I am quite excited to see what other projects will come out of their new column. May I suggest Monster Mittens?
DIY Dreaded Sweater
Finally, photos of the sweater I was working on Saturday afternoon! Check one diy project off the list! I guess I just needed a nudge in the form of a diy project request from Refinery 29. You can see the tutorial on their website here!
I am quite excited to see what other projects will come out of their new column. May I suggest Monster Mittens?
I am quite excited to see what other projects will come out of their new column. May I suggest Monster Mittens?
Lace & Leather - Somarta Fall 2009
Somarta was by far my favourite show of Tokyo fashion week. I'm surprised that I hadn't jumped on the Somarta bandwagon before, as I distinctly remember their spring 2009 collection being featured somewhere... Possibly on Style Bubble. I guess this is one of those brands I just had to rediscover by myself.
The label was started by former Issey Miyake team member Tamae Hirokawa in March of 2006. Since then, Somarta has garnered much attention for it's high-tech body wear. Every collection is styled around a full length lace body suit, created with advanced Japanese textile technology. Knitwear computer programs? Japan really is a different world. I'd like to experience it for myself someday.
Here's a look at Somarta's current fall collection, featuring strong leather neckpieces mixed in with black lace and golden jaw-gards. I'm getting the don't-mess with-me kind of vibe. I also compiled some of my favourite looks from their past collections below. I think the runway makeup in spring 2008 is the most interesting style I've ever seen.
images via coutorture
images via zimbio
images via fashion strategy forums
images via getty
The label was started by former Issey Miyake team member Tamae Hirokawa in March of 2006. Since then, Somarta has garnered much attention for it's high-tech body wear. Every collection is styled around a full length lace body suit, created with advanced Japanese textile technology. Knitwear computer programs? Japan really is a different world. I'd like to experience it for myself someday.
Here's a look at Somarta's current fall collection, featuring strong leather neckpieces mixed in with black lace and golden jaw-gards. I'm getting the don't-mess with-me kind of vibe. I also compiled some of my favourite looks from their past collections below. I think the runway makeup in spring 2008 is the most interesting style I've ever seen.
images via coutorture
images via zimbio
images via fashion strategy forums
images via getty
Space & Lace
Today it was almost warm enough to wear these outfits. But only in direct sunlight. Almost. Ok it was still pretty chilly. I am eagerly anticipating summer with a large stash of scarf dresses and sheer odds and ends in my closet.
The first outfit was made from some fabric I bought at Dressew when I went shopping for trim for my sweater. This pattern elicited a surprised "oooh" and just refused to be place back onto the shelf. I've been looking for a blurry/spacy/marbled print dress for a while. I guess I just had to make one for myself. I experimented with new ways of tying the fabric here, a nice change from the usual wrap around the neck style.
Pardon the mess. I was chasing the light and had no other choice of location. My grandmother just bought new furniture for the entire downstairs.
The texture on my white skirt below is a little blown out... Drat. The top was thrifted by my mum. She thought I'd like it and she was right. Although it wasn't love at first sight, it was definitely love at first wear.
That handsome German shepherd is my uncle's. He's still a puppy but he's getting very big. He kept poking his nose through the fence trying to get my attention.
The sweater I was working on in the previous post is all finished now! I took a few photos of it as well but I'll post them later.
DIY Day
Remember this photo of some strange twisty carpet/drape trim that I took at Dressew a while ago? Well I finally got around to purchasing some for a little diy project and tutorial I'm working on for Refinery 29. I was originally planning to try out the Rodarte rib-cage shirt, but I figured I'd save it for a weekend after finals when I'm less pressed for time. This particular project is extremely easy to do but I'm excited about the results already! Here is a little preview of what I have so far. Everything is just held in place with pins at the moment. I'll post the rest in conjunction with the feature!
Living Green with Your Kids | Don’t Just Stand There, Plant a Tree | Sophias Style | Louis Robinson
It is a pretty common school of thought that habits taught to your children when young, will translate into habits they practice when older. If we do our part to conserve the earth now with strong teachings of green living, we can knock out two goals at once, and I’m going to tell you how.
The first objective is to teach our kids strong conservation practices. Maybe you can start with something that will enrich the earth and your child’s mind. Get outside and plant a tree! Nebraska is the home of Arbor Day and we are all about increasing the amount of trees. Head to your local nursery and pick up a small tree that you and your children can plant together. Not only will you be doing something inventive and fun with your children, you will be doing your part to conserve the environment.
Other great outdoor activities range from the obvious sports and games, to some other not so obvious activities like nature camps and fun science projects. With spring finally here, you could start a leaf hunting project. Collect different types of leaves out at whatever local forests you can, and have them organize and identify them all.
The secondary goal of all this is to get kids up and more active. By providing them with fun and nature oriented activities, you are encouraging your children to get outside and be active! With the growing amount of overweight kids, it is more important now than ever before to encourage active healthy lifestyles!
Get online at http://www.sophiasstyle.com/ and check out all of our new girls spring clothes. Find new girls spring outfits and all just in time to send your kids outside in the sun!
Gap Fall 2009
photos via style.com
Funnily enough, Patrick Robinson's new direction for the Gap has really caught my eye. It looks very campus-friendly, a great mix of American sportswear, Navajo knits and some very covetable pieces such as shearling vests and jackets. They finally managed to style their classic chinos into relevance once again, transforming the shape into a skinnier stovepipe and pairing them with sheepskin Pierre Hardy boots. Which made me pause. Pierre Hardy boots? Will these shoes be available at the Gap? Does anyone know? I love the chunky heel. Yep, I can definitely see myself trotting around campus next winter in similar outfits. I can't believe I'm craving chinos. I guess that's what good styling can do for you.
But will I buy them from the Gap? Nah, I'll probably end up thrifting a pair and adjusting them myself. But the shearling jackets and boots on the other hand, hmm...
Sophias Style Girls Clothing Store | Sophias Style Fit Tip
Mandy
As a fitness instructor I am always looking for great new articles, or learning fit tips from others that are involved in this industry. I came across this article and thought to share it with you all.
Sophias Style Fit Tip- Since fitness levels can be hard to measure, many schools and local YMCA's follow the President's Challenge, a federally supported program for kids ages six to 17, to gauge physical fitness in kids and motivate them to get fit. The challenge offers five assessment tests to measure a child's level of fitness in the areas of endurance, strength and flexibility. Through your child's school or on his own, she can win awards of achievement, active lifestyle, and more. Visit www.PresidentsChallenge.org to learn more. Encourage your child to practice to improve and reach the fitness targets for each test.
The Push-Ups Assessment Test:
This test measures your child's upper body strength. Have her lie on the floor, face down, hands under shoulders, fingers straight, knees bent (or straight). Instruct her to lift her body, keeping knees/toes on the floor until her arms are straight. Lower down until her elbows bend at 90-degrees to complete one rep. See how many she can do in a row.
Push-Ups Fitness Targets:
7-Year-Olds: Boys 8, Girls 8
10-Year-Olds: Boys 14, Girls 13
14-Year-Olds: Boys 24, Girls 10
17-Year-Olds: Boys 37, Girls 16
Article Courtsey of Family Health and Wellness By SparkPeople
The Push-Ups Assessment Test:
This test measures your child's upper body strength. Have her lie on the floor, face down, hands under shoulders, fingers straight, knees bent (or straight). Instruct her to lift her body, keeping knees/toes on the floor until her arms are straight. Lower down until her elbows bend at 90-degrees to complete one rep. See how many she can do in a row.
Push-Ups Fitness Targets:
7-Year-Olds: Boys 8, Girls 8
10-Year-Olds: Boys 14, Girls 13
14-Year-Olds: Boys 24, Girls 10
17-Year-Olds: Boys 37, Girls 16
Article Courtsey of Family Health and Wellness By SparkPeople
Is that spring I see?
My favourite suede Aldo wedges are currently in repair as I have already worn the bottom of the heel and it needs replacing. Apparently I walk too much. I walk everywhere actually, when I'm not taking public transit that is. I've actually never made an effort to learn how to drive in four years...
Anyways, since it was sunny today and no rain was in the forecast, I decided to wear a pair of heels that has been very neglected. The pink shoes shown in the second photo are from Payless (I bought them a couple of years ago). They're not the most comfortable when worn alone, as they're not real leather and tend to scrape my toes a bit. But worn with tights, they were good to go for the whole day.
I actually styled this outfit around the shoes, wondering what I could finally wear with them. I'm wearing a puffed-sleeve peplum jacket that my grandmother made for my birthday last summer with thrifted shirt, skirt, belt and Roots tights.
By the way, I've been featured on Refinery 29 today! When Megan contacted my asking for spring outfits I'm looking forward to wearing, I assumed that they were going to make a post about various up and coming bloggers sharing their style. But boy was I shocked to find little old me on the same page with the likes of Rumi, Susie, Jane et al. I feel so out of my league. I'm gobsmacked. But so flattered!
I also tried one of the ties mentioned in the previous post with clothes I was wearing today just for fun. Kevin wanted to take the first photo in his messy storage room. I have no idea why. Go figure.
Anyways, since it was sunny today and no rain was in the forecast, I decided to wear a pair of heels that has been very neglected. The pink shoes shown in the second photo are from Payless (I bought them a couple of years ago). They're not the most comfortable when worn alone, as they're not real leather and tend to scrape my toes a bit. But worn with tights, they were good to go for the whole day.
I actually styled this outfit around the shoes, wondering what I could finally wear with them. I'm wearing a puffed-sleeve peplum jacket that my grandmother made for my birthday last summer with thrifted shirt, skirt, belt and Roots tights.
By the way, I've been featured on Refinery 29 today! When Megan contacted my asking for spring outfits I'm looking forward to wearing, I assumed that they were going to make a post about various up and coming bloggers sharing their style. But boy was I shocked to find little old me on the same page with the likes of Rumi, Susie, Jane et al. I feel so out of my league. I'm gobsmacked. But so flattered!
I also tried one of the ties mentioned in the previous post with clothes I was wearing today just for fun. Kevin wanted to take the first photo in his messy storage room. I have no idea why. Go figure.
Kevin Wearing Sovereign Beck
For the last month or so I've been in correspondence with Will Beck from Sovereign Beck Ties, a Brooklyn-based men's accessory design company. Sovereign Beck specializes in unique neck-ties, bow-ties and pocket squares. They design and hand make all of their pieces. Having a great affinity for off-beat menswear style, I asked Will to send a couple of samples over so I could have a bit of fun styling Kevin for a blog photo shoot. We chose a mix of classic and modern-graphic and went with a purple wool herringbone and a lavender cotton crystal-print tie.
Today was such a beautiful sunny day that we rushed outside to take photos before we missed the light. Unfortunately by the time we went back upstairs so Kevin could change outfits, the sun went down and the lighting was more dull. Ah, summertime, how I miss you. But we still managed to snap these two outfits below. Kevin saved my butt for the first one. I didn't know what jacket to put over top of the graphic combo, but he pulled out this red leather jacket that I had completely forgotten about!
I also made him put on the blue eye-square again because I loved it so much last time... But I don't always dress him!
Aside from the Sovereign Beck ties, and lavender Leo Chevalier shirt, everything else Kevin is wearing was thrifted. Yes ok, thrift-shopping was completely my influence over him. Heh.
Today was such a beautiful sunny day that we rushed outside to take photos before we missed the light. Unfortunately by the time we went back upstairs so Kevin could change outfits, the sun went down and the lighting was more dull. Ah, summertime, how I miss you. But we still managed to snap these two outfits below. Kevin saved my butt for the first one. I didn't know what jacket to put over top of the graphic combo, but he pulled out this red leather jacket that I had completely forgotten about!
I also made him put on the blue eye-square again because I loved it so much last time... But I don't always dress him!
Aside from the Sovereign Beck ties, and lavender Leo Chevalier shirt, everything else Kevin is wearing was thrifted. Yes ok, thrift-shopping was completely my influence over him. Heh.
Hot Spring colors $39 Ea
Such a cute style, and perfect colors! These bags are a MUST HAVE!!!
$39 Ea.
1 White
1 Pink
1 Yellow
Spring Bags to accessorize your outfits!
I will only have bags for a limited time. I saw these and had to have some SPRING colors in my little boutique!
These are priced to sell at $35 ea.
2 pastel pink
1 black
1 pastel yellow
Rozalb de Mura Fall 2009
Was I ever glad to find a press release for Rozalb de Mura's fall collection in my inbox this morning! It is a much needed break from the usual graphic tees and denim line press releases I get. Sometimes I wonder if most PR people even glance at my blog, because what they're pushing is so vastly different from what I like to wear/talk about. Funnily enough, the last time I was excited about a press release, it was also sent for another Romanian brand, Party Noire.
Anyways, ever since reading about Rozalb on Dazed Digital, I've been quite fascinated by designer Oláh Gyárfás and his respect for the quiet small town mountain life in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. Every time I go back home to my native city of Brasov (which has sadly only been twice since I was 5), I'm always struck by the beauty of the Transylvanian landscape. Of course, Vancouver is not unfamiliar with handsome mountain ranges, but I really admire how many Romanian cities and towns look more integrated into their environment. Sometimes it's comforting to know that there are still places in the world where man is humbled by his surroundings. But then, now that Romania is part of the EU, I'm a bit afraid it may start to lose its idiosyncratic charm as it begins to integrate it's economy with the rest of the western world. But this is another matter entirely, and there are those that would justify this growth because it would increase the living standards of the Romanian people. But I'm veering way off track now.
So this brings me back to Rozalb's almost austere fall collection, inspired by "the colours of the future", which were apparently predicted by psychologist Max Luscher in an imaginary research study. What do these colours tell you about the future? The collection to me feels a bit out of space and time, like the traditional costume of a civilization entirely different from our own "trend-crazed" one. It is more simple, almost utilitarian, but has a few distinguishing details that set personalities apart, without attempting to create needless personas and egos. To me it feels like the costume of a people that has embraced community again.
Countless times I've questioned my life choices (fashion? marketing?) as they don't exactly fit in with the values I admire (Buddhist-like non-attachment, compassion, unity). But then once in a while I become unexpectedly inspired by people like Oláh and think maybe I can use whatever skills I develop to be an agent of change of a different sort...
Sophias Style | Swimming Lessons
Mandy
We are fast approaching the warmer season, a time to play outside! Most of you moms would probably agree that getting out and keeping busy is great, but how do you enjoy your time and keep your baby happy.
Enroll in swimming lessons with him or her. Because you are not able to just leave an infant in the hands of the swimming instructor you will have to take the lessons as well. This is a perfect time to bond with your baby and perhaps re learn those "swimming basics" that you may have forgotten.
You can expect very basic swimming techniques, such as blowing bubbles in the water, and the pre stages of floating. These lessons will help your little one start to feel comfortable in water. Of course you will have to wait until he or she is 6mos old before you begin, but keep in mind this is a great activity to do together while they are still young!Shop SophiasStyle.com for girls swimwear at discount prices.
Show me your bones
www.00s-s.com, rodarte.net
There may be a slight slowdown in the frequency of posts as I struggle through a few projects and start to prepare for finals. But so far, I'm keeping good pace so maybe this semester I won't be as overwhelmed as before? Here's hoping.
One of my favourite spring runway trends was the the exoskeleton look, as exemplified by Hisui and Rodarte above. The Hisui website annoyingly went down just as I was about to browse further today in search for more complementary images. Anyways, I am eagerly anticipating seeing photos of designer Hiroko Ito's fall collection for Hisui this Tokyo fashion week (now!). I might chalk up Rodarte's rib-cage tops to my summer diy list as the general shape doesn't look too difficult to duplicate. I can't wait to get finals over with this April so I can spend some time learning how to better use a sewing machine, since Camille's recent diy forays have left me longing for some creative time.
Easter Egg Decorating | Sophia's Style Boutique
Easter is coming!! The folks here at SophiasStyle.com are busy scrambling (pardon the egg pun) to get all the preparations ready for our Easter traditions. I was listening to everyone getting ready to color eggs, and it made me think about the other ways to decorate eggs that do not involve food coloring or vinegar! The cutest idea I found was in Parents Magazine. They call these Sheep-er by the Dozen. Fuzzy white baby socks and felt transform eggs into a fun flock.
What you'll need: Fuzzy white baby sock (0-6 months), scissors, tan felt, pink felt, tacky glue, two googly eyes, black embroidery floss, needle, two 1/2-inch white pom-poms.
Make it: Cut sock to 2 1/2 inches tall. Cut two outer ear pieces from tan felt and two inner ear pieces from pink felt using the templates. Glue the pink piece to the center of the tan piece and repeat for other ear. Once dry, glue ears to the sides of the sock, pink side down. Cut a circle 1 1/4 inches in diameter out of tan felt and glue to sock. Glue googly eyes on the circle and stitch an upper-case "Y" below the eyes with embroidery floss for the nose and mouth. Glue two 1/2-inch white pom-poms to the front bottom edge for the feet.
Make sure to try these for easy and fun Easter decorations. Also, make sure to visit SophiasStyle.com for that perfect girls Easter dress or accessory. Our customer service reps are here to help make your holiday fashion purchasing easy.
Courtesy of Parents.com.
Courtesy of Parents.com.
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