On Me Today

Now that I'm into Week 3 of P90X, I'm definitely feeling better about myself in relation to clothing. I was getting to a point where I was feeling a bit grim about my options. Much as I'd like to be the type to love my body no matter what its size or condition, for me, my level of fitness is a strict barometer of my mood.

So, I think I'll let this experience be a life lesson for me; that staying active (and I mean very... I want to give myself every opportunity to be able to rise to the occasion) is a necessary. I've been a bit too extreme about fitness in the past (would you like to see a sorry picture of myself as a size 2?), and I think that I needed to go in the complete opposite direction in order to understand what a happy medium might be like.

Click to enlarge!
Racerback Tank: Target. Cargo Shorts: Walmart. Shoes: Nine West. Lariat: Estate Auction.

It's been awhile since I've felt as good as I do today in the above ensemble. My sweets got me the lariat (in the picture on the left) at an auction; it's in the shape of the state of Ohio and made of flint.

...Also loving this new lavender nail polish, although someone told me, after polishing off a tall, cool glass of Haterade, that it makes me look sick.


I think it looks like cotton candy, and that's something I'll gladly get sick off of any day.


Yours,

Shingai Shoniwa.

I happily happened today upon The Noisettes and their super-beautiful, Grace Jones-times-Alix-styled lead, Shingai Shoniwa. She dons femme, futurist, rockabilly and ethnic styles with equal aplomb, and with damn fine hair to boot.

www.zimbio.com

Photobucket

via mademoiselle_robot on Flickr

www.zimbio.com

via http://fieldreport.freeflux.net/blog/music

...And, because the Noisettes are now permanent residents of my iTunes, check out their fabulous (though woefully un-embed-able) videos here:

Don't Upset The Rhythm

Don't Give Up


...And, what I'd put together for Lady Shoniwa myself...

American Apparel bodysuit and shades, M.A.C. eyeshadow, Modern Vintage Belleza Shoes, Robert Rodriquez sequin jacket, Urban Outfitters hat, Alexis Bittar giant necklace.

Til Later,

Happy Memorial Day!

Everybody! I hope you are relishing your long weekends as much as I am mine.


We picked up this cute little grill-for-two at a garage sale last weekend; we think it's from the 1930s or so.

To me, there is nothing more summery than Ambrosia (some people call it Watergate Salad, but those people have never tasted it). It's super easy to make, and I take it to every potluck and barbecue I go to in the summer.

Just Combine:

1 Can of Crushed Pineapple
1 Small box of Pistachio Pudding Mix
1/2 Cup of Crushed Walnuts
1/2 Tub of Cool Whip
1/2 Bag of Mini Marshmallows
1/2 Cup of Coconut.

It's easiest if you add the pistachio pudding mix to the Cool Whip and Pineapple first, so it gets mixed in thoroughly. Then add everything else-- some people like to put some diced apples or halved grapes in there as well.

Enjoy!

Away I go!

Just jotting one out before I head to the forest for a couple days' camping.



I auditioned for a play this morning. My go-to audition song is "I Cain't Say No", as sung by Ado Annie in Oklahoma! I've been feeling all pickin' and grinnin' all week, practicing that song everyday, so this lovely straw number fit the bill for "Campin' Hat" when I chanced upon it at the gin'ral store. I'm kind of excited to wear it horseback riding, one of the scheduled activities this weekend.

All right! The car's loaded, the cooler's drippy and I'm out!

Currently in love with...

I stumbled upon the online shop Nasty Gal, after checking out a pair of now-sold-out oxfords featured on NotCouture. I now quake in my boots to tell anyone about it, because I need to get the following--- and, like many other items on their site, may very soon sell out...

France Romance Shades in Gold Woodgrain, $40

I've been obsessed with finding wood-framed glasses, ever since I saw a pair of delicately squared, yet quaintly thick-framed ones on a picture of a woman in National Geographic.

Vintage Leaf Ear Cuff, $18

I remember getting one of these at the mall in third grade or so, and trying to fool my dad into thinking I got my ear pierced. His hellfire and damnation was for really real--- probably why I only have my two, perfectly conventional pierced ears to this day. But I loved that piece of jewelry, and there's no damn reason why I shouldn't haven't again, now. I'm a woman of the nineties!

Interlud Silk Knot Dress, $139

I'm a total sucker for anything blush, and the origami-like knots are just too gorgeous....

Lip and Eyes Ring Set, $52

Freakishly weird (check out those eyelashes) yet somehow quite beautiful... I can kind of see myself whipping this one out to wear to a gallery opening in my sixties.

Leonard Paris Platinum Stud Glasses, $100

Nevermind that I think that ivory is the perfect color for summer shades, these are frickin glamourous and punky altogether... I mean, they have tiny gold pyramid studs on them for cryin' out loud! Le sigh!

Jeffrey Campbell Michelle Ruffle Pumps, $108

And, because I love to save the best for last, these 8th wonders of the world. Dig that unicorn horn-like heel, and the ruffles are seashell-ish and over-the-top Hollywood times. I've been thinking about these all day. They're mine, I say, they're mine!

Skip on over. No, they're not paying me. It's just that good.

Putting it together.

I always feel an eagerness to share an outfit that was fun to put together and felt great to wear it. Inspired by Cher's computerized closet in "Clueless", I took outfit pictures back in high school so I'd be stretched to not wear the same thing twice, but also so I could enjoy what I did put together, and what I liked, or didn't like on myself. In fact, I have often taken a head-to-toe of myself in lieu of a mirror before walking out the door.

However, I'm not a huge fan of outfit posts because I get jumpy in front of a camera. Things that I'd like to look dreamy look intense, things that are supposed to be intense feel deflated. A head-to-toe shot feels confrontational, and I can feel all of my expressiveness drain from my body when I do them. Bleh. That said, I've been percolating on how to get an outfit across without doing a head to toe, and without the use of a friendly friend (because nothing's worse than someone else having to witness your awkward camera-manner).

Behold: The Cubist Outfit Collage:

Dress: Vintage, thrifted. Shoes: Victoria's Secret. Bag: Thrifted. Earrings: World Market. Gigundous ring: Thrifted.

This is me today. My favorite feature is my gigundous ring... I should have included a shot that demonstrates how it flips open to reveal a mirror! The girl at the thrift informed me that this "ring" is actually a lipstick tube holder. Also, my obsession with summer-worthy vintage lingerie is still holding strong... this lovely nightgown-cum-dress was yanked off the rack by yours truly as soon as the guy holding it put it back. It's not sheer at all, and the shoulder ties are pretty aces in my book.

And, for good measure, here I am yesterday:

Earrings: Rag-o-rama. Dress: Target. Belt: Thrifted. Shoes: Thrifted. Leggings: Gift.

This second collage is my favorite so far, and it also showcases one of my favorite pairs... of shoes, a pair of perforated lace-up booties.

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly enjoying the hell out of making these... I'll wager you'll be seeing a few more of them! To those of you who take your own photos--- what's your process? I'm always interested to know how people get into the frame of mind to be photographed.