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images via Trey Ratcliff
With the Voltage Running Through Her Skin.
Crop Top - Forever 21
Shorts - Secondhand
Earrings - Nasty Gal
Belt - Secondhand
Shoes - Secondhand
Longboard - Never Summer
Basically I was right about this weekend, I'm more sleep deprived than ever. My roommate's best friend came down from San Antonio and we all stayed up till 5'o clock in the morning almost every day this weekend. It was my roommate's birthday, so we all celebrated together :] It was a wicked fun time, but I'm not going to lie after 3 days I'm starting to feel the strain... I'm definitely going to bed early tonight. Plus my roommate and I decided that we're going to get back in shape again, so that means hitting the gym at 7:00 every morning. It's brutal, but we have just got to do it.
The weather's getting colder here, but this is what I wore the last day before the cold front came in (sometimes I really love Texas). I went longboarding in this random apartment complex (because naturally I was avoiding the cops, they have a City Ordnance in place here making longboarding/skateboarding illegal) and my great friend Ashley came and took pics. I just kept going around and around. I had to be careful though. I came really close to her a couple of times! I thought I was going to crash into her at one point! Bha ha ha! Anyways, the earrings I'm wearing were asymmetrical when I got them, but I clipped the top bits to make them the same length. Sometimes I really dig the whole asymmetrical look, but it's definitely not a look that works with everything. I got the crop top at Forever 21 for 3 bucks over the summer. I really love wearing it. It's so flowy!
I guess you could say that it's typical for skateboarders to wear long pants and a shirt when they ride, but I usually don't. Because unless I'm working on tricks or trying to carve a huge hill I just prefer to wear the least amount of clothing when I'm out cruising, that way I can really feel the wind and the speed when I ride. If you haven't longboarded before you should definitely try it out. It's just one of those things in life that is good for your body and soul. I know that it makes me feel better. I've had some pretty stressful/crappy days where I'll get home and just feel like shit but as soon as I hop on my board, after a couple of hours everything doesn't seem so bad. It's just one of the things that makes life great. I definitely recommend it.
The title comes from another MGMT song. I really love them. I go through music phases and right now their song "Electric Feel" gives off some pretty amazing vibes. It's the perfect mix of music throughout all of the ages. Seriously. Take the time to check it out HERE.
Hope everyone has a most wonderful Monday tomorrow! I'm off to watch a little bit of The Walking Dead with my roommate and then hit the sack most prolly. G'nite!
Wildfox: Granny's Closet
images via Wildfox
“This collection is a tribute to granny and her perfectly mismatched style, her love of cats, jewels, travels and gardening, her hair that she never cuts, the old mansion she bought in the 90’s with the last of her savings, her big glasses she always wears to brunch, and that grandma spirit we all know and adore.” - Wildfox
Weapons, in the form of Words.
Top - Brandy Melville
Long Shirt - Band of Gypsies
Earrings - Forever 21
Necklace - Juicy Couture
Shorts - PacSun
Shoes - DSW
Nails - DIY :]
This week has been so hectic. Why is it that they let us take naps in Kindergarten when we were all little balls of energy, but now that we're in college sleep is a luxury that the majority of students cannot afford? Absolutely everyone is suffering from sleep deprivation lately and it doesn't help that this is the weekend before Halloween, so the majority of us are going to/throwing parties which is no help to the sleeping situation... I suppose we can always "sleep when we're dead," but that's no use to any of us because we'll no longer be living ha ha!
Anywhoo! I found this run down gas station the other day! It was so old that I wanted to show how intriguing this place was! I brought my friend Ashley with me to the station the other day and we ended up taking some pics.
This is just a simple look I put together. I'm really loving oversized tops at the moment and wearing long sleeved shirts as jackets. So many shirts would make great jackets and if you layer them right you can get some really cool effects. Oh! I did my toe nails myself! A big sowie to anyone who doesn't like feet!! Bha ha ha! It's really easy though, I might have to do a tutorial on it or something. I just painted my nails white first (so they wouldn't stain) and then I got a paint brush and painted the black stripes on top. Took me all of ten minutes and cost me nothing :]
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday! This week has really flown by. Hopefully this weekend is more calm, but at this rate of college insanity I doubt it will be :P
<3 Amarie
Jump Over the Moon & Meet: Honeymoonmuse
We already know that Canada is the place to be when it comes to talent. Music superstars Drake and Justin Bieber hail from this country, so it comes as no surprise that fashion innovators would be there as well. Marriki Schlifer created Honey Moon Muse, an inspirational brand that caters to "vintage junkies" and "fashion mavericks" all the while keeping "fashion gems out of the landfill" and in her customers closets. She has a pixie-like spirit and expresses her style and personality with everything she wears and does. She is both an inspirational and creative individual, a superstar on the rise and someone to keep your eyes on!
Marriki Schlifer
CEO/Owner of Honeymoonmuse
British Columbia, Canada
Simpli Spiritu: Where did the name Honeymoonmuse come from?
Marriki Schlifer: When I opened my shop I had no idea it would evolve into a full-time business. I didn't give that much thought to the name! It was a play off a lovely song I liked at the time called “Honey and the Moon” by Joseph Arthur. I was debating a name change when Etsy came up with the option, but it has grown on me.
SS: Who or what inspires you?
MS: I used to visit loads of fashion blogs every day, but these days since I work with clothing all day I try to find my inspiration from other sources. At the moment, I am loving artist Shae Acopian Detar, who paints on top of photographs. They have a vintage feel, very beautiful. I frequent graphic designer Bri Emery’s blog (designlovefest ) and Rookiemag.com for everything else.
SS: What is a typical day for you?
MS: Each day is different; the one constant seems to be that I spend a lot of time online. Yesterday however, I sorted through a batch of vintage clothing that I purchased a few weeks ago. Most items I find at thrift stores aren’t ready to photograph, they either need mending (by hand or sewing machine), ironing or hand-washing beforehand. I started off this morning by packing up Etsy orders from this past weekend and make a trip to the post office. I am there every other day, the postal workers know me well!
I am also looking forward to posting the latest fall lookbook for Honey Moon Muse on our website which I just received the (amazing!) results from our shoot in late August. Today (October 15th) also marks our 3rd anniversary on Etsy! I am busy doing promotion on our Facebook/Tumblr/Etsy pages of the big 30% off
everything customer appreciation sale, which is going on until October 25th. It is also marks my 1st year of independence. It was around a year ago that I quit my day job and took the leap into becoming a full-time seller. It was one of the hardest and best decisions I have made for myself. I am so thankful to all my friends, as well as the strangers who have supported me this past year.
SS: How would you describe your style?
MS: I love the 80s, color, soft fabrics, layers and oversize tops. I generally wear leggings, a big t-shirt and ankle boots during the daytime. I really only dress up for special events or day outings with my boyfriend. Right now I’m loving sci-fi inspired looks, and anything velvet, gold or tie dye. My favourite vintage pieces
that I keep for myself would have to be leather goods: 80s boots and flats, leather jackets, and cross body purses. They are good staples to have in your wardrobe since they are timeless and can be paired with so many options.
SS: What makes your sense of style different than everyone else?
MS: My own personal style is still evolving but I am getting better at narrowing it down. I have only recently come into terms with the fact that I am comfortable wearing certain shapes/cuts/fabrics and am try to stick to them. Being surrounded by vintage makes it easy to experiment with different styles, so I am getting better at cutting out what doesn’t work for me from my closet. I had a retail job for several years where the dress code was black and white, so upon leaving that job I decided to rebel a little by wearing more colour. All black is timeless and chic but enough people out there do it already. Fashion should be fun and make people smile.
SS: How did you start your business? And how have you managed to keep your business in the forefront, since I know Etsy can be quite competitive!
MS: I started an Etsy shop when it was still relatively new to a lot of people. There wasn’t a lot of competition, yet Etsy was growing in leaps and bounds and I had no idea what I was doing. At the time I was a university student with an overflowing closet who frequented thrift stores weekly and liked the idea of getting rid of some items for extra cash. I had my first sale and it became addictive!
I treated it like a business from the beginning, analyzed what was selling and what was not, and always answered customer’s questions as soon as possible. I started doing my own accounting, with the help of my mother, who has been self-employed in some capacity or other for 20 + years. She was also a great help when I’d bring home vintage hauls. Some things I would buy for their great quality or style but could not place a date. Right away she would say - “That’s so 60s”. I’ve learned since then.
I also find that the Etsy community is very encouraging of one another and learned from other shops by example. I educated myself by keeping up to date on their “Quit Your Day Job” posts. It was all very inspiring to me as I was a full-time fashion design student who had no idea where I would fit into the industry upon graduation, the only thing I knew was I wanted to run my own show. I took the money I made and re-invested it into a backdrop, a better camera and a lighting kit from Ebay (not all at once). I
took a Photography course as an elective in school. Photography is the most important part of a listing besides the actual product, lighting and styling being secondary factors to it. I am constantly discovering new shops on Etsy that I am blown away by the calibre of styling/photography. Some of my greatest inspiration is my competition, which I think is great because it makes want to be better at what I do.
SS: Trend you're loving right now?
MS: Burgundy and mustard for fall! Kimonos are lovely, high waisted shorts, chunky 90's boots, and anything photo-realistic print.
SS: A phrase you use wayyyy too often?
MS: “No big deal.” Ugh. I don’t know where it came from but I use it way too much.
SS: One word that describes you?
MS: Pixie.
SS: Favorite quote(s)?
MS: "If I can't dance, I don't want to be a part of your revolution." - Emma Goldman
“Be a warrior instead of a worrier.” Kelly Cutrone
SS: Do you take your own photographs? If you do what kind of camera do you use?
MS: I do take my own photos. I use a tripod and a Canon G12. The screen flips around so I can see how the photo are turning out and I use the self-timer on it.
SS: Any additional information you'd like to share??
MS: Yeah! Follow Honey Moon Muse across the interwebs... Website - I style lookbooks with local models and photographers every so often. We’ll be posting the fall lookbook in the next couple of days!
Etsy Shop - We are having a 30% off sale Oct.15 – 25th to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, so drop by for major savings!
An extra big thankeee to Marriki for letting me interview her and for sharing this invaluable information! Wishing you all the best! <3
Marriki Schlifer
CEO/Owner of Honeymoonmuse
British Columbia, Canada
Simpli Spiritu: Where did the name Honeymoonmuse come from?
Marriki Schlifer: When I opened my shop I had no idea it would evolve into a full-time business. I didn't give that much thought to the name! It was a play off a lovely song I liked at the time called “Honey and the Moon” by Joseph Arthur. I was debating a name change when Etsy came up with the option, but it has grown on me.
SS: Who or what inspires you?
MS: I used to visit loads of fashion blogs every day, but these days since I work with clothing all day I try to find my inspiration from other sources. At the moment, I am loving artist Shae Acopian Detar, who paints on top of photographs. They have a vintage feel, very beautiful. I frequent graphic designer Bri Emery’s blog (designlovefest ) and Rookiemag.com for everything else.
SS: What is a typical day for you?
MS: Each day is different; the one constant seems to be that I spend a lot of time online. Yesterday however, I sorted through a batch of vintage clothing that I purchased a few weeks ago. Most items I find at thrift stores aren’t ready to photograph, they either need mending (by hand or sewing machine), ironing or hand-washing beforehand. I started off this morning by packing up Etsy orders from this past weekend and make a trip to the post office. I am there every other day, the postal workers know me well!
I am also looking forward to posting the latest fall lookbook for Honey Moon Muse on our website which I just received the (amazing!) results from our shoot in late August. Today (October 15th) also marks our 3rd anniversary on Etsy! I am busy doing promotion on our Facebook/Tumblr/Etsy pages of the big 30% off
everything customer appreciation sale, which is going on until October 25th. It is also marks my 1st year of independence. It was around a year ago that I quit my day job and took the leap into becoming a full-time seller. It was one of the hardest and best decisions I have made for myself. I am so thankful to all my friends, as well as the strangers who have supported me this past year.
SS: How would you describe your style?
MS: I love the 80s, color, soft fabrics, layers and oversize tops. I generally wear leggings, a big t-shirt and ankle boots during the daytime. I really only dress up for special events or day outings with my boyfriend. Right now I’m loving sci-fi inspired looks, and anything velvet, gold or tie dye. My favourite vintage pieces
that I keep for myself would have to be leather goods: 80s boots and flats, leather jackets, and cross body purses. They are good staples to have in your wardrobe since they are timeless and can be paired with so many options.
SS: What makes your sense of style different than everyone else?
MS: My own personal style is still evolving but I am getting better at narrowing it down. I have only recently come into terms with the fact that I am comfortable wearing certain shapes/cuts/fabrics and am try to stick to them. Being surrounded by vintage makes it easy to experiment with different styles, so I am getting better at cutting out what doesn’t work for me from my closet. I had a retail job for several years where the dress code was black and white, so upon leaving that job I decided to rebel a little by wearing more colour. All black is timeless and chic but enough people out there do it already. Fashion should be fun and make people smile.
SS: How did you start your business? And how have you managed to keep your business in the forefront, since I know Etsy can be quite competitive!
MS: I started an Etsy shop when it was still relatively new to a lot of people. There wasn’t a lot of competition, yet Etsy was growing in leaps and bounds and I had no idea what I was doing. At the time I was a university student with an overflowing closet who frequented thrift stores weekly and liked the idea of getting rid of some items for extra cash. I had my first sale and it became addictive!
I treated it like a business from the beginning, analyzed what was selling and what was not, and always answered customer’s questions as soon as possible. I started doing my own accounting, with the help of my mother, who has been self-employed in some capacity or other for 20 + years. She was also a great help when I’d bring home vintage hauls. Some things I would buy for their great quality or style but could not place a date. Right away she would say - “That’s so 60s”. I’ve learned since then.
I also find that the Etsy community is very encouraging of one another and learned from other shops by example. I educated myself by keeping up to date on their “Quit Your Day Job” posts. It was all very inspiring to me as I was a full-time fashion design student who had no idea where I would fit into the industry upon graduation, the only thing I knew was I wanted to run my own show. I took the money I made and re-invested it into a backdrop, a better camera and a lighting kit from Ebay (not all at once). I
took a Photography course as an elective in school. Photography is the most important part of a listing besides the actual product, lighting and styling being secondary factors to it. I am constantly discovering new shops on Etsy that I am blown away by the calibre of styling/photography. Some of my greatest inspiration is my competition, which I think is great because it makes want to be better at what I do.
SS: Trend you're loving right now?
MS: Burgundy and mustard for fall! Kimonos are lovely, high waisted shorts, chunky 90's boots, and anything photo-realistic print.
SS: A phrase you use wayyyy too often?
MS: “No big deal.” Ugh. I don’t know where it came from but I use it way too much.
SS: One word that describes you?
MS: Pixie.
SS: Favorite quote(s)?
MS: "If I can't dance, I don't want to be a part of your revolution." - Emma Goldman
“Be a warrior instead of a worrier.” Kelly Cutrone
SS: Do you take your own photographs? If you do what kind of camera do you use?
MS: I do take my own photos. I use a tripod and a Canon G12. The screen flips around so I can see how the photo are turning out and I use the self-timer on it.
SS: Any additional information you'd like to share??
MS: Yeah! Follow Honey Moon Muse across the interwebs... Website - I style lookbooks with local models and photographers every so often. We’ll be posting the fall lookbook in the next couple of days!
Etsy Shop - We are having a 30% off sale Oct.15 – 25th to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, so drop by for major savings!
An extra big thankeee to Marriki for letting me interview her and for sharing this invaluable information! Wishing you all the best! <3
Homecoming, I'm Coming.
images via Matt Weintritt/The Huntsville Item
The title comes from the song "Homecoming" by Hey Monday. You can check out the song HERE.
One life to live, gonna make it positive.
Oh my gosh... I did it! I won Homecoming Queen and my running mate got Homecoming King. It was so amazing! When they called out our names and said we were the winners the crowd exploded and you could feel the love and support pouring out onto the field from hundreds of people. That was definitely something you get to experience only once in a lifetime... And I was lucky enough to be given that chance! With the support of my family, friends, my sisters and my peers. It just makes you realize how even when you think you have not made a difference in someones life, the smile or greeting you gave them makes you see that everything you do has an impact. I had people I didn't know vote for me, I had people I met two years ago vote for me and people I just had a conversation with vote for me because of the connections we make as people. As a human being we are capable of so many things! We have the power to change people's lives, hell we have the power to change the world! Because with enough determination and motivation we can do anything we set our minds to. Anything is possible...
In fact, twenty years ago I would not even be able to blog this moment! That's how significant people's determination (that lead to the creation of modern technology) is. We just have to remember that while it connects us all in a major way, but we can't let it hinder our growth as a human being. Just because you can live your life behind a computer doesn't mean you should. The world is such a beautiful and amazing place filled with BILLIONS of equally amazing people. Go outside of your comfort zone and try something new. You only have this one life to live, don't waste it.
The post title comes from one of my favorite songs... It's called "What I Know" by Rebelution you can check it out HERE.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Oh, Dios mío ... ¡Lo hice! Gané Homecoming Queen y mi compañero de fórmula tiene Homecoming King. Fue tan increíble! Como ser humano que es capaz de tantas cosas! Tenemos el poder de cambiar las vidas de las personas, el infierno que tenemos el poder de cambiar el mundo! Porque con suficiente determinación y motivación que podemos hacer cualquier cosa que poner nuestras mentes a. Cualquier cosa es posible ...
A Few of My Favorite Things
Oh, and you can check out the song "On A Good Day" HERE.
Anyways it's getting late and I've got a looooooong day ahead of me. Have a great night everybody!
Through the veil and behind the blog: Fashion In Da Hat
More times than not when someone starts a blog it's hard to catch people's attention right off the bat. With her unique sense of style and fashion designer background Alessandra Mazzini started her blog in 2009 and has a strong following today. She is an active presence in the Fashion Blogging world (she was recently featured in Vogue Latinoamérica for her street style) and an inspiration to girls everywhere. I was lucky enough to be given the chance to interview the Peruvian stylist/fashion designer.
 |
| images via Alessandra Mazzini/Fashion in da Hat |
Alessandra Mazzini, 24
Fashion Stylist/Designer
Lima, Peru
Simpli Spiritu: How did you come up with the name of your blog?
Alessandra Mazzini: It was related to "the rabbit in the hat", I changed rabbit for fashion and it ended up being Fashion in da hat.
SS: Who or what inspires you the most?AM: Music, fashion from the beginning of last century, and ancient cultures.
SS: How would you describe your typical day?
AM: I work on my brand, go buy fabrics, then go to the workshop, see how sells are going at the store, work on the blog, go to the gym and if i still have some time, play a bit of violin.
SS: Which is your favorite part of your job?
AM: Planning the photoshoots of the brand.
SS: Which is the part that you enjoy the least?
AM: The numbers part... the logstics of the buying of fabrics.
SS: What are your ambition/dreams for the future?
AM: I would like my brand to grow a lot more, and sell more outside of Peru also. And with the blog, maybe have more sponsors.
SS: How would you say that your style is different than everyone else? AM: I don't know, I just like to feel comfortable with what I wear and I really like to express my personality with the outfits I make.
SS: Have you ever had a negative reaction from people because of the clothes you wear?
AM: Yes, when I've worn something too "weird" haha...
SS: What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
AM: Wear more color :)
SS:Trend you’re loving right now?
AM: Minimal sporty
SS: A phrase you use wayyy too often?
AM: Everything will be fine :)
SS: One word that describes you?
AM: Creative
SS: I could not live without…
AM: Good karma
SS: Favorite quote?
AM: All life is an experiment.
Fashion Stylist/Designer
Lima, Peru
Simpli Spiritu: How did you come up with the name of your blog?
Alessandra Mazzini: It was related to "the rabbit in the hat", I changed rabbit for fashion and it ended up being Fashion in da hat.
SS: Who or what inspires you the most?AM: Music, fashion from the beginning of last century, and ancient cultures.
SS: How would you describe your typical day?
AM: I work on my brand, go buy fabrics, then go to the workshop, see how sells are going at the store, work on the blog, go to the gym and if i still have some time, play a bit of violin.
SS: Which is your favorite part of your job?
AM: Planning the photoshoots of the brand.
SS: Which is the part that you enjoy the least?
AM: The numbers part... the logstics of the buying of fabrics.
SS: What are your ambition/dreams for the future?
AM: I would like my brand to grow a lot more, and sell more outside of Peru also. And with the blog, maybe have more sponsors.
SS: How would you say that your style is different than everyone else? AM: I don't know, I just like to feel comfortable with what I wear and I really like to express my personality with the outfits I make.
SS: Have you ever had a negative reaction from people because of the clothes you wear?
AM: Yes, when I've worn something too "weird" haha...
SS: What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
AM: Wear more color :)
SS:Trend you’re loving right now?
AM: Minimal sporty
SS: A phrase you use wayyy too often?
AM: Everything will be fine :)
SS: One word that describes you?
AM: Creative
SS: I could not live without…
AM: Good karma
SS: Favorite quote?
AM: All life is an experiment.
Please check out her blog HERE! Thanks again Alessandra for letting me interview you!
I wish you the best of luck with your online store :]
I wish you the best of luck with your online store :]
Bangkok rain keeps on fallin' down, how I miss that sound...
I'm really missing Thailand... Every time I have a bad day I just remember the time I got to spend in that country. It's so beautiful and I think everyone should try and experience the Thai culture at least once. They are extremely nice people, but make sure you do cultural research before hand because a lot of things that are okay over here are not excepted over there. For instance if you show anger in public you are thought of as being uncouth and childish because you cannot control your emotions. It's very interesting how so many things differ between our two countries. Often times I feel as though the Thai have more things right than we do. Even in Thailand they have universal health care. I was talking to a taxi driver about it...
Anyways, the first picture is taken at a beautiful Buddhist temple. You take the lotus flower, dip it in the water that has been blessed by monks and then you sprinkle the water all over you! It is supposed to be very lucky. I think it worked so far, my luck has been pretty amazing lately!
The next three pictures were taken in Chaing Mai at the Maeaman Elephant Camp. We got to work with the elephants for a whole day just like the Mahout do. Mahout are specialized elephant trainers that bond with the elephants and help with the conservation of the Asian Elephant. These animals need protecting and one thing I loved about this camp was that almost all of the proceeds go to the elephants. The Mahout's live on the camp grounds or in the nearby town and receive little pay.
Anyways, the first picture is taken at a beautiful Buddhist temple. You take the lotus flower, dip it in the water that has been blessed by monks and then you sprinkle the water all over you! It is supposed to be very lucky. I think it worked so far, my luck has been pretty amazing lately!
The next three pictures were taken in Chaing Mai at the Maeaman Elephant Camp. We got to work with the elephants for a whole day just like the Mahout do. Mahout are specialized elephant trainers that bond with the elephants and help with the conservation of the Asian Elephant. These animals need protecting and one thing I loved about this camp was that almost all of the proceeds go to the elephants. The Mahout's live on the camp grounds or in the nearby town and receive little pay.
Because the American dollar is a lot stronger than the Thai currency of Bhat, the camp was not all that expensive. If you like you can check it out HERE. It's a wonderful experience!
In the next shot we went to a remote fishing village in the middle of a lake that took us 40 minutes by boat travel to get there. We swam in the water with the fish. They have huge nets under the floating houses to keep the fish (which they breed and eat) in these nets. The process is so amazing. In the last picture we went to an umbrella making compound. Women don't make much money in Thailand, but here in the compound these women do. They construct and paint different wood and paper umbrellas. The process really is quite amazing.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday even though mine was so crappy. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!
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