Last Gasp of Summer

Going out for lunch to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday just called for a simple sundress. Summer weather can last well into October here in Northern California, so this kind of outfit isn't terribly unusual. It was particularly pleasant, tho' to have a weekday gathering as an excuse for it.

To further the family theme, I'm wearing a bracelet that reminds me of my Chinese grandfather who played Mahjong.

What I'm wearing:
Printed sundress, Target | Black elastic belt, NY & Company | Black jeweled flip-flops, Mootsies Tootsies | Black metal bat necklace, Walgreens | Mahjong tile bracelet, random accessory store | Silver & black dangly earrings, random accessory store | Pewter bat bobby pin, random accessory store

Pirate With a Touch of Cancer

My second of four chemo treatments fell on Talk Like a Pirate Day, so I decided to wear a cute little pink tricorn (that went quite well with my black & pink wig), plus a pirate-y hitched-up skirt & a lot of skull jewelry. Gotta look good to feel good!

Now I have to plan themes for the next two treatments. The last one falls on Halloween day, so of course I have to go extra spooky & outrageous. But no idea what to do for the middle one. Hopefully I'll get inspired in the next few weeks.

What I'm wearing:
Black crinkle skirt, Rampage | Black ruffled tank top, Newport News | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Pink & black stripe shoes, Sugar | Black & pink wig, Miss Violet Lace | Pink silk tricorn, The Ruby Raven | Painted skull pendant on black velvet ribbon, Jewels by Olivia | Dangly "F#@K CANCER" earrings, made by me | Pewter woman symbol stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Ying/yang stud earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Pewter peace symbol earring, bought on the street in Berkeley | Skull bracelets, gift from my mom | Black & gunmetal cocktail ring, random accessory store

 

And There It Goes

In my last post, I said my hair was going. Well, I didn't lie. That short cut was merely a stop-gap measure, a way to preserve the long ponytails for later, at best. Hair was falling out like crazy, shedding like a long-haired dog in summer, making a mess & just generally being annoying.

So I had to shave it off. Or, to be more accurate, I asked my dear husband to shave it off, since I couldn't reach everywhere, plus I'd have had to do it without my glasses on & that way lies madness. He was very brave & did an excellent job. Now my head is all velvety stubble, which the cat enjoys rubbing his little face against.

I've also been wearing my wig out & about. It feels fine, as comfortable as wearing a wig over hair (tho' different, kind of prickly at first, then it's pleasantly cooler than wigs used to feel). However, I should remember to do my brows because the wig's black hair is even darker than my natural black hair. That is, while I still have brows!

Since I'm not working & am on disability, I've revived my virtual garage sale & added some things I made & others made specifically to sell, plus I tried to get better pictures of some older items. Just doing this in the few days I had when I felt OK, & I'll only be able to ship once a week. But please take a look & I hope you'll find something you like! Or you can always donate a little something via the button on the left sidebar. I really appreciate your support :)

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Right on schedule, my hair has started to come out due to chemo. It's like normal hair shedding when you brush your hair, except TONS more. So to make it it a little easier, I finally got a haircut. Also, I really wanted to save some lengths of my hair to use later to either make into historical hairpieces or rats (don't laugh, real hair makes the best, most expensive wigs & pieces! it's a hot commodity :).

I expect the rest of my hair will fall out in the next week or so. It's going pretty fast now. My second (of four) chemo treatments is in a week, & that will surely kill the rest of the hair. I'm not finding it particularly traumatic, but it does look kind of creepy & weird to see so much of my own hair coming out so fast, all at once. It's definitely not normal. I may get tired of the shedding & just shave it off like a lot of women do.

My energy levels are unfortunately quite shot. I can't use the computer for very long in one sitting, so I made the tough decision to stop working during chemo. No more office fashions for a couple months, but I'll keep posting when I can.

What I'm wearing:
White David Bowie T-shirt, Hot Topic
Silver Dia de los Meurtos skull earrings, Torrid
Makeup Forever red lipstick
Benefit Bad Girl black eyeliner

what was cut off!

Corporate Gypsy

Haven't gone back to the office yet, but here's an outfit from earlier -- I kind of feel like a gypsy at my job because I carry all my gear around in a bag & roam from desk to desk each time I go into work. But on this day, I dressed with a gypsy-ish feel too.

What I'm wearing:
Black piped jacket, Spiegel | Black T-shirt, Target | Burgundy tiered skirt, bought at Camden Markets, London | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks | Burgundy & brass shield necklace, local artisan | Purple & brass earrings, vintage from my grandmother | Garnet & silver poison ring, eBay

 

Three Recommended Reads

I'm slowly recovering from chemo round 1 of 4 (it wasn't fun, but I'm sure it could have been worse). Didn't go into the office this week, so no outfits. But I've been reading blogs & such when I have the brain power. Here are three that really stood out:

The Cost of Handmade, Revisited -- Victoria breaks down why her gorgeous, highly decorated parasols cost what they do. Handmade items on Etsy, Artfire, & elsewhere may seem like a budget option, but remember that sometimes there really is an individual artisan behind the work. Materials & labor add up fast.

How Learning to Sew Transformed My Fashion Self Confidence -- Lilli overcomes size-ism by making clothes in her own shape & size, not some arbitrary number. Sewing a few clothing items yourself may take time, but it can be empowering.

10 DIY Halloween Decorations Made With Flameless Candles -- Old Fashion Halloween found this awesome tutorial for turning things like dental X-rays or old stockings into spooky cool lighting.

Jove Decadent by Ramon Casas, Wikimedia

Happy reading! And thanks for all your words of encouragement during my treatment. I *really really* appreciate it :)

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

This probably isn't the type of "special occasion" most people would commemorate, but I had to. And coincidentally, Sophistique Noir's September theme came up, so why not join in?

Because of course I had to document my first of four chemo treatments. I wanted to dress up a bit, comfortable but gothy, not going to wear sloppy PJs or anything too lazy. I needed to look as good as I could to take on this thing.

Plus I incorporated some powerful symbols -- cat-print shoes for my kitty loves (past & present), a locket with a photo of me getting my literature degree from U.C. Berkeley (an important accomplishment in my life), key earrings I made (keys are a lucky symbol, opening doors, keys to success), a peace symbol stud earring (for my hippie past & pacifist nature), a ying-yang earring stud (for balance in life), & a female symbol earring (for the feminine power within). Also, my fave. lipstick evar & stripes because. they rock :)

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Target
Black wool ruffled bolero sweater, Kohls
Black corset-style elastic belt, Torrid
Black & white vertically striped leggings, Torrid
Black & white cat-print wedge sneakers, PlasticLand
Black socks, unknown brand
Silver locket necklace, vintage
Pewter key earrings, made by me
Black & white flower hair pin, random accessory store
Chanel Vamp lipstick

Dylan Thomas --

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Selfie in the chemo chair -- so far, so good!