INSPIRATION: Fire Walk With Me

I've spent the majority of my summer delving into the mysterious and seductive world of David Lynch's masterpiece, "Twin Peaks." The show is a cinematic gem, like a film broken up into multiple extended segments spanning two seasons. While the revelation of Laura Palmer's killer may have sent the series into a slow, agonizing downward spiral, its film noir stylings and errie paranormal qualities linger on in the mind of the viewer. I've experienced a bit of "Peaksmania," albeit 20 years too late. I began the prequel/epilogue film, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" today, and I am already enraptured in the stylish mystery only David Lynch can bring to my senses.

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"Remember, Lil's wearing a sour look on her face. Her face had a sour look on it.
We're gonna have problems with the local authorities. They're not gonna be receptive to the FBI.
Both eyes blinking means trouble higher up. The eye is the local authority.
You notice, she had one hand in her pocket. Which means they're hiding something.
And the other hand, made into a fist. Which means they're gonna be belligerent.
Lil was walkin' in place, which means there's gonna be a lot of leg work involved."
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"Let me ask you something, Stanley: Did you notice anything about the dress?"
"The dress was altered to fit her. I noticed a different colored thread where the dress was taken in."
"Tailored dresses are a code for drugs. You notice what was pinned to it?"
"A blue rose?"
"Good. But I can't tell you about that."
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It looks like Vice Magazine was too inspired by the film and published a "Fire Walk With Me" photo spread last year.









Additionally, Vice published another Twin Peaks-inspired photo shoot that was spot on and so much fun. The shoot inspires me to dress up and attend a themed party.
I'll be sure to wear my best 1990s-inspired-by-1940s oversized sweaters, pencil skirts, saddle shoes and half a locket. *wink*

TIPS & TRICKS: Lustrous Lashes

I won't lie... sometimes I spend minutes to hours watching makeup tutorials on YouTube. There is something so soothing about watching a makeup artist create a beautiful and interesting face. It's like watching a painter create colors and shapes from a blank canvas. Some blustery winter days I would shack up in Kent's School of Art building and drink coffee while watching people work. I could get lost in the brush strokes and application of color. The same holds true for watching a makeup master transform her face into something magical.
Aside from the mesmerizing transformation, sometimes these tutorials really open my eyes to a clever and simple trick to achieving a great look. Sometimes I value these tutorials like an instruction sheet or textbook.
This video by Michelle Phan gave me one of those "Ohhh!" moments. I love learning things and solving problems, and Michelle really taught me something about a very simple product: Mascara.



Lustrous, doll-like lashes are something I find appealing, but knowing the ~secrets~ is very eye-opening (no pun intended).
Watch this simple video for choosing the right mascara.

My "Real" Job: Luna Negra Magazine

I have a notebook full of ideas for this blog — many of them old posts I published in the various blogs/xangas/livejournals I've had throughout the years. I created this blog to condense all the things I come across in life which inspire me. Right now, it is fashion, style, literature and music. Broad areas, I know, but differing categories of interests keep things fun and fresh; combining these passions and expressing them through clothing, writing or artwork keeps my thoughts cohesive and inspiration flowing each day.
But! Onto the point of the matter: I wanted to pimp the literary and arts publication I am currently serving as Co-Editor-and-chief for: Luna Negra Magazine!



We've been hard at work this summer on a brand new website and have revamped our posters, business cards, submission criteria and overall promotion and perspective of the magazine. I am beyond excited to share with you all the fantastic submissions we've gotten, and I can only hope to see more!
Sure, this entry isn't about fashion, but as I've stated before: This IS NOT a fashion blog! Fashion-related, definitely. But first and foremost, it is my personal inspiration board.
And nothing is more inspiring to me right now than the hard work I'm putting into Luna Negra.
And don't worry — I don't get paid to pimp the magazine. I get paid to read submissions and format the magazine to reflect partially my vision. This means begging my talented friends, readers, acquaintances and even strangers for their work. So don't be shy! Submit!

INSPIRATION: Prints, Prom and Pin-Ups

Some of life's extravagances have a tendency to be romanticized. My personal teenaged dreamy ideas include a body full of extraordinary tattoos and having a glamorous prom night. Unfortunately, these things become a bit out of reach when life's general blase becomes more and more apparent with each passing, predictable day. However, dreams can still exist, and there's no reason for us NOT to keep lusting after our teenaged fantasies, is there?



















Prints & Pin-Ups - Vogue Italia
Prom - Stephen Marr

INSPIRATION: Boyz Boyz Boyz

I remember envying boys' fashion at a young age when I stole my cousin's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles underwear and wore them over my Christmas present-pattern tights. It was a fashion statement, to say the least. From stealing boyfriends' flannel shirts to purposely buying guys-sized band tees (because they fit better!), taking a nod from the male gender can be a splendid idea. The clothes are generally more comfortable, tough and can highlight a lady's body in different ways than dresses and heels. Let's hear it for the boyz.




Tough, greaser boys in studded jackets, rolled up jeans and the best black boots are classic Danny Zuko dreamboats. Borrow his beloved jacket and wear it over anything. Slick your hair back into a fierce ponytail and get ready to do some drag racing or ass kicking or whatever it is you do.



The Michael Jackson-meets-Adam Ant vibe of this jacket is supreme! This gal's got it right by rolling up the sleeves and pairing it with a dazzling disco one-piece below. A sick pair of tights and heels will add a feminine edge and still show 'em who's boss.



Take a cue from a bad boy's jacket and stud up your jeans! Or his jeans! Cut them into shorts and shine while you shake it. I'd suggest trimming men's jeans about 6 inches past the pockets, folding the bottoms up then studding (and stunting) away.



A sweet guy in a sweater keeps you warm and safe, but nabbing the threads and wearing the top over a courdoroy shirt, tights and boots will keep you cozy all day.





If your lad has a closet full of button-down dress shirts he never wears, ask to steal one and make it into a comfy, lightweight pair of shorts using this killer Threadbanger tutorial.

Think men's vests with babydoll dresses, oversized blazers with a tee and skinny jeans, long band tees and sweaters with leggings or tights. Men's fashion is fun, and it can be feminine too!

5 FAVORITE THINGS: Beauty Products

They say your body changes every seven years, and I find this to be remarkably true. Seven years ago, I was seeking out beauty products for dry skin, tangled hair and unruly eyebrows. Nowadays, my beauty product collection seems to consist of too many lipsticks, blemish creams and mascaras. Through all the phases one goes through concerning personal appearance, we all know that trial and error seems to be the best method in establishing your essentials. I've compiled a list of beauty products that have worked the best for me throughout my teenage years and twenties. I can thank my mother, a former Avon and Mary Kay sales lady, for teaching me about makeup at an early age and consequently informing me that pounds of makeup doesn't make a girl beautiful; it breaks out her skin and is a huge pain to wash off. The right products can enhance your natural beauty and correct any imperfections that make you uncomfortable. I stand by the mantra "less is more," but I shudder to think of how much money I've spent on useless products when the cheapest items are often the most effective.


Neutrogena Body Lotion - Light sesame formula

This is hands down the best lotion I have ever used. It makes my skin so silky and smooth, and the fusion of oil and light lotion leaves your skin feeling soft all day. The light, clean scent smells wonderful and won't overpower if you choose to wear perfume. This is a great warm-weather lotion that dries quickly and won't sweat off. I also love pump lotion bottles, so that is an added bonus. This formula is great for dry skin and will not leave oily skin clogged.


CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers Foundation

I have a very pale complexion, so finding an inexpensive, quality foundation that matches my skin tone often poses a bit of a problem. However, I was pleased to find that CG Smoothers (in 705 ivory) matched my skin flawlessly. Not only was I pleased with the pigment, I was also surprised at how lightweight this formula is. This a great foundation for days when you want good coverage of any discoloration or dark circles but do not want to cake your face with makeup. The foundation feels like a lotion and does not dry with a chalky finish. You may need to pair this with a concealer for blemishes because the coverage is not thick or matte. I love this foundation for summer. Covergirl also uses the Aqua Smoothers formula in a tinted moisturizer for maximum smoothness and slight coverage.


Pixi Succulent Lip Twin Lipstick/Lipgloss

This lip color combo is awesome for traveling light and transitioning from a day look to a more formal night out. The gloss is shiny and the tint is translucent. The color in the gloss can be seen, but it is not bold like its lipstick partner. The lipstick color is matte and opaque and looks lovely on its own, but when paired with the gloss, lips appear fuller and more dramatic. The gloss is great for summer days, and the lipstick is perfect for nights out. Together, the two make a statement. I purchased the shade Poppy Red, but I am very tempted to try every hue. The only downfall to this compact lip color is the taste - While the shades may look like fruity delights, don't expect them to taste like Lip Smackers.


Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Body Mist

I stepped into B&B to find a giant half-off sale on tons of the store's aromatherapy products. Because the chain is changing its label design, it is practically throwing away some of the best products. Hence, I purchased the Lavender & Chamomile ("Sleep" - The above is a modified version in Lavender Vanilla) body mist for half off. While most quality perfumes will run you anywhere from $30-$100, I purchased this glass bottle of bliss for a mere $7. One spray of the fragrance lasts all day, and the scent smells like a combination of incense, tea, sweet flowers and clean laundry. I love wearing it because I feel relaxed whenever I catch a whiff. The aromatherapy collection is great to spritz on your bedsheets, body or clothing. Natural scents like orange ginger increase energy, black currant vanilla stimulates sensuality and eucalyptus spearmint decreases stress. I think each of these scents is amazing, and they remind me of drinking tea on a rainy day. I was surprised at how long the body mist lasted on my skin and how inexpensive this great product was.


Eggs!

Yes, you read that correctly. Eggs. More specifically, egg yolks. I've read that egg yolks do wonders for blemishes, and I never really tried it until recently. Let me tell you something - It works! What I like to do is separate the yolks from two eggs, mix them up with my fingers, then apply a thin layer of the yolky goop to my entire face like a mask. I leave this on for about 15-20 minutes until it hardens and becomes difficult to move my mouth or lift my eyebrows. Then I wash it off with a gentle face cleanser and moisturize. The yolk has significantly reduced the size of my blemishes and made my skin incredibly smooth. I've heard that you can also use the egg whites to give you a "temporary face lift," but I just prefer to toss them in a pan with some seasoning and make a tasty egg white omelet.

The second round of my 5 Favorite Beauty Products is coming up! Stay tuned.

INSPIRATION: Clarissa Darling

If you were a child of the '90s who took breaks from your busy days of playing with pogs and rollerblading to watch TV, you probably had your first "OMG ROOM DECOR!" moment with Clarissa Darling's boudoir. Clarissa Explains It All was the perfect Nickelodeon sitcom about a sassy preteen girl, her dorky and annoying brother and the sweet, seductive boy-next-door Sam. (I, for one, wanted a ladder going up to my bedroom window and my own multicolored phone before I realized that's just one big illegal booty call waiting to happen.) Clarissa's kaleidoscope room, with its wacky found objects as wall art and iguana named Elvis, was reflected perfectly in Ms. Darling's closet. Her outfits were wild, unpredictable, but still totally cohesive and wearable. She was the anti-Clueless, bringing a chainsaw to Cher's closet and constructing some of the most admirable '90s fashion to date.


A vest OVER an oversized denim shirt? What a '90s staple. The combat boots are killer, as are the '60s retro scarf and bracelet. I'm not sure if printed bike shorts will ever make a comeback, but Clarissa pulls it off by pairing the skin-tight leggings with a long top that will cover any unmentionables.



I love when Clarissa wears these big, thick black headbands. They recall the 1990s' fascination with the 1960s (I remember owning a pretty groovy pair of flared jeans with smiley faces and peace signs all over them). The black turtleneck is very chic, as is the red vest (Perhaps it's a dress? Either way, I dig it.) But the DINOSAUR EARRINGS are what really sell this look. Perfect.


I adore Clarissa's DIY wallpaper pattern: Painting a checkerboard over her mother's handpicked matronly floral print. Clarissa's baking outfit parallels this wall pattern: A striped, jumbled plaid tie-dye button down with checkerboard suspenders and a floral apron. I like to imagine Clarissa used her room as outfit inspiration. Also, let's take a moment to admire Sam's oversized mint hoodie and, of course, the sexy chef's hat. He looks like American Apparel's dream muse.


This may be my favorite look of the bunch. It's so classic Clarissa. The polka dot swing babydoll top, earrings and hat are a matchy-matchy glimpse of perfection. The combat boots add a touch edge, and the rolled jeans and hot pink tights are a shock of originality.


Like many of today's hipsters, Clarissa tries on a pair of black-rimmed glasses in order to appear "smart." I think this lady's pretty intelligent on her own (she explains it ALL, remember?), but the spex suit her. Her '70s peasant top, giant watch and awesome earrings are what I like best. Below, she pairs the top with a floral skirt and black leggings. I hope she topped it off with combat boots.


Cher may have had a computer program that picks out her daily outfit, but Clarissa had software to help her solve everyday dilemmas. She had the creative edge to come up with these genius ensembles herself. And for that, she is my favorite '90s style icon.