Short Chops Saturday Debut

Last Wednesday I did the unthinkable and chopped off my hair....

I LOVE IT!

I was so excited to have such a drastic new look and it couldn't be easier to manage! My willingness to take this big plunge is completely based around my incredibly talented hair stylist Sidney. We met two years ago during fashion week and 2 days after meeting I was sitting in her chair getting an updated look. I love her!!!!! She probably knows me better than a lot of people and totally gets who I am, what I'm about, and how I want to be perceived. For the last year, every time I see her I complain that I want short hair, but I'm too scared to do it. Two months ago Sidney and I went out to grab a drink and catch up and she had the cutest Mohawk-short hair do and I was smitten. I've spent the last two months hyping myself up and I finally did it!

Saturday night was my new hair reveal when I went out to celebrate my sweet friend Allison's moving back to Texas! (Oh she will be missed dearly)!!!!! And with the new do, I had to come out in a new ensemble...

silk/chiffon top from banana republic, high waist silk/tulle skirt (made by my mother!), cowboy boots: coveted thrift store find

First Test Shoot

So I was going to try and hold off on posting these but I'm just too excited that I have to! A couple weeks ago some friends and I rented our some studio space in Long Island City. Lucky for me I have great friends that will let me dress and style them to start compiling some looks for my portfolio. If my luck couldn't have been any better I received even more help from my incredible talented photographer friend Eric, one of my closest friends Chinae did the make up, and my crazy talented hair stylist and friend Sidney came out for the day to do hair. I couldn't have asked for a better team. The day was so much fun, everyone was so supportive and had such a good time with/at the shoot as well!!!! So without further adieu....

Photography: Eric Ryan Anderson

Make Up: Chinae Alexander

Hair: Sidney Maignan

Models: Annie Walker, Tyler Schwartz, Rachel Carter, Morgan McGuire

Assistants: Phil Anema, Sunday Ibok

Week of Styling

The last week has been very busy, but incredibly exciting. Thursday I participated in an event called Free at Lance... Look to Book. At the event I made some great contacts and threw myself into the freelancing world full force. I worked with an incredible fashion photographer, styling the guests before sending them off to get their head shots done. Please check out work, website, and blog for photographer Nicholas Routzen. I'm am praying that at some point our career paths will cross and we'll really get to work together.

Saturday I worked with a designer helping to style her collection for her Spring 2010 look book. The looks were shot by my good friend and talented photographer Eric Ryan Anderson. I'm so excited to see how the book turns out. Here is a quick preview of one look from the day.

Sunday was the most fun I've had in a while. I planned a test shoot with Eric to style and shoot some of our friends for the day. We rented a studio in Long Island City, set up an amazing team that included photo assistant Phil Anema, hair stylist Sidney Maignan, make up artist(and one of my best friends) Chinae Alexander. I can't wait to see the pics and of course will post some as soon as I have a few.

LOOK to BOOK

Tomorrow I am participating in an event called Look to Book. The event is made up of 14 freelance artists (hair, make, and fashion) that provides us with the opportunity to meet some of the industries most influential people (editors, photographers, models, etc). I am involved in the event as the sole stylist which I'm super excited and anxious about. I spent the day running around the city borrowing accessories from a couple of friends who happen to be some of the most talented people I know. Tomorrow I will be bringing accessories from lulugrace by Leslie Kim, Diana Warner NY by Diana Warner, and designs by Austin Ice.

I'll hopefully have some pictures posted tomorrow night of my station at the event!

Fashion Emergency Post

I would normally not post twice in one day, but the fashion Gods have aligned with the eBay spirits and are auctioning a Christopher Ross Rabbit belt buckle. Uhhhh excuse me but is this really happening. I was wishing and hoping and thinking and praying for this to happen but never expected a response to occur this fast. As for the other shoppers watching the item, I pray that fashion powers simultaneously shut down their computers, Internet access, etc in 9 days when the auction is up!!!!

Wish me luck!

Midday Amusement

I was introduced to Moxsie jewelry a while back and was reminded of the company after reading a friend's blog today. Right now I'm crazy for all things that can adorn my (desperate need for a decent manicure) hands. I browsed the site today and fell in love with this snake chain ring. It's so different from anything I have seen and exactly what I want. In true fashion when it comes to things I instantly become infatuated with, it's out of stock!!! I'm determined to get my fingers on this piece!

Check out the website, they have other amazing designs, which include a "handcuff" bracelet that reminds me of the old ball and chain!

Clothes Minded

During a recent move I purged my closet and donated/sold more clothes than I could have thought imaginable. It was hard to part ways with many of the garments, but when I'm honest with myself, they needed a home that would show them more of this hypnotizing city, FABULOUS soirees, and jet setting dates. I should feel good about having a more consolidated wardrobe, but my extermination only left me wanting to replace the empty space with refurbished finds and vintage treasures.

Unfortunately I missed out on the amazing Christopher Ross eBay sale a couple months ago. I'm highly disappointed in my lack of dedication to an eminent fashion cause. I'm daily searching for a vintage belt from Ross' 70/80's collections. My favorite is the Rabbit belt buckle. It has nothing to do with the whimsical Alice and Wonderland story, and everything to do with my future pet...a Flemish giant rabbit...appropriately named Donkey!

How can you not want a Judith Leiber belt? The combination of textures and colors is just the beginning of the design greatness. I would love for Leiber's design genius to go to WAIST!!!!

I came across this vintage Lanvin dress and fell in love... I will definitely have to make a few modifications to the silhouette but the pattern, color combination, and details will fit perfectly into my summer wardrobe. I'm already conjuring up a multitude of accessories to pair with this dress.

I keep finding myself drawn to all things fringe! It could be the "southwest" influence in my life or my high esteem for the 20's era, maybe it's the story that garment tells in it's movement, or just the fact that I like how it moves when I twist, turn, twirl, and shake it! Whatever reason, I can't get past my intense rhapsody and lust for this vest paired with a white tank, midnight bell bottom jeans, Frye platform sandals, and slabs of gold chain necklaces, consummated by an audacious two finger ring!.. or coupled with an ankle length high waist white tulle skirt, Christopher Ross or Judith Leiber belt, and black satin Lela Rose for payless Lucite heels!!!

I'm a ham for anything that sparkles! While I'm not crazy about the butterfly, the over sized almost dolman silhouette makes up for it. I'm going to keep looking for a similar top that has the same shimmering charisma.

Ok, I know it's not exactly vintage but I can't imagine continuing my wardrobe without this Commes des Garcons top. It is awkwardly ghoulish having the hands/gloves stuffed and strategically placed on the front, but all the more reason why I am so intrigued and inspired by the top. And then it lends itself to the question, is it a top? jacket? are the hands a closure? I am exorbitantly jealous of anyone that owns this top and determined to have one for myself... Even if my mom has to make me one!!!!!!