Ways to Do a Thing

by Valerie on Sunday, July 18, 2010

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover [VIDEO]:

16 ways to annoy people:

1. Specify that your drive-thru order is “to go.”

2. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.

3. Start each meal by conspicuously licking all your food, and announce that this is so no one will “swipe your grub.”

4. Name your dog “Dog.”

5. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions “to keep them tuned up.”

6. Reply to everything someone says with “that’s what you think.”

7. Claim that you must always wear a bicycle helmet as part of your “astronaut training.”

8. Follow a few paces behind someone, spraying everything they touch with a can of Lysol.

9. Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.

10. Do not add any inflection to the end of your sentences, producing awkward silences with the impression that you’ll be saying more any moment.

11. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you “like it that way.”

12. Sing along at the opera.

13. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies.

14. In the memo field of all your checks, write “for sensual massage.”

15. Practice making fax and modem noises.

16. Write the surprise ending to a novel on its first page.

via dbooth

3 ways to wear a skirt:

Look 1: by the hour… glass
I took Dave Matthews seriously when he said, “hike up your skirt a little more.” You can pull long skirts up to your chest and sport them as a dress instead. Try belting it to add a little more shape.

Sally Scott skirt (gift from Marlena [thankies, Marlena! I love it xD])
vintage glasses and brooch
LeTigre cardigan sweater
hot pink belt (swapped with Lydia)
nylon socks from ebay
Melissa shoes

Look 2: trapeze swinger
Same skirt-worn-as-a-dress trick, except in a trapeze silhouette—it’s most forgiving on days when you’re feeling bloated. Also, did somebody say all you can eat buffet? Bring it on.

vintage denim vest
Mickey Mouse watch (gift from my mom)
Slow and Steady wins the Race oxfords
thrifted Polo brown leather belt
straw boater hat from ebay

Look 3: skirting the issue
Of course, sometimes a skirt is best worn as such. I like the idea of balancing out the demure length and fancy style of this one by pairing it with a casual cropped sweatshirt.

American Apparel heather grey cropped hoodie
friendship bracelets
self-made necklace and studded bangle
Pierre Hardy for Gap shoes

Twilight

by Valerie on Friday, July 16, 2010

I know what you’re thinking and the answer is no. I’m not referring to the hyped vampire series. Sadly it’s not the hankering Elliott Smith song either.

twi·light (twī’līt’)
n.
1.
a. The diffused light from the sky during the early evening or early morning when the sun is below the horizon and its light is refracted by the earth’s atmosphere.
b. The time of the day when the sun is just below the horizon, especially the period between sunset and dark.
2. Dim or diffused illumination.
3. A period or condition of decline following growth, glory, or success: in the twilight of his life.
4. A state of ambiguity or obscurity.


floral wreath – salvaged from my niece’s communion veil
Sleepyhead romper – self-made
silver moonstone ring – gift from Loraine
nude flats – Capezio

It might have been too predictable to wear a star romper on the fourth of July. That night we found a good spot near the bay to ensure clear view of the fireworks. Isn’t that what happens after you’ve made the switch from adolescence to early adulthood? Things that were fun when you were a kid become exciting again. Like playing Scattegories around a coffee table or boonie stomping adventures. Or do I kid myself into thinking this, obviously still suffering from the Peter Pan syndrome?

Every time a really impressive fat one shot up and exploded in mid-air, the kids behind us yelled, “Whoa, Whoooooaaa, I like that one!” My eyes were following the little one, overshadowed by its preceding spectacles, barely making it somewhere below center show, just before scattering haphazardly like a dozen inebriated Tinkerbells.


photos by Francis

Shop Update

by Valerie on Saturday, July 3, 2010


(click image to shop)
Some of these have sold already, but there are still a few left. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Rosemary’s Babydoll

by Valerie on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

“This is your pick, right? It’s either going to be a classic or gay.” That’s what Francis said as he peeled open envelopes from our latest Netflix shipments.

“Am I that predictable?” Close enough, the first was Wet Hot American Summer—a cult classic including the gay sex scene that will never again let me revere Bradley Cooper in a devilishly handsome heartthrob sort of light. Instead I will only ever picture him—him, with those piercing blue eyes, that wind-swept dirty blonde hair, my god the titillating five o’clock shadow—taking it IN THE BUTT.

Way to ruin it for a girl.

Spot on, the second was Rosemary’s Baby—a classic horror/thriller/drama. Except it wasn’t all that scary as I anticipated. I kept waiting for goosebumps crawl up my arms like the way it did when Georgie winked through the photograph in It; or the closet scene from The Ring when the school girl is curled up at the corner in a fetal position—nothing could prepare you for an expression of sheer terror like that. But the truth is, although very suspenseful, Rosemary’s Baby wasn’t scary at all. Discounting the idea of having super snoopy next door neighbors, which is pretty alarming in itself.

Instead I found myself distracted by protagonist Rosemary Woodhouse’s wardrobe and styling—teeny trapeze minis, over-sized lapels and collars, dainty pea coats, timeless Ferragamo flats, strappy summer skimmers, and best of all, babydoll silhouettes galore! *Sigh* She had a closet made of dreams.


Images above courtesy of mptvimages.com

In one scene, Rosemary arrives home with a fresh pixie cut and asks her husband Guy what he thinks of the iconic new ‘do. Without a doubt, Guy says something along the lines of, oh, idk…it sucks. A familiar reaction. Just then, Francis and I both sneak sideways glances at each other. He must have caught some glare from the light bulb hovering over my head ’cause right away he says, “Nope, don’t even think about it. You promised you’d grow your hair out!” What’s it with dudes and a preference for long hair? This is an argument I can never win because a promise is a promise. Even though I’m terribly tempted to hack it all off with sewing shears in the next room.

braided hair headband – eBay
bow tie – self-made
gold onyx ring – heirloom from Mom
dress – reconstructed vintage

Black and Blue

by Valerie on Thursday, June 24, 2010


photos by Francis

We chased clouds until sunset, but I only managed to capture the sun and it’s hidden up my sleeve.

leopard cardigan – Ross
floral dress – reconstructed secondhand
leather belt – Polo
rock bracelet – gift from Michelle
silver rings – gifts from Loraine
shoes – Keds

Mark as Flagged

by Valerie on Thursday, June 10, 2010


photos by Francis

At the Micronesia Mall movie theaters, the early bird special is the first show of the day. It usually accommodates very little people. The kind of people who prefer to watch a movie in quiet than with a huge crowd. The ones who’d like their pick of the best seats in the house. They’d rather sneak in a footlong Italian BMT with the works on honey oat bread and extra provolone cheese than order a large popcorn at the concession stand. Also, they are willing to wake up 3 hours earlier than usual to save the extra 3 bucks. Hard times, man.

This is what I wore to watch Ironman 2, which wasn’t bad by any means, but wasn’t mind blowing either. The climax might have been seeing Scarlett Johansson in a catsuit. What-a-babe. Robert Downey Jr. is a curious fellow. I think I like him for his character flaws just as much as his razor sharp wit. I guess it’s just a whole lot more interesting to read the stories of people who have colossally screwed up and come back better for it. Rather than the ones who’ve done things right all the time from the start.

neneee carnival dress - (self-made)
neon glitter bracelet – gift from Kristen
classic friendship/beaded bracelets – thrifted
silver studded bangle – self-made
aqua bike shorts – flea market
sequined bowler shoes – wantedshoes

One Small Girl in a Tree

by Valerie on Wednesday, June 9, 2010

On the coffee table, there’s a mountain pile of tissue soaked in green phlegm, 1 Logitech universal remote control, 36 short films amounting to 11 hours on 4 DVDs of Charlie Chaplin’s short films, 1 copy of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing by Kathleen Fasenella, 8 caplets American Fare Cold & Flu medicine (may cause drowsiness), 2 empty wooden coasters, the Maxx Barry novel Syrup, 1 Webster’s New World Pocket dictionary, and a tube of cherry-flavored chapstick. On the couch, there’s me and a black corduroy comforter. Bah, it’s been over a week. What the duck, antibodies?! Get with it!

After we took these photos some few weeks ago, I asked Francis to scrap them because my outfit was sort of plain Jane. Thank goodness he didn’t because today I’m caving to the sound of those awful chirping crickets.

Sometimes I find myself more open to an outfit/collection/artist/opinion/everything if I can see where it’s coming from:

Cover art for the Broadway musical Once on This Island. This also prompted me to blast the original score on repeat for three-days-straight. You should have seen Francis’s head explode. Poor guy.

I’m not quite sure what’s what with teenagers these days—somehow I get the impression it’s gotta involve that Michael Cera dude or forget about it—but back then, professing your love for Broadway musicals was tantamount to committing social suicide. The art kids created visually stimulating drawings. The band geeks made magic brass and string harmonies. And the choir could lull you off to oblivion like Sirens.

But the theater guild (read: drama freaks)—we were like the bottom feeders of the fine arts electives. Not the surgeons saving lives and stuff, just the dentists pulling teeth. The irony was that people I’ve met through theater were always the most genuine and sincere in real life; they were the coolest. Either that or they were really good actors. Which, let’s face it, is not the case particularly with live theater when everything has to be over-exaggerated for the stage.

Reena used to say, “I have no room for drama in my life,” but she lied because our lives revolved around it.

peasant dress & wooden necklace – self-made
beaded bracelet – Gallop USA
silver rings – gifts from Loraine
mint green sandals – Ecote

Tweedleduhhh

by Valerie on Friday, May 28, 2010


Photos by Francis

Babysitting duties and a conversation with my boyfriend and niece… babysitting my boyfriend, not my niece, just to clarify.

Francis: You wanna watch Alice in Wonderland?

Kristen: Oh, I watched that! There’s a rabbit with the watch and it’s ticking. Then she falls in the hole and her hair’s upside down…

Francis: I don’t think she’s seen it; it’s not even out yet.

me: She probably saw it in the theaters. Listen, she’s explaining the entire plot.

Kristen: And then she gives the monster back his eye. And the white queen—

me: Play something else. What about The Fantastic Mr. Fox? Have you seen it?

Kristen: Oh, I know that

Francis: Hmmm… I doubt you’ve seen that one, what happens then?

Kristen:
Uhhh, their neighbors are not like, that fantastic.

striped top – Comme des Garcons
necklace – originally Francis’s pocket watch (I used it as a pendant xD)
trousersuit – self-made from men’s trousers
silver rings – gifts from Loraine
socks – eBay
checkerboard shoes – Betsey Johnson

Midnight Mischief

by Valerie on Tuesday, May 25, 2010

It’s not breaking and entering if there are no doors.

polar opposites dress – selfmade
evenstar necklace – eBay
studded bangle – selfmade
silver rings – gifts from Loraine
beaded clutch – vintage
platforms – Pierre Hardy for Gap

My Precious

by Valerie on Friday, May 21, 2010

Three awesome new additions to my jewelry box:
1. The leaves of Lorien
2. Arwen’s evenstar necklace
3. Gandolf’s brooch

These are so fun! I can see the brooches as a quirky touch to my everyday twee outfits on colorful cardigan sweaters. Arwen’s delicate necklace would pair well with soft chiffon maxi dresses with low necklines or even a sheer Edwardian blouse with long, billowy sleeves.


This Slytherin locket was originally what I was searching for when I discovered the LOTR costume jewelry—keyword spamming is not such a terrible thing after all. Since forever ago, I’ve been wanting a long antique gold necklace with a gigantic pendant to top my simple sundresses with. And because everyday is a summer day on Guam, I wear A LOT of sundresses. Which is to say, I’d wear the necklace a lot. So I wanted it to be special and kind of esoteric and a Slytherin locket seemed like the best bet. Problem is, it’s nowhere to be found! Well, at least not the version pictured above. I’ve searched the ends of the internet—every crevice in eBay, etsy and google—and the only thing that comes close is this locket from The Noble Collection:

Bummer it’s in metal :/ I have to admit how much I love that they included Regulus Black’s letter to Voldemort though. Even if it does seem a little gimmicky.

Since we’re on horcruxes though, how’s this for Marvolo Gaunt’s ring?

Except I imagine it to be encased in tarnished gold. I like how a gem, something that’s normally meant to be elegant and polished, can also be as raw and imperfect as this one.

On a side note, my big brother is a bona fide Harry Potter haterader. I can already hear him snickering under his breath all the way from Gainesville at the idea of a post even remotely relating to HP. So as a preemptive move against his backhanded remarks, I just wanna say—go do some calculus, or physics, or how about reverse engineering YOUR SKINNY BUTT, smarty pants!

Ahem, now where were we? Right, so while I’m still on the hunt for a horcrux (get it? get it? ha ha. I can be so lame), these *hunches forward and taps fingers together in an all-conspiring gesture* preciouses will suit me just dandy.

mustard cardigan – vintage
Leaves of Lorien brooch – eBay
ascot top – Zara
polka dot skirt – thrifted (no label)
mary janes – Nine West

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