Modcloth Make the Cut Competition!

Hi people!  Exciting news!

How many of you have heard about the Make the Cut Contest that Modcloth is hosting in cooperation with Velvet Brigade?  For those of you who are unfamiliar (like me two weeks ago), Velvet Brigade routinely hosts contests where independent and upcoming designers can submit their sketches, which are then voted on by the public.  The winning designs are produced by Velvet Brigade, and the respective designer receives 5% of the profits from the marketed designs, and their own copy of the garment.  Recently, Velvet Brigade has joined Modcloth to bring us the Make the Cut Contest.  You can read about all the details here!  I saw this page about a week before the deadline, took a look at my notebook full of fashion doodles and thought "hey, why not?"  So anyways, a trash can full of crumpled papers and many cups of paint-y water later, guess what!  I'm a finalist!!  These are the three sketches I submitted:

#1 and #3 are the ones that were chosen.  You might recognize the first dress, because I've already made it for myself...  

I had a really, really fun time with these, partly because the whole Modcloth aesthetic is pretty much the same as mine.  Fashion design isn't really something I have much experience with, so I think it was good for me to try something fun and different for a change.  

I really wish that I actually had the technical sewing prowess to make the yellow dress, though.  But hey, maybe (maybe!) if I win, and they end up making a mess of them to sell, I'll snag one up for myself.  I think I might just whip me up that romper, though.

You'll see the finalists' designs on Modcloth's facebook fanpage at noon on December 12th!  Be sure to check it out and vote for your favorites!  I'm really looking forward to seeing all the other designs, it's like an episode of Project Runway (yes, I admit it, I watch that...)!  Even if I don't win, this was SUCH a fun opportunity!  I love all the community based activities that Modcloth does, and I hope that they continue to host things like this!  

Anyways, check it out on facebook, vote, have fun!

See you all soon. :)

I'm hungry.

Speaking of a slice of something delicious, here's my favorite cheesecake recipe.  I've been tweaking this recipe here and there for a while, and now it's pretty darn awesome, if I do say so myself.  And it's really easy!  This is just a base recipe, a blank canvas to which you can add anything your heart desires.  Seriously, the possibilities are endless.  My favorite addition is 3 8-oz cans of drained, crushed pineapple.  Yum.


~INGREDIENTS~
3 8-ounce packages of cream cheese
1 cup of sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla

for the crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup of unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup of sugar

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
Combine cracker crumbs, butter and 1/4 of sugar in the bottom of a springform pan, and stir thoroughly with a fork until the crumbs look moist, buttery and delicious.  Press the crumb mixture evenly around the bottom of the pan, slide into the oven, and bake for 7-10 minutes or until mixture has browned just slightly.  Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, beat your cream cheese until it looks...well, creamy.  If you need to, you can microwave it for a few seconds at a time to make it easier to beat.  Once your cheese is sufficiently creamed, mix in the vanilla and sugar.  Then add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  (NOTE:  If you beat the filling too much, it will bake up all fluffy and whipped-tasting.  I tend to like really dense cheesecakes, so I only mix it until you can't see egg-parts anymore.  If you like fluffy cheesecake, feel free to beat that sucker like there's no tomorrow.)
Add any desired yummies (fruit, nuts, chocolate, cookies, extracts, etc...) to your batter, and then pour carefully onto your cooled crust.  This batter is thick, so it's best to tap it on the counter a few times to level out the top and get rid of any air bubbles hiding in the creamy goodness.

Now, it's ready for baking.  First, slide the cheesecake into your 350 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes only.  Then (this part is really important), turn your oven temperature down to 200 degrees and bake for another 65 minutes or so, or until the center of the cheesecake is almost set.  Reducing the temperature prevents the cheesecake from cracking on the top, a problem I ran into a lot before discovering this trick.  Another crack-prevention strategy is to leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door open for a few minutes before taking it out (oven should be off at this point).  This will help the cheesecake cool down enough so that it won't go into "shock" from the temperature change.
ANOTHER NOTE:  This cheesecake doesn't brown much at all, so don't panic if it looks like a vampire.

After the cheesecake is cooled, refrigerate it overnight.  I know, you want to eat it NOW (believe me, I KNOW), but trust me, it's better this way.  Done?  Good.  Now you can carefully run a knife around the edge of the springform pan, and then separate it from the cheesecake.  Garnish with whatever you like (might I suggest a dollop of lemon curd?), cut yourself a decadent slice, and enjoy.

See you guys later. :)

Take Courage

Yes, Andrew Bird again.  I can't help it, okay??  He's just too awesome.
I've been listening to this song almost non-stop for the last two weeks.  Listening to this out of a pair of nice headphones with killer bass while taking a walk at that specific time of the afternoon when the sun is about to set and the light is all yellow and gold = the most epic thing you will ever experience.  Give it a try when you get the chance, it's pretty fun.  In the meantime just enjoy, on your couch with a slice of something delicious.

Take Courage

Gosh, Andrew Bird is so amazing.  I know I ranted about this in my last post, so I'll refrain from doing so here, but really--GOSH.  My favorite part is the odd little clunky-whistle-y riff thing from about 2:52 to 3:06.  I can't get enough of this song lately.  It feels very easy-going to me, in a way that makes you forget about bad things.  Take courage, 'cause you're not alone!

That is all for now.  Lovelove, see you soon.

ANDREW BIIIRRRRRRD

So I'm in this weird, euphoric state of shock right now, and I've got like a billion of the most beautiful songs stuck in my head all at once.
This Saturday (the 22nd) I had the most AMAZING opportunity to go see the absolutely marvelous and ridiculously talented Andrew Bird live at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware.  There are SO many things I want to say about it, but the the thing that sums is up best is:

WOW.

Words can't even express how brilliant and just perfect that show was.  First of all, the venue was just gorgeous.  The concert was held in The Grand Opera House, which has all these amazing rainbow lights illuminating the front of the building.

Imagine this except with more colors (I guess it isn't lit like that all the time).  The theatre inside was huge with lots of ornate gold things and Sistine Chapel-esque paintings on the ceilings and walls.
I live in Maryland, so it was a bit of a drive to get to Wilmington, but it was so worth it.

The Bird-ster

AAH!  I don't even know where to begin.  The whole thing was very surreal, like that small period of time when you're between being awake and asleep except with the most BEAUTIFUL music you have ever heard in your entire life.  I didn't even think it was possible for me to appreciate Andrew Bird's music any more, but then I got to see him play.  I mean, gosh, I knew he was talented, but watching him put together all these songs with a loop pedal and a few instruments was just incredible.  My mind has been blown.  His violin was gorgeous, the vocals were penetrating, and the whistling was just unbelievable as always. One time I decided that I was going to learn to whistle like Andrew Bird, but that was before I found out I can only whistle like two notes.  -__-

The Dosh-ster

The opening artist was Martin Dosh, who played some very cool, atmospheric, instrumental music.  He also used a loop pedal, as well as a drum set, keyboard, other small noise-making gadgets, and what looked like a mixer.  Martin came back about halfway through Andrew's set so they could play together.  It really boggles the mind to watch a whole song being built from just two people playing layers and layers of sound over each other.
One of the best parts of the show was watching (or rather hearing) the crowd's reaction whenever he started playing one of his more popular songs, like Effigy, The Naming of Things, Why?, and A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left.  I practically jumped out of my seat when he played Plasticities and Tables and Chairs, which are my two favorite songs of his.  His instrumental song "Carrion Suite" (from Useless Creatures) also made an appearance.  I hadn't heard it before, but it was fricken heartbreaking.  I got the album as soon as I came home.  He also played a lot of new songs that are going to be on his upcoming album, which gets released (I think) early next year.  CAN'T WAIT.

There was a big billboard thingy outside the Opera House with this picture on it.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  I'm sorry if I keep jumping from topic to topic and if this doesn't really make any sense, I'm just excited.  BUT LIKE OH MY GOD.  It's such a treat to see him live.  Like, really, "treat" isn't even a strong enough word.  One of the things I love is that he doesn't play his songs exactly as they are on his albums.  I don't know whether it's improv or if he practices different versions of the same song, but either way it's brilliant.  I'm so curious what his thought process is, and how he comes up with the things he does.  Even when he performs, it's like he's off in his own world, but he executes everything so perfectly and artistically.
One thing I'm really upset about is that I didn't bring a camera.  I left mine at home because I wasn't sure if I would be able to bring it in, but then the announcer said that pictures were absolutely allowed, and then I died a little inside.  So that's why I don't have pictures for you, I'm sorry!  Thank goodness for google images.

So yeah, I had an awesome time.  I got home early Sunday morning after spending the night at my friend's house and promptly put on the vinyl copy of The Mysterious Production Of Eggs that I bought at the merch table, which has been playing over and over since I got home.  O.o
I'm waiting to see if the concert pops up on youtube somewhere, perhaps someone filmed it.  If I find it, I'll post up the links.  It was an AMAZING concert, if you're a fellow Bird fan but haven't had the opportunity to see him live, I suggest you get to it right away.
Also I have to thank my friends who bought my ticket and gave me a ride to the show as a birthday present, so guys, if you're reading this, I LOVE YOU.  Like seriously, I can't thank you enough.  I had an awesome time, and I'm sure it wouldn't have been even half the same without you two there with me. <3

Darn it, I feel like I have so much more to say, but I can't even put it into words.  That's how awesome it was.  Anyways, I'll just leave it at that since, if I write more, you'll just end up sitting here for hours reading this long, boring senseless babble about how ridiculously cool Andrew Bird is (seriously, he is).
For now, go check him out on youtube.

Have fun. :)

P.S.  I hate to be one of those sorry-I-don't-post-more bloggers, but really, sorry. :P  I took a little break from posting when school started, but now that I'm back on my feet, I really miss it.  Hope to see you back soon!

Thoughts, tricky mindsets, and how fashion and music are similar.

Right now I feel like curling up in a big comfy armchair with my copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and pondering life and the Universe as I skim through the pages, all the while sipping a hot cup of dandelion tea...
Rewind.
It's too hot to even move right now, so let's switch that dandelion tea out for a nice glass of ice cold lemonade.  Ahhh.  That's better.

You know what?  I worry about things way too much.
Take blogging, for example.
I'm certain that creating and up-keeping a successful blog is never really easy.  If there wasn't a little bit of constant struggle in everything people do, we would be bored out of our minds.  But, that said, I could loosen up a little.  I always worry myself sick over what to post about and if it's relevant or not.

Like, this whole FASHION thing.

Sometimes it bothers me that, while I call this a "fashion blog", I'm not very well-versed in terms of the professional aspects and technicalities of fashion.  Why do I need to be?  I have no idea.  I think my idea of what a fashion blog "should" be comes from the fact that I read a lot of other terrific blogs that are written by students, stylists, enthusiasts, young designers, and other people who are actually professionally involved in fashion.  I love looking at the pictures and hearing them talk about trends, designers and collections and whatnot, but in all honesty, I have no idea what they're saying.  So when I say "fashion", I think what I really mean is style.
The way I view fashion is a lot like my attitude towards music.
When I go clothes shopping or pick out what to wear in the morning, literally the only thing going through my head is either "I like this" or "I don't like this.".  I like to surround myself in things that make me happy.  That includes music.  I gravitate towards certain sounds that I like, even if it's not very popular or technically "good".  Mostly though, I just try to enjoy it for what it is.  I don't generally critique fashion or music past a personal level, but I know what I love and what I don't.  I think that's enough, don't you?

Having said all of that, I think I'm going to have a little fun and change things up a bit.  Less worry, more fun.  It's ALWAYS a good thing to emulate someone or something you admire, everyone needs motivation and inspiration to be great at whatever they do.  What's tricky is when you're like me and tend to romanticize about how you want things to be.  In revering certain traits to much, you end up over-emulating and get discouraged about your own work in the process.  If that's the case, it's best to just do what you love, and love what you do.  And yes, I got that off of a shirt.

Now I think it's time for a book and that lemonade.
Thanks for bearing with me, see you soon. :)


EDIT: Also, I love getting feedback and hearing other people's thoughts and opinions.  If you have anything to say, I'd love to hear it!  Comment below!

Louisiana is humid.

Hello, I'm home!
 Technically I arrived at the airport late on Saturday night, but the difference is that now I'm settled in and feeling cozy.  The weather here seems so much more pleasant than when I left, probably because Louisiana was so oppressively hot, and HUMID!
But humidity and all, I had such an awesome time in New Orleans last week!  It was a great experience, and the fact that some of my friends were there with me made it even better.  For most of our working days, we started building a garden for an Edible Schoolyard (you can read a bit more about Edible Schoolyards here).  There was a lot of digging, hauling and sweating involved, but we ended up making some really good progress.
I forgot to take a before picture of the worksite, but here's what we did with it:

This area will become the main entrance to the school.

We dug those bricks out of a demolished portion of the sidewalk right outside the school.

Not finished by any means, but it's a good start.  The next group that goes to the schoolyard will probably be working on the actual garden, planting flowers, herbs, shrubs and such.
On one of our work days we volunteered at an organization called Green Light New Orleans, installing energy-efficient lightbulbs in people's homes.  That was a fun and surprisingly fulfilling job, partly because we actually got to interact a lot with locals, and partly because the houses were air-conditioned.

Green Light New Orleans gave us these pins.

I think they're kind of cool, I wonder who designed them.

When we weren't working, my group and I had fun running around and exploring the city.   

We visited so many amazing places!  My favorite days were the ones where we walked around in the French Quarter.  It was loud and busy, but really fun.  There were so many living statues, artists, and street musicians/performers, it was like living in an enormous art show.  With a soundtrack.

It was UNBELIEVABLE how still this guy was standing.

I wish I could have gotten some better pictures of all the lovely terrace railings.

It was like a giant party all the time, everywhere!

Blinged-out bike! 

Riverboat on the Mississippi.

Adorable house, love the pink. <3

Oh, and did I mention how great the food was?  You're missing out.  My favorite was the beignets from Café Du Monde.  So much crispy, warm, sugary goodness.

It also happened to be Pride Week, and there was a concert going on one of the days we were in the French Quarter.

We also visited the French Market, where I bought a very New Orleans-y dress (pictures later), a voodoo museum, the Louisiana State Museum's historical Presbytere building, went on a cemetery tour, and took a trip to Meyer the Hatter (largest hat shop in the south!).  I found a yellow beret.

No surprise that after all that, I was DEAD tired when I got home.  I may or may not have slept until about 1:30 in the afternoon the morning after I got back.  I have so much more to say about the trip, but there isn't time for the half of it.  For now I'll just say that if you haven't been there already, start planning a trip very soon (possibly in October when the weather will be cooler...).  New Orleans is such a fun, crazy, inspiring and thoroughly alive city, and it would be a shame for anyone to miss out.

See you soon. :)

Mondrian and New Orleans

Hi people,

I don't have much time to write today, because I'm just about to leave to go to the airport!  I'll be going on a service trip with my youth group to New Orleans, where we will be rebuilding houses and such.  VERY exciting, but I won't be around for another week.  Expect a huge trip-related post sometime after July 2nd.
Something I realized recently is that I have a BAD tendency to start projects when I really don't have time to finish them.  Yesterday, for example, I started painting unnecessary Mondrian on my ukulele case when I sorta should have been packing.

Weren't too smart, but it turned out nice.  I'm taking it to New Orleans with me, so now it will be pretty.

Sometimes I get this uncontrollable urge to PAINT THINGS.  Like, everything around me that has a blank surface (Mom, I'm sorry about that time when I was five and drew that dinosaur on the wall).  This case was so black and boring, but now it's cooooool.

Anyways, it's time for bacon and eggs.  Blogger, I will see you next week (probably with a sunburn and plenty of splinters)!
Don't forget to write.

Bubye now.