NOVELTY | Arnhem Mode Biennale

one of the Maison Martin Margiela installations, photograph by me

Tomorrow the Arnhem Mode Biennale opens their doors for the fourth time. This year the theme is the identity of fashion; personified by the fictive character 'Amber'. Getting to know Amber(fashion) means getting to know yourself as fashion mirrors society and shapes our identity.

The exhibition takes place in a spacious industrial hall on the outskirts of Arnhem. Damir Doma showed a mountain of salt on which his mannequins on thick creepers were showcasing his latest fall collection and Rad Hourani came up with a movie consisting of uncountable short clips. Other contributors to Arnhem Mode Biennale include Maison Martin Margiela, Juun J, Rodarte, Anne Sophie Back, A.F. Vandevorst and Prada.

Next to an old factory full of inspiration there will also be interesting lectures and workshops in for example photography, textile dyeing, knitting, fashion styling and working with leather. So if you are in the neighborhood (it is under a hour and a half away from Amsterdam or Dusseldorf) be sure to drop by the
Arnhem Mode Biennale before the July 3.

ACCESSORIES | Practicality

backpack secondhand, shirt vintage Cacharel, shorts American Apparel, necklace selfmade, sunglasses Episode

You might expect me to blog about oversized zipper clutches in neon colors. I must admit; a neon yellow rectangle in your hand does complement an outfit. Unfortunately I don't go to cocktail parties where I only bring a lipstick and my phone. The harsh reality is that I need to carry around a laptop, books, a camera, a nest of wires and chargers and much more uninteresting stuff. On top of that I need to be able to jump on my bike, run to catch a train, pick up my kid from school and occasionally go through some racks of clothing. So I could show you what I would wear to a cocktail party, but I could also show you what I would wear to school or during a city trip. That would be my beloved leather backpack.

SHOES | AW 11 Alexander Wang

image credits: 5 inch and up, fashion toast

Alexander Wang fall winter 2011 shoes and a beautiful black rack in one if his stores.

BEAUTY | Going Grey

After buckets of bleach and chemicals my hair is finally grey. A color that is being stared at and commented on a lot because silver hair is something that most women would rather avoid. Being old isn't desireable apparently. And grey is associated with that, the only thing that our society seems to like nowadays is everything young. And in order for every idea to be young it must be replaced by the next in a short matter of time.

A good idea isn't good if it isn't a new idea. A beautiful shoe isn't acceptable because it has been out for three seasons and a person isn't beautiful if it isn't 17 years old. Luckily as fast fashion is slowly dying and people's cravings for the next new thing are stilled these insane and unrealistic thoughts are disappearing.

Good ideas last forever, I still love my Givenchy shoes from 2007, I just turned 23 but am jealous of Kristen Mcmenamy's looks.

BAGGY

DIY | Hardware Store Rings

Stop by the plumbing section of the hardware store next time you are looking for new jewelry. These brass things apparently are made to connect two tubes with eachother but they look more like rings to me. They make the most delicious clicking sound when wearing them.

FRIDA

NOVELTY | Dion Lee ss12

images: DazedDigital and Stylebubble

Dion Lee's spring summer 2012 collection was all about bringing together conflicting elements in a composed way, for example the synthetic treatments that were used on natural fabrics. The cutouts in the structured garments seemed like the dissecting work of a surgeon and the colors (minty green and white) that are usually worn by hospital staff added even more to a clinical feeling.

It's impressive how conceptual the work of Dion Lee is. For example instead of inviting his guests with a regular piece of paper in an envelope, he prescribed them a dose of composure and the invitations came in the shape of a box of pills. (They were filled with mints in case you were wondering)

ACCESSORIES | Metal Collar Tips, Big Disappointment

The Asos metal collar tips are one big disappointment.
One of them was already slightly damaged when they came in, underneath the smooth surface it looked like it was oxidized from within. After a few days the oxidation spread and the collar tip is now covered with black stains. The other one that seemed to be okay, just broke in two for no reason at all. You can't expect high quality from Asos accessories, but I did expect to be able to wear these more than twice.

Cards are great to say 'Thank-you!"

The last three years have been a challenge around here after the passing away of my Father in Law and my Dad….both of which died of cancer, and the last year my Mom got sick because she had a hard time dealing with my Dad's death. My Mom is young still, only 67, so when she broke her hip this past December it was really difficult to watch her go through all of this, but I am so grateful for all of my friends and family who have helped and all the kind words and encouragement. That support has helped me so much when some days I felt so lonely or sad…..so THANK-YOU! Thank-you to all of you for you kindness and 'virtual' hugs! Life can be so hard, that is why I am so grateful for art and the beauty of the world around me! What a AWESOME blessing! Remember…

Live to create~ Create to Live!

So I made this card for all of you…to say 'thank-you my friends.. .'

YOU ROCK!!!

~Susan

BOOK CLUTCH

clutch by Olympia Le-Tan

OUTFITS | Perfect Raglan Tee

I always catch myself picking this raglan tee from the drying rack. It's not one of my favorites, but one of the garments that I wear the most and it's not even mine. It belongs to my best friend. It's made out of a very thin cotton knit, old but far from worn down and has a few holes in it. Love to tuck it into trousers, make knots in the fine fabric or wear it over these cut off leggings and large 1990's costume earrings.

NOVELTY | Damir Doma shares his sources of inspiration

In an exclusive interview with Vogue Russia, Damir Doma dissects his favourite looks from the WMNS AW2011-12 show, opening the pages of his inspiration book to offer a unique insight into his creative process.

______________________________________________

LOOK 26
'This image comes from one of my favourite book ‘Ruinenbau’. I came across it a few years ago in a tiny library here in Paris. Ever since i have carried these images with me, and always revisit them as inspiration for my collections. I particularly adore the monumental purity of the cube.'
-Damir Doma


source image and interview: DamirDoma.com

ACCESSORIES | Rose Gold, Wood, Hair.

Necklace €10 by Nonra Bones

The lovely Nora from Nonra Bones was spot on when e-mailed me to tell me about a necklace I would love. She made it for me in my favorite materials; wood, rose gold metal and hair. It has already become one of the daily pieces I wear (having so much fun pretending to paint everything with it). It's discrete and at the same time fun accessory. Her paintbrush earrings and pendants come in more colorways like gold metal/white hair or silver metal/black hair.Click here buy Nonra Bones Jewelry!

FLOWERING

Shoes | Insane 1990's Platform Ankle Boots

Filippa K shirt worn as dress, vintage snakeskin briefcase, 1990s heels

Screw all those overprized heels that do not live up to their expectations in quality and whose designs are rip offs from what the big houses are making(yes I'm also talking to you Jeffrey Campbell). It is possible to walk on well made heels that are higher than the regular safe and mainstream height of seven to ten centimeters without breaking the bank. You can thank The Spice Girls among others for that; setting a trend of platform shoes 15 years ago(god I feel old). That footwear is now to be found in every single thrift store. I got this pair for €10 on the Queensday market and speaking about numbers, they increase my height with 14 centimeters.

Opinion | Francis Lane

Dear Francis,
I have a crush on your hair.
The kind of crush that makes me want to run my fingers through it late at night but at the same time a jealous kind of crush.
One that makes me hate the fact that your hair would probably look better than mine in the morning.
Yours truly,
Ivania

CREEPER TIE

Kuretake ZIG Clean Color

I have been drawing up some new designs in the studio and I have always been one to use my water color  pencils… but, when I received an envelope of goodies from Kuretake a couple of weeks ago there where four ZIG Clean Color Real brush markers in the package. I am in love! They behave and act like a watercolor paint or watercolor pencil but they are a marker, therefore you get color vibrancy of a marker! AWESOME! So practical and easy to use! Needless to say, I have been doing a lot of doodling and drawing!

Now that the flowers are starting to bloom, I hope that you take the time to get out a pen and try a little doodling…..it is SO GOOD for the soul! It really will put a smile on your face!

Have a very creative day!

~Susan

DIY | Leather Envelope

It has become almost obvious nowadays to make an object that is usually disposable, durable by just changing the material. Maison Martin Margiela has a wallet that looks just like an envelope made out of fine, thin leather, then there are the leather paper bag look alikes and porcelaine cups that deceive you into thinking they are plastic disposable ones. Because it is so obvious and almost has become unoriginal I decided not to spent too much time on this little DIY. Here are the instructions:

Cut a square out of a piece of (left over) leather. For the standard format of an envelope, like mine, use a square of 21cm x 21cm. Cut it with a surgeon knife or stanley knife. On the lines where you would normally fold the paper make a shallow incision, not going all the way through the leather. Glue it together with super glue and add a snap fastener to close it. There is no sewing involved, I used glue throughout so that there would be no seems visible, feeling lazy is not an excuse to not make this!

BEAUTY | Matte Nails, A Top Coat

without top coat / with top coat
rings, ebay


'Matte About You' is a topcoat by nail polish brand Essie. The best thing about it is not that it makes your manicure last longer but that it makes your shiny nailpolishes matte! I used it on a very pale light grey color, with the mattifying topcoat they look like they are made out of cement and feel like a chalkboard. Many brands carry a topcoat with a matte finish. Also, check the men's beauty department for transparent matte nailpolishes.

Spreading a little BIRD HOUSE LOVE…

I Love Bird Houses!!!!!

I grew up with a with a father that was constantly digging up trees from every back country road to plant in our tiny back yard and then it was our job to make and decorate bird houses for those trees. I am not sure if the neighbours liked all the chirping that came from our yard….especially at 4:30 in the morning, but at least it was HAPPY sounds!  

Don't you love the quote that I used on this birdhouse….I thought it was quite fitting!      

   

I used  hand made paper and recycled paper on a wooden birdhouse. I then coloured it with wonderful glimmer mists from Tattered Angels and organza ribbon from Maya Road.     

You can see my complete article on birdhouses, 'Extreme Birdhouse Makeover', in the Spring issue of the Canadian Scrapbooker.

 

I am so excited to be sponsoring my sweet friend, LAURA VANDERBEEK's   class. She is an awesome photographer so you are going to want to check this out!

Vanderbeek Images

contact@vanderbeekimages.com

Instructor

www.reneepearson.com/classes/preserves.php

Scrapbooker

www.lauravanderbeek.blogspot.com

Photographer

www.vanderbeekimages.blogspot.com

www.VanderbeekImages.com

One more thing! Canadian Scrapbooker has things going on for Nation Scrapbooking Day today and you don't want to miss out!

Canadian Scrapbooker Website #17 – Metallic Transparencies!!!!! You have to check it out! CLICK HERE!

Watch it and leave a comment on the Canadian Scrapbooker Website. Right under Webisode #17 – Metallic Transparencies!!!!

If you do that correctly your name will be entered to win this fabulous prize package filled with the products we used to create a Metallic Transparency (and a little more).

So have an awesome day!!!!

~ Susan

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