South of The Border

I should probably be designing my line, but I'm hard pressed finding the time between case studies, tests, work, and my social life. That doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of my Mexicali collection that I began designing months (and months) ago.

But what's exciting is I may have a new source of inspiration: I'm going to MEXICO!
I get to spend a week at a resort just outside of Puerto Vallarta. It's my first time in Mexico, and my first time traveling to somewhere other than the US or other Canadian provinces. I am ridiculously excited.
And since I've been lazily neglecting this blog, I've decided to perk it up a bit by tracking down some Mexican-inspired fashion photos for all you fashionistas to geek out on. Try not to drool, I know it can be hard.Printed Canvas Bag, Prada
Eeeee, I WANT IT. Orange isn't usually my thing... but this is CUTE. If only it didn't have the $1,750 Prada insignia on it...

OPI Nail Colour Ad
Elegantly traditional.
"Huaraches " Sandals by Intuition
While I'd probably fall on my face wearing these shoes, it wouldn't stop me from wearing this fancy version of a traditional South American sandal, even if for only 20 minutes..
Ecote Embellished Chiffon Dress, Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters, please hire me? I love you.
Ecote Printed Silky Skirt, Urban Outfitters
I'm just going to take the rest of my pictures from Urban Outfitters, and dream of having a limitless credit card that I never have to pay back.
Ecote Batik Tank Top, Urban Outfitters
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BDG Hi-Rise Cigarette Jean, Urban Outfitters
Yellow highwaisted skinny jeans? Yes Please.
Betsey Johnson Mexicali Rose String Bikini Top
I love Betsey Johnson, and this is exactly why. Mexican inspired, embroidered, and bearing the same namesake as my collection.
Day of The Dead Skull Post Earring, Urban Outfitters
My favourite aspect of Mexican Culture, Los Dias de Muertos.
Leather Navaho Cuff Bracelet, Urban Outfitters
Yes to leather.
Bird Skull Ring, Urban Outfitters
Pretty much bitchin'.
Sweetheart Sunglasses, Urban Outfitters
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Wise Words from an Icon

This life is what you make it.

Not matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes,

it's a universal truth.

But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up.

Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway.

But just remember, some come, some go.

The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends.

Don't let go of them.

Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.

As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too.

And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart,

but you can't give up

because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate.

You'll never find that half who makes you whole

and that goes for everything.

Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything.

Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself,

because if you don't, then who will, sweetie?

So keep your head high, keep your chin up,

and most importantly,

keep smiling,

because life's a beautiful thing

and there's so much to smile about.

Thoughtful Thoughts.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment." ~ Sarah Dessen

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." ~ Marilyn Monroe

"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind." ~ Kurt Vonnegut

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity." ~ Gilda Radner

"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be. ~May Sarton

"You can't force love, I realized. It's there or it isn't. If it's not there, you've got to be able to admit it. If it is there, you've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love." ~Richelle Mead

"Without music, life would be a mistake." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Smoley Hokes!

My goodness, has it ever been some time since I've posted here.
Probably a sign that school (and my social life) are keeping me as busy as ever.
There's been some changes since I last posted, I've shifted my focus from Design to Marketing. At least for the duration of this program. I feel like I've learned as much as I'm going to through the design stream, and figure it would be a good idea to be well-rounded and taking some marketing.

I had taken on the responsibility to spearhead a fund raising campaign for the Fashion Club to help us raise some cash for program costs (perhaps a new buttonhole sewer?! maybe some muslin!?), as well as raise some money for charity. Our original idea was to have an "Anti-Fashion" show, featuring Lethbridge's best garage-punk bands, and have everyone dress up as outrageously as possible. This didn't pan out, so we opted instead for a more mellow, moustache and ugly sweater party.
It was a total hit! A small group of us came together and were able to pull it off, thanks to all the awesome musicians who volunteered their time to help us out.

After the success of this, I'm interested to keep dipping my toes into this promotion gig. As such, perhaps marketing is a good way to go. I'm still wanting to do my collection for Spring/Summer 2011, but I need to do it for me. School is sucking the inspiration out of me, and I'm done trying to be put into a little box of the same old same old. I don't care about your trends, I don't care about your fashions. If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it by my own terms, and I've learned everything that I can be taught here, so here's hoping I can at least get a decent collection!

Other than the lack of inspiration, school is going by decently, and I'm looking forward to being done for the semester! My favorite class by far is Surface Design, and I'm hoping to post some interesting techniques and things I have found later on! But in the mean time, I'm running on little sleep and should probably get back to work.

Can't wait till Christmas!

A Softer World

I've been feeling a little cynical lately, and nothing makes me smirk more than the webcomic known as A Softer World. The photography is always visually interesting, and the captions themselves are a delight. For your pleasure, maybe just amusement, here are some favorites that I pulled from their extensive archive.

That Binge Was Monumental!

I know making lists isn't traditionally proper blog etiquette, but if I was to write all about this last weekend, it would be one epic blog post. So, I present to you, my weekend, abridged:


4 year anniversary of local record shop, Blueprint
1 free show
5 great bands, including Lethbridge's own Cheif Mountain, Moby Dicks, and Fist City
1 weekend rental car
5 hours to Edmonton
4 friends from BC
1 friend from school
1 friend from Michigan
1 spot on the guestlist, compliments from said Michigan friend (Thanks buddy!)
The Flatliners & Against Me! under the same roof
Rock the fuck out, pissing of most of the people around me
Pizza and hangouts with The Flatliners
3 hours to Calgary
1 friend convincing me to go to the show in Calgary
2 shows for the price of one
Lose my friends before The Flatliners even play
Rock the fuck out even more!!
Backstage access, thanks to The Flatliners and their crew
More hangouts with The Flatliners
Getting to watch Against Me from backstage
Getting to meet 3/4 of Against Me
Free bong from The Flatliners
2 hour trip home becomes a 3 hour trip due to rain and dark
20 minute nap outside of a Super 8 somewhere in rural Alberta
3 hours of sleep
1 day of school to catch up on

.......Would I do it all over again?
Fuck. Yes.

Live Through, Live Strong, Carry On (& On & On..)

As much as I love clothing/fashion, anyone who knows me know that my true love will always be music. So as such, of course I'm going to blog about music, even if this is supposed to be a "fashion blog".

But I digress!

In a week's time I'm going to be on my way to Edmonton, Alberta, to see two of my most favorite bands play under the same roof. Both of which, have been the topic of my blog in the past: Against Me! and The Flatliners. What's even better, is that a friend of mine is touring with The Flatliners, and has been so kind as to put me on the guestlist. Wow! Guestlist?! How can I say no!?

This will be my fourth time seeing The Flatliners, but my very first time seeing Against Me! To make things even more exciting, some friends from BC are going, and I'll be going with a good friend of mine from school who graduated last year. It will be a huge reunion of people I know that haven't seen in a long time, seeing two of my most loved bands.... it's just something I can't pass up.

So, without further ado, allow me to share with you the latest video by The Flatliners, called "Carry The Banner." Check it out, get their album, and if they're coming to a town near you, go see them!



And while you're at it check out this awesome video of Against Me! featuring Tegan (You'll have to go to YouTube to see the video)