Style Geek

Who Are You Dressing For? Do You Really Care What They Think of Your Ass In Those Leggings?

2013-03-20T13:08:00.000-05:00

Upon reading "Leggings Aren't Pants. They're Superior." by Amanda Hess at Slate.com, I was reminded of three things: (1) I need a new pair of black leggings;
(2) Why don't I have more patterned leggings?

My Current Leggings Wishlist

(3) Someone out there is always going to be critical of what I (and you) wear.

You can't please everyone - so why not wear something that makes you comfortable? As Hess points out, "Leggings aren’t pants... It's time to stop squeezing our lower bodies into constrictive denim prisons and instead envelope them in a forgiving cotton-spandex jersey... Leggings aren’t tights. Right? Tights have exerted their control-tops over our torso-crotch areas for too long... They create itches that cannot be scratched. The discomfort of the toe seam is, frankly, egregious."

However I have to disagree with her about leggings being unfashionable. While it's true that many just throw them on like sweatpants, there are so many designs and fabrics available, and so many tops you can pair them with that's it's hard for me not to think of them as fashion. Exhibit A: these super-stylish bloggers:

Style Me BAD / The Glitter Thread / Small4Style / Tutus & Tiny Hats / Style Bizarre

The majority of comments I see and hear against leggings are about the pelvic area - our front and back naughty parts - and how nobody wants to see that. It seems that most of these comments, though, are directed at women (and men) who don't have the ideal small round posterior or flat lower abs. For such a sexualized society, we're very anti-flesh - we seem to prefer less of it - but that's another blog. Think of how many models and thin girls are told they look chic and stylish in their leggings. Once upon a time, they were even called "fashion forward".

But if you don't want to see a jiggly butt sticking out from under an oversized tshirt, you can look away, you can change your line of vision. Neither I nor anyone else have any duty to your eyes, we don't have to dress in a way that makes you (or anyone else) comfortable - just ourselves.

Muscles Leggings / Conan Meggings Source

Some people commented that the Muscle Print Leggings were really creepy but what if that's what the girl wanted? She has every right to dress in a way that creeps people out. I'm not a big fan of male anatomy but I wouldn't tell a guy he can't wear "meggings" just because his accentuated package (a la Conan) made me uncomfortable. If he wants to express himself through spandex while emphasizing his jiggly bits, I think it's only fair to point out that women do it all the time with their boobs.

Legging Wishlist Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

[DAILY OUTFIT] Let March Begin With More Things To Do & Being Slightly Overdressed

2013-03-06T00:15:00.001-06:00

I love my black suede trench, makes me feel like an anti-hero in a comic book. After this past (busy) weekend, I'm not sure how long I have to wear it. Texas spring is slowly rolling in like a warm stuffy blanket. This past weekend was also quite busy for me and this month gives no sign of letting up. Friday my friend Yuki had photography showcased at Denton Square Donuts and we went to the reception. Wearing the pictured outfit, I felt a tad overdressed.

Why so Startled?

Saturday and Sunday, we celebrated my sister's 24th birthday. Then this coming week will be our youngest sister's 18th birthday and that's a big one. She wants three new piercings in each ear but I doubt my parents will be happy if I gift her that.

March also marks the beginning of convention season. Alex has been working her ass off to complete the required inventory for two back-to-back anime cons at the end of the month. Her skills in chainmaille have grown tremendously since she started two years ago and her jewelry reflects it. The only glitch right now is how behind I am on her website.

We're wanting to add hairbows with bottlecap details that I will sew and draw before the first convention. However, my mornings are being taken up by what Alex calls an "ongoing, steady gig" a.k.a. a part-time job. Not that freelance design wasn't paying off, but when my old boss called me and offered me my old job back, I became greedy for stability. Six days in and I can't help but wonder if a steady income stream is worth waking up to 30 minutes of traffic and feeling tired all day from lack of sleep. I even forgot to ask for more money.

Good news, though, is that a little extra money means going to go see things like Naked Geek Girls Reading at All-Con on Friday. I was kicking myself for missing Nerdlesque, which included Ms.Pac-Man, Harley Quinn and Marie Curie Gone Wild.

View More Pictures on at Dallas Observer

[GEEK OUT] Come to the Dark Side, We Have a Sense of Style

2013-02-21T01:00:00.000-06:00

Predictable as I am, I found myself wanting to cross over to the Darkside after a double-feature weekend. Imwent to see Beautiful Creatures with Alex and her mom on Saturday then Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters on Sunday with my sisters. I'm easy to please when it comes to action and fantasy movies; I loved and recommend both if you haven't seen them yet.

Both movies, though, confirmed that I would be a villain just for the wardrobe. It's a thought I had before as it seems the bad guys have a bigger sense of drama when it comes to getting dressed.

Kendra the Witch in Beastly, for instance, employs volume in different places to seem a little out there. The Evil Queen from Snow White and the Huntsman, on the other hand, uses cold, rigid angles to express her dark dominance. The Darkside always demands a bit of showmanship, such as Ridley's plunging necklines.

Ridley Ridley Duchannes is a Dark Caster and Siren Beautiful Creatures, which means her true nature was bad and she was always meant to be a seductive villain. I think the black lace on sheer does a pretty good job of conveying just that. And while Gretel's outfits were pretty kickass, I couldn't help falling for the evil witches' outfits.

They do, however, have a bit of "Just Walked Out of Hot Topic" mixed with "What Century Are You From?" (which permeated through the movie in general). I couldn't take my eyes off the horned witch in Outfit #3 - I'd like to add a red skirt with a pointed hem in the middle to my closet.

Images via Hollywood Movie Costumes, IMDB, Fanpop and Fiercekrieg.com.

[STREET SNAP] Girls On Two Seperate Ends of the (DFW) World

2013-02-17T17:44:00.000-06:00

I stepped out of the house this weekend for a little fun. Friday, I went to UNT's presentation of the Vagina Monologues, which is becoming tradition with my friends. It's an emotional rollercoaster but incredibly empowering. My favorite is still My Short Skirt, which inspired a blog last year. This year they added Eve Ensler's open letter to Todd Akin about his comment, "If it’s legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down..."

On our way up to the Student Union's Lyceum, I spotted the co-ed on the left who seemed surprised that I asked for her picture. I love the tights and high-heel sandals look. On Saturday, I stopped by Charming Charlies in Arlington to check out the 50% Off Clearance Items thing I received in my inbox. It was pretty picked over but I liked the store associate's dress and boot combo on the right.

[GEEK OUT] DC (Comics) Fashion Week ~ Superhero Style That Could Save Wardrobes

2013-02-13T21:28:00.000-06:00

Drawn by artist Katrina Navarro about a year ago, these amazing designs recently popped up on The Mary Sue. I love how much detail she put into the designs, taking into account details from the character's original costume. I also enjoy that the designs are NOT costumes, but made up of pieces that you can buy a regular clothing stores - which is exactly what Navarro wanted:

"As you can tell, I love comics and superheroes. At the same time I also love fashion. I thought wouldn't it be great if I could go out dressed up like a Superhero but in a not so obvious way where people would ask me: Why are you wearing a cape? What’s the the mask?"

Black Canary / Raven / Green Arrow

Robin / Supergirl / Wonderwoman

These six are my favorites but you can view more at Project: Rooftop. Also, it seems that Navarro's tumblr is down or I would have a link.

[STREET SNAP] Shades of Black ~ Birthday Night at The Chuch

2013-02-04T18:25:00.000-06:00

I turned 27 on the 21st and spent Sunday evening with Alex and our friend Allison with a plethora of interesting people at The Church. It was my first night wearing my new Hell Bunny Sugar Skull dress that Alex's mom got me for Christmas. The oversized sweater my sister got me for my birthday came off as the night progressed. A big thanks to these wonderful people who posed that night in their delightful style.

[DAILY OUTFIT] New Skull-Print Scarf, Purple Hair & Lessons Learned in 2012

2013-01-30T23:18:00.002-06:00

So 2013 meant a new hairstyle - let's see how long this purple will last - and a new scarf given randomly to me my sister halfway between Christmas and my birthday (last Monday). She realized she wasn't a scarf person but let's call it a New Year's present anyway. The golden-polka-dots shirt was also Christmas present from her and is quickly becoming one of my favorite shirts.

I've had some time this month to really think about last year, reflect on my experiences and vow to never make the same mistakes. It's hard to form generalizations because every experience seemed like it's own little world but there are a few things I feel I've learned:
(scroll past the picture)

The best time to think, plan and organize is under a long, hot shower.
Baths can be a little too relaxing for this. I think the physical process of washing away the daily grime helps to wash away clutter of the mind. The pouring water drowns out most other noise and I get a chance to clearly process my thoughts. Water is traditionally the element of intuition and the subconscious so I'm sure that helps. I recommend keeping a notebook or tablet handy to quickly to jot down your thoughts before you even get dressed.
There's nothing wrong with fighting over the little things.
We're all different and I sincerely doubt that everyone in your personal life (lover, partner, sister, BFF, etc) will share your views on everything. So have a little argument when you need to, agree to disagree - and an hour later you'll realize how insignificant the issue was in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes we just need to yell at each other to realize how much we care. If in an hour, however, you can't shrug it off, then you guys will have to delve deeper.
Make sure to get everything in writing.
This is one of those things everyone tells you but ends up taking experience to really understand. We're all human which means honesty tends to be subjective. I don't mean to say that everyone is horrible but people always want the better end of the deal. So when making deals, make sure everything is spelled out - in business as well as between friends. I've seen friendships die over verbal contracts. It seems stupid because "Hey, who's closer than your BFF?" but, financially, gray areas tend to screw things up.

Is there any lessons you feel 2012 taught you?

[DAILY OUTFIT] When I Grow Up...

2013-01-15T13:59:00.000-06:00

I'm turning 27 in a week. Just three years shy of 30 and I don't really feel like an adult. For a few years now, I've been expecting this AH-HA! moment where things fall into place and everything is clearer (like when I realized I was gay). But, no, the giant hand of adulthood has yet to hit me over the head.

I'm sure this outfit, and various others in my closet, do nothing to help my cause. I've tried dressing "older" and putting away clothing that obviously came from the Juniors section in hopes of tempting the adulthood fairy to sprinkle me with her magic dust. However, I always come back to my poofy skirts, graphic shirts and hair bows - it's what I like, it's what feels the most me.

I finally got around to reading my backlog of magazines and found an article in November's ELLE that made me wonder if the adulthood fairy has retired. It seems I'm not the only 20-something who hasn't quite felt that official "I am a Grown Up" moment. A couple of -Ologists have discovered that our brains continue to develop well into our twenties, and are calling this stage of our lives emerging adulthood.

Sociologists explain that the AH-HA! moment of adulthood as made up - historically and socially - of five things: (1) Moving out, (2) Getting married, (3) Finishing higher education, (4) Financial independence, and (5) Having kids. Because our world has changed so much over the past couple of decades and there are more choices now, twenty-somethings are doing this at an ever decreasing rate.

Personally, I'm not married and I don't want kids, I only hold an Associate's (for now) but I live in an apartment with my girlfriend and we financially support ourselves. So where does that leave me?

The article asserts that it's okay if you're twenty-something and exploring your options - it's actually the best time to do it. From experience, I can attest that trying different paths and weighing all your options can be freeing yet overwhelming. I agree with the author's conclusion of a "strategic searching" so you don't feel like you've wasted an entire decade and have nothing to show for it (like I do in my most depressing moments).

But then the paradox: "How can you sincerely throw yourself into testing alternative ways of living if you're always shooting for a certain outcome?" However, I believe that because of our humanity, we always have an outcome - no matter how vague - in mind. Even when we're out exploring, we're looking for that career path makes us happy (or rich), we're looking for that person who clicks and melts our insides, and we're slowly building the life we want. Remember, "not all who wander are lost."

In college, I had a professor who always said "when I grow" when we touched on interesting new jobs or skills in the fashion industry. I feel she had the right mindset: maybe the idea of growing up and adulthood has become antiquated, pushed aside by a better idea that we can explore our options until we die.

I personally have come to believe that growing up is as simple as working, becoming financially independent and contributing to society. If you're doing it form your parent's basement, if you're doing it with a partner (or three), if you're doing it in hot pink tights and a candy skull shirt - who cares??

Outfit: Shirt & Tights via Walmart Juniors, Skirt via JC Penney Juniors, Jacket c/o my sister who studded it, Boots via DiscountWomensDressShoes.com & Hair Bow via Incorrigible Dames (got it at a Burlesque Show).

[STYLE ICON] Little Red Riding Hood is All Grown Up & Dressing Like a Rock Star

2013-01-09T23:12:00.003-06:00

ABC's Once Upon a Time aired it's mid-season premiere on Sunday, which re-ups Alex's and my TV tradition. While we don't have a lot of shows where we mutually geek out, we are both very much into fairy tales which means we both hate missing an episode. She's a big Disney geek (like her mom) though I enjoy the modernization of the characters juxtaposed with the development of their back stories in the magic realm.

Speaking of character modernization, I love Red Riding Hood's transformation from little girl lost in the woods to hipster-rebel-girl werewolf (yet still maintains a caring demeanor). And while she still has her hooded cloak from the old realm, her collection of hats during the first season more than compensates in our world.

Like her bloody past as the very wolf she feared, Ruby's style is dark and edgy with glimpses of rebellions red in her hair. With red and black as her main color palette, it's no surprise that I would gravitate to the character's style at the beginning. But as the story progressed, her closet also grew with touches of lacy goth, rocker jackets, fashionable slouchy sweaters and trendy sheer tops.

Because she has everything I would love to have in my own wardrobe, and still manages to stay loyal and caring despite the hungry wolf that lives inside her, I've added Once Upon a Time's Ruby a.k.a. Red Riding Hood to my Style Icons.

P.S. Don't blame me if you see red streaks in my hair soon.

[STREET SNAP] Photographer Ambrea Dean, Caught in Rows of Books & Magazines

2013-01-07T13:07:00.001-06:00

Location: Half Price Books in North Dallas
Website: PhotographybyAmbreanDean.tumblr.com

[DAILY OUTFIT] Fighting Evil (Design) By The Moonlight

2012-12-05T18:25:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I haven't touched my blog in a month! And it's not from lack of wanting or lack of ideas, just a slight lack of time and energy. I guess I should thank the universe, though, for the influx of graphic and web design jobs.

I've kept it pretty casual for the past few weeks as my work keeps me chained to my laptop. Apart from family and close friends, I haven't really gone out. I wonder if all freelancers hit this point where their work becomes their life and life becomes work. I'm trying to move past it.

I do have a few new articles of clothing, however, that I've picked up here and there. The melting lip effect on this shirt caught my eye on a recent trip to Wal-Mart. Their desire to keep up with trends is notable but they're oversaturated with animal print.

The necklace - an ode to my childhood - is based on Sailor Moon's transformation brooch. Oh how I've wanted to cosplay her (and Sailor Pluto and Sailor Uranus) but the necklace will have to do for now. With the Sailor Moon reboot in the works, there's more merchandise appearing at conventions and online. My collection (currently a hat, a necklace, two keychains and two plushies) might build up faster than I expected.

And In a Small Way, I Rejoined the Legion of Cosplayers at AnimeFest

2012-11-05T15:03:00.001-06:00

These are pictures from AnimeFest weekend this past Labor Day (way late). I did my first cosplay in years, though, I'm not sure it really counts as it wasn't an anime character. I was Gaz from Invader Zim, partially because it was an inexpensive cosplay I could throw together in two days and partially because my friend Allison already had a Dib cosplay ready to go.

The dress, I bought at some discount store years ago. I ordered the striped tights and shirt from Ebay for under $10 for both. The boots were also bought on Ebay but months ago. Unlike some cosplayers, the hair is actually mine and took three hours to get that purple (and one week to wash out). Finally, her necklace was a craft project I undertook the night before. Never having worked with Sculpey glitter clay, I wish I had known it would take an hour to kneed, and that it picks up little pieces of dirt easily. However, the giant charm is still good after two months.

For those who don't know Invader Zim, our characters are brother and sister, and Dib foils alien Zim's (horribly laid out) plans to take over Earth. Not wanting to be left out, Alex bought a Zim hat. There are plans to actually make her a full on cosplay for future conventions which means I'm not retiring the Gaz outfit just yet. Plus, I liked the few times we got stopped for pictures (style blogger much? lol).

The appreciation wasn't one-sided, of course, as I was snapping a few cosplayers who caught my eye, mainly characters I like from various series, anime and not.


Ryoko from Tenchi Muyo	Elegant Harley Quinn from Batman

Dark Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh!	Sailor Pluto & Sailor Uranus

Awesomely Done Beetlejuice Cast

Tony Stark, Girly Thor & Girly Loki	Seto Kaiba & Bakura also from Yu-Gi-Oh!

[WISHLIST WEDNESDAY] Trendy Bones! Wearing Your Inside on Your Outside

2012-10-24T13:53:00.002-05:00

Check out this beautiful silk coat I saw over at StyleBizzare. It took designer Jamie Avis 4 days, 10 gel pens and a great mix of talent and patience.

Skulls have been a little trendy for over year, seeping past the alternative scene into mainstream. It's no surprise then that around the Halloween season, the rest of the human skeleton followed. The US is a little slow on the pickup, however, as skeleton tights appeared in street fashion for a while.

My go-to place to buy hosiery is Ebay - which can be great for pricing but suffer when it comes to quality. So for I'm 50-50 when it comes to hits and misses. But a few months ago, after seeing the street fashion pics, Ebay disappointed me with the lack of larger sized bone tights. Are there fashionable plus-sized girls on the other side of the world?

Their current selection hasn't changed in terms of sizing. I thought that if I waited closer to Halloween a few L-XL's would pop up but alas. For tights that would actually fit my size 14 ass, I had to turn to Halloween stores like Spirit. The website shows they carry larger sizes (yay!) but most are sold out (boo!). However, I haven't rechecked the store down the street from my apartment lately. The pink ones are pretty cool but I'm still leaning more towards the sheer ones in the middle.

Tights not your thing? Rib cage shirts have been around for a while (with or without tiny hearts) and recently took on more fashionable cuts. My sister (left) found her shoulder-cut-out, semi-sheer top on Ebay but when I searched, my best find was the middle picture in a S-M. I also like Hot Topic's colorful romantic take on the right.

Where else can bones be found? Other than inside your body where they belong... Necklaces and gloves are two other popular places. Just ask my girlfriend, who bought skeletal gloves from Party City and cut off the fingers (left). I've been meaning to do the same.

[TOP TUESDAY LIST] 8 Fashion Affirmations (Or My Style Manifesto)

2012-10-16T17:16:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I really sat down and wrote. I've had trouble putting pen to paper and making it flow. But I was recently inspired by Savage Garden's Affirmation to write my first blog in a couple of weeks.

A bit of a Style Manifesto, I wanted to define the scope of my personal style - and the style I admire - for this new blog.

I believe that no matter how trendy or conservative, classic, conventional or outrageous you dress - you will never please everyone. So don't try, dress how you feel, reflecting who you are/want to be. People will always have, and voice, their opinions but, in the end, your outfit is yours alone.
I believe in glitter and shiny accessories. I truly believe that they will brighten your mood as well as your outfit. I think everyone should own a sequined item of clothing and wear it any time of the day they please.
I believe in the color black and everything it represents: darkness, simplicity and edginess. It's chic and modern yet murky and full of secrets. And it goes with everything.
I believe you don't have to suffer for beauty and fashion. Sure waxing hurts from time to time and corsets can get uncomfortable but don't take it to an extreme. If high heels are hurting your knees, wear flats. If your diet is making you weak and hungry, stop it. If the Spanx is bothering your skin, take it off.
I believe in the "Right Outfit" and the power it has to make or break your day. There are certain clothes that fill us with more confidence than others. There are accessories that put a spring in our step. And I believe that you don't have to spend an hour picking it out - it will speak to you.
Like Audrey Hepburn, I believe in pink. It holds a promise of something tender and pretty - and I believe everyone needs that. I don't believe in it as a representation of femininity but it does have a certain softness. Sometimes our outfits, our lives and situations require softness.
I believe clothing is gender-less. I believe that girls in ties should not be fetishes and boys in skirts should not be revolutions. Hard lines, ethereal fabrics, bows and lace should be open to everyone, no matter gender or lack-there-of. I think the first step is to stop calling fashionable boys "effeminate" and "weird".
I believe that great style begins with creativity and a sense of adventure. All good things have started with experiments and accidents.

When it comes to fashion and style, what do you believe?

Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2013 Picture via Suicide Blonde

[DAILY OUTFIT] Working Hard for the Money, Mixing Spots, Stripes & CSS

2012-08-17T12:36:00.001-05:00

I'm in Week 3 of my full-time freelancing and, like the Little Engine, chugging along. I'm still letting go of that 9-5, steady workload mentality, but I love doing graphic work. Though I figured web design would be my top seller, business cards have become my bread and butter (which is good because they are necessary for small businesses).

The bad thing about working at home, however, is you don't have to dress up to go in. I'm sure the sloppy freelancer stereotype lives on (see the Oatmeal's comic). Recently, I was building a construction company website and only saw the sun when I took Alex lunch. Technically pajamas would have been beyond acceptable.

But I dress up and tame my summer frizz in the morning as part of my motivation. There's always a chance a potential client will want to set up a meeting. The dressy ensemble below, however, was more for promoting my services in the area ( mostly apartment communities and restaurants).

Along with my re-crush of layered bangles, the netbook Alex's mom gave me has also become my Number 1 Accessory. It fits so easily in my purse and, coupled with my external drive, lets me make quick changes to my projects.

[STREET SNAP] Geeks Converge at the Bookstore and This Guy Knows How to Accessorize

2012-08-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

Going out and partying on the weekend is so faux pas, right? Especially when you've fallen in love with a bookworm. Financial strains recently led us to spend Saturday night at Barnes & Nobles. I'm not really complaining - there are nights when I'd rather read manga and sip coffee than push past hot bodies and drink overpriced Vodka (I actually think that's this Friday).

If we had gone out dancing, I would have never seen Aaron, a local leather artisan, looking very much like a modern rogue. His impressive scale-mail (forearm) caught both mine and Alex's attention immediately. There was a pause before one of us asked, "Is he going to Scarborough Faire?"

Seeing him, however, made me realize how little men accessorize in contrast with geek men. Geeky guys are not afraid to enhance their style while representing the things they love. How else could those printed sweatbands become so popular?

If you would like to see more of Aaron's creations, you can check out his Scales of the Serpent Blog.

[GEEK OUT] Victorian Geek and Vampire Colors Inspire Fall Fashion

2012-07-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

Sirius Black and the Green Goblin are back from the dead! ...And wearing geek-inspired Prada. Although it's not my "thing", I'm an admirer of the Steampunk style and fantasy. Alex, on the other hand, is quickly falling with the fiction and aesthetic - she might even dress up as soon as we have money to spend on the clothing and accessories. She is currently making a wishlist with Prada's new Fall menswear collection.

I love "what if" fiction - this one just happens to come with a wardrobe. The main Steampunk details to note in the collection are the circular glasses, high collars and, the double-breasted suit and vest. I foresee menswear getting more dapper as the fashion seasons pass, and this Steampunk-inspired collection is the perfect example that men need more choices.

The geekery continues with a follow up to my Top 8 Vampires post. After flipping through Marie Claire and Bazaar for the past two months, I noticed a trend in deep vampy reds and purples. In vampire fiction, the deep red, burgundies and plums have always been symbolic of the blood and luxury that is normally romanticized in the stories. Personally, I wouldn't mind a dozen women walking down the street with blood red lips and dark purple nails, or vice versa.

I've currently fallen in love with Essie's Devils' Advocate and wouldn't mind a lipstick to match.

Pictures via Design Taxi, We Heart it, Marie Claire August 2012 and Bazaar August 2012.

[TOP TUESDAY LIST] 8 Vampires With Bloody Awesome (& Inspirational) Style

2012-07-24T23:50:00.000-05:00

Despite an obsession with vampires that started at an early age with books, I've never finished an Anne Rice novel. There are also so many vampire movies I have yet to watch (most of them from the 70's). But despite these looming truths, I still consider myself quite the vampire expert... and I have the lore books to back it up (LOL).

One aspect I love about vampires on screen, as opposed to in books, is seeing how the costume designers personify their age, attitude and overall style. Because anyone who has has been young and nearly immortal for a number of years has to have style (unless you're Bill Compton).

I recently went to see Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter and loved every minute of it. Apart from the premise of vampire hunter who becomes president, the action and cinematography make it a must see. The costumes were pretty much time pieces, though the vampires had some extra touches.

I've noticed this a lot in vampire films - everyone is dressed normally and for their time, but then the main vampires and hunters have outfits that stretch the imagination just a bit farther (for instance Anna Valerious of the Van Helsing movie). That's what a good vampire does - stretch your imagination a bit - and they couldn't do it without the right look.

These are my favorites:

Pam, True Blood
She is the very definition of vampire chic, from her outfits to her attitude. Her style perfectly reflects the darkness that comes with being a vampire, and still manages to incorporate high fashion silhouettes and the color pink.
Spike, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
His wardrobe never goes beyond the vampire's quintessential black and red, yet this defines his character. He starts off as just another evil vampire who has killed two slayers (wearing the trench from one as a trophy) but he grows to be more. And there's no enying how cool he looked in 70's punk.
Drusilla, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
As Spike's girlfriend, she doesn't really compliment his vampiric simplicity. Rather her style is influenced by the Victorian era in which she was born.
Lestat, Queen of the Damned
Although he spends most of the movie with almost no clothing, I love how his few outfits scream "Rockstar" and not "Vampire" - which is very much his tortured diva personality. Even in Interview with the Vampire, he was flamboyant.
Nora, We Are the Night
This is a lesser known vampire movie that is on Netflix right now. Nora is the youngest of the vampire group and has that little sister vibe. Unlike the dark styles in the rest of the movie, hers is bright and reminds me of Japanese street fashion.
Danica Talos, Blade Trinity
She is a crazy b*tc# if there ever was one but she managed to look so polished and yet keep her edge. It this balance that makes her a vampire style icon. I also really love her bangs-turned-fauxhawk.
Queen Sophie Anne, True Blood
Another example that vampires don't only wear black, though I think the white and cream clothing was meant to reflect luxury. And as the Queen of Louisiana, she sure knew about luxury and polish.
Selene, Underworld
Selene's style is even simpler than Spike's yet conveys everything you need to know about her: she's deadly, efficient and lurks in dark corners. Also, she is undead as I would find it difficult to breathe while wearing a corset and kicking ass. Would you consider her guns as accessories?

Pictures via Fan Pop & We Heart It

[SPONSORED POST] 1 Website, Two Tops And Then Some That Made Me Sway (SwayChic.com Review)

2012-07-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

Not to quote their About Page but "fun sense of style" is the perfect way to describe SwayChic.com's selection. While it does stay on trend, the brick-and-mortar-tunred online retailer carries the kind of pieces that would get you noticed (especially in parts of Dallas) for being a tad funky and, well, chic.

They contacted me recently about reviewing their website, so the first thing I did was put on my geeky web designer glasses and examine the sites layout. As more and more business move online, a store's web presentation is just as important as the physical store. For instance, who likes shopping in a messy store where items are hard to find? And isn't it normally a store's decor that draws you and and let's you know that it carries products you'd like? (That rant is for another post.)

With a white background and dual-tone color scheme, it seems that the floors on SwayChic.com are squeaky clean. The layout is very open and links are easy to find. Onto the clothes and shoes my shallow little heart took me but be warned that there is no sorting mechanism apart from the main item categories (dresses, tops, brights, jewelry, etc..)

They granted me enough credit for two moderately-priced items, which weren't very hard to pick. The selection is very colorful and fun, and while the bold colors were eyecatching, I gravitated to the black. Even in this heat, it's my kryptonite. FYI, there are plenty of sheer tops and tanks for these hot summer days you'd rather be naked - like these two they just added.

I first fell in love with the black Claws tank below. But apparently so did a lot of other people because it was sold out in my size. I actually came across the words "SOLD OUT" quite a bit. It was quite annoying when I also fell in love with the suede wedges that were Sold Out in size 8. And here I thought my "individual style choices" made me a special snowflake! [^__^]

I ended up choosing the two shirts at the end: Galatic Sheer Button Up & Metallic Print Tank. I was a little worried (and disappointed) that the largest size they carried was an L because I normally wear XL. However, the tops I chose were originally loose-fitting (as is the trend) and fit really well - as you can see below.

The fabric on the tank top is light and soft, which is perfect for this weather. I've gotten compliments on the asymmetry of the Galactic top but the sheer feels little thick when I'm outside. Did I mention it's the kind of summmer you spend naked? Alex told me that while cosmic shirts may be considered chic by some, this one just makes me look like a bigger nerd. Something about spending too much time reading about aliens, black holes and loving the movie Contact.

[TOP 10 TUESDAY] Downsizing a Messy Beauty Counter to My 10 Carry-Everywhere-Essentials

2012-07-10T20:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not proud of this but I felt it would be a good post. I let my little corner of the bathroom counter get way out of hand over the last few weeks. My beauty products have never been a high priority hence the mess of old, damaged and unorganized makeup.

It finally got on my nerves so I've decided to clean out and organize said bathroom beauty corner. I was completely surprised by how many eye pencils there were. In my defense, most of them - as well as most of my makeup - are gifts from Alex's mom. She enjoys buying for a girly girl.

The NYX Jumbo Pencils seemed really great a first but they get greasier with time and harder to sharpen. While getting rid of a few tubes of lipgloss, including a Kat Von D that went from glossy to sticky within a few months. How long are you suppose to keep a lip gloss?

But after tossing out a few things out and putting others in their correct place, I finally got my half of the counter to look like this:

Alex was doing a happy dance when I showed her. I swear I'm not that messy. I was doing a happy dance because I finally got my travel cosmetic bag in order as well. Which brings me to my Top 10, because unlike my women, I don't like my bags to feel overly 'chubby'. So I skimmed it down to the 10 items that are must-haves when I'm running around.

Mini Brush & Mirror Case
bareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara
My mom always stresses mascara as a must before leaving the house.
Claire's Clear Lipgloss
Two Faced Starry-Eyed Liquid Glitter Eyeliner
NYX Black Eyeliner
I feel naked without black eyeliner. It doesn't even have to be thick.
Colour Riche Tinted Lip Balm
It adds a bit of color and has SPF 15.
Mini Nail File
Fruit Frappe Body Lotion Sample
Warpaint Beauty & Jeweling Eyes Eyeshadows
I cheated here but until I find a small shadow pallet I like, I'll count these as one.
The Body Shop DREAMS Sample Perfume
I have about three other sample perfumes that I'll change out occasionally.

The Outlast Lipstain represents the optional #11 lip color that I may or may not carry. Alex likes those days because it means the color doesn't pass onto her lips (so now I'm using the lipstain).

So what are your make up essentials? What do items do you feel you need to carry in your bag at all times?

[DAILY OUTFIT] Guess Who's Helping Out With Fashion Week DFW

2012-07-05T21:45:00.000-05:00

THIS GIRL!

Yeah, so I'm helping with Blogging and PR for Fashion Week DFW - which is scheduled for March of next year. The plan is to make it bigger and better than any other event that has called itself the Fashion Week of Dallas. The gears are already in motion with a Fashion Friday event tomorrow and a kick off at the end of the month.

I'm really excited to work on this event and with this team. When we make this happen, Dallas will (finally) have the Fashion Week it's been wanting.

Now it's time to get back to sending e-mails... I have about a dozen to go and a late dinner on the stove.

Dress - xhiliration via Target
Blazer - Torrid (I love this thing. It makes anything look professional.)
Sequin Scarf - Claire's
Ring - Kohl's
Hello Kitty Necklace - Hot Topic
Purple Revlon Top Speed Nail Polish

[WISHLIST WEDNESDAY] Chanel Fall Couture Show Gives Us New Vintage And Glittery Legs

2012-07-04T15:22:00.000-05:00

In her recent coverage of the Chanel Fall 2012 Couture Show, Fashionista.com's Cheryl Wischhover asked, "Are we all going to be wearing shiny pantyhose this fall?" My only thought was, "Hell yes please."

I really liked the shiny stockings because they brought a touch of light to the somber collection. And don't take somber in a bad way, I just mean that the colors and shapes convey a gloomy kind of beauty. It's the kind of beauty that catches your eye on a stormy day, when the good memories of lost love leave you with a single tear.

After reading the article and having these borderline emo thoughts, I instantly took to the web to find some "shiny pantyhose" and "glitter stockings". Whether or not they'll be a hot Fall item is still up in the air but I sure enjoyed them. And Chanel proves that they look amazing with a wardrobe comprised mostly of black.

If you look on Google, you will find a lot of glitter stockings for under $10, most of them by Leg Avenue. I've purchased Leg Avenue hosiery before but I don't remember much about the quality.

If you really want a deal, Ebay has various sellers peddling "shiny pantyhose" in various colors, not just Chanel's black-silver shade. The only problem there is you get what you pay for, but at $3.59 a pair, I'm taking the risk to try them. Hopefully, by the time they arrive, the weather will have cooled down and wearing them won't be uncomfortably hot.

Runway pics via Style.com & Pantyhose pic via Ebay Listing I'm Buying

[STREET SNAP] Anime Nerds With Lacy, Rocker Style at A-Kon 23

2012-06-30T23:30:00.001-05:00

[DAILY OUTFIT] Who Needs a Camera for Outfit Photos? 2 Android Apps to Simplify Your Life

2012-06-25T10:45:00.000-05:00

Can you see all the hail on the ground behind me? I took these pictures mid-storm before the huge golf ball chunks fell. Texas has crazy weather sometimes but the hot, mugginess is pretty much consistent. That's why I'm spending most of my days in these bedazzled flip-flops Alex's mom gave me. This means I'm going to have to pay way more attention to my toenails, though.

Since my new Galaxy S2 phone takes 8MP photos, I'm going to start using it for my outfit shoots and give my point-and-shoot to my mom. I might regret this later at events but who knows - the phone might do good indoors as well. I also found a really awesome FREE Android app that puts pictures together: PicsArt. In conjunction with the Pixlr-o-matic app, I don't think my outfit pictures will ever see a computer again (thought my phone's battery will probably drain faster).

Lace Cape via Nordstrom Rack
Skirt via Mom and Local Bazaar
Jewelry via Hot Topic & Claire's

[DAILY OUTFIT] Stripes, Spots & Batwings ~ Plus New Plans for Creepy Things

2012-05-31T19:34:00.000-05:00

A steady stream of web and print design business has been trickling in and keeping me busy lately. I just finished UneekInk.com and DaKandyShop.com, but I'm still working on OGpoppy.com and my own site Style-Geek.net. Lots of tattoo websites - not that I'm complaining since I recently bought some flashy summer sandals (pictured below). I'm still getting the hang of walking in them as they are kind of heavy and don't like uneven surfaces.

I've also been asked to chair some fashion-related commitees, which I'm not able to talk about just yet. I'm excited but worried about time contraints. It was recently brought to my attention that I take my new netbook to every social outing, and that I've neglected my family for about two weeks (turns out my mom is starting a new job on Tuesday WTF). So it's probably not the best time to plan new projects but I think my brain would shrivel up and die if I stopped having ideas.

Pink Animal Print Tank, Walmart • Striped Skirt & Batwing Shawl, DOTS • Necklace & Belt, Hot Topic

The Beginning of Madame Creepy'sAttic

And what pray-tell is this new idea that threatens to burst hungrily from my head unless given full project status? It's not really a "new idea" but an old dream I had of owning a boutique that catered to people with darker, stranger tastes. So kind of like Hot Topic? Yes and no, because the twist is that Madame Creepy's Attic (working name) is a resell shop. So its more like Buffalo Exchange meets Hot Topic with a little bit of thrift thrown in.

I'm still working out the business plan but I'm taking Alex's suggestion and starting with an online storefront in the coming months. I hope one day it becomes a brick-and-mortar store (because I want to decorate the hell out of it) but I don't know if Dallas is the right city for it (though it would be nice in Deep Ellum).