OutsaPop

I was really planning on doing a 'normal' post tonight, but I got totally broadsided by a new-to-me Finnish blog by the name of OutsaPop, the newest member of my blog roll. Not only does this woman create the most incredible zipper jewelry, but she posts so many great DiY ideas and projects of her own. I've seen a lot of the images via my own Internet prowling on Etsy, Pixie Market, Kingdom of Style, and Not Just a Label. But it's great to have everything collected all in one place, along with some amazing ideas/images that are completely new to me. I'm definitely inspired. Once my Vivienne Westwood/Braveheart inspired dress comes off my dress form and is completed, I think these two images in particular shall spur on my next projects (Rodarte and Balmain S/S 10 pieces). Or join the line up anyway.

On another note, I noticed that there's also a post on my good friend Bonzie, featuring the skirt of my dreams that has been lost forever. Sigh.

These boots are made for walking

Feeling good about yourself is a funny thing. I've always been quite self-conscious, in part because I've always dressed a bit different than others around me and have never quite fit in. So it's not surprising that sometimes I morph into one of those girls who tries on about five different outfits and/or three hairstyles before leaving the house, even if it's just to get a latte. But sometimes I feel completely confident with the first look I put together. Take today. I haven't washed my hair for three days now and am hiding it with a headband, and I'm wearing (almost) the exact same outfit as yesterday (turns out it's my new favorite winter outfit as well, seeing as the non-stop snow kicks us into unofficial winter already). However, for some reason, I felt absolutely fabulous walking around in the 2-inch (and counting) snow/slush. Today the treacherous sidewalks were my runway whilst taking the trip across the city and back to take care of my arch nemesis, a.k.a. Buddy the cat. It's really quite amazing what a good piece of clothing or two can do for you. And weirdly for me, today it was primarily the shoes that did it for me (you may recall that I am not a shoe person). My very serious snow stomping Adidas by Stella McCartney winter boots may look a bit odd, but they got me there and back again quite warm and dry. But perhaps more importantly, they honestly felt quite couture from where I was standing. So go ahead and call me up to go for a latte. Because I can be ready in about 2 seconds flat. As long as there's still snow anyway.

My new favorite fall outfit

complexgeometries two face dress in black + Treehouse 28 Wide Strap Dress in olive +

Norwegian Wood Keep Warm Leggings in grey (and they really did keep me warm in sub-zero weather!) + My super old (ie. pre-Nike) extra high black monochrome Chucks

I think they only thing that would've made this outfit better would be this fabulous new ruffle bib from ArtLab. I've said it before, but Patricia honestly might as well be my personal designer.

giia: Felt Extraordinaire

I've been eying giia's felt neckpieces since I saw the Wave and Graphic pieces on Susie Bubble and Queen Michelle. But I think I'm liking the new collection even more! There's a lot of hexagons, stones, and 3-D detailing this time around, as well as a new take on the Wave pieces. These four are my favorites though (I think - hard to choose!). Ah, textile jewelry...

Snowy goodness

Last post for today. I promise. This weather is giving me cabin fever. So it might be slightly odd that I've fallen in love with a piece that reminds me of the snow just outside my window. But nonetheless, this new felt collar by Opus Magnum is perfect. And I think it would look absolutely spectacular paired with the ArtLab Space Odyssey strapless dress. Sigh. Seems like I have at least three holiday outfits all planned out, and it's not even the middle of October. So again, sigh.

Woven eyes

I am not really a jewelry person. I have a couple of handmade necklaces I wear that could be classified as semi-normal jewelry as they have pendants and clasps, but really I tend to be attracted solely to textile 'jewelry' (ie. Quillinan and kjoo pieces). These woven wire pieces by Jill of Twisted Sister Arts, however, immediately caught my eye (no pun intended). I'm sure these are a huge hit with LoTR nerds (like myself), as are the Gandalf/elvish inspired pendants also found in her shop (like this one). I think I might just need an Evil Eye for myself. This OOAK necklace (below) is also completely stunning (and it took the artist over a week to weave!). Why did I never develop my wire wrapping and gimp string weaving elementary/junior high school skills?!! Sigh.

Digital beauty

This digital collage painting by Lisa Falzon of Meluseena, entitled "Queen Takes Bishop", is simply fantastic. And I can't help but wonder if a dress like this would work in real life, where a lace ruff could be used as a sort of hood/headdress, or pulled down in front as a cowl. Hmm... I now have a strong urge to play chess now (I'll be white)...

I also love Lisa's digital painting "The Dreamers, Snagged". Although, this past summer/fall, the winds around here were scarily strong, so I could see myself easily ending up just like these poor dreamers if I were wearing too floaty of a dress. Hope I would look this beautiful in such a predicament anyhow.

Camilla Wellton

Amazing find today by the name of Camilla Wellton, who is a Swedish designer that I'm embarrassed to not have known about before. I obviously love her new A/W 09/10 collection of little black wool coats, all of which are available to be made in your size and/or with an ecological lining (ie. hemp/silk mixture). You really couldn't go wrong with any one of these, such as the ingenious Kimonoat (top), the Urban Elfin Coat (middle), and the Flower Queen Jacket or Coat (bottom). However, I find that I'm even more drawn to her previous 'Escapist' collection that she has posted on her NJAL page. The flower petal layered skirts and architectural/dracula collar and waist details are incredible. I'd get so much wear out of one of those skirts, as they're so scarily me. Sigh.

By the way, not only does she create simply gorgeous designs, but Camilla also gives 10% of the label's profit to an organization called Vi Skogen "to help promote agroforestry and the planting of new trees." Just wonderful. Methinks a trip to Stockholm is in order.

Visit Camilla Wellton's website to order one of the new A/W coats, and her Facebook page for the most recent updates.