(not so) random links

-when it comes to fashion photographs (good photographs put out by fashion bloggers included), can you really believe what you see? (via the independent) retouching, even on a minor level, is rampant, with the ease and accessibility of desktop photo manipulation programs like photoshop. is editing just a way of life now, used by many to perfect themselves or their photos, or does it sometimes go too far, completely warping our sense of reality when it comes to matters of aesthetics?
full disclosure: i do use photoshop on almost all my photos, to adjust color, lightness, contrast to what i think represents reality in a better way, or to what i think looks better to my eye (i like things really contrasty, what can i say??). but i do not etch out blemishes or wrinkles, cover up dark eye circles, or slim down/remove body parts...too much work for me, personally. :P
what about you? do you use photo manipulation programs, if you do at all? if so, how? also, do you appreciate glossy, perfect photos, or do you wish for a little more reality and a little less polish in the images you view?

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-apparently, we walk wrong. say what? well, not *exactly*, but most of the time, the shoes we choose to wear are not good for us. yet, we wear them anyway! (via new york magazine and flypaper) the consensus, say scientists? we'd be better off going barefoot.
this is bad news for me...with my seemingly unsatiatable shoe obsession! ha, i'm horrible! it's a challenge for me to find a pair of shoes that doesn't somehow eventually give me some sort of blister or abrasion. certain features on shoes seem to work better for me, and i tend lean toward buying and wearing shoes that have those features: a slight heel or wedge (too flat makes my calves feel funny and tight), a slightly wider toe box, and the like. but sadly, i still find myself entranced by that which doesn't work. live, learn, and attach another band-aid, i guess!
when it comes to footwear, is it style over comfort for you, or vice versa? do you lean toward stepping out in that which is kinder to your foot? would you go barefoot if you could?

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-over in the wardrobe_remix discussion forums (you have to be a member to view them and participate in the chat) there was a recent thread about ethics and fashion. since it's a subject that i bring up here on occasion, and it's something i think about quite a bit myself on a personal level, i'll pose a related rephrasing of the question here...
do ethical considerations figure into YOUR clothes buying regime? do you set "rules" for yourself when shopping and adding to your wardrobe (like not buying anything new, seeking out ethical or green clothing brands or handmade clothing, etc.)? do you aim to make a certain percentage of your clothing come from a particular source (say, 50% thrifted/secondhand)? or is it admittedly hard to resist the new and shiny and trendy, ethical concerns be damned? does the idea of something being used seem distasteful?
what say you?

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the quick and dirty:
-morgan of pandahead just launched an VERY sophisticated dc-focused online mag of the same name = PANDA HEAD magazine. worth a look...again, and again. congrats, morgan!
-the hat trend continues unabated...i continue to be so tickled by this. (via buzzfeed)
-rostitchery demonstrates how to make a 'convertible' dress (a frock that can morph into a bunch of styles, depending upon your mood). genius! (via craft:)
-rowan yarns has a neat little archive of free knitting and crochet patterns here, all available via the pdf format.
-maker/crafter jon golden has a video how-to on youtube that gives the deets on how to make resin jewelry. i've *always* wanted to try this, myself... (via craft:)
-casey of casey's musings illustrates how she dresses her tresses in the perfect modern-yet-1940s up-do.

etsy love: RedaretheRoses

jeez louise, am i dreadfully behind on my etsy love posts! gawd, i am so BAD. i should be flogged! :P
anyway, w/o any further ado...

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this go 'round, it's all about RedaretheRoses!
i was tipped off to the bright and happy wonderfulness that is RedaretheRoses by fellow fashion blogista, smagglestyle (she sent me an comment about RedaretheRoses's work, telling me it looked like it was right up my alley...and boy, was she ever right!).
according to the RedaretheRoses etsy shop profile page, all this riotously colorful accessory goodness is the brainchild of a gal from dallas, texas named shawna, who says she's been a crafter since childhood.

i am convinced that this clearly talented shawna is truly a woman after my own heart as far as her color philosophy is concerned. proof positive of such is this smart quote from shawna herself:
"I love bright colors so my accessories are not for the faint of heart! I like trying out new color combinations and I truly feel that you can make any color combo work, it just needs to be done the right way."
damn right, sister! i feel like i could have written that quote myself! any color really does go with any color. BELIEVE!

the power of shawna's work is in her simple though inspired use of one primary material: plastic. in each piece, lacy and feminine retro/vintage pressed plastic shapes and flowers in each piece are layered and collaged together just so...but let's face it, it's the punchy juxtaposition of colors in each ring, necklace, or hair comb that really makes shawna's work truly genius.
so yes, considering those color combos, perhaps many of shawna's baubles aren't for the 'faint of heart'...and that's just fine!
i have to say though, after perusing her vast catalog over at her aforementioned etsy shop, the sheer diversity of shawna's shown color combos might just kindly prove that point wrong. i'd argue that there's something for everyone, no matter what shades and tints they favor...or at least anyone who wants to take a chance and at least wear a fun and funky little frippery in their hair or hand. one of these beauties might be just the ticket to energize a more subdued look. take a look, take a chance! you never know...

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want more? check out RedaretheRoses
viva etsy!

(not so) random links

due to my busy-ness last week, this feature took a little unplanned vacay. whoopsie-daisy!
so, lots to share this week. enjoy, and as usual, feel free to comment and discuss at will!

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-times are tough and getting tougher financially. food and gas prices are soaring and clearly, many people are feeling the pinch (via the new york times). what i am curious about is...does the ever increasing cost of fuel put the breaks on your ventures out in to the world? what about when it comes to shopping? do you take less trips into town to indulge in fashion-finding missions (retail, secondhand, or otherwise)? have you turned to alternate forms of transportation? when money is tight, what becomes a priority for you? does satiating your style bug become less important in the scheme of things? has it already?

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-ever heard of the lipstick theory of economics? seems that mr. lauder (of estee lauder) noted that sales of his lipstick seemed to shoot up precipitously when things, particularly in terms of world and personal finance, are a bit unstable (via the new york times). in times of economic uncertainty, women seem to be more likely to buy a couple of relatively inexpensive lipsticks (or the equivalent) to give their mood a boost, rather than dropping hundreds of dollars on say, a designer dress. obviously, the beauty companies are banking on this percolating trend. and it seems to make some sense as far as economic theory is concerned, say experts in that field. but thus far this year, the numbers haven't borne said theory out.
what about you? when the budget belt is tight and getting tighter, do you find yourself forgoing those big ticket items, instead choosing to go for little luxuries? what else do you do to stretch a dime, while at the same time satiating your need for a fun little sartorial pick-me-up?

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-according to carole white of the premier model management agency in the UL, there is a dearth of black models in modeling and by extension, media because, and i quote: "according to magazines, black models don't sell." british photographer nick knight says the problem stems from those in high places in the fashion industry, who believe that black models are '"not aspirational" or "don't sell in Asia"'. (via the independent). what??
does that imply that "white" is that color of money? is "white" the only thing that is or can be considered beautiful these days? i call BULLSHIT. what happened to the healthy diversity in modeling and fashion that was in vogue in years past? what is this apparent racism in the fashion industry REALLY all about? anyone else think this apparently lack of diversity in media is reprehensible and disgusting?
for further reading on the same: jourdan dunn is the color of money (via the times online)

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and a positively ginormous pile of the quick and dirty!:
-my absolute FAVORITE new york city boutique, i heart, now has a blog! 'bout time, gals! now you just need an e-commerce site so we can enjoy the wonderfulness of your store even at a distance...
-as a guest blogger on design*sponge, illustrator/designer julia rothman shows how to turn a drawing into a repeated pattern, w/o the help of handy tools like photoshop. it can be done! would be a cool way to turn an illustration you've made into a cool piece of printed fabric, for starters...
-woot, a knit bias stripe stitch pattern! thanks, vogue knitting!
-make an effort to take good photographs! it matters! people are looking, and they DO notice poopy photography/imagery. at least, i do! do you? the 10e20 blog offers up 21 ways to shoot better photographs.
-craft: spread the word: knit1 (the fun knitting/crochet mag put out by the makers of vogue knitting) has a page with free downloadable pdf's of v. cute patterns. that are free. yay! (on a related note, i am grooving on the colors in their 'ginormous baby blanket'...oooh! ahhh! rainbows!)
-love this tutorial for a quilt on oh fransson! that features 'crazy' nine patch blocks. the fractured, offbeat look of said blocks makes me think of some of the work of modern quilt maven, denise schmidt.
-the purl bee gives us the run down on thimbles...calling them an essential for any sewing kit. and depending on your sewing needs the project you're working on, i'd have to say i agree.
-i need to make one of these super cute yoga mat bags using the pattern and instructions offered up by bored and crafty, stat. one made out of some patchwork fabric would be mighty me and quite lovely, methinks.
-show those plastic sandwich bags the door, forever! check out this little how-to on how to make a little reusable sandwich wrap, from the small object.
-damn right, san francisco is crafty! feisty elle put together a great google map with points that correspond to artsy-craftsy destinations-of-interest in this here fair city by the bay. i cannot even express how awesome this is. thanks for doing all that work, feisty elle! crafters and makers of the bay area salute you.
-i have basically no hair, so this can't do *me* any good, but i am totally grooving on this how-to on how to make your own hair-ties, on bluelines. if i had long, lustrous tresses, i'd go nuts picking out just the right buttons and baubles to adorn my locks! the crazier the better...
-i recently learned that lion brand yarns has a blog. while i don't love everything lion brand does (some of their designs are more than a bit clunky/old fashioned in an off way, and some of the yarns are too synthetic for my personal taste), i do like what they do now and again and check in with their site on occasion to see what new patterns they have on offer. this relaxed, slouchy market bag pattern is rather lovely...and it looks easy to crochet, tout suite.