The Wicked Witch of the East

Gown: eBay
Feather Stole (c/o): The Sky Gadgeteer
Eyeliner (c/o): Lime Crime's "Reason"
Lip color (c/o): Lime Crime's "Poisonberry"
Silver cuffs: eBay
Skull: late husband

Ok, so I wouldn't normally wear this out and about, but I'm definitely not the kind of person that needs to have an excuse to play dress up either. Sophie, mother of The Sky Gadgeteer, was kind enough to give me the opportunity to play dress up by providing me with this beautiful custom hand made feather stole!
I've known Sophie for perhaps a year now and I've watched her grow from the ground up at an exponential rate. She has worked so very hard developing and mastering her craft and style. Although her shop is still in its infant stage, there's no telling how far she will come in the very near future.
Doe Deere, mother of Lime Crime, also gave me the opportunity to play with my face. Yup, play with it. She generously gave me some wild colors from her fabulous brand that made me step out of my comfort zone with makeup. I tend to be very mute, dark, and matte with makeup routine. And that routine rarely changes but every five years or so. I'm very stuck in my ways with makeup. But Lime Crime has allowed me to not take all of that so seriously and to make getting ready in the morning fun rather than a chore. I have been experimenting a lot and over the years and I've realized that experimenting usually equals a "meh" at the end of it when it comes to my face. But without fail everything I have tried from their brand instantly makes me feel shiny and new. It's really surprisingly effortless! You don't need to much else to your face when using their products - just a little bit personifies freedom as far as self expression is concerned.
This look was also a bit inspired by Evanora as portrayed in the recent film Oz: the Great and Powerful. Rachel Weisz' character was so much fun! The character design was also brilliant. I think the most evil and frightening of villains tend to be the ones that are the most deceitful concerning their true nature and intentions. It's something that really fascinates me and has a profound effect on me at the same time, as I've had my fair share of dealings with illusionists and fakers in the past! Oh well.

Prints from this set are available here!

Frozen

You're frozen when your heart's not open.

Dress: eBay

Tights: eBay

Shoes: eBay

Belt: eBay

Ankle bracelets: eBay

Jacket: eBay

Half palm gloves: eBay

See where I'm going with this?

Yup, more eBay. I've been realizing more and more that I need to be a bit careful about what I buy from eBay despite how much I love it. I've caught wholesale eBay sellers using my professional but very independent friends' designs and photos to sell cheap knock off items. Models, photographers, and designers alike. Although the same thing happens on Etsy but the roles are reversed. I see a ton of people buying super cheap wholesale clothing and jewelry from eBay, marking them up unreasonably, and even using the photos from the eBay listings with the models heads cropped off. Jeez! 

Anyway, my whole point with this is that yeah, eBay and Etsy are awesome, just beware of what you buy. Not just there, but anywhere. I try to buy as generic as possible and layer the crap out of things to make it more exciting. This dress may be an exception. You just never know what your money is supporting!

Getting off my soapbox now.

Now, this location. Yeah, it's awesome, right? Even more awesome is that it's near my new home in Nashville. The amount of ice and the cold here is pretty shocking just coming from living two houses away from the beach in California. But the weather is the least of my worries - as I grew up battling rain, winds, and darkness in the most southern part of Washington state. As much as I didn't like the weather there, it makes being here in Nashville feel more like being home.

Signed prints from this set are available here.

Matte Black

Tunic: Noctex

Leather jeans: Topshop

Heels: eBay

Armor ring: eBay

This Noctex tunic is the most brilliant thing. 

First, I can never find long sleeve shirts that are long enough for my arms. If I do, the arms are usually gigantic. Not only are the sleeves long enough and make my hands cozy with a built in thumb hole, but I can twist the sleeves how ever many times I desire to create a really lovely texture and to fit better around my monkey arms. 

Second, it's like five different looks in one. I've only toyed with it two ways so far. The classic way and a knotted dress over a skirt or jeans kinda way. It can also be worn as a strapless dress or as a cropped long sleeve cowl top. Not quite warm enough to transform into those versions just yet. But it will happen!

If you normally have problems justifying buying well made independent designer pieces, don't even begin to think twice about this piece. The versatility alone is justifiable enough and the low price for the amazing quality gives you no excuse, really. There's no price for the combination of comfort, quality, creativity, versatility, and so on and so forth. 

I promise this post wasn't sponsored - I really do love this piece to bits and I want you all to fall in love as well.

Photos courtesy of Jon Duenas Photography.

A Cut From Above

A behind the scenes video I put together from my shoot with Jon Duenas Photography for Utterly Engaged Magazine!

You can purchase/download the magazine with the full editorial here.

Makeup: Christine Shields

Gowns: Claire La Faye

Video'd by Cassie Meder and Christine Shields

Edited by Cassie Meder
Headpiece: Austie Eckley

Mail Day!

Leather jacket: eBay

Hoodie: Ovate

Tank top: Express (I think.)

Velvet leggings: eBay

Bag (hidden by butt): eBay

Gaiters: eBay

Giant green rock: family heirloom

Mail bag: free with purchase of candy bar at local art store

Ok, so this is a little boring, I must admit. But this is essentially what you'd see me wearing on any given work day. (Which explains this case of half open dopey eyes.)

I take a weekly half hour walk to the post office every day and must dress accordingly. As a counter attack against Northern Californian winters (mild in comparison to growing up huddled next to a heater in the Pacific Northwest) I pile on layers. In case of encounters with banshees I prepare my feet for lightning speed sprinting with flat soles. And I make an attempt to look somewhat cute so I'm not mistaken for a hobo.
(Which does happen -- hi, mom.)