Casual Tuesdays

I don't know why, but I think Tuesdays deserve to be extra-casual. Mondays start off the work week, so they require a proper dress-up, dive in, let's show 'em how it's done sort of outfit. Besides, I have meetings on Mondays, and that requires something that looks good.

But by Tuesday, the reality of the week has sunk in, and that tiny bit of bravado about "I'm going to get it all done!" has worn off. I'm staring the giant to-do list in the face, and it ain't pretty. This calls for comfy clothes.

What I'm wearing:
Black & grey stripey tunic with sequin epaulets, Macy's | Black knit skirt, Target | Black bat-print leggings, Target | Chain & ribbon belt, eBay | Black ankle boots, Aldo | Silver chunky bead choker, Target | Silver hoop earrings, random accessory store

In about 10 days, I'm leaving for Spain. This weekend, I'm performing at a Renaissance faire with a new group (tho' made of people who I've known for ages). In between all of this, I have two major medical tests that may help with my ongoing chronic condition. Right after I return from Spain, I'm running a major volunteer event.

It's a little bit busy around here, mostly in good ways, but still. You can see the desire for comfy clothes!

Ruffles & Plaid

Plus a haircut, finally. Remember my bad hair day recently? Well no more complaining -- I got a nice trim this weekend, and while it's probably hard to tell in pictures, the cut really helps make my hair more manageable. Just a few inches off and a little bit of shaping, and I love it.

What I'm wearing:
Black sweater with ruffled collar and cuffs, Newport News
Black & white plaid skirt, made by Donna
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Silhouette pendant on silk ribbon, gift from Kendra
Gunmetal & rhinestone hoop earrings, NY & Co.
Round-toe pumps, Target

Also, my tripod is getting pretty crooked. Not sure why, but it refuses to stand straight, and I end up fixing the problem in PhotoShop afterwards. Weird.

Dodging Raindrops Whilst Going Back to School

The heavens opened in Silicon Valley yesterday, perhaps crying to mourn the passing of visionary Steve Jobs. Well, I like to think so. He meant a great deal to me -- I am not a tech-geeky type by nature and would never have gotten on computers, on the Internet, or into my current career if not for the magical machine that is Macintosh, truly the computer for the rest of us. Apple products changed my life for the better, no exaggeration, and I owe Steve (& Steve W.) a huge debt of gratitude.

One of the most appropriate Steve Jobs quotes for me is: "Apple's major contribution was to bring a liberal arts point of view to computers."

And yesterday, I had one of my occasional opportunities to return to a seat of liberal arts learning myself -- the local university I started a Master's degree at, but abandoned to work in the Internet industry. This time, I was there to talk to a couple combined classes in the journalism department. The topic was an overview of 'writing for the Web,' where I tried to cram everything future writers and editors should know about the topic into one hour.

But enough shop talk! What about the outfit? Professional, yet comfortable, plus suitable for the weather. Yep, had to wear the Clarks again, both for the rain and for being on my feet. I also like to wear something purple whenever I represent my company (not hard, considering how much purple is in my wardrobe). I wasn't sure if I'd get hot in the sweater, but I'd forgotten how drafty those old buildings get.

What I'm wearing:
Purple knit dress, Target
Black ruffled sweater, Kohl's
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black knee-high boots, Clarks
Silver disk earrings, random accessory store

Are you a Mac or a PC? Do you care?

Summer Dress Goes Fall

I've done this before -- wearing a summer dress on a cool day. It's clearly not rocket science. But I so love the effect, and I was just *waiting* for autumn crispness to be able to do it with this particular dress. It has a very deep neckline that demands wearing with some kind of top underneath, so the dress is as perfect for layering over a long-sleeve T as it is a cami. Of course, when the temperature drops even more, I could add a sweater or jacket on top.

What I'm wearing:
Blue knit dress, Ruche.com | Black long-sleeve T-shirt, Old Navy | Black tights, unknown brand | Black spool-heel boots, Target | Black linen scarf printed with skulls, gift from my husband | Dangly purple earrings painted with bats, made by a local artist | Purple flower pin in my hair, random accessory store

So, do you get multi-seasonal use out of summer clothes? Or do you just pack them away during the cold months?

 

(Note: I actually wore this yesterday and am a day behind on blogging. Today's outfit worn while presenting to journalism students will get blogged tomorrow, even tho' I'm working from home as per Friday usual ;-) 

Fall Finally Fell!

We got rain yesterday and beautiful crisp, cool weather today. Light rain is predicted thruout the week. Huzzah! This is proper goth weather and much better suited to my wardrobe.

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey pinstripe jacket, made by Donna | Black knit dress, Target | Black tights, Calvin Klein | Tall black boots, Clarks | Silk scarf printed with skulls & other spooky things, Target | Pewter square earrings, made by a local artist

My health problems have resurfaced recently, but I'm cheered by the prospect of delicious fall weather. That makes up for a lot of things. I can wear boots & velvet & jackets & sweaters & layers & all the pretty, comfy, fabulous things in my closet that have been languishing for months. Yay!

Goth Challenge #4 - Good Cliches

#4: Name a stereotype or cliche you can relate to.

Tombstone at Holyrood House,
Edinburgh, Scotland

(Continuing the Goth Challenge questions -- follow the tag below to see all.)  Oh dear. Goth cliches, there's so many of 'em! Some I'm really tired of. But I must admit, some I am entirely guilty of and revel in, like...

• I dye my hair black (even tho' it's almost naturally black).
• I only wear dark, dark lipstick.
• I only wear black eyeliner.
• My favourite authors are the Bronte Sisters (original Gothic novels, yeah!).
• I love bats & skulls (but I hate spiders!).
• I love cemeteries & crumbling churches.
• I have been depressed a lot of my life.
• I buy Halloween merchandise most every year (best item this year: skull damask tablecloth from Target).
• I love old-school goth music like Sisters of Mercy, the Cure, and Siouxie and the Banshees.
• I sleep on dark sheets (black, purple, black & white stripe).
• I painted the walls inside our house dark colors.
• I love velvet (both wearing it & using it in home decor; we have a velvet-covered couch, velvet bedding, and velvet curtains).
• I prefer silver jewelry.
• I love cats (we have two).
• I enjoyed playing Vampire: the Masquerade -- in fact, my husband (then-boyfriend) & I used to run a live-action game.
• I don't wear pastels.

I'm sure there are others, but that hits some of the bigger cliches that qualify.

Now, for more fun, here are some ways I deviate from goth cliches!

• I'm not afraid of the sun, in fact, I regularly take tropical vacations.
• I really dislike industrial music.
• I kind of hate most goth clothing brands (I'm looking at you, Lip Service).
• I'm not into piercings.
• I enjoy wearing blue jeans.
• I still don't get elegant gothic lolita.
• I'm totally over goth clubs, seeing live goth bands, & most any goth music made after 1995.
• I absolutely despise tiny top hats (remember my rule: your hat must be bigger than my fist or I will punch you!).
• I mostly hang out with non-goths.

Hmm ... most of my non-cliches are more about me not liking specific parts of the subculture. Well, I tried :-)

Lacey Costume Review

The Sophistique Noir monthly theme for October is lace, and I realized I don't have much in my everyday wardrobe with lace. A bit of trim here and there, nothing dramatic or terribly interesting. However, I love to use lace in my costumes. Also, on October 1, I'll be away from the computer at a costume event, so it seems appropriate to post about a few lace-decked costumes!

One of my favorite uses of lace was in this stripey 18th-century polonaise with a decidedly goth flair. I trimmed the neckline with a deep lace flounce (edged in velvet ribbon) and gave the sleeves lace ruffles. More photos are here and you can follow the complete dress diary by scrolling back thru here.

This era really lends itself to lace. Here's an 18th-century anglaise made of embroidered silk, made by my dear friend Sarah, which I trimmed in coordinating silk ruches, velvet ribbon, and huge black lace sleeve flounces. More photos here.

Those sleeve ruffles used scraps from another project -- they were leftover from the layered lace skirt over a purple silk hoopskirt I made to portray the Marquise de la Tour-Maubourg in the Franz Xavier Winterhalter portrait of "Empress Eugenie Surrounded by her Maids of Honor" with a group of friends. Here's the portrait gown...

 

 And here's my recreation. Our group won "Best in Show" for our costumes and presentation at Costume-Con 26 in 2008 (which is kinda like winning an Emmy or an Oscar for costume hobbyists!).

More photos, including ones of the whole group, are here.  The dress diary, con write-up, and a video of our performance are here.

I also like to use lace on accessories. For my 16th-century garb, lace is the crowning touch on ruffs, like this heavily starched 1590s ruff. The dress diary his here.

Finally, a photo of some lace in my fabric stash! I hope to use this on a really extravagant ruff in the future. I bought 10 yards in the L.A. garment district.

Can't wait to see the rest of this month's lace extravaganzas!