Not Ivy League Material

  It has been less than two weeks, and my blog has already taught me some things: a) I really need to get to work shortening all of my sleeves because I look like a ragamuffin, and b) I need to shoot against a lighter background because even after color correction, I'm glowing like an orange-tinted angel.

  Since it has been very foggy and damp, I have been wearing my long skirts. The skirt is from Ozz On Japan, a brand of Japanese punk and goth clothing. I love that it has good-sized pockets in the back and a cargo pocket on the side. (I know, pockets in ladyclothing, right?) The fabric is stretchy and there is lacing up the sides to give me a snugger or looser fit, depending on whether I have eaten an entire roast chicken.

My overexposed face and I are tickled pink to see you

  The scarf is fleece and has a handy loop underneath so it wraps securely around your neck.

  I have a binder clip holding my shirt together. I think it was meant to be a drape-y overlayer, but I was trying to emulate the look of Shihar's etsy shop, which sells beautiful flowing lady warrior outfits. Is this the “pop of color” I keep hearing about? Maybe I can start a new trend.

  These are some of the only standard-width shoes I've found that don't crush my toes. Unfortunately they are like a vise on my instep. The leather shop stretches them, but they don't take my “Stretch the almighty heck out of them. I don't care if they look funny.” as seriously as I'd like, so I've taken matters -and a hammer- into my own hands.

  It's research papers and finals for me the next few weeks, so posts may be sporadic. I hope your week is going well!

Shirt: Alternative Apparel Vintage Soft™ (thrifted)

Roxy scarf by Cameleon (thrifted, link to company website)

Skirt: OzzOn Japan (Japan)

Shoes: Candie by Kohl's (thrifted)

Necklaces: wushu, family crest

The Great Indoors

  My tripod arrived! I've been struggling with lighting issues in my apartment (13W fluorescents do not flattering self-photos make) so I tried a page from Stef's book (her blog Diversions is an introvert's wonderland of beautiful small details, gorgeous colors, and artistic photography books) and went out for a little walk in my neighborhood.

  My neighborhood isn't very dangerous, but it's not well-kept. There's a lot of abandoned furniture dumped into empty lots and on street corners, overgrown weeds around dark concrete apartment buildings, and that sort of thing. I tried to find some greenery, set up the tripod, and give outdoor shots a go:

Settings on my camera make quite the difference

Self-conscious, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. :D

  I've also started reading up on tutorials on how to clean up images. (Stef's got some tutorials on her blog here.)

  This is a layered outfit because the weather has been much more typical of San Francisco spring this week:

It's been this and a 25 mph headwind

  After I took a few photos, I fled inside to take close-ups:

  The sweatshirt body panels have been sewn inside-out. It makes the design stamped on it very subtle and faded on the front, and more saturated on the sleeve. It's a gorgeous print of ginkgo leaves, orchids, coral(?), tentacles(!) and some random Victorian keys.

I don't understand either, but I really like it.

  Under it, I wore a racerback tank top that is solid in front and lace in back. I love these as underlayers because you can see lace peeking out above anything scoop-necked, which I hope is sexy but not trashy. Unfortunately it seems they've gone out of style, because I can no longer find them anywhere.

It's the Japanese version of cleavage. Raceyback!

  I've decided I don't like the trousers I bought to wear as leggings as trousers. They are definitely going under dresses and getting tucked into boots in the future.

  P.S. Check out this fellow playing with his frisbee in a 20mph headwind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf5mCS6HYaI (warning, windy camera sounds)

Sweatshirt: UO (thrifted)

Underlayer tank: cheap junior shop

Trouser-leggings as trousers: cheap junior shop

Coat: H&M (old)