♥ Geek Out ~ Hello Kitty & Glenn Close in Drag ♥

I wanted to make my Geek Outs weekly but when I find these coll little tidbits, I really wanna share them... Maybe every couple of days...

Pop Geek

via AfterEllen.com
Glenn Close looks so handsome in drag! She's working on a new movie (The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs) about an Englishwoman who dresses as a man to work and survive in Victorian Dublin in 1898 and begins to court another woman. You know I'll be there opening weekend!

[OOTD] I'm Only Happy When It Rains, I'm Only Happy When It's Complicated

Despite the icy, cold rain outside, I was having a very harmonious day: my work is coming in at a steady flow, my bosses are too busy to pay attention to me so I can I read my blogroll and work on this blog for a few minutes every hour. I'm also looking forward to wearing a shirt Alex's mom got me on New Year's.

Then I realized I double-booked myself. Don't you hate it when that happens?

I've been working with a non-profit on their website for a regional fashion competition. The day of the competition is a lot of fun and you can feel the excitement in the air. Behind the scenes, however, there's a lot of confirming and rewriting and re-uploading.

Before the website goes OFFICIALLY live on the 3rd, I have to meet with the co-chairs to finalize content. Their open days were Wednesday & Thursday.

Wednesday, I already promised my mom a girl's night out since my dad is out of town. So I said Thursday. Oops! I forgot Thursday is the Celebrity Fashion Experience show I'm covering. I did the event flyer and it's kind of a big one and my friend is one of the local designers showing alongside "celebrity" designers.

Does anybody have a Quick Clone Machine??

[DAILY OUTFIT] Pirates vs. Cowboys: Who Would Win?

Currently at work and so unfocused. It's my dad's birthday, the day before a 3-day weekend and Christmas Eve Eve. I'd be surprised if anyone was getting any work done.

I love these tights - combined with the stripes, I think they make the outfit. Although the pirate shirt seems mismatched with the cowboy boots.





I have about a week to get DallasCareerDay.org completely updated. It's a local design and merchandising competition that draws fashion students from 4 other states. It's going live on the 3rd. My laptop is going to overheat at least twice this coming week.

Plus, I've been wanting restart the Dallas Fashion Connect - my directory and comprehensive event calendar for fashionistas in the Dallas area that I could not keep up with due to classes.

I know a lot of people don't believe in tarot cards but I read them occasionally when I'm stuck on an issue. When it came to DFC, there was no talk of money but rather human connections and knowledge. I know networking can pay off in the end but can you tell I'm still a little torn?

[TOP 10 TUESDAY THURSDAY] The Last Minute Christmas Swag Bag from Wal-Mart

This post is a little late due to so much Christmas errands I've been running. But it's still very relevant to the next two days.

Imagine that it's Friday evening and you just got off work with your holiday paycheck. Now to cash it and get those last minute gifts. I've been there and those lines make it hard to get to the mall before closing.

Or maybe you just waited until the last possible minute. I've been there too. Either way, one of the few places left open is Wal-Mart. Gasp! Oh no! You don't wanna come off as the cheap gift-giver, right?

That's what a swag bag is for: lots of thoughtful (smaller) gifts. These are a couple of great things you can find at your local Wal-Mart if you need to put together something at 11pm. It works out because you can get the tissue paper and gift bag in the same place!

If you'd like to see my other swag bag gift guides, I did one for the Glam-Rock Girl, the Girly Girl, and the On-the-Girl Chick.

1: Printed Lace Tunic ~ $12

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] I Want Candy

Today's inspiration came from what could be considered two very different or similar things: Betsey Johnson and Gummi Bears.

I know it's winter and everyone's wearing dark colors but adding a bright pink or yellow can be like eating candy for your outfit. It adds that extra bit of sugar needed to get through the day. My piece of candy today is magenta and purple. I really, really wish I had those Kate Spade's though. (♥ __ ♥)





Pics via Exotic Excess, Style.com, Cartoon Styles Blog, Hel Looks,
6%DokiDoki, Sephora & Forever21.

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] My Black Velvet Villainess

Black velvet exudes a certain sense of darkness, the kind that exists with wicked witches and evil stepmothers. It's no surprise then that when I saw Angelina Jolie in this Versace glove dress, I also saw the modern, sexy villainess.

On the same note, online rumor has it that Tim Burton is making a rendition of Sleeping Beauty but it will center around Maleficent. Guess who's already asked for the part? I have my fingers crossed that the movie is made and double crossed that Jolie gets the main part.





Pics via Style.com, CorsetMaker.com, 23Tulips' Etsy & GeekShoes.com.

[SAPPHIC SUNDAY] Don't Forget Your Style When Walking Down the Aisle

I did a little jig when I found out Don't Ask, Don't Tell had been repealed. It's a big weekend for gay equality and it gave me hope in a more personal matter.

DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) keeps the federal government from recognizing gay marriages performed in individual states. So even if Alex and I tied the knot in Massachusetts, it wouldn't be legal in Texas, but that's completely opposite for a straight couple. And that is just one of 1,138 rights we are denied.

But yes, I did say marriage. It's something we've been talking about, joking about. Neither one of us really believed in it yet both of us want it now. We've talked hand-binding ceremonies, bridesmaids and "best maids," and, of course, the dresses. I blame a bad episode of Bridezillas.

Alex does not consider herself butch but there's no way she's wearing a dress. Although, her mother is adamantly against her wearing white Tripp pants down the aisle, I don't think a suit is enough. I've read a few blogs and magazine articles about the appropriateness of clothing but your wedding day should be about your style, right?

Anyway, I fell in love with her while she was wearing those pants.

As for me, I want the big, statement dress with tulle and frills. Don't ask me about color or designer, I'm not there yet. I am, however, partial to the length and shape of this Alexander McQueen.

We're gonna look like quite a pair... at some point. First, we have to buy the engagement rings and even those are going to be special - neither of us want the solitaire diamond. She likes Mystic Fire Topaz and I like Garnets.

[TOP 10 TUESDAY] Christmas Swag Bag for the Glam-Rock Chick

She's got attitude and is never afraid to speak her mind. Her iPod plays of mix Lady Gaga, Breaking Benjamin and angry chick music. Black is her favorite color but she'll mix it up on a whim.

Does that sound like someone you know?

Then the following gift guide is for you. Continuing with my Swag Bag series, these are little (affordable) things you can put into a black glittery bag, kind of like the goodie bags they give out at fashion events.

Make your friends feel like VIP's!

The other two guides were for the Trendy, On-the-Go Friend & the Girly-Girl.

1: Temporary Jewelry Tattoos
$3.95 @ TattooSales.com
Temporary tattoos are no longer just for little kids since both Chanel and House of Dereon released jewelry inspired tats. TattooSales.com has their own take on this trend for much cheaper, making it an excellent stocking stuffer. However, as a wholesale website, you have to buy a minimum of $10 but you get free shipping. There are four designs, each in two colorways so you can get a couple for yourself.

[OOTD] Check Out My Pygmy Puffs

My girlfriend and I joke that the only children we'll ever need are our pygmy puffs. With classes over, we snuggled up on the couch with the Puffs to watch a few movies this weekend. We'll be going Christmas shopping next weekend.

This will be my second Christmas with her and, despite her mom wanting me over, it will be the second one we don't spend together. My parents make it hard on me if I miss a holiday with them. It's weird having a girlfriend with an understanding mother when my own parents are so close-minded.

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] A Creepy Kind of Elegance

Today's inspiration came from a photo-art piece by Lithuanian artist Natalie Shau. It's part of a her new series called ‘Fashion Works’ and while it fits in with her Gothic-Victorian portfolio, these are more photo-oriented than her past works.



Pics via Trendhunter.com, Chanel @ Style.com, FYeahLolita.com, Feather Brain's Etsy,
Dominic Jones @ KNSTRCT.com, Pedro Garcia @ Net-a-Porter, and Overstock.com

[SAPPHIC SUNDAY] When Did Women's Formalwer Become Limited to Dresses?

About five years ago, my girlfriend was almost denied her picture in the high school yearbook because she asked to be photographed in the collar and bowtie. Her mom tried to fight it but, in the end, she conceded to be photographed in a very feminine shawl - very unlike her.

I know it's not the first time it happened nor was it the last (one could only hope) because last year one such case made news. Ceara Sturgis in Mississippi didn't concede and opted for the tux picture. The high school not only refused to run her picture but Sturgis' name was nowhere to be found in the pages. Thankfully, the ACLU filed suit against the Copiah County School District earlier this year, citing discrimination.

The school board seems to be trying to discredit her gender identity, which is at the core of the lawsuit, by pointing out a picture where Sturgis is wearing a bikini top and board shorts to a pool party. How is that even relevant? Would you tell a girl she's not feminine if she wore jeans and t-shirts every now and then? Would you tell the quarterback he's not masculine if he wanted to dress up like Dr. Frank-N-Furter for Halloween?

I still don't understand why this is or ever was an issue in what we call modern day. I know we're fighting left and right for gay marriage and the repeal of DADT but it's been socially acceptable for women to wear pants and button-up shirts for decades now.

It seems more sexist than gay. When did women's formalwear become limited to dresses and skirts? Haven't tuxes become sexy ensembles for the fashion forward woman?

Telling my girlfriend and Sturgis that they can't be in their yearbook in tux tops is taking away their right to be remembered for who they are. We live in a society where we express ourselves through our fashion. It communicates to people how we want to be perceived. Should we let someone else communicate it for us?

CONTEST WINNER: StarryEyed

And the winner of the hematite bracelet is... the blogger StarryEyed!

I think it was a good first giveaway.

♥ Weekly Geek Out ~ 12/10 ♥

I've had to fight with finals all week so I haven't really looked at my reader and I feel completely out of the loop. But I'm so glad the semester's over! ... for now.

Comic Book Geek
NERDGASM! DC Comics & nOir Jewelry have partnered up for a jewelry collection featuring their most iconic female characters like Cat Woman, Bat Girl, Wonder Woman, and Super Girl. I always had a thing for Cat Woman - she had a taste for the finer things in life and was not afraid to flaunt it. Thus, the $225 Gotham City Ring has won my heart. The pieces range from $95 for Super Girl Bangles to $500 for the Super Girl Logo Necklace (it looks heavy but damn cool).


Art Geek
I won this fashion sketch from Svitlana's Art Blog!

Check her out - you might like the details on the garments as much as I do,

I choose this sketch because it had a street fashion feel - cute, young, and put together for the sake of being put together.

I'm adding it to my growing collection of fashion art. Alex says when we get our apartment, she wants to have a mini art gallery of fashion sketches and photographs, including some darker Gothic ones that reflect her taste.

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] Fuzzy & Fierce

Today's inspiration comes from my blogroll: Trend de la Creme recently covered the "ushanka" or ear hat. In case it hasn't hit your town yet, there are people running around with fuzzy cat, bear, wolf and even panda hats.

I think it's a cute, youthful extension of the fur trend but the anime community has been putting animal-like these on top of their heads for far longer. Exhibit A to the left was taken over 8 months ago.

I got a plaid, bunny-ears hat and a blue kitty cap from a convention about 2 years ago. My mom is embarrassed to be seen near me with the bunny hat so I think she's hidden it.



Pictures from High Snobette, Trend Hunter, DesignScene.net & of course, Trend de la Creme.

[STYLE SCRAPBOOK] Let Them Eat Pastel!

I'm at work right now so it's hard to finish my Top 10 Tuesday blog. Instead, I was looking at the pre-Fall 2011 collections on Style.com and Oscar de la Renta caught my eye (I think he catches everyone's eye) - more precisely his last 4 gowns caught my eye.

It's probably the colors but there's something pastry-candy-esque about them. Funny note about that, PASTEL (as in colors) translates to CAKE is Spanish. Maybe that's why these dresses set off my sweet tooth.





Pictures from Style.com, Rachel Poston's Flickr, Japanese Streets & Huffington Post.
This may be a new feature on my blog, my Style Scrapbook, if my hours at work increase after classes let out on Thursday. I know I'm not the only one who kept these journals and compositions books full of tear sheets from magazines. I tried putting mine in a large format sketchbook and never finished. I still have 4 shoeboxes full of sheets from magazines dating back to 2000, and a Seventeen magazine from 1991. Maybe one day...

Models Play the Part of Angels in the Dark

I recently went to the Gayborhood with my GF and our friend for a drink. It's finals week so we didn't stay long - about 2 karaoke songs and 4 drinks.

As we were coming out, I noticed something out of place at the hot dog cart: a couture dress. Turns out that the vision in fishnets and grey was a model for this guy's fashion show earlier that night. He didn't have a card or anything for me to contact him but I gave him one of mine.

But does it really count as street style if it was part of a show?





The title comes from this song: Fashionista

[SAPPHIC SUNDAY] Fashion Lesbians Like: HER NECKTIES & MY NECKTIES

I walked into the local lesbian bar last weekend and it seemed that one in every three girls had a tie. I guess blogger Arlan at Stuff Lesbians Like had it right - neckties have become part of the lesbian culture. More precisely, a staple of lesbian style.

However, you don't see many mainstream lesbians wearing them anymore. I think, historically, they been a symbol of masculinity and that's stereotype many modern gay women have been trying to fight. But neckties needn't conjure up images of manly-power-suit-wearing lesbians.

Instead, ties have gone beyond the boundaries of male and female, femme and butch.

♥ Weekly Geek Out ~ 12/3 ♥

♥ PUNK ROCK GEEK ♥
Drool-Worthy & Fashiongasm-Worthy
Holy Mary Boots @ House of Gasoline Glamour

♥ TREND GEEK ♥
Heel Condoms - found out about these via Trend de la Creme. Even at $20 - $40, slipping one onto a pair of heels is cheaper than buying a new pair of shoes. There's a total of 10 for sale on the website but these two are my favorites. TheHeelCondoms.com

♥ LOCAL GEEK ♥
Image via StyleList.com
The Dallas Museum of Art will host its first exhibition devoted entirely to fashion - The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. It's a comprehensive look at Gaultier's work, spanning 35 years and comprising 120 ensembles, sketches, photographs and videos from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. But it doesn't open until Nov 13, 2011! I don't want to wait a whole year for this! Babe, we're going to Montreal next summer... to, uh, escape the Texas heat lol. I bet local fashion organizations are already planning their opening night parties. News via DallasNews.com

♥ POP GEEK ♥
Ke$ha debuted her video for We R Who We R this week and it's very shiny. I think it's gonna be the club anthem until Lady Gaga releases a new single.

Even the make-up is club-ish. If you like it as much as I do, though, try this pallet: Kleancolor Alter Ego Glitter Cream Shadow from Hot Topic. FYI they also have a violet pallet.

[DAILY OUTFIT] Do These Boots Go With My Activist Video?

GAH! It's the end of the semester! It's been two weeks full of final projects and then next week... exams!

My most recently finished project was a feature article about gay bullying and college students with a multimedia add-on for my Journalism class. We had a choice of doing a broadcast feature or a written article with pics.

I spun mine as an internet article where the video could be a preview on YouTube. Except for the fact that I needed a mic and I didn't use a tripod during one of the shots, I think I got great marks.

*crosses fingers* I need this class so I can transfer to the University and start getting my Bachelor's in Visual Communication Technology. Alex and I have this little dream of living together on campus.

The only problem is that I'll about 30 minutes outside of Dallas, where all are the local fashion action takes place and gas prices aren't going down any time soon.

Anyway, I know it's not fashion or style related but here is link to the YouTube video. Gay issues are still in my top 10 passions, for obvious reasons.