Cotton Candy Girls

I see a lot of girls come in at work with cotton candy colored hair.  Some have pink streaks.  One girl cleverly paired her pink with turquoise earrings.  Others have the bottom inches of their long dark hair colored blue, like it was dipped in the ocean and changed forever.  I always complement these girls and admire the way some of them choose their clothing.  I think it must be fun to complement your funky hair color with your clothes.  I don't like to coordinate (match), so complementary coloring is something I find appealing.

For many years I've wanted to dye mine with cobalt blue streaks.  But, my hair is very dark and curly.  So curls + bleach = frizz problem.  I do embrace my level of frizz as it is, sort of Klimt-ian. I can control it at times, and I love my mane, but I don't want to create dead, dry frizz.  Is there any way for me to get my bright blue streak without bleach?  I'm still investigating...

anna tsuchiya

*photo sources unknown

Fresh Off the Digital Press

I contibuted some interviews to Hook and Line, an online music and art zine.  This issue features image makers.  My two pieces are on Neil Krug (Invisible Pyramid, Pulp art book)  and Alexandra Valenti (Free People, Heyoka Leather)

Check them out HERE

On the Job

In today's outfit choice, I'm going for a the Mika Nakashima dress and footless tights look.  Funny, I wrote her down as a style icon in my job application.  Unlike Mika, I will not be wearing heels for my eight hour work day.  Black cowboy boots should do the job.

David Bowie tee from UO; floaty black dress, thrifted; purple leggings, gift from mom-mom

Mika Photos from nana-nana.net; Oricon Style Magazine & Pretty Style Magazine

Outfit Photos by me

Galaxies Fall Down Like Sheets

I'm not really the science type.  Of course I respect science and people who can decode and understand it's intricacies.  Remembering molecular structures just is not my forte.  I used to think that outer space was not my kind of place either--mysterious happenings, light speed, and no oxygen.  Yikes!  But, in a college science class I found myself wanting to rip the pages out of my text book (I didn't.  Selling it was a better idea.)  The exploding galaxies, cloudy stardust, and the prism of colours enchanted me.  Clearly, all this has enchanged Shabd Simon Alexander as well. 

Simon-Alexander is the designer behind Shabd is My Name.  She uses tie dye techniques to replicate exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and stardust in patterns that Ziggy would have definitely worn on stage.  She even names them after galactic structures, Aurora, Nebula.  Shabd, let's hang out.

Check out her secret on Matha Stewart.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/tie-dyed-leggings#ooid=ZwaXAwMjqS2VTVHRLNwwTPtfSx0zHfA6

The result:

*photos courtesy of NASA

Black Boots with a Worn Out Sole/ Same ol' Blues/ Rock n' Roll

I love my boots.  I've worn the same dark brown pair of riding boots few 3 years, and they are falling apart.  When I love something, I wear it to death.  A struggle then results in having to find a replacement that will bring me as much joy.  It's been nearly a year since I deemed my favorites unwearable, but I still haven't found the perfect new pair.  I did purchase vintage black Durango cowboy boots on a thrity steal, but the leather sole is no good for the winter months.

These Rogan/Frye boots (available at Urban Outfitters) could be the answer to my woes.  Both durable and rocker, they are real leather with spectacular pyramid spike details.  I'm probably going to star saving...

Legs

Etsy is a place for adventrue.  For me, anyway.  I often type in something random, like "fairy" or "turquoise" just to see what I'll find.  Lately, I've been more specific.  My current Etsy oggling addiction is leggings. 

I used to be afraid of leggings.  The word leggings brings to mind neon colour schemes, stiff crimped hair, and TMI.  But upon asking for purple stockings one Christmas, I instead recieved purple leggings.  They're durable, yet decidely unpant-like form left me bewildered.  Over the years I have professed my love for jeans, and mere admiration for dresses.  But now leggings have become that important part of my wardrobe: an every day staple.  And the dresses are getting much more wear.

Leggings seemed to be only for the lean legged and statuesque, like Queen Michelle who wears them so well.  Through some styling trial and error I've found the perfect look for a petite, yet not boyish one like myself.

I have black, grey, camo, the red + white star spangled pair from H&M and even tie dye American Apparel pairs.  I prefere mine soft, yet thick enough to be worn with tunics and mini skirts.  Giant long band t-shirts with low slung belts work well, and fit my every day look.

Leggings' most appealing feature is one fashion no-no: comfort.  They are SO comfortable.  I can walk my dog, ride my bike, test the velocity of a stream, or go out for the night (or do all of those things in one day).  The best part, especially for the stressed, collegiate portion of the population, is that when styled simply but well they are comfortable.  No need for sweat pants.  No one will know that your actually schlepping it.

leggings and photos by xannabotx on ETSY

No Sleep Sheep

The result of a DJ and designer collaboration usually involves spandex, sequins, and leather; not knitting.  A combination of knitwear and late hours brings to mind a good read and peppermint tea.  But Electronic Sheep's latest collaboration with the DJ group Broken Hearts is off kilter in all the right ways.  The Fall/Winter lookbook shows a mixture of styles for nomads off beaten Eastern Europen paths, or on the streets of New York. 

For a fan of layers, whether they be neutral, black and grey, or colour, the idea of grabbing a stack of Electronic Sheep scarves sounds like a dream.  Plus, the hats are a perfect way to snuggle your earbus into place this Winter. 

Check out more Electronic Sheep women's, men's, and children's wear here.

Tunes by the DJ ladies behind Broken Hearts can be heard here.

Hysteric Denim

I've been wanting to patch up a denim jacket for months now.  There was one hanging in my closet, but a late night it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time sewing experiment made it meet its fate.  So, I'm on the hunt for another one to make my mark on (successfully this time). 

These Hysteric Glamour jackets rock.  They make me want to swing by a couple thrift stores tomorrow.  I'd never thought of putting patches all over the sleeves before.  We'll see what happens.

1 PJ Harvey/ Missed
2 PJ Harvey/ 50 Foot Queenie