Overly Seized

Summer silly, summer just nuts, and summer plain wild

Haha, well, I have not worn my Free People "African Bouquet" dress all summer. And it's just kind of cool and crocheted and the skirt is the coolest gauzy material. So why did it stay in the closet? Well, dear reader, because of silly me. Mainly because it's such a layering piece that i thought might require cooler temperatures to wear with a white shirt or a turtleneck and tights.

of boys and silk shirts

There is something so "i don't care" sensible and fun about boy's pieces. It feels so right not to have to look professional or impress any admissions people. ahh... This freedom will end soon. So, this will likely be my uniform on the cross country trip.

The train from my town departs in exactly 60 hours. Yes, perhaps this is this blog's own little manifest destiny. We will be shooting, the only right way there is-- with a camera!!! Bringing my set of hazardous, violent full finger ings and buying clothes along the way. I will be bringing a) 1 bathing suit, b) 1 pair flat sandals, c)1 pair dress heels, d) 1 dress, e) green harem pants. Can't wait!!

Beloved New Bag

 
[Sunglasses, Emporio Armani; Top, no label; Jean shorts, thrifted; Shoes, Old Navy]

Here are some recent acquisitions. I am so infatuated with this Cole Haan patent bowler. Ahh,So hot for it, despite the price tag... Might I also present you, this asymmetrical blouse. The cut is so unusual and so unlike anything I've seen. I feel like having this replicated by a tailor in at least 3 more colors. What do oyu think they might be?

Wearing, also, my brand new Emporio Armani sunglasses, courtesy of closetbuy on ebay. Thank you closetbuy. =)

Wild Life

  [Sunglasses, Armani; Blouse, Juicy Couture; Gladiator sandals, Sofft; Belt, Vintage; Skirt, Vintage; Necklaces, Vintage; Bracelet, Vintage; Ring, 18K gold]
I was 11 years old, once... very small framed, with wild, honey-colored hair, infinitely happy, and had the loveliest, sweetest, most loving nanny. I call her mommy, much to my mother's jealousy.

One night after homework, we went treasure hunting in her room. She had mounds of clothes. They were piled in plastic bins for years, begging to be explored. That night, below the white swimsuits, red dresses, and ripped shorts, we found this skirt. Gosh, she said, "it's still alive". Her late husband bought it at a foreign factory sale at least 45 years ago. She'd never worn it since then.

45 years seem like a long time for a skirt that feels like new. And it's so wild too. I loved it! She put it on me as a dress with a little shrug cardigan tied on top and I went to a school party like that the next day.

Go, wild wild quests!

Crab cakes and stilettos

I'm taking myself out to lunch at a local restaurant. It is actually a very casual seafood place. The locals stare and point, no matter what shreds of cloth cover or uncover this body. So, dress codes are deliciously irrelevant, aren't they?

"Taking yourself?", you ask? Why yes. It is easier and more relaxing this way. Try it. Were I on a date, this would be a different story. Boys seem to be under the false impression that we dress to seduce them. So I'd actually wear pajamas or a mumu, just to see how they rationalize that. Ahh, In fact, I have... As aforementioned, that is a different story. It still stands, whether it's pajamas or 4-inch stilettos, or both, "Hellooo town, where are those crab cakes and wine?".

Hugs and kisses <3
-The girl at the Atelier

Bright into the 80's

As you know, I've been on a skittle-color roll these past few days. You also know how Mom and myself have been on a thrift rampage since.. well, since forever. She wears a rolex and a chanel bag with nothing but thrifted jeans and buttondowns.

So the other day, I was scouring through the suits and men's ties at the church's thrift when someone tapped me on the shoulder... so lightly. It was mom holding these bright high waisted paper-bag, stupidly bright pants.

They do go with everything, because any outfit will be [fill in the blank] with those 80's pants. And we all know that townies will point, no matter what, so might as well make it worth the while =D

The best part? There was a broken hook so they were free. OMFG. I guess the best part, in fact, is how annoyingly conspicuous they are. Also, I bought the wickedest McQueen for Puma shoes and a mink stole among other things. This outfit is among the other things. Except for the patent Sofft sandals. I've been running around on these all day and they feel like sneakers!
Muah!





Thank you for reading!

-The girl at the atelier

Big, Bright, and Soft

Sometimes, the original purpose of a garment is tangled and tucked into a luckier one. Take, for example, this floaty blouse. It was purchased for a few cents and it was destined to the ripped and made into rosettes for a dress project. There was a tear under a sleeve. The size was ridiculously big, and the color was so obnoxiously bright that the only possible use was in pieces of it-- in moderation at that. But perhaps that is the allure. After a few pleats on the front and on the sleeves, this is the end result. A hard-to-wear, soft, floaty tunic.

Also, I just googled "neon trend" and teen Vogue advises khaki with it.

All hail obnoxiously bright silk garments!

-the girl at the atelier

A Sizeable Find

It was perfect. Unwrinkable, unstainable, tailored but soft, new with tags... A Huge Men's Shirt-- for less than 25 cents. Staring into it at the fill-a-bag event, I pondered. Ahh, if only it were my size...
"Wait, Mari, of course!", it hit me. So now it is my size. Stitch a few random pleats here and there, roll and sew the sleeves. In less than 2 hours, this a 4XL men's shirt was more than the original designer may have expected. Here is to the new tunic, with denim shorts from the free pile at the same store... What? Yeah, shopping can be cool like that.

I canot wait to show you some DIY's I've been working on all week.
Muah.

I Love You

I do, I promise! Will update as soon as my life stops being so ugh. Well, I asked for it, calling this town boring. Been bicycling and walking and running around all day. Ahh, but had the greasiest french fries for lunch with some calzone pizza. Haha. Yes, one step back. New old sweater. Had to snag it from mom, but I had seen it first. I did let her pay for it, so we will share it. TTY Soon!

mid night life

[Black clouds sweater, recent acquisition; Black sunglasses, Betsey Johnson; Black pleather leggings, uncertain origin; Black boots, Kenneth Cole]

Such a busy day. Will write better tomorrow. Promise. Ah, also, new acquisition. Who would have thought that oversized clothes can be un-rapper-fied? Totally love this sweater. Even if it's itchy as hell and totally synthetic. Wish i could order it in a softer fabric. Will line it with silk fabric tomorrow morning. =)

Walk this way, please...
Ahh, late night talking makes nearly everything laughable.







Love this pair. Got it this summer and haven'thad a chance to wear them. There are even comfy-er than flat boots. So padded!

-The Girl at the Atelier

Rag Doll

Some garments are beautifully unwearable. They are hard to wear. Their looks are so unusual that one just has to have them... but to harmonize them with what? They dont harmonize. Will you wear them just by themselves? Maybe with a pair of amazing shoes?

Too bad that indecent exposure is... well... indecent...

But seriously, a high waisted vintage tulip mini, a shredded white tank, those Dolce & Gabbana plaid green gaucho trousers... you get he idea. Then, there are other pieces that are so straightforward that you have to work to make them seem original or unique in any way. To express yourself with everything else.

Don't? Don't you want me?

This outfit came together under the influence...
1980's synthpop music! This song, "Dont you want me?" was enough to get this girl addicted to the British "The Human League".

Just now, I was holding a hair brush, totally pretending it was a microphone. Ahh, the effect this has on moi is not healthy. [grabbing hold of that brush again. Making 80's move.]

1- Heard this 80's hit today and it was kind of cool. At first the music sounded cheesy. Like something my mom used to listen to. Who says, "don't you want me, baby" anymore?

2- By the middle of the song it sounded like something people should say more often. "Don't you want me?" is a totally sexy and underused question.

3- Nodding shamelessly to the rhythm by the end of the song. Karaokeing it by the time it was over [Grabbing brush. Pretending it was a microphone].

The video, with the makeup and the feminine, strong shapes is so cool. I totally want to rock this without looking like a freak. The singers are quite androgynous with a good dose of goth. Gorgeous, sexy style. I'll bolder with the eye makeup next time.[Grab hold of brush. Sing shamelessly, you 80's beast! Hehe.]

Don't You Want Me

You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
When I met you
I picked you out, I shook you up, and turned you around
Turned you into someone new
Now five years later on youve got the world at your feet
Success has been so easy for you
But dont forget its me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down too

Dont, dont you want me?
You know I cant believe it when I hear that you wont see me
Dont, dont you want me?
You know I dont believe you when you say that you dont need me
Its much too late to find
You think youve changed your mind
Youd better change it back or we will both be sorry

Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh
Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh

I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar
That much is true
But even then I knew Id find a much better place
Either with or without you
The five years we have had have been such good times
I still love you
But now I think its time I lived my life on my own
I guess its just what I must do

Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh
Dont you want me baby? dont you want me - oh

Suitably frothy

Remember that men's suit? I was just scouring ebay to find a feminine blouse that would go with it. something sheer and frothy... something that would have a low back, a peek of bra, a muted ruffle, something that walked the line between ladylike and femininely inappropriate. Too bad those are not popular keywords for the search box.

But it was in here. I bought tis blouse ages ago at a sale in Urban Outfitters in Harvard Square. Before I even lived here. But it was stored in a bin until i figured out how to wear it. The bra strap just kept showing and the sleeves kept falling on one shoulder. But, so what? It so much easier to wear things when you just let them be. Just wear a pretty bra and show it off on purpose. C'est ci.









Thank you xoxoxoxo

You're an animal

[Brown men's square aviator sunglasses, Ray Ban; Long baroque pearl strand; Crocodile beige purse, Marino Orlandi; Leopard colored fur booties, Franco Sarto; Black heart temple sunglasses, Betsey Johnson; Little black dress, Juicy Couture]

Cut the hair and fluffed it up. Yes, it was done yesterday. Do you like?

New Purse! This one is so full of animal details, like the pretty shades of cream marble skin, and the pretty butterfly studded onto on the crocodile texture. Also, another piece from Juicy couture. No track suits. Their dresses, are so wearable. This embossed dress is a dream. Bought two.

Of American Barbecues

Remember the loot from the flea market last week? Yes! This is part of it. The heavy cicles bracelet is actually a belt! Yes, I'm tired of the statement earrings and necklaces lately.I've been looking for a really heavy and bold bracelet. Then, maybe a bracelet is not enough. A belt may do the trick.
  [Brown men's square aviator sunglasses, Ray Ban; Beige appliquéd top, Blu Heaven; Green Harem pants, Handmade; Plaid green espadrilles, American Eagle; Akoya Pearl Necklace; Copper circles belt work as a bracelet, Flea Market]
Yes, barbecue parties galore! So much deliciousness. My sister is roasting every kind of perfectly seasoned food out there, including tofu and Italian sausages for me. Thank you big sister =). All our friends are here, especially the ones who used to be our neighbors when we lived in NY. So many families! Too bad everyone is too busy eating to want to take any pics with the food bellies. Haha.
As city dwellers, we will always be loyal to slim fitting pants. They will always be flattering and smart. But these are so far away from the norm that they are just as cool. There is such a ridiculously generous amount of sheer silk in these! Ahh. Perhaps not so basic, but so surprisingly easy to wear. They are so outlandish that most outfits just look mismatched on purpose.... These will show time and again for decades to come, long after the trend vanishes .

Gap into Alexander Wang DIY

[Blrown Studded shield sunglasses, Marc Jacobs; Black T-shirt dress, Gap; Leopard colored graphic ankle boots, Franco Sarto; Copper Arabic Coin necklace, Flea Market]

Turned this Gap T-shirt dress with Scarf into a DIY of the Alexander Wang stretch dress. Although his version is in white, black is so much more preferable sometimes! Ah, yes, you love black. It is the perfect color.

Also! Mom and moi drove to the flea market! Got lots of goodies, which you will see very very soon. This Arabic coin necklace is one of them!! Yes, very moi. Well, some of us just cant help it.

And did you notice the sun came out from its hiding place? Welcome back Mr. Sun.
Cup of Chai Latte to celebrate,