Tigger Goes Goth

On one day of my recent trip to DisneyLand, I wore this subtly Tigger-inspired outfit. The idea came from DisneyBound, a Tumblr with lots of outfit ideas that are inspired by or reminiscent of Disney characters without actually being costumes. This is ideal for adults because the theme park discourages adults from attending in actual costumes (they let little kids do it), & of course I love dressing up.

While Tiger is far & away my favorite Disney character, the several DisneyBound suggested outfits were all too, um, bright for me. I gave it a gothic twist. Too bad I didn't get a picture that day with Tigger himself!

What I'm wearing:
Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Black knit military-style jacket, Macy's | Brown, black, & white Ikat/tiger-print knit skirt, Kohl's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black suede ankle boots, Walking Company | Animal-print infinity scarf, random accessory store

The Professor's Homework Assignment: What Makes Your Heart Sing

I fully admit, I was not going to do this assignment. I'm in a dark place right now -- while I finally finished cancer treatment, a bunch of other crap has piled up in my life, & nothing is really making me "sing." I hear it's not uncommon for there to be a bit of a reaction after all the fighting to get through treatment, you can suddenly feel more easily overwhelmed by problems & unable to deal with stressors. Something about the fight or flight response finally letting up. Anyway.

But precisely because I'm feeling so down, I'm forcing myself to write about something that (usually) makes my heart sing. I've mentioned costuming plenty of times before, but what I enjoy most about it isn't the sewing (ugh, I kind of hate that!) or the research & design (which I do love) -- I adore being dressed up in costume with my friends. That's what it's all about. I don't make art in a vacuum. My costumes are a means to an end. They're part of what transforms me & the modern setting into the past or a fantasy where my friends & I can let loose & have a fabulous time. The so-called real world melts away, & everything is right, if only for a few hours. It's no coincidence that my husband & I met working renaissance faires. That's the kind of atmosphere where my heart sings & I feel closest to my higher, better self, the me I want other people to see & love.

Even during chemo, I had to go out to a few costumed events, & they were more energizing than exhausting. While sometimes creating a new costume can be daunting, the prospect of a costumed event with friends always perks me up.

me & my husband at Venetian carnevale

me & my best friends at an SCA event

me & my best friends at Colonial Williamsburg

Night Out With Bonus Crazy Nails

I wore this simple little sweater dress out to dinner with my husband & his mother recently. It was cozy yet a little dressy, thus well suited to a winter evening. But hidden in the outfit are some wacky nails. I used Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Strips -- I've used them a couple times before & quite like them. They're basically plastic stickers that look like nail polish, except they're available in all kinds of crazy patterns. Of course, I had to get these with skulls.

What I'm wearing:
Grey sweater dress, Macy's
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black flats, Aerosoles
Silver bat necklace, Plasticland
Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store

You Call This Winter?

California is officially in a drought year. We haven't had any of the usual winter rainfall, & summer is going to be bone dry. This winter has been, well, not very wintery, even by our standards. Back in early December, there was a week or two of genuinely cold weather -- below freezing over night. But mostly, it's been mild & dry. Hardly sweater weather, barely boot time.

Between the lack of a proper season & the fact that I'm only going into the office once or twice a week right now, a whole lot of my wardrobe is languishing unworn. Hardly a crisis compared to the drought itself, but still.

What I'm wearing:
Grey & white stripe hooded sweater, Forever 21 | Black T-shirt, Target | Burgundy patterned corduroy skirt, Kohl's | Black leather studded belt, Macy's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black high-heeled ankle boots, Aerosoles | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Black & white millefiori necklace, gift from Mom

Done, Done, DONE!

Yesterday was my last day of radiation -- 33 treatments, all finished, after the 4 rounds of chemotherapy. You know what that means? I'm DONE with active treatment for cancer! Finished! I may need to take some medication for the next umpteen years, plus have regular check-ups & tests, but NO MORE poisoning or torturing my body on a regular basis to kill those nasty cancer cells. C'EST FINI!!!

I'm thrilled at this milestone. It feels like I've been in treatment for-freakin'-ever. Since last June when I first went to my doctor about that lump, I've been on a constant treadmill of doctor's appointments, all of which lead to increasingly unpleasant things to rid my body of the invader. Yes, my doctors & nurses have been excellent, & yes, their recommendations have been wise & necessary. But I'm incredibly happy to see the end of it.

Chemo sucked ass, & radiation has been fairly easy but not exactly fun. I'm guessing the future bits will be much milder. I may have said it before, but it bears repeating: I could not have made it through any of this without the constant support of all of YOU, my friends & community. My IRL friends & family have been awesome, but I was also buoyed by the stream of comments, emails, posts, cards, gifts, donations, & well-wishes from every one of you out there in the interwebs. Your support has helped keep me going when I've felt down, which has been a lot!

Cancer is mind-numbingly hard, & nobody can manage it alone. I am extremely grateful to have *not* been alone during this, thanks to you. I'm sorry if I didn't respond to everyone, but please know that your words, no matter how small, touched me & comforted me.

THANK YOU!!!

right after my final radiation

What I'm wearing:
Black & white stripe knit dress, Nordstrom
Black velvet jacket, White House Black Market
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black flats, Aerosoles
Silver sugar skull earrings, random accessory store
Chanel "Vamp" lipstick
(Note: I'm still wearing wigs & hats on a regular basis, but I went 'topless' to celebrate last night!)
For treatment:
"Keep Calm & Fuck Cancer" T-shirt, CafePress
Black & white fleece hat, gift from Mom

With my mom, who has been awesome through all this.

With my husband, who's been a rock!

Obligatory selfie - hair is finally growing back.

Burgundy Match

I've had this skirt & these boots for years. No idea how long. But I never noticed before last night that they're a perfect match. And we all know how much I adore matchy-matchy. Here it was, right under my nose!

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey denim jacket with belled cuffs, Newport News | Black long-sleeve knit top, Old Navy | Burgundy skirt, NY & Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein | Burgundy faux suede boots, DSW | Pink brooch, vintage, from my grandmother | Black dangly earrings, random accessory store

Fake It Till Ya Make It

I felt like crap this day, but I had a meeting that I couldn't postpone. So I did what you have to do -- wear a really matchy outfit with a new skirt & pretend that I didn't have a migraine & my stomach didn't hurt. It kinda worked. I made it through.

What I'm Wearing:

Black piped jacket, Speigel | Red T-shirt, Target | Black, white, & red stripe knit skirt, Kohl's | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Black pointy kitten-heel pumps, Aldo | Black & silver skull choker, DisneyLand | Gunmetal hoop earrings, random accessory store | Raisin Rage lipstick, Revlon