Friday, October 31, 2014

Infected Halloween


I made myself a plague doctor Halloween costume.  A few years ago I found an old leather jacket on the ground. I had no idea what to do with it until now! Free, DIY costume here I come. Just add what ever clothes fit the weather, plus some sort of cowl, and you're done. 



I drafted my own pattern for the mask with old magazines. I washed and soaked the leather to stiffen it after I sew it up and then shaped it. I think it turned out pretty well.


I added circles of leather around the eyes and placed in cut-outs from the top of a yogurt container and scraps from a screen I replaced. That was really the hardest part: figuring out how to get the eyes to stay in. My sewing machine does not like to sew through leather, even with the correct needles and tension, so it too quite a while to get the stitches around the eyes. That's why it doesn't lay completely flat. 


It snowed here today. And flooded. And sleeted. And was super windy. The perfect day for my over-heated costume! This is probably the last flower of the season I will get to pilfer, though.  

Monday, October 27, 2014

Prepare for winter with shearling from head to toe!

There is something so warm and cozy about shearling. Sometimes I feel a bit bad for wearing leather or animal skins, but I have started wearing leather boots and rabbit fur again. Shearling is actually lamb's skin which still has the fur attached. Kind of freaky but so beautiful and so warm.

Natural products are often more durable, warmer and more comfortable. Personally, I am more likely to use leather items for a much longer period of time so I figure it is actually better for the environment in the long run. Synthetics break down rather quickly which leads to me not wearing them and looking for an alternative which creates more waste and potential destruction of habitats through production fumes and landfill waste. I use my leather boots and handbags for years, but in the past I have disposed of quite a few synthetic purses and shoes while trying to avoid leather. So now my philosophy is to buy high quality, even if it is an animal product, and use it well.

Here are some of the shearling finds I have been dreaming of:


Shearling and floral



This jacket seems like it would make you feel like a princess. It's a bit frou-frou but still fitted and modern enough that it's not frumpy. Love the color but it would definitely need to be cleaned carefully to avoid spots. The boots and shoes are so versatile and can be worn just about anywhere. The earmuffs are the only item that I can actually afford without creating some serious credit damage haha. Love the port wine color!


Pink Shearling



The dusty pink boots in this collection are my favorite shearling find so far! The color is just perfect, the slightly metallic sheen is very unique. The coat, clutch and scarf are a bit excessive but overall awesome. I would be such an eccentric rich person because I would probably wear all of these pieces together one day, just because lol. I love the Jimmy Choo hat but I would worry about it getting stolen since the name is so large.

The Fuzziest
The Fuzziest by kmfern featuring Gucci



This set is just the funnest and the fuzziest. The sunflower yellow scarf is so happy and the extra fuzzy coat and bag are so friendly looking. If you wear this coat I bet everyone would want to touch and/or hug you :P. The fuzzy Birkenstocks are so quirky and adorable but if you need more serious footwear the Tory Burch boots are for you. Love the quilted pattern on the shearling!

Are you ready for winter? This year is my first actual winter in a very long time and so far I am actually enjoying wearing boots and coats, bring it on!

<3 KM

Friday, October 24, 2014

Pumpkin & Razor Candi


My man and I have the same favorite model. She is awesomely badass and super hot. So for our jack-o-lantern this year we carved her belly tattoo. 


I carved the pumpkin with the linoleum cutting too KM gave me last xmas. Thanks KM!


She even looks fantastic while tomato gardening.


I swear she's an alien because no one from this planet can possibly look this fantastic. 


 Razor Candi does death-rocker like no one else. I don't know how she gets her fishnets to rip so artistically beautiful. I wish I did.


Monday, October 20, 2014

Chickpea Salad Dressing, nom!

Salad!!! It's one of those things that can be so good for you or so, so terrible for you. I love a good salad but it is easy to go overboard on fatty dressing and toppings. Most bottled dressings have sugar, saturated fats and preservatives - all things that I am trying to avoid. Thankfully it's not too hard to make your own dressing, especially if you use a blender. This recipe is one of my favorites! 


Chickpea Salad Dressing
serves 2 - 6, depending on how much you love salad!

Ingredients:
  • 1/3 cup avocado oil - or other mild tasting oil
  • scant 1/3 cup white wine vinegar 
    • If you don't like tang start at 1/4 c and add to taste
    • You can also use a combo of lemon juice and vinegar
  • 1/3 cup cooked or canned chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 tsp raw agave syrup or sweetener of choice
  • A few squirts of Bragg Liquid Aminos (1 TBSP?)
  • 1/2 garlic clove - more if you really like garlic 
  • small piece of ginger minced (1 tsp or less/more +- depending on your tastebuds)
  • 1 TBSP tahini 
    • Can be omitted if unavailable. It will be runnier and less creamy but still delicious! I don't always have tahini myself.  
Directions:

Place all ingredients into your blender's jar or cup. Blend all ingredients together until completely smooth. I use this Cuisinart Immersion Hand Blender. Pour over salad and enjoy! 

You can also make this ahead and let it sit in the fridge so that the ingredients meld together but I usually use it right away. My sons like it so much they try to eat it from the container :P. 

These are all of the organic chickpeas that I had leftover from one can - you can put them in your salad or save them for another dish! I like to use extras make chickpea "tuna" salad sandwiches.
This is how I mix my dressing, although I took this pic after the fact.
Since my blender's container is marked I just pour my ingredients in here - no measuring cups required! 
What's you favorite dressing recipe?

<3 KM

**** Disclaimer - There are affiliate links in this post, but only for products that I wholeheartedly endorse.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Hazmat Fashion


A trendsetter was seen wearing a Hazmat suit to travel just two days ago. Want to get in on the trend?


First thing to realize is that Hazmat suits come in many fashionable colors. Try matching different colors of gloves with different color suits and boots.



Remember that these suits are very warm, so choose appropriate undergarments for your climate.


Be sure to not bedazzle you suit or add any pins. Patches are also probably not a great idea unless they are made of flat plastic and all edges are firmly secured. If you need some sparkle in your life, just get a metallic suit!


And don't make the embarrassing and dangerous fashion faux pas of leaving your hands uncovered.



Some accessories to consider are an apron and tape around any exposed edges.


Monday, October 13, 2014

Fashion Lust - Etro SS 2015

Etro's Spring/ Summer 2015 collection is hippier than the rest and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it. It is so hot. It is full of beautiful Native American Indian-esque prints, finge bags, feathers, leather and even some beadwork. To top it all off the collection is full of suede fringe knee high boots in beige, grey and blue, pretty much the best shoes ever imo.

Etro Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-To-Wear
One of my favorites, who knew stripes and Aztec prints could look so perfect together? 





Hope that everyone is having a wonderful October - it's pretty much my favorite month :).

<3 KM

Friday, October 10, 2014

Spiders!

I love spiders. I think they are really cool creatures. Did you know that they use hydraulics to move their legs? Anyway, I know a lot of people are fearful of spiders for a variety of reasons, but it always makes me sad when I hear of people smushing these little guys. You probably won't be reading this post if you're arachnophobic, so here is a good website to clear up myths for people who think they are rationally afraid of spiders:
                Spider Myths


I used to take these little yellow spiders outside all the time. Then one of my little spider friends died waiting for me to let it back in. I was so sad. Now I let them live inside. I think they might be poisonous yellow sac spiders, but I haven't gotten bit yet!

my poor deceased spider friend waiting to come back in


Spiders seem to be a popular Halloween decoration this year. Maybe they are every year and I just haven't noticed. I mean there's always the fake cobwebs, but the giant spiders seem to be a trend!


Here is some cool spider inspired clothing:


Imagine something like this on the top and this nifty skirt below on the bottom. You could be a spider princess of Halloween.


And here is a nifty hairpiece to go with the pretty spider dress.


Or you could go crazy and shave your head into a spiderweb. 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Pink Mimi


My grandmother, who I call Mimi, knit this sweater for my mom. My mom never wore it because she hates pink, and I did too, until recently. I've made peace with pink. And check out the awesome bell sleeves on this sweater - I love them!


The shorts used to be jeans, but my butt broke them. Seriously. I sat down one day and I got a big rip right under my butt. I was very happy I was wearing long-johns that day. I'm not sure if they failed there because my butt got too big or because of the wear and tear that happened in that area because I like to sit on the ground. I tried to sew them up, but my butt wanted to be free and continued tearing the denim. They are now my shortest shorts and I only wear them out of the house on brave days.