finally friday

Hehehe I love this one because it screams ME! I may not look the most attractive with the saliva dripping from my teeth with my ridiculous smile, but the talented and fab Becky Johns caught my personality in this. We exchanged photography services--she needed some shots for her mom and I needed some for the blog. She's this smart and witty 22 year old girl who's tech savvy and has a lot to say, so you you should listen and check out her blog. Thanks again, girl!

Eek, haven't updated all week! I've been so incredibly busy with work and other projects. I spent the last three weeks working on a $3 million federal grant application. This past week, almost every moment had been spent working on it. It consumed my life. We finally submitted it last night, phew! After work, I helped my friend Dan shop for a new wardrobe--I'll be posting photos of him hopefully soon and then I had derby practice which completely wiped me out so much so that I slept in until almost noon today and I was late to work.

I hate being late and I'm definitely more of a morning person and never sleep in so late. I think I need to take it easy next week so I don't pull anything like that again. Sadly, today was our two interns, Naomi and Becky's last day. I love those girls--they're smart, dedicated and armed with humorous and bubbly personalities. We celebrated their last day by taking them out to lunch at Enso, a super cool restaurant where we sat out on the patio and chatted about their internship experience with our organization. After work, I rushed home to change and get ready for a Guess eyeglasses and sunglasses commercial. I was asked to be one of the "models" to be in an internal commercial for Guess and had to sit on a leather couch, dance and talk extemporaneously on how the sunglasses made me feel. I was super excited because my first take was so good! And I was proud of myself! But I didn't mention that I was wearing Guess sunglasses and I couldn't quite recreate the sincerity and confidence that I spoke with in the first take. Hopefully it turns out well. 


I was such a hot mess today. I could only pile my hair on top of my head with the unusually hot and humid day and sport shorts with a studded top that I forgot I had. Anything black with studs catches my attention and this was a purchase I quickly made when I was in Chicago a couple weeks ago for a seminar.

[top by H&M, shorts by bdg, boots by steve madden borrowed from becky]

Becky with her ray bans that I'm lusting over..

And then I tried them on and we took some sweet photos with my reflection in them.

This fabulous man sauntered up and was not shy about asking to be photographed, so Becky snapped some of just him and then I jumped in for a few!

Your love is stag in the white sand

Remember last week when I met the roller derby girls at the studio for the radio show? Well a combination of their winning personalities and the fact that I watched Whip It and have since romanticized my role on a team with that of Ellen Page's Bliss character, I inquired about how to join. And I attended my first practice on Sunday!

By default, I smile a lot in new and sometimes uncomfortable situations. I wanted to pretend I was as cool as them and not be awkward, but I came across as a peppy cheerleader instead. They accepted this and the fact that I almost bit it the first couple times skating around--but I slowly improved. I learned how to do all the different types of falls, whips, etc. I loved it! I have a high pain tolerance and I've been looking for the perfect way to exercise, meet super cool girls and do something fun and out of the ordinary--and this fits perfectly. When I told my grandma about this she immediately laughed and basically told me I was going to have my ass handed to me. Ye of little faith, grandmother! I already ordered my skates and picked up my pads/helmet after practice and am celebrating my battle wounds! (swollen and bruised knees.) 

I've also been really digging cropped tops so I've been tying my shirts lately to pull off that look.  I don't really like to expose my stomach so these shorts do the trick. I still love this jacket and wear it all the time. It goes with just about anything and the neutral color and shorter sleeves are perfect for spring.

[tank by silence + noise, jacket from zara, high waist shorts by american apparel, boots by miss me, tights by american apparel, belt by ecote]

On Saturday, I went to visit my friend Erin in the metro Detroit area and we visited some of my favorite shops in Royal Oak and the Eastern Market near downtown. Detroit is actually really sweet. I love going to visit over there.

Title: lyric from the song, zebra by beach house. good stuff.

Cracks

I stayed up late tonight because I was absorbed in the movie "Cracks." I found it engrossing - though highly disturbing - but the best part was that it was visually stunning. I would watch it just for the fashion alone. I thought I'd share some of my favorite screen caps because I'm too tired to write out an ode to the costume designer, even though she/he deserves it.

Oh, to be in the '30s with hair as perfectly styled as Eva Green's!

summer essentials

Some more things I'm currently digging and are on my "OMG I NEED TO BUY YOU" list. 

1. Meshin' around leggings (only one in stock right now, BOO.)

2. Cut out tee by Mink Pink

3. Shorts by Siwy

4. Purse by GORJANA

5. Stud sandal

I'm off to spend the day with my lovely friend Erin in Detroit!

the softer side

I'm not going to lie and say I didn't feel a bit out of element for myself today and a little Susie Homemaker in my pretty patterned dress. There was a little prance to my step, but also a ton of "what the &%&$*" and "oh shit"'s Grant writing turns me into a hot, disorganized mess who swears like a sailor.

I decided to throw my hair up after work and I started grabbing random domestic items around my apartment to play up my housewife persona for these photos. Today has been such a crap day and of course me and probably other fashion bloggers think "Oh I just need to go home and take some self portraits. That's just what I need." rather than "I need a drink." It actually worked. While some people may sketch or paint to relieve stress, I paint my face up and set up the tripod and weee, instant stress reliever. I realized I inadvertently channeled Miss Pandora. 

[dress by kimchi blue, purple heels by bcbg, glasses from urban outfitters, accessories, I mean appliances from various chain stores]

Delightfully Fun

Delightfully Tacky featured me as the Blogger of the Moment! eee! I love Elizabeth and each girl she features. What an honor!

Yesterday, I talked about fashion blogging, style, and photography on LansingNext, a weekly online talk radio show with two pretty sweet hosts, Dan and Julielyn. Dan was the first friend I made when I stood awkwardly alone at my first Mid-Michigan Tweet up last year and I first saw Julielyn when she captivated an audience at a PRSA seminar and I thought "damn, she's cool." It was such a pleasure to be asked to go on the show, especially with those two as hosts. It airs tomorrow at noon, I believe! Listen if you can! Before I went on, Jess Knott and a few ladies of Lansing Derby Vixens talked about Lansing's new roller derby. I couldn't stop giggling while they were on and immediately wanted to be apart of this group of kiss ass ladies. I'm a bit of a wuss, but in high school I was pretty tough and cutthroat while playing powderpuff football. I think I can find it me again.

Derby girls before heading in the studio

Julielyn and Dan

The studio was super retro and cool.

I don't understand why I throw my head so far back when I laugh..hmm

Last four photos by the fab photog, Becky Johns. Thank you!

MSU SADA Fashion Show

On Saturday, Tieka came down to Lansing to attend Michigan State University's Student Apparel Design Association's annual fashion show with me. She secured press passes for us which made it easier for me to photograph the runway. First of course we gobbled up delicious food at Michigan Brewing Company with a couple friends, Haley and Karrin who are absolute dolls. After dinner we headed backstage at the Lansing Center to snap some photos and get a sneak peak at the collections. Too bad hair and make up was already finished, I wanted to photograph that process!

For this particular show, the students selected a piece of art to serve as inspiration for their collection and it was amazing, ranging from Andy Warhol's pop art to Ansel Adam's photography.

I bought this romper when I was in Philadelphia and I absolutely love it. I like that it covers up a lot up top since the bottom is so short. It's been freezing in Lansing the last couple days which allowed me to bust out the hat one last time before it gets too warm.

[romper by lucca couture, belt by kimchi blue, tights by merona, wedges by aldo]

backstage

Check out an interview I did for Everybody is Ugly since I was selected as an April Style Icon on Chictopia, yay! Click here! :)

hair timeline and memories

Tieka is on her way over today and I started thinking about when we first started hanging out. I referred back to my embarrassing livejournal and recovered a few embarrassing pictures to share. Everyone knows me now for my big, curly, blonde hair but back in the day I did everything to change it. I used to submit photos on a few hair related blogs before so I have quite the extensive archive of hair photos, but can't remember my photobucket password! Here is a shortened timeline of the myspace-esque images of my past hair phases. It makes me laugh.

The two-toned look. I sported variations of this, adding brown, black or red. BAHAHA.

Then I wanted to try red. I was convinced by my stylist this color would be flattering..

My brother Chad and I with the red hair still

Shortly after, I had that red stripped from my hair and replaced it with more natural tones..

Tieka, Kimmi and I back in the day. Before I started to over process my hair and when Tieka wore hers curly people would always get us confused. I need to dig up photos from high school to eventually show you all.

I forget how blonde Tieka used to keep her hair!

Sorry this post had nothing to do with fashion!