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.

Swap haul video

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?

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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?

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Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a style rut? You know, skirt + blouse, pants + cardigan, jeans + tee, blahblahblah boring. I hate that.

When I do feel that way, I look elsewhere for style inspiration–usually to my fellow bloggers or recent designer collections. I was procrastinating doing research and checking out some of my favorite blogs, when I came across a photo from Dries Van Noten‘s Spring 2010 collection.

I immediately remembered a sarong I received as a souvenir from a friend’s trip to Thailand and thought, “I can do (something similar to) that!”

I just added my trusty gray sweatshirt and some “exotic” accessories:

Elaborate earrings purchased as a direct result of my ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry.

A combination of beaded African bracelets and a few wooden bracelets I picked up at the hair store. No, the hair store–the place where they sell weaves and wigs. Don’t underestimate the selection in those glass cases in the front of the shop, okay?

A beaded bag and nude shoes (Attention apparel manufacturers: light beige doesn’t equal “nude” for everyone.) I love the little gold elephants marching across the sarong.

Sunglasses I got on sale years ago. I’m surprised I still have them–I usually lose sunglasses within, like, a month of purchasing them.

It’s not a difficult look to replicate. The idea is to take a bunch of varying cultural influences, toss them together, and see what happens. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit!

1. J. Crew sweatshirt  2. Bracelets, Ainamoja.com 3. Skirt, Milliana.com 4. Chloe sunglasses, Aloha Rag 5. Earrings, Kaneesha.com 6. Rosegold heels, Shopbop.com

Sweatshirt, American Apparel; skirt, souvenir; earrings, Bombay Jewelry; shoes, Steve Madden; bracelets, random; purse, Miss Selfridge; sunglasses, Gucci.

By the way, bellydancing costume boutiques are my new favorite places to shop online.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re in a style rut?

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Monday marked the start of the very first Cincinnati Fashion Week, a 5-day extravaganza of parties and events designed to entertain and provide me with an excuse (finally!) to break out the Giuseppes.

It’s also the week of article submission deadlines for the upcoming issue of Style Sample, so posting will either be very heavy (if I manage to get my ish together), or very light (if I collapse into a quivering mass of nerves), depending on how much alcohol is involved.*

Monday started with a reception at The Brush Factory (if you recall, founder Rosie was featured in issue #5 of Style Sample). Genius that I am, I remembered my camera but forgot the battery, which it needs in order to, you know, function.  Obviously, I didn’t get any pictures at the event, so you’ll have to make do with photos of photos from their lookbook, which is about as bootleg as it gets.

On Tuesday night, I stopped by the designer meet-and-greet at FB (no, not Facebook–an actual bar) and, having remembered my camera and battery, took a bunch of random pictures under the guise of continuing my foray into photography.

Lesson of the night: do not attempt to take candid shots of fashion people.  They can detect when a camera is pointed at them with almost laser precision, and will invariably smile and pose as soon as the flash goes off. Seriously, every time.

Adorable guy whose name I forget with CFW founder Nathan

Stylish partygoers

A CFW volunteer with designer and model Ashley (right), who I recognized from the Rachel Rachel Roy spring lookbook. She said they randomly contacted her and asked her to fly to NY for the shoot!

Dude’s shoes were so cool, I took a picture. ‘Cause I’m shallow like that.

Cincy Chic founder Amy with Nathan

Designer Lisa Malanij was there with her publicist, who works for an agency but does freelance PR & design on the side. Now that’s what I like to see–get out there and make things happen!

*Likely not very much, because I drink maybe one glass of wine per month. However…I’m thinking this week may require a break from the norm.

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I’m finally taking the time to post some of the images from the Stop Traffick Fashion photo shoot last month. This time, they’re all of meeeeee!

It’s kind of weird seeing my ta-tas all up in the camera, and the last image is maddeningly similar to a photo of my mother from the 70′s. However, I loved the t-shirt I wore–very soft material, well cut, and everything is 100% fair trade. Definitely a must-have.

Here, kitty kitty

This cat literally followed me home one day, and he’s so sweet and eager I just want to cuddle him! He only has about two inches of tail, so I’ve been calling him Stubby.

I’m trying to resist, but y’all know as soon as he sticks around long enough for me to get him tested and neutered, I’ll have another cat. Plus, he’d make a great playmate for Beau.

Darn the kitty cuteness!

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Emily of Stop Traffick Fashion, which sells bags, jewelry, and soon clothing (woo-hoo!) made by survivors of human trafficking, asked a couple of her friends to model for a photo shoot. Being the vain, attention-seeking ham that I am, I immediately said yes!

We set out early on a very rainy Saturday morning to get our hair and make-up done by Millicent at The Wild Hare Salon. Millicent also happens to be a fine artist, and has written a children’s book that I’m trying to convince her to self-publish. We left the salon looking pretty hot, if I do say so myself.

The shoot was held at Bromwell’s (though finding a location was–as always– the cause of some drama for poor Emily).  At street level, Bromwell’s looks like an unassuming fireplace showroom.  Wrong! As many times as I’ve walked past that building, I never knew about the fun stuff going on above the store. I really need to start looking UP.

We dragged our stuff inside, took the old (I’m talking hand-operated old) elevator up to artist Evan Hildebrandt‘s studio on the 3rd floor, and started to get settled in.

Photographer and fine artist Colin (who, coincidentally enough, went to school with Millicent! ) took the time to show us around, and let me tell you, this place is huge. And gorgeous. Loads of natural light comes in through the insanely large windows, the original wood floors are still in place, there are old safes and unused elevator shafts and metal roll-down gates that serve as reminders of the building’s dusty-but-not-forgotten history.

We put on some music and Colin started shooting, which meant I had to hold in my stomach and try to keep my eyes from crossing. I tried to pay attention to what he was doing with lighting and angles and whatnot since I need to learn this stuff, but honestly, sucking my tummy in and willing my hair not to frizz took all of my concentration.

Luckily, the other girls didn’t seem to have those problems. Emily even braved the fire escape in the rain and wind and heels, which just goes to show how dedicated she is. You couldn’t drag me onto my fire escape on a sunny day in the middle of June.

We used as much of the building as possible, including the rear stairwell (complete with peeling paint–score!), Bromwell’s art gallery on the 2nd floor, and the amazing 4th floor living space of Bromwell’s owners, the McLorey family. I’d be insanely jealous if they weren’t so darn gracious. Hmmph.

We took a crepe break between takes, and were pretty pooped by the time we finished the shoot more than six hours later, at exactly four o’clock. My camera was tired too, as it ran out of batteries just as I realized I wasn’t in any of my pictures.  Ah, well. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

What did you do last weekend?

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For the past several seasons, fashion has been all about tough-girl grunge chic, replete with biker-inspired leather and spikes. “We’re in a recession for chrissakes!” everyone exclaimed. Cue the shaggy hair, kohl-encircled eyes, and slashed and shredded clothing that looked like it barely survived the apocalypse; all finished off with four-inch platform stripper heels.

NYFW, Fall 2009

It makes me tired thinking about it, and I’m a pretty hardcore strong-willed bitchy type. Maintaining such a defensive stance is exhausting!  Shoot, even Xena had her vulnerable moments.

All the leather and bleaching and shredding was fun for a while, but now I’m thinking it would be nice to feel pretty, instead of pretty tough. I’m ready for something softer, and while I’m not necessarily looking to drape myself in mountains of florals and bows and pastel ruffles (though it worked for Chloe Sevigny), it would be nice not to feel like I’m an armored truck heading into combat 24/7.

Soft and pretty on the red carpet at the 2010 Golden Globes

Light and feminine on the Resort ’10 runways

Some days, yes, I will be in Power Bitch mode just because sometimes I wake up in the takin’ names and kickin’ butt mindset.  Other times, though, it would be nice to dress in a way that conveys more vulnerability–not necessarily weakness, but…openness. All the hardcore fashion feels a little closed off, which is understandable in times of hardship when you need increased protection from the uncertainties of life. While things are still pretty uncertain (when aren’t they?), I’m exhausted. I’m ready for a change in direction.

Um, let’s keep the stripper shoes, please.

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Sorry I’ve been MIA…then again, my name is TaMIA. Corny, I know… Let’s move on:

Become a social media guru in two minutes or less, now available with cassette tapes! Who knew it was so easy?

Ah, the green screens of the Apple IIe bring back so many computer lab memories. Anyone else remember desperately hoping the weather cooperated when playing Lemonade Stand, learning the difference between prime and composite numbers with Number Munchers, and dying of dysentery (seriously, every time) playing The Oregon Trail?

We girls can do anything (as long as we have our half-caf soy mocha lattes), right Blogger Barbie?

How is Stephanie Seymour still this hot? Does she have some kind of pact with el diablo? Where can I sign up?

Creating your own deadlines and setting aggressive goals for your business. Can (and should) be applied to personal projects, too. Ahem.

Why small actions are more important than big plans. Tip: “You can jump in anywhere in the process to get it going.”

French retailers revolt against e-book hegemony. The publishing world is getting ugly as traditional and new media collide, and it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.

Alexander McQueen’s death left me shocked, then sad, then confused, then kinda pissed. Why? Is it ever really that bad?

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Interesting reads I’ve come across on the web:

Though not really surprised, I was FLOORED by the H&M Clothes Trashing report. Seriously? I know they’re not exactly high priced items, but even if they were, is it really more cost-effective, and more importantly, environmentally ethical to destroy and dump bags of unused clothing?

Social Media Business Strategy Great article about implementing a social media business strategy on Mashable. Remember, set your objectives and listen first!

Startup therapy:  Ten questions to ask yourself every month Thought-provoking questions for current and wannabe entrepreneurs & freelancers. They get harder as you go.

Independent Magazine Publisher Magazine launches. Yesss! Can we form a club or a support group or something?

Updating the Babysitter’s Club The Babysitter’s Club is making a comeback with a prequel and “updated” versions of the first two books, but can we please leave the outfit descriptions (especially Claudia’s) the same? Pretty please? In the meantime, this graphic novel version of the BSC has win all over it.

Writer Lauren Sherman at The Fashion Beat recounts the Ten Moments in Fashion that Changed the Business (this decade). Anyone else remember pre-Rachel Zoe, when you had to explain what a stylist was because people had never heard of such a thing?

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Back when the weather was still warm (you know, the good ol’ days), Cincy Chic sponsored a photo shoot with local photographer Neysa Ruhl. We took some group photos as well as these individual shots, which were used for a story covering local bloggers–I represented the fashion side. REPRESENT!

Seeing the final product, one thing is two things are for sure: 1. I need new black dominatrix-y shoes 2. I am not in the running to become America’s Next Top Model.

Vintage skirt and bolero, Hustler bodystocking, Steve Madden heels

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