our relationship seems really normal to me. Overall, been with Viking boyfriend for just about 13 years and then all together for about 4 years. We have lived all together for most of that with a brief space in the middle where sharktastic girlfriend lived in a different city. So. Much. Driving.

Anyway, if people actually start to follow this and get all confused and questiony, like, “UGH! I’M SO CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND OR A GIRLFRIEND!!!” The answer is both. We’re out to most people. There are a couple exceptions that include my parents (which may change soon) and the insurance company. ‘Cause if they knew, Viking boyfriend wouldn't be able to be a domestic partner on my insurance. Technically, I had to sign a piece of paper saying we’re monogamous for him to be a domestic partner – because insurance companies are all up in yo’ shit giving you a hard time based on outdated morality.

Whenever people find this out about me they have some pretty funny questions that aren't all that risqué. So, preemptively, I’m going to answer them:

1. So, how exactly did that end up happening?
   My boyfriend and I had a semi-open relationship before meeting our girlfriend. She started by hanging out with the boyfriend. When he realized he liked spending time with her in a more-than-friends way, we talked about how I felt about it. We didn't do everything the best way possible, but after awhile we got it all figured out. Her and I knew about each other from the beginning, so there was no sneakiness. 
2. Where does everyone sleep?
   We used to switch around cause all we had were two queen beds. Now we have a king sized bed! It’s awesome! We all fit in one bed and there’s still plenty of space. We switch the assortment up, but I’m never in the middle because I get too hot. 
3. Do you go on dates?
   Yep. All together and in pairs. We really do our best to maintain “couple time” between each other.
4. How do you sit at restaurants? What about the car?
   99.9% of the time, the girls sit together. We talk more, so that makes it easier. We almost always sit in the front of the car together, too, with boyfriend in the back so he can read with fewer distractions.
5. How is closet space divided? There are two girls…
   I wish I could say we split it all even, but that would be the biggest lie EVER. I have WAAAAAAAY more clothes. Right now I have the entire guest room closet and half of the master bedroom closet. Boyfriend and girlfriend split the other half of the closet for their work clothes. They also share a dresser… which is much smaller than my dresser… that I fill completely on my own. And that’s after I recently got rid of about a third of my clothing. I love clothes. The bathroom space is not as bad… but almost. I have my own drawer full of jewelry, makeup, hair product, and bath stuff. But it’s not as bad as the closet situation. 
6. Do you have shared bank accounts?
   NOSEY! Nope, we have separate accounts but share the expenses based on what everyone makes. It’s all totally fair and no one gets butt hurt if someone spends money on themselves.
7. When do you get alone time?!
   Boyfriend is an introvert who needs lots of alone time, so we try out best to make sure he gets it. Girlfriend spends all her free time studying (still in college right now) so she has no time to herself that isn’t in a science book. Me? I try to squeeze it in where I can. I knit and take baths at night so that’s a good chunk of time for just me. I also often spend time with my family without the posse and play Skyrim all by myself. That’s pretty much all I need cause I’m REALLY extroverted so usually I’m begging for together time more often than alone time.
8. Are people shitty to you?
   Eh, sometimes. Most of the time it’s passive. It is rare that someone can even tell we’re all together in that way and when they do, they just get really awkward. They’ll refuse to call them my boyfriend and girlfriend (they get called “friends” or “roommates”) or they’ll say “It’s going to be all separate checks, right?” No one has ever called us degenerates to our face, but hearing people compare multipartner relationships to bestiality on TV really sucks. It’s very hurtful. Even lots of people in the LGBT community hate on multipartner relationships. One day we’ll get rights, but I don’t know if it will be in my lifetime.

Hopefully. If you have any other, PG questions that don’t make you sound like a stalker, feel free to ask.

No, for real this time...

ARGH!!!

So life! Yeah, I was doing stuff at places with things and haven’t even wanted to do anything like blogging or selling awesome clothes. So, I stopped. Now I might do it some more. I’m hoping it will get me back into wanting to look cool. Because right now, I look boring 75% of the time.

The reason for this? Work, obviously. It sucks because I see people in other departments dressing with the awesome, but my department is more conservative. Also I've been trying to get a promotion, so I've been more conservative than usual. This sucks ‘cause I've started looking super boring on the weekends, too! Why? Laziness and lack of practice.

I’m going to be blogging about life instead of Razor Grade(my company is on sleepytime right now). Outfits that awesome people can wear to work, my personal craftiness (including some clothing), makeup tips/review, music/movie/show commentary, etc. Maybe some stuff about gaming, too. Especially “table setting” for gaming food since everyone seems really impressed with the crap Alex and I throw out there for eating and drinking.

I’ll probably also have an occasional post about general life topics (kinda like the Art of Manliness, CHECK IT OUT!). Probably the first one will be about replanting purchased herbs from the grocery store and aloe pups… ‘cause I need to do both of those things… and have for weeks and I've been lazy.

I’ll try to include lots of pictures. If my opinion matters to you, great. If not, if no one gives a shit, who cares, right? I’ll have a “diary” of things I've loved throughout the year.

I'm back, bitches!

So... I've been going whirlwind crazy since my last post here (which feels like an eternity ago). I have a job now and I'm moving this weekend. That being said, I'm super excited about being able to set up my work room in the second bedroom at our new place. I've been doing a ton of sketches for stuff I want to make... plus I've pretty much been told that as far as my massive dragon horde of fabric goes I must "use it or lose it."

Because I was poor for so fucking long, I haven't been buying albums or really listening to music (that whole depressed thing). NOW I've been listening to TONS of death & black metal and have become super inspired. I'm going to throw some pictures in here to give you an idea about my thought process and a playlist at the end to get you into my groove. For starters, all the stuff is going to be a one-off. Then, I'll grade the patterns if and when someone else wants to buy something. This will mean a longer lead time when you buy, but will also mean I can pump out more quantity for you all to look at... which has been the main problem in the past. I'll probably be selling on Etsy (a site I'm learning to use) and also advertising the styles on MySpace.


Lately I've been really drawn to the rough and powerful female archetype. The take no shit, couldn't give a fuck attitude and image of people like Angela Gossow, Jillian Michaels, and Josh and I's roommate, Alex. It isn't really their look, but their "walk against the wind with your shoulders back and head high" attitude and self confidence that's inspiring me. I think everyone can use a bit more of that in their lives. Going with the usual feel of my casual collections this one is easy to wear with surprising details... but I'm withholding the sketches just to get you excited (but think stuff like the example to the right).

I'm chomping at the bit to get fist deep in some fabric and thread. I feel like all the creativity that was abounding when I was in college is all coming pouring back into me now that my mood is lifted. Perhaps you'll even see actual updates here again once I'm settled into the new place. So. Fucking. Excited.

P.S. Yes, I still plan to do the line of customizables. They're going to be called D.I.Y.F.S. (Do it your-fucking-self). The first few styles are going to be gauze and will be out before the collection I just designed. Then more styles will come out, probably in poplin, tweed, or denim to go with what I'm working on now.

Corset Project

Due to the fact that I do not have a lot of space to work... yet... I've decided to put off my lofty reaching projects like the Lovecraft and steampunk costumes until I have proper draping and drafting space to make them fantastic.

Instead I've decided to work on a corset for myself. I'm very short in almost every dimension. So, since no patterned corset fits me right, I'm going to make myself a kickass custom from the left over corset material I have. It'll be that awesome neovictorian look so that I can wear it on wilder days at work if I want. But, I'm going to keep the palette pretty pale. If you take a look at Victorian crazy quilting, stuff by Bonzie, and stuff like is pictured to the left, you'll get an idea of what I mean. Lots of surface embellishment, hand dying, painting, studs, patches, beading, all of it!

I'm basically taking all the skills I picked up doing the Tomb costume and the stuff I've learned during my research since school to pull together something cool enough for an Emilie Autumn concert but also for tea parties... and be worn with this purse... which I might have to make a copy of... because it is Alexander McQueen.

So it should turn out to be pretty awesome. As I find stuff to become a part of it, I'll update with pictures and such. First step will be to sew up the base in coutil and then dying. This time I'm going to for a french grey color so I'm thinking about using thinned out india ink to dye it... testing for colors soon to come...

Photo Shoot Preview

The costume has finally been given the attention it deserves thanks to two wonderful people. Asia S. and Michael Park. The set is currently being made badass, but I do have a preview picture that I will post for viewing pleasure.


Oh yeah... how badass are they looking? For those that don't remember, the dress is based on "The Tomb" by H. P. Lovecraft. This is supposed to be the hostess who's home was burnt down with party-goers trapped inside. The main character of the story has a sort of past-memory-flashback about the happenings at the ruins of the home. I was filled with this image of a ghost in a dirty, decaying dress crawling out of the ruins of the house, and the dress was born.

Updates

Can you believe I'm still alive? Not me. Things have been ridiculous for the past 8 months. First, there was going to be a job, then a freeze, now the freeze is off but no entry level jobs are open. In the mean time, I've applied everywhere and all I have is a (barely) part-time job that is 40 minutes away. That means, I STILL am not making enough money to move, which means all my sewing stuff is STILL packed away. GRAHGH!

Despite these horrific, world destroying melt downs, I've been able to do a couple of highly awesome shit for my business. First off, I sold my very first piece to someone who doesn't know me! (Friends have gotten stuff from me since high school.) I sold a So Fatigued: Angled Hem Dress to a model, so hopefully I'll eventually get to see some awesome pictures of it.

I've got a freelance job in the works that is big money (at least for me) and would mean I can get a new serger. This makes me feel super happy. Hopefully he either accepts my bid or haggles with me some. It's a pretty cool project where I have full creative control. Maybe I can even use the items for pictures before I send them off to him.

For anyone looking for new-new-news, the next two things I'll be working on are "D.I.Y.F.S." skirts in black gauze (to be explained later) and a new H. P. Lovecraft costume based on my female interpretation of the living dead character in "The Hound." I was also just contacted about a cosplay costume, exciting!

Unfortunately, due to the completely packed away studio I haven't even had the gumption to design a new collection. I have some ideas and was going to pattern some western inspired pieces, but I feel like the looks are already available in a more mainstream version at stores right now and don't know if I want to pursue it. If I have a photographer or model that wants to do a western shoot with gothic tones, I might make up a few pieces and then sell them. I'm really sad I didn't get to do anything with my cool ideas. (I might post sketches... who knows.)

I also have an idea I'm tossing around in the noggin' about a steampunk costume. I really like the look of steampunk stuff and was thrilled about a year ago to find out that a subculture exists that loves all these crazy things I've liked since childhood. So, I'm working on research for that dress now. I have a really original idea (at least, I haven't seen it yet) that I want to incorporate. Problem is I'm going to want to keep the dress... and I need to be selling things. So, if a model would like to buy the dress to own before I make it that will force me to give it up. (Hint, hint)

Makeup Wants

Alright, so I recently started working at JCPenney again until I hear from Chico's (hopefully this month). Recently, JCPenney teamed up with Sephora to reintroduce cosmetics to their stores. It works like this: inside of newer JCPenney stores there are now Sephora shops that offer a selection of Sephora products by their popular, though not "mainstream" lines (i.e. not Clinique).

Urban Decay: This also coincided with Urban Decay re-introducing one of their best products that they ever discontinued: cream shadow. Now, below you will see me dissing the cream shadow pallete that I bought. The new cream shadows are offered in tubes only and I'm betting that they reformulated them to not dry into rock hard cakes. We'll be getting it a JCP (where I can get a discount on it) so expect me to be trying the black immediately. I'll probably get the mushroom color as well just so I can do really lazy "standard" makeup when I need to.



Also Urban Decay has been putting out some other cool stuff (for those of you who haven't been keeping up); look.

So, in order we have the Sephora-exclusive Sin version of the primer potion that has a champagne hue to it... pretty rad. Next, Urban Decay has some great liquid eyeliner colors out. I haven't used any of them yet, but I really like the yellow-green (Acid Rain) color. Also, Urban Decay has finally brought back their lip colors... they even have my old favorite, Gash. Lastly, I'd really like to try their new pigments. Click on any of the pictures to go to the Urban Decay page they're on.

Lime Crime Makeup: So, ok, I read like two other blogs, cause I just don't have time to keep up with other people's opinons. But, Doe Deer has a great one about style and makeup and she also makes makeup. I really want to give it a try because it looks amazing and I've heard good things about it. Check out all her stuff at the link and here's a sneak peek:



Makeup Forever: Ever since I saw this used in a tutorial online and then in person by a makeup artist in St. Pete, I've really wanted to get some of this. It is crazy pigmented and super high quality.

Laura Geller: This lady has some great baked shadows. I tried one out of a tester at Sephora once and have wanted to buy them ever since.

Shoes

This all started when I found the need to have a new pair of black pump-style shoes to wear down to Fort Myers for my interview. I realized I had nothing that was professional and black and not a boot. The first place I found hope was at a shoe shop we stopped at to find my boyfriend a new pair of boots. They had this really cute pair by BCBG Girl and they even were made in a 5 1/2; I was pretty excited... until I tried them on. Due to the nature of the shoe industry flattering people by marking their shoes a lot smaller than they are, I can never find ones that fit. I learned my lesson the hard way that ordering online from a company you've never tried on in person is an expensive mistake. Anyone wear size 8 and want to pay $200 for $425 worth of Transmutter boots and panels? Come on, I even have a matching purse I'll GIVE you.

Anyway, so I go online to look at what's in style so I know whether or not I even want to drive out to DSW and try on some 4's. Then I got even more depressed. Low and behold there were TONS of shoes that I loved and probably a. None of them will fit or b. They are not work appropriate. But, I thought I'd share them here since you guys might want them.

1: Ecco Ankle Bootie, $174.99
There is a small chance that DSW will have these, since they carry this brand there. If not, at least I can see how they fit and maybe order them online. Very cute, no? Having a little heel is the only disappointment but they would look just as good with the new Lip Service clothing (I'm going to blog about that, too) as they would with business stuff. That's a big plus for me. The only other down size is they're a little on the expensive side, but are all leather so should last forever.

2: Indigo Paddington, $99.99
This shoe is really professional looking but the round toe gives it a younger look. It's really different than all my other shoes. Sadly, it does not come in my size. Dickheads.

3: Naughty Monkey Forget Me Nots, $119.99

These shoes are pure badassery. They are my dream shoe. I want them more than almost any other shoe I've ever seen. ARGH!

4: Frye Ankle Boots, $348
Why oh shoe gods do you tempt me so? These boots are actually GRAY. Who makes gray boots? There is nothing that is not super cool about these. They make me want to buy a motorcycle. Insert sad face here.

5: Timberland Premium Rounded Heels, $140
If Aeon Flux was a real person walking around today, she'd wear these. Look at how these lace up. Awesome.

6: Naughty Monkey Posh Heels, $94.99
So, the more of their shoes I see the more I like this brand. They aren't that expensive, they have a great shape, and they have a bit of edge. (Plus remember those boots?!) These are actually on DSW's website for $10 cheaper... so they might be at the store. Exciting!

7: Guess by Marciano Soshanna Boots, $175
These boots are also pure badassery. People who know me realize that these boots would look absolutely perfect with my authentically, wear-distressed black jeans. They are a perfect replacement for my old "where anywhere" black Demonia boots I had in high school during my cyber goth phase. I really love the bronze ones so much that I could care less if they came in black... yes, that's what I said. Unfortunately, they are way too expensive for me to buy right now, but would make an excellent graduation present if my Uncle sends me money for graduation... hmm...


That is all. I will probably post later today about all the good new stuff coming out from Lip Service. I haven't been this excited about their clothing since the first Psycho Circus line was out (yes, that's like three years). Anyway, look forward to that and perhaps pictures of the shoes I actually get at DSW.

Spring 2009

So, I have to say that because I live in Florida, people (a lot of people) from outside the state always look down at (read: on) us and say we're always behind in fashion. I'll give them that a lot of us are, but the rest are way ahead. Let me explain why. We don't get to wear fall clothing.

For one week out of the year, we pull out everything we own that is velvet, leather, suede, and wool and wear interesting outfits everyday. Why? Because this is the only time of year we get to wear them. Especially goths. Are you going to wear vinyl pants in 85 degree, 70% humidity weather? No. What about velvet or long sleeve lace dresses? No, we wait for that week of cold snap to pull out the red leopard furry pants and thigh high leather boots.

The rest of the year we're wearing spring and summer clothing. Depending on how into fashion you are, that means we're always wearing something old, or making guesses at the next spring/summer trends. Needless to say, we're very excited in September when the new trends show, because we can wear them... on Christmas... next to the pool.

So I took just a quick look (cause I'm sick and want to go back to bed) at some of the London shows and was like, "SWEET! Right again!" I always get happy when old projects I've done correctly predict fashion trends. I think I should print out pages of looks that came from the same seasons to include in my portfolio to show how right I am all the time... and usually with very very little research.

So, I'm going to show you the image I used for my collection and you tell me what you think. Granted, the image is a bit "dark" because my clothing is gothic, but you'll immediately see the similarities in inspiration between my picture and the first collection I show you.

Ok, so, Brian Froud artwork. Anyway, I used it for Fall 2008 activewear/streetwear because it's an image of summer, when the fruit starts to go bad on trees right before fall is about to happen. I really liked the colors even though they didn't go with Fall 2008 trends. At the time, we did not have the Spring 2009 trends (though later, when they came in, I was tickled to see my designs matched Spring 2009).

On with the shows... btw, new on Style.com, when you look at the collection in full screen, you get huge pictures instead of tiny ones... hurray!

1: Erdem
So, I haven't really taken a look at this designer before but one of his designs was featured on the Style.com newsletter and it was gorgeous, so I couldn't resist. His collection has the same washed out tones I loved for my collection (including the blue my teacher made me discard... damn her). Also, take a look at the sleeve in my inspiration and the way he uses lace and embellishment to create the same look. Perhaps he is a Brian Froud fan as well? "I just wanted something soft and hyper-romantic, easy but a bit surreal at the same time," said Erdem Moralioglu backstage. "I've got all these images of seventies theater productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Eton boys wearing flowers in their boaters."

2: Fashion Fringe Competition
Four designers and though the girl that won did a great job, I don't agree with the choice. Anyway, take a look at the rich use of fabric manipulation. Something I've been really really into along with embellishments like embroidery and beading. Nice to see it on the runway.

3: Aquascutum
Amazing and wow. What a collection. Everyone should see it. It's got a casual, easy to wear shape and fabrics. I love the print dress with matching solid trench. Beautiful.

4: Paul Smith Women
This collection also pulls from the same color palette I used. There's nothing not beautiful about it. I really think this provincial, ethnic, patterned, colorful, voluminous look is going to be the characteristic of the next year. Please watch this show if you watch no other (they actually have video for it).

5: Luella
Also very exciting. I love the idea of the garden party look gone mad. These types of clothing will be the appropriate attire for my sort of garden party.

Note: I got a giggle about Marios Schwabs using bondage elements like the bathing suit collection I did forever ago. Very demode. I didn't like that he's doing the trend so late.

Also two of my favorite London design houses did this HORRIBLE early 90s inspiration and I swear if I see people wearing it, I will not only stop to make fun of them but might set them ablaze for wearing something so ugly. What were they thinking?!

Black Shadows

So, I've been wearing powdered black shadow for a long long time. I've gone through a lot of different ones (including my old favorite, which was discontinued) and I wanted to give my review of them as both a help to other people and an tribute to all the ones I own. I wish I had the time and money to try out cream ones that give that awesome death rock look (it's so opaque and wonderful, how do you ladies do it?), but I love me some shadows...

So it all started off with finally convincing my parents to let me spend my money on makeup and to ease them into black, I started off with super dark blue color from JANE cosmetics, a company carried at Wal-Mart. It used to be targeted to the same customer that bought Street Wear, back when that fabulousness was going on (I miss Street Wear so much).

So, eventually I got my first black eyeshadows and they were terrible. I don't even remember the first one I tried but I remember being so disappointed that it was going on gray, and only got slightly darker when wet. So, eventually I bought Clubbin' by JANE, it was #11. I went through three of them and still have the last one (completely shattered) as a back up if ever I run out of the good stuff because it is amazing. Not until the last shadow on this list did I ever again find a shadow that went on black. The only problem with JANE cosmetics is that they're really powdery (because they're cheap) and have a lot of fall out, so I went through a lot of loose powder in high school just trying to keep the black easy to clean off my face. For awhile JANE didn't make this shadow anymore, hence why I had to move on when mine broke. Though now you can get it again at Wal-Greens if you're on a budget.

The next one I tried (and liked) was by Yes Mistress! Cosmetics (a company that doesn't exist anymore ;_;). Their black was in the Isolation trio and came in a cool padlock compact. It also came with a great white and a really pretty brown (which I used up). I haven't used a lot of this black because it isn't very dark, but it's really good if you want a matte gray that's easy to blend. Unfortunately the white in my pack shattered, because it was WHITE. I'm trying to find a left over compact online so if you want to be in my really really good favor and you find it and buy it for me, I'd probably make you something. I mean, that brown was just the best... I still have the black and use it from time to time for blending.

Well, after the darkness of the Yes Mistress! black didn't satisfy my longings, I figured that Manic Panic would make a really dark black since they're a goth makeup/hair dye company. I was wrong. The black my Manic Panic is called Raven and you get a lot of it for $10... but it isn't dark and it is super matte. It also isn't very pigmented in that you have to use a lot of it just to get the gray. I don't even use it... ever.

Then I grew up and started buying "adult" makeup. Urban Decay was my favorite so I tried their black shadow: Oil Slick. It's a black shadow with lots of silver glitter. I thought that would be fun since Clubbin' by JANE also had some silver glitter in it and I always liked that look of just a bit of sparkle. Yeah, it was ok. Dry it's pretty gray and doesn't go on a lot at a time without work because there's just so much glitter in it. Wet it's darker and with the Urban Decay primer it really starts to get dark... but still not as dark as JANE's Clubbin'.

Then Manic Panic came out with cream shadows for a bit. To try them (cause I was sooo hopeful) I got the sample pack. In the end I would have used the hell out of the black but in the sample pack all my colors were pretty dried out (which it doesn't do in the tube) so I never got to use ANY of them. I tried melting them with a blow dryer and even that didn't work. I think I might have even thrown them away. I have no idea where they are. That was a waste of a lot of money.

As a last ditch effort (at this point I had re-mashed Clubbin' in the pot so I could continue to use it) I bought Urban Decay's Deluxe Eyeshadow in Zero the week it came out. Having already spent $16 on the failed experiment that was Oil Slick, I went to the store to try out Zero (at $18) before buying it online. I have to say it is my absolute favorite eyeshadow of all time. It gets super dark dry, getting it wet it's almost liquid liner dark and with primer and wet it blends right into my liquid liner (even Clubbin' didn't get that dark). I use it so much that it's already half gone. I hope they never get rid of it and if it ever is in danger of going away I'll probably buy 10 of them just so I never have to do this search again.

People always ask me why I didn't just get Kryolan Aquacolor in black or get MAC and truth be told, I never really trusted MAC cosmetics for a good black and Kryolan is just too hard to get a hold on (and I didn't know anyone personally that had ever used it... and it isn't cheap). So, maybe one day if I feel like spending the money I'll see if MAC has a better black, but I doubt I ever will and maybe one day I'll switch over to Kryolan for all my colors but I don't have that kind of money now, so till then my vote is Zero Deluxe Shadow by Urban Decay. Buy it. Love it.

First Razor Grade Designs

So, my internship supervisor, Ivanka Ska has been kind enough to hook me up with a photoshoot for some of my garments so you guys will have better pictures than the ones I'm about to post of these garments. They are for sale. You can buy them now. I take PayPal only or you can send a check in the mail and I'll send you the garment once the check clears. Post a comment here if you'd like to purchase any of these garments.


Strapped In Dress: $85
From "So Fatigued" project

This dress is made from lightweight, army digital printed cotton. It has front and back panels with black piping and rubber straps at bust, waist, hip, and over the shoulders. The front and back hems are angular for a sci-fi look and the inseam pockets on both sides snap shut. The seperating zipper on the front allows for quick in and out.

Note: I do not currently have inventory and therefore it will take 2 weeks for you to receive your garment which is currently available only in Small, but that will change soon... maybe Monday... I realize that in this picture, this garment is strapless, but it's really not strapless (hence why I need new pictures).

Truck Driver Top: $40 (Skirt SOLD)
From "Girl You Want!" Collection

Sleeveless, 98% cotton, 2% spandex poplin top with front snaps and roller derby print stipe. Back features a completely open center panel with red, medium hole sized fishnet.

Note: Both of these garments were pattern tests that I completely finished for a school project. So, they are perfectly sewn. The reason I'm not keeping them to wear is that the fabric I had originally selected for these tops stretches way too much. This top is completely bad ass though and would be great as an overshirt, unsnapped to reveal a black tank or something, but would fit funny if you wore it closed (unless you've got big boobs and a tiny waist). THIS GARMENT IS OOAK. When I do make these tops, they will be in a different fabric and the back will not be open! No one else will have this top but you.

Marty Magic

Alright, so today, whilst looking on eBay for the new Alchemy Gothic bat hair clip (since my hair is now long enough for this sort of thing to look good) I found a new super awesome jeweler whose work is absolutely amazing. Her work is original, fantastical, and best of all, made out of real sterling silver. Not nickle, not steel, not pewter, silver. I was so excited to see this that I've spent the last two hours looking at everything on the site and have come to the conclusion that if I ever win enough money to buy a house, a car, and pay off all my debt, the next thing I'll do is load this lady up with money so that I can have almost everything on her site.



Stegosaurus earrings. You heard right, stegosaurus earrings. Who wouldn't want these? They are absolutely the coolest thing in the entire world... but it gets better... They're discontinued so they're only $30... yeap.





Venus Fly Trap & Fly earrings. $65. What the heck?! Who would have ever thought to make these?! I have to say, that these really really are great. I mean, dinosaurs and weird bug earrings? How can this possibly get better...?




Octopus Ring. $145. Now there is a very large possibility that this could be among the top 100 things ever created. I mean look at it! There are tentacles underneath the ring. Now, I don't know about you guys, but I sleep in my rings and never take them off except when using weird cleaning products. But, if I had this ring I'd be takin' it off all the time to show people the badass suction cup marks on my finger. *jumps up and down* But there is still one that outdoes even this...



Bat Flock Ear Climber. $55. What can I say, this is absolutely something that I have to own. Think of it just hanging out next to my orbital piercing on my right ear. I mean hell, if I had to just to make it look all the cooler, I'd take the orbital right out and wear this bad boy everyday (ok maybe not...). I have never ever seen something like this made with a bat motif and now that I have, I have to say I'm blown away by how awesome it is.



Anyway, this woman has an amazing talent to craft jewelry. She has sci-fi themes, dragons, fairies, geckos, frogs, bats, garlic, gingko leaves, armadillos, hippos... if you like jewelry you can find something you love on her site and the ear cuffs and climbers are the most beautiful pieces of all. Also, anything you see can also be made in 14k gold. Please please please check her own and buy her stuff.

Disastrous!

Alright. Here's the horrific story of my trip to Jay's Fabric Center today. I show up there around 4:25 pm today with high hopes of purchasing not only more of the tan and black striped fabric I used to make my knit dress for the fashion show but also ordering it in at least two other colors so I can make a ton of them to sell (lots of reasons.... chief among them 1. paying off debt, 2. Purchasing a serger/coverstitch machine). Well, I wander around and see that they don't have any left in the store... all the better, I'll just order a whole bolt and call it a day.

So, I find the lady in charge (I feel bad because she's so nice and I never remember her name) and I ask her what paperwork I need to fill out to order some more of this fabric (and show it to her). She gets this really sad look on her face and says, "That was a designer fabric we got from a jobber... I can't get anymore. I'm so sorry." Well, apparently she saw the utter dismay on my face and when I asked if she could tell me the contact for the jobber (in hopes he could give me a contact to another shop that bought some) she says they don't give out that information but that if there was even a small chance she thought she could get more she'd try for me, but that she knew there was no more to be had.

So I franticly searched the store for something even close and the only thing I found was this lime green and light heather gray fabric with a very thin yellow stripe, it was cool, but I know I wouldn't be able to sell many in that color. So, I came home and searched the internet for striped jersey and actually came up with some good options that I can get a decent amount of. So, in hopes that you wonderful people can help me I will post images here. PLEASE let me know which you'd be most likely to purchase a dress in. I'm especially interested in the opinions of those who have seen the dress I'm talking about... might include a picture a little later.

Anyway, here are the different ones I'm thinking about in the order I like them the best.

Ok, these first three are my favorite. The black and gray is a must, I've already decided I'm getting that one. Next, the blue and black goes awesome with the other things in the collection (remember, these clothes are inspired by the Tank Girl comic) and the red and gay is awesome because there are other garments in the collection made of red and gray fabrics... those are the two main colors of the collection.

Next, I found these three pinks. I don't really like pink but I think the first one especially would sell really well and the brown and light pink one is sooo different I think it would do well in boutiques that don't like as edgy of a garment (although the styling of the dress isn't exactly mainstream).

Last are these two completely odd-ball mixes. I really like the green and yellow but I don't know how many people would buy it. This color combo also goes well with the Tank Girl idea because the Roller Derby print used on the garments features a lot of these basic colors like blue, red, green, and yellow. The only problem is that I wouldn't know what color straps to put on it... black would be kinda harsh. And then purple and gray, it doesn't really work with the color scheme but it's unusual and I kinda like it.

Anyway, I really want to know what you guys think. Your opinions will directly determine which ones I buy.