February 2011 Fashion Photo Shoot

I was blessed with a very sheltered childhood. My parents moved my three siblings and me from Carlsbad to the small town of Julian when we were all fairly small children. They built us a great big house (with the largest walk in closet I have ever had... it ruined me), with a nice pool, on a couple of acres in between Julian and Lake Cuyamaca. In my eyes it was the perfect childhood. There was more love than one can imagine in our home. We always had friends over and house guests! Of course my siblings and I argued and got into trouble, we weren't perfect at all. Our parents gave us the opportunity to be nothing but children and it was perfect. Throughout my childhood we had many animals: dogs, cats, bunnies, ponies, pigs, a bird, snakes and every other reptile that you can find in "our neck of the woods." Throughout the week we went to school and we were a part of every after school activity imaginable. At one point or another I played softball, basketball, and soccer. I also took ballet, tap, acting classes, and every other activity that I was interested in. My Dad was my coach in softball and he was the head honcho of our Julian surf team, the Surfing Wahines. When we weren't attending a recital or game, we were all at home, in my parent’s room, watching movies and having bedroom picnics! My little sister, Ali and I spent so many days building forts and playing house on our property. At one point I believe I convinced her that my baby doll was real! We would dress up in everything that my Mom owned—from her wedding dress to lingerie—we destroyed it all. I played with dolls and Barbies up until the seventh grade... when I discovered boys (and burned down that nice little shelter that my parents had built for me).

I wouldn't change a single thing about my childhood. The inspiration for the February shoot was Never Never Land. Growing up in the country you aren't forced into the fast lane, and you can take as much time as you need to grow up. However, some people are lucky enough to never have to grow up! I hope to always enjoy the activities that brought me so much joy as a child! The shoot took place at the Thompson Residence on Palomar Mtn. The amAzing model is Miss. Jessie Thompson, a natural!

Forever Young, Frilly & Fun!

Fashion Fridays... FIDM LA!

Friday February 11, 2011

"Just living is not enough. 

One must have sunshine, 

freedom, and a little flower." 

-Hans Christian Andersen

 Sunshine, check. Thank you, San Diego! Freedom, check. Thank you, US Military! Little flower, check. Well, how about a BIG flower?! I love it-- the giant flower pinned on my fedora. I can't get enough of this pin! I am a loyal fan of everything feminine. The flower is timeless and pretty. It adds a little romance to any outfit and can be worn on everything: hats, bags, jackets, sweaters, headbands, bracelets, etc. I am currently on a mission to collect flower pins in every color and fabric. Peace. Love. Flower Power.

Let's tackle it... fashion and VANITY!

The word FASHION makes me think about identity, personality, style, glamour, comfort, versatility, lifestyle, originality and, Vanity... with a capitol V! Vanity is a very strange thing in my eyes... Van-i-ty: 1. The quality or condition of being vain. 2. Excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceit. 3. Lack of usefulness, worth or effect; worthlessness (www.thefreedictionary.com). Need I continue? Vanity is not a good term, and it is not something that I want to be associated with. Unfortunately, it is a definite part of the fashion industry.

The fashion industry is obviously centered on appearance. It is all about what you're wearing. Well, when you get up and get dressed in the morning your decisions are based on a number of variables: Weather, location, religion, income, mood, season, and comfort. Often times, the outside is a translation of the inside, but as we all know we must “never judge a book by its cover.” The most important accessory when getting dressed in the morning is your confidence. 

There is a very fine line between confidence and conceit. Confidence is trust or faith in a person or thing, a feeling of assurance. Conceit is having a very high opinion of one's own abilities or thoughts (www.merriamwebsterdictionary.com). You can be proud of who you are and love yourself without thinking that you are better than anybody else. I know this is possible. You don't have to take yourself that seriously. Conceited people are always trying to prove something, how great they are. Confident people have nothing to prove; they know they are great and they know that everybody else is great in their own way too.

Everybody has style! Style is the way in which something is said, done, expressed or performed (www.thefreedictionary.com). Style is entirely your own because it's personal, it’s original... it's you. Since we all come from different backgrounds, we‘re going to have slightly different styles. There is no wrong or right style; it is a matter of opinion. Opinion is a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof (www.merriamwebsterdictionary.com). Your opinion is just as great as the next! Basically what this means is don't let ANYBODY tell you that you don't have style or that you have bad style. Style is all a matter of opinion; opinion is a belief without proof. Everybody has heard the quote, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This is SO true. Beauty is a matter of opinion, like style... so basically everybody should feel beautiful and confident with their style, but VANITY is a waste of time! Have I lost you yet?!

There is something very ugly about Vanity. Something very ugly about somebody who is their own biggest fan... Seriously?! Come on, get over yourself. We have nothing to do with what we look like. We had absolutely no power over where we were born, from whom we were born, or the conditions we were born into… so why would you pretend that you can take the recognition? You can't act like you chose yourself because you didn't. Had the conditions you were born into been slightly different you may have had a totally different life. Your style would be completely changed.

You could've been born in a third world country to a woman that raised you on hand beading. If that was the case, you know what?... you may wear a lot more beads. Terrible visual, but you catch my drift?!  I could've been born to a single woman in a third world country with AIDS and not lived past the age of 5. I wouldn't have been able to share all of this useful knowledge with you... frightening! ; ) We should not judge!

Let’s recap... Everybody should be confident. We should all be able to appreciate the many different styles in the world. We all come from different places and faces, so what? Isn't it sooo cool?! Always remember you can toot your car's horn, you can toot your friend's horn but you can't toot your own horn… Not Cool! Whooooo, glad I got that off of my chest!

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Don't throw that out... I'll take it!!

While growing up, I remember several women mentioning, "Don't throw out your clothes. Everything comes back into style." If I continued to accumulate clothes since hearing this, I would be considered a hoarder!! There are styles in my closet that will NEVER come back around! Fortunately for me, I don't care if it is in style or not. If I like something I'm going to wear it. Several of the people closest to me have given me pieces that hang in my closet or sit in my drawers. Personally, I love the history: the mink fur cape that once belonged to my cousin's grandmother, the rabbit fur that my mom got for her first anniversary from my father, a couple pairs of leather gloves that my grandmother Lily used to wear, countless silk scarves from my grandmother Jo.... so many of my favorite items were given to me! These are the pieces that will sit in my closet seasons come and seasons go, regardless of what is "in style!" It is so important in my life to be realistic about my outfit. I can't ride horses in sandals, and I prefer not to go to the beach in stilettos. I like a wide variety of activities, and my wardrobe has a wide variety of items. I like the idea of wearing surprising pieces together, which are not the obvious choices when you look into your closet. I was always extremely obsessive about matching perfectly growing up: pink floral dress, pink bow, pink purse, pink shoes... make me vomit! I might as well have covered myself in Pepto Bismal. The color choice wasn't always pink, but I always leaned toward dressing and accessorizing monochromatic. It was usually not the best look; I'm not going to lie. Slowly, I began to study women with innovative style—the "it girls:" Kate Moss, Edie Sedgwick, Sienna Miller, Twiggy, Rachel Zoe, etc. I noticed that their outfits looked very natural because they had on pieces that you normally wouldn't see together. Once I realized this, I slowly broke my matchy-matchy habit. Now my sisters will look at me and ask if I am really going to wear the odd combination. I answer, "Of course!"

When I shop, I look for fun pieces—items that you don't see everywhere. Occasionally, I will fall in love with an extremely popular item and collect it everywhere I shop. Currently, this obsession is leggings. I shop all over the place. I don't judge! I give everybody a chance to sell me something. I am usually not shopping for anything specific, seeing as though I don't need anything. But I do find myself shopping everywhere. I hate to admit it, but I am a complete impulse shopper. Rarely do I try items on (unless it's over my clothing or a rather large investment). I browse every store I walk by, picking up items as I shop the aisles, leaving some of the items behind as I find "better" items.... but always finding at least one piece that I cannot live without. This is a problem!! As I stated in a previous blog, I am a fashion student... “student” being the key word here. I work three days a week at my sister's and her friend's restaurant. It is a country restaurant... cowgirl attire (we'll get into that another day). What I am trying to say without sounding too rude, since we're not supposed to talk about the mula, is that I am not driving around in a Ferrari. Damned bad luck! ; ) I am on a budget. I pay my bills and spend the rest of my money at random boutiques on clothes and other fun, impractical items. Now, on the rare occasion when I am looking for something specific, I head to Nordstrom. I can always find what I want at Nordstrom: probably because, realistically, I shouldn't be shopping there. Who's to tell me I can't give up food for a week in order to buy a pair of jeans? We all make sacrifices! I am kidding, of course. I have family that will feed me. God bless them! I justify my shopping habit by telling myself that it is my job to stay up-to-date! I haven't formally sat down with my loved ones about this little problem, but I am absolutely positive that anybody who has seen my room and closet is completely aware that I am a shopper!

In order for you to understand the task of getting dressed, and a little more about my personality, I will give you a tour of my closet and point out some of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe! I regularly go through my closet and get rid of anything that I don't want. All of the high-end items I take to resale boutiques where they give cash for clothes. I donate all of the clothes that I buy at fast fashion stores. I'm guessing I donate approximately fifty items a year. It's safe to say that I don't believe in the idea of keeping everything you buy. Still, I can't find room to fit anything new. Here is a little peek inside my overflowing closet!

It's bad. I need to start looking for a place with a bigger closet! ; )

The goodies... A lady has got to accessorize!

All of the casuals... t shirts, jeans and other simple pieces.

I do love fur! It's so glamorous.

My favorite cowgirl boots! They've been worn a time or two...

My favorite flats!

Tweed and Fur, two of my favorites!

Vintage top.

Terrible shoes that I recently bought and love!

Passed down from Grandma Lily, calf hair and leather Italian bag.

Found these Balenciaga shoes @ a thrift store! Currently loving the boots!

A newer piece, vintage inspired.

A gift from Grandma Jo, a beaded bag.

Green Suede Pump

A borrowed item... every lady needs some sparkles!

I LOVE hats, they are the greatest! Surf, snow, sun, country, fashion... got to have them all!

A very versatile piece, the scarf. I wear them on my neck, head, waist, etc.

...forever evolving! : )

Spring/ Summer 2011 Oooh so trendy!!

It is my duty as a fashion icon in training, to keep my look unique while incorporating the latest trends. FIDM has amazing resources available to the students, currently we have the forecasts up to winter 2012. The forecasts include colors, textiles, silhouettes and the overall theme of the trends to come. The forecasters look to the innovators (many models, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Lindsay Shannon Hurst), last years trends, fashion cycles, the economy and the streets of the hippest cities to come up with the looks that are going to emerge. The forecasters set the mood for the season. Many designers look to these forecasting companies before making their collections. After fashion week the runway show looks are compared to the already posted forecasts on the company's website. I have viewed and researched forecasting sights, the runway shows and all of the trendsetters outfits!!

Many of the trends that are going to emerge in the Spring/ Summer 2011 seasons are being worn by FIDM students now. Through out the season I will be taking photos on the streets of people rocking the latest trends. I will absolutely post everything that I find, as well as pics of myself wearing the latest and greatest. Remember that you don't have to incorporate every trend into one outfit, you may look like you're wearing a costume. Always dress for your body, wear what you know is flattering to you and incorporate a trendy piece into your wardrobe. Classic never goes out of style, if it's flattering to your shape it will look good! When you do try a new trend, don't question yourself. If you are not comfortable in it, don't wear it. There is no better accessory than confidence. Confidence makes an outfit!! People admire originality so put whatever your heart desires on that body of yours and ROCK IT!!!!

Here it is... what you've all been waiting for!!! ; ) The looks of Spring and Summer 2011! Let's do this!!
The looks have been broken down into four categories. I named these categories according to their overall theme. Remember that you don't have to wear all of the trends together... and be fearless!! Your clothes are a reflection of YOUR personality, whether you like it or not! Now, show 'em what you've got!!

#1. Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice!

Lace

Crochet

Tiered layers

Floral EVERYTHING!

Sheer fabric

Little White Dress

Antique rose

Light Knit Sweaters

Draping, Draping, Draping!

Knee length hem

Ruffles

Western Boots

Neutrals and muted tones

Oxford shoes

This look is ladylike. Sophistication has returned. Natural make up, cascading curls. Everything feminine. From ruffles to sequins, these trends can be paired together or worn separately. Soft silhouettes. Don't forget your lipstick and a pair of pretty little gloves. This look screams Lily Jo!!

#2. Material Girl!

Motorcycle jacket

Vests

Lavish Trim

Lace up boots

Denim Jeans

Black

Blazer

Navy Blue

Color block

Mixed brights

Colorful heels

Bold stripes

Jewel Tones

Madonna and the early 90's have returned. This is the rebel, rock star look. Lots of eyeshadow, leather, studs and accessories. She's a badass! 

#3 Peace Love Prints!

Fitted Flares 

Tropical prints

Satin/ silk

Peasant Blouse

Fruit prints

Jungle prints

High Waists

Tweed

Headscarf

Asian inspired

Wide Leg Pants

Minimalism

Flowers on everything

Coachella here we come! Many different prints will be emerging. The 70's inspired looks are here. Flares, a tucked in silk blouse and a headscarf. Bright colors. Mixing prints, as long as they are the same colors. Flower Power!

#4 MOD

Tailored Pants

Pleats

Minimalism

Structured clothing

White

Bright Colors

Modern

Clean lines

Simple

This futuristic look is very modern. The shape is what catches the eye. The fabric is simple, classic, solid colored. Minimal, a simple shift and a pair of heels. Maybe a little bit older look, mature. She's mod!