A New Beginning

Please have a look at my new blog, My Polychrome Life, when you get a chance. It is the next chapter in my blog-life.

-K.B.

the story of stuff

I just got back from a showing of "The Story of Stuff" at my local church, and all I can say is 'Wow.' I know this mini-documentary is nothing new, but I am so glad I was able to watch it. If you have never watched it, I highly recommend you do (all twentyish minutes of it is very worth your time). After watching it, I will:

- be more aware of how much I am consuming, from the paper cup I drink coffee out of, to the five napkins I take from my cafeteria
- be more aware of the quality of clothing I buy (I will not be sucked into planned obsolescence)
- try to change my lifestyle
- realize that recycling is not the answer
- realize that I cannot buy my way to a better environment through reusable bags, an energy efficient car, etc.

Looking around my bedroom now makes me feel really guilty. I am a known pack rat, and now I know that being a pack rat is no longer an O.K. thing. I mean think of everything you really consume on a daily basis...really think. It's not just a coffee and some gas.

-K.B.

mom's day

My mom woke me up this morning by dancing into my bedroom and singing to me, clearly excited for Mother's Day. We went out to breakfast with my dad at this little Greek diner a few towns away. Then we went to an indoor flea market half an hour away, where I picked up a few pieces of jewelry (two rings and an amazing owl necklace, I'll post more later). For dinner, we ended at this delicious Italian restaurant in West Hartford, with unfortunately poor service.

Wearing: Mother's blazer, F21 dress, H&M necklace, UO tights, Nine West heels

Happy mother's day!

-K.B.

who knew

I was at Forever 21 today and was surprised to see them selling organic t-shirts. On their website, they sell six different styles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). I know this is a bit hypocritical since I shop there on occasion, but it seems a bit strange to see a mass-produced brand selling organic clothing ... especially when they're imported. Which, to me, kind of cancels out the purpose of selling organic clothing in the first place (producing it in your own country so that it cuts back on the amount of fossil fuels used to transport the goods). Numbers 1 & 2 are made in the USA (they're part of the Heritage 1981 line), but who knows under what conditions. But oh well; I guess it's a nice cheap organic option.

-K.B.

Yesterday

I had a school function to attend (indoors) on a BEAUTIFUL day yesterday. The only downside of this nice weather is me not being able to breath because of the pollen.

(I wore the same exact outfit pretty much to a fashion show a few weeks ago, and felt like an editor of a magazine)

-K.B.

Big shirts

All I've wanted to do for the past few days is wear extra large, acid-washed tees with leggings and skinny jeans. I realized, though, that I don't own very many oversized tees, my leggings are near the edge of death from being washed so many times this winter, and my skinny jeans bother me. In fact, jeans in general lately have been bothering me. And I'm getting sick of leggings. Good thing summer is almost almost hear, and I won't need to worry about either.

I was browsing on the Urban Outfitter's site in the men's section the other day, simply because they have better t-shirts than the women's section. They have so so many options for ten bucks or less. I really need to make my way down to New Haven for something besides eating late-night dinners with friends (ahem, stock up on some xxl shirts).

Alternative Apparel Houndstooth - $10

Up Yours Tee - $10

Cheap Monday Bigger Tee - $10

Love.

-K.B.

whirlwind

This past week has been crazy. I can't believe high school is almost over, and in less than 4 months, I'll be moving into my dorm at Marist.

Yesterday I made my tattoo appointment (oooh, scary!) for my birthday, and bought the cutest yellow dress ever to wear for my anti-prom night consisting of a swanky dinner in downtown Hartford and the Kanye/Rihanna/N.E.R.D./Lupe Fiasco concert.

Now I just have to get through my AP exams, and life will be even better.

-K.B.

ThreadBanger!

Well, for those of you who have checked out the Green Awakening blog (which I have done a horrible job at keeping up with, I know), the fashion show went FABulous! Over $1,500 has been raised so far to donate to the Sierra Club, it was featured in three newspapers, and is now featured in the latest episode of ThreadBanger!!!!!

I know I keep saying this to everyone, but Rob and Corinne really are such an inspiration to me. Their website, blog, and podcast is so informative and unique. I want to try EVERYTHING shown on there at some point in time. They are also both incredibly down-to-earth and generous.

Here's the episode if you haven't watched it yet:



-K.B.

(sun)glasses

I created an Ebay account last week--now I understand why people are addicted.

My first purchase, a pair of knockoff "Wayfarer" sunglasses (yes, they may be clear, but they supposedly have UV protection) came on Friday. They are so geekalicious. I'm loving all the weird stares I get from people when I wear them.

And for $3 + shipping, they were considerably cheaper than this UO version.

I can't wait for my new dress to come, too!

-K.B.

Green Awakening!

Hi!

This past month has been pretty crazy. Now that I'm a second semester senior, high school really is flying by. I've made a lot of decisions that I'm happy with (such as, not going to my prom! ... more on that later), heard back from colleges I've applied to for fashion design and fashion merchandising, and have been organizing my high school's first fashion show!

I started to learn about organic clothing, repurposed clothing, etc. last year, and knew right away that's what I wanted to do with my life. For an independent study this year, my teacher agreed to let me organize a completely eco-friendly fashion show, whose name was recently christened Green Awakening. The show will take place on Earth Day, and feature an array of clothing and accessories, both donated and made by me!

After the show, a silent auction will be held of all clothing and accessories, with all of its proceeds going towards the Sierra Club.

Anyways, I know I've been neglecting this blog, but if you'd like to read more about what I've been doing, you can go here!

-K.B.

http://www.greenawakening.blogspot.com
http://www.greenawakening.blogspot.com
http://www.greenawakening.blogspot.com

http://www.greenawakening.blogspot.com

Swedish

I found this shirt at Goodwill the other day. I have no idea what it means ("It's Sweden"), but the tag makes it seem as though it was, in fact, made in Sweden.

Cardigan- My mom's
Shirt- Secondhand
Jeans- Cheap Monday

-K.B.

I have a thing for houndstooth

I. Want. These.

Lonely Hearts Club Long Leggings - $55.44

-K.B.

Snacking

I made some pico de gallo & "homemade" tortilla chips last night to enjoy whilst viewing the ANTM season premiere. The recipes are from Vegan a Go Go and Allrecipes, respectively.

Both were really easy and reallllly yummy. I omitted the jalapeño in the pico de gallo simply because I didn't have one, and the cumin in the tortilla chips because I didn't have that either.

-K.B.

P.S. What does everyone think about the new ANTM cycle? I already have my personal likes and dislikes...

Feather clippies

$18 feather clips at Urban?! Craziness.

$10 for TWO (and possibly more) feather clips?! Yes, please. Thank you Michael's.

I drew this for the boy for Valentines.

-K.B.

A belated greeting

Happy Chinese New Year!

One of my best friend's spoiled me with some New Year goodies last week. I wish I celebrated it!

-K.B.

Fafi for M.A.C.

Oh, how I love free things. Especially free things sent to me in the mail!

Today I received a small catalog of sorts about the new Fafi collection for M.A.C. But even better, it came with Fafi stickers! I had never heard of Fafi before, but learned that she is a French artist who "conjures up the most curvaceous cuties." Her drawings are adorable! The products aren't up for sale yet, but BellaSugar posted this article and picture back in December that gives a sneak peek.

The colors seem perfect for spring. That light pink nail polish above looks like it'd be beautiful!

-K.B.

Beau Soleil

My friend pointed me towards Beau Soleil's website this afternoon and I have to admit, I'm in love. Soleil's clothes are effortless, pretty, and eco-friendly. A woman named Anne Salvatore Epstein named the line after her favorite oyster (cute!). The line "uses fabric made out of bamboo, a sustainable material, vegetable-dyed organic cottons and vintage, tencel, which is made from eucalyptus tress, as well as recycled leather trim".

Right now, there are a lot of cute dresses on sale over at Shopbop, and on their own website under "Fall 2007". (And I'm pretty sure that's Melrose from ANTM in those pictures...)

Here are my favorites from the Spring 2008 line:

beau babe - $275

beau boat - $250

beau sun - $250

Cute, no?

-K.B.

Polyvore

Here are some Polyvore sets various users have created that I found today. The last is my favorite, though, a la Blair Waldorf. (When will I stop being obsessed with her style?!)









-K.B.

Better than calculus

My calculus midterm is this Friday (blah) but instead of trying to remember how to find critical numbers and use the second derivative test, I decided to look through my Nylon that came yesterday.

One of their articles featured Made in Heaven (MiH) jeans, a brand that I had never heard of before. Originally founded in the late 60s, the label is now being revived by Chloe Lonsdale--godchild of MiH's founder.

Each pair looks super comfy, and the brand is known for their signature flattering cuts. While not available in stores stateside, there are a few pairs currently available on Shopbop and ilovejeans.com.

Here are my favorites:

London 5 Pocket Boot Cut - $220 (Shopbop)

Marrakesh High Waisted White Wash - $273 (Ilovejeans.com)

Oslo Slim Leg - $220 (Shopbop)

-K.B.

Lusting for Air

My parents recently asked me if there was anything particular I wanted as a graduation gift. "A NEW MACBOOK PLEASE" I replied quite quickly. I've been thinking lately, Apple, when will you come out with a new laptop?

Steve Jobs seemed to answer this question when I saw the new MacBook Air featured on Apple's site this afternoon after school. After watching the guided tour, I am a bit skeptical; however, the positives still seem to weigh out the negatives: less than 1"?! 13.3" wide screen?! full keyboard?! three pounds?!

My two main concerns: the price of $1799 (which, like the iPhone, will hopefully drop down), and the lack of a DVD drive. Um, hellooo Apple, you can't expect everyone to "virtually rent movies" from iTunes, or install a program using another computer. That just seems pointless.

-K.B.

My sewing stint

After the boy asked me to mend a sweatshirt pocket for him today, I figured I could whip something up for myself too! I bought this t-shirt as an impulse buy during a visit to Kentucky three years ago. Over the years, one of the sleeve seams ripped so it got thrown into my "I-will-reconstruct-these-shirts-one-day" drawer. (Today seemed like a good day to start on this overflowing drawer.)

I first cut the sleeves to cap sleeves and the neck into a scoop neck. Then I chopped off the bottom hem and sewed it on to create a new collar. All in all, this one was a quickie! I still feel like something is missing, but I can't quite figure out what.

-K.B.

Quick DIY

After an inspirational trip to IKEA this afternoon, I finally decided on the colors I wanted to decorate my room with: maroon, black, white, gold, and brass. For months I have been moving around furniture and gradually getting rid of things I no longer need but needed that extra kick to start the actual redecorating process. I have been inspired recently by rooms with a glamorous, Gothic (Gothic as in romanticism, not as in heavy eyeliner and white foundations) feel.

I bought this plaque and three knobs over a year ago on sale at a local craft store on the basis that the knobs matched my bed frame. It finally got painted this afternoon by yours truly, and now is being put to work as a long necklace hanger.

-K.B.

The Blues

While fashionistas all over the world are waiting patiently for their turn to paint their fingernails with Chanel’s La Vernis Blue Satin nail polish (or buying it for $65 on eBay), I found a nail polish "knockoff" at my local drugstore the other day. N.Y.C.’s Skin Tight Denim Crème is a mere 99 cents, and so incredibly similar. Other bloggers have been claiming O.P.I.’s Russian Navy is a match, too. So although a Chanel nail polish may be more luxurious than one by N.Y.C. or O.P.I., you won’t be waiting for a package in the mail, and you won’t be set back so much money.

(Picture from here.)

-K.B.

i WILL keep these

Photo by rkr806 on Flickr

Here's my own set of resolutions for 2008 that I will be happy to keep.

I will...

• learn to walk in high heels- as of right now, I walk sort of wobbly in them. I plan on practicing regularly and hopefully by graduation, I'll be a pro!
• keep a daily sketchbook and/or blog- I really want to regularly sketch in my sketchbook, or post on here. or both!
  
• stop procrastinating!!!- since the hectic Christmas season, I've been getting better at this. I refuse to give up on this main resolution; my life will be much more free of stress if I learn how to plan things out instead of waiting until the last minute.
• keep a money diary- my main concern currently should be saving for college; however, buying a latte or new shirt is so much more appealing. keeping a diary of every cent I spend will help me see my cash downfalls on paper, and will hopefully influence future spending.
• clean my room daily- this goes along with not procrastinating (if I let things pile up, cleaning will just take that much longer in the end).
  
• read more & learn something new every day- to expand my knowledge :)
  
• exercise regularly- ...to stay happy. I feel as though putting weight loss & exercising together makes it so much more serious. but after I exercise, I feel so much more energized and happy! the half hour of sweat and pain is worth it for that happiness.
• do something for myself once a week- this includes little indulgences such as buying a new nail polish or watching a new movie that I usually wouldn't make time for.

What are your resolutions?

-K.B.