Sunday, March 29, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 26 March 2009

  • T-shirt: Coastal Concepts; thrifted
  • Hoodie: Freeze
  • Leggings: liz&co.; thrifted
  • Boots: No tag; thrifted
  • Regular glasses
Just comfy & cozy.

Links:
♥Anna

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 24 March 2009

  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • Tunic: Love by Design; thrifted
  • Jeans: Hot Kiss
  • Boots: Santana Canada; thrifted
  • Necklace: Vintage
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
I love that striped tunic. I used to think that I couldn't wear horizontal stripes because I'm short-waisted and they'd cut me off, but this top totally works. Yay!

Links:
♥Anna

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 23 March 2009

  • Tank: Marshalls
  • Wristwarmers: Gift
  • Skirt: No Boundaries
  • Tights: Hue
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Boots: Thrifted; no tag
  • Necklace: NY State Fair; modified by me
  • Belt: Walmart
  • Regular glasses
Any picture of me in a miniskirt reminds me of my style evolution. Just a few months ago, I really wasn't very comfortable in short skirts, and now I adore them! ♥

Links:
  • Best. Scarf. Ever. I might have to make one, if I can convince myself to buy that much wool roving...
♥Anna

Friday, March 27, 2009

Things I Love Thursday-on-Friday: 27 March 2009


Photo by Annalucylle
  • Getting hit on by beautiful people of all genders!
  • Summer plans. I am going to be taking classes at FIT ( the Fashion Institute of Technology) in NYC! I'm so excited I could faint.
  • Neon colors. I'm talking eye-searingly bright.
  • Reminiscing about the past while still living in the present. It's not as easy as it sounds.
  • EFT. It's a lifesaver!
♥Anna

Daily Outfit Catchup: 21 March 2009

  • Hat: Broner
  • Pin (on hat): Thrifted
  • Scarf: Self-made
  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • Tank: Hanes
  • Pants: Jerzees, hand-me-down
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Boots: Santana Canada, thrifted
  • Regular glasses
I think the pin really adds to the look of the hat (in fact, that's what I was thinking when I found the pin).


♥Anna

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 20 March 2009

  • Hat: Thrifted, no tag
  • Sweatshirt: Otomix, thrifted
  • T-shirt: Toothpaste for Dinner, thrifted
  • Leggings: Express
  • Necklace: NY State Fair; modified by me
  • Wristwarmers: Gift
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Regular glasses
I seem to be a tad obsessed with these leggings as of late.

Links:
♥Anna

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 18 March 2009

  • Shirt: Astro; thrifted (Love it!)
  • Skirt: No boundaries
  • Leggings: Express
  • Socks: Marshalls
  • Boots: No label; thrifted
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
Note: I went hiking in this outfit. The skirt would only be impractical if I hadn't had the leggings underneath. Yay for functional fashion!


♥Anna

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Inspiring Yourself to Get Dressed


Photo by perszi

"How do you motivate yourself to look awesome every single day?"

First off, as a sort of disclaimer, I don't really look "awesome" every day. There are days when I don't even get out of my pajamas, days when I don't think my outfit is photograph-worthy, and days when I do take pictures but none of them satisfy me enough to post them on the internet. So yes, there are several things that have to go right for you to see an outfit on this blog.

But never fear! There are steps that I take to ensure that I have more "awesome" days, and they're pretty easy to implement in your routine.

  • Tidy your wardrobe.
Once or twice a year, pull out all the clothes in your closet. Try them on, and toss (meaning donate or sell!) all the ones you don't like/don't wear. (This article may be of assistance.) Organize the remaining clothing however you like (by color/article/date last worn, whatever's most helpful to you). The point of all this is that you will actually know what clothing you have to work with! An overcrowded closet is a good way to lose a fabulous piece or overlook a funky new combination. In a rush, you might even throw on something that doesn't flatter you or that you don't like, since it's the first thing handy! Don't let this happen to you.

Another advantage of cleaning your closet is being able to see your entire wardrobe as a whole. When you look through everything, you can see what items you tend to overstock on (e.g. do I really need more graphic tees?) and which basics you are missing (I really don't have a pair of black pants?)! Keep a well-organized list of these items and take it when you go shopping.

  • Collect images that inspire you.
I used to do this with fashion magazines, but now in the interest of the environment (and my budget) it is all on my computer. The basic idea is: whenever you see an image that inspires you aesthetically or looks like something you'd like to wear, save it. There are over a hundred (!) fashion blogs that I follow via Google Reader, but you can start small. (I've listed a handful at the bottom of this article.)

Although the process of finding and saving images on its own will give you lots more ideas of what to wear, I go a step further. I put each image into a Word document and underneath type what I find so alluring about the ensemble, plus whether there are any items in it I want to buy or DIY. This allows me to use Word's Find option if I'm having trouble thinking up what to wear around a certain piece, style, color, whatever (t-shirt, military, yellow, etc). Instant inspiration!

(Oh...and make sure to weed out images you don't care for as your style concept evolves!)

  • Plan your outfit the night before.
This is a must, especially if you often find yourself waking up five minutes before you have to leave for work/school/whatnot. (I know everyone does it sometimes!) Plus, your brain might not be at its most functional or creative in the morning.

Don't forget to use your inspiration images to help you put together an outfit! As I said previously, you can look through them for ideas of how to wear a certain item, or let the collection inspire you when you're completely clueless.

  • Document outfits.
For me, this (obviously) takes place in the form of daily outfit photos. I strongly suggest that everyone trying to develop their personal style follow suit. (You don't have to post them on the internet!) If you don't have a camera, the alternative is to write down (and/or sketch) what you are wearing. Take notes throughout the day about how you look, how you feel, what kinds of reactions you get, or whatever else influences the way you dress.

Through this process you create a library of outfits that you've worn which you can refer to on days you're stuck or don't feel like trying. The advantage of photos is that you can really see how an outfit looks on--sometimes peering into a mirror or trusting others' opinions just doesn't cut it.

A few notes:
  • Document inspiration whenever it strikes! Carry a notebook and jot down a note if you see someone wearing something spectacular or if you have a sudden flash of sartorial insight.
  • I wrote an article about one of the (weird) ways I put together outfits: randomization.
  • Gala Darling's articles on the advantages of daily outfit photos: Part One - Part Two
I hope this is helpful!

♥Anna

P.S. Some inspirational sites:

Daily Outfit Catchup: 17 March 2009

  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • T-shirt: Ashland Jefferson Center's Darwin Day
  • Leggings: liz&co.; thrifted
  • Socks: Marshalls
  • Boots: No label; thrifted
  • Necklace: Hand-me-down
  • Regular glasses
I didn't get a detail shot, but the shirt has a picture of a kitten on it and says:
My 26,590,318th cousin
22,587,914 times removed

Evolution:

All in the Family


♥Anna

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 16 March 2009


  • Scarf: Self-made
  • Sweatshirt: Otomix, thrifted
  • T-shirt: Threadless, thrifted
  • Pants: Jerzees, hand-me-downs
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Regular glasses
That's right, a squid scarf. It makes me so happy...and I can pretend to be a Kraken! Or Cthulhu! Or Tenta-Annie!

Daily Outfit Catchup: 15 March 2009

  • Sweatshirt: Otomix; thrifted
  • Pink top thing: Francine Browmer Rumors; thrifted
  • Skirt: Luella for Target; thrifted
  • Leggings: Hot Chillys; thrifted
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Ring: Hand-me-down
  • Regular glasses
Despite my cavalier poses, I think that this outfit is missing something...perhaps bigger hair, more eye makeup, or some dark chunky jewelry.


My socks matched too!


♥Anna

Friday, March 20, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 14 March 2009


  • Necklaces: All hand-me-downs
  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • Tank: Hanes
  • Pants: Self Esteem; thrifted
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Watch: Casio
  • Pride wristband: SOU Women's Day festival
  • Regular glasses
Again, just sweats again (with the flames on), but to me it seems surprisingly classy. Close up of the bling:

Flickr

Do you ever dress up sweats? How do you do it?

♥Anna

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 13 March 2009

  • Dress: WD NY
  • Pants: No label, thrifted
  • Watch: Casio
  • Bracelet: Hand-me-down
  • Regular glasses
  • Boots: No label, thrifted
I like this outfit. It sort of reminds me of salwar kameez. Comfy and figure-flattering. Detail of the stuff on my wrist:

Flickr

The purple thing is a Bonfim wish ribbon.

Links:
  • Hey, want to see a video that makes me laugh so hysterically that I cry? It makes no sense. I'm really weird.
  • Probably my favorite stand-alone clip from The Venture Bros. Also makes me completely crack up. Makes more sense than the first video. :)
♥Anna

Things I Love Thursday-on-Friday: 20 March 2009


Photo by Tony Shi
  • The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show. The music of RHPS covered by punk bands. This is a good idea.
  • Linkin Park. I don't care that they're reviled by many for some reason. I love them!
  • Wool. I have so many new balls of wool for spinning in so many colors...I just love looking at them; they're so pretty!
  • Letterblox. It's the new game on iminlikewithyou (now renamed to OMGPOP), and it's right up my alley.
  • Getting the dorm room I wanted. Yay!
  • David Bowie.
♥Anna

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bad Movies

Okay, okay. This post isn't really related to fashion (but I mention Gareth Pugh, so it's okay).

I love bad movies. Perhaps better than actual good movies. To fall into this elusive "so-bad-it's good category" takes some skill and/or luck - every bombed film isn't going to cut it. Trust me, these ones are terribly awesome, so check them out via YouTube or Netflix.


Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy


If you couldn't tell from the title, this movie is plain Bad Idea. Summary: Scrawny Jewish boy falls in love with a girl who grew up in a family of professional wrestlers. Hijinks and trouble ensues. Oh yes, don't forget to add in every stereotype about every minority ever, an appearance by the writer (who is playing herself...meaning herself the writer in a scene that shatters the fourth wall), and grade-A movie cheese like an extended flashback into the main characters' childhoods. You have to try really hard to make a movie this bad.


Godzilla: Final Wars


If this film marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Godzilla series (2oo4) then why do the special effects look so bad? Seriously. You'll laugh at the nonsensical English lines, gasp at the appearance of every Godzilla monster ever created, and marvel at Don Frye, god among men. (Trust me, he's a badass. He's also in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy, amusingly enough.) I'm pretty sure there's aliens in this too. Does the plot really matter? Here there be monsters!


The Tingler


1950s horror. Giant rubber centipedes that live in your spine. Vincent Price takes LSD. FOR SCIENCE.


Spiderman 3


You probably saw this because you expected it to be good. Watch it again without expectations, and you'll find it's a comedic goldmine of awkward and plain WTF moments. How can you forget a strange gothic pimp Peter Parker strutting down the streets to a jazz tune? The pie scene? How hot James Franco is, even with half his face melted off?


Aelita: Queen of Mars


This Soviet sci-fi is a silent film, so you'll have to READ. Don't let that deter you. Some crazy man dreams of visiting Mars, where (surprise) the queen Aelita waits. Sadly, she doesn't quite approve of him raising up the Martian proletariat against the monarchy. Who would've guessed? The blatant propaganda is lol-worthy. Also enjoy the Gareth Pugh-like costuming.


Starcrash: The Adventures of Stella Star


This blatant (but extremely garbled) rip-off of Star Wars is probably best described as a bad porno - without the porn. It's simply a work of art. With David Hasselhoff. Yep.


Wizards (reviewed by Josh, as I have yet to see it)


"Wizards is a 1977 movie that combines Scooby-Doo quality animation with found footage & psychedelia. The movie takes place in a post-nuclear-holocaust world, where elves and faeries and Avatar, the good wizard, use magic to fight off the technology-wielding Nazi mutant forces of the evil Black Wolf, Avatar's brother. Watching the film, as I did, while bedridden with a fever is not advisable; the movie is best viewed in the company of MST3K fans, or perhaps while under sedation. It can be found in pieces on YouTube, at least for now. I recommend it; you will laugh, you may cry, and you might just learn something. Maybe."



Twice Upon a Time


To give it the credit it deserves, this film's form of cutout animation is quite visually stunning. To give you an idea of what is odd about it, here are a few tidbits: -There are long sequences of pointless banter because the producers could only afford improvisation comedians. -The movie was made in several versions, one of which contains adult language (now on YouTube). -The antagonist creates bombs that explode and create nightmares. Acid trip much? -Is it for children or adults? No one knows.



What are your favorite bad movies?

♥Anna

Daily Outfit Catchup: 12 March 2009

  • Tunic: Love by Design; thrifted
  • Leggings: Express
  • Socks: Marshalls
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Necklace: Hand-me-down
  • Ring: Hand-me-down
  • Watch: Casio
Pretending to be an angsty little girl? Maybe.

♥Anna

Daily Outfit Catchup: 11 March 2009

  • Sweatshirt: Rare Earth; Ashland, OR
  • Necklace: Hand-me-down
  • Pants: Vanilla Star
  • Boots: Santana Canada; thrifted
  • Glove: Army-navy store
  • Regular glasses
Another variation on my generic Ashland (or: How to Blend Into a Hippie Town) outfit. Now with super-chunky necklace.

Flickr

What are you wearing? (Imaging that not sounding creepy.)

♥Anna

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 10 March 2009

  • Bandanna: Thrifted
  • Top: H&M
  • Pants: Jerzees, hand-me-down
  • Shortalls: London London; thrifted
  • Boots: No label, thrifted
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
In all honesty, this was an "oh crap I haven't showered and I have to go do something I forgot about" outfit, but I decided to post it here anyway. A couple points of interest: 1. This is the first time I've ever worn shorts over pants. (I've worn 'em over leggings before, but not pants.) It was surprisingly comfy; probably because the shortalls are so roomy. 2. I'm wearing coveralls, so I can't help thinking of Engineer.


Yippee ki yaa he yay kyaah kayo!

♥Anna

Monday, March 16, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 9 March 2009

  • Bandanna: Thrifted
  • Hoodie: Freeze (I think)
  • Pants: Thrifted; no tag
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Socks: Gift
  • Regular glasses
Links:
  • Pinup for girl gamers. WANT. SO BADLY.
♥Anna

Daily Outfit Catchup: 8 March 2009

  • Scarf: Diane von Furstenberg; thrifted
  • Striped shirt: Express; thrifted
  • Tank: Marshalls
  • Belt: Walmart
  • Pants: Vanilla Star
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Glove: Army/Navy store
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
The day I wore this outfit was a fabulous one. First I went to the Ashland Chocolate Festival, then I went to a free dance to the music of Hair run by a Nia blackbelt in the museum. Crazy, huh? Neat stuff like that goes down all the time in Ashland. If you haven't heard of it, Nia is like a combination of meditation, yoga, dance, and tai chi. Really awesome. I wish I knew what it was before I went in jeans, but I still had the best time.

♥Anna

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 7 March 2009

  • Bandanna: Thrifted
  • Top: gb, thrifted
  • Pants: Jerzees; hand-me-down
  • Necklace: NY state fair, modified by me
  • Wrist warmer: Gift
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Watch: Casio
  • Pride wristband: SOU Women's Day festival
  • Regular glasses
Not to be an egomaniac, but DAMN. I am so proud of how often and how well I rock a plain ol' pair of hand-me-down sweatpants.

♥Anna

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 6 March 2009

Flickr

Flickr
  • Hat: Peruvian Trading Co.
  • Top: Chump Motocross; thrifted
  • Jeans: Hot Kiss
  • Boots: Santana Canada, thrifted
  • Belt: Walmart
  • Necklace: NY State Fair, modified by me
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
I'm not exactly sure what possessed me to buy this shirt. Maybe it's the pattern. Maybe it's the shininess. Maybe it's the colors. Sadly, I have never actually taken a ride on a motorcycle (but someday I will)! That being said, the mud on my leg is from stepping in a puddle, not some hardcore biking action.

Links:
♥Anna

Style Tips: Easy Mode


Photo by riot jane

I know that some of my readers already have a fabulous sense of style, but my blog was started for...well, myself, but also for sartorial n00bs. Hopefully this post will serve as a guide for funking up a case of the common outfit (or a refresher for those of you who've been there, done that).
  • Scarves, scarves, scarves. I'm talking about lightweight silk scarves, shawls, winter scarves, bandannas, anything; in all materials, sizes and shapes. They're everywhere, they're cheap, and they're probably the easiest sartorial tool to utilize. Fold a square one in half and put it on your head or wear it around your neck (point forward like a cowboy or in back like Hank Venture). Use a long one as a belt or a headband. Experiment with where & how you tie it (brush up on fancy knots). Tie one on your belt loop, around your arm, a tank top strap, a purse, your ankle...anything. A piece of scrap fabric works just as well, too.
  • Layering. I've been rocking the short-sleeves over long-sleeves look forever (and also getting compliments) but only recently diversified my layers. Plain ribbed tanks are a good lightweight alternative to sweater vests over sleeved shirts. Contrasting socks look awesome over bright tights or leggings. Putting a shirt on over a dress turns it into a brand new skirt. If you need help, there are innumerable articles on this.
  • Belt loops are not just for belts. Attach a scarf, necklce, ribbon, keychain, bracelet, toy...anything. Great for a fun look and also an easy way to tie in an isolated color somewhere else in your outfit.
  • Simple color coordination works wonders. For example, you can go nuts mixing patterns if they all contain the same few colors. If a color looks too out of place in an outfit, find a place for a small accessory in the same color. Sometimes fashion magazines will tell you to avoid being all "matchy-matchy", but I personally think it's crap. Coordinate items most people wouldn't think of, like umbrellas to your outfit or towels to your bathing suit. It really makes you look like you know what you're doing.
  • Don't seperate your dress-up clothes from your casual clothes. Wear super-fancy pieces with the basics. Why have a bunch of pretty clothes you never wear? I occassionally even dress down my old prom dresses!
  • Name your outfits. I think the key to unique outfits is almost treating them as costumes. I constantly dress up (subtly) as video game characters. I'm not talking about full-on cosplay; just try to capture the essence of something in the outfit. Examples of (non-video game- or pop culture-related) outfits I've worn and named: Indie Farm Girl, Tough Love, Ninja Skater, Semi-formal Beach, Hipster Jock, Russian Bombshell. It seems silly, but it really helps. And no one has to know the theme of your outfit but you! Try dressing with the essence of a hybrid sartorial stereotype, your favorite song, a best friend, an animal...anything.
More "advanced" style tips coming soon!

♥Anna

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 4 March 2009

  • Hat: Self-made from yarn scraps
  • Sweatshirt: Otomix; thrifted
  • Tank: Hanes
  • Pants: No label (I think homemade); thrifted
  • Shoes: Saucony
  • Necklace: NY State Fair; modified by me
  • Regular glasses
I love the pants, they're so funkadelic! Also, the hat I made is pretty sweet - it's grunge-chic but still a little sophisticated (I think due to the color pallete).

Flickr

Links:
♥Anna

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 26 February 2009


I'm posing almost exactly how Gala Darling often does. Hee!
  • Hat: Thrifted; no label
  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • Shirt: French Connection
  • Leggings: Express
  • Skirt: Luella for Target; thrifted
  • Socks: Hanes
  • Boots: No label; thrifted
  • Regular glasses
Links (all videos):
♥Anna

Friday, March 13, 2009

Daily Outfit + Links Catchup: 25 February 2009

  • Sweatshirt: WD NY
  • Belt: Windsor
  • Necklace: Hand-me-down
  • Skirt: Jade Jade Jade; thrifted
  • Boots: Santana Canada; thrifted
  • Socks: Marshalls
  • Regular glasses
I wore this to see the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's performance of The Music Man. SO WORTH IT! The actor that plays Marcellus is deaf and completely amazing. If you're in the area and like musicals, MUST SEE.

Links:
♥Anna

Daily Outfit Catchup: 24 February 2009

  • Sweater: DKNY; thrifted
  • Shirt (underneath): H&M
  • Jeans: Vanilla Star
  • Boots: Snowland; thrifted
  • Headscarf: Self-made
  • Watch: Casio
  • Regular glasses
Comfeh-cozy. :V

♥Anna

Things I Love Thursday: 12 March 2009


Photo by simv

  • The Goth aesthetic. I'm sort of back into it, albeit not as stereotypically as I was during my Awkward Teen Goth Stage (tm).
  • The Venture Bros. I guess I'm on an Adult Swim kick? I don't know, all I know is that it's a hilarious cartoon.
  • The hoard of hand-me-down jewelry I recently received. I feel like I robbed a dragon or something. Shiny!
  • Beautiful weather.
  • A little over a month until my birthday!
  • Everyone who loves me. :)
♥Anna

Monday, March 9, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 21 February 2009


Flickr
(That's apple juice! Really!)
  • Hat: Peruvian Trading Co.
  • Sweatshirt: Otomix, thrifted
  • Tank: Hanes
  • Jeans: Hot Kiss
  • Boots: Santana Canada, thrifted
  • Necklace: New York state fair, modified by me
  • Regular glasses
Wore this to the (very) aforementioned Albino! concert (and was photographed for looking awesome...okay, just for the hat).

Also, I am vair vair sorry for being somewhat of a deadbeat blogger recently. :[ Any fellow bloggeurs have tips about getting out of a non-posting rut?

♥Anna

Friday, March 6, 2009

Things I Love Thursday: 6 March 2009


Vintage postcard uploaded by wackystuff

I should rename my version of TiLT "Things I Love Friday", amiright? It always ends up posted then...
  • Sexy dreams. I just woke up from one, so perhaps it's a little more on my mind than usual...
  • Spinning. Making your own yarn is fun! I highly recommend it.
  • My new pants. Like the awesome hat I showed off this week, you shall soon see them in an outfit picture.
  • Valve. (The corporation that makes Team Fortress 2, for the uninformed.) I love them so much because they incorporate internet memes into their updates. The recent Scout update includes new voice responses that reference Vince Offer of Shamwow and Slapchop infomercial fame. Way to win my heart! Okay, I'm a huge nerd. But I'm not afraid to say it!
  • Not being on the East Coast for that Nor'easter. Hahahah! Suckers!
  • Ashland's Chocolate Festival! It starts today! I can't wait to get stuffed with gourmet chocolate!
  • This song. Hee.
What's twitterpating you today, darlings?

♥Anna

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Daily Outfit Catchup: 20 February 2009

  • Necklace: New York state fair, modified by me
  • Long-sleeve shirt: Express, thrifted
  • T-shirt: Thrifted
  • Jeans: Hot Kiss
  • Boots: Snowland, thrifted
  • Watch: Casio
This shirt was purchased because of my love of all things military. Also, what's with me and fierce outfit pictures? Woo:

Flickr

♥Anna