Recession, Fashion and Bias

The recession is, well, permeating my life. I'm resisting spur of the moment purchases with much more ease than I ever have.  I can't pretend like I have found some higher-order-self-control. Well, ok, yes I have. In the form of wanting a new closet organizational system, a flat screen, and a digital stereo system that goes through my entire place. I'd rather save my money for things that will actually make my life better in the long run instead of the habit of  my past of buying a top that I'll wear one night in Chicago, one night in Michigan and then never again...for the first time since I started making my own money.

So, money is on the brain. If I was making an exorbitant amount these days, I still think I'd be saving it up. 

It is blowing me away that Fashion Week in NYC is losing designers by the day. All the lavish parties are being cancelled. One of the events that allowed me to look away from my life and to look onto something else with pure joy is reflecting the heavy heart (thanks to the political scene) I have right back at me. Parts of fashion week and of my heart are slowly being taken away by the state of the world - speaking in a broad manner and also in terms of my own, personal world. I thought 2008 really was a garbage year...but now 2009 seems to be on the road to being garbage too. Maybe we can start counting 2009 on St. Patrick's Day. Actually that idea makes me really happy. St. Patrick's day may become my "New Years" from here on out. 

Today. Inauguration day - which at one point kinda looked like an episode of "Soul Train" (Jay-Z the former drug dealer rapping for the new Pres? Come on! What a joke.) Yes, it is a historical day. Yes, the profound notion of the US having a black president is a wonderful testament as to how far we have come as a country. However, I found the events gross and disrespectful to the status and realities of virtually everyone else in the country...pinching their pennies together. 

NYMag's "The Cut" nicely pointed out today:   "Maria Cornejo has custom-made a number of pieces for our new First Lady. She wore one, a purple jacket, on the train ride from Philadelphia to Washington on Saturday. A spokesperson for the designer reveals that Cornejo made a range of pieces 'specifically tailored' to Michelle, including eight jewel-toned suits, two winter coats and three dresses."

The obvious bias displayed in a lack of commentary on how much money these pieces (in addition to several more they commented on throughout the day) cost in contrast to the way the same blog slaughtered a particular female front runner for spending money on clothes was not lost on me. 

So. In some twisted, forced conclusion...Here's to my countdown, to my personal new year., to clearly understanding the way the media works, to humbling responsibility and most importantly, to trust in God; that he will take care of those who believe and the well-being our country. 

PS - So if I were going to buy something - you know I'd go on the cheap. On the sly. And I would wait for this: Alexander McQueen for Target. I mean are you Fing kidding me? (March 1, 2009 hits stores)

Post Post Post Prost

It's obviously unusual for me to post more than once a day - or even once a month - or scarily enough even once every couple months. I suppose I have been rather uninspired until today with regard to my general interests. Maybe its my new beautiful haircut that has brought me back to life.

Or maybe its just that time of year when its so drab that you simply have to find solace in something that makes you happy so you don't go off the deep end.

Or maybe its the Gwyneth Paltrow Detox I've been doing for the last week. Veggie power kicking in?

Ehhhh....I'll attribute it to my new hair. 

I spent a few hours going through magazines, websites, and areas generally associated with high style. Unfortunately, my mullet-chic-inspired haircut was nowhere to be found. Was it because my taste is off? Oh thats right. Thats not possible. It's the usual thing that happens to me...I get something in my head that I want so badly and I spend weeks and months trying to find it - and cant - because it essentially doesn't exist. Then. Two years later it pops up in 10 different colors at Express and I want to kill somebody. Yes this has really happened. Multiple times. One time I designed purple boots in my dream. They were amazing.

So I did what I do. I turned to art for inspiration. And my dear friend who is very in tune with Japanese Anime, culture and hair. I describe for her what I want. I am not surprised when she immediately sends me a picture.

If I was slightly more hipster I would have kept it exactly...but I dont like putting in that much effort to curl the long and straighten the short. So I did a softer version. I hope it doesn't take too long for others to get hair inspiration from Anime. This chick is Lightning from Final Fantasy...I dont know much about her but apparently she is the real deal in the FFVII world. Me likey!

Colossal Volume Express Mascara

I would like to state for the record that Maybelline's Colossal Volume Express Mascara is NOT the best mascara at the drug store. It makes your lashes look like spider legs - not in a good way.

As a makeup professional, I would like inform you all that L'Oreal's Telescopic and/or Voluminous in Carbon Black are by far the best on the market.

Thank you very much,

C