FBFF: What's in my bag?

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday has a new twist -- it's a visual post with one question. What's in your bag? (hosted by A Pretty Nest). Which is awesome because I've been thinking about posting this for a long time, just hadn't gotten off my duff, spilled the goods, & taken all the pix! So here goes (warning, it's a big bag).

First, the bag itself. I bought this purse last November. I'm a one-bag kinda gal. I love the idea of a different purse to go with different outfits, but I hate moving my stuff from one bag to another. And when you see how much junk I carry around, you'll understand why. Honestly, I need all this stuff & I do use it frequently. I'm not a packrat.

Black leather satchel by Jessica Simpson

Now the stuff, pocket by pocket (this purse has nice, big pockets, something I adore in purses).

The outside pocket, just under the studded flap, holds things I need to grab easily. Meaning, my iPhone & my house keys. Pretty basic.

The phone is in a purple case. The keys have two fobs -- one is a pewter bat (gift from friends) & the other is the logo of the University of California Alumni Association with a special code on the back that supposedly if my keys are lost, they can be dropped in any U.S. mailbox & will be sent back to me. My main house key is a custom pretty pretty pink princess key. Because I'm that silly.

The first interior pocket also has things I grab frequently, just not the "omg super crucial" stuff.

There are a bunch of pens, of course. My iPhone earbuds tuck into a tiny pocket. There's another little pocket for my thumb drive, which is on a purple glittery shoe-shaped fob with my RSA token for work. My sunglasses case is in this big pocket too -- they magnetically clip over my cat-eye glasses.

Next are two pockets combined. The purse has one center zipped pocket where I keep my wallet (& a bunch of random receipts that naturally end up there). And the purse has a final large open pocket behind that.

From the back of this photo -- a small covered notepad with a picture of Marie-Antoinette (gift from a friend), two ChicoBags (super useful for shopping!), my wallet (random purchase from Target), a bat-fabric coffee cup sleeve made for me by my friend Donna, a tiny tin of Altoids, my Moo cards (I'm running out), & my work business cards in a reproduction 1920s case purchased at Harrods in London.

In the back wall of the purse is a little zippered pocket where I keep makeup & meds. This pocket & the very front pocket might get the most use of all!

From back to front -- lipsticks (I wear different ones most days, so by the end of the week, I have a collection in my purse because I forget to take them out), Burt's Bees lip balm, three pill cases for all my medications (one black with fleur-de-lys, a silver round one, & a vintage gold & black one shaped like a pocket watch), vintage silver 1920s mirror, ladybug shaped nail clippers, polka-dot nail file (these come in packs from Sephora), & random hair bands.

Not pictured: a pack of tissues & another pen that both got tucked under a pocket fold!

So what's in your purse? Do you carry a lot or a little?

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 07.01.11

July 1 Questions: Vahni from Grit and Glamour has a post several weeks ago in which she outlined her personal uniform or outfit formula as she dubbed it. Courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?
Black top, patterned skirt, black tights, black shoes. Like this or this or this. A slight reverse also works, meaning colored or patterned top, black skirt, black (or colored/print tights), & black (or colored) shoes. Such as this or this.

2. How did you come about this formula?
I'm a goth, so the majority of my wardrobe is black, duh. But I don't like wearing all black because I find that boring. So I throw in a little color, & that ends up being half my outfit, top or bottom.

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?
Not really. My work & casual wardrobe is predominately dark colors with a lot of black basics like black jeans, skirts, trousers, dresses, sweaters, T-shirts, so I just add jewel-tones around that.

4. Has it morphed over the years?
Nope, I've loved dark colors for as long as I can remember! Never been a big fan of pastels, although my mom used to try to make me wear them.

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?
None. While I enjoy looking at other people's outfits & I get inspiration from combinations of pieces (like, how to wear belts & scarves, for example), I don't really want to wear other people's actual clothes combos.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 06.03.11

June 3: Now that summer is in full swing  and vacations are coming up, let’s talk about what you’re packing to take on vacation. Courtesy of ModlyChic.

My husband & I in Siena, Italy, 2007.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?
Don't cram the overhead bins! First came the silly idea that checking bags somehow was a big waste of time -- trust me, I've traveled to all 7 continents, including Antarctica, you waste more time shoving stuff into those overheads than you would waiting a mere 5 minutes at the baggage carousel (especially for international trips, where customs & immigration are the true holdups).

Then the airlines started charging to check bags. I understand we're all pinched for cash, but let's not go nuts saving where it doesn't really help you. All this forcing into one bag nonsense makes for huge fights in the aisles & even takeoff delays because people carry on too much crap & try to shove it into the plane's overhead bins.

Now, I'm not saying you should pack a million giant bags for every trip. But if you're going for more than a weekend away or a short business trip, check one modestly sized bag & carry on only a purse or backpack that fits under the seat in front of you on the plane. Plan a coordinating wardrobe of mix-&-match separates, plus a few accessories, check it, pay the $35, & forget about it.

2. What are your must packs?
An eye mask for sleeping in hotels with insufficient curtains, & comfy shoes for walking all over town.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?
The computer (unless it's a business trip, of course).

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?
Limit your toiletries & makeup routines. I may primp like crazy at home, but on the road, I use the bare basics. Wear your heaviest items on the plane (boots, coat).  Consolidate your electronics -- this is where a smartphone or an iPad can come in handy, instead of using a phone & a music player & a computer & a stack of books.

5. Beach reading … what are you taking with you to read in the sand?
I prefer going to the beach in shoulder-seasons like spring & fall, as summer is too hot & crowded. But when I go, I grab a stack of whatever trashy fashion mags I can find! Tho' last trip, I downloaded them to my iPad (see #4).

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 05.27.11

A good haircut, circa 2009.

May 27: This week, the topic is hair care, courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. How often do you get your hair cut?
About once a year. I'm a damn hippie, & I've always hated getting haircuts. I wait until I absolutely cannot stand how scraggly the ends are getting, then I have a few inches chopped off.

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?
I tend to go to the same stylist, & he's at a somewhat posh local salon. He does a good job, & he doesn't care that I want the same cut every year. Plus, he doesn't pressure me to get a trim every 6 weeks like other stylists used to do. I freakin' hate that! You're not my dentist, no, you can't schedule a follow-up appointment right now, kthxbye.

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?
I haven't had my hair my "natural" color since I was about 14. Of course, my hair is naturally very, very dark brown, almost black, so when roots grow in, they hardly show. The grey hairs show more. I've been dyeing it solid black for the past, oh, 10 years (tho' I had it black at different times before that). I've also had my hair various shades of red, natural & un-, plus black with hot-pink streaks, & I've shaved large portions of my head.

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:
Air dry! Never, ever use a blow dryer unless I want mega-frizz & damaged hair.  Also, leave-in conditioner (fave. is by Beauty Without Cruelty).

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?
I've occasionally wanted a Louise Brooks type pageboy bob, but the two times I tried that cut, it looked horrid on my face & didn't work w/my hair's texture. Ah well.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 04.15.11 - delayed to 5.20.11

Gratitude – These were the questions from the one-year anniversary of FBFF! So ModlyChic wanted to do something about gratitude. We each have so many people in our lives and in the blogging community who have helped us along the way. It’s time to shine the spotlight on them and give credit where credit is due.

1. When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to:
My mom. She is incredibly independent, intelligent, strong, capable, & creative. She took me across the country & raised me by herself, while going to school & working. She worked on an advanced degree, she became an amazingly respected person in her field, & she put me thru college (& one of the finest institutions in the world, too). She instilled in me a love of reading, the Beatles, social justice, & making things with my hands, among other things. She's the most awesome woman on the planet!

Dropped my MacBook cord down one night & this is
how it landed.  Honest, I didn't arrange it!

2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to:
The U.C. Berkeley English Department & Live-105 radio personality Alex Bennett. Seriously. At Cal, I honed my critical thinking skills, I learned about research, & I was forced to write under extreme deadlines (aka, essay tests & those damn blue books). But it was when Alex Bennett started talking about this "Internet" thing on his morning show in the early 1990s, how he built something called a "webpage" where he posted funny stuff, well, I knew I had to get one of them modem thigmajigs asap. I did, & soon I'd taught myself to make webpages. And the rest is, as they say, history.

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots:
Well, not so much 'helping me thru rough spots,' but I'm grateful for the fine example set by fashion bloggers like Sal of Already Pretty, Shelia of Ephemera, Vanessa of Big Girl. Small Budget. Tiny Town, & Angeline of The New Professional. These are some of the blogs I read every single day & always get something out of due to their combination of writing, fashion, photography, & personality. In fact, I'd like to see my blog as someday becoming a perfect combination of all these, through a gothic lens.

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was…
My continuing challenge is taking photos, & I haven't quite conquered it yet. I'm able to get up in time (mostly ;-), but getting good lighting + a pose that doesn't look super-dorky continues to stump me. UGH.

5. To my readers, I’d like to say...
Thank you!!! I'm always amazed when I get comments (particularly if it's not someone I already know offline, heh). I wish I had more time in the day to reply to everyone. But I really do appreciate & value your feedback. It's encouraging & makes me feel like there's a tiny point to blogging other than my already-documented narcissism!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 05.13.11

May 13: This week, the topic is outside influences, courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. What magazines do you subscribe to?
Martha Stewart Living is the only print mag I still subscribe to. I used to have a ton of subscriptions to all kinds of magazines -- fashion, travel, health, politics, news, etc. But I got tired of the clutter. I got rid of my print newspaper subscription too.  I keep MSL for the recipes & photos (they're still better than online, imo).

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows?
"Ru-Paul's Drag Race" / "Drag U" & sometimes "What Not to Wear." Drag queens are the last, best gasp of real boundary-pushing in fashion we have left! Everything else is so tame. Runway style is so dreary -- McQueen is gone, Lacroix's best days are behind him, nobody shocks & awes with clothes anymore except for female impersonators. WNtW I occasionally watch to see out of pity. They take such sad sacks & bring them up to the base-level mainstream of fashion, it's kind of sweet.

Yara Sofia from season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration?
Interior design imagery, historical costume, fabric stores, thrift stores. Oh wait, websites? Not really any websites. I'm inspired more by colors, patterns, & shapes out in the real world :-)

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand ... what ads do you like and why?
NONE. I freakin' hate ads. I skip past ads on TV thanks to TiVo, I often rip ads out of magazines, & I really hate ad-laden websites. Sure, they pay the bills (in fact, ads support the company I work for!), but I don't enjoy their existence one bit.

5. Do you own any fashion books?
Um, mostly historical fashion! Well, I do have the catalogs for the Vivienne Westwood retrospective exhibit & the Stephen Jones hat exhibit (I saw the Westwood exhibit at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco & Jones at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London). Both of these designers are very inspiring.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 05.06.11

May 6: The topic is shoes, courtesy of ModlyChic.

Clarks boots

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?
In fall & winter, that has to be these Clarks boots. So comfy & stylish! The rest of the year, it just might be my Aldo T-strap flats (which, apparently, I haven't taken a closeup photo of, probably because they're so ubiquitous).

Surprising that both are flat shoes (because I do love heels), but those two shoes can go with anything in my closet other than a very fancy outfit.

2. What goes into your shoe-buying decisions?
First, style (does it turn me on? am I in love? is this a shoe that fills some hole in my wardrobe?), then price ($30/$40 is my comfort zone, but I'll double it for a shoe that makes my heart go pitter-pat, at least if it's a quality brand), then comfort & fit.

Hitting all three equally is the sweet spot, but if the shoe is really high in two of these areas, it might override the last one. For example, a very cheap shoe that is super-cute, but a little uncomfortable might come home with me, or a comfy, stylish shoe that costs a lot could too.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?
BLACK. Color you surprised, right? Hah. I have 48 pairs of shoes (hmm... doesn't seem like much), & 11 are all or mostly a color other than black. It's not really a goth thing, it's more that I play it safe. Although of the dozen shoes in my costume closet, there are more colorful shoes, some that go with specific costumes, for example.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?
I think the only brand I have more than two pairs of is Aldo. They have consistently great styles, the shoes are usually comfortable, I can find good prices on sale, & the shoes are of high quality.

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?
Fluevogs. Oh, yeah. I dream of owning some Fluevog boots, but they start over $200 new, & that's so far out of my normal price range, I just can't bring myself to do it. I have one pair of vintage Fluevog pumps that were given to me by a dear friend, & I love them. I wear them with fancy cocktail dresses & feel like a goddess. But new 'Vogs aren't quite in my future...

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 03.25.11

FBFF Questions for 03.25.11 - This week, the topic is feminism, courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. Do you think there is an incapability between feminism and a love for fashion?
Hell no. Feminism is the simple belief & understanding that women & men are equal as human beings & should be treated equally. Fashion draws distinctions in form, but not in treatment. Or at least, it shouldn't. If I'm wearing high heels & a dress, that doesn't mean I am worth less as a person than a man wearing pants. Or worth less than a man wearing high heels & a dress, for that matter.

It's a huge & unfair stereotype that women who love fashion are somehow less smart, less serious, & generally less capable than men. For fuck's sake, the modern fashion industry is RUN by men, so why does such a stereotype persist??? Christian Dior (& everyone who headed the House of Dior since Dior died), Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian La Coix, Armani, Salvador Ferrangamo, Emile Pucci, Vercacci, Fortuny, Etre, Charles Frederick Worth, Karl Lagerfield, Kenneth Cole, Perry Elis, Halston, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Bob Mackie, jeez, do I really need to list the hundreds of hugely influential men in the fashion industry? And no, not all of them are gay either, so there shouldn't be an automatic feminization of these guys for *their* interest in clothing, accessories, & the design thereof. Most of them started creating clothing for women & later branched out into men's clothing (if they did).

Point being, I find it rather ridiculous that fashion continues to be belittled as a solely female & therefore frivolous & unworthy pursuit, not to be bothered with by serious people & those seeking respect as equal human beings (such as feminists).

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?
Well, I do try to keep this blog separate from my other interests because I have plenty of places online where I do other things. I really wanted one single place to show my CorpGoth outfits on a semi-daily basis. If anyone is curious, they can follow the sidebar links to my personal website, my work website, & even my husband's work website.

Otherwise, I let my outfits speak for me. My clothes incorporate my goth side & my professional side, along with whatever mood I'm in that day.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?
I think the one thing that women might conceivably change would be the range of sizes available, particularly in high-end designs. Unfortunately, this may be more affected by marketing & merchandising than strictly by designers -- I'm not sure. After all, women seem to dominate fashion publishing a la Anna Wintour at Vogue. Magazines attempt to set the trends & tell us what to buy, via both editorial content & their ads.

I don't think we can easily blame any problems with fashion on men or women. It's a collective, societal issue that has far deeper roots than one industry.You could say that fashion, merchandising, & advertising are tools of the patriarchy, & both genders can get wrapped up in sending sometimes sexist or misogynistic messages through these tools (particularly when it comes to body image & sexuality).

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?
"To thine own self be true" has long been my motto in all things. Whether in my work, personal life, or dress, I strive to be true to my inner self. I couldn't wear a uniform, I couldn't be a stay-at-home wife/mom type, those are all lies to my independent spirit.

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?
I don't think fashion is, by definition, superfluous. What you wear, the image you create, has strong meaning. Whether you like it or not, you will be judged by your appearances, & you have the power to influence that judgement by what you wear & how you present yourself.

I feel that my clothing/makeup/hair creates the image of a creative woman with an edge. That could be seen as being hard or it could be seen as being innovate; I'm ok with both interpretations. But foremost, I am creative, I don't want to blend into a crowd, my work is unique, my interests are varied, my opinions are strong. I think this is all hinted at in my clothing. At the same time, I don't dress to scare people off or freak them out -- I am still approachable & appropriate for whatever setting I'm in. That speaks to my professional capabilities & my willingness to work with different people.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 03.11.11

FBFF Questions for 03.11.11 - This week, the topic is "Finding the balance – How do you do it all and still live, work, and play as you want to?" Courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does blogging fall?
It's not that high, but it's not last either. However, planning a good & blog-worthy outfit is right up there -- more for me than just to blog it, but y'know, if I wear it, I might as well photograph it & then blog it. I try to post at least 3x a week, otherwise it's not a real blog, imo.

2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you do have to be as productive as possible?
I streamline as much as possible, & really I only blog in the time I have alloted. In the morning, I have about 15 minutes, maximum, to take photos. On my lunch break at work, I take maybe 20 minutes (while eating at my desk) to write up a post & the outfit. When I get home, I edit the photos right after I walk in the door (well, after feeding the cats!). Done!

3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or more time efficient?
Not short-cuts, other than keeping the whole thing short & sweet. Don't deviate from your focus or you'll discover that blogging will eat up all your time. My blog is strictly an "outfit a day" blog. I don't do a lot of essays or tutorials & the like. The only time such things sneak into my blog is when I have spare time & felt like writing those things & stored them up to use when I didn't have something else to blog (like when I was traveling). I guess my point is this: Don't let yourself aimlessly blog. That will become a huge time suck!

4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps you plan ahead?
Gawd no. I do enough of that at my real job ;-)

5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for your blog that you aren’t doing now?
I might do some DIY tutorials because I love making crafty things, but I end up making them & wearing them without any explanation of what I did. But, as I said, that's not my focus here. I do some of that already in my costume dress diaries, but it's more to just document what I went through, not even to instruct how to do it. I'm pretty satisfied with what I do on this blog right now.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 03.04.11

FBFF Questions for 03.4.11 - This week, the topic is beauty products, courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. What's your favorite drugstore makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?

Drugstore - Probably the Loreal HiP eyeshadows. The second I discovered those, I snapped them up & have been addicted to them! Fantastic colors, great pigment, compact (thus great for travel), & ideal for all my eyeshadow needs.

High-end - This is one of my little indulgences. I really adore high-end makeup & haunt Sephora to randomly buy fancy makeup whenever I have a bit of cash to spare. But to pick just one, I'd have to say Chanel Vamp lipstick. It's the ultimate goth lippie, tho' sadly being discontinued (rumor has it). I have a few tubes stockpiled & will cry when they are gone.

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?
If I'm honest, I'll say Burt's Bees lip balm. There's a tube in every purse, next to my bed, at my work & home desks, & in the bathroom. But I'd like to say lipstick in general.

3. What's the best hair product you've ever used?
Too hard to pick just one! Beauty Without Cruelty leave-in conditioner is fantastic for soothing my tangled mess of wanna-be curls right out of the shower, & Garnier Fructis curl creme is perfect for styling the dry waves into soft curls for the day. Oh & I'd be remiss in not mentioned Aqua Net Extra Super Hold Unscented, which continues to play a large part in my hairstyling life (from teenage Robert Smith 'dos to historical hairstyles to retro pinup everyday fashions).

4. Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?
I will never, ever again cut my hair into a bob. *shudder* Awful look on me. Most really short hairstyles make me look like Paul McCartney in the end.

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?
Well, I don't think "we all use the same basic products." I suppose that was intended to mean the same basic products are available to everyone.

My makeup trademark is probably dark lipstick. I always wear it. Dark lips, light eyemakeup (just black liner & a touch of shadow -- can't see too much of it behind my glasses). I wear dark lipstick every single day if I'm going outside the house, tho' I have stopped bothering for mundane trips to the grocery store or doctor's office. I almost reflexively buy any dark burgundy or purple-ish shade of lipstick I see at Sephora or the drugstore to add to my collection.  I match the lipstick to my outfits. I reapply thruout the day. I ask friends if I have "hooker lips" (y'know, when there's only a trace outline of lipstick around the edges of your lips). I'm kind of obsessed.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 02.18.11

FBFF Questions for 02.18.11 - This week, the topic is body image, courtesy of ModlyChic.

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
Yes & no. I think I've become more aware of myself & what styles & shapes work on me, how to play up my best features. I'm no more or less conscious of things like my size, for example, but I do know better how to, say, wear a belt to draw attention to my waist but not my belly.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
I don't mind talking about anything about me -- again, with size, I think it's pretty damn obvious that I'm not tall & willowy, I have big ol' curves & not just in the hotsy-totsy va-va-voom way. I have a big gut & butt & boobs, so I am not like the those teeny little "petite bloggers" even tho' I'm their height. I don't mind, & if you do, that's your problem.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?
I suppose I could get even hotter, but I'm kinda rockin' my own world right now ;-)

Y'know, about five or so years ago, I did lose a bunch of weight thru Weight Watchers & jogging like crazy. I hated it, but I did it because I thought it was the "right thing" to do. But that really screwed up my body & was totally unsustainable. It made me horribly unhappy & kicked off a host of medical problems, even tho' it wasn't a crash diet. I don't think my body wanted to be that thin. My mind sure as hell didn't. I only have one photo from my lowest weight, & I had "lollipop head syndrome," where my head looked too big for my body. It was icky. While I may have a double chin now, I have a more proportional figure again, & I'm a million times happier & I feel far more confident.

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?
My blog is definitely an "outfit a day" blog, so photos are crucial. The worst part is the poor lighting around my house. Body image doesn't play into it much, altho' dammit, why can't I smile in front of the camera when it's just me & the tripod? Don't know. I also have a problem posing myself in non-boring ways. Other people can do it for me (a few wonderful costume photographers have in the past), but solo on a timer, I lose all imagination.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?
I always come back to RuPaul: If you can't love yourself, how'n hell are you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen? Just try it. What's the worst that will happen if you look in the mirror & say "I'm fucking HOT!" If people disagree with you, so what?

People disagree with me on lots of things -- from politics to what's the best book ever written. Does that mean I succumb to their opinions? No. I persist in my belief that climate change is real & that J.R.R.R. Tolkien was a true genius. Likewise, I can have my own opinion about my body & looks, & that matters as more than what anyone else thinks. Keep thinking your own thoughts long enough, & you'll believe.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 02.11.11

FBFF Questions for 02.11.11 - This week, it's the color wars, courtesy of ModlyChic and sponsored by We Love Colors.

1. What color dominates your closet?
Black, duh! Accent colors are purple, burgundy, grey, & white.

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?
Hell no. I'd just buy better quality black. Richer, darker black. Black as my soul. Black as my heart. Black as my hair (oh, & I'd dye my hair more often -- no more greys showing!).

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?
This is kind of old hat: Gothic Color Theory. Black + one color is pretty much my everyday stance. Black + two colors is, like, whoa, edgy, crazy, out on a limb, someone's making a real effort here.

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?
Start with a black piece (say, a skirt) & add a color around it. Accessorize with color & maybe pattern. Colored accessories, especially jewelry, sometimes tights (not as often because it's hard to find colorful tights that fit this petite-plus-size gal; sorry, We Love Colors, your sizing for me is just "meh"). I love colorful shoes & want more. 

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe?
Many people, no, most people wear more colors than I do. But bloggers whose sense of color jives best with what I would wear include Audi of Fashion for Nerds & Vanessa of Big Girl. Small Town. Tiny Budget.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 02.03.11

FBFF Questions for 02.03.11 - This week, we are talking about creating a unique blog, courtesy of ModlyChic.

The launch this week of the 30 for 30 challenge, as well as the rise of EBEW and even the Going Red for Women month, got people thinking how do we decide what content works for our blog and what doesn't? How do we maintain our voice while being part of the larger blogger community?

So bloggers commented that some of these 'blogging events' are full of people just interested in jumping on the bandwagon and trying to garner a little more fame out of it, while others are authentic. All interesting and valid points, which of course had them thinking what makes a blog unique and how do we are bloggers differentiate ourselves and our blogs from the thousands out there. 

1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?
So far, I haven't participated in any of them -- just FBFF, & even then, only when the questions appeal to me or I have time or I'm a little bored on a Friday working from home! Honestly, those events don't fit with my personal style. 30 for 30 is a boring concept to me, even if it's what most normal (aka non-fashion-obsessed) people do all the time. I don't know what EBEW is (tried to find a link, couldn't!), & I kinda think that wearing a color for a cause isn't as powerful as actively donating or working for it.

Maybe I should start an event of my own ... Black Thursdays, where everyone wears head-to-toe black on Thursday! Pointy-Toe Tuesdays, must wear pointy-toed boots or shoes on Tuesdays! Hair Flower Week, we all wear flowers in our hair, every day for a whole week. Eight '80s, dress with some kind of retro 1980s element in your outfit for eight days straight. Super Stripe Days, wear something striped on every day that has an "S" in it for a whole month.

Yeah, now you see why I'm not in charge here.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons? How did that turn out?
I do wonder about these FBFFs a little -- am I just doing it for a link elsewhere? But at the same time, I don't dress up on Fridays when I work from home, so this seems pretty harmless.

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?
I blather in my own special way ;-)

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?
Is it at least a little bit goth & can I wear it to my admittedly casual office? Everything on this blog has to meet those qualifications. It's really that simple. I have other websites, LiveJournal, FaceBook, Flickr, etc., for tangents & personal BS. Some of the blogging events fall quickly fall into the category of "tangents" as far as CorpGoth is concerned.

For example, I was going to participate in a Petite Style Challenge on Alternations Needed for something like "perk up your winter wardrobe blahs" which required an outfit with no black in it (other than shoes or accessories). At first, I thought that would be a fun example of stretching my wings. But then I realized it was actually impossible with my wardrobe. I have a few summertime things that could work, but nothing for a full winter outfit. I couldn't fulfill that challenge in a genuinely CorpGoth or Trystan fashion. So there was no point.

5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something worthwhile but not your style?
I watch & comment, if I appreciate something.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 01.28.11

FBFF Questions for 01.28.11 - We're talking blogger mechanics this week, courtesy of ModlyChic. 

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)
Ours is a solidly Macintosh household! Always has been, always will be. I use a MacBook for blogging because that's where I have PhotoShop loaded (due to an OS upgrade, I lost PhotoShop on my desktop Mac *sadness*).

My camera is a Canon G9, which can be either an extremely fancy point-&-shoot or you can totally customize the settings & it's almost an DSLR. I bought it when it first came out & have taken a ton of fantastic landscape & architecture photos with it, but I still haven't gotten the hang of portraits :-/ 

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)
I use Blogger -- it was easy to set up & I really like the "following" with the sense of community that creates. The templates were also simple to customize.

I edit photos in PhotoShop & store them on my personal website via Yahoo! Web Hosting (less than $10 a month for massive storage & services!).

I tend to write up my blog post during the day during breaks at work. Then, when I get home from work, I offload the photos from the camera, edit them, upload the photos, & assemble the whole blog post & publish.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?
Hope for the best? I'm usually dressed by 7:30am, & I go outside to find a spot around my house. I set up the tripod (which is a pretty wimpy one & sometimes takes very tilted photos that I have to fix later) with the camera. I set the timer, run in front, preen a little bit if there's time, & there ya go.

If I get outside on time (which is *not* every day), I take 6 to 8 photos, including some closeups as the outfit warrants, which yields 2 to 3 that I can bear putting out in public.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?
Due to time constraint, I'm stuck with what's right around my house. I used the porch for a while (especially because it was rainy when I started in fall), & that sucked for the lighting.

The driveway has ever-so-slightly better lighting & a diversity of three -- count 'em, three! -- thrilling backgrounds (LOL). Inside my house is a dark batcave with dark walls & heavy curtains, so I'm unlikely to get decent photos in there.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?
An assistant to take photos of me! Hahahaha. I should look around & see if there's a remote control for my camera. Some bloggers have mentioned using those & it helps with timing & focus.

And maybe I could beg my husband to let me borrow one of his better tripods (he's a professional videographer). This cheap one I bought ages ago for travel irritates me, especially since I use it so often now.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 12.31.10

FBFF Questions for 12.31.10 - New Year, new blog, new you ... resolutions, goals for 2011, courtesy of ModlyChic. (These are the questions that Vahni of Grit and Glamour so kindly suggested.)

1. What's the one thing you vow to learn or do in 2011 to improve your blog?
Better photos. It's a constant struggle to get decent images in the wee hours, but I will persevere!

2. What did you learn about blogging in 2010 that you plan to put into practice next year?
It's all about connections -- reading & commenting & being active with other people's blogs. Plus replying to comments on your own blog. But no blog stands alone.

3. Do you have any high-level goals for your blog in the coming year? Monetization? More comments? More connections with other bloggers? A new template?
Not really. I like where this blog is going right now, & I want to keep it up. Just more interaction with readers & other bloggers, keep posting regularly. I feel like I've barely started. Besides, I'm not in this for money or fame (my real job is already writing on the Internet, so I don't want / need more ;-)

4. If you could collaborate with one other blogger within your sphere of influence in 2011, who would you like to collaborate with, and what would you like to collaborate on?
Hmm... yes, but not sure what. I'd love to do a DIY project or swap circle, like we used to do on a.g.f, & because that would take some coordination, it'd be great to share with another blogger. Or maybe Sarah & I could do some photo project together. I'd have to think about this more!

5. What do you plan to do to support other bloggers next year?
Comments, definitely! Interaction is where it's at. And hey, maybe I'll suggest some of these 5 questions too. I like the ones that are less meta-about-blogging & more about fashion or seasonal topics.

Happy New Year everyone! Bonus question for you: What fashion or style blogs do you read?

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 12.24.10

Another set of Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions, courtesy of ModlyChic. The topic this week is holiday memories...

1. Your favorite holiday memory:
I don't know if there's a favorite ... but I can think of a worst. Well, it's a worst with a happy ending! In 2003, a ton of my husbands' family members, plus my parents, were gathering in Lake Tahoe for Xmas week, including a number of his relatives from the U.K. & France. Well, a few days after Xmas, he & I were scheduled to leave for Rio de Janeiro for New Year's Eve, followed by Argentina to leave on a cruise to Antarctica. This was a trip we'd dreamed about for a decade. So we could only be at this gathering (that was a 4-hour drive away from our house) for literally Xmas day.

We drove up on the afternoon of Xmas eve (as soon as we could get off work) & were immediately caught in a horrible snow storm on the one highway up to Tahoe. We put chains on the car, & then traffic was stopped for hours. Cell phone reception was spotty, so we could hardly tell our family what was going on. It was awful. We didn't make it to the Tahoe house until midnight.

But then everyone was thrilled to see us, & my husband's uncle from London had made a fantastic French onion soup that warmed us right up. The next day was great, even tho' we had to leave immediately the following morning. And, of course, Rio & Antarctica were amazing :-)

2. Were you ever a victim of those family Christmas party photo shoots? What do you think about them now? Care to share an old photo?
We never did staged family photos. But I love this picture taken on Xmas night, before we went out for dinner. It shows my mom, my stepdad, me, & our cat Sam (the cat is since deceased but he grew up with me like my little brother).

Not sure of the year -- around 1989? -- sometime during my first year or two at college. Soon after that Mom stopped getting an Xmas tree since I didn't live in the house.

3. Best Christmas gift you ever gave:
I'd like to say what I'm giving my husband this year, except it's on backorder, even tho' I ordered it in October, & now they say it won't arrive until February! Dammit, but if it arrived, I suspect it might blow his mind a little.

Otherwise, we don't do a lot of big gifts. Our three sets of parents, my husband & I all decided about five-ish years ago to only exchange handmade & charitable gifts with each other. It's a lot more fun & satisfying than going to the mall.

4. Craziest/funniest holiday family tradition:
My family is very small (growing up, it was just Mom & me), so we don't have a lot of traditions & not much in the way of  unique ones. The funniest story is probably when the cat (not Sam, an earlier, kinda mean black cat named Cat) knocked over the Xmas tree while I was at school. Being a latch-key kid, I came home, saw the huge, 7-foot tree down in the living room, & panicked. I thought I'd get the blame. By the time Mom got home in the evening, I was in tears. She gets a great laugh out of that story now.

5. Favorite type of Christmas cookie:
All of them! Hmm... I rather like gingerbread because I only have it in December, but I also love rolled sugar cookies. Love decorating both of these, so much fun (but I didn't have time this year).

1970s partridge in a pear tree ornament made by my mom, now on my tree.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday - 12.17.10

My first foray into the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions, started by ModlyChic. The topic this week is "holiday party attire."

1. Which holiday party are you looking forward to attending this year?
Well, my husband & I had invitations to two parties, but for various reasons, we haven't been able to go to either! We did go to one holiday choral concert a fancy theater where his father was performing, so I dressed up for that. I hope we can go to the NYE part we're invited to.

2. What is your go-to holiday party outfit?
A little black dress. This season's for me is this knit wrap ruffled dress from Chadwicks. Both comfortable & elegant, easy to dress up with fancy hosiery & heels. Very flattering too.

3. Do you go dressed in something that would be impractical to wear at any other time of the year?
Not really. I like to wear the same kind of dresses I'd wear at any time -- nothing crazy-short (just to the knee), a bit of cleavage for an evening event but not scandalous, high heels.

4. If you are going to a house-party what gift will you bring to the host/hostess?
A bottle of wine, probably J. Lohr Valdique because it's my local favorite, so it has a good story. 

5. If you could buy only one trendy piece to update your holiday party wardrobe, what would you get this year?
The only recent trend I really dig that applies might be wedge heels, & I did wear the awesome buckled peep-toe wedges I bought during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales with that little black dress. Might again!

Anyone else have a holiday outfit they love or are looking forward to wearing?