Home is where the DIY is

Im all moved into my new studio, I love my new hood and my place is so cute.  It's nice to live alone so far, I'm sure I will get lonely but for now I am enjoying it.  I finally figured out a place in my apartment where I get internet for free, wooo hoooo.  I just hope it lasts.   

I decided to turn a old belt into some boot straps earlier today, I'm so happy with the results.  It was a Zara belt that was super long so it looked like 2 belts.  It never really fit right, so I chopped it up, added the smaller studs that I already had and wallah..... it's perfect!   

The view from the entry way with a partial view of the kitchen.  You can see my vintage pink beauty chair. 

View from behind the bed, I love the 3 huge windows, it's so bright in here!

My bed, new bed set and side table from craigslist.  I think I might paint the bed frame white.  I like the tables the teal color though.  Vintage bedspread from my grammy!

Partial view of the bathroom.  the other view has my silver tray with vintage  silver mirror, brush and comb.

The boot straps!  

Looking up at you!

What a pleasant surprise to run into someone I admire.  Last night I went to a happy hour with a friend and afterwards we stepped into a local dive bar to have a drink and wallah.....Amy Sarabi!  For those who are unaware, she was on the most recent Project Runway, yes the one that Seth Aaron won.  Seth Aaron lives in my home town and I adore him.  I was rooting for him to win.  First because of the home town connection and then because of his talent.  Amy had nothing but great things to say about Seth Aaron and told me that she agreed his win was well deserved.  She joked that he would have completed a whole suit by the time she had finished a half of a pair of leggings.  The show was apparently even more stressful than it looks on T.V, she mentioned they usually only got about 10 hours to complete the garments.  Amy was a absolute doll, I was nervous about talking to her because I didn't want to act all star struck but she was just a normal gal albeit a very talented one.   She also said she loved my outfit which was such a complement coming from her!  Luckily I took some photos of my outfit before I left home. 

Here I am with Amy and her friend Sage (they attended design school together)  Sage now works in L.A designing jeans. 

The outfit

Vintage Jacket- Jones New York/ Thrifted

Vintage 60's Wool Dress-Altered/Thrifted

Vintage Neckalces-Thrifted

Vintage Silk Pajamas/Leggings-60's? thrifted

Vintage 80's Boots-Etsy

Feathered/Braided Headband-My Design, Pretty Pirate Designs

Moving on up!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I am going through a breakup (after 5 years) and trying to figure out where to live, ect.  I did find a place and am very happy with the location and the studio.  I will have 2 huge walk in closets which is a dream come true!  In addition to the large closets I will have lots of natural light which is something I am lacking now too.  The apartment is a studio in a old 1020's building so it's not huge but the closet space will make up for it and everything will be really organized.

In the mean time I have a couple random outfit shots that didn't make it on the blog, they are a little silly so bare with me.  Things should be getting back to normal in a couple weeks.  Thanks for your support!

This is my friend Emily and I at ShowNUFF which is a weekly, Friday night- happy hour at 111 Minna.   It includes free live music and drink specials.   My friend Conrad started it and does all the booking. 

I am wearing

Vintage/altered fleur de lis dress (cut off the sleeves and made it shorter)

Vintage crochet vest

F21 earrings

This is before going to another Friday night at ShowNuff.

I am wearing

Vintage kimono

Black tunic from Anthropology

Belt from a vintage dress I have

Lace leggings by Hue

Vintage boots by Zodiak

These are my current favorite rings that are attached to my hands. 

Vintage Turquoise ring

Pyramid ring from TJ Maxx

Native American Chief ring from X generation on Haight

Large silver ring from Multi Culti on Valencia

Beautiful, creative and fun!

My new header is courtesy of one of my favorite people who also happens to be an amazing artist!  Her name is Mary Thomas, she is a watercolor artist living in New Mexico.  Her and I used to be house mates in Seattle years ago.  I've always loved her paintings and feel lucky to have a few of my own to gaze at endlessly.  Recently I contacted her about using one of her images for my header, she happily obliged.  I wanted to use the painting she did of me a couple years ago but unfortunately it is long gone, sold.  She doesn't even have a photo of it, I guess I should have saved the picture from her website when I had the chance!

Vertigo!

One of my favorite old movies is Vertigo, (hence the black and white photos for today).  Vertigo is a great, Hitchcock movie filmed in San Francisco.  Crissy field which can be seen in a scene in the movie is where I hung out with friends on Sunday.   For the movie, they built some stairs that were temporary and can be seen when the leading lady walks down to the water and then is saved by her leading man.  In the shot you can see the Golden Gate bridge in the background.   This was my first time hanging out here for more than a drive through.  Some of my friends and I had a BBQ to which I owe all the credit to my friend Sanjay who got to the park at 8:00 am to get the best spot he could find.  I showed up much later to find a sweet spot with lots of great people, food an beverages.  Luckily, I met some great new friends and had a blast hanging out in the sun.  Photos of me by Sanjay, except close up which is a self portrait.  All scenic photos by me.

I am wearing-

Hat-Bought at the Garlic festival in Gilroy when I was overheating (scarf is from a import store)

Dress-Vintage

Belt-Vintage

Necklace-Self made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Sunnies-HnM

Sidewalk Sale

Sunday was a gorgeous day for a sidewalk sale.  Some of my lady friends and I have been planning a sale for a few weeks.  We were so happy that the weather was finally warm, after all the rain I was beginning to forget what sunshine was.  Living across from a really popular park makes for a busy sale.  It was a perfect location to sell off some unwanted goods, Dolores park was packed.  We had such a fun day and I met some really nice people.  I love when people find the things that were meant for them. 

You can see me in the mirror

My friend Kristy trying to roller skate, it looks more like they are dancing!  Her boyfriend Conrad, is a great sport. 

The new owner of the roller skates came back later in the day wearing them, she was perfect for them. 

We had a cute puppy visitor.  I love the girls pants and sandals in this photo.  This dog was named BeeBot and had the prettiest eyes.

This lovely lady found this dress from India that my friend was selling.  The bird had found her a few hours earlier in a different neighborhood and wouldn't leave her shoulder.  She now is the happy owner of a new bird.  She has never had one before, it was such a sweet story. 

Me cheesing out, I had a huge crinoline on and it make my 60's dress super poofy!  

Professional photos

A new friend of mine is a professional photographer.  Aubrie Pick  is so sweet and adorable, she looks just like Anna Paquin who I adore as well.   She found this great spot while walking her dog and asked me to be the model in which I happily obliged.  We shot the photos at dusk, the lighting was so amazing.  This shot is just the first of many that she has edited so there is way more to come.  This shot was actually one of the last shots, we had not planned on shooting in front of this door, it was a after thought.  The other shots were on stairs, balconies and the driveway at this old apartment building.  I had so much fun modeling, I wish I had someone to do my outfit photos all the time!   I styled the outfit, makeup and hair.  Sorry the picture is so small, thats how it came to me via Facebook.

I'm wearing

 Vintage Hat-Thrifted

Vintage Harley Davidson Tee-Thrifted

Vintage Leather Skirt-Thrifted

Vintage Leather Jacket-Yard Sale in Oregon

My Favorite Vintage Belt-Etsy

Tights-Slashed by me (old)

Vintage Goth boots-Thrifted Years ago in Seattle

Spring Fling

The rain has subsided long enough to finally wear my new spring dresses.  This is the one that I altered from a longer silhouette with crazy poofy sleeves.  These old blue tights I've had for years were a perfect addition to the outfit.  The carpet bag is a new find from last week in unbelievably great condition.  I had been wanting one but they are few and far between in thrift shops, especially ones in perfect vintage condition, yea!!

Outfit details-

Jean Jacket-thrifted/vintage and super soft

Dress-thrifted/vintage/altered

Purse-thrifted/vintage

Tights-old?

Boots-Bluefly/Ash

Necklace-Pretty Pirate Designs, DIY

Sunnies-HnM

I lightened up my hair in a few spots. In the fringe and a few streaks around the front.

Kalri$$ian

After quite a long hiatus on the performance front, I had the pleasure of performing with a crazy awesome hip hop/lounge group this past weekend.  Kalri$$ian is composed of mc's and a d.j. who rap about serious business aka drugs, alcohol and the ladies.  Think.... Too Short in a 70's ear Boogie Nights atmosphere.   These guys are so much fun and really talented.  A few of them are also in a couple other groups,  Celsius 7 and  Psychokinetics.  I had a absolute blast hanging out with them and my other fellow dancing kitty. 

 Here is their bio.........

Smooth Rick Chosen is a mildly schizophrenic male prostitute with an in-pants sidekick named Perseus. Chachi Harlem is his Fandango-puppet-obsessed partner in crime. Tyrone Shoelaces is a hard-drinking former schoolboy pimp with severe women issues. Felix Livinglow is their smooth-talking, scatalogically-obsessed British friend.

Together, and joined by legendarily mustachioed production team Keylo Venezuela and "Uncle" Tony Highrise, these engagingly foul-mouthed misfits are KALRI$$IAN.

Their debut record "Tales from the Velvet Pocket" does with 50s and 60s lounge music what "Enter the Wu-Tang" did with kung-fu movies - setting a substance-fueled James Bond backdrop for the unadulteratedly sleazy tale of a money-losing male escort service, a botched casino robbery, and pervasive sexual depravation. Featuring guest appearances from Mickey Avalon and Dirt Nasty, it's the black comedy hip hop album of the year. 

I am wearing-

70's vintage dress-thrifted many years ago

Hand dyed camisole

Shoes-Marshals Franco Sarto

Vintage belt

This is the rack of clothing that needs to be added to my Etsy Store.  I am way behind, there are some amazing things to come, but for now just a preview.  When I get some time, many of these will be added.  A few of these are actually pieces I have made or altered to make more fun.  I haven't added any handmade things for a while so this is news!

I have to throw in a fun shot of the new bunny ears I made for easter.  I also picked up this great little floral blouse thrifting yesterday.