Feminist Collar Clips

Oh the woes of pointing out problematic things when people are just trying to have a good time. Such a killjoy you are for explaining consent at the dinner table. Don't hide your head in shame, your love of equality is not something to keep to yourself. Tell the world with these super cute collar clips, so your friends won't be surprised when you start talking about pronouns and Smurfettes.

In all seriousness, 'feminist' is not a dirty word. If you agree, these pins are for you. They are this month's new Nerdy Monster item (just in time, wow) and there is a limited amount available on my Etsy shop. I'm designing some other (not all feminist related) collar clips and I am open for commissions if you have a custom design in mind.

Can you guess what kind of product will be released in May? Make your guess via the Nerdy Monster Twitter or Facebook!

CATS - 4/27/2014

Yesterday, as a birthday present, Jim took me to see my favorite musical CATS. It was a big deal that he went with me! (CATS is not something he's a fan of...) I had a blast and Jim says he had more fun than I probably think he did. The show was put on by the La Mirada Theater for the Preforming Arts. So it was a step below a touring production but a step above, say, community theater. Because of that I was not expecting much, but I was actually blown away!

They had most of the original choreography and the performers were all triple threats. The set was beautiful, real (no inflatable set like the last tour), and even was decorated over the proscenium. The costumes were really well made (Broadway style) and the only thing that gave them away as not being an official tour or standing show was their wigs. (I've seen some fan costumes a bit nicer...but they were not that bad).

The Rum Tum Tugger was played by Todrick Hall, who was made famous for his time on American Idol. (and his many YouTube hits) There were also a lot of seasoned performers (some who have been in CATS in tours and such before) and some fairly green performers. They all were quite amazing. There are some clips online from the show here, here, and here.

I Jellicle-Bounded (like Disney Bounding, but with CATS) as Mr. Mistoffelees. I've seen CATS in full costume before but since I was likely the only super-fan in attendance I decided to tone it down a bit.

Photo Credit: James Holmquist
Outfit Details
Ears // handmade by me
Tank & Cardigan & Necklace // Forever 21
Vest // H&M (in Sweden)
Skirt // JC Penny
Leopard Print Tights // a gift
Boots // Steve Madden

Video Plato

 

This makeup was done mostly because I wanted at least one more makeup for the year 2009. I needed to prove to myself I could work with bad quality 'Halloween' makeup and still look great. This was one of the most masculine makeups I've done and I think it's quite convincing. I've always though of video Plato as a bit androgynous-tic. It was kinda cool actually, as you can see from the pictures I totally hammed it up. My one mistake was I drew the whisker bits the wrong way. (*face palm*)

My First Bride Expo!

Last month I went to my first ever Bride Expo with my cousin Dianna and my friend Vince. It was a very interesting experience. I filmed my day, like I would at any Expo or Con...

The Calla Lily Diamond Engagement Ring

Yes, I have a diamond engagement ring! As I mentioned in this post, I'm not the type of girl who doesn't feel engaged till she has some sparkly thing on her finger, and I was not even sure if I ever wanted going to get one. Well here's the story of the calla lily diamond engagement ring and how it's actually kind of perfect.

Jim and I had decided that we were probably not going the traditional rout of engagement rings and just planning on getting bands for the the ceremony. Even so, I still looked online to try and determine my style if we were getting one. The ones I liked were all nature inspired, with flowers or leaf designs and small understated diamonds. I showed these to Jim's mother on our Mammoth trip and she said, "You know, I think I have a ring just like that."

The calla lily ring was not originally an engagement ring and once belonged to Jim's great grandmother on his dad's side. It's over 100 years old and has a mine cut diamond set into a calla lily gold setting. It's perfect and it's very 'me'. Nontraditional, vintage, and nature-inspired are all things I love. The best part is that it's a family heirloom and that alone is so important and special. I'm overcome with gratitude and love to be given such a beautiful piece of history and of Jim's family.

We went ahead and had a matching band that fits under it perfectly. It's beautiful even on it's own. I'll share that when it gets closer to the date. (We have a date now! Our venues are booked!)

Easter Sunday 2014

This is what I wore yesterday to Jim's family's Easter Sunday party! We went to church with them at 10am in the morning. (Wanna know how to spot the non-Catholic girl? Hint: she's the one sitting down during communion. Eeep!) I don't talk about religion too much on this blog because it's not really a part of my life. However, I'm so grateful that Jim's family includes me in things like this, regardless of that fact. (I love you all so much!!)  :)

After church we had some family nap time (haha) and got ready for the dinner. Jim's family is pretty huge and there was quite a lot of people at his house that night. I'm used to it by now and we had a pretty good time eating and talking and sort of watching the Kings game. (Go sports? When is Quidditch going to start being aired on TV?)

Over all it was a great Easter. I wore my new H&M dress I bought the day before during my 'big birthday shopping party'. (more on that later!) I wore it with my black Target leggings and my Steve Madden combat boots. (get those two, I were them with everything!!) I have a ton of outfit posts in the pipeline, I think I'm finally becoming a fan of this trope!

 

Photo Credit: James Holmquist

Outfit Details 

Dress // H&M

Shrug // Forever 21

Leggings // Target

Boots // Steve Madden

Glasses // Nine West

  Necklace // a gift

Ring // you'll see it soon... ;)

I wish...

I was going to dedicate today to making a birthday wishlist for this blog but the more I thought about it the more I just wished for things to get back to normal. So here's my birthday wish list this year.

▲ I wish to be healthy, strong, and not get sick again...at least for another year.
▲ I wish for a beautiful wedding and as stress-free as possible experience planning it.
▲ I wish to hit the ground running with this blog again and really take it to the next level.
▲ I wish to enjoy my day job without letting it take over. I work to live, not live to work.
▲ I wish for video inspiration for my youtube channel, I'm starting to miss it.
▲ I wish to do something I love every day, even if only for a moment.
▲ I wish to create more art and crafts that people actually get excited about.
▲ I wish for an amazing future, surrounded my my friends and family, even if I may end up not physically near them.

Heard it was your birthday!

Yup! It's my birthday today! After getting sick, going to Oregon, getting sick again, I think I'm finally really back and better. I was originally planning on hitting up the local bars tonight with all my friends, but seeing as I only started eating solid foods last night, I think I'll take it easy. I'm thinking a double feature of my favorite fantasy films (Labyrinth & The NeverEnding Story) and some birthday ice cream. I love you all!

An Oregon Wedding

Just this last weekend (despite still being quite sick) I trekked over to Mt. Hood, Oregon to see my friend Wes marry his sweetheart, Caitlin.
Jim and I and handful of our friends stayed for two nights in the beautiful Timberline Lodge (where part of The Shinning was shot!). I took it quite easy and still managed to have a great time.
You know, there's nothing quite like attending a wedding when you're at the start of planning your own.