FIDM Museum Visit

 

Last week I visited my old school, FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. I also visited the Museum which is free to the public fyi! Until October 30th they will have costumes from awesome TV shows like Downtown Abbey, Boardwalk Empire and my personal Game of Thrones. Though I was not allowed to take pictures of these I did photograph the hand made jewelry they sell at the gift shop. It was amazing, the creativity, and the craftsmanship, very inspirational.    

  

 

While I was on campus I saw the new displays the visual communications major set up. This was from a scholarship competition students entered. If you've never been to visit the campus, try it. Just the hall ways alone will inspire you they even have work from Monique Luhlillier and Juicy Couture.

 

This dress has been up for almost 6 months from the previous competition and it is still my favorite. It looks even better in person, since it has about 20+ layers. This trip just made me miss my school even more and I will be visiting more often.

 

 

 

DIY Monochromatic Cardi

Continuing on with my week of  "Do it Yourself" I re-vamped an old cardigan. I'm not sure where the inspiration came from sometimes these things just pop into my head. It took a couple of days since it required multiple bleaching steps but it was worth it. Though I must warn you that since it was a knit, by the end of the day the entire will end up absorbing the liquid. It might be easier if you start off with a woven fabric.

Things you'll need: Bleach, a towel, plastic bag, rubber bands, bowl, and your item of choice. Start by deciding what design you want and go from there. Wrap the plastic bag over the area you wish to protect, always cover a little more in case the garment absorbs the bleach more. Secure it with rubber bands extremely tight.

 

After you've made sure the area you want bleached is completely soaked, let it sit for about 6hours. The longer it sits the lighter it will turn out. Rinse it after taking out and let it dry. Repeat the steps if you desire it. In my case I repeated the process just in the lower end and then went back in with white fabric paint.

It's Kinda my thing...

What? You may ask, hair dyeing. I'm known for constantly changing my hair and yet through out it all it stays healthy. I love it because it absorbs color really well, which can also turn into a bad thing, when trying to switch out a color for a new it's not always easy to get it out. Most of the time I wait it out for a couple months so it can fully fade. I usually want very specific shades and can't find them most of the time. My solution: DIY. I buy multiple shades and mix them together. This time around I did blue and red. First I decided which brands I would use, for the blue I used Adore, Jazzing and Manic Panic and for the red just Adore. Since I did not want the blue side to fade into green I used the gray/icey blue Jazzing as an undertone that way it fades to that color. For the red: I don't like when it fades to pink very much and Orange is one of my favorable colors, so I mixed Orange and Red and bam! It will fade to a bronzy orange. (If you would like to hear more about my hair adventures or want any advice on which brands to use, feel free to email me ruthlesscitystyle@gmail.com)

Decide on a shade, mix it up or use one already made.

 

Part your hair in which ever way you like. If you don't have a lot of experience in dying hair, get a friend to help you part or use all the mirrors possible. Mine is basically parted like the picture in the upper right.

 

The great thing about this is you can have multiple completely different looks!

 

 

DIY Lace Cardigan

 

                                                                           

A few days ago I was in a hug DIY mood and worked on several different projects some still in the making. The first was this short cardigan that I hardly wore for the reason that it ended at about waist length. I bought large motif lace pieces from a fabric store in down town Los Angeles at 50c a piece. After pinning them down I sewed them on my machine, this can also be done by hand. It only took about 10minutes. If you would like me to do any DIY things for you or want more information feel free to email me. I hope you like it!
                                                   
                                                                      Chose a lace that works with your style, then pin it down.

                                          Sew it on by hand or on a machine if you have one.

Front View

               

Back View

Packing for the Trip

Over packing? Never! But don't pack things you know for a fact you wont be using. Of course you have your essentials undergarments, deo, body spray/perfume, make-up etc. Then you get into the fun stuff the different outfits. If you have an idea of what your day will consist of it's a bit easier to plan. It's good to have two outfits per day one for night and day. It's even better if you can find a key piece that can transition or be worn differently multiple times. Cover ups are important for these types of vacation and some may also transition into an outfit which is a space saver. Multiple pairs of shoes are not vital, one or two versatile pairs will do. The suitcase is important in my opinion, though you don't need to have Chanel or Louis Vuitton just something that looks good and is sturdy to hold your things. Mine in this case is vintage and has plenty of space with a couple pockets to keep things separate. Ultimately just pack what will make you feel comfortable and will allow you to deal with anything relevant to the trip.

Forever 21 cover up, Speedo bathing suit

 

Forever 21 shorts, Vaal top

 

Forever 21 top, Revolve (used to be jeans but I cut them up years ago into shorts)

Lake Havasu 2

The water is clear and clean and since it can get up to 120 degrees out, it is always warm though it usually stays in the low hundreds, high 90's. Lucky for us all the RV's always have the AC going. So if you're not in your trailer run to the water because you will break a sweat just standing around. One of the main reasons we come here on vacation is because it's a great lake for boats and jet ski's. We have 2 Sea Doo's and are looking into investing in a boat. There are many areas sectioned off for swimming and the rest are for riding. If you can find it there is a secret spot where boats go and park for a while, half or the whole day. This area is popular for the huge rock people go to dive off of. It looks great though like I said I suck at swimming so I never do it. My brother, cousins and dad do. And In case you were wondering I do not tan I burn, I came back about 7 shades darker and my face is peeling like crazy, the price is worth the fun.

Lake Havasu Arizona 1

This past week my family and I vacationed at Lake Havasu In Arizona. We stayed for 5 days with my immediate family, my aunt, cousins and grandparents. It was great since my family goes there almost every year and my aunt's has never been. We were able to show them new places and watch them go through new experiences. My nieces had recently finished their swimming lessons and were more courageous in swimming further distances and without their life vests. I on the other hand have never been a great swimmer but this time I managed to swim all the way out to the bouy's and back. It was a relaxing vacation with great food and drinks and scenery. The only thing I disliked was the 7 hour car ride there and back ha!

Fa-sha Birthday Dinner

Every year on my father's birthday I cry a little and he laughs at me. I don't want him to get any older and though we may not have a great a relationship or even get along for more than ten minutes he is still a man I admire. He's worked hard his whole life to provide for me and my siblings and insists on taking care of us even now that we are all older and have our own income. The whole family attended except for my brother and his clan but it was a nice night filled with jokes, good food and drinks. We went to dinner at Tortilla Cantina, a sports bar with Mexican cuisine that was amazing. Located in old Torrance in a great scenic plaza. If you are ever in the area stop by and have a couple drinks!
http://www.tortillacantina.com/

 

Ska Reggae Festival 2013

Beer, Skanking, Sweat, shirtless sweaty men, bands, the smell of weed and cigarettes in the air and occasionally me falling in the pit (ok well not occasionally maybe every other step) sounds like an AWESOME Ska/Reggae Festival to me. My sister JoJo bought me my ticket for my birthday but wasn't able to come because of work. I instead went with friends and met some more up there. I'm pretty sure 80% of the sweat I walked out with wasn't mine ha! but that's perfectly okay. It's hardly important when you listening to great bands such as Raskahuele, La Resistencia, Panteon Rococco, Anit-Doping and many others. If you've never heard of such genre GO Look up some of these bands! It was quite difficult to take pictures being short, pushed and lets face it I couldn't stop dancing and singing long enough to take better ones. Enjoy!

 

Princess Roxanne the First

Oh don't be fooled by her dainty ways and innocent smile, this one will steal the gum from your pocket and run in the opposite direction as fast as she can. This is Roxie, or as she likes to call herself "Princess". She's 4 years young and feisty as ever. Ballet is her thing at this moment and she is very active running and dancing everywhere and anywhere. Her favorites: Color: Pink Food: Asian cuisine TV Network: Disney JR. Roxy aspires to also work in the medical field like her older sister.

                                

Sammy Girl

Meet Sammy girl, 10 years young she is still looking for a personal style but does not hesitate to experiment and get into others closets. She is an amazing artist and very creative. She loves to swim and watch Anime as well as read Mangas. Her favorites: Color: Green, Food: Steak TV Network: Disney Channel. Sam aspires to work in the medical field when she gets older.

The Beebster

Felie G. is the name, standing tall at about 5'0 is no justice to her tenacity. At 26 she still has the same youthful looks and spirit as she did five years ago. Favorites: Music: all types, Food: Seafood, bacon. Her style is modern and comfortably cute with influences such as Rachel Bilson and always asked for my expertise opinion before going out in public.

Susie LAMF

Like a Motha F*%# you say, well that's Susie's last name (not really) but you get the point. She's one of the hottest, sweetest and funniest gals I've had the pleasure of being friends with. Favorites, Band: Lords of the new church (new wave/dark wave), Food: Any Mexican and Japanese cuisine. Her personal style is influenced by Rock n Roll, glam and a hint of gypsy. Turning 22 this week I would like to wish her an early Birthday!

 

 

 

                    

Drum and Art

       Sunday 7/28 Venice Beach, CA and its infamous Drum Circle. This visit was my second and it had definitely changed since the last. There was a lot more to do including zip lining across the boardwalk, more vendors, a few stages set up for different bands, more food options, more performers, more graffiti walls/spots and more of those people on drugs that I just love to watch because they do the weirdest sh*t. The drum circle can be seen from a distance, anyone can join, and any kind of drum and the occasional maracas, tambourine and whistle are always fun. In the middle, around to the side and up in the sky (if you’re that high or drunk) you’ll find a variety of people. All from different backgrounds and ethnicities genuinely just enjoying the music that is being played or dancing around or people watching (my sister Felie people watches, it’s funny). There is no bad vibes, no judging if you can’t dance like me, and always new friends to make.

Met a new friend.

  Loving this guy playing Metal in his awesome outfit.

       Support your local talent, especially if they dress well.

            Art is everywhere in any form by anyone of any age.

    This guy playing a tambourine with one arm was getting it!