DIY White Button Down Shirt: REMIX

As Lena Dunham so accurately describes in her show 'Girls,' the post college era is a mess. A real shit-show. It sucks for everyone. It is confusing, poor, full of bad decisions, peppered with low self-esteem, and generally not sober. Hopefully, in spite of that, or maybe because of that, it is also a time of great growth. 

I would like (hope) to think that I have officially passed the 'post-college' phase. I have a steady job, I'm killing it on the blog (yeah, I'm tooting my own horn - my stats are excellent), I have my own apartment that I actually really really like, I finally know how to cook a healthy meal and can manage to do the dishes afterwards, I like my friends, my furniture (kind of) looks intentional, I can afford a nice meal, I have a kitchen table and I use it, I belong to Equinox - most of the ingredients for functioning adulthood. SCORE.

I first realized what a changed bird I was a few weeks ago. A foreign friend came over for dinner. We had not had a hang-in since college. He was amazed at my life and kept asking how proud my parents were of who I have become. I was confused, because even though my parents are very loving and proud, they have not been exceedingly, extra proud since I last saw said foreign friend. In fact, they were probably more proud then because, ya know, I was graduating college and that's kind of a big deal. It was clear there had been much time and space since my amigo had last come around and he was in shock to see that I was no longer a dysfunctional college student. (Go me!)

Then again, right before I headed home for Thanksgiving. I was doing Fall Cleaning (Let's make that a thing instead of spring cleaning. I am so much more inclined to stay inside and scrub when it's cold than on a lovely spring day.) and found my sketchbook from freshman year. That thing was DARK. I don't at all recognize the person in those pages. Strange, because these days I wear a lot more black, much less glitter, and absolutely no peace signs. (Not even sorry.)

Speaking of, I also found some photos from my college days and another mammoth change has been my wardrobe. Granny-chic is not my thing anymore. Nor is hippy-dippy. Nor is desperate wannabe hipster. Also, I grew out my short granny hair and decided to stop wearing particularly baggy, shapeless dresses and intentionally ugly glasses. I used to look like a person who has many, mulitple cats, and was proud of it. I don't. I have one cat and that's enough. Maybe one day I'll share a photo of my college ID, because it is HILARIOUS. Today is not that day, though.
Too soon.
Sorry. 

As I filed through old photos I began to comprehend how much clothing I have purchased and soon after discarded over the years. Super wasteful. So, point of this very long, self-appraising story, happening now: I have pledged to try to 'upcycle' my clothes before committing them to the red cross.
(See how I used 'try'? Giving myself an out. Because my follow through is lackluster at best.)

I had previously purchased an over-sized white sheer button down from American Apparel back in my I-prefer-to-wear-clothes-that-look-like-bags days. I have been thinking about eradicating the thing for a while because I never wear it. Part of this has to do with the shape (or lack there of), but I think it mostly has to do with the shitty detailing. Let me clarify: AA is great for basics. However, anything beyond a t-shirt, leggings, or tights is usually poorly sewn and has crappy details. Case in point, the aforementioned shirt. Whoever chose the buttons on that shirt should leave the fashion industry. It's not for you. 

This is what the updated shirt looks like now:

This is the lame before version:

OK, it doesn't look THAT bad in this photo, but you have to remember, this is the BEST CASE SCENARIO for the shirt. It will never actually be this clean, or pressed, or on a model figure, or professionally photographed. Notice how the fabric pulls near the seams on my shirt but not on the model's. Just sayin' - IRL, it's a very different shirt. 

So I made it better with pretty buttons. Duh. 

Find Me At The Craft Fair!

Since I already know you are planning to come hang out at the Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market in Brooklyn this weekend that I told you about here and here, let me show you where you can find me when you arrive!

Check out this sweet map that the bad-asses at Renegade provided:

I am booth No. 2. Right near the food! And the photo booth! And the muthafuckin' DJ! And far from the stinky bathrooms! Score.

I'm  super excited about meeting all ya fools. 

LET'S BE FRIENDS, YO.

   

   

CRAFT FAIR SO SOON GUYS

Here is a really aggressive and obnoxious reminder that I will be selling some mind-blowingly awesome items at the first ever Renegade Holiday Market in Brooklyn this weekend!!

I AM SELLING SOME MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME ITEMS AT THE FIRST EVER RENEGADE HOLIDAY MARKET IN BROOKLYN THIS WEEKEND.

SPOILER ALERT: I HAVE iPhone 5 CASES. 

Yeahsies.

You should only know about the intense spray-paint aroma in my apartment, or the general layer of glitter covering all the surfaces. I found some a lot of glitter on my cat, too. This shit is happening. 

But seriously, if Williamsburg is accessible to you, you should come to this momentous occasion. You know it's going to be huge because I made a fucking facebook invite. We can schmooze and shit IRL. Hell, bring all ya friends. Let's make it a party. 

In addition to meeting/shopping me, you will have the opportunity to buy amazing one-of-a-kind handmade gifts for everyone on your list from some crazy talented folks. Check out the list of artists for a quick taste of what to expect. 

And the lovely flyer: 

There aren't too many more ways to say it, so just go. 

Thanks, I love you. 

Blogger Highlight: SWELLMAYDE

I should feel really bad right now. I don't, but I should.
Why? Well. You see, I was cooped up in my apartment ALL WEEK last week due to that bitch Sandy. I had more than enough time to make so, so many wonderful things. Instead I decided to sit on my couch and eat at least 3 lunches per day. And these were no lettuce lunches, these were chubby pizza and hamburger lunches. Pretty gross, right? Also, pretty amazing.

Like I said, I should feel bad. However, I take solace it the fact that every single person I spoke to at my office did the EXACT SAME THING. Ha! We all feel like total turds. Not being the only asshole who was a complete waste of space during our gift of a free week at home makes me feel so much better. Like SO much better. I think losing routine pust us in this really lame not productive state. I'm quite glad that's over and to be back at work, although a very wise co-person reminded me that I will regret that sentiment by tomorrow. I'm not sure if I agree - but I'll keep you posted on my general attitude in the upcoming days.
Maybe.
If I decide to.
Who knows... I'm pretty unpredictable these days. And my followthrough is subpar. So, stay tuned either way because, ya know, you make my world go round. 

Point of that whole story is, I've got nothing for you. 

Well, not nothing. As you know, I am participating in the Renegade Brooklyn Holiday Market (come see me!) so I have a lot of cell phone cases and stuff. But you know, nothing to SHOW you. 

So, alas, we have come upon my second edition of Blogger Highlights, 

introducing SWELLMAYDE.

(Nice logo, right?)

I have pinned and tumblr'd many a projects made by the very talented, LA based, Aimee. I highly recommend this beautifully designed blog to you, miss reader-pants. (Or mister. I don't know - I just assume I have no male readers.  If you are a dude, and you are a reader, holler at a girl, and I'll keep this shit gender neutral.)

For your reading convenience, I have provided images and links to my favorite DIY projects on SWELLMAYDE below.  Eat your heart out. 

DIY Studded Headband:

DIY Embellished Clutch:

DIY Lace Trim Denim Shorts:

DIY Pom Pom Clutch:

DIY Tie Dye Galaxy Shoe:

DIY Neon Envelope Clutch:

Hope you enjoy this FAAAAAAAABULOUS blog as much as I do. ^.^

Hey, have I told you lately that I LOVE YOU. 

You can let me know how mutual that feeling is on ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA! 

   

   

ALSO, before I forget, I know I generally keep things lighthearted. However, Hurricane Sandy has been hugely devastating to my dear city, state, and neighboring states. The destruction and loss is tremendous. Everyone can help those who were affected by the storm.

Check out NYCService.org or Redcross.com/Sandy for ways to help out. 

THANKS GUYS. 

YOU ROCK MY WORLD. 

K, bye.