Inspiration in the least likely place

Woo! I'm sitting OUTSIDE in TEXAS, engaging in my favorite outdoor activity: outdoor blogging.

I've always been of the impression that style is about how you choose to do things and carry yourself.

A little less than a month ago, I was at the DSW warehouse. On my phone I had a picture of a pair of shoes that I was hoping had gone on sale. I feel I came out of the store with something much more valuable. First let me say that the shoes were not there. What I did overhear was a conversation between a daughter and her mother. Apparently, the girl had been shopping for shoes for prom, at the point that the conversation reached my ears (yes, reached. It was not me eaves dropping as much as it was that anyone else could not help but hear the argument) the mother had told her daughter that she'll just have to buy her own pair of shoes or wear something that she has at home. Daughter, friend in tow, went to go sulk in another section. The mother related to her friend how ridiculous it was that kids were willing to settle for shoes that they could barely walk in. Mother's friend comments that it's the style of the day. Mother lays down the law in saying that she doesn't want her daughter to go to prom looking like a slut. Word. Mother further comments that the look is too "mature" and Maddie is only 13!!!

13? Slutty shoes? Prom? Just when I thought that kids had too many rights and too much control over their parents, this woman, who I contemplated complimenting, lays it all out. There's hope for the future.

Greener Surprises

Howdy! I'm currently in Houston for professional development. Internet is crap and I'm utilizing my last life line (time amount undetermined) to post a blog.

My friend had a birthday a few weeks ago. Currently my wrapping paper is stored in the closet of eternal falling hazards. So, I was tempted to go my found-brown-paper-and-colorful-ribbon route, but a more convenient solution presented itself.



Observe how Mr. Panda and Barry are admiring my handy work. Now, I like purchasing scarves and handkerchiefs like nothing. Often times at thrift stores and estate sales, scarves and such are very inexpensive, hence, the development of my surplus.

Since I frequent allkpop, I recall coming across an article where YooNa was advertising for Innisfree handkerchiefs and their usefulness, one of the tips was using it to wrap presents. It's certainly a more green option and it reduces waste. I don't even have to support a specific brand and it's so easy to find different patterns. There are size limitations to the gifts, but packaging is all a part of the charm.

Post here, why don't you? Good + Bad

Howdy! You know what is depressing? While I thought I was behind on some of my own blogs, I look at some of the blogs I follow only to find that they haven't written in months or made notes of needed sabbaticals because...at times, there is reason to step out of the blogosphere matrix and deal with issues in the real world. Life happens, and admittedly, it can suck some times.

Anyway, time for the good and the bad. The bad first:

The New York Times is putting a limit on the number of articles outside of the front page articles that internet users can access. It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Twenty (20) articles in one month! How am I suppose to keep up with the outside world?

Good news:

After running up my NYTimes quota, I went to my sisters house and used her computer and everything is fine and dandy. Among cooler things, I came across this. The New York Times is soliciting photos of peoples street style. Each week, they'll pick pictures based off of a certain theme. I'm personally looking forward to seeing Texas summer street style. What have I discovered? Unless there's an unseasonable cold front, you almost completely cannot wear a scarf during the summer.

You know you're a rockstar when...

Hello again. Glad to see you here. Internet activity has been down as my internet has been down. Over the span of the last 3 days I've been a straight out internet schlub getting reacquainted like I've never had the internet before. As a result, my SHINee girl fandom has comeback along with an observation.

Taemin has always been a strong favorite of mine s well as the majority of the constituency that composes SHINee fans. Who couldn't love the dancer? Among other things, his voice and looks have matured quite nicely. In every live performance I've watched on Youtube, he's shining with confidence and attitude that ooozes "bitch, I'm a rockstar."

With that said, resurrecting the old mantra "confidence is the best accessory," sometimes, it's all you got. As in the case of Taemin, I'd imagine he's quite the open minded kid since his performance wardrobe has been a straight up free for all.

Observe.

Sometimes, to me, the rowdy wardrobe almost seems like an effort to equalize to down play his good dancing, singing, and overall cuteness. It's just like Harrison Bergeron. Despite the aluminum foil pants, zebra dolman hoodie, and the other oddities, Taemin rocks them all like a Calvin Klein model well equipped with the knowledge and confidence that it takes a lot to make him look bad. For someone who looks good in virtually everything, why not push the limits and make him a giant fashion experiment? He doesn't mind. He's a rockstar.

addendum: They should give him a bad haircut.