[STREET SNAP] The Hobby Lobby Fairy Really Does Exist!

Don't forget to have fun with your style. What's the point of fashion if it doesn't make you smile and feel sparkly on the inside. This young lady was on her way to a party when I caught her outside of Hobby Lobby in Cedar Hill. It might not be everyday-wear but still worth a quick pic.

[SAPPHIC SUNDAY] If You Don't Stand for Something, You'll Fall for Anything

I don't really talk a lot about big name brands on my blog. I don't think they need the extra publicity ;) though a lot of big brand pieces do find themselves on my Lust List.

Kenneth Cole, for example, has always had a knack for tailored lines and his sweaters usually make said List. He recently made another one my my Lists - Fashion I Respect - by taking a stance on certain issues that are very important to me such as gay rights.

Since the mid-80's, Kenneth Cole has supported AIDS research and awareness - his brand has never been a stranger to social issues. Now, his newest campaign wants you to know that the company is more than "What You Stand In", it's "What You Stand For".

"I've used my brand platform to raise awareness about important social issues," says Kenneth Cole, "It's not just what [people] look like on the outside, it's who they are on the inside."

The site - WhereDoYouStand.com - calls for open dialogue on the issues of gun control, war, pro-choice and gay rights. Being the good little lesbian I am, the first thing I clicked on was "Gay Rights". The question was "IS PREJUDICE AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE A FORM OF MINORITY DISCRIMINATION?" and there was a stream of comments about the issue.

Some simply stated yes, others cited religion while some were completely appalled that it would be considered "minority discrimination". Personally, I've always believed marriage to be a religious institution and, legally, we should just have civil unions that grant every couple (gay or straight) the same rights. Then you could go get married at your place of worship.

Despite the comments that left me wondering if people understood that civil rights were about equality, I applaud Kenneth Cole for using his brand to create an open forum where people can share, discuss and argue their views. While not everyone agrees, you see where the other side is coming from and I think that's important when formulation your own opinion on matters that affect more than just you.


Our world has grown smaller over the years and it's hard not to be directly affected by at least one of these issues. Taking a stance might seem like the last thing on your mind but sooner or later you will be asked (and probably judged by) where you stand on certain issues. Kenneth Cole, I believe, has made a big point with this campaign: where you stand is as much a part of you as the clothes you wear.

[STREET SNAP] Outside Barnes & Nobles in Arlington

Her striped romper made me look up from my coffee.
It's a great pattern - makes it a statement piece all by itself.

My 11 Tools of the Blogging Trade

I've been burning the midnight oil lately with freelance design work - mainly websites and business cards - that I haven't really given myself time to blog. I figured this post would be the perfect segue back into blogging. IFB started a project to help blogger create and share content. Each week there is a different theme to blog about and this week they're wanting to know what the essential items are for a blogger.

1. Gateway Laptop
   I started blogging not long after buying Yurihime. After three years, it heats up pretty quickly and the battery only holds 20 minutes of charge but I call it my trusty sidekick for a reason. It's a little bit heavier than I would like but you build arm muscle lugging it around to class, Starbucks and client meetings everyday for three years. I even bought it a cute padded bag at Office Depot.
2. Fujifilm Finepix Z Digicam
   I bought this camera at the same time as the laptop because I heard Fujifilm was a great brand and it was metallic red. It goes everywhere with me which means I sometimes forget to charge it.
3. iPhone
   My girlfriend and I actually call this our baby. We've even bought 6 different outfits. Lately it's been feeling pink. The phone helps mostly with social media posts but it's a camera when my Fujifilm is dead. I'm trying use it for note taking (I want to go paperless) but still haven't gotten the hang of it.
4. Makeup Bag
   Good for freshening up before an event or outfit shoot.
5. Notepad & Pen
   Did I mention I'm trying to go paperless? But I still keep a tiny spiral notebook and pen on my at all times. I can't seem to type on my phone as fast as I write. My girlfriend says this is a good thing.
6. Thesaurus.com
   Please refer to my Top 10 Overused & Hijacked Fashion Words in Lifestyle and Non-Fashion Marketing ... because sometimes finding the right words to use is hard - until you look them up.
7. Google Reader
   I found this is the best way to keep up with my favorite bloggers and catalog my inspiration.
8. Photoshop
   I don't this one needs an explanation but I use it to resize and edit photos, create collages and recolor my drawings. I'm sure there's other things I can't think of.
9. Hootsuite
   Self-promotion is no longer sneered at. Rather we glorify it and create more efficient ways to do it. I've used it mostly for businesses so I'm actually re-learning to use it now as a blogger.
10. ANote
    The first app I actually paid more than 99 cents for. It's a notebook with folders (which the iPhone Notes lacks), Google Docs sync, reminders for posting, background customization and a setting which acts as an editorial calendar. I'm still trying to perfect it as an editorial calendar but I will blog about it when I do.
11. Beautiful Girlfriend
    In case I don't mention her enough, Alex is a big help for this blog. Apart from taking all the outfit photos (sometimes tired as hell), she also keeps me motivated and makes an awesome cup of coffee. She also holds my purse when I'm taking street snap pictures.
    

First picture via WeHeartIt.com

She Says It's My Fashion Influence: A Preview of My GF's Chainmail Jewelry Line

She blames me, says I'm the one who got her into it. As I mentioned in one of my last posts, Alex has started designing chainmail jewelry that we're going be selling online under the label Never After. She's really serious about it and says it's my fashion influence. This is the part where I bat my eyelashes and smile because I think she's always been creative. It's one of the qualities I love in women.

Although I haven't quite gotten the merchandise on the website, she's already selling at another avenue. She currently has a few pieces (pictured) in a local boutique!

That's normally a big deal for small designers so I'm really proud of her. So proud that I helped coordinate a mini-trunk show for the boutique's monthly Art Meets Art event. It's where ONLi boutique takes two local artisans (and some wine) and invites people get to know their work.

The artist painted in the back while Alex hung around her little display. I think it was a great turnout for such a warm night. The Bishop Arts' much publicized First Thursday helped. We honestly weren't expecting a sale on her first night in the boutique but one of her bracelets sold! As we're both big believers in omens, we took this as a good sign.

The only thing left to do is for me to get the product pictures on the website. It's been hard with my usual web clients needing things suddenly and my camera eating photos (like the rest from the trunk show). I know it's going to take more time on my part to make the business successful.

We have one bazaar coming up in September and we're applying for a holiday-themed show in November. Alex and I hope that one day her jewelry - and Never After as a whole - will generate a good income. Even if she doesn't consider what she's doing fashion, that's one dream she shares with a lot of designers. What do you think of her designs? Would you wear one of these necklaces?

"It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."
~ The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Alex quotes this book a lot.)

[TOP 10 TUESDAY] Keep Your iPhone Feeling Stylish (Wallpaper Edition)

I am addicted to customizing my phone. I remember when phones first had faceplates with cool designs, I spent lunch money on one with flames. Then I learned how to manually add custom monophonic ringtones, back when you had to know the notes. Now I have an iPhone whose wallpapers and main ringtone change every other week.

My favorite wallpapers are normally anime-style digital art with just a bit of fashion sprinkled in - like the ones below. The one on the right is my current one. The easiest way to get the wallpapers onto your phone is to open this blog on your phone's browser.

Two other ways I've found to download the pictures onto the iPhone are:
(1) Right-click to Copy the Image Location, i.e. the wallpaper's URL and then paste it into an email. Send the URL to your phone via text. I know for the AT&T iPhone, it's your phone number @txt.att.net - 1234567890@txt.att.net

[STREET SNAP] Look What I Found in the Comic Book Aisle

Alex and I went to Half-Price Books last night to clear some energy. Books have a way of putting our minds at ease and recharging our souls.

I came across this young lady in the comic book and manga section which automatically earns her some cool points. Her style is cute and classic, which didn't surprise me as she knew about Lolita dress.

Alex bought a World of Warcraft comic and I found a 2007 copy of Jane. Does any one else remember Jane magazine? It was my favorite magazine when I graduated from high school. More than just the fashion, this magazine had some great stories. It was blogs on paper before blogs became so popular.