lovely links: ladylike with a kick

"DREAMBOAT" // Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Times from trAndrew on Vimeo.

       I mentioned recently that my cousin will be showing his artwork. It turns out that the event features artists of all kinds, including clothing designers. While browsing the event site I found this video by Jenna Sato, and promptly fell in love with the jackets. They have a retro ladylike appeal that's balanced by the artful decision to layer them over a close-fitting crop top. The clean lines and playful colors and patterns remind me just a bit of Diane Von Furstenberg's clothing.
     While browsing the site, I also found out that "cocktail attire" is recommended. Hmm. I'm not sure what that translates to in very casual Hawaii, but I'll be delving into my closet for something suitable. 

lovely links: make 2013 sparkle

     Carol of In Pursuit of Pretty Things shared a link to a free 2013 workbook in this post (which you should read, by the way - it will make you think).
     Last Friday, I decided to give the workbook a try. While the opening pages suggest that the process takes an hour, in reality I found this took several hours (and I'm still not done with the month-by-month planning and optional letter written by my 2015 self). The opening pages also suggest getting yourself something to drink ... I would add a fortifying snack or two if you plan to do this in one session.
     The process includes choosing a word to guide your year, and mine is featured above.
   Have you ever done one of these planning workbooks before? I haven't, but I enjoyed the experience so much, I think this will be a must for 2014.

lovely links: the personal is universal

My sister, cousin and I had the priceless experience of spending a great deal of time with our grandparents as we grew up. We spent much of our summer at their little green-and-white cottage, and one of the things we cherished about the house was that our grandpa would take a pencil and mark our heights against the left-hand side of the hall. Artist Roman Ondak took the experience of marking his own children's height on the wall and turned it into a simple art installation. The personal is universal, the universal is personal ...

lovely links: style versus fashion

"Style is intimate, when fashion isn't."

Yewon Kim, of girlsack

(read the post here)

lovely links: personal alchemy

     Something that amazes me about artists is their ability to turn dross into gold - to take crushing pain and tribulation and turn it into something beautiful, whether it be a song, story, or image.
    Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath were all such alchemists. Their modern sisters? Perhaps Francesca Lia Block. And recently I've decided that Tristan Prettyman may belong to their ranks as well. I've always thought of her as a "feel-good" singer/songwriter ...  but these stripped-down songs are powerful, honest and beautiful.
     

lovely links: a crown of houses

      I don't go crazy for tiaras/crowns/headgear in general, but check out the pastel plastic house crown here -- it's inexplicably lovely.  Also, love the Weetzie Bat reference!

lovely links: stay messy

•      What's in your "messy life toolbox"? I read this the other day and really enjoyed the message about having an outlet.

                Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro said something like, If everyone played ukulele, the  
          world would be a more peaceful place. A friend of mine said martial arts was his "ukulele,"
          and  that everyone needed to find their own special activity.

• I found this post on Japanese plantation clothing informative and interesting, especially after seeing the film "Picture Bride" about Japanese plantation workers in Hawaii. I'll have to make time to check out the exhibit!

lovely links: shine on

Brandi of not your average ordinary (one of my new favorite blogs) wrote this post encouraging women to be their true selves.

lovely links: who do you dress for?

      While reading this by Elaine of Clothed Much and this by Carol of In Pursuit of Pretty Things,  I was reminded that the whole goal of this blog is to learn to dress like me. True, I'm striving for a more polished image. But in the end, I'll be the same ol' me. The only difference will be that I'll feel more confident and enjoy the everyday pleasure of looking put-together and feeling great. :)
       Reading these two posts reminded me to dress for me: to choose things that fit me and flatter the shape I have, not the lanky model in the magazine; to choose clothing and jewelry that make me happy; to choose items that suit my lifestyle and personality.
     (Wow - I just noticed how many times I used the word "me" in this post. Sorry! Third-person would be even weirder, though). :)
    

lovely links: leap year bonus

     Today you get two, TWO, two wonderful links for the price of one! We (when did I start using the royal we??) at Petal by Petal believe in celebrating Feb. 29 in style.
     Nnenna of Star-Crossed Smile started a sweet little Correspondence Club and posted a roundup. Check out the post if you'd like to join in the snail-mail fun for March ... :)
 

 My pen pal Camille sent me a little gift

 in some very fun collage wrap.

     Kelly of Alterations Needed posted a must-read post on finding a great-fitting blazer. When I reviewed my tweed blazer, I went through her archives and tried to figure out what were
some key fit features. Turns out I missed a lot, so check out her thorough and detailed post!

lovely links: artistic inspiration

I love Nancy Zhang's style -- it ranges from drop-dead elegant, to tomboyish, to pure fun. For this outfit, she was inspired by the work of one of my favorite artists, Yoshitomo Nara.

lovely links: styling flare jeans

   Wendy of Wendy's Lookbook has gorgeous style -- I think of her style as perfectly simple, and simply perfect. There's an elegant minimalism to even her most casual outfits that is extremely inspiring.
    That's why I was excited to see her looking fantastic in a casual yet chic outfit featuring flare jeans. Perfect timing, considering my latest jeans purchase. :)

lovely links: neon roundup

    I distinctly remember owning a neon pink pair of cutoffs in the 7th grade. Not one of the greater fashion moments of my life. :)
    I guess that means that technically, I'm supposed to sit out this year's neon revival. But I did enjoy Belle de Couture's roundup of neon goodies. I'm particularly liking #10 and #14 -- affordable ways to work a little neon into your closet. Which ones are your favorite?

lovely links: my first interview!

    The very sweet and stylish Katherine (katattack2000) just posted my interview, in which I profess my fondness for stuffed reindeer, jewelry, and gingerbread. :)
    One very pleasant thing I learned about blogging from starting Petal by Petal is that there are many stylish, intelligent, creative and supportive fellow bloggers out there!  Thank you, Katherine, for the opportunity to share on your blog. :)

lovely links: petite jeans giveaway

If you are like me, you are still on the hunt for a proper-fitting pair of jeans. Thu of just tututiny is running a giveaway for Allison Izu jeans! Izu is a Hawaii-based designer who designs for women 5'6" or shorter - ladies whom she refers to on her web site as "vertically challenged, fashionably advantaged." :)
Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian followers of just tututiny. Good luck!

lovely links: more amazing gingerbread structures

• Snoopy's doghouse
• Harry Potter's Hogwarts
• Disney's Stitch with his own bakery
• Taj Mahal
• Eiffel Tower

   The gingerbread house database project for class is coming along nicely. I like when instructors let you pick your own topic and apply what you learned in class. :)

lovely links: Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cakes

   I don't watch much TV, but I'm riveted to the screen whenever Food Network's Challenges cake-baking contests pop up. Today they were making cakes depicting scenes from "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (click here to see one of the creations). I am perpetually in awe of what can be constructed with cake, rice krispy blocks, and a lot of fondant and creativity.  I suppose I am just enthralled by edible structures. :)
   

lovely links: boo-ks

    For one of my library science classes, our final project is to design a database. We got to choose the topic. I decided to do something fun: gingerbread house recipes and patterns.
    I've always wanted to make a real old-fashioned gingerbread house. My mom used to subscribe to Ladies Home Journal and I always admired the intricate house they'd showcase on the magazine cover.
   It seems people use gingerbread to build everything from Hogwarts, to the Empire State Building, to the Eiffel Tower. But this one made me smile.
   My list of "fun things to do when the semester's finished" is rapidly filling up, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to squeeze in a very simple gingerbread house project. That is, when I'm not taking photos, or trying to dye some previously loved clothing, or reading all those books I never get to read during the school year ...

lovely links: even bigger prints

Click here to see an amazing skirt on Nancy from The Sea of Fertility.

lovely links: local bling

Check out some stunning jewelry created by Hawaii designers. I'd love the pearl pendant, turquoise earrings and tattoo ring that won in the "under $3,500" category. However, since I find even the clearance jewelry section at Macy's a little dear, they will have to remain a dream ... :)