Cheap or Cheap

You all know I'm cheap, right? I really don't spend more than $30 on any clothing item. And I think that's expensive. I think Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, and even Old Navy are expensive, except when stuff is on sale. Of course, that leads to my massive collection of stuff... To be fair though, I must contest that a) Much of it is hand me downs from my sis or mom and b) I don't throw anything away. B is particularly relevent since I haven't changed size really since maybe the seventh grade, and I can still fit into tops from earlier than that. (My mom liked to buy my clothes big, saying I'd grow into them. I tried on a pair of jeans and they were falling off me. I showed my mom and she said they fit perfectly...)

In the spirit of the Holiday season, a starving student's budget, and my general cheapness, I offer my evaluations of some cheap mass retailers.

Kohl's- Cheap on sale and cheap in quality. Their button up shirts do that annoying thing where the buttons gap open (the even had a picture in one of their adds with an ill-made sweater doing just that) and is torn soon. Don't buy anything you plan to need for a while from here. Their shoes, however get a thumbs up. $5 shoes on clearance! Hold up nicely and look good! I;m typically gentle to my shoes though. (Just note what I wear each day!)

JC Penny- They get points for quality and price. Good sales and good pieces. I use to shop almost exclusively there. (The shop of choice changes with the fashion seasons and what shop carries what I like.) I don't shop their juniors department so much anymore, but I do like their misses collection, particularly their Bisou Bisou line. (Love my high waisted pencil skirt!)

Target- Target's usually good. Plus, their return policy rocks! 90 Days! If your stuff doesn't last at least that long, take it back. No questions asked. They also know what a clearance is versus sale, and have some rocken shoe clearances. $8 boots! $4.98 pumps! And their stuff looks good too. On the negatove, I hate the fit of their screen tees and long sleeve tees. Too wide in the shoulders for me. If you have wide shoulders, that may be good. Oh, and I'm not too impressed with their online service either...

Walmart- If you can brave this store (the one near my house is staffed mostly by immigrants who don't speak English very well and don't know anything about the store) then their are some good buys to be had. They are the monarch's of clearance with $1, $2, $3, and $5 racks. I have a few pieces from there that are still going strong a few years later. I do have to say that they lack a few things design-wise, but obviously nothing too bad or I wouldn't have bought much less worn the pieces as much as I have. Their shoes have also looked cuter lately, but don't fit my feet. Admittedly I have narrow feet, but in the shoes I tried on even a 7.5, which usually fits me right width-wise but is a bit tighter than I like length and toe room wise, was WAY to wide for my feet.

Payless- Cute shoes and quality and design has online gone up through the years. They also have great sales, and you can cheat by switching shoe boxes if you can avoid the eyes of staff...

Forever 21- Yes, I even count them as expensive. I can't resist buying a piece from here every now and then. They've set themselves up as THE spot for dresses. In fact, I bought my prom dress there.



Click for larger pic. I like my fancy dresses simple, without cheap looking glitter, colors that look like rainbow brite puked on it, and other cheap embellishments. I like design using the fabric of the dress, and doesn't look trashy. This refers to the stuff they usually toss at you around prom season. Also, several of my favorite pieces hail from this store. Their sales rock in terms of prices! Usually, the really good stuff never make sit their though. Their quality is also often not the best. Some pieces are good, others, not so much. I advise to always check seams and such at this store.

Wet Seal- Somewhat better though still wavering on expensive for me. They have awesome sales though! So tempting... I also like their jeans. Good stuff. (Designer jeans are a waste for me, since as you see, I rarly wear jeans and usually wear them to just fool around in.)

Charlotte Russe- Cute stuff, cruddy website, and check quality here too. Their shoes are great though and often on sale. Got my trusty cowboy boots are there and their still going strong, despite the abuse I heap on them. I wear them as rain boots, since rain boots are too heavy for my liking and also tend to slide off my narrow feet and tiny ankles/calves. Wore them all through last year's rainy season and they're still going strong. Only problem is they slip. Ugh. Lucky I have good balance though...

Rave/Lola- I like them too. Decent quality, though again I say check the seams. Decent prices, though yet again wavering on expensive. AWESOME sales though, and the cute stuff goes on sale.

Hot Topic- Way overpriced, but they've had some good sales lately--including 50% off boots!--and I'd speak well of their quality. Plus, the people are ALWAYS friendly, so they get love from me. (Unlike American Eagle et al.) I also love their accessories. I so wanted a couple of their guitarr pick necklaces! But, I'm a starving college student who needs to buy Christmas presents.

Oh, and by the way, exhausted this week (trouble sleeping on hard dorm bed from my nice, soft bed at home) so excuse my typos and lazy spelling.

Outfit from Nov. 14th: long sleeve tee and brown wrap boots- JC Penny, blue tank- Ross, jeans- Wet Seal, vest- mom (from 70s. I luve it!), red feather fascinator- Taissa Lada Designs (ebay)

Cheap, Cheap

Ivy Frozen

Yeah Yeah Yeah

You've got questions? Today, I've got answers. Okay, so no one actually asked me specifically any questions, but I've seen a lot of questions asked elsewear that just make me go aye-yi-yi! So, today, I give you the answers.

Q. Should I buy this trend item, with the the risk that it will soon be out of fashion?

A. If the only reason you're considering buying said item is because it's a trend, then no. If you actually like said item, even if it were not a trend, then go for it. If you really like it, screw the trend whores and keep wearing them even when bubblegum girl with her Loreal locks perfectly on trend informs you how "totally out" they are, and even when fashionista iforms you they were so over [insert period of time] ago. If you really are that self concious but truly like them, when they go out, put it away and pull it out when it's back in style. Pretty much everything comes back in style one way or another, some person resurrects it and looks cool doing it.

Q. Does this go with this?

A. Well, that depends on what look you're going for. A single piece can be paired with other items that can give it so many diffrent "feels," shall I say, from kind of rocker tough to coming across sweeter. Of course, certain pieces speak louder than others. In terms of matching, matching is always good. And contrary to my sister's and color-matching obsessive people, I do in fact match. I just don't limit my matching to colors.

So now we get into the world of Matching!

Matching does not simply equal the same color or color schemes. I find it somewhat boring to limit myself to that. Come on! That's kindergarten level matching, though if you like it, rock on. I certainly do use that matching. It is the founding point of matching. But I also like to be more adventurous in my matching, which may include throwing in a contrasting color. It's still matching because said contrast color is thrown in there specifically for another color or colors in their and goes with them by contrasting and staying out. Typically, said color is bold and this technique is utalized by using mostly black and then the color or a pattern.

For example, I site the outfit included for today's post. My matching is more clear on the right where I stuck with bold, darker, richer colors. Blues on the top on nuetrals on the bottom. The belt is a earthtone bronve with a horse and horseshoe on it that matches thematically with the cowboy boots. On the left, the vest matches the striped scarf, as does pretty much everything else, and the blue scarf ties in to the blues. That's right! It matches! Cuz I said so. Plus, I was tired that day...

Q. Does the fashion rule go like this or this?/Can I wear this although it violates the fashion rules?

A. Fashion Rules? I don't recall anything like that being set in stone. The so-called fashion rules are more like guidelines and made to be bended, stretched, and broken. I repeat, where is the fun if they are not? Try it! If you like it, wear it! Do remember practicality and decorum though too.

Q. Last, a question of my own. What's up with Audrey Hepburn? I can see her as a style icon, but as an actress, she doesn't do much for me. None of her films (that I've seen) would make my favorites list. Breakfast at Tiffany's is memorable for the fashion (you know I love contrasts, perfectly exemplified by the openign with the Givenchy gown and a bagel, was it, while she hangs OUTSIDE the shop and stares at the wares within.) but I really don't get the movie. What exactly is it about? Audrey's character is crazy? Yeah, not exactly on my favorites, even with the clothes. (Of course, I think Mulin Rouge is a freaky movie. The way they filmed it gives it a horror-circus feel to me, with the music, coughing up blood, really fast and really slow scenes, lighting. ::shivers::)

Outfit from Friday, Oct. 17th: vest- mom from 70s, blue scarf and belt- some Chinese shop, striped scarf- Old Navy, cropped hoody- JC Penny, pants- Marshalls, socks- Wet Seal, boots- Charlotte Russe, shirt- Disney land from when I was a little girl. (Princess Jasmine and Raja. I want a pet tiger too...)

Needing a Joker suit,
Ivy Frozen

On Corsets

Corsets. Old style, need a maid to tighten your waist to a hand spread (A hand spread! That's like half my waist taking the gentlest meaning of that.) corsets.

Kind of creepy. We envy those women their tiny waists but it's really kind of freakish looking. See, they look really cool in the clothes but they really ARE shaped like that. And their organs are shifted around.

It brings all sorts of questions to mind. How exactly did these women have children? What did they eat on Thanksgiving, because we know they couldn't stuff themselves with turkey? How was this sexy again when a guy could grab you about the waist with one hand?

And the descriptions of what the corsets do kind of made me a feel a little sick. The S bend corset forces the hips back and shoves the bust forward creating the S shape.

But then the article also points out that this was the way women sculpted their bodies the way women now-a-days do at the gym. Exercise wasn't big back then; dieting and shaping garments were. When you think of it that way, it's not quite so ludicrous... Also, I suppose it goes back to the helpless is sexy, man feels needed kind of thing that Marilyn Monroe was big on. She'd have the heels on her shoes uneven to increase the wiggle in her walk and make her appear more vulnerable or something. While I do love Marilyn style dresses and sweaters, her voice creeps me out. It's like Michael Jackson's, kind of creepy-childish. Not a bad likeness, as Marilyn committed suicide and Michael Jackson, well, might as well have done it literally.

And But back to corsets, I'll let you in on a little not-so secret: I have a thing for corsets. Now, I probably would not dig anything that required a second person to pull it insanely tight that it shifted my organs around and cmpressed my ribcage from a fudge-sickle shape to a jelly bean shape. But I do dig a corset that clings and contours to my body. I'm about comfort, but I do like things that cling and move with my body. Of course, the fabric should be soft too and no scratchy (no skinny jeans!). Just ask my mom; I am the pickiest about fabrics. I like soft, touchable fabrics. (Velvet, soft faux fur = love!)

I like this outfit. It makes me look thinner. My sis thought I lost weight. (I'm a bit wasp wasted in the pic on the far right... Not that thin equals beautiful. In fact, pretty much every female close to me has more weight than I. (I like some meat on my women ;) Of course, that then puts pressure on me to remain thin. It's kind of become part of my place, being the thin one. I really think I might flip out if I gained a bunch of weight. That seems unlikely though. I've pretty much maintained this same weight all through high school and I seem to get my weight genes from my father's side of the family. (About half his siblings are tall and thin including my dad, the other have is short and chubby cute.) Too bad I didn't get the height along with the thin gene. Honestly, I do think I look scrawny sometimes though and need to gain some more weight, especially on days when I look about twelve. Yuck! I'm pear shaped so all my weight goes to my hips, ass, and upper thighs. A bit goes to my tummy too, but mostly those easily disguised by an A-line skirt areas.

No before I talk myself into another jam (if I haven't already), let's end this post. Corsets are good when not laced too tight! Oh, and I'm mixing black and brown accessories and me likey! Take that fashion rules, which are really more like guidelines that tend to boring things up rather than promote good fashion.

Outfit from Thursday, Nov. 16th: long sleeve tee- JC Penny, vest- Mom from 70s, dress- Forever 21, boots- Charlotte Russe, striped scarf- Old Navy, leaves scarf- Thrift Town, tights- Walmart, heart shaped pin- Great Grandma

Question Authority,
Ivy Frozen

Hell P1:The Devil's Shopping Mall

I hate ebay. Okay, fine I don't. I'm just ticked off that some devil person outbid me on a dress at the last minute. The ebay rubs it in my e-mailing me no fewer than five times to tell me I was outbid and keeping track of how many times I've lost at an auction. Really, what is the point in keeping track of how many times you've lost or even won? Is ebay some sort of game? Why, yes. I think it is. Run by the DEVIL!

That's right! Ebay's an evil trap. See, because after losing out on the dress, I then had to seek out more items to bid on to console myself. I tried to bid on another dress and was outbid yet again by the devil's spawn itself.

Continuing in this Groundhog Day loop, I then began searching out for a dream item of mine: a purple, satiny shirtdress. ::much sighing, wistful gazes. And how does the devil spurn me this time? I finally find the PERFECT dress, but by that time I had moved on to searching for something else. This dress hadn't shown up in my previous searches because it was plum, not purple (jerks...). And by the time I found it, 10 seconds were left in the auction. Needless to say, I did not get it!

But I did come to the realization that ebay is an evil place! It is a hell, the hell that Dante forgot! Or, you know, didn't exist during his time. Or maybe one of the existing just got a make-over and I didn't receive the memo... Regardless, I hate ebay and Bill Gates invented internet right? So I hate him too.

At least until I decide to sell some stuff on there, possibly in December...

Just not to be all negative, and for your daily dose of randomness, I luv my umbrella. It so pretty!

My outfit: dress- Burlington Coat Factory, belt (matches my earrings;)- Payless, capris- Ross maybe... (Embroidered flowers on them), socks- Target (They have a ladybugs on them), boots- Charlotte Russe, spotted scarf- Thrift Town (Unclear what the dots are... Could be leopard spots, leaves, or just spots.) , umbrella- UC Santa Cruz (Monet print on it.)

Even thinks she's crazy herself,
Ivy Frozen

I Lounge in Trousers.

I don't own a single pair of sweatpants. That's right! Not a single pair! Fashionistas everywhere envy me! Bwahahahaha!

So what do I lounge around in? Well, typically if it's that lazy a day that I'm not even going out, I lounge around in my pajamas. Much cuter than sweatpants. But, for not quite that lazy days, I lounge in trousers. Yes, trousers. I love my trousers! They're much comfier than jeans and look nicer too. They feel so good!

As proof, there's a picture on the left from Saturday where I basically did nothing except overhear my roommates talking about me (I'm not sure if they undstand the concept of quiet). In their favor though, they did say I have cute shoes and didn't exactly say anything mean. Just some of those well meant but highly insulting to the hearer remarks.

I do like stuff like yoga capris though, and I need to get a some nice exercise wear for my runs. Something that's form fitting with a place for keys and a cellphone. I might have to just add a fanny pack of sorts though to carry my stuff.

And for your daily dose of randomness, anyone know who the girl in this:

painting by Christina Robertson (from 1850) looks like? I'm pretty sure it's an actress and I think from a movie. I can just see the girl with the same look as the one in the painting speaking, but can't figure out who it is!

My Outfit: Tiered Top- Walmart, a few years ago. Holding up really well, sometimes the adjusters for the straps dig into the back.

Pants- Ross, My mom hemmed them up but I think I want to let them down again.

Cropped Hoody- JC Penny

Shoes- Wedge Jellies from Lola. Black socks worn.

Necklaces- My dentist's office and Hawaii

Painting from: http://www.abcgallery.com/

Feeling Lazy,

Ivy Frozen

On Style

Perhaps continuing my lovely versus thing I got going on, today is about style vs. fashion. (Post has nothing to do with the fact that I just found a bunch more cool sites today and I'll probably be adding some more links soon.)

First, on style, I ask you to check out Street Fashion: Life in Fashion Form. Scroll down to the weekly tip and read "Style is a Way of Life." While that's nothing new to me, they hook it all together so nicely. I'll quote the thing here since I'm not sure if (or when) they'll change it.

"Style is the way you put together clothes and make them represent who you are and how you want to portray yourself to the world. Its shouldn't be a matter of fitting in or trying to get attention. Keep in mind what you want to represent.. the music you like.. a way of life. When picking things out.. stop yourself every time you start thinking about what another person will think. If someones making what you want to buy.. you're not alone in your taste. Or maybe you are.. even better."

A lovely way to start out this post, no? But yes, obviously I agree with that sentiment and spread it to the four corners of the world as gospel truth. But, now I shall seemingly veer away from that, although I still support wear-what-you-want, child-like abandon in your dressing. What I wear is certainly not always flattering (although it usually makes up for that in some other way) and it's certainly not required for you to dress in clothes that flatter you, if ya have to wear clothes, you might as well feel good in them, and everybody loves a flattering outfit every now and then. So I present you with this article from Papier Doll. It discusses fashion from the days of old, and how each body type has had its time of being declared the ideal. Even better than that, it demonstrates how to take that knowledge and use it to find looks that flatter your shape. Awesomeness, no?

I have to say I'm very impressed by the articles I saw on Papier Doll. I've been rather bored with magazines lately as I can find everything they have to offer and report online, for free, and usually before I read the magazine. (Reading fashion blogs has tainted me.) In Papier Doll's About Us section, they state that Papier Doll was established to cover what Fashion magazines miss, and I'd have to say they do a great job at it. I'd pay for Papier Doll in hardcopy, although it being online means I don't have to flip through a million pages of adds to find the five pages of actual content.

Now, I'll actually put my tips, for those who trust me. The main thing that makes an outfit work is matching. I'm not talking strictly about colors or patterns here, you can also match thematically. If there are no words to describe a look, it's probably too random. But don't think about that. Get in touch with your inner child and wear what you feel! Contrary to laughing at ya, most people are delighted when they see someone wearing something different. Of course, there are always those close-minded, snarky people who apparently are the grand authority on all and ignore you when not gossiping and laughing about you. Ignore, rock your outfit, and you'll look great!

In the outfit featured in today's post (from last Thursday) I used a mostly warm tone palette with the jeans. Amid the orange, I have creams and whites which hook into the faded jeans. Keeps the look together. A familiar thing with a shorter sleeve top layered over a longer sleeved blouse is made interesting by me using a t-shirt. The scarf adds extra interestingness by giving this street/urban outfit a bit of an outlaw additude.

It would be lovely if I thought of all that while putting the outfit together, but I didn't. It was more like, "I wanna wear this orange top, cause I haven't worn it in a while and I love the skull bunny. I also want to wear a blouse but casualize it down. And I also should wear those capris because I haven't worn them at all and I brought them all the way here with me to college instead of my other capris. ::all pieces visualized in similar roles in different outfits:: Hey! Why don;t I hook them together!" I was actually originally going to where my black granny boots with the capris, but once I had the outfit on, my Happy Shoes seemed a more fitting choice.

My Outfit: Happy Bunny tee- Ummmmm..., blouse- mom, capris- Kohls, happy shoes- Heel and Sole Shoes, Scarf- Thrift Town

Encouraging you to wear what you want,

Ivy Frozen

The Skinny on Skinnies

Vs.

A lovely commenter wanted to know my opinion on skinnies, given my apparent dislike of them from a comment I made in the post before my last post. That apparent dislike is in fact dislike. And not because of the usual "Oh my God! They're so overdone!" sentiment of many other fashion bloggers (then again, I'm about style, but who really differentiates that in their mind all the time?). No, I oppose them based on how freaken fugly they look on me. Yeah.

I figured my respose to the commenters comment wasn't quite enough, so i decided to expand and illustrate it. This post does echo my sentiments in my reply to the comment for those of you who are lazy like me and don't want to scroll down to the post before the last post and click the comment thing to read it.

So, what's the skinny on skinnies? I don't do them. I have hips and thighs. Chicken legs. Chicken legs and skinny leg jeans don't go together.

Take exhibit left. Those are dark wash, Old Navy straight leg (not even skinny) leg jeans in the right size for me. A size up is too big, a size down too small. Notice how tiny and stubby my legs look compared to the guitarr that makes up the rest of my body, going down to my thighs. Also not that adding the boots over is still not flattering, even if I stuck with black laces in them rather than changing them to white.

Now exhibit right. Much better, much chicer, much happier me. Case closed. No skinnies for me. Skirts rule!

Now, if you want to wear skinnies, be my guest. It's not my place to dictate what you wear. As I mentioned in my reply to the comment, I like them best on skinny girls who lack my thigh meat for that cool rocker chick vibe, though I've seen larger girls rock them too.

The pictures were taken in the Old Navy dressing room. Great clearance going on there and online right now. They have lots of jeans, including bootcut and flares for those of you also opposed to the skinnies, and if you've been coveting their boots, now's the time to act. I personally don't like Old Navy. It's always a trick to find my size, often many sizes bigger or smaller than my usual one. As for the boots, they feel really cheap to me, like plastic, which they probably are made out of. The click they give is unsatisfactory for me, more the tink of plastic hitting the ground than something more solid. If you want boots, I'd head over to Target and get the boots they have on sale right now. They're at about $7.50 at my local store and are in the style of some Lindsay Lohan was spotted wearing, not that I particularly care for Lindsay's style or lack there-of. The boots do get MY SEAL of cuteness though, which I'd rate higher than Lindsay's vote if I were you.

Today's outfit: long sleeve tee and belt- JC Penny, skirt- Sears, tights- Target, boots- Fashionbug, scarf- Walmart, heart pin you can just see under my hand- used to be my Great Grandma's

Chicken Legs,

Ivy Frozen

P.S. I apologize for having to show that picture. I just wanted to make sure we all understood how unflattering the skinny and straight are on me versus something that is flattering. A-line skirts all the way!

Inspiration 3: Street Style

Inspiration is everywear, you uncreative types. I'm sure you creative types don't need me to tell ya that. Nothing is truly original anymore; humans have been around too long for that, but, that doesn't mean you have to be content to follow the same path as everyone else. (Unless, hey, that's what makes ya happy.) In case you couldn't tell, I prefer to dance to the beat of my own drum, so to speak. Or, forget the drum. I'm a string girl with a thing for the guitar, violin, and cello. Yeah. That's what I dance to. As blog things informs me,

Your Hidden Talent

You have the natural talent of rocking the boat, thwarting the system. And while this may not seem big, it can be. It's people like you who serve as the catalysts to major cultural changes. You're just a bit behind the scenes, so no one really notices.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

That's me alright. I start things, you all can finish it. So anywho, both of these outfits were inspired by other members of the Wardrobe Remix group over on Flickr. The one on the left was sparked by .Ariel's use of a long skirt as a dress over a top, and the one on the right was inspired by lebonbonmulticolore's and liebemarlene's use of blocked color and vintage pieces (or in any case, a vintage pancil skirt.). Of course, you know I'm not happy with just blocked color.



Wardrobe Remix is probably my favorite Street Style site because it's updated regularly, as people upload their own photos, and is very diverse. You get crazy dresser to sophisticated and can tell these people dress a certain way more than once.

My other favorite street fashion sites can be found on the right there, with all the other links. You'd think I'd link some of the Japanese ones with the REALLY crazy dressers, who put me to shame as I secretly salivate over their gutsy Lolita and, well, no words to describe fashions, but the need to install a language pack to avoid getting computer dribble annoys me, so I leave those meager offerings. Hel-Looks is a particular favorite, although it's not updated as often as The Sartorialist and Facehunter. (Hint: Those are my top three.)

I actually spent some time translating the French comments on one of the Facehunter posts, as it looked like it was getting ugly about the cute Asian-French girl with the awesomest boots. Okay, so actually, I was wondering if any of them knew where those boots had come from, but it was still fun to see how bad online automatic translator thingies are. You practically need a translator for the translator. But on-topic, I like the fun of Facehunter's shots. Also, since his tend to be from parties, you get fun outfits. Fun = Ivy like!

The Sartorialist is another favorite since he posts pictures of dapper gentleman and goes for the more refined aesthetic, while still remaining street-smart about it. Plus, I always enjoy seeing a well dressed man. (My best friend is already picking out the suits her fictional future beau will where.) And double plus, I enjoy learning random things, like the formula for the perfect male suit outfits. Okay, it might not be a formula, but it's still way more constricting than female fashions. I find it interesting how woman seem to have way more freedom in so many areas than men. (Think hippie chic, which is really only attainable by a woman.) It seems guys are forced to keep to certain pre-approved/packaged looks, including the whole anti-sociatal look. But hey, some guys still manage to break these lame sociatal holds, though I'd still say women do it more. Perhaps because there's more of us?

Outfit on Left: Skirt worn as dress- Burlington Coat Factory (had tacky little rocks sewn onto the band so I cut them off)
brown puff sleeve blouse- Kohls (it does a weird riding up thing with the buttons even though it's in no danger of being small on me.)
goldy nude slip (you can see it under the shirt)- Thrift Town
grey tights- JC Penny (they're holding up REALLY well)brown wrap boots- JC Penny
Feather hair clip fascinator- Taissa Lada Designs on Ebay (Really great shop with great prices, pieces, and service. They sent this clip and another free with the fascinator I ordered!)

Outfit on the Right: scarf- Old Navy
blue turtle tee- Sears
rose v neck tunic worn backwards- Kohls
pencil skirt- ARC Thrift Store
Shoes- JC Penny
Belt- Thrift Town

Taking it to the streets,
Ivy Frozen

P.S. Bonus: Why my name is Ivy Frozen.

You Play it Cool

You're not in your face, smokin' hot... and it's all by design You have a carefully crafted cool persona, leaving everyone wanting to know just a little more.

Are You Hot?

Well, part of it anyways...

On to the Movements!

Yes, I live in my own world on this lovely iceberg. And is this world, pretty much anything I say goes. Yeah, that's right. I've mentioned several things that are particular in this world, such as Movements. Discussing them seemed a natural follow up to my last post or two.

Movement the First: Narcissism.

I think I mentioned this in a reply to an anonymous who thought they were clever by pointing out I'm self-centered. (Mini Rant: If you can't tell this blog is about me being self centered by a glance, then you're either a) blind, b)running a little slow that day, c)just slow in general, d) extremely optimistic, or d) all of the above.) If you can't be self-centered in your own blog, where can you be? Next ypu'll tell me I can't bitch to my friends or cook in my own kitchen.

But this is about the Narcissism movement, not harassing people who took the time to comment, which I sincerely do appreciate. Even if it's not all cotton candy and pink bunnies for me. Of course, I do prefer all comments to be positive. (That does not mean it has to be kudos for me. Constructive critisism follows under this vein too. I can take it. I'm on a writing site.) Really only comments like "You/your blog sux!" are not particularly welcome simply because they're so hard to take seriously. Phrases like that just bring images of some angsty fourteen year old, sitting in front of they're computer screen, and apparently taking the time to read a bunch of stuff they don't like and then spending even more time to type out "You suck!" to the person (oh! I'm sorry. "You suk") to the person, then laughing histerically because it's just that funny. Yeah. See my point? Particualrly because said people seem to like to remain anonymous. Forget prank phone calls and doorbell ditch! Leaving hate comments on blogs and personal websites is the new thing!

But I digress again. That really has nothing to do with the commentors here, but rather some comments I've observed on other blogs. But, The Narcissism Movement. Rymezone.com (a writer's best friend!) tells us that nacissism means "an exceptional interest in and admiration for yourself." That is what I strive for and promote. Now, no need to take it to to the levels of Narcissus, our arrogant man of Greek myth fame who drowned himself when he fell in love with his own reflection by curse of Aphrodite, but the Narcissism movement is all about liking yourself, thinking that it's okay to like yourself, it's okay to state that you are beautiful, it's okay to be "imperfect," and existing outside of other's opinions of you. Not a bad thing to promote, yo? It also emphasizing having fun with it, so you don't become intolerably arrogant.

Idols:

Emperor Hotohori of Fushigi Yûgi. I don't think he's actually in the book I linked there, but it's the first one and you should always start at the beginning in a series. Unless you don't want to. Nuriko also has some of that Narcissism Pride going on. I won't ruin the fun and reveal what previous post, er, she relates to. (The main character, Miaka, can be annoying but it's worth checking out both the manga and anime.)

Marquis de Sade. He might have a bad reputation for being oversexed, but really he was doing the same stuff as everyone else. He just didn't feel the need to hide it. He also refused to compromise himself because "everyone else" disapproved. Narcissism idol! And rather entertaining. I recommend reading the timeline biography offered there (such as how he managed to escape being beheaded during the French Recolution) and his letters from prison that are translated on the site I linked for him.

Cher. I'm sure you're all familiar with her, so no link. And, you know you miss her on the red carpet. It's just not the same without her crazy costumes. She gets a lot of smack talked about her, but she doesn't let that deter her from doing what she wants or lower her self esteem. (At least for long.) Lover her or hate her, she's a narcissism movement idol!

Tori Amos. Come on, you knew she was going to make this list. She too does what she wants and has a very loyal fan following because of it. Check out her crazy dance. (Off topic once more, I put a song of hers on my mp3 player, which is not an ipod, and listened to it a few times, thinking it was the recorded version. I happened to glance at my player when it was playing one time and saw that I had accidently put the live version on! Now that's talent that I couldn't tell the difference.)

Most of the ladies on the Women-Worshipped-By-Gay-Men-Part-1 and Women Worshipped By Gay Men, Part 2. I'm sure y'all know who's not. *cough* Anna Nicole Smith. *cough* I'm pretty sure she doesn't understand our movement here.

Got someone who you think I should list as a Narcissism Movement idol, leave a comment with who and why so that they can properly be declared a Narcissism Movement idol (because they'll know and care so much.)

Now,

Movement the Second: Naturalism

The Naturalism Movement is all about being natural. It works with the Narcissism Movement, but is not a requirement necessarily of the Narcissism Movement. The Naturalism MOvement is about going natural. Simple. No fuss. Typically kind of peaceful. An acceptance of self as beautiful.

There are several ways to observe, but most importantly is no plastic surgery type of stuff. Also, pounds of make-up don't fly. Likewise for wearing ridiculously impracticle and/or painful items. I observe it by not wearing make-up, shunning plastic surgery for myself, and not dyeing my hair. Shakira observes it with her simpler look and "fresh-faced" make-up. There is no need to go "femi-nazi hippie" to observe the Naturalism Movement. Respecting the environment wouldn't hurt you though.


Saturday's (1st) Outfit: vest- mom from 70s (another of my fav pieces from her), cropped blue hoody- JC Penny, Skirt worn as shirt- Ross, Capris- Ross or Marshalls. (They have flower vines embroidered on them. No skinny jeans for me! I just pull my socks up!), Boots and plaid headband- Charlotte Russe, Scarf- Old Navy

Monday's (2nd)Outfit: dress- mom from 70s, cropped hoody- JC Penny, belt- Thrift Town, skirt- India, cowboy boots- Charlotte Russe

Ever Moving,

Ivy Frozen

The Issues

So, I promised to weigh in on the issues.

Issue #1: Fashion and Weight

First, I direct you to our Lord and Master Foamy.

In the world, I believe skinny people are taking a lot of undeserved hate. Cries of "they're unhealthy!", "Anarexic," etc. are bandied about them like they have no feelings. Yet, apparently it's okay to be just as, if not more, unhealthily over weight. Anyone who comments on over-weight people are treated like they wore Nazi symbols.

In regards to walking the catwalk, I believe the catwalks should feature healthy models of various weights and body types. This applies only, however, if the models are also role models. Otherwise, who am I to dictate what can or cannot be on the catwalk. If this really was so horribly distasteful, I don't have to watch. If others did the same, designers who wanted to sell clothes more than they wanted to have skinny modals for them would appease the masses.

I would be very impressed by a designer who did manage this ideal, representing the average, tall, short, thinner and more curvaceous. It would take a lot of talent. I might be as dedicated to said designer as I am to Tori Amos.

Issue #2: Using Nazi Symbols

Don't design your clothes to resemble Ku Klux Klan robes or otherwise reference that group. Don't design t-shirts that attack some race or religious group of people. And don't design your clothes with Nazi symbols. Native Americans, who used the swastika as more of a peace sign, agreed to stop using the symbol in their basket weaving. Now this stuff is old craft that predates Hitler, has nothing to do with Hitler, and everything to do with them. Yet, they could stop using it. Why? Because no matter what you see it as, much of the world sees it as a reminder of the cruelty we're all capable of. So don't use it! Be a creative designer and find a better way to convey what you mean/want.

In short, brush the Nike-wearing devil off your shoulder and Don't Do It!

Issue (or non-issue) #3: Dove's Add Campaign

I'm sure you've all seen Dove's Dove does it for the money. Okay. Dove's image is pure, unfussy, natural. Kind of like what it's latest add campaign is supporting. That's not to say that the adds are bad; I like the message. But they do it for the money. They are not some great, savior brand. Just wanna make sure we all know that while we coo over the add.

I actually think the woman looks better before they alter her at all. She looks a little scary to me at the end. Of course, I also think the girls of the Pussycat Dolls look scary on this cover, especially the lead singer. Her thighs are bigger than her waist. It's like she was pieced together.

Yeah, I'm not the biggest fan of airbrushing. It's horribly misleading, and negative for both the person airbrushed and the people taking this as an actual image of the person. It must be disappointing to see someone so airbrushed in real life, and kind of "I can't be beautiful unless I'm airbrushed" for the person being airbrushed. You know?

Fashtastic.net has a great article on airbrushing.

And now,



My hands are clean and I'm done being the Know-it-All for today. Join me next time, like maybe tommorrow, to see

First Outfit from Thursday:
swing jacket- Lola
check tent pinafore dress- made by me
green shirt dress (under. You can see the colar and sleeves)- Punky Style
green tights- T.J. Maxx
Cowboy Boots- Charlotte Russe


Second Outfit from Friday:
swing jacket - Lola
dress- ARC Thrift Store
white skirt (under and making my hips wider as it has pockets)- mom from 70s
boots- Fashion Bug
Belt- JC Penny
fuzzy scarf- knit by my friend for me
lacy scarf worn as headband- Kohls

Curds and Weighed,

Ivy Frozen

Shakira, Shakira

It be November! A lot of music award shows going on, the Latin Grammys and MTV awards. I think the people of the world unite in saying, "Shut up, Kanye." Apparently, the credibility of the Europe VMAs was ruined because he didn't win best video for "Touch the Sky." I watched the video. I was bored. The only part of any real note was when the song stopped playing in the middle and Joan from Girlfriends (I forget her real name... She's Diana Ross's daughter though, no?) was yelling at him. That was awesome. The rest was him walking around like he was so awesome with Pamela Anderson pouting. Real best video material there.

Maybe some of you find it more interesting than I do.

But now that we started off with some negativity, time to spread some positivity! We've got to stay balanced here! So, on the Europe VMAs, I was pleased to see Red Hot Chilli Peppers take best album and Muse take best alternative.

But, that's not the only recent awards show! We have the Latin grammys where my dad is very happy that Puerto Ricans seem to have dominated. But, the real dominator was not Puerto Rican, but I love her so it's okay. Yes, Shakira's hips certainly didn't lie as she shook them to earn four grammys. So today, we give Shakira mas love because she's more worth talking about than that guy I mentioned first in this post.

I've always had a certain like for Shakira, but the scantily clad, crawling in the mud image she had with her first English album kind of turned me off. However, with her two part album she came out with a fresher, simpler image which I adore! She looks so much happier and prettier without the pounds of make-up, blindingly gold locks, and trashy ripped costumes. Really! Check out MSN's Gallery and see. She may be smiling in those old pictures, but her smile permeates in the more current photos of her.

I also like her choice to go with the honey brown for her hair in this time when all the blonde celebs are going brunette. It's much better than that chocolate brown that girls A through Z and their mothers are sporting. (Lindsay Lo, Hilary Duff anyone?) It's a hard color to pull off, but few seem to realize that...

Anywho, luv (That's L-U-V not L-O-V-E) to Shakira and Naturalism on her part. It's beautiful! I love the article I read about her, a coupke months ago, about her at a photoshoot. She put on a robe or something to do the interview (she was in a bikini for the shoot) because she didn't want people thinking she went around in ab-bearing tops all the time; she just did that because it's kind of a requirement for bellydancing and thus her performance. I just think that's so cute. (Condescending, who me?) Anywho, luv for Shakira! And luv for the top she's wearing in the photo (from the MSN Gallery) that I posted here. And luv for that necklace with that neckline. I dig how she toughened up the feminine top with studs on the belt and cuff thingy. If you can't tell from my lovely skull with the bow up there in the about me section, I love a contrast between feminine, soft and something considered tougher, darker, harder.

Stay tuned for my next post shall connect back to this one (naturalism) as I weigh in on the issues going around the fashion world and blogasphere.

My outfit: Dress- Vintage Amore (Check my online vintage links on the right there. A lot of cool stuff coming in this shop all the time.)
3/4 sleeve tunic (under), came with scarf worn as headband- Kohls (I like the color on me alot...)
Green Belt- Thrift Town
Gray thigh highs- Wet Seal
Boots- Charlotte Russe
Earrings- H&M (They have nickel free, woot!)

My hips don't lie either,
Ivy Frozen

Me and Betsey Johnson

Two words and an exclamation point: Bloomers rock! I'm in love with the bloomers I wore as part of my Halloween costume and kind of like them with the black long sleeve tee. I should try a tunic over them!

Apparently, I'm not the only one in love with bloomers. I heard Betsey Johnson, a designer close to my heart, had sent some down her runway. So I had to hunt down some pics, which proved to be futile. Really, finding some pictures of her Spring/Summer '07 collection shouldn't have been so hard. I can't remember where I saw the bloomers, but I saw them! Betsey and I are on the same wavelength in regards to that! (BTW, it's Betsey Johnson, not to be confused with Betsy Johnson who wants you to elect her for something or other.)

Betsey Johnson is the first designer I ever heard of. I was but an innocent babe when she made a guest appearance on some show. Perhaps it was Full House? In any case, I've had a special spot for her ever sense. Her fun, flirty, girly styles are very me! And I love her color! And just how she'd cartwheel down that catwalk. Fun woman and fun clothes equals love for me. She makes happy clothes for happy people.

Of course, I have been dressing a little more Prada-esque. (They were the ones with the huge helmet hats in their Fall/Winter '06 collection, no?)

I selected a more ladylike hat from Walmart though. (Walmart! Awesome hats at awesome prices! Go, now!) This outfit is from last Saturday, official Halloween Party Day over here. I wanted to buy this black hat with this huge mesh fan on it, but it went so tall, I wouldn't be comfortable wearing the hat anytime but costume time. So I got this green baby instead with beaded flowers and a more modest mesh bow. Trust I'll be wearing this around.

This dress I wore on Monday is also getting some inspiration from the designers. (Or perhaps the stylist...) I saw a photo editorial on what's (supposedly) new for fall and they had a draped dress similar to this one, except this one looks much better. The one from the Donna Karen collection in the magazine looked like a sheet knotted together and conveniently cut to make the neckline. The model wore it with some blue converse All Stars. Sometime in the future (when it's not raining) I'll try this dress with some sneakers.

My Outfits: 1st Outfit: bloomers- Thrift Queen, Long sleeve black tee- Target (don't like the fit in the shoulders, but needed something.), Shoes- Heel and Sole Shoes.

2nd Outfit:dress- ebay, belt- mom's from 70s/80s, Tights- Target, Shoes- MIA @ Kohls ($5! I added the ribbons), gloves- Thrifted, Hat- Walmart

3rd Outfit: dress- mom from 70s, Long sleeve tee- JC Penny, Scarf Belt- Forever 21, Slip (under)- Thrift Queen, Footless Tights- Wet Seal (cheap. Already have a whole in the bum.), Bangles- India

Betsey J. &,

Ivy Frozen