Style Caramba

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Fashion Bff

March 11, 2010

First post of the year…took me a while, eh? I’ve actually been longing for an update as well…after all, this is my diary. I ended last year with two garage sales. These, of course, had somewhat of a cheesy “goodbye old life, hello new life” very “Uptown Girls” connotation. I had fun and the process wasn’t too painful since most of the stuff I sold HAD to go. Besides, I became friends with some clients/helpers that happened to be shorter than me! YAY!

Dress: vintage, fave thrifted find.

As for my sewing shop, I’ve been spending a lot of time in it “training myself” as I like to say. Right now, I’m mostly fixing up an old sewing machine I got as a gift from a close family friend. Pacita, age 90, dressed most of the fashionable socialites of her time.Her own suits are INCREDIBLE but she hates getting her picture taken.

Geral comes over to help me out. I wrote about Geral on my old blog, but that old blog is pretty much dead *pause, TEARS* so I’ll introduce her again. I met her at church when we were kids. Tough girl who’s had a tough life… we’ve become really good friends and she either loves to listen to me rambling on about London Fashion Week, or she’s reeeally good at pretending.

Shirt, shorts, and handbag: all thrifted.

I’m currently teaching her English, we’re learning sewing tricks together and (I’m afraid) her thrifting skills have succeeded mine.

Power shoulders, electric blue, cropped jacket: (prepare to DIEEE) only 20 lempiras=a dollar. Mhm.

We will definitely be inventing clothes together for a while. I like our little collab. Even though I predict future cat fights during our shopping dates. I kid, I kid.

2010 Sewing update:

I started to make this skirt the day before I found out McQueen had passed away. Therefore, in my head, it has a McQueeny vibe to it every time I wear it. I will miss Mr. McQueen’s work. I obviously don’t own anything of his but I have my skirt.

I wore it to an event where a friend of mine, Annette Kafati, was debuting as a designer. My pictures from the event are crazy lame, but here’s another site with better ones.

I layered the skirt over a see-through, peachy colored, vintage dress I slightly reinvented. Faux fur was the life saver of the night…I’m a coward for the cold.

Latest thrift finds:Velvet collar coat. Denim shorts. Studded handbag. All under 50 lempiras (About $2.50).

Here’s one resolution I’ve managed to slightly succeed at: eating healthier. I mean, I’ve changed the usual mini marshmallows and chips dinner to much better options. By better I mean healthier, not exactly better tasting. I love peaches, though.

I got in trouble for these photos, almost kicked out by security! I don’t really get into trouble often, so please forgive me if I share in such an exciting tone. Haha! And boy did I have a public…bunny ears don’t exactly go unnoticed ANYWHERE in the world, let alone in La Ceiba.

CONCLOOSHONS.
I have a new camera, so more posts to come. I’m in love with my sewing/workshop, so more homemade clothes to share with y’all.

Outfits

Mini Makeover | Astrid

December 14, 2009

Before anything, I want to thank everyone for such kind emails and comments, they really do make my day! I have to say, I’m definitely opened up for opportunities but in the meantime I’ll make the most out of the resources that are available to me. On to the minimakeover…

Marito is basically my brother from another mother. Our mothers went to college together and I’ve known him since he was a baby.

Scarf, tee & skirt: thrifted. Earrings: vintage, from grandma.

He spends an unhealthy amount of hours browsing through LookBook, has a crush on Blair Waldorf and doesn’t complain, like most boys do, when I say I need a new pair of shoes. We get along just fine! Anyway, Marito loves to bring his schoolmates, along with half their closets, over to my place so that I can give them ideas on how to dress for upcoming school events.

Astrid was our latest…victim?

A jeans and t-shirt kinda gal, she was so embarrassed at first when I suggested we take the pictures outside. You would understand, there’s all this car honking and yelling going on. My favorite? “Adonde dejaste el avión, corazón?”, which translated would be, “Where’d you leave your plane, sweetheart?” Haha!

Dress: vintage.

I usually have a hard time convincing girls to wear some of the stuff I give them from my vintage collection…mostly items that very unfortunately don’t fit me, so I’ll usually just have to settle for their own wardrobe.

Lace dress: thrifted. White overalls & scarf: Astrid’s own. Belt: vintage.

Besides the clothes, I ironed her hair, smudged some eyeliner and VOILA! I say she looks darling! Let us know your thoughts on the comments below! 🙂

Outfits, Style Inspiration

Fruit Stand Inspiration

December 7, 2009

I don’t think I’ve had a conversation regarding inspiration without mentioning the fruit vendor’s corner. This is where I’ve heard long lost love stories, life lessons, nasty gossip, stepped on horse dung, befriended strangers…

On this corner I’ve literally cried over bananas, have accepted candy for change, I’ve tripped over my heels, I’ve fallen in love with a street sweeper’s outfit (the prettiest crochet sweater/top and floral skirt ever)…and on THIS corner I’ve taken about a million outfit shots for my blog posts.

I know I complain about how far behind my hometown is when it comes to fashion, how there’s only one department store and how some consider me to be nuts, how there’s absolutely no college education options for fashion, and how people have asked to hire me to make uniforms for less than 100 lempiras ($5.00) because I sew and that’s what I might as well make a living of.

My kinda Central Park. Dress: thrifted. Belt: vintage, from grandma.

However, the streets of La Ceiba are my infinite source of inspiration AND education. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Flashback from DTWF part one:

I’m not saying I would ignore the opportunity to leave the country and obtain a formal education, but I will NEVER lead myself into believing that without them my dreams are only that: dreams. Will I allow my value to be determined by a systematic education rather than capacity and passion? I’ve done enough bickering about it, but have decided that nope. Not ever. Now, on to a less dramatic subject…a recent, quick DIY!