Saying Yes!

I've noted that I have gotten older. I am not as young as a lot of people mistake me to be. I am in fact 31 not 24 or 25. I just like to enjoy life and play young like I am still 24 or 25. Lately I've noticed that I haven't been playing as much as I used to and I miss that. Going out and doing something a little impulsive, not fretting about the fact that I have work the next day or how my body aches.

Part of the reasons I have gotten (as I see it) more dull is due to marriage (comfort and security), house and bills such as car payments, gym memberships etc. The thoughts of having children are now weighing heavily and I most certainly do not want kids to dictate who I am in life. I think that before that last straw is placed on my freedom I must live more. By that I mean saying yes to as many life experiences as I can squeeze in. I want to make many more memories before I am tied down a bit more permanently with a child in tow. It almost feels like that 30 before 30 syndrome all over again where I feel the need to do as much as I can before I am responsible for another living being.

My upcoming trip to NYC is what made me have these silly deep thoughts. I was invited to this party which could be an amazing life experience even though it isn't quite my scene, but I've always wanted to go to one of these types of overdressed Gothic Lolita Alternative NYC parties. I was battling with the idea this morning and now I feel committed to going. Along with that I need to figure out what to wear. I have a hair appointment Thursday and I plan to get the below style. I've missed having some blunt bangs to make my make up more streamlined so I'll be going back to that. Also this clean bob will give me no angst in the morning in terms of styling it.

I was hoping to pack a light suitcase but I think I'll have to take my favorite Vivienne Westwood shoes for the party. I also need to play some dressup for some outfit ideas. With longer blunt bangs I won't get as much play in eye shadow so I'll need to think of my eyeliner and false lashes and how to really push that.

Now to make my list of things to conquer when I head to New York!

Cheers!

SBB Gala & What I wore to it

Wednesday night I went the first SBB Gala event where they celebrated their clients and customers and the great things that we have going on in Columbus, Ohio.  It was simply lovely, I was thrilled to see Columbus out and about in their finery with our own quirky indie flavors and artists personalities, even the average joe brought it that night in terms of dressing up.  There was a great crowd and so much local love and support going around.  It is always amazing to me how many people I know in Columbus when I go to events such as this.  I never think about it till my friends point out that I seem to know everyone there. 

Walker Evans and his wife Ann representing their amazing website Columbus Underground presenting an award.

Then we had Adam Brouillette of little Industries, Couchfire Collective, Junctionview Studios and lastly Wonderland Columbus.  He is a force of support for local artists and arts groups which he presented an award for.

Some of my Favorite Ladies from the Crafty Cotillion were there in High Spirits both presenting and receiving awards!
What the Rock?! Mike and Heather got Best gift store and Olivera from Wholly Craft was supposed to be presenting with Jen but she got lost somewhere

Wolf did his best girly voice and tried to fill in.
My Lady friend Rogue Magnolia aka Texas Chainsaw Sasskicker was presenting with her fellow OHRG's (Ohio Roller Girls)

There was a ton of great music, one of the bands of the night was The Wet Darlings.  Whom I had seen one other time and really enjoyed them. I know they've been around awhile but I'm not not in tune with the Local music scene as I should be.

This is what I wore! I'm being so narcisstic with the camera remote.  I tried to look elegant here on the eight foot cat tree.

BAM! headpiece from Janine Basil on Etsy (rhinestones done by me)

Lilo & Stitch necklace by Tragic Stitches

Toki Doki "I Love LA" Watch

ABS Champagne Strapless Silk Organza Dress
Vivienne Westwood X Melissa Wing shoes
Rosary Ring from Vatican City Rome
Rhinestone Octopus ring NYC Garment District

A better close up of my makeup and necklace with a little bit of coverup since I apparently wanted to just show off the goods in this photo.

This photo is when I was super sad and realized I lost my single white mink fur earring from my best friend in Korea.  I miss it so much but I have already ordered some new supplies via Etsy to make myself  a new one or ten.........

Things Collected

Do you remember that first time you purchased an original designer item?  That newness and feeling of exclusiveness?  Such fond memories.  Saving up every dollar just to have it even if you bought it on Discount from TJ Maxx or Filene's basement it was still of designer quality and name.

I'm getting those same happy feelings everytime I look at my successful purchase of my first Vivienne Westwood Rocking Horse, Anglomania/Melissa shoes.  For months I had been hunting down the coveted shoes which I first glanced at Style Bubble.  But I wanted them even more when she got her own pair here.
At the time of course I could buy it right from the site but I put it off not thinking it would be so popular because they are this silly jelly heavy things.  I forgot how obsessed asians (especially Japanese) could be over Vivienne Westwood anything and at $190 it really wasn't bad.  Finally they came out with this beautiful red pair.

They had to be mine but I couldn't afford it at the time.  Carefully I saved my pennies and then they were sold out.  Don't you just hate that?!  I spent the next 3 months scouring the interwebs to find them at any price.  But I had no luck.  Every single day I went to Hervia.com to put my e.mail down for notification when they would be back in stock.  The unsaid answer was never.   Just as I was about to throw in the towel and cry in my kitties belly, Endless.com had them and in my SIZE!  If you don't quite know me I am petite with a size 5 foot so finding any designer shoe in my size is near a miracle on it's own.

"Forget the carpayment, it will just have to be late this month" is what I told myself and quickly added it to my electronic shopping cart and without even looking I went to "Check out".  I was done even better was the free overnight shipping.  It was a Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving but my shipping confirmation said I would have it by Friday.  By Golly I did!

As soon as I came home from work I immediately slipped them on with no regard to my ultra conservative khaki's and dress shirt.  I might of even taken a nap in them, I'm not totally sure because I was in a euphoria of happiness.

It really is a shame that it is snowing outside so these beauties have only been worn around the house.  It makes me feel like a 50's housewive doing the vacumming in her pumps.

Photo from here

The process of Nana Part 1

So as a lot of people already know I am a little obsessed with the Manga called NaNa.  I am even re-creating one of her outfits for Ohayocon.    This is the post showing my progress on the project.

It is unfortunately somewhat knocking off a Vivienne Westwood design which does irk me a little.  I hate to me imitating anyone but in my defense this is considered a costume.  I didn't go balls to the walls and get red wool coating like I could have and I picked a herringbone patterned black wool for the heart.

Fabrics were bought Locally at "Sew to Speak"

Black wool Herringbone, Red Velveteen, and This polyester white, yellow and grey tartan tafetta.

Next was the Draping and patterning followed by Cutting

For this I did a short cropped jacket with a flounce attached, it has two hidden pockets with flaps, rounded almost shawl like collar with the heart closure and one-piece long sleeves.  Also it has same fabric facing to attach the china silk lining to the interior.  I use a combination of Multiple Weights, "Mark-b-gone" markers and Clover quilter's chalk when laying out my patterns.  Another funny thing that I do is that I make my patterns with NO seam allowance.  I add the seam Allowance when I am tracing the patterns onto the fabric.  This gives me leeway for grading or resolving problems I might have forgotten earlier or just spotted.  Usually I can catch everything when I do the first muslin mockup but we all make mistakes, especially when you are sick and it is freezing cold in the basement where your studio happens to be.

Currently I am still sewing the pieces together.  I of course serged all the main body edges and I will only serge some of the lining because I don't want to bulk it up.  I also avoided serging the upper collar to keep it from bulking up as well.  Alright that is all for now, back to sewing and starting the skirt.  Keep tuned for Part 2

Rocking the Horse

I hate when Christmas lists escape me.   All the things I want I forget to put down in time.  Such as Rocking Horse Shoes.  In particular these Vivienne Westwood's.  I just saw them again on Style Bubble and coveted them instantly all over again.

Although I know most would say I am too old to think and dress like a Gothic Lolita deep down in my heart I still want to do it.  I like to use Ohayocon as my excuse to play dress up. Though I doubt I will have a full Lolita outfit I will still most likely portray my current Favorite Anime Character Nana Osaki from the NaNa manga.

I did find some decent imitation Vivienne Westwood Rocking horse Shoes on Ebay which I think I might Purchase this year for Ohayocon in January.

I'll make a larger blog about my love for Gothic Lolita Another day.  I still have TONS of things to do before Christmas and errands to run!