Note to Self: Watercolors

Second photo via Etsy

New York, New York

I'll probably be banned from the internet for saying this, but I've never been the biggest fan of New York City. Too crazy, too hectic, driving is terrible, way expensive, not enough room to breathe, etc.

Well, let's just say the city is beginning to grow on me:

Some of the architecture in the city is just incredible. 

How awesome would it be if this was your front door??

Park Ave

Some other street. With taxis.

New Yorkers love their dogs (and love dressing them up). Maybe a bit too much? Those are pants in the background...

And theeeeeen we found this. Central Park has always kind of wigged me out, but I guess it's kinda super really pretty.

This building was glowing red against the sunset. Cool!

Obligatory photo of the Met. Again, just amazing architecture.

Another Dejavu Moment...

These dresses by Mary Katrantzou looked uncannily familiar, until this picture popped up on my Facebook newsfeed recently:

Slightly creepy, yes. But! My amazing friend Javi not only designed but actually made these dresses a couple years back for a friend's dance thesis entitled "In Wonderland" (as in Alice). The two girls wearing these particular dresses were evil dolls of sorts, I think an artistic/on acid interpretation of Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. The dresses aren't an exact echo of Katrantzou's version, but they move in very similar ways, especially the high waists and frilled full skirts. Javi's been making and designing clothes since forever (and probably will be forever), but these dresses have always been a favorite of mine. Here's some more shots of them in action:

Aaaaaaand just because I couldn't resist, here's some more of his incredible work:

The Mad Hatter

The Mad Hatter's little mousy friend

Queen of Hearts!

Another play he made all the costumes for. Yeah.

 Awesome kingly robes!

So. Many. Ruffles.

Not only does this green dress look stunning...

...but also it ripped away later in the play. Oh, and he made the headdress/wig too.

Javi, you're a beast.

London Fashion Week Wrap-Up

Sorry I've been so silent the past few days, it's been a hectic week! My thesis work is starting to speed up, classes are in full swing now, and I spent this weekend in New York on a class trip (pictures tomorrow hopefully!), so there's been little time for looking at pretty things online recently - womp womp. But yesterday I finally let myself indulge in the incredible designs from across the pond at London Fashion Week. Here are some of my favorites (click on the image to see it larger):

Antonio Berardi:

How have I never thought to combine peach and turquoise (dress and shoes second from the left)?? Just brilliant. I love all of these silhouettes - more structured skirts!

Erdem:

Love the neon and lace, plus the booties and subtle sequins.

 Mary Katrantzou:

More peplums, more beautiful graphic prints, and how much fun would the right dress be to walk in!

Matthew Williamson:

I think this dress single-handedly changes my usual dislike of blue/orange combinations

Mulberry:

Beautiful prints, and I love the tribal prints and blanket cape combo. 

Peter Pilotto:

Absolutely stunning prints. Who else sees a stained glass window, and the ocean? 

Roksanda Illincic:

Though most of the collection was too loud (and too plaid) for my taste, this dress on the left caught my eye, especially because of the contrast back (which you can see off on the side of the right picture). 

Street Style:

No wrap-up of London Fashion Week would be complete without a shout-out to street style. Apparently crazy print pants are super in right now, especially floral prints. Duly noted.

Cut-offs, Bare Bellies, and Crop Tops, Oh My!

There's been a trend of belly-baring recently, which I'm surprisingly not totally opposed to.

It wouldn't be a bustier party without Free People! 

via Syl and Sam

Stay tuned for some upcoming crop top/bustier DIY action! And start doing your crunches.

DIY Inspiration: Structured Skirts

AHA! I figured out why these Proenza Schouler skirts from NYFW were giving me dejavu!

Several weeks ago, I was looking at the blog ExtraSkinny and fell in love with this skirt by Hussein Chalayan (the blouse she's wearing is pretty awesome too).

I so so so want to figure out how to DIY my own version of this.

Going to the Gym

With my recent detox part two post, I thought it'd be neat to share what my typical workout entails. I'll have to apologize as this doesn't really have anything to do with fashion/DIY'ing... Also, I am by no means a gym buff (as will become abundantly clear in about two paragraphs), but I've just found this is what works for me.

First up, the outfit:
Super unfancy - usually just some gym shorts, sports bra and the first t-shirt I pick out of my drawer (my campus gives out t-shirts like they're going out of style so I have probably 30 or so at this point). There's tons of more expensive work out clothing but really, I'm just going to get it sweaty, so for me there's no point.

Pictures just because they're fun! These super hot gym shorts are remarkably similar to the ones I wear.

Accessories:

I still have one of the old school iPod nanos, which works SO well for gym-time since it's tiny and fits in my handy dandy iPod nano armband. Imagine that.

I also cannot workout without constantly chugging water, so I keep my water bottle with me at all times. Note: make sure any water you drink during/directly after a workout isn't too cold - drinking super cold water when I'm working out makes my stomach hurt, probably because of the huge temperature difference.

My routine:

I usually warm up by stretching really well for a few minutes, then biking for roughly 15 minutes. Biking is bad for my misaligned knees but I like it so I do it anyways. Do not follow this advice.

If only it would get warm enough so I can actually go somewhere when I bike. Dreamy sighhhhh.

Next, if an elliptical machine is open, I'll usually do that for however long I can stay not bored (30-40 minutes).

Then, since I dislike (read: am scared of and intimidated by) the actual exercise machines, I stick to doing more isometric exercises - that is, using my body weight as resistance. Push-ups, planks, crunches, pilates, yoga, mostly whatever I'm in the mood for that day.

My music:

Although I'm usually good with my trusty nano, I sometimes mix it up with a Pandora station (Ellie Goulding, LMFAO, and Party Like A Rockstar being prime choices). Here's some of the songs currently on my gym workout playlist

Wild Ones - Flo Rida ft. Sia

M.I.A - Bad Girls (Barbaric Merits Chainbangin Remix)

Ratatat - Wildcat

Awolnation - Sail (or its remix)

Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude (Labrinth Remix)

Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana

The Veronicas - Untouched

Don Omar - Danza Kuduro

Dev - In The Dark

Ellie Goulding - Lights (Bassnector Remix)

Avicci and Leona Lewis - Penguins Collide Into Darkness

The Hood Internet - All of the Lights

Gold Panda - Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)

Music is the ultimate motivator, as demonstrated by this adorable baby.

The aftermath:

Besides a nice cool shower (good for your skin/hair and feels great after being all sweaty), I've found that clementines are the absolute best post-workout snack. And portable, so you can even snack on your walk back from the gym! Yumyumyum.

And that's pretty much it! I'd love to hear what you guys do, listen to, motivate yourself with, etc!