90's Skirt And Top - Thrify 2015

Hey all! I'm back with a Thrifty 2015 post! While I was away in Northern California for a week I found some fantastic thrift finds that I had to shove into my very small carry on bag to take home with me. Having to sit on my suitcase while I zipped it up was well worth it for these awesome items.

Today I'm gonna share with you what I managed to do with one of them. My computer was having a fit all day long and I figured I'd take it as a huge sign to just work on something that's non-digital for the day.

Cue the 90's Skirt and Top!

Ok, so it's just a skirt here. BUT IT HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL! Or at least that's what I thought when I saw it in the second hand store my dad had taken us to. The print is super 90s, and it's LONG, which means I could cut it up and make it into something wearable. And the best part? It was 50% off so I snagged this for $3.00.

Oh yeah.

So I got to work!

I measured out the length of one of my favorite skater skirts and it came out to around 16 inches. I'm planning on wearing the new skirt at the same spot on my waist, and 16 inches left me with plenty of left over fabric.

 I used pins to mark the 16'' so i could cut along the line. I think I went a wee bit longer cause I was assuming I'd hem the bottom of this. Assuming the better of myself, like a damn fool.

All cut! Huge improvement already!

All folded out this is how much fabric I had to work with, and I had a pre-hemmed bottom! Yaaass!

                                     

I laid down a crop top that had a similar boxy style to what I wanted and pinned it to the fabric to cut along the lines.

 I repeated the same steps for the front of the shirt as well. Had JUST enough fabric!

at this point I decided against sleeves and cut the shirt a bit more. This is a risky move as it can come out uneven, but hey, my left boob is bigger than my right, so really it matches the shirt even better now.

I pinned it all down and got to sewing!

Ended up finishing the top with just a straight serge stitch instead of attempting a hem. 1. you don't actually notice it as much with this print, so it kinda works, and 2. I really suck a hemming so why ruin a good thing.

So the skirt ended up with a normal stitch on it as well. 

And boom! A 90's print top and skirt is BORN.

I'm super excited about this and write today off as a success even in light of my frustrating computer issues. And I've got some pretty fun things planned for the next projects! Here's a little sneak peek at some of the projects I have planned.

Till next time!

<3

February! Lets do this.

It's officially Feb 1st, nearly the 2nd as I write this.
I'm excited for this month. I feel happy and refreshed as most of the stresses of moving and stresses of getting back into the groove of things is settling down. Im starting this month by hopping on a plane in nine or so hours and heading back to California to see my Dad's new place and visit friends. My friend Alex is with me, as its now the last week of her nearly 3 month stay in the states. It's be absolutely fantastic having one of my best friends here, and I'm gonna be really sad to see her go. BUT! It'll be my turn to visit and hopefully I can make my way back down to kiwi-land soon.

Speaking of Kiwi-land, I got my New Zealand tattoo updated!

I wrote a blurb about this to my instagram followers, but I'll share what I said here:

"Before and after. Its almost all healed but the skins a bit wibbly. Kinda a huge upgrade tho. This was my first tattoo i got at 18 and im really happy to revamp it. New Zealand is home to me, even if I’m not a native. As soon as I can see the islands out of the plane window I’m suddenly chill and giddy. Its the one place that’s felt like home to me after my many travels. I first went when I was 11, and traveled back and forth a lot either for visits or for living and study. I taught myself to surf there, ive gone to high school, ive done my entire university studies there, Ive made life long friends, heartbreak, and got to meet the love of my life in the Dunedin airport after only two weeks of us talking. New Zealand is really, really special to me and I hope to move there full time eventually. Till then ill cut the homesickness by visits and having my favorites come visit me. Kiwifornian for life."
I now officially love all the tattoos I have on my body, and look forward to the future ones I have planned.

New things!
I'm really looking forward to diving head first back into vlogs, thrifty 2015 updates, and art! It's been a while since I've been so inspired and excited and I think I have our new surroundings to blame. I've always enjoyed time on my own, and even though I love social events, I tend to get burnt out on social activities very quickly. I like to refer to myself as a social introvert. I really enjoy engaging and talking with others, but I need to have long periods of time to myself to work, draw, sing, write, sleep- to recharge. Having only two friends my age here in Austin (outside of Matt whom I obviously live with) the social solitude is only more motivation to really spend this year digging into the things I want to do, and that to me is very, very exciting. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to make new friends in this city- but I also can't wait to write new music, film videos, create art, finally learn guitar- all of it!

So stay tuned, because I have many things planned for this blog. There are lots of things I want to share with you- and as soon as I get home next weekend I'm diving into it full force.

Till then, remember that you're great.

-A

2015 "Resolution" video!

My video for my 2015 "resolutions" is up! 

OOTD- Bones, frill, and checks

Today was a dreary day, but that wasn't going to stop me from putting together an outfit, slapping on some makeup, and then awkwardly shooting myself in my own office.

Thrify 2015 is all about having good finds and making outfits work. When I combine my thrifted items with my existing wardrobe, great things happen.

Today's outfit is Bones, Frill, and Checks.

Ellie is mad creepin

UNIF bone moto jacket paired with a thrifted Lauren Conrad top (3.99)

"Mom what are you doing."

Men's check shirt, thrifted for about $5.99

I had been craving some heeled angle boots for winter and these boots are the best mix of 90's/early 2000's and comfort. And for anyone who claims leggings are not pants? Whatever. They're hella comfortable. Wear what you like, not what you think you have to like.

Boots 6.99 from Goodwill. leggings from Cotton On. 

Good start to thrifty 2015 I must say! Im excited for more awkward photoshoots, and hopefully when the weather gets better I can move some outside. Who else is doing thrifty 2015?

<3 A

Speedpaint Study Video 1/3/15

Working on my lighting and portrait studies, and recording them!

And the final,

Thanks for watching! I'm hoping to do more of these, and hopefully improve my knowledge of lighting and portraiture.

Creative 2015

Happy New Years!

I hope everyone had a wonderful start to 2015!

One of my goals this year is to be more creative, and focus my attention onto improving my artwork.

I was lucky to be gifted a new tablet, and I've been glued to it since it arrived.

So far I've only done a couple pieces with it, but I wanted to share two of them. Both of which happen to be Smite related artwork, (a video game I play often) so enjoy.

And since I'm in the habit of posting some artwork, here's a portrait of my Night Elf druid I did a few months ago. I'm still very happy with this one.

2015 will be pushing myelf into doing things I don't normally do, but want to do more of. Digital painting is the highest on the list, and I'm happy I've already gotten a good start on it. Feels good man, feels good.

I look forward to sharing more art, and rebuilding my portfolio with my new and improved artwork and style.

Here's to a great 2015!

-Bonus addition!
Finished this one tonight too.

Colourpop Cosmetics - Mini Haul

* I paid for all the products below with my own money, and am not being paid for this review or haul

HOLE-LEE-CRAP.

So let me back up here a bit.
I got tipped off onto Colourpop by Samantha of Batalash who was doing a wee review of her favorite Colourpop shades. I figured, hell, It's my birthday and Christmas- lets try this brand out.
And I am so glad I did.

First of all, the packaging is crazy cute.

*not pictured was the brilliant way it was packed for safety. I took out all the bubbles and foam for this shot- but this was packed bomb proof! (Which is great!)

I'm already excited while unwrapping this. For such a low price, this is some quality packaging.

(Of course you gotta have one blurry photo. Reminder to charge my camera so it's ready next time.)

Everything is well marked, and the containers themselves are fantastic, sleek, and sturdy.

I can't tell you how many times I've ordered indie makeup and it's come in a crap container, or was put in an impossible clam shell.

But then I swatched.

EYESHADOWS! Sweet creamy goodness eyeshadows! And with no primer!
(featuring a bad burn I got on my thumb for my birthday. Let leg wax cool before taking it out of a microwave folks!)

Lipsticks! Oooh man those colors. And boy do they LAST.

So overall, I rate this brand crazy high. All the shadows are $5 too, and you get a ton of product. It's a fantastic value and totally awesome. I know that I will be spending a wee bit of my Christmas gift money on more shades. I'm addicted. I'm entranced. I have a huge ladyboner for this brand.

Too crude? You will be too once you try out these products.

<3 A.