summer lovin'

This post of summer photos (film & iphone-made) is brought to you by the following:

-Katie's sunglasses 

-This song, on repeat

-Fishing off the dock

-as many fancy salads as I have time for (1, 2, 3, 4!)

-multiple viewings of Dazed & Confused 

-learning how to do a french fishtail.

     

publish

The time is finally here! It Will Be Known To Us (volume one) is finished and available for purchase. One snowy afternoon a few weeks ago Allison and I bundled up and, umbrellas and witchy props in hand, set out for her backyard. We gathered up a couple sticks and logs and then Alli got to work. These photos are all hers... and MY GOSH, are they not gorgeous? Girl knows what she's doing.

So here, enjoy some of the photos from the shoot... and then go out and check out the zine! Lisa and I will love you forever!!!

cel style (#3)

click through images for the source!

HEY DUDES. Remember forever ago when I would pick a Miyazaki movie and make one or two dream outfits based on the film? Yeah, it's been awhile, but Mallory over at Gems has been making some STUNNING fantasy outfit posts, and I couldn't help myself. 

This time around I picked Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, as a little challenge - this one is decidedly more fantasy/sci fi than the last two films I picked, but just as good! Yet another rock n' roll lady hero (and a princess at that!), kickin' butt and trying to find a way to save the world without destroying the environment. Miyazaki certainly knows how to make a great female character. Oh and did I mention she has an adorable fox squirrel sidekick? Aweeessooommmeee!!

Guys, go watch this movie immediately (or read the comic!), and in the meantime let's think about how we can emulate Nausicaä's sweet blue & white style with a little spring-y outfit.

sunglasses / top / bracelet / bag / shorts / sandals / necklace

space bar

photo from the last space party by alli

My awesome buddy/illustration husband Bill has decided to throw another SPACE PARTY. The last one was years ago, and all I can remember about it is that it was filled with stars and cocktails of a curious colors and SO many good costumes (did I mention that I won the costume contest?). The party may not be for another month, but I've already got my mind on what I'm wearing.

Thoughts so far: A little Barbarella cheesiness (THAT HAIR) mixed with Rodarte star hair pins and more stars stars stars......

SOURCES, CLOCKWISE: marchesa luisa casati // barbarella // eric traoré for vogue paris, september 1999 // rodarte photographed by frou frou

castle crashers

When Marisa contacted me about doing a piece for the Ten Paces & Draw Miyazaki swap, all I could think was "YAY, how fitting!". After all, I've been doing those little Miyazaki style posts. And boy, was it meant to be. 
The sketch I got from Liz was AWESOME, and I had such a good time drawing the pink haired, granny collar wearin', bad ass pirate queen Dola from Castle in the Sky. Chelsey also did such great things with the sketch I provided.  Seriously guys, go check out this swap NOW.

cel style (#2)

I couldn't wait any longer - Kiki's Delivery Service will always be one of my favorite movies, the kind that feel safe and comforting, that you could watch when you're feeling sick and need a blanket and a cup of tea. It's such a sweet story, and as always the work of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli totally shine. The sets are gorgeous, and there's plenty of old timey vehicles (cars, bikes, airplanes).

I also couldn't help but make a set for our heroine, Kiki... and the young fellow who takes a liking to her, Tombo. They're both so stylish!

kiki

tote / dress / scarf / flats / radio

tombo

bike / shirt / belt / jeans / glasses / loafers

cel style (#1)

I've said it before, but I was a tiny bit of a nerd in high school. The kind that kept sketchbooks filled to the brim with manga-style girls with angel wings, which might seem embarrassing but I try to keep it all in focus. My interest in anime and manga sparked an interest in art in middle school, which lead me on the path to MCAD and Minnesota. I love it here, and sometimes I think I have the animators and artists of Japan to thank for that. This means you, CLAMP.

One animator/director/mastermind that I'll always love is the ubiquitous Hayao Miyazaki. Even if you haven't heard his name there's a good chance you'll have seen at least one of his films. Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away are probably the most well known. The other day I realized how fashionable his characters are, and realized I had to do a series of posts on how to dress like a Miyazaki character!

Nerds + fashion = go!

Here's an outfit inspired by Fio (pictured above on the left) from Porco Rosso. She's a spitfire lady pilot with a pig as a best friend - what more could you ask for? Studio Ghibli films do such a great job with the look of the early 1900s, and Fio's fantastic tomboy style is no different. Straw hat, blue jeans and gingham shirts? Yes please. You should seriously go watch this movie if you haven't yet, it's terribly charming. Just look at it!

backpack / hat / similar jeans / blouse / sandals / bracelet was from tiffany's, but I can't locate it!

BONUS: a drawing I did in (eek) 2003, and me playing game boy and wearing a tiara. That's just how I used to roll, folks. 

running

I'm on the job these days working at my alma matter's pre-college program, making sure the kiddies don't do anything bad. tonight we're showing them Blade Runner and in all our excitement Bryan and I couldn't help watching the making-of documentary this morning.

Blade Runner is kind of a magical film because it is a great examples of many art forms: film, music, art, fashion, etc. I've been scouring the web for examples of the logos and sign design used in the film (there are thousands) but of course, I couldn't find anything.

The fashion from Blade Runner, however, is EVERYWHERE. The character of Rachel has always been my favorite, her hair and makeup and clothing is so great. And, of course, there have been numerous photo shoots and fashion collections inspired by her look - like the one above from Vogue in April 2009. Who would have known that giant shoulders combined with that classic 'do could look so good?

stoli?

When my parents came and visited me last they brought me a few little goodies, including a little plastic bag from Expo 67 - from the USSR booth! ohoho how funny. All historical references aside, check out the color blocks on this thing! I love how strong each design looks, very solid. My favorite is probably the can on the bottom - I like the intersecting colors and all the different kinds of type. Very very wonderful.

Also, saw the new Bond film over the weekend and really liked it. Thought the whole "revenge" plot line was mildly unnecessary, but who really cares? The action was frantic and tots awesome and the TYPOGRAPHY. woah. I am not an expert in type, but in myyyy opinion I thought all the location cards were really wonderful. You can look at screencaps from them here and look at more work from Tomato, the always impressive people who did them, here.