Materials shopping and some work inspirations

A little of what's happened this week...

1, 2 & 3. The past 2 days found Mark and I going around Manila materials shopping and doing tasks. 

4. Got some color and design inspiration from stuff lying around 

[bazaar-bought hobo sling bag from Africa, gifted embroidered wallet from Thailand, Quiapo retro sunnies]

5 & 6. A few of the dreamcatcher sketches I worked on plus some new materials I'll be dabbling with.

7. Drilling shells plus a newly-bought tie-dyed wrap 

8. Inspiration from one of my favorite Native American arts and crafts book.

These past few days had Mark and I going around Manila shopping for materials I haven't really been able to take photos for Threads because of this and I guess it will take a couple more days until I can go back to it. 

Just have to do a little work desk and materials organizing then I'll be back to creating the new pieces. Oh, I'm also thinking of holding a sale at the shop real soon. 

Have an awesome weekend everyone! 

                 

Threads: Come as you are

OUTFIT DETAILS

Plaid top - vintage, from my mom's friend / Pinstriped leggings - Leg Love / 

Rust suede moccasin boots - thrifted / Bowler hat - SM Men's accessories / 

Phoenix Tassel Necklace - Summer Soul Gypsy

Crazy weather we've been having lately. You start the morning with the sun shining real bright but come noon, it's all rain. It's been like these for days and if you're in the Philippines like I am, you'd know how unpredictable weather in this country can get. My schedule for the past days have actually been rearranged because the places I should have been heading to were flooded. Fingers crossed that the heavens will be nicer today as I'll be heading to the really flood-prone areas of Manila to stock on supplies. 

Posting this eighties grunge inspired OOTD. I love how this wool-like yet not-so-warm plaid top can be comfy in rainy or even warm days. And these leggings from Leg Love are just about the comfiest, nicest fit of leggings I have ever had. They're a bit pricier than the regular market finds but the materials and the designs are totally worth every penny.

Ending this post with Nirvana's Come As You Are. Lovely thursday everyone! 

                     

Style Muse: Cher

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Cher may be more known today for her deep singing voice, odd-looking hairdos and her role as Christina Aguillera's mentor in Burlesque, but circa sixties she was a popular singer and style icon known for her deep set doe eyes, her long black, silky hair, to-die-for slender waist and tall figure and her undoubtebdly good Native American looks.  Although coming from a multi-cultural background, Cher embraced particularly her Cherokee roots and expressed her pride for her ancestry through the clothes and the jewelry she wore. Some of her known looks would include bell bottoms, intricate beaded jewelry, fringes, thick eyeliner and the midriff shirts she was especially known for. The sixties was known for being a trend-crazyy decade, and Cher was one of the trendsetters whom women and girls all over the world turned to for fashion inspiration. Her style was effortless yet unique and timeless that even after several decades, her influence and legacy as a fashion icon is still evident among the designers and celebrities of today.

Leaving you with two of Cher's most popular hits.

                     

Threads: I'd rather have flowers in my hair... or a cowboy hat

OUTFIT DETAILS

Sheer floral dress - vintage / Ripped jeans - DIYed / Wedges - Suki / Cowboy hat - Boracay /
Alessa earrings - Summer Soul Gypsy /

Turquoise chips Parallelogram necklace - Summer Soul Gypsy /

Cree necklace & headwrap - Summer Soul Gypsy

These shots were supposed to be part of the last Threads post but decided to save them for a later post because there were already too much photos for one entry.

Keeping this post short as I've still got a ton of things to do. I'm trying to put the shop to its full potential so there are a couple more items I'm planning to add these coming weeks. I promised my old customers from The Vintage Chick that I'd go back to selling clothes and I intend to do that real soon but with Summer Soul Gypsy first. Also adding a few more jewelry pieces. Just finishing the designs first then I'm back to creating.

A long list of things to accomplish but taking things one day at a time.

[ If you haven't seen the first part of this Threads post, just click the image above. ]

                     

Studio redecorating plus a bit of styling

This is how the work place is currently  looking. I'm saying goodbye to the old eclectic, kitschy, retro interior I painstakingly decorated for almost 2 months. I guess I just easily outgrew the colors. Not that the old room was childish, but I felt I had too much color in one room that I started yearning for plain white walls, textures and earthy elements. 

This side of the room looks okay but in reality, the whole room is still a mess. I've got a number of old things to get rid off and having to do that while maintaining the shop and blog and working on new designs is making this decluttering and redecorating a very long process.

Oh, I have some pretty exciting news. My bohemian expertise will be put to test as I'll be doing some pre-nup shoot styling this October. My fellow crafter friend Joanne who's also a wedding organizer invited me to do the styling as the couple wanted a bohemian themed shoot. I'll be styling a bit of the set and both the bride and groom. I was asked to also do the make up but I opted not to since I'm not really that confident yet working with other people's faces. I've already made a mental note of the pieces and props to bring along and even though this is still 3 months from now, I can't emphasize enough how stoked I already am. If you've been to any of my bazaars, you'll know how crazy I am over space decorating and what could be more exciting than doing this while getting to dress up fellow bohemian lovers?

But back to work for now. Will be posting part 2 of yesterday's Threads Post. Watch out for that.

                     

Threads: I'd rather have flowers in my hair...

OUTFIT DETAILS

Sheer floral dress - vintage / Ripped jeans - DIYed / Wedges - Suki / Floral crown - DIYed / 

Alessa Earrings - Summer Soul Gypsy / 

Turquoise Chips Parallelogram necklace - Summer Soul Gypsy / 

Cree Necklace & Headwrap - Summer Soul Gypsy

Photography by Mark

I originally intended for a softer, summery look with this dress but ended going for a more hippie look. I admit, I really am no girly girl when it comes to dressing up. Often when I dress up, there'd be a piece of clothing or accessory that will be bringing some edge or attitude to the whole look. In this case, the ripped bootleg jeans. 

I actually reconstructed, made and sewed the patch on, and ripped the jeans myself. I think I've had this pair since college and the cut was already totally outdated. I've always wanted ripped jeans but have never really come across a pair that I really liked, so I thought, why not make them myself. If anyone's interested in a tutorial, just let me know and I'll do one. 

Oh, there'll be a part two for this look. I said "I'd rather have flowers in my hair" but there's something else I also would rather wear. 

Ending this post with a song from Crystal Fighters. I am seriously a major fan of these guys.