Paranoid Girl

It rained for the first time this year. 

In middle school I was addicted to this song.  And, yes, I actually listened to it when it rained.

Carry my dreams around my neck...

Imagine wearing you journal around neck, always ready to record your moods, thoughts and inspriations.  I've contemplated book binding and am enchanted by this idea created by Black Spot Books.  

I was given my first journal when I was six years old.  I was learning how to write and promptly became attached to the idea of journaling.  Though, there were times in adolescence where I didn't keep a consistent record (my poetry phase took over my writings for a few years.)  Now, my songwriting (that I hold quite sacred) has staked a major claim on my journals pages.  Yet, recording my thoughts on a days events is something that I've always returned to.  At the beginning of this year, I bought a stack of the legendary Molsekine notebooks in an attempt to keep track of whims, contemplations, and quotes in my pocket.  Maybe I'll fill them up with dreams and memories and give them away to the ones that I love, just like Gustav Klimt.

 

Smile on Your Brother....

It's Valentines Day!  Just in time for the holiday, Digby and Iona released the Stump Ring.  The design is inspried by Shell Silverstein's The Giving Tree.  I read the book countless times with my mom and my brother growing up.  It's a sweet story about selflessness (an important element of all relationships.)

Even though I mentioned my feelings on the holiday last year I'd like to do it again. Since I was a child, my mother has never let anyone feel left out. I was raised treating this day as a universal celebration of love. If you don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife spend the day with someone else who you care about. Enjoy the company of friends and family.  Most of all, value the relationships that bring light to your life (and eat red velvet cake!)

xo Pretty In Black

For a Lack of Color...

These earrings on Rack and Ruin's Etsy shop are pretty awesome. If your the type of person who doesn't want to commit to hair color, these earrings could satisfy you ephemeral want. Or, if your like me and would have to bleach your hair before you could aquire a shocking shade, but don't want to deal with the damage, these are perfect. And they're $10. Make sure you check out the whole Esty shop, though. Miss Rack and Ruin has got some great handcrafted jewelry available too. The yellow feather and chain earrings and lock of hair pendants are favorites of mine.

G R U N G E

I'm pretty interested in Michael Lavine's new book Grunge. His photographs chronicled this era of music so well because of his friendships with his subjects (the awesome musicians of the time.) Now that I'm a photography student I really appreciate the darkroom techniques that he used on some of the photos. Another aspect of this book that I'm interested in is the people themselves. I founded this blog on my fascination with the subcultures that are created by music. I still get excited when I got to a show and a lot of the people dress in a similar way. I am interested in how one can translate sound into color, texture and silhouette. I also admire the creativity that music fans used to have to put into making and altering they're clothes. (Remember, there was a time when you couldn't walk into the mall and buy a fishnet shirt, torn t-shirts and see dog collars advertised as human jewelry). Because of this, I might be more excited to see his photos of music fans more than the musicians. Music has been a huge influence on my dress for a long time now and I don't think that will change. As I get older, I'll probably tweak it here and there so that I'll look my age, but everyone will know that I still love to rock.

Steam Punk, Forever

As I'm becoming a supporter of trashion, I've been looking at some crafty ideas on the net. SleeplessStoryteller has many gorgeous pieces crafted out of old clock gears and other recycled treasures on Etsy. My favorite by far is the above "Eternity" necklace. I'm in love with the simplicity of the design. You would think that such an interesting piece would be terribly expensive, but, SleeplessStoryteller has many edgy, beautiful items for quite fair prices. This beloved necklace is $25.