Ready for the Red Carpet with Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012

There are no words for the pieces that came down the runway for Tadashi Shoji for fall 2012. The gowns were of absolute perfection ready to grace Oscar attendees, or an elegant event. Inspired by by the Royal Opulence of the Orient the pieces have a rich heritage with the royal colors fit for a Queen in deep reds, greens, golds and even the softer tones had a royal elegance to them. Fabric choices could not have picked better with brocade, velvets, lace, silk, chiffon and a mix of 2 in one garment. It was hard to choose a favorite but when a certain red velvet gown turned around to show the black lace in the back I was instantly in love. 

mix of metallic brocade and chiffon

burned velvet brocade

Imperial lace

the lace layering is immaculate 

silk florals in subdued coloring

Royal coloring in the velvets.

the lacing details were impeccable. 

Watch for yourself

(all photos are via the web)

DIY Camera Case

Sometimes DIYs come out of necessity, not because we are trying to save money but for practical purpose. 

I have made a camera case because I am constantly throwing my camera in my hand bag and it rolls around in there with so many things that could scratch the screen etc. I first made one a year ago out of felt, then I made one out of a faux leather. This time I decided I need to use a more durable fabric such a thick vinyl, also I decided to make a different kind of case as well.

I have a cannon XSI camera so I am not sure if works size wise with a Nikon or any other camera. But if you have a bit of talent you can modify it to fit your camera. 

Supplies:

Fabric scrap of Vinyl, faux leather or other durable material that is approximately 8x8 inches. (if you use a thick material you will need a special needle for your sewing machine) 

2 strips of ribbon, scrap vinyl, reflector tape each 5.5 inches by 3/4 inches. 

Sewing machine

matching thread 

pins

fabric marker 

scissor

4 velcro pieces that are 1 inch by 1/2 inch each ( you may use stick on or sew on velcro, but I learned that the sticky ones don't stay very well, so I sewed mine on)

Steps:

1. Cut a piece of the fabric to 7.5 inches long by 7 inches wide. I have given myself extra inches on the length but I really wont need it. Depending on your fabric if you have a fabric that frays you need to finish the edges all around so give yourself a seam allowance for that and finish it to the 7.5x7 in size. 

2. Lay the fabric down with the nice side facing you and fold it in half by bringing the bottom edge to meet the top edge. 

3. Sew the seam and trim close to the seam.

4. (picture below) Place you camera in the fabric with the wrong side of the fabric facing you. Squaring off the bottom edge you will get the following picture. Mark the edge with a fabric pen, I used a Sharpie because it won't bleed though my fabric. 

5. (picture above) On the other side pull the fabric together and pin the side seam together. Mark the seam to sew for side and bottom edge. 

6. (bottom picture) Sew on the marked edge and trim 

7. Reverse the fabric to face the right side out. Skip to step 9 if you like to keep your case like this if you don't travel with it with the lens attached.

8. Mark on the outside around the lens cover  and cut out the opening.  

 9. (picture below) Attach velcro to either side of the opening or each side of your flash bump it you didn't cut out the opening. 

 10. Also attach velcro in the back closer together than in the front. 

11. Cut ribbon, reflector strips or leather straps to 5.5 inches long. Sew on the other part of the velcro to the ends.  I used the reflector strips that are 3/4 of an inch wide and added pyramid trim to them. 

12. The final product. 

(pictures above and below) Red case -different version of the case with out opening for lens and hardware added to it to add a chain strap. Blue case - added to shoulder strap and more of the reflector and pyramid trim added . Also added my new Feather patch c/o Blume to my strap as well. 

If you have any questions feel free to ask them and I will be happy to help. 

A Night of Reunions and Fun

While work and real life has conflicted with my blogging life and I was not able to participate in fashion week as I would have like to, I didn't even go over to Lincoln Center at all. I was able to attend the Lulu's NYFW Style Studio Event and Bloggers Night Out (BNO).  

Lulu's was a really fun event, got to see old friends, meet new ones as well as check out some beauty products which I will be reviewing soon. I got there early enough that Jen of House of Jeffers got to take a stroll through the Openhouse Gallery which was decorated like a park and browse the Lulu racks of clothing that we got to pick out one piece from to take home that night. Mostly I was so happy to see my fellow members of The NY Fashion Bloggers Meet-up Group and Kristina from The Rebel Waltz. I haven't seen Kristina since November of 2010 before I was style blogging. 

After the Lulu's event Jen and I trained it uptown to the Bloggers Night Out Party at the Caulfield which was stuffed to the brim with people at the event. I didn't get to check out the tables to much but Jen and I ran into Wendy Brandes who I just discovered her jewelry through Instagram. She and I had a bit of a chat about our recent health issues which has given me a push to write a post about what I went through. 

After chatting it up with a few bloggers, it was time to head out. But I had a wonderful night and was excited when I got home to see what gifts I got to take home. Michael Antonio who's shoes were displayed at Lulu's gave us a gift card to any choice of shoes from their site and a gift card from Marshalls/TJMaxx from the BNO event! 

Teal blouse and polka-dot tights and necklace- H&M

Skirt - Blaque Label via Lulu's 

Jacket - Forever 21

Shoes - Steve Madden

Belt - unknown via Kohls 

Jen and I in our polka-dots and brights! (photo via Lulu's)

Got to spin a wheel and won a BB Dakota jacket that I am sending to Amy of Amy Fashion Blog

Trying to decide what I want to take home. 

Just arriving at the BNO Event. 

There was a table of items from Marshalls and TJ Maxx. 

Wendy and I rocking colors of the night. 

Parranda Melody

So yesterday was Valentines Day and I hope you got plenty of love to last you forever. I am single, but that doesn't mean I didn't get any love. I have the love of my Mother, Father, my friends and God. But I also love myself which is important because I think if you can't love yourself you can't really give love to others. I have learned that lesson the hard way and its something that I am still working on. 

Anyways enough of the mushy sentimental feelings. 

I just wanna say I love these pants, I somehow feel like they make my legs look leaner and longer. I don't mind my muscular legs but they kinda get stumpy in certain article of clothes. I randomly picked up about 5 pairs of pants last week from both Zara and H&M because I realized I don't have real pants other than jeans. 

Star blouse - Sans Souci via TJ Maxx

Paneled pants and fedora - H&M

Jacket and booties - Steve Madden 

Bag - Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses - Raybans

Watch - Kenneth Cole

Red and Gold No.5

Just a quick post of an outfit I wore thrifting a few weeks ago with Tessa of Couture Lust who took these shots of me. Tessa and I hit up the Goodwill Outlet and we picked up a few things. 

Sweater - Kennar via Marshalls

Skirt - Thrifted and restyled

Booties - Steve Madden via Marshalls

Bag - Charlotte Russe

Jacket - Steve Madden via Modcloth Swap

Knee high socks - Urban Outfitters

Tights - Target

Beret - H&M

Glasses - Raybans

My Life in Instagram Pictures

For those who follow me on Instagram, I am sure you have seen my pictures here and there. But for those who don't, I tend to take pictures of my new purchases, things I made, things Ive seen that I think people would also love to see.  If you have an iPhone (sorry blackberry and droid users) you can find Instagram in the app store and you can take pictures of your own! Find me at my profile at NYConmymind.

Have fun Instagramming!

Art supplies and new Zara dress

New Dolce Vita Boots and Zumba for Wii

January snow fall and puzzling

New hair cut and outfit testing

outfit shot and sketching

Tool concert and new Aldo hat

Giants in the Superbowl and a bronze play ground

Old newspaper clipping of my father and shoe jewelry DIY

Cake pops I made and a new bracelet cuff I made