Sweet Luna~A Fashion Fairytale

Bloggin Confusion...

2011-12-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

I feel like there are so many new technologies popping up EVERYWHERE. It's so hard to keep up with things. I have 3 blogs and I have a blog on my regular Sweet Luna site. I'm thinking the best thing to do is to just do ONE blog. I wish I could just update the site and have it go out and update the Sweet Luna blog here but alas, they don't seem to work together. Oh well....so my updates are now going to be viewable on my site under the blog link....

http://sweetluna.net/blog/

Much easier I think! If I have time though, I will try and transfer some of the updates over here too.

of fashion and fairytales (part 1)....

2011-06-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

This spring I had a couple of opportunities to again volunteer with MNFashion for MN Fashion Week. It was a lot of fun and I met some awesome people.

The first event was The Secret Garden put together by Secrets Fashion Agency in Mpls. It was a fashion show that told the story of Alice in Wonderland from childhood to adulthood. The clothes were amazing and the atmosphere/venue was breathtaking. We had a lot of fun working this event.

Things I'm loving for Spring...

2011-06-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Forever21 never ceases to amaze me with continual ability to stay on trend and give us the items we want for our wardrobes on a timely manner! They have such a great eye for what trends to grab onto and make available at a great price. It just makes sense! I mean, why pay hundreds for designer items when the trend will be gone in a month or two. I, myself, usually go for a certain look and don't find the need to buy something because it has a name slapped onto it and they never disappoint me!

How Time Flies...

2010-04-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

This last Friday my daughter turned 18! It's so hard to believe that she is now an 'adult' and has been here for 18 years. Time definitely does fly by. I'm so proud of her. Not knowing how the decisions you will make when you are raising your child is probably the most scary thing of all. How will you make sure to teach them everything you think they should know and stress the things you really want them to remember. It's strange because so many people compliment me on my parenting saying I did such an awesome job and I'm a great mom but I really don't feel like it was all me. I definitely could have made some of the same decisions with another child and not had the same positive results. She is who she is because yes, I did try and teach her all I could and I tried to stress what I thought were the most important things to learn, but she took it in and didn't dismiss the things I said. She made the right decisions to not give in to peer pressure, to not do things that would harm herself or others, to try and do her best in school and her job. I think that it's a collaboration and we found a way to make it work together. I know that she will continue to become a great adult and be whatever she wants to be. I have no doubt that she will become a great actress and will write amazing screen plays! I'm glad that I am her mom!

Happy Birthday Desta ;o)

photo by Kate Heppner

Love Live the Queen....

2010-02-12T13:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I arrived at work only to find my cube neighbor Matt doing his usual browsing of TMZ. Casually I asked, any juice?? Only to be told the tragic news of Alexander McQueen! Why, I wondered? Why would he be unhappy? I dream of fashion all day but sadly I don't have the wonderful gift of being able to create and dream up new things every day, I just bang out requests for business analysts and buyers and do mundane reporting. It's not that I'm complaining but I would LOVE so much to be able to do something I really LOVE. It made me really wonder why he would be sad enough to leave everything behind. He has become one of the few designers that are able to create unique things and still be accepted into mainstream enough to have their designs sold in many different avenues including Target. I think his collaboration with our GO Interantional area was one that I was most excited about (with Anna Sui closely tied)!! It was such an honor to see his designs on the floor!! I think I bragged for weeks before it set and told people that they HAD to check it out!! I don't think there was a spot in the fashion world that he didn't touch in some way, including costumes for Lady Gaga!

Such a tragedy! He will be missed!

Product Development

2010-01-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

One of my new classes this semester is Product Development. I'm atually taking in independently so I can guarantee to graduate in the Spring. This is all necessary so I am done with school by the time we move in August!! My first assignment was to write a paper on things that inspire me when I think about design and also a designer that inspires me.I have to admit I did the paper in a hurry but it still really sparked my imagination and started me down the path of really looking at what I like and why. I don't think it has much to do with trends now but is somewhat influenced by them, but still I can see that it's probably been my still all along, even in the 80's when I seemed really trendy!

I do get my ideas and inspirations from a lot of areas, as I'm sure a lot of you do, like blogs, magazines, television, people on the street (or skyway now in winter), movies, celebrities, art, nature and so on. But the interesting thing is that we can all look at similar things and get inspired in different ways!

When I’m looking at photos there are things that I take literally like I might see a dress that I LOVE but can’t afford so I will keep the picture stored on my computer to use as a reference later so I can look for a pattern or try and make one myself. But a lot of times I will see something and even though I like it for what the item actually is, it will spark another idea in my head that is totally different. I think that’s why I appreciate photos because it allows my mind to wonder and then start creating things of my own.

I have decided that my style is romantic with a touch of darkness. I guess it's hard to explain but I like the kind of gothic hint but still a romantic feel with luxurious fabrics and lots of lace and vintage jewelry. I also like to look at a lot of Japanese Street Styles because they are so inventive and love to look really unique so you see things there that you wouldn’t see anywhere else and for some reason, I really like the old vintage costumes of Circus girls that rode the elephants and swung from trapezes which you probably gathered from my rants about the Circus!!

Anyway, since most bloggers are very visual people, here are some things that inspire me right now!

Alberta Feretti FW-08 (still love!!!!)

can't remember this site, please let me know if you know!

don't remember the blog here but I LOVE her style in these shots!

the Glamourai, definitely a favorite for daily inspiration!

Lula (online mag), I DEFINITELY need 2 find the source of lace like this!!

and of course one more circus photo for inspiration (from Polyvore)!

A Charmed Life...

2009-09-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

I had the last minute opportunity on Wednesday night to attend the L'etoile and METRO Magazine's Charmed Life event at the International Market Square in Minneapolis. It was so fun and I had a great time helping out my friend Kristy at her table for her JNRR Fall Line!! The event was trunk show style and they had a photo stylist contest that was awesome to see, where they featured clothing and accessories from the designers around the event. I also had the opportunity to talk with Christopher Straub from Project Runway and saw Cheryl Tiegs shopping around before the judging.

At Kristy's table

Shot of the main floor

Style contact model wearing 1 of Kristy's dresses!

Erika and Christopher

Christopher & Cheryl Tiegs at the judging table

Jewels for a princess in a twisted romance.....

2009-09-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

I've always been kinda obsessed with jewel tones. In fact I have come up with a name for my style thanks to Destini; we've decided my style is a bit of a 'Twisted Romance"! If I ever get a clothing line up and running, that will be it's name. I love lace, dark jewel tones, dark nail polish, some leather filtering in, black tights and huge chunky shoes ala Rumi!!! I'm also major obsessed with bib necklaces...the bigger the better as far as I'm concerned!

I'm so glad that jewel tones are all over F/W 09 and into 2010! I've always loved them and it's probably because they love me back. Seriously though, I can't wear pastel, can't be even standing near anything that is close to yellow and look a bit green if I venture towards the autumn color palette so the jewel tones this season sit just fine with me! I loved Alberta Ferretti's main & Philosophy collections. They always seem to be full of beautiful dark, lush jewel tones and rich fabrics. I've also always loved paisley so I'm glad to see it appearing in a major way this season!

Friday's Fairytale

2009-09-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful surprise it was yesterday when scampering through etsy I happened upon a beautiful shoppe called wristielove! I was immediately in love with all of the whimsical wonderfullness of this shoppe. Everything is appealing to the eye and exceptionally crafted. My favorites are the brooches and corsages, especially The Natural is Nice Mod Corsage and the Five-Thirty Clockwork Collection brooches! Oh and not to disappoint, she also has a blog (http://www.wristielove.blogspot.com/☆) with beautiful interior design pics. Check it out!!

Costumes!

2009-09-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just around the corner, which means I need to get finished with my 'circus girl' costume that I started in Pattern Development class last quarter. I still need to finish all of the hand beading and attach the lining to the top, then I need to sew up some bloomers and create a jacket with tails! Those should be quicker since they won't entail all of the couture detailing that was required for class on the bodice. Destini has decided to be Cindy Who from Whoville so we are on the lookout for the perfect red and green accessories and then I will be making a coat with a circle skirt bottom! Should be fun but the challenge will be getting her hair to stand up like Taylor's does in the movie!!

I did pick up some costumes for the cats this year as well. Just wanted to see if they could handle things on their head since t-shirts don't see to work (they fall over, fall of chairs, fall down the basement steps)! So far, the hats work much better although it doesn't mean they like them any more ;o) Check out the look of disgust on Cheruboo's face (Pumpkin) and Vinny (Chicken), well he was fine with it as long as I didn't strap it down but only because I petted him with the chicken costume for a while first!!

Sneaky Peaky!!

2009-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about my new fall/winter collection for Sweet Luna!! For those of you following on the Sweet Luna blog...you get the first peak at what will be available for the preview tomorrow!!

Oh Vera!!

2009-07-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, I'm into fashion but don't have the budget of say, Rachel Zoe. Although I do shop vintage like said Rachel and hunt high and low for unique trendsetting finds, I cannot afford to walk into a store and see a few things and say 'I'll take them all and can you send them to my hotel suite?' So because of this, I look to the discount retailers to supply me with adequate items that I can mix and match with my unique vintage pieces. Target is a big one for me because a) I work there and I know what's coming and frankly GO International does if for me!! b)they do the best at staying in trend and c) DISCOUNT (hello)!! But every once in a while I peruse the competition online to see what they are doing with their big name designers at a lower price point. So today I happen along Kohl's and pop in to see the ever so precise and stylish Vera Wang and what she is doing with her Simply Vera line for them. Color me disappointed!!! What is happening? I stop in expecting to see exciting pieces intermixed with the blah of the normal kohl's Midwestern housewife attire and see none of these! I see basic tees with a hint of ruffles, black leggings and conservative flat shoes (and the mini socks you can hide under them). YUCK! There was no little leather bolero, intricately draped evening dress, or mega ruffled collar cardigan to pine over. GROSS! I think Vera drank that nasty kool-aid they serve there and has forgotten about us little people. Seriously why do people feel the need to conform? I just don't understand what happened unless she completely stepped out of the designing and just signed the Simply Vera name over to Kohl's and said have at it! It looks just like all the other brands there like Axcess or Apt.9. I was more impressed with Avril Lavine's line Abbey Dawn. At least she's staying consistent, while Vera seems to be watering down her line with every season. I should be relieved though really. I didn't feel right trying to run into Kohl's to find the latest line anyway. And don't EVEN get me started at what H&M THINKS us Minnesotans want to buy! Give me a break!! If they supply us with one more season of conservative, button down, puffy sleeved tops I will have a blouse burning party! Sadly the one person I'm impressed with is Patrick! I saw the new things happening at The Gap and he still continues to impress! I LOVE him. I really think Target should have hired him to take over where Isaac left of but since I'm not a decision maker here, that wasn't an option and Gap snatched him up! I'm surprised at all these designers and their empty promises of bringing high fashion at a lower cost! It's really NOT that hard people! I could do it!! I guess I really just expected more! Wait, that's Target's slogan....Expect More, Pay Less. I guess I will stay where I know I will be happy ;o) Next designer coming to Target....(wait for it).......Anna Sui!!!!!!!

Sad Simply Vera (or should I say Simple Vera)

Sneak Peek at Anna Sui for Target (inspired by Gossip Girl)

All Anna Sui pics courtesy of nymag.com

I've joined the CIRCUS!!

2009-02-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Okay not really, but lately I've been really obsessed with all things circusy. At least when it comes to fashion that is! I recently bought some cute circus-like tops from H&M that I am loving with black skinnies! One is a trapeze-type of tank tunic and the other is just a puffy sleeved tee. They both have characters on them that are very circusy and I just LOVE them!

Circus Girl - by SweetLuna on Polyvore.com

Me after a party at a friends house. My hair is a bit fluffy, but c'mon it was like 2am!!
Long sweater coat - can't remember but bought at Opitz, circus dance tank - H&M, black tights - Target, Jeffrey Campbell platform shoeties (no longer on), multi chain necklace - JC Penney's

Overloaded...

2008-11-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

That's how I'm feeling right now. Actually I've been feeling this way for a while! I mean let's face it, working full time, going to 2 schools part time, being a single mom, selling handbags online, and trying to manager my daughter's acting career I am nothing BUT overloaded. When I decided to start enter the amazing world of fashion blogs, I didn't really think I would have any problem thinking of things to talk about. I mean, my friends do call me the story teller!!! But when I have a week like I've had this week, with the unmentionable co-worker still m.i.a. I can barely figure out what to wear. Surprisingly though, I've done well this week and haven't had any days where I felt less than antiquate with my wardrobe choices!!

Anyway, I digress!! What I really wanted to say is, not only do I feel overloaded but I've discovered a new love of outfits (layered) and garment pieces that are 'overloaded'. They are like sculptures or fine art paintings or even award winning quilts, where you don't really know how the artist figures out how they will layer or exactly what colors will look great together, but somehow they make it work! The combination of old found lace pieces, doilies, ruffles, netting...it all looks accidentally but you know that there is purpose being the placement of each layer!

It's just a bib. Not a top but a bib, to be worn with any top or tank and change the look completely! Ironically, I had an idea similar in the making (well still in my head) and now I find this. I will continue with my idea, knowing that this proves I was onto something!

I LOVE this site. Everything is so intricate and layered!

Surprisingly I'm finding more and more that I am really getting a grasp on my style! I found this on Polyvore and immediately saved it to a draft to use later for some special little story board! Then I go read Kingdom of Style to find that Queen Michelle has blogged about the very same! Makes me feel like I'm almost fully immersed in the pool of the fashion elite!!

To Dye For...

2008-10-22T12:06:00.000-07:00

So there are certain things in the fashion world that I can pick up on way before it becomes a trend (which is a good thing) and then a lot of the time, I just catch things as they are beginning or are well into the trend scale. That being said, I've notice a new (okay not new, but reborn) trend of all things dyed. Not just dyed but dyed differently like dip dyed or double dyed making it back into the fashion stream. I think I like it, well not all of it, but there are some particular pieces I've noticed that really catch my eye. It's another one of those trends, however that makes me think HEY, I could't do that myself! So while I ponder on a particular sweater that's at home waiting to be washed after the attempted of dying it brown when it was originally a chartreuse, I'm thinking that I could turn that now army green mostrosity into a dip dyed extravaganza! Well, okay, at least I might be able to make it look a little more interesting! ASOS has some particularly nice dresses that have a dip dyed effect to them.

How Old is too Old...

2008-10-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

So this week the radio station I listen too (KDWB) decided to bring up the subject of 'How Old is too Old' asking listeners when they thought people should stop doing different things. This bothered me! I mean seriously, doesn't it all depend on the person? Maybe I'm sensitive since my birthday is coming up on 11/15 and I'm dreading it. I'm waiting for my friends to catch on and start the teasing. They are all at least two years younger than me and even though I look younger than I am, I still HATE knowing that I'm older! I was especially sensitive when it came to pop culture and fashion. I feel that I'm very intune to what is current because I love it and also because I'm back in college for a Fashion degree. This same week I saw an older woman (probably late 70's) dressed in the most awesome, black and white geometric print sheath dress and chunky heels. She looked amazing and it made me thing that when I'm a grandma I will definitely be a fashionable one! I will wear what I want and what looks great and NOT care that it isn't what is typical for my age group. Why should I? Who says when you are in your 80's and 90's you HAVE to wear polyester pants with seams down the front? Who says you have to wear cheaply made knit sets? NOT ME! I say wear DVF dresses if you want to, there should be no rule to age. I do, however, think that it 's important to take your body frame into mind. As long as I can still wear things from F21 and not look packed and squeezed in and make the garment look the way it's supposed to, I will go for it! Just because I'm a mom to a teen does NOT mean I can't wear the same styles from magazines like Lucky, Elle, Vogue, that she wears! We both put our own twist to it anyway and hey, fashion is a statement, is it not??

After all that ranting and feeling like I wanted to call in to the station and yell at the top of my lungs I'm NOT too old to take breakdancing lessons with my daughter, I'm NOT too old to like the Jonas Bros. or jump up and down when it's time for G.G. to come on! So what if I wish I was Taylor Momsen and be 15 and allowed to quit school to work for a fashion designer. I can if I want to!!!! I was finally relieved when checking out my weekly blog reads I stumbled upon Susie at Style Bubble and her latest post on a blog she found called Advanced Style. What joy to find a whole blog dedicated to more seasoned stylish people of older generations! I knew I wasn't alone!

Zelda Kaplan, 92

Selina Jervis in London

Fashion that sings!

2008-10-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I've been on a kick for a while now with trying to recreate all of the musical sounds of my teenhood. There are so many things that you can't even buy anymore and I miss hearing it! So what joy when I found someone's blog that had a flashfetish on it!!! I've been playing around with it and am adding to 3 music collections so I can share the memories or just fun songs with others. The collections contain Minneapolis music and old skool rap both of which were a HUGE part of my life. In fact, if you check out my site or my etsy store you will see that I have stories to go with each of my bag styles that are from my past and they all seem to come back to one thing....the music!

I think that music and fashion have always gone hand in hand. They go so well together! The fashion is like the icing on a very luxurious cake...don't you think?? I mean, there's a whole magazine (Fashion Rocks) dedicated to this very idea. I don't necessarily mean musicians who design or endorse fashion but a piece of fashion that you know was inspired by music. Here is one picture to show just what I mean. This is a dress that I made by taking inspiration from a Rowena Sartin (okay I copied it almost exactly) dress but since it was all about going to the Prince concert, I knew right away that it had to be Purple! It was like 98degrees out that night but I sacrificed for the sake of fashion! It's made from dupioni silk.

How does music influence your style? Have you put together a look or made something inspired by music?

Welcome

2008-10-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Sweet Luna Blog!

Fashion is a lifestyle, in fact, to quote my instructor at school...'fashion is life; life is fashion'! I want to be obsorbed in all things in the fashion world. I am sad when I'm without it! I may not be able to buy everything I want, but just being able to look at it gives me joy! So this is my blog as a way to enjoy the passion of fashion and share it with others! I hope you like it!!