who doesn't love cats?

(all illustration is by Veronica Fish)

I felt like it was time to bring some more avant art to my avant blog....A while back I had my good friend and illustrator Veronica Fish do these BEAUTIFUL illustration combining the love for cute kitties, and spring trends (for my ol' zine I had back in the day). I can't remember all the brands of the items, but I do know that some are very recognizable! (like them litas! hello!) Are not not totally stoked for neons and pastels?

I'm just reminiscing for spring. It was SO lovely out today felt like 60 degrees HOWEVS...I was being a good designer and doing coding all day. When I finally made a run to the market, it was sadly....40 degrees...in the words of toe jam and earl "total bummer"

Anyways, nothing can cheer me up more than my good friend's art, spring trends, and CATS. Plus this slideshow from Refinery 29, will have us all prepared for when it's FINALLY NICE OUT.

sping awakening

salmon pants: H&M
funny people shirt: thrift
mint cowl: H&M
wool blazer: vintage
shoes: f21
purse: vintage chanel
rose gold watch: xmas from mommy

It's slowly starting to turn into spring. I am thrilled to incorporate Spring colors along with fall silhouettes. But honestly, I'm ready to be bare legged and short sleeved! I am currently obsessed with pinky salmons & minty blues. It's nice to go out in just a jacket than a full throttle coat. I love mild weather, enough to layer but still be cute. I hate being uber hot and super cold, I want my outfit to be the star, not the weather elements.

I wore this outfit to see Twin Sister (again!) I love those guys. I absolutely adore how the lead singer dresses in like, full 80s cosplay! I wanted to wear something comfortable though. Usually I'm all about Nasty Gal style mini dresses for concerts, but since I had both work and school before hand I decided that comfort was a must! PLUS, the concert didn't even start until midnight, so I didn't want my feet to be hurting and my legs to be cold! Regardless, I had an AMAZING time as always, made me feel as though I was back in NYC.

I also met up with a good friend of mine for BBQ before hand! It was DELISH, BBQ is my vice! for sure! Plus--it reminds me of warmer weather!

Oh please spring, won't you come home tonight?

(ps sorry for being MIA and not commenting on your blogs recently! I am always reading them, its just midterms and craziness back at home argh!)

my hair recently {kinky curly vs. hair rules}

(why yes that is a cast of my face.....)


So remember when I was singing the praises to Kinky Curly? Well, those hymns have long ended because I found a NEW LOVE, that is much more enjoyable than Kinky Curly. And it's called Hair Rules.

One of my biggest dislikes of Kinky Curly was it made your hair crunchy. And I strongly disliked that feature. I even hated how you needed to buy two products to get the full effect. It weighed down my hair and made me look older. Plus I noticed my hair drying out. That could possibly be noted to being on antibiotics for a whole month, BUT I will never really know. So BUH BYE Kinky Curly, Hello...Hair Rules.

I learned about Hair Rules from my ALL TIME FAVORITE video blogger Taren916. I've been watching her videos since I decided to go natural, and she's just SO COOL. I mean she lives in Brooklyn has beautiful hair, and is just ADORABLE. Anyways, I noticed she was using a new product that made her hair looks so fab and I wanted to try something new as well. Don't get me wrong. I LOVES my Mixed Chicks, but in the harsh Chicago ultra drying winter I need something a little more....creamier....

So I ran to my local Ulta..(in a snow storm!)...and snatched up a bottle. It seemed to not work at first...but after a while I saw my hair TRANSFORM. My hair looked thicker and more natural.I also stopped combing my hair every time I shower but finger combining it instead. It looks as though my hair has grown SO FAST (I did cut it again thanks to Kinky Curly damage :/) Kinky Curly made my hair look manufactured, Hair Rules makes me look as though I wearing nothing at all. AND I LOVES IT. I'll definitely be using this through the winter and spring! The price isn't that bad if you sign up for Ulta's coupons, and you also don't have to wash as often because it holds very well.

I hope to visit their salon in my NYC trip next month to her my hair did!!!

Yay for beautiful curls. Yay for Hair Rules!!

like sonia rykiel....

sweater: thrift
jeans: dollhouse
boots: vintage
glasses: bonlook
socks: jcpenny
silk shirt: vintage
navajo inspired watch: gift from dave

It's still sweater weather, and the weather is still...off. but hey some days its warm others its freezing, but always perfect weather for a sweater. This is more of how I dress casually, but with still a bit of amusement. With yet another awesome thrifted sweater find. I LOVE how LOUD it is, my mom remarked that it reminded her of Sonia Rykiel, and yes it does! I only wish it were one. but oh well! Plus these jeans I got many moons ago, I want to say maybe 6 years ago? Back when color demin was cool, I've held on to them hopping they'd come back in style and just my luck Gap is promoting colored demin this year! LOOOOVE this look by eat.sleep.wear. Plus, I thought I'd try Julia Topaz's signature bun. But I don't know...maybe I should try again....

Oh and by the by the is the last time you'll see me in these glasses, I decided they were not me, but luckily bonlook has a WONDEFUL exchange policy. Found a new pair that I simply cannot take off! You'll see.


*such a ham in these pictures today! :P OH AND THANKS for all the lovely words and reminsicng of our geekier days in my last post!! plus as always...ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

80s pop disco

sweater: thrifted
shorts: from hs probably
thigh highs: a.apparel
granny shoes: thrifted
bags: gifts & from japan
glasses: bonlook

Some days, you want to reminisce...you want to try something new. Or maybe you want to try something..."renew". As a teen I was REALLY into japanese fashion. Fruits style. This was before I was deeply into blogging, I did have a xanga (dear Lord....) but I rarely updated it, and it was more of a method of fighting with my friends over the internet....

I used to go to anime conventions dressed totally deco kei'd out! So for my own amusement, I decided to dress reminiscent of this style, but perhaps a little more fashion forward. I stumbled upon this GORGEOUS 80s sweater, I felt new age music start playing as soon as I put it on.

It was a fun day, I'll admit i did more stares than normal, perhaps I merely noticed because this isn't my normal look. But irregardless, it was an amusing trip down memory lane!

(oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway! It ends soon!!)

boho prep

from the top: Loft, Madewell, Free People, J.Crew

There's something soooo annie hall about the lastest spring looks. Everything is sooo boho prep, one of my favorite combinations. Taking menswear, clean lines, but with unsuspecting hues and looks! I am REEEEADY FOR SPRING! I want to be loud, bright, and preppy! I'm such a sucker for unorganized stripes and nerdy pants. Can't wait to be in NYC so I can SHOP!!!

Benny & Joon

(it was a really windy day, hence the hat holding ;D)
raisin shirt: luxe (need supply co.)
high waisted pants: vintage
sweater with patches: h&m
shoes: f21
socks: worthington
neck piece: mothers
hat: gifted

When I'm working on designs for either school or freelance, I like to watch old movies to keep my creative sparks going! To me films from the 90s-back have a way of telling such a heartfelt story it makes you feel as if you can do ANYTHING and on top of that all the creative work that goes onto these films is so inspiring. Before I know it I have breezed through four movies and yet there's still much to do left. But at least there's still some flicks to watch to keep me motivated through the night.

Last Sunday i watched The Heartbreak kid, new but TBS always have soft comedies, but I only gave it so much of my attention before switching off to two of my childhood faves..Jumanji (baby dunst!!) and Benny &Joon. Something must have struck a cord with me because before I knew it I was dressing up like Johnny Depp and acting like Buster Keaton.

I love the mix of this look...its like 60s, 70s and a taste of masculine 20s. I feel like I stepped of the set of Annie Hall. It feels good to dress for myself again rather than a slew of doctors appointments :/. And Woody Allen films are such great inspiration for me, in fact I think Ill get inspired more tonight and watch a few, dreaming of New York. After watching The Artist I've been dying to see the purple rose of cairo again. So with that I bid you...adieu.

the city of love

Nothing says happy valentines day, quite like the city of love. i just wanted to post my last few favorite photos of this wonderful city. (especially of the street markets, SO MUCH BABAR JE T'AIME BABAR) I hold my breathe in anticipation of visiting Paris soon. I think what really happened was that I was inspired by "le artiste" which i saw last night. AND IT WAS AMAZING (GO SEE IT GO GO GO) So maybe I should leave you here by just saying:

"Happy George Valentin's Day"

oh ho ho ho ♥

(ps. a very happy birthday to one of my best friends hermela! see you in nyc soon bb!)
(pps. dont forget to enter the GIVEAWAY!!!)

I ♥ my readers + CHRISTIAN LACROIX GIVEAWAY

(new never opened sketchbook, with a nice fine tooth paper, great for pens! Has a forward from Christian, along with an illustration and cellophane divider. PANDA NOT INCLUDED..LOL)

Now that its two of my favorite moments of the new year I decided to finally show my deep appreciation for you all and do a little giveaway! I scored two of these AMAZING Christian Lacroix sketchbooks, and I thought I could give one (unopened) away for:

valentines day + fashion week!!!

I love the fact that its a SKETCHBOOK and its CHRISTIAN LACROIX, can't get more Avant Blargh than that! Use it to sketch out ideas, or as diary, planner, whatever! I collect sketchbooks and have two book shelves dedicated to my many years of having them, they are amazing, and its a fun away to escape from the computer!

Rules:
1. Must be a follower (via bloglovin, google friend connect, or tumblr)
2. Comment here to enter + write your email address as a way for me to contact you if you win.
3. +1 extra entry if you follow me on twitter (write your @twittername)
That's it!

Contest Ends Feb 29, leap year ya'll! And as always thanks for reading ;) ♥♥♥

---edit----
GIVEAWAY CLOSED! WINNER ANNOUCED ON SUNDAY 3/4 waaahooo!