Knockout collabo: win a $25 gift certificate!
I love designer collaborations. From Target to Topshop, high-end designers have been successfully partnering with mass-market retailers for the better part of the past decade, delighting consumers with champagne taste and beer budgets (comme moi).
Designer Jodi Arnold, best known for her contemporary line MINT, is bringing her aesthetic to the masses with a line for The Limited. Known for interesting embellishments, unique prints, and attention to detail, her fall collection for the brand features appliqued tops, tailored skirts and trousers, and a black and white embroidered tunic that will surely find its way into my closet.
BOY by Band of Outsiders SKIRT, La Garconne; Ann Demeulemeester SANDAL BOOTIES, Brown’s Fashion; Noir EARRINGS, Shopbop; Comme des Garcons JACKET, Farfetch; Topshop TROUSERS; Louboutin HEELS, Brown’s Fashion.
So here’s the deal: I have a few ideas, but I need some more suggestions on how to wear the tunic. Thanks to Cincy Chic, I’m giving away a $25 gift certificate that can be used at any The Limited location. Leave a comment on this post with a suggestion for how to style the tunic to be entered into the drawing for the $25 gift certificate! I’m thinking it would be an easy piece to mix with other prints since it’s black and white–what do you think?
Comment entries must be received by midnight EDT on August 8, 2010. Jodi and her team will be at The Limited’s Kenwood Mall location on August 18th from 6-9pm, so maybe I’ll see you there!
Old school collabo?
This particular collaboration brings back a forgotten memory: years ago, back in my college days, I saw a lovely printed blouse in a vintage shop. I picked it up to check the label, and to my surprise, the tag read DESIGNER NAME for The Limited!
I can’t remember the designer’s name to save my life–I’m almost positive it was a female designer–but it was definitely a name I recognized. I’m guessing the blouse had to be from the late 80′s, possibly early 90′s… That was the first time I remember seeing evidence of a designer collaborating with a retail brand–before H&M, before Topshop, before anyone.
Was The Limited that far ahead of its time? Any ideas on who the designer might have been?
C'est Ma Vie, Shopping, Tips and Advice
Feel free to f*ck up
I planned on doing a video blog last year. The problem was, I was scared of looking silly on camera (inevitable, trust me) and hated that I didn’t have the ability to create a television-ready broadcast complete with studio lighting and zippy Flash intro. I was daunted by the fact that I had no clue how to get professional results using an amateur video editing program.
Really, how ridiculous is that? But because I was putting all this pressure on myself to create something perfect the first time around (I do this often, and it is often the source of my frustration), I was so afraid to tackle the project that it never got done.
Do you know how good you get or how much you learn from doing nothing? Mmm-hmm, you guessed it. Zero equals zero. Even I know that, and I got C’s in math. Except in geometry, which is the biz. Anyway.
I had to give myself permission to mess up. Not only did I give myself permission to mess up (because why do things halfway?), I made it mandatory.
I said to myself,
Self. You must make a big honkin’ mess of this whole thing. When you’re finished, it should be blatantly obvious to anyone who watches that you are a goofball and a complete amateur. The results should be so horrifically bad that you never want to show anyone for fear of public shaming by a mob of angry villagers wielding torches.
And then you’ll post it for all to see.
When I changed my mindset, screwing up became my goal. And guess how much I learned? A lot more than I did waiting to magically achieve newscaster-esque perfection on the first go-round using a program I’ve only used a few times.
Note to self: face powder is a must. Sigh.
So, I’m passing on the assignment. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and find something to really f*ck up. Create a really ugly website using tables(!); take blurry, grainy pictures of the weeds in your garden; make an ice cream and fried chicken casserole; wear white patent leather sandals with fishnets. DO IT. Own it. F*ck-ups lead to freedom.
Look, everybody messes up. Sometimes you have to just do it. It’s not a mistake if you learn from it, and if you learn something, you’re already moving forward.
You have my permission, so…what will you f*ck up?
The heat is on
On Saturday, I hit u.swap, a clothing swap put on by U-Turn Art Space and vintage shop Chicken Lays an Egg (check out co-owner Jessy’s blog, Mascara or Motoroil).
Surprisingly (to me), I found ten items I was ready to part with–I have a hard time letting go of clothes–and managed to bring home a few new things in support of what I’ve decided to deem “sustainable shopping.” What? It’s a real movement.
Clothes kept coming in as people arrived, so there was plenty to choose from.
The place was packed with swapper-shoppers and filled with sweltering heat. No air conditioning + 90 degrees + lots of people = sweat dripping down my face. I tried not to sweat on the clothes up for grabs, but I’m not making any promises. Launder your stuff, ladies.
Rosie from The Brush Factory doing some on-the-spot alterations. Brilliant.
I have a habit of buying stuff that doesn’t fit from thrift stores and convincing myself that I’ll get it altered, or even less likely, promising to alter it myself using my handy DIY skills. Needless to say, none of this ambition leads to any actual productivity.
Whirly Girl + Kitchenette macaroons
However, I am productive when it comes to procuring anything even remotely dessert-y, so after I’d bagged my goodies from the swap, I marched straight over to the Whirly Girl truck and indulged in a macaroon. Which I insist on over-pronouncing in French as macarON. ‘Cause I’m pretentious like that.
Have you ever been to a clothing swap? Did you come home with anything good?
Alpha, Dawg
Friendboy started a software development company earlier this year, and after only a few months of coaxing, he agreed to take five minutes to talk to me about a logo for his company. I don’t know what his deal is. Half the fun of starting a business is branding.
He named the company Toliman, after one of the three stars that make up Alpha Centauri. Yeah, he’s a geek. He’s also fairly traditional, having worked in computer programming and law–two industries not exactly known for wild creativity. I figured I’d keep things simple and fairly tame.
Since Alpha Centauri is often designated using the α symbol, I knew I wanted to include it in the logo. After playing around with several fonts, I settled on Georgia, a classic serif typeface that works well in print and on the web:
It doesn’t look like much, but this is where the tips I talked about in how to design a simple text logo come into play. I adjusted the kerning, elongated the letters just a touch, and replaced the letter “a” with a green (his favorite color) α symbol.
Can you tell what else I adjusted?
I created two versions of a standard business card–one simple and one slightly more design-y–as well as basic stationery. Do people even communicate via paper any more?
Surprisingly enough, he liked it! I guess if you don’t have a creative brief, it helps to really know your client.
I love these types of projects!
It’s about that time…
There comes a time in a woman’s life when she feels a certain…pull at her spirit, a tug on her psyche. It’s as inevitable as the changing of the seasons, and as natural as the sunset.
It’s time for Fall fashion.
As usual, around mid-July I start thinking about cultivating a “look” for Fall. No, said “look” is never fully manifested; and yes, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds, especially since I’m wearing Daisy Dukes and a tank top as I type this–but it’s, like, nature and stuff. Totally out of my control.
This is what I’m thinking so far:
Images: Style.com
All of which is to say that not much has changed since last Fall. Designers and retailers aren’t stupid–they understand that consumers are tighter with their cash and aren’t interested in dropping copious amounts of dough on styles that will look outdated in a year.
As usual, black is the new black–but surprisingly, I’m no longer interested in the leather-clad powerbitch getups that have been stomping down the Autumn/Winter runways for the past few years. Aww…maybe I’m growing up?
Nah.
When do you start to think about the upcoming season? Do you have a plan or do you just wing it?
The Bicycle Thief
I’ve really been slacking on this whole blogging thing lately. Every now and then, it feels like my life is better as my own, no sharing necessary. It’s nice to be able to keep things close to the vest, though frankly, things have been a bit boring.
Let’s see:
I spent last Sunday running up and down Main Street like a crazy person during Second Sunday in OTR. After taking hundreds of pictures, chatting up vendors and shop owners, and trying to eat as much as possible (a favorite pastime), I was sweaty and exhausted.
Then I had a meeting.
I’m working on another magazine project, and we met at a cafe to discuss the mock-up I’d created and a bunch of other logistical issues. I was pleased to discover that I know stuff! Have you ever been surprised/impressed at how much you know concerning a particular issue or skill? I’m really getting into this custom publishing thing…
After the meeting, I walked outside to hop on my bike and finally go home, and my bike was…gone. The cable lock was still there, dangling innocently from the meter. The combination was fully locked, yet no bike in sight.
I was pissed.
The bike wasn’t one of those cutesy riding-around-in-a-full-skirt-with-a-basket-of-flowers-while-the-Sartorialist-takes-your-picture deals, either. It was a full-on Schwinn man’s mountain bike, all rough and tough and perfect for riding around the ‘hood.
I walked my tired self home, abandoned bike lock in hand, ready to start swingin’ and take out whoever might’ve taken my bike. Trust, I was ready to do serious damage to somebody’s cranium. Now I just feel silly for not locking it more securely, though that still doesn’t give anyone the right to steal. Lesson learned.
For my fellow ride or die biznitches, here’s how you should lock your bike:
The more you know *sweeps arm in rainbow motion*
What, no fireworks?
Between hanging out with my family, acting as an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes, and perfecting my smoothie-making technique (I’m up to two per day. Seriously, it’s a problem), I spent most of the holiday weekend working on the new issue of Style Sample magazine. You can read the online version here, and order a copy of the print edition–which includes a pretty awesome bonus feature on personal styling–here.
I didn’t even get to see fireworks, and I love fireworks. Ah, well. Maybe Labor Day…
How was your weekend?
Red Pink and You
Last Friday evening I hit the Purple People Bridge with Style Sample magazine photography assistant Brandy for Cincy Chic’s Red Pink and Blue event. It was much bigger this year, and I ran into a few familiar faces.
Jewelry sponsor Serket Jewelry had tons of gorgeous pieces, including a substantial collection of statement necklaces. I’m dreaming of wearing 6-7 at a time, like ancient Egyptian pectorals.
DJ Storm Bennett kept everyone entertained (he’s obvs. a ham for the camera–he struck a pose as soon as he saw my lens pointed at him), and I finally met Kasmira of What I Wore Today, who was wearing a really cute vintage-y looking dress and belt.
We had the chance to go “backstage” (back-bridge?) before the show to see the clothes, meet the models, and chat with the hair and makeup artists. I ran into two friends from Cincinnati Fashion Week–Nathan was coordinating and styling the show, and Nicole gathered the survivor models and hair team for photos and introductions.
Breast cancer, diabetes, and heart health warriors and their physicians.
Around 9, the sky turned dusky, the music pumped up, and the show started!
The models had to walk a looong way in some pretty precarious footwear, but everyone looked lovely in their ALK Fashion dresses.
Thanks to Amy at Cincy Chic for a great event for, not one, but three great causes!
Images: Tamia, Brandy K.
Casual, Personal Style, Vintage & Thrift finds
In Check
These black and gray checked shorts used to be black and gray checked teacher pants, but at 97 degrees and 142.784% humidity, it’s just too hot for all that. I cut ‘em, cuffed ‘em, and went about my business!
Shorts, thrifted; top, Forever21; booties, Jeffrey Campbell; no-name bag & earrings
Do you switch things up when the weather is just too hot to bear?
Win free tickets to Red, Pink, and Blue!
In my blogging absence, I forgot to tell you about an opportunity to win tickets to this Friday’s Red, Pink, and Blue (RPB) event! RPB is a combination fashion show/fundraiser that benefits heart health (red), breast health (pink), and diabetes health (blue). If you recall, I attended last year and had an absolute blast.
To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Don’t be afraid to tell me which stylish red, pink, or blue outfit you’d wear. I got all excited and made a collage with some of my picks, just in case you, um… forgot…what those colors look like. Yeah.
I’ll randomly choose and notify the winners this Thursday. Remember, this takes place in Cincinnati/NKY, so you should probably be in the area to win. Dur.
And if you need help choosing what to wear…well, you know who to call!
Welcome!
Hello, I'm Tamia. I like clothes, shoes, the interwebs, ice cream, design, dancing, pretending to know what I'm talking about, big cities, pretty pictures, technology, creative people, foreign languages, eating, typography, indie magazines, and telling people what to do. Not necessarily in that order.
More about me.
Let’s connect
style sample magazine
as seen on…
Seven Day ItchForgive me interwebs, for I have slacked. It has been seven days since my last blog post. This is what I've been doing: ... »
Ce week-endMy plans for this weekend include a rooftop celebration at a friend's condo, my cousin's graduation party, and judging dogs in... »
Current Obsessions 6.9.10I can't stop thinking about: Ming Makes Cupcakes I don't know who this Ming person is, or why she feels the need to torture... »
Black + BlueFor some reason, wearing black and navy together makes one feel very French, n'est-ce pas? Really, I think that particular... »
Easy DIY for lazy peopleYou will not believe this, but I finally did a DIY project! A very easy, sorta bootleg DIY project, but still... Trust me when... »
They’re worth it, tooY'all know how much I love magazines, especially my fellow indie publications. I was having an exceptionally unproductive... »
Dries-y and BreezyDo you ever feel like you're stuck in a style rut? You know, skirt + blouse, pants + cardigan, jeans + tee, blahblahblah... »
Gateway to SummerSummer's here! No, for real this time. After last week's regression to early spring with temperatures in the 50's, last weekend... »
Well suitedWatching Casablanca last weekend put me in the mood for a little suit action--but with a feminine touch. The lacy blouse... »
How to create a simple text logoReading this post on Before&After reminded me of something that's been bugging me lately: bad logos. [caption id=""... »
[→YD Recent Posts Widget]
© 2010 The Style Sample. Powered by Wordpress.
