"The once happy turquoise armies lay opposite ready, but wonder why the fight is on."

Hey there,
Happy Halloween! I apologize, because this is not really a Halloween post per say. I meant to put this outfit up last night but of course time escaped me. I'll try to post something more ghostly themed this evening.

I was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers the clothes horse to purchase some colorful stockings. She has a knack for pairing very vintage pretty dresses with more whimsical colored tights. In an attempt to emulate her I bought one pair of turquoise and one pair of yellow tights. (I got them at 5 below for $3 a piece!) I centered this outfit around the turquoise pair. I really like the result, it made the whole outfit a lot more interesting then it would have been with plain black tights.

As a side note- I got this skirt at a thrift store for about $5. However it was too long, and a little too wide. I safety pinned the back and cut about four inches from the bottom to make it fit as a high waisted skirt. This is my first successful attempt at altering clothing got myself, and I am very proud that it didn't end up looking like a rag.

Outfit details: white shirt-heritage, over shirt-H&M, skirt- thrifted & altered, tights- 5 below, shoes- doc martens

And I can't decide whether I like the blue shirt better tucked in or not. Any input?
Enjoy your Halloween,
Lloyd

What Not to Wear

I am sick and I sound like a muppet with an affinity for chain smoking. As a result, I will be brief and to the point. Let's talk Halloween.

I could be lazy and borrow from everything that you will ever read regarding the fact that the holiday was not, in fact, started as an excuse to dress like as promiscuously as possible. And because I am a total slackarse (as you should know), I think I will. To elucidate:

• Wearing lingerie and donning various assorted animal ears/other animal parts is not equal to a Halloween costume. Yes, I'm sure you look very sexy. No, I do not need to know the results of your latest pelvic exam, thanks.

• I don't care what you say - couple costumes are creepy as anything.

• I actually can't think of anything else at the moment, but 2 bullet points just seems lazy. And that is why we have photos.

Don't do this.

Or this.

This is fine. IF YOU WANT TO BE MISTAKEN AS A PROSTITUTE. Otherwise, NO.

To summarize: Do not dress like a streetwalker. Thumbs up from The Tubsters!

And the Stars Alinged

Hello,
Today I woke up utterly exhausted and not even close to concluding my work from the night before. However after a cup of coffee things began to improve immensely. Somehow the stars aligned (Allusion to Romeo and Juliet anyone?) and I was able to finish everything I needed to do. I suppose it was fate. I think a lot of things are determined by fate, such as the people one meets, and various opportunities that arise. Your job is to simply take every opportunity destiny offers. And if the opportunity to listen to good music befalls you, jump at it. I highly suggest Girl Sailor by the Shins.

Outfit details: jeans- Free people, shirt-vintage, jacket-H&M, shoes- DSW

And I lovely quote I found (via This Time Tomorrow) tying together both destiny and fashion:

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny"- Coco Chanel

I hope your day is as fortuitous as possible,
Lloyd

Wishes

Hey there,
I don't have much to say today- too much work to do a proper post. However I would like to say this:

I wish I looked like this everyday.

Her glasses are undeniably chic. Her scarf has incredible detail and colors. Her bag is such a classic Chanel. Her skirt is so flattering. Not to mention the casual elegance she exudes. I am overcome with envy. I found this photo on the Sartorialist's blog, and if you've yet to see it, go there now.

That is all,
Lloyd

Rainy Day

Hello there blog readers (all two of you),
I apologize for the poor quality and lighting of these photos. But it was raining out, and I really didn't feel like trying to photograph myself while water was coursing down my face and my socks got completely inundated with mud. forgive me. However, this lovely outfit was inspired by the not-so-fantastic weather outside. The jacket belonged to my mother in the early 90's. If you cannot tell from the pictures, it is made of a wind-breaker material that kept me dry in the ongoing drizzle. I then layered on a scarf and sweater to keep me warm.


For those looking at this magnificent jacket and thinking- "that is the ugliest piece of outerwear I have ever seen. It should have died along with the MC hammer pants." - I disagree. I will concede and admit that this jacket is heinously ugly. However, I think it still has some charm to it. When styled with more modern aspects of style (skinny jeans & a scarf) it creates a look that spans generations.


Also, this jacket plays into one of my core believes of fashion. I always think a look should be "pretty, in spite of" something. In this instance it is pretty in spite of the (hideous) jacket. I try to follow this principle in most of the outfits I concoct. I believe clothing should not just be about looking really hot- it should be about self expression. An outfit should say something about the individual, not just the measurements of one's body. That is why I insist on resurrecting certain items of clothing despite their questionable aesthetic value. Because why look like everyone else if you don't have to?

Outfit details: jacket- vintage, sweater- H&M, Scarf- H&M, pants- Urban Outfitters

Peace out,
Lloyd

Procrastinating

It's Sunday and I have a ton of work to do. So of course, after heading home full from a late dim sum breakfast with the family, I decided to fool around with some makeup, although being a high school student, I generally can't get away with much before I'm mistaken for a teenage prostitute (but it's always fun to experiment). My usual "makeup" routine consists of lip balm and lotion. Sometimes mascara if I'm feeling classy (which is almost never). I managed to filch some of my sisters' old goods to play with, but I'm obviously inexperienced.

(With some fancy MAC lipstick and Esteé Lauder liquid eyeliner of questionable age)

(It's rather difficult to pull a good fish-face with lipstick on)

I rather like the look of a good cat-eye, although I can't quite pull it off. Ditto for the lipstick, but I can't really imagine either of them working for me in public anyway. Apologies for the sucky Photobooth pictures; I haven't exactly managed to secure an actual camera with which to take shots. But you'll have to excuse me - I've a trig exam to study for (le sigh).

- The Tubsters

Sleepy Sunday

Hello,
Happy Sunday!!! I must say I absolutely love Sundays. They are the one day a week I get to sleep in (Saturdays I have early morning sports practice) and from that just stems all sorts of good things. For instance- at the moment I am outside with a large mug of coffee doing my homework. (Well I suppose at this exact moment I am blogging, but you get the gist.) My bonehead of a dog is rolling in the leaves and I am listening to some excellent Death Cab For Cutie. My fantastic mood is not even deterred by the fact that soon I will have to move on from reading Shakespeare (which to me is one of the most enjoyable experiences there is) to doing math (conversely: one of the most un-enjoyable experiences on this planet. On par with having all of your teeth pulled without novicane by a myopic dentist while being forced to listen to Hannah Montana). On top of that I believe I may go thrifting later today- which is just a thrilling prospect.


My clothing choices today essentially mirror my mood. I decided I was not quite in the state of mind to fully cloth myself in jeans or any other sort of pants or skirt. Therefore the rest of my outfit (if it can be called an outfit) rotates around keeping me warm. Luckily its pretty nice out today, alhtough I know this may be the last day I'm able to get away with something ridiculous like this. But heres to sleeping in and refusing to fully get dressed!

Outfit details: Sweater- Vintage from my Grandfather's closet, Shorts- Anthropologie, Knee Socks- DSW, Boots- my mother's

Peace out,
Lloyd

Senior Citizen

In perpetuating my sister's opinion that I tend to dress like my father, I've been wanting a pair of classic oxfords for a while. I think it's definitely in part because of the contrast between the old-man connotation of timeless shoes against some of the more modish aspects of my style, but something about oxfords is strangely appealing to me. Unfortunately, I am far from being able to afford any of the higher quality leather shoes, but I am on the hunt for some cheaper alternatives (open to suggestions, por supuesto). Although I can't exactly stomach the price for some gorgeous Bruno Magli stunners, I do have my eye on these lovely (though still relatively expensive) Frye Erin oxfords (the gray version kind of makes my heart weep).


There's always something endearing about the old-geezer assthetic (hey, I carried around a pocket watch in the fifth grade. Shut up.), so we'll see how far into it I get until some kid offers to help me across a busy intersection. Because that kid is dead, man.

- The Tubsters

Gilt-edged

Hello,
I just got a membership to the online retail store Gilt. I have heard about it before, and I must say I have been coveting a membership for some time. The website has limited-time sales chock full of marked down designer goods. Looking at all the jewelry alone has put me in shock. I am only imagining what it would be like to own a Marc Jacobs jacket or Vera Wang trousers. I am already trying to figure out where I could find some money to purchase these incredible offerings. (Even on sale, some of the stuff is a little expensive.) Here for your viewing pleasure are some things that I am coveting at the moment.







If you would like a membership (its by invitation only) just post a comment and I can hook you up. It the most I can do- I am eternally indebted to the lovely person who invited me.

peace out
Lloyd

Where the Wild Things Are, Redux

Playing off one of Lloyd's posts from before about Where the Wild Things Are, I was reminded of a collection from Opening Ceremony inspired by the movie, as well as why nobody above the age of 3 wears footie pajamas. Although there's definitely some covetable outerwear present in the line, some of the apparel is rather akin to the "fashionable," $300 and upward equivalent of a potato sack that sprouted fur. To be fair, when the weather gets cold, people tend use the frigid temperatures to justify any sartorial abominations (UGG BOOTS HELLO). Perhaps I should elaborate.

Cute!

Very cute!

Good for keeping your femoral arteries warm!

That's... Interesting!

Now, don't look at me like that.

Well. Hey there sexy.

OH MY GOD IT'S A FLEECE JUMPSUIT. WITH FEET.

Simply put, I appreciate the effort, but the outlandish feel of the clothes relegates the majority of them to Halloween-only status. Such a shame, such a shame.

- The Tubsters

Who Wears Short-Shorts?

Hello,
This was one of my first attempts at wearing stockings under shorts, and I really liked it. I tried to do some contrast in patterns and textures, so I paired a flowery blouse with my docs. I added the belt to tie together the outfit, and make the boots match with everything else a little more. I highly suggest that anyone who hasn't worn shorts with stockings before try it- it is the most comfortable way to wear stockings. It was great because I was able to move around, and still look very chic. I also thought the stocking made my legs look a little longer- which is nice for those of us who are vertically challenged. I hope all of you are having a lovely week. If not buck up- tomorrow's Friday!!

Outfit details: blouse- Urban Outfitters, shorts- Anthropologie, belt- Urban Outfitters, stockings- Target, boots-Doc Martens

Peace out,
Lloyd

Dude

I just got new shoes. In the mail. LIKE MAGIC. Check 'em out:

The brand, Zuriick, is known for its streamlined and simplistic designs. (Supposedly. I've never heard of them before. So.) All I know is that I convinced my sister to buy them for me and by god, are they pretty. Check out more shoes at the website here.

- The Tubsters

My Herbivore Friends

Hey there blog readers,

I really loved this outfit that I wore yesterday, It felt very indie with the combination of the t-shirt and beret. I've had the hat for a while, but I've never worn it because I couldn't decide what to pair it with, even though I always loved the great knit texture and the overlarge pom- pom on top. However it added a great twist to an otherwise plain outfit. The t-shirt is a picture of a brontosaurus if you can't see. Its meant to be funny- brontosauruses (brontosauri?) were herbivores, and I'm a vegetarian. Haha. Get it? Maybe only I thought it was funny.


I've been a vegetarian for almost a year now and I really enjoy it. I've never felt healthier, and I'm also much happier with my meal choices. Before I always had that slight sense of remorse when I ate meat that made me feel like a little bit like a murderous, terrible person. I don't have that as much any more. And I also have been forced to branch out when choosing what to eat for dinner. There are tons of meat substitutes out there that are a lot less gross them they may seem. I have also developed a new love for fried tofu (you can eat it with everything). For those still doubtful check out all the tantalizing recipes available online.

OutFit Details: Beret- H&M, Shirt- gift shop somewhere, cardigan- borrowed from a friend, jeans- free people

Peace out,
Lloyd

The Wonderful Land of Online Shopping

Hello,
Today's post is going to be painfully short due to incredible amounts of work that I should be doing at this exact moment.

Photo Curteousy of Modcloth

HOWEVER, if you have not visited the website Modcloth I highly suggest you do. It is an incredible online clothing store with vintage inspired pieces that make me salivate just to look at them. As an added bonus, the site has a blog that is updated fairly frequently. I do not yet own anything from Modcloth, but I can assure you, it will happen in the future. Someday when I have money. Enjoy your night! Lloyd

Where the Wild Things Are

Hello,
Last night I went to see Where the Wild Things Are with my significant other, and I must say, I absolutely loved it.

When Max reaches the land of the Wild Things he finds himself in a land of giants with super strength, and potent, variable emotions, but the naivety of children. The Wild things are constantly bickering, and they look to Max to "take away all the sadness". Thus the movie leads the viewer on a incredibly scenic, yet trouble fraught journey. The movie uses the Wild Things to symbolically address the feelings of loneliness and isolation that everyone is privy to, especially younger kids like Max, who feels that no one listens to them. My only complaint of the movie is that it was maybe 10 minutes too long. Although I feel in a 90 minute movie, 10 minutes is not too terrible, especially if you have a box of raisinets handy.


However the movie is definitely not intended for little kids: it is much too dark. The Wild Things are always upset, and ultimate message behind the story would be lost on someone under 10. The audience was predominantly full of the young hipster and indie crowd, (myself included). With the alternative soundtrack (done by the lead singer of the yeah yeah yeahs) and artsy filming of the movie, it is clear that these were the viewers that Jonze hopped to entice. In fact, there has been a large amount of hype related to the release. Urban Outfitters even has a new Where The Wild Things Are line of clothing in celebration. I would highly suggest that everyone go see it- I can tell its going to quickly become a cult classic.

Peace out,
Lloyd

Oh Right

I'm supposed to be contributing to this blog also, aren't I? Damn. Due to the epic combination of having been swamped with work and being a genuine slackarse, I'm afraid that keeping up my end of this little project has fallen by the wayside. An actual post soon (maybe), but for now, I leave you with this:



That is all.

- The Tubsters