DIY- Stenciled Shirts

It is hard to find graphic t-shirts that are unique and overpriced, or generic. Luckily making your own isn't as hard as you think, and you can do it inexpensively using mostly household products.

These are a few of my designs with a flat, and simplistic profile are inspired by a Will Barnet sketch at the SAM. His similar works here.

How to Stencils:

1. draw something in sharpie that is think enough to cut out and not too delicate.
2. once you have finished your drawing put a piece of freezer paper matte side up and trace your design.
3. Using an exacto knife cut out the parts that you want to have ink inside.
4. Get a shirt or other fabric and an iron. Put the shiny side down on the shirt and iron it where you want.
5. Use any color of textile ink and any kind of paint brush and paint the inside of your stencil.
6. Get a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.
7. only remove the freezer paper once the ink is 100% dry.
8. you can only use the stencil once, and since it is stuck you need to rip it off.
9. now it is done! Unless you are like me and make imperfect stencils to begin with. In this case get a small brush and make manual changes to the shirt.

Little Monsters

If you are looking for an entertaining fashion show, Ne Net never seems to disappoint. Each new season is accompanied by heads handing from the sealing, animal costumes on the runway, and this season: knitted masks. With several knitting attempts gone wrong under my belt in hope of starting a knit bombing gang, the idea of creating masks as seen in the 12/13 summer collection resurfaces knitting ambitions.

With many American designers finding their "new" edge in clothing through sex appeal, its refreshing to see brands like Ne-Net use fashion to say something about culture (this season titled reborn) and have a quirky and whimsical line. Each season you can expect new colors, shapes, and aesthetics behind the line. I can't wait for net season's adventure.

PuNk

A few weeks ago I saw the "Punk: Chaos to Couture" exhibit at the Met, and have been inspired since. My attempt to embody the punk spirit in dress through self-embellished motor jackets and plaid uniform skirts, music, art, and decisions has been quite liberating. My conservative approach to the punk look (that really died when the Sex Pistols folded) doesn't really exhibit the punk spirit. Somehow accessorizing in a clique way almost enables me to push my comfort zone, define rather than categorize myself, and makes me feel tough.

Ink, magazine, and watercolor collage that I made

Acrylic, paper, and magazine collage that I made

images for collages using photoshop from style.com

Blue Lips

In 2012 I saw blue lips on the Jeremy Scott and Richard Chai Love runways but never considered trying the trend myself. That was until this afternoon when I stopped by lush and ended up grabbing a blue pigment and some lip balm and made myself a blue lipstick. It was surprisingly more wearable and I am considering going back to buy it.

Trying out the trend myself

In case blue lipstick isn't crazy enough for you, a crimped dyed bob and bedazzled face alongside it might do the trick

Anna Sui

My favorite RTW Fall 2013 collection by far was Anna Sui. I want to wear almost every piece in her collection, adore the styling, as well as the hair and makeup. The patterns, colors, and cut of the clothes emulated the whimsicality that Anna Sui never seems to miss.

The esthetic of the thick wing and mod bottom lashes will be fun street style, when done with a small wing.

 Leg wear is the best accessory in the collection and considering the weather outside call for it this is a fun pop of color to change up black and grey tights that I find myself in day after day.

                                                                                                    

25 Days of Summer

With summer coming to a close I though it was necessary to make the most of each day with a bucket list.

1.    Get a knapsack and pack it with food, books, and a pair of binoculars a la Moonrise Kingdom, and run away.

2.   Collect wildflowers for photo shoots  and pressing for stationary.   

3.   Photograph shoes as planned in sketchbook

4.   Honor Special Agent Cooper by going to Twin Peaks Café and ordering a slice of cherry pie and dancing like Audrey Horn

5.   Stay at home and paint all day

6.   Write, cast, shoot, and edit a short film in a day. Or style and shoot a fashion editorial, casting my friends as models.

7.   Celebrate the full moon by watching horror movies outside with friends.

8.   Make a mark with some guerilla art: sidewalk chalk, sticker art, book inserts, letters, or messages in balloons.

9.   Build a bonfire and invite my friends over to make s'mores.

10. Learn the choreography from the “All Around and Away We Go” by Twin sister video.

11.  Plan an alone day to clear my schedule, and turn off my phone. Get a blanket, snacks, make a playlist, and a book I have been meaning to read and take them all to the park and go for as long as I please.


12. Go to an all day concert and put all other responsibilities to the side.

13. Wake up early and spend the entire morning going to garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.

14. Go Berry picking and use the berries in every meal.

15. Pack a picnic and go to an outdoor movie.

16. Spend the day volunteering for trail work.

17. Host a Great Gatsby costume party equipped with hair, makeup, music, lingo, and clothes.

18. Go bird watching.

19. Take a day trip to the beach with friends. Bring a boom box, kite, and beach ball.

20. Take the train to Portland and tour the city for Portlandia hotspots.

21. Map out goals for the upcoming year and take steps now to make them more achievable.

22. Go night swimming

23. Spend the day in the kitchen and make all the recipes that I have been meaning to.

24. Organize my room so it is clutter free and clean

25. Go on a street photography safari throughout the city and find interesting people to photograph

Polka Party

Yayoi Kusuma is one of my favorite artists and is the queen of polka dots. She has collaborated with big name brands like Louis Vuitton, organized nude parades (well except for polka dots covering bodies), sent children to cover white furniture in an all white room with dot stickers, and created amazing paintings and sculptures. 

                                        

                                     

When I was in LA for the weekend I wore 

polka dots head to toe anticipating seeing her flower sculpture at the Beverly Hills Park.