Cover of Cabin in the Sky

One of my all time favorite movies is  Cabin in the Sky. Vincent Minnelli directed this great classic in 1943. He is Liza Minnelli’s  Father. It was very rare to  see  a black film with such a great cast produced in that era. A lot of film that  were produced by black filmmaker during that era showcased black talent and lifestyle  were not seen in mainstream American. This movie  moved from the stereotypes in Hollywood of black creating fun black folklore. The cast of Cabin in The Sky was Lena Horn, Ethel Water, Rex Ingram, Louie Armstrong, and Eddie Anderson to name a few.  It was cohesive cast of highly talent actor and actress that brought this film to life.

The movie’s plot  alone  opens the doors for a lot of discussion on  spirituality  as seen from a  black church view. I appreciate its innocent attempt to bring to the screen the reality of decisions, warfare, and struggles in life in a  real way. It the simplest form the movie shows  the possibilities   if you had a second chance at life …what would you do different?

In the film Little Joe  is supposed to make his life right with God. He made a  decision to shoot dice instead of getting his soul right with God. He almost dies. He is stuck in state of limbo. The angels of God and the demons of hell battle for his soul. An angel is sent to heaven to see what God want to do about Little Joe. His wife is praying women. She has been praying for Little Joe’s soul. The angels hear her praying and it moves God. Little Joe is given a second chance to live and get it right. He will not remember however what happen when he died and  the warfare that  took  place in his room. So he  has  to make the right choices this time around. The demon( Lucifer Jr.)  promises to set him up for failure. The angel from heaven also will help him give them a fight. He makes some decisions that  sets the course for  his life to look familiar. I will leave it at that because if you have not seen the movies that ending is superb! I don’t want to spoil it!

It life we are faced with decisions. if you could take back anything you did in life what would you do different? The warfare that take place around Joe from a Christian perspective is worth taking note. Many time we walk as if we are on our own. There are angels and demons sometimes at war in the midst of us. I have experience the  feelings of  protection  many times by angelic forces around me.

I picked  up a young man   at night on my way back to colleges hitchhiking many years ago. I  never do stuff like that! The man was strange in a good way. He keep telling me about Jesus and all these blessing  that would happen to me in my life.  I was not a Christian at the time. The car was lite with  a bright light. I can’t  explained it . We drove for  about 20 min.  I took him to his house. I was parked under a bright street light. He shared with am all the  things God had for me and to just believe him. He said my life would be  getting better. I watched him get out  my car and go behind my car. I wanted to see what house he would go into so I could come back by and talk to him the next day. He just vanished behind my car. I got out the car …..he was nowhere to be found. I was parked under bright street light! I could not see him any where. I believe he was an angels.

Many time we are encountered angels and help from above. The TV show back in the 70’s Highway to Heaven was a concept of having help sent to you to make the right decisions. In the bible its say to treat  stranger right because we may encounter an angel. I have studied many book about angels from a biblical perspective. We are  not to worship them but understand what they exist, war,  do God’s will,  and protect.  Only God knows!

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” Hebrew 13:2

 In one scene in Cabin the The Sky the angels and demons and walking around the room pacing waiting for an angel to bring back the message from Heaven. Little Joe sees his own  body in the bed and is panicking. The angel of God tries   to calm  him down. The demons are eager to take his soul to hell. The battle for our soul is real each day the temptations we face  to do wrong.  Sometimes  that out ways the desire to do right.  Some day you can feel the battle. Some day we just give in. However being a Christian change all of that when we walk in God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  We have help and have settled our account with God. That mean we are not  wrestling with what will happen when we die because we believes.  Our sins have been forgiven. We are just trying to live right , but have grace and mercy from God.

For those who have never watched the movie… rent it!. It is not accurate in some ways biblically  but great entertainment in seeing spirituality in different light.  Cabin In The Sky  shows some of the pitfall and temptations we have in life that can cause of us to be  tricked  into failing from grace.  In one scene  the demons in hell played  by  Rex Ingram, Louie Armstrong, and Fletcher River(Stepping Fletcher) plots to get Little Joe’s soul. Their plan involved money and a women. The scenario is played out ever day in our society with or without the help of demons! The decision to gamble, trick, lie, or steal for greed. There are women that are gold diggers that love to seek out man with money. There is even website called “Sugar Daddies” to find men with  money and hook up. Some things never change!

We are tempted on every side. We battle and tray hard a s human to make the right design. The most  amazing part of the movie for me is watching the angels of God in white suit  dressed like warrior protecting his  soul. It is all entertainment but provide such strong images for  the imagination of the help we may have. Cabin In The Sky is a legendary film that capture a glimpse of spirituality. Of all the film that could have been produced by MGM this film  on black life is uplifting.It speaks to the heart of who we are as black people. We are  very spiritual!!!!  Whatever you are battling  trust you are not battling it alone. God can and will send help where you pray for it or not!  He is faithful. I hope if you have time to watch  the film that it help you to see  even through entertainment that what every decision you make in life whether you are saved or not God has a plan for you. He  can sent  you help when you need it. Even as we speak for what you are facing today… help on the way. He has a Cabin in The Sky for you!

I grew up with watching The Julia Show, Good Times, and The Jeffersons. These late 1970’s shows started turning the corner of seeing more Blacks on TV both negative and positive. I watched those shows to see more of how we were getting by in America. Living in Columbus Ohio I didn’t see much of the world except for summer trips to West Virginia like most Blacks in the Midwest. Charlie Brown was an amazing comic strip minus it limitations on diversity.

I also grew up watching ZOOM, Electric Company, and Sesame Street. I recently found out through a new artist friend on Ovation that the first Black animator for Sesame Street came from Columbus Ohio -Tee Collins. He did animation for the short stories on the show. The images of Blacks on TV in animation in the late 70’s and early 80′s improved after the Civil Rights movement became a reality for America. Racism was alive and well but making Black TV shows had become a money-maker in Hollywood. The Harlem Globe Trotters and The Jackson Fives were two of my favorite cartoons.

On Saturday morning in the Midwest you had rituals before you could watch Saturday morning cartoons. You had to run the vacuum, do your chores, cut the grass, if you lived in Ohio or Michigan, and then dust the banisters. Then you were free to eat a bowl of Captain Crunch, Count Chocula, or Cocoa Crisps while watching TV. The cereal went great with a large glass of red Kool-Aid. The simplistic things in life made life great. I spent the next 4 hours watching my favorite TV shows. I watched PBS last on Saturday mornings.

I spent the rest of the day drawing and reading my comic book collection. I saved my allowance to buy comic books at the corner drug store. I created story boards, comic books, illustrations, and scripts. I mailed some of my ideas to PBS in Boston. One time I even sent an idea for a cartoon to Michael Jackson. It aired several months later. I knew I had nothing to do with it but it always made me feel important that I mailed a cartoon script to a famous person at the age of 10.

Being a Black teen I grew up admiring the TV show Julia with Diahann Carroll. It was inspiring to see a Black woman in a positive role as a nurse. I bought the Julia doll so I could make and design clothes for Black women. The doll became my muse for designing clothes. I ignored my White doll collection after I got the Julia doll. I tried pressing her hair on a light bulb. I almost caught my bed on fire when the hair got too hot.

I rode my bike every Sunday to German Village in Columbus, Ohio to buy the New York Times. I sketched the fashion designs in the ads and read the comic strips. I was always creating art, music or designs in my youth. I was inspired by old Black movies and classic films with Bette Davis. My world was full of unusual muses to create from. I had to search to find positive Black images and Black art in my community.

My brother Charles who is an artist trained me in the arts as I grew up. I had my first show when I was 15 with him at the CMACAO Center. I learned to paint with oils and acrylics by the age of 16. I worked with the artists of ACE Art gallery in Columbus as I got older. I was surrounded by world class Black artists. They encouraged me to paint from the soul.

I was growing into a renaissance woman creating all the arts and more: playing jazz piano and flute in high school, playing flute in marching band, playing viola in the orchestra, dancing in plays, acting, exhibiting at my school, painting murals in South High, printing, designing and selling handmade T-Shirts, painting murals on local restaurant windows, publishing and writing poetry, photography, and running track. I was given the freedom by my parents to express myself through the arts and more. I went off to college in Pueblo, Colorado in 1980 to see more of the world. I know….. Pueblo, Colorado?

The need as a Black artist to create images that reflect our history, our struggles and our pains has been the fire that burns in me. From the early days of drawing Charlie Brown’s Franklin to recreating from Black photos the journey of our people in America has been my desire. It is not easy being a Black artist and female. Many times I have exhibited my art in White owned galleries that don’t understand why I create the images I create. I was told by one gallery owner that she could not understand how I made any money from my Black art. I looked around the room and saw large canvases with nothing but red paint on them selling for $10,000 a piece.

The art community over all lacks diversity. I read through art magazines with very little diversity in them, if any. There are things I can not get away with that other artists of other races can. As a Black people we have always had to do better and try harder in the eyes of America. I have been asked to frame panel pieces that I had created as panels. When other artists in the same show have stuck balls of paper torn to pieces on canvases on the wall, they were not asked to make any changes. Their art is exalted. In a drawing class at the University of Cincinnati, I drew my room for an assignment. It was in full perspective, in detail photographically perfect. The teacher commented on the angles and gave me a C+. A White student wrote a telephone conversation on an old album and presented it to the class. No drawing was done just an album with red marker writing on it. She raved over the piece and gave the student an A+. It was a drawing class.

Their art is raved as being from geniuses, and is considered mainstream. I am asked to fix my art so it hangs properly. With a BFA in art I have studied the masters. I have studied impressionist art that I model my style after. I started creating “folk art” style of art for that reason. The art community considers what I do as an expression as outsider art or folk art. I still believe it is fine art! But it is what I now label to keep from conflicting with galleries. I never have that problem with labels when I work with diverse Black galleries.

I recently had a painting, Moving North, that was accepted in a local show. I decided not to exhibit it because of the request to fix the edges of the panel and repaint them. The piece is painted on a flat wood panel 3 x 4. I create art on panels so that the art ages with time and becomes history. One of my favorite artists Diego Rivera painted on panels in the 1930s. I took that concept and the outsider art I studied in Alabama to make my own style of aging historical art. The idea of outsider art is a safety net term for artists considered to be outside of the mainstream art community. The art world over all rejects and limits the diversity of other races and ideas.

The opportunities I’ve had as an artist have been limited because I refuse to play main stream games of compromising my style and images to adjust to the fine art world’s ideology of what is acceptable art. As a Black artist and a woman my battle is two-fold. All my life I’ve had to walk in two worlds: Black and White. As I have gotten older I choose only to walk in one world, God’s. I feel that what I have to say should not be censored by the lack of understanding of a diversity of voices. Racism is alive and working in the art community. There is no “Post Racial” period in the art world or America in general. If I threw paint on canvas and stuck small broken cups on it I would be a success. The fact that I create art that documents the struggles and pain of my race has often limited opportunities to exhibit. So I create my own space in order to have a voice. I have been told my art is too intense. Maybe it is.

Slavery was intense. Lynching was intense. Being murdered for wanting to vote is intense. Siting through “Birth of a Nation” and having it being called the greatest film ever is intense. I get followed by cops weekly. I have gotten pulled over in the last few months for just being Black. Being Black is intense. My art is my voice to the world both good and bad. I can paint Jesus pictures, butterflies, choirs, babies, and landscapes. I also paint lynchings, race riots, killing, and the holocaust of Black Americans over the past 400 years. I paint and write who I am. I have lived my life as an apology for so many years. As I have gotten older I will not apologize any more for being Black, a woman, and artistic. My journey began with a few White teachers trying to calm down a small Black child who saw the colors in the world and wanted to paint them. I am grateful to those teachers who saw a creative child and not my race. I am 48 years old and l still see colors in history as an opportunity to express what it means for me to be Black in America. I thank Charles Schulz for putting Franklin in the comic strip. That one lone Black image began my journey to create thousands of Franklins in every painting I create.

Mary Janes on Sunday Morning

Over the years I have always been fascinated with history. I attended high school in Columbus, Ohio. I was very blessed to have a mother and father who encouraged education and knowledge. I grew up attending Union Grove Baptist church in Columbus. My pastor Reverend Phale D. Hale baptized me when I was in the third grade. He was a great man of God in my eyes. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. I grew up at a time when the Civil Rights movement was in full swing. The idea of knowing someone who was a part of such a heroic effort was astonishing to me. On Sunday mornings when I had a hard time focusing on the sermon, I could draw pictures of him on the backs of the church bulletins. For anyone who has ever been to a Black church, you know that it can last anywhere from 3 to 8 hours depending on the Sunday line up. You were only allowed as a kid to make so many trips to the bathroom to wake yourself up. The peppermint candy my Mom kept in her purse was only a tease. After about 3 pieces of candy, I was fixed on getting my hand on the hard stuff: Mary Jane, candy lip sticks, Tootsie Rolls, and fake candy cigarettes. Some of the braver kids in the church would take bathroom breaks and slide down the street to Carl’s market. They would come back with enough candy to sell you a few pieces, if you had held any money back in your pockets from the offering. It was like a drug deal every Sunday. The negotiations for the candy were intense. I saw kids promise next week’s offering if they could get a small fix.

The standard procedure for leaving the church service was lifting up your index finger above your head, crouching down and creeping out of the church’s back doors. It was so common to see people do this that the ones who stood out were the ones who just got up and left without raising their fingers. We all knew they were the visitors. They didn’t know the rules.

All this fascinated me because it was Black history living in our times. The traditions and rituals that came down from slavery, and Africa helped define our culture in America. This old Baptist church was a hallmark for Civil Rights in Columbus. The architecture of the church made me of think of the bricks of the Black men who built it. The walls and stained glass reflected the pennies and dollars gathered every Sunday to construct a beautiful expression of God with us. The ceilings of the church roof were all adorned with stained glass that let in glorious light from above. I recall gazing at the pigeons and doves that sat on the glass during the services every Sunday. I would look up and imagine angels leaning over the stained glass and being blessed by the praises to God echoing from the church. I was conditioned after many years of being in this atmosphere to worship God with reverence. The children who attended this church, at times sitting with their grandparents, had the privilege of inheriting the glory that came through the praises to God every Sunday. I was conditioned at the first note of the sound to tear up and weep with joy and tenderness of heart. I could feel the love and holiness of God as I heard the saints sing from their souls regarding the burdens of life. I saw shouting and the release of burdens every Sunday. Burdens fell off of the weary like bags of sand from a high bridge over troubled waters. I saw Jesus love us, hold us, comfort us, and touch our souls. I was conditioned to always know him as Savior. I accepted that conditioning and it helped in every way to build into my life the cornerstone of my faith.

  When the choir marched in on Sundays we all stood and waited for the songs to move us. It only took a few moments for the earth to shake with the joyous, rhythmic stomping of our feet. It was the procession that led us to the altar of God in hearts. The choir, the songs, the traditions were a history that we have lived. It also represents a history which is still relevant to our current struggles as a people. For me this Black church was a crucial part of forming my personal history, from the continuous act of seeking God, to an appreciation for Civil Rights based upon the merciful Jesus I learned about in the weekly sermons. This church was relevant, and girded me up for being called ‘Nigger’ at the newly desegregated school I attended every day. The songs and words washed over me and strengthened me for the ordeal of being hated for no reason when I went to the White stores. The uplifting music washed over the discrimination that I lived through every day for being young, gifted, and Black. My experiences in church every Sunday allowed me to get through the trials to come in my life. I can always glance over my shoulder at the past and hear the choir singing, see the stained glass windows, and the elderly women in white, my mother, and the mothers of the church urging me onward. I remember Reverend Hale preaching Jesus so strong that I felt Jesus show up and help us. When I glance back, I can see forward and know that I shall overcome.

something about colour and music:

Voltaire, a friend of Castel’s, claimed that Kircher was also the source for Sir Isaac Newton’s analogy between the seven bands of color in the spectrum and the musical scale; Newton had supposed that “colour may be distinguished into its principal degrees, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and deep violet on the same ground that sound with an eighth is graduated into tones.” Castel took Newton’s spectrum as the basis for his color keyboard, but he developed twelve mid-tones for corresponding semi-tones: B was blue; C sharp, celadon (blue-green); D, green, and so on. The color-octave repeated a tone lighter an octave up and a tone darker an octave down. The correspondence between music and color had another interesting and even earlier precedent, which may also have inspired Castel. In the eleventh century, red or yellow lines placed above musical notation indicated the aural pitches of F sharp and C for singers.
reference: http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/22/peel.php

Mixing a printed dress with Isabel Marant sneakers and a 2.four.8 beanie

Just like every other blogger (I’m sure) sometimes it is very hard to title a post, sometimes nothing comes to mind and very very rarely it’s soooo “nothing” that I leave the heading empty. And sometimes all it takes is just one look at the pictures and a word or a phrase comes to mind. Today was one of those latter days. I just gave a slight quick look at the pictures and there it was… “wicked”… Don’t ask me why, but at least I’m happy this time I knew what the title of my post was going to be…

Wicked

Philippe Audibert bracelet

Wicked

Crazy about prints this season, just like everyone else…

I’m wearing: Mayentl dress, Sandro shirt, 2.four.8 beanie, Thierry Lasry mirror sunglasses, Philippe Audibert bracelet, Isabel Marant sneakers and a Hermes shoulder bag

Through the years I have watched the Fossil brand grow and I admired from a far. When I had the money or if there was a special occasion I would happily splurge for a new watch.

Being a big fan of the brand, when I initially received the email invitation to attend the launch, I was convinced it was spam. I thought to myself “No, they wouldn’t know who I am”, so I casually brushed it aside.

It wasn’t until fashion blogger Camille asked me if I was attending, I all of a sudden realized that I was genuinely invited and got super excited . Thank goodness she asked or else I would have never went!

I attended the launch last Tuesday held at Alexandria Sydney, Vicinity Dining. The event was in an intimate private room secluded from the restaurant.

I assumed that I would be walking into a room full of watches, but to my surprise, there were a range of bags displayed.

The brand, which is moving into their 30^th anniversary in 2014, is going into a different direction with their brand and products. Their current campaign is called “Make your mark”, using a lot of bold colours and graphics within their new designs.

We were lucky enough to be one of the first in Sydney to preview their new collection, which will be released in July – August and you guys also get a sneak peak .

The preview was very interactive, allowing us to feel, touch and explore the new bags as they explained the design behind it.

Fossil will be releasing four lines of handbags and wallets, which will cater to most women who love functionality, lightweight bags with a vintage, quirky or fun design.

The line called “Key-Per” was initially brought out as a Christmas edition; however, it received such a big response that instead it was made available all year round and I can see why.

This line is perfect for anyone who is studying or enjoys fun, colourful designs (like me). It is functional with many storage pockets for the every day woman and made with coated canvas for those who prefer not to use leather.

This year’s design is based on pencil shavings, striped colours and polka dots. Reflecting Fossil’s humorous and quirky side. Plus the bags are so affordable with prices ranging from $129-$149.

Fossil will be focusing on 3 main lines, one of which is the “Memoir”. This line is for the women who appreciate more of a vintage design, inspired by the 1950’s.

With articulate hardware and beautiful interior, this vintage design comes in different shapes and sizes to suit anyone.

I usually don’t do much leopard print, however, I LOVE their leopard print used on the vintage designed bags. The Memoir ranges from $279-$299.

The second line that they are focusing on is the “Erin”. It’s functional, affordable with great hardware and has the best quality leather, signature to fossil.

The texture of the bag was so soft and smooth with a buttery leather feel; made with a lot pockets to store your everyday gadgets.

Initially I was a little unsure about this design, I was worried about the wear and tear of the bag due to its delicate texture, but don’t let this fool you. Because of the leather used, which is the best in the market, I learnt that the bag would look even better over time. With the best quality leather, the Erin line ranges to $149-$349.

The main line that Fossil is focusing on this year is the “Sydney”, which is my personal favourite out of the four.

The Sydney bags come in a multitude of colours; orange, plum (my favourite), teal, gold black etc. The designs are vintage inspired with a modern twist.

After handling the bag, it was surprisingly lightweight and durable, which is good because if your like me, my whole world is in my bag.

Fossil will also be concentrating on their new signature print, inspired by mid Century architecture. I personally love it!  I love the rhythm, colour and shapes used.

The Sydney line ranges from $149 – $279 ( so affordable! )

Not forgetting their watches, this year it is all about “Owning the wrist”. Fossil’s pieces are jewellery inspired, with bands ranging in fun colours that pop and with such feminine designs. They also have beautiful bracelets so you can layer it up with their new line of watches.

My favourite fashion bloggers Camille Sioco from www.frillyskirts.net and Jess Tuong from www.mindbodyshop.blogspot.com.au

Me and the stunning Jess Tuong

Also met the interesting Fashion blogger, Lauren Hernandez from http://www.youronlyblackswan.com

Me and Jess with Fossil brand representative Danielle Clennar

The food they served was amazing!!! Here is just a sample of what we indulged in that night.

I loved meeting the passionate team behind the brand and I can’t wait till these bags hit the stores, you’ll definitely be seeing these bags again on my outfit posts.

In the meantime, check out Fossil’s website for their current range and to see what stores are near you – http://www.fossil.com.au

Photographer - Yunn Chin

I don’t know what it is about Liberty, the famed London department store on Regent Street. It seems to maintain such a quaint charm whilst constantly striving to nurture new talent and collaborate with established, nay, iconic designers to wonderful effect.

Tiki much?: This scarf by Emma J. Shipley has stolen my heart. At over £250 my heart is likely not to be returned to me anytime soon but will live in the back of some lucky flush soddette’s wardrobe. I’ve noticed on Liberty’s website that Simeon Farrar has been inspired to create some tropical prints so we may be looking at a hot trend.

From the scent of the cut-flowers in the centre entrance to the Gothic Revival wood carvings that seem peek at you in among the goodies on offer, Liberty aims to be something rather special (I didn’t mean to sound like a Worthers Originals Advert there – sorry). It occupies the same space in my affections as Henri Bendell in New York. Girly and high quality.

Kooky prints: This wonderful button print scarf by Faliero Sarto caught my eye and it is darling but at over £200 it is again out of my price range (sigh).

The Gatsby trend is in full steam: this beautiful headdress from Muhlbauer would surely be the centre-piece of any Deco inspired wedding outfit. Obviously Art Deco never goes out of fashion at Liberty.

I ventured inside on Friday, ostensibly to look at the scarves (Liberty is famed for its printed fabrics, having collaborated with artists as diverse as William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Vivienne Westwood over the years).

S’lip up: In the end I figured buying a little old £8.50 lip shine from C.O. Bigelow couldn’t hurt (although it did rather defeat the object of the window shopping expedition). It’s cinnamon and mint flavoured and highly sticky (so not one to wear with your hair loose on a windy day). And OK it is a rip-off for a lip balm but I have been curious to try out some of these products for a while as C.O. Bigelow is the oldest apothecary in the U.S.

Liberty do not take kindly to their merchandise being photographed (so my apologies for the quality of some of these pics – I had to be furtive on this mission of aestheticism) and their staff can be a little imperious. This is probably why I broke my window-shopping vow and came home with a buyers-remorse filled little purple bag of apothecary goods.

This may be the most ridiculous purchase I have made for some time. £24 for a shower cap? Look, this is probably the only Liberty-print item I will ever own and it does make me feel more glamorous in the bath tub even if I look like I’m wearing one of Alfie Moon’s shirts tied around my head (incidentally these can be found in the men’s department).

The great thing about this place is that while you may not be able to afford most of the things on display, you can marvel at them as items in a museum. The spectacle is not unlike Harrods but the wares on display look way more lovingly made.

Last on my Liberty haul was this hair powder by Lulu Organics (£24). The promise of a clary-sage scent and its between-wash degreasing properties was enough to lure me in and I tried it out this morning.To be honest, you’re better off sticking with Batiste which is lighter, way better quality and not to mention a snip of the price. But the packaging and scent mean this will work as dressing-table talc for some time to come.

Fashion Magazine asked the Style Panel what to wear for the upcoming wedding season. Here is what I said. This season is going to be super fun, as I celebrate my own engagement to my sexy photographer Trevor Negin, who popped the question in March after 6 years of dating. Those outfits are likely going to be hard to find and the search begins with numbered days before the first event. Wish me luck

]]> http://jillnoeh.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/find-your-perfect-shorts/ Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:12 +0000 jillnoeh http://jillnoeh.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/find-your-perfect-shorts/ With so many prints, textures and colors to mix and match, finding the perfect summer short can be difficult.  When shopping for shorts, I try to keep a few things in mind…

1. The Mood: Most casual styles are solely for the weekend.

2. The Fit: Make sure that shorts don’t grab your shape, if you are worried, try to go for darker solids which have a slimming effect or bright colors to highlight curves.

3. The Mix: Add structure to your shorts.  Whether that is loose shorts and a blazer or tight shorts and an oversized tee, make sure to change things up!

xx

-j.

{1969 Printed Summer Cut-Offs, $49.95, Gap.com}

{3″ Chino in Roller Girl, $54.50, JCrew.com}

{White Denim Short, $79.50, JCrew.com}

{Shorts, $12.95, HM.com}

{Ocean Drive Short, $42, Shopgrl.com}

{Three Dots with Elastic Shirring, $84, Shopbop.com}

{Alive + Olivia Butterfly Shorts, $187, Shopbop.com}

{Shelly Shorts, $36, Tobi.com}

{Theory Nyos Striped Skirt-Shorts, $114, Cusp.com}

{Babaton Derek Shorts, $110, Aritzia.com}

With temperatures getting higher means goodbyes to your favorite sweaters and jeans! It’s time to slip in to something more comfortable and loose, so your not weighed down and sweltering! And to throw it all together, fun patterns and prints are perfect!
My Aztec print skirt is full of color and is too cute! It was purchased at Forever 21 since they have perfect sizes for my petite body! The tank top is basic and the white cardigan is none the less from Forever 21. For just a simple look, I chose my Steve Madden Thundr-C lace booties since they seemed appropriate! My necklace I believe is from H&M, and compliments the blues in the skirt which I love! My phone case is from Etsy and the two bracelets tie the outfit to a complete! The brown beaded one was a gift and the other was handmade!
Today I felt very tribal and joyful! Great way to start this slow week, and warm weather is calling! Hope you had a great Tuesday although mine was pretty average! I hate just rolling out of bed early, I mean, who doesn’t! Happy Tuesday, almost Wednesday, and thanks for reading,” YourDailyFashion’♡

Borse progettate a partire di un pezzo unico di materiale- si arrotola, si piega, si arriccia…per arrivare al prodotto finale
Borse esclusive 100% cucite a mano.
Realizzate in ecopelle, PVC, tela ricoperta e cottone per l’arredamento, sono completamente impermeabili e resistenti alle macchie.
Il materiale utilizzato è proveniente del riciclo di scarti dell’industria tessile e di arredamento. A voi le foto!

Qui la pagina facebook di Studio V, per poter ammirare tutti i modelli:

https://www.facebook.com/studiovmilano?fref=ts

I was wearing/ Indossavo:

MSGM dress/abito: http://msgm.it/

H&M ankle boot/ stivaletti

H&M bracelet/ Braccialetto

Barone leather jacket/ Giubbotto di pelle

Studio V bags, the red one is the model: Oxblood; the blue one: Electric blue

Borse Studio V, la rossa è il modello: ‘Oxblood’; la blu: ‘Electric blue’

https://www.facebook.com/studiovmilano?fref=ts

Qui alcuni dei modelli di Studio V, per qualsiasi info collegati alla pagina facebook di Studio V!

Happy to announce my first personal print exhibition and the launch of the S.P.O.T. Pop-down Gallery (Stokie Pictures and Other Things) in the basement of Lucky 7 record shop (127, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0UH, London).
It will be on 31st May to 21st June.

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL – is the sacred and symbolic dimension of our everyday lives. I am fascinated with deep and simple symbols which refer to the common human imagery – archetypes, carrying subliminal messages that are triggering our memory of why we are here, and pointing to a reality beyond our awareness or full understanding. In my artworks I explore these patterns, which derive from a universal collective unconscious and are reflected in tribal and folk art, legends, myths and fairy-tales.

FB event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/179301328895479/

White Stag, Invitation to the Quest

White Stag Invitation to the Quest, oil on canvas, 12 inches by 18 inches, 2010

Invitation to the quest symbolized traditionally by the arrival of the White Stag.
Arthurian legend states that the creature has a perennial ability to evade capture; and that the pursuit of the animal represents mankind’s spiritual quest.   It also signaled that the time was at hand for the knights of the kingdom to pursue a quest.
It was said that whoever hunted down a white stag could kiss the loveliest girl in Arthur’s court.
The white stag is a familiar creature of myth and legend. Its origins are likely to originate in the totemic period of early Indo-European society, particularly the northern societies of the Celts and pre-Indo-European cultures, whose subsistence was gained not only through agriculture, but through hunting. This dependence on deer may be seen in the zoomorphic Celtic god Cernunnos, depicted as being a man with the antlers of a deer.
For early man, the deer represented a valuable resource, providing nourishment, clothing and other accessories; and the deer may have played a role in totemic culture.  Ultimately, the white stag is not only a creature of the gods, but is a god himself, symbolizing the creative life force of the universe–sex, life, and also death.
For Celtic people the white stag was considered to be a messenger from the otherworld and also believed that the white stag would appear when one was transgressing a taboo.
British mythology is full of references to the deer.  The creature was believed to be an animal that could transform bringing messages and sending signs to the humans from the gods and spirits. It was also believed to draw hunters further into the forest, providing visions and often wonders, all of which held deep symbolism for the hunter and community.

Resources

Prints of White Stag Invitation to the Quest

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_stag

http://www.helium.com/items/2000531-mythical-beasts

http://magyarnews.org/news.php?viewStory=798

http://www.hunmagyar.org/mondak/stag.html

http://www.sarahsawyer.com/2010/12/mythic-creatures-the-white-stag/

http://www.maryjones.us/jce/whitestag.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uzCVi0hUY

The weather was matching my mood today and I decided to keep it with a dark color palate.  I wanted to incorporate the floral trend with my leggings so I wouldn’t look like I am going to a funeral. As usual, I wore my fave leather jacket because I find it that cool!

Enjoy the pictures.

Details:

Jacket: Forever 17 from Joyce Leslie

Shirt: Ralph Lauren

Leggings: Joyce Leslie

Belt: H&M

Boots: Aldo

Sunglasses: Vintage Laura Biagiotti

Lipstick: Kat Von D- Homegirl

Custom 37 Ford Pickup at sundown in the wilds of the Texas Hill Country – Ha!

Custom 37 Ford Pickup

Imagine – if U will – a time in American culture when form over-ran function.  Think about the effect that might have on the daily hum-drum.  Let’s say U went out to buy a 1937 Ford Truck for example.  U needed a pickup b/c U had some stuff to haul on a regular basis.  U go down to the Ford dealer.  And in the showroom U see the 1937 equivalent of this custom 37 Ford Pickup.  Imagine how Ur heart would race at the thought of driving not just a pickup truck.  U would be driving a work of art.  U would be driving a brilliant work of “modern” industrial art – for shizzle! ~:0)

Admittedly the original 1937 Ford Pickup Truck did not have twenty inch wheels with lower than low profile tires mounted.  The top of the vintage did not have three inches chopped out.  There was black rubber covering the running-boards.  The truck rode higher.  There were stylishly thin bumpers front and back.  After all it was a work truck.  Point is the way this custom 37 ford pickup looks to us now by comparison is the manner in which it was perceived in 1937.  Is that coming through? – Ha!

in ’37 the grille and headlights were the same as this rig.  The fenders still had that remarkable crease running over top.  This truck was the acme of art deco’s influence on industrial design of the era.  And Yet!  With only marginal updating this pickup truck that has traveled through time and stirs in this viewer at least – the yearning for beauty in our culture.  I suppose the point old VivaChas is trying to make regarding this custom 37 Ford Pickup is – where are the designers in this day?  Are they so cowed by intrusive government regulations that they’ve lost their spirit? ~:0)

U know – the problem isn’t with the designers today.  The problems isn’t with the nanny-state – - – well maybe it is.  But!  What I’m saying about this bewdy of a custom 37 Ford pickup is – the prob is with us.  That’s right!  The problem of driving drab-slab designed cars is that the population has lost touch with the spirit that was alive in the States when this ride came to life on the designer’s table.  Think of it!  There was an artificially enhanced depression in the country at the time this pickup first rolled off the assembly line.  Can U say – optimistic?  That’s right!  This sort of visual statement was made by a group of car-men who said enough!  So they began to create their way out of the depression.  They took up their tools and they made something.  They made something that though updated – still stirs the spirit today.

Dear reader – I give U a Sunset that precedes a new day.  It will be a new day of creative statement.  It is the resurrection of art in everyday life.  Now – here’s the plan – - – Ha!  Wish us all luck!  Make Hot Rods!  Make Rat Rods!  Make Custom Street Rods!  Make something that matters.  Maybe a nice pix from ole VivaChas will help inspire U.  It couldn’t hurt! ~:0) VivaChas!

Custom 37 Ford Pickup at Hot Rodney Hot Rods & VivaChas!

Chas-Sinklier Fine Art

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Hero Complex Gallery is excited to follow up on their immensely popular exhibition, Righteous Rides, with their late May show, Arch Nemesis!

Arch Nemesis opens on May 24^th, 2013. The art show will focus on bad guys, villains, rogues, and scoundrels of the world. And what good is a Nemesis show without a few heroes to kick around!

H.C.G. will be giving away (1) maple wood variant of Laurent Durieux’s Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy)

They will also be giving away (1) metal variant of Craig Drake’s “Predator”, inspired by the film of the same name. One will be awarded to opening night customers and one will be awarded to online customers.

All customers with purchases of $100 or more will automatically be entered to win.

Opening Reception: Friday, May 24^th, 7-10pm – All ages – no cover – copious beverages – music – artists in attendance

Hero Complex Gallery
2020 South Robertson Blvd., Studio D
Los Angeles, CA 90034

On Display:

May 24^th – May 15^th

W-Sat, 11am-6pm

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event Page: here

Online Release: here, Sat, May 25^th, approx. 1pm PDT

For accessorizing, using the main colors found within the dress is a great idea for color coordination. A hot pink Escada clutch adds an extra punch of color and some sparkle to the outfit. Keep the rest of the look neutral with black heels and a fedora and you are ready to head to a concert or to dinner in the city.

How do you feel about polka dots?