i love being able to change something that i perceive as imperfect or flawed...into something beautiful. (or at least better)

That certainly was a long enough title. So that's what I've been doing, with photo editing--and with fashioning new clothes from the old. Pretty much anything I buy it never really matched my ideal, and I always see some unique potential to bring out of it. That's our job, as individuals, as artists to bring out the beauty we may see in something.

Sometimes finding it is hard.

This photo was taken during a welcome back dinner/party for a friend  held at the local T.G.I.F. that I didn't want to go to. I'm socially awkward around large groups of people, especially when the bulk of them are people I once made the decision not to associate with, some who ousted me from the group, and others still who I had not seen in what felt to be an excruciating time. Luckily, I was welcomed by some in a chatty and lighthearted manner. Said, welcome back party person was on a mission to snap a photo of me. The original photo was grotesque (in my opinion) as I was trying desperately to dodge the photo. Instead, this artsier (albeit much more minimalist --in terms of form/content photo I feel is a vast improvement.


I'm calling this synthetic photo "something blue" because when my friend posted this, he captioned it "a bride-to-be" as at that juncture in my life I was engaged. No longer engaged, I'm playing on the notion of something blue. I remembered I wanted the insoles of my shoes to be blue. Probably not only that, but it was a specific request that I felt strongly about. Obviously, also it's a play on the fact that one of the exposed layers is a sky blue. I am too cheap and untrained to use photoshop, so I use a handful of programs. So I had no control really of how the photo was cropped. I would have left the entirety of my face alone--but I think this proves a more interesting snapshot.



On a less "deep" note: these sandals are probably the most epic purchase I made in awhile. 1,500 krw of satisfaction. So cheap. They are lightweight, comfortable (see thin bamboo insoles) and come in an elephant print.

I'm linking this film because, it's one of the better wedding/marriage films out there. It isn't a true romantic comedy (most of which are trash) nor an improbable drama.

a smile and a ribbon in my hair...

okay, I admit it. I'm a photo-editing addict.

i tried to make a spin off of snow white...i need to put a bow in my hair somehow.
but it ended up looking kind of cheerleadery. i can live with that, especially since
i think ashley tisdale is sooo pretty.

back in the day

part of my love for this photo is due to the fact that this hairstyle reminds me of Bjork

This photo was taken during the summertime of roughly '01. I was in middle school back then, and I don't remember what exact year or grade I was in--but I'm guessing with some certainty that it was my 3rd year in "junior high". No one actually called it that, just 8th grade middle school. Somehow the junior high bit sounds more glamorous to me. There is so much perfection in youth being able to look good and be so care free. I've never had to wear catholic-girl style school uniforms, in fact--I think we only had the drab blue and white uniforms during elementary school for all of two weeks. So basically I see "uniform style" as something that is fashionable. I'm sure my obsession of Japan helped that. My look of course is non-traditional with a teeny orange halter/tube/crop top being the shirt of choice. I've never been a matchy matchy person. I can't really distinguish or remember what shoes I'm wearing--but here are some of the many decorated socks that my cousin donated to me. I think most of this outfit is hers, this makeover was the result of sleeping at her house.

But the aesthetic is still true to me today. I like whimsy. I hate matching, and usually for me its more of a style don't than a style do. Unless of course it's a sleek black-catsuit kind of number. I may not be as "punk rock" not that I ever was in the first place, but I have always admired decades past. Which is why one of my most favorite places in the entire world are vintage stores. From this juncture I moved on to what I remember as clown/pachuco pants, striped stockings (the red/white where's waldo variety and the green/black wicked witch of the west), printed skirts and uncle sweaters to a more or less black gothy look then to dickies and low cut tops. Then my style kind of dissipated into the bland and normal.

It makes me wish I took more pictures along the way, and makes me nostalgic for old outfits and the feeling of pure freedom. 

retro-fitted life

Other than the slightly strange title of this garment, pussybows have a special place in my heart. I was finally able to snag an item at a decent price. This blue pussybow/sailor inspired dress has a delicate floral all over it. I got it for like 15,000 korean won...which is around $12 US. Don't quote me on that though. I got a similar dress in an off white color with an orange/yellow flower mix. I really adore it--but it's SUPER short. I didn't really put a lot of thought on how these items would fit (as I'm a teensy bit taller than the average Korean girl).

My fashion-life has felt a little lackluster, ever since I stopped my writing job and since I've somewhat been dedicated to saving money. We'll see how long it sticks. I've tried my hand at refashioning old items into something new but my hand stitching is sloppy--and I don't think it will be worth the day long journey to buy a sewing machine (because of my lack of skills + we wont be here for an incredibly long time).

Anywho, I'm wearing this dress at the Hakata station in Fukuoka. There was this really ginormous shopping area, and the fashions on this side of the globe really have a way of making me swoon. Their price tags however create a whole other feeling for me. We're sitting at a pancake restaurant because everything else we tried to do besides eat was not going in our favor. So for us, Fukuoka was renamed FatUoka. But since I've been away from quality western food for so long, I only felt a little guilty while indulging.

The place was so quaint and the pancakes were good! The restaurant was on the 2nd to top floor of the building, and it came with like a "young grape" syrup on the side. It was really sweet.

is there a rhyme or reason?

And I think I finally understand...

What James Baldwin meant with his title No Name in the Street.

What's the use in a name? With this single serving lifestyle. Society isn't recognizing you, and neither are they. Life is an state of infinite insanity.

I'm starting to question everything I've ever believed. And in a snap...maybe I'm fading back.

leopard is as leopard does

Another outfit of the day. My top is actually from Wal-mart (from the Miley Cyrus line) lol. An old pair of navy blue shorts from Old Navy, and basic black leggings.

~

doing the same pose that so many Korean girls do...lol

and in movement, she dreams in digital.