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Motonari Ono

There's something so special and different about Japan Fashion Week, to me.  New York Fashion Week gives me the feeling of glamor, but Japan Fashion Week is more edgy and full of oddity.  I love it so much more.  I'd rather see anything else than see another pretty satin gown.  Nothing bores me more than a pretty satin gown!  

I came across Motonari Ono yesterday while browsing the JFW photos.  They're not too avant garde.  They're actually really wearable.  But they still have that something about them, that special different edge.  They have a dark, boudoir feel that I'm really loving.

I love the tiny polka dots on this top.  And I love the styling.  Doesn't something about this say Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd" to you?

Amazing jacket and amazing shoes.

I love this top!!  I love the shoulders and the high collar and the ruffle cutout.  And the color.  And the shoes.  Haha.

This belt makes my jaw drop to the floor.

Love the tuxedo feel of this, but with lace!

That placket!!  And oh yeah... I'm definitely going to need to do that to a pair of my own shoes.

Amazing jacket and I love that long ascot collar!

So delicate and pretty.

Yet again - another jacket to die for.  Like, for serious.

I can't control my drool.

Alex Box & Rankin

While browsing online today, I came across some...

INNNSPIIIII-RAAAAA-TION!!!!!!!

Oddly enough, up until today, I had never heard of Alex Box.  She's fantastic!  She's the Make-Up Artist behind the UK brand Illamasqua.  She does the runway make-up looks for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld.  

She just released a book of breathtakingly artistic make-up images shot by photographer, Rankin.  Due to the respect of their copyright on their images, I dare not post them here!  Instead, I'll link you to Rankin's website where you can drool see for yourself!!

Try NOT to be inspired by the color, texture and creativity that is ooooozing out of these photos.

.........

Amazing quote on the Illamasqua blog:

ODE TO MY ALTER EGO

MY ALTER EGO IS THE PERSON I WANT TO BECOME.
SHE'S DARKER, BOLDER, BRAVER.
SHE'S A MORE INTERESTING VERSION OF ME.
SHE DOESN'T HOLD BACK.
SHE DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN.
SOMETIMES, I LET MYSELF BECOME MY OTHER I.
WHEN SHE WALKS OUT AND TAKES OVER,
I FALL IN LOVE WITH WHO I AM.

Open The Shutter

Something that is REALLY fun to experiment with is Exposure Photography (and Long Exposure Photography).  I've never really tried it before - even though my camera totally has the ability to do it.  What was I thinking?  It's so much fun!

It gives the ability to take amazing photos at night - as long as you have a tripod!  The room was completely pitch black when I took the following picture, except halfway through taking the photo, a car drove past.

What would happen if we lit a lighter in the dark room?

What would happen if we lit the lighter multiple times in different areas?

 

 

OH!  What about... our iPhones?

 

 

 

 

The clouds... moving!

 

 

Just the light from the window, and a bit of streetlight was all we had.  What an eerie photo.

 

Can you believe this picture was taken when it was BLACK outside?  It was 1am.

 

 

It looks like we're in a creepy magical forest...

 

 

 

 

 

 

What constellation do you see?

 

On YOUR camera - (this is just with a point and shoot!) - brighten the exposure all the way and then lengthen the shutter speed (mine went up to 15).  I can't wait to get a big monster camera and see the magic that can happen with THOSE settings!!

To see all my photos, check out my flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/runningstitchpics/sets/72157622651874192/


Now go play with your camera!!

Ohh Ohhhh Oreo Balls

Bakerella.  You know her?

If not, let me introduce you!!  She's the master.  I look to her for all creative ventures in baking.  Seriously.  And you should, too.

I've made treats that I've seen on her website before.  Cake pops!  I wrote about it here.  

Recently, I saw Oreo Truffles on her site and they sounded SOOO easy to make.  I tried them out that night and what do you know?.... they ARE sooo easy to make.  Oh AND, so so so delicious!!!!!  People have been known to do crazy things during and after eating these things.

First, you crush up the Oreos.  The whole lot of them.  But just do a bit at a time so it's easier.  You could use a food processor - but I opt for the big weird wooden hand-me-down food hammer thing - because it is what I have!

Keep a few out - just to eat.  That is important.

Keep crushing.

And combine all of the powdery Oreo debris into a mixing bowl.

Take an 8 oz block of cream cheese and just flop the whole thing into the bowl.

Mix it super well until it's thick like play-doh.  Then roll it into bite-sized balls.

Stick the balls in the freezer for 20 minutes to harden a bit.  This helps a LOT when coating them in the chocolate.

I decided to use white chocolate.  You can find these at Jo-Anns!

Look how cute!!!!

 

I'm bringing these into work for a co-workers birthday.

I think they're going to be a hit!

Halloween Preview

Last year was a bloody zombiefest.

We had no shame in our ripped jeans, popped collars and douchy attitudes - as long as they were doused in mockery and fake blood.

It's fun to be scary... gross... creepy... weird...

But I want to swing the pendulum the other way this year for Halloween.

Sugary sweet.  Sickeningly cute.  But - still a little on the demented side, of course.  Most of that will come into play with the make-up and the attitude.

I can't wait to show you the entire look!!