Friday, June 29, 2012

Blue Skies

One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite song is "Because I've seen, whoa, blue skies through the tears in my eyes" (bonus point to whoever guesses the song first ;-). Not that I'm crying today, but this blue dress reminds me of the song. I don't wear blue very often. This dress is really growing on my tho', & I always get compliments when I wear it. Plus, it's super comfy!

What I'm wearing:
Blue knit dress, Ruche | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black wedge mary-janes, Kenneth Cole Reaction (thrifted) | Black & white skull-print scarf, gift from my husband | Black shell dangly earrings, random accessory store | Revlon "Raisin Rage" lipstick


Are there certain colors you don't wear or very rarely wear, even tho' they look good on you?

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Everybody's a Rockstar Sometimes

This wacky skirt was made for me by my dear friend Donna. She found the fabric somewhere & whipped it into this adorable retro skirt. The print is wild, with diamonds & words like "punk princess," "crazy," "i *heart* music," & "rockstar" scribbled all over it.

Sometimes, when I'm feeling down, this skirt is a great pick-me-up. Because I am a rockstar. Maybe not every day & maybe not in the Van Halen / Lady Gaga / Sisters of Mercy sense of the word. But I've got little things that make me a rockstar sometimes. Like, I'm a rockstar at fact-checking text under a deadline. And I'm a rockstar at making sneakily strong cosmos. I'm a rockstar to my tabby cat at whatever I do. I'm a rockstar at running & publicizing costume events. I'm a rockstar at finding the one gothable clothing item in a totally boring normal old-lady clothing store. I'm a rockstar at organizing a china cabinet. I'm a rockstar at accessorizing historical costumes.


So what makes you a rockstar? Is it styling victory rolls? Is it organizing digital photos? Is it walking in 4" heels? Is it painting walls with no drips? Is it making scrambled eggs? Is it negotiating a good deal? Is it doing a somersault? It could be anything! Share in the comments or write your own blog post & link to it. Remind the world how you're a rockstar today!

What I'm wearing:
Pink & white rockstar skirt, made by Donna
Black knit bow-tie top, Target
Black tights, unknown brand
Black T-strap flats, Aldo
Pink dangly earrings, Ruche

Monday, June 25, 2012

Spiderwebs, Purple, Stripes

Not sure why, but I seem to wear spiderweb tights with these purple shoes. Maybe it's how the spiderwebs show thru the strappy tops of the shoes. I just seem to reach for these pumps when I've put on these tights. The stripes, however, were an afterthot because I figured I'd need a sweater in case of office air-conditioning.

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe sweater, Chadwicks | Purple knit top, NY & Company | Black cotton tiered skirt, thrift store | Black elastic belt, NY & Company | Black spiderweb tights, Leg Avenue | Purple cross-strap pumps, Aldo | Silver medallion necklace, vintage Avon via eBay | Purple bat-painted pearl-drop earrings, local artist | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, Icing | Purple lipstick, Make Up For Ever




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

CorpGoth the Migraineur

I had no idea until recently that June is National Migraine Awareness Month. See, I'm a migraineur -- one who suffers from chronic migraines. So I'm going to add a few posts between now & the end of the month about migraines, much of which are things I've written on my LiveJournal in the past to describe my experiences.

Basically, I've had a headache for 27 years now, off & on. Since about age 16, I've been prone to a migraine every couple of weeks, just like my mother (it's totally genetic). I've tried most every medication available & am currently on a preventive med cocktail that reduces the frequency & severity. But they're still there. When I'm under bright lights, when I hear loud noises, when I don't eat on time, when a weather front comes in, or for no reason at all, I might get a searing, debilitating pain in my brain.

It's like this. I think these chronic pain syndromes are kind of like having a third leg. But it's a useless limb, vestigial, totally immobile, you can't do a thing with it. The leg just hangs there, in my case, out of my skull. It's just this *thing*. It's in the way. It's heavy. It's bothersome.

For me, it doesn't always hurt like hell. It often is just a nag, a trouble, a burden. Like carrying around a third leg. It gets in my way. Makes doing everyday things pretty hard. Not impossible. You figure out ways around it.

Since the third leg is growing out of my skull, I can actually function pretty well -- it's like an enormous & very ugly turban or one giant freaky dreadlock. Sometimes it blocks my view or makes it hard to lift my neck. Really makes it difficult to get out of bed some mornings.

But I've learned how to adjust after all these years, & there are plenty of days where me & the third leg move along alright. I kinda strap it on my back, & it's more like I have a hump. And you can deal with a hump more easily. I sit a little differently, I'm not comfortable, but I can get around OK.

Then there are the days when I just want to cut that fucking third leg off, goddammit. Get a hacksaw & rip the cocksucker to threads. Chew it down to a stump with my own teeth, if only I could reach it. But I can't. Nothing cuts through the bloody thing. Not a single thing dents it. It swings around in my face, mocking me, taunting me, slapping me upside the ears, pulling down on my skin, making my eyes bleed, ripping out my earlobes, twitching, snaking everywhere. After it's done torturing me, I'm an exhausted wreck with no visible scars. Still have that floppy third leg on my head that nobody else can see.

And then it goes dormant for few days, like it's tired out too. I can tuck it up under a hat for a bit & pretend it doesn't exist. Imagine I'm a normal girl. Without a third leg. And mostly, I'll just deal. I'll be OK. I've dealt with it so long, it's second nature. It's like, well, it's a part of me. It's another limb. It's a part of my body that behaves in this weird manner, not especially practical or attractive, but manageable simply because I'm so used to it.

It's not horrible, I'm not dying, I'm not totally crippled. I have two perfectly useful legs that get me around just fine. The third one isn't interfering with them at all. But it's still there, in the way, & I can't ignore it. Not for too long, anyway.


National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Keeping It Casual

True enough, I was exhausted from my weekend yesterday & wore a plain black knit dress to work. I'm still pretty beat, so I just wore jeans today, but jazzed it up a bit with accessories.

What I'm wearing:
Red knit top, NY & Company | Black jeans, Levis | Black buckled wedge sandals, Kohl's | Black beaded waterfall necklace, Torrid | Jet hoop earrings, gift from a friend | Red flower pin in hair, random accessory store

Friday, June 15, 2012

Nifty Things I've Read This Week (With Bonus Video)

I'm off to another historical costume event this weekend (starting Friday night, in fact). So I'm leaving you with a bunch of cool things I've read this week. Just in case I'm so knackered on Monday that I wear a boring repeat & don't post a new outfit ;-)

Why you should dress your age -- The Dashing Eccentric happily reminds us that your age is part of who you are, so express it in your fashion.

Why I blog my daily outfits -- Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen tells it like it is! Love this so much.

Learning self-discipline -- Laina of Keeping Off 200 Pounds is so inspiring. She is the epitome of "just do it."

Stretch your fashion dollar -- Jean of All Trades has a guest post at Be In Style about getting the biggest bang for your sartorial budget.

How to reinvent your wardrobe -- Juilet's Lace has a few handy tips for starting a closet overhaul.

Thoughts on the ethics of wearing ethnic clothing -- Sal of Already Pretty takes a careful look at what it means to wear ethnic clothing.

Cheap chic ruined us -- Salon interviews the author of "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Price of Cheap Fashion," about the economics behind the stuff we buy at Target, Forever 21, & H&M.

Research shows people judge you by your shoes -- SiouxieLaw discusses a fascinating study (also, cool shoe links!).

Science proves that horizontal stripes don't make you look fatter -- Erin of Dress-a-Day shares this important bit of news.

The disappearing double chin trick for portrait photography -- On LaughingSquid, a professional photographer shows how to easily improve photographs of yourself.

Simple things you can do to bring your A-game to costuming -- Sarah of Mode Historique reminds us that it's really about the head-to-toe look. Keep this in mind if you're doing Victorian & steampunk.

Canadian girl makes graduation dress out of her math homework -- Talk about recycling :-)

Lastly, one of my very favorite songs ever, which has been stuck in my head -- "All in My Mind" by Love & Rockets. Happy weekend!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Apparently, It Was Sleeveless Week

I didn't plan it that way, but the weather just encouraged me to go sleeveless all week! Besides, I love this ruffled top (even tho' its solid blackness is difficult to photograph). Sleeveless for the commute, cardigan in the office.

What I'm wearing:
Black ruffled sleeveless knit top, Macy's | Black & white spiderweb- print skirt, made by me | Black elastic belt, NY & Company | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black lace-up, spool-heel boots, Target | Black & white stripe dangly earrings, Kohl's | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, Icing


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Summer Flowers

Still hot, so here's how I cope. Another sleeveless dress, livened up with prints. How are you coping with summer?

What I'm wearing:
Black sheath dress, Target | Purple, blue, & white floral scarf, Old Navy | Plum tights, unknown brand | Purple velvet ankle-strap pumps, Rocket Dog | Silver filigree earrings, Target | Purple & grey flower hair pins, random accessory store


Monday, June 11, 2012

Into the Oven

I took these photos at 8am, & it was already 70 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The high was in the 90s today. I brought a lightweight black cardigan to wear inside the air-conditioned office, but otherwise, ugh, I was glad to go sleeveless. Guess summer is here for real!

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey knit dress, Coldwater Creek | Black elastic belt with silver flower, NY & Company | Black lace tights, Target
Black round-toe pumps, Target | Hematite beaded necklace, gift from a friend | Silver cameo earrings, vintage | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, Icing


Friday, June 8, 2012

Red & Black Week Flashback

This is my last post for Red & Black Week 2012, & I don't have a new outfit because I'm working from home. So I thought I'd recap *last* year's outfits, since I tried hard this year to not repeat major elements from then. Let's see how I did!

In June 2011, I wore three red & black outfits, & this year I increased that by one. Seems about right since I tend to go into the office three or four days a week. You can see the full outfit details by clicking on the captions below.

Red pussy-bow & black pinstripes - 06/06/11
Black jeans & red boots - 06/07/11
Black & white stripes with red - 06/09/1

I managed to not repeat any of the red items this year, tho' I did consider it. I don't have the red dress from June 9 anymore -- it always felt too short for work, & I didn't get enough weekend wear out of it to justify keeping it. I think I got more creative this year, probably because I planned in advance! And buying more red items (the dress worn this June 4 & the shoes on June 6) inspired me.


How was your Red & Black Week? Did you wear new things or old faves? Did you plan outfits in advance or wing it? How did this year compare to last year? Hope you had as much fun as I did!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Last Red & Black Outfit for Me

This is the last day I'm in the office for the week, so it's my last outfit of this year's Red & Black Week. But I do have another post scheduled to fit the theme.

I should mention the red lipstick I've been wearing all week. Really, it's been my go-to red lippie for years: Sephora Artist #549. It skews a little pink-red, but the shade works really well on me, & it's especially good for pin-up styles.

I've seen this specific line in stores, but not online. They're highly pigmented & come in a more limited range of colors, but some really vivid shades. And the colors last -- in fact, this red stains my lips for up to a day afterwards. I have to wear a dark burgundy after it. Or, as in this week, keep wearing red!

What I'm wearing:
Red sheath dress, Target
Black & white cardigan, White House Black Market
Black tights, unknown brand
Black pumps with silver buckle, Kenneth Cole Reaction
Black & white beaded necklace with matching earrings, made by me
Silver & garnet poison ring, eBay


Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Black With a Touch of Chinese Red

The shoes I based today's outfit around are another thing I've been saving for months to wear during Red & Black Week. I felt the need for more colorful shoes, & these ones leaped out at me from the website. The Chinese fabric was a bonus because I'm part Chinese & enjoy a little shout-out to my heritage sometimes.

My maternal grandfather was born near Canton, China, & immigrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century. He met my grandmother in California, & that's where they started a family. But they soon separated, & Grandmom took my mom & her siblings back to my great-grandmother's farm in Alabama.

I was born in Florida, but after my father died young, my mother & I moved to California where we were able to frequently visit her father & the extended Chinese family who had come to the States. I grew up in touch with both my Chinese & American sides, which I really appreciate. I even learned to speak & understand some Cantonese as a kid, but in the intervening years, I've forgotten everything other than "thank you" & how to count from 1 to 10 :-)


What I'm wearing:
Black silk dress with pleating detail at neck, Target
Black cardigan with puffed sleeves, H&M
Black studded belt, Macy's
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Red Chinese silk kitten-heel, ankle-strap shoes, ShoeMetro.com
Black & gold medallion earrings, Forever 21
Red flower pin in hair, made by me


Do you wear things that remind you of your family history or heritage?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Red & Black With Boots

I wouldn't have thought I could wear tall leather boots in June, but here I am. Yesterday saw sudden showers, & today dawned windy & cool, if sunny. So I decided on an outfit to bridge seasons. Light, floaty cotton with tall boots & a sweater.

What I'm wearing:
Black ruffled wool bolero sweater, Kohl's | Black & white damask print knit top, Spiegel | Cherry red pleated cotton skirt, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Tall black leather boots, Clarks | Black & white silhouette pendant on silk ribbon, gift from Kendra | Jet hoop earrings, gift for being a bridesmaid at Heather's wedding | Jet stud earrings, random accessory store | Single garnet stud earring, Berkeley street stall | Silver & garnet ring, bought in Jaipur, India


Btw, I mentioned yesterday that I spent last weekend performing at a renaissance faire. I posted photos of my friends & I at the faire on Flickr, & here are a few of my new silk Venetian courtesan gown.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Red & Black on the Road

It's the second-annual Red & Black Week started by Sophistique Noir! But I knew I wouldn't be able to start this week's theme properly, meaning for me, at the office. See, last weekend I was performing at a renaissance faire and returned home very late Sunday night, so I was scheduled to work from home on Monday. And my usual wfh uniform of PJs & T-shirts isn't suitable for blogging. Besides, I don't have anything red to throw in the usual black mix ;-)

Thus, I planned a casual weekend outfit in the theme colors & got some pix when we went for dinner after the faire. This ensemble features a red dress I've been saving a couple months to wear for Red & Black Week. I'd bought it & was about to wear it right when Victorian Kitty announced the theme was returning. The dress is multi-seasonal, a lightweight knit that will be good for layering. Of course, since this was after a long day at a hot, dusty faire, I didn't have much energy to style the outfit extensively. I'd just jumped out of the shower & slapped on some lipstick. But expect to see this dress in fancier outfits in the future.

What I'm wearing:
Red knit dress with high-low hem, Macy's
Black elastic belt, NY & Company
Black leggings, American Apparel
Black suede ankle boots, The Walking Company
Black & silver skull bead necklace, DisneyLand
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store
Black leather purse, Jessica Simpson