Thursday, November 10, 2011

IUP FASHION FORMAL.

So I'm getting super pumped for the IUP Fashion Association Formal. Check out the sweet dress I made!! After much frustration, I've decided to embrace the teal liquid lamé.





Also, I painted my nails to match. I tried that "watercolor effect." Did I mention I was excited?
Yay dancing and stuff!!

<3 G

Monday, September 5, 2011

oh hey, blog, it's been a while...

Sooo, since I updated this last, I've made a few things.

I finally finished this messenger bag for my friend Forrest. It's made out of red and black canvas, with strips of red canvas that I bleached. The inside has a pocket with a "grania_maire original" patch. Here's so pics!







I'm really proud of it, it's the first legit bag I've made (other than a simple drawstring one in middle school home ec.)

Also, I made a dress out of recycled tees. I used four t-shirts (one red, one grey, and two black.) I bleached/distressed the black and grey shirts (as you can probably tell, I'm totally obsessed with bleaching...] The pattern is inspired by this dress. Here are some pics! [Note: the first pic is of a work-out outfit I made out of the scraps. Too bad I'm too lazy to actually go to the gym.]

Next project: Something that isn't red and black! Yay sewingggg <3
-G

Friday, July 29, 2011

newwww top.

I just finished making this cute top! I designed it myself, with butterfly sleeves, a braided collar detail, and a braided belt. The lining and white braid details were made from an old t-shirt, and I used blue floral fabric that I found at Good Will. I think it used to be a table cloth, or something. Yay recycled fabric!! =)



My next project: finally finishing Forrest's bag. And fixing Mike's pants. And making Caitlin some jeans. and and and.... =)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

A photograph of youself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30 days

I should've taken a picture earlier today, when I looked cute. But I had fun editing this like I'm emo and 14.

Okay, so, three good things that have happened in past 30 days.
1. I started working at a job I actually like.
2. I reached my 2.5 anniversary with my wonderful boyfriend, Christopher <3.
3. I finally found sea foam green nail polish. I've been searching for an affordable bottle forever.

I'M FREE. =)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.

Sewing. I personalized this old FRFF tee for the festival (just a few short days away!!!) by adding fringe on the bottom and a braid detail to the collar.

I plan on wearing it with a pair of purple cut-off shorts that I made from an old pair of jeans. Off to make another pair of shorts!

=)

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Day 28 – Your favorite movie.

This is a hard one. I don't know that I have a favorite movie, but I could give you a list of my top five (in no particular order)

1. Little Miss Sunshine - Who could not love this heart-warming tale of a disfunctional family that including drug addict grandpa Alan Arkin, depressed gay professor Steve Carrell, and Abigail Breslin?? So much love for this movie.
2. Benny and Joon - The breadstick scene with Johnny Depp - pure. love.
3. (500) Days of Summer - Amazing soundtrack, plus Joseph G-L and Zooey. Also, it's an adorable story.
4. Empire Records - obligatory 90's indie movie about saving a record store. The costumes are great.
5. Almost Famous - That scene, where they're on the bus singing Tiny Dancer, makes me feel better no matter what.

I'm sure this list could be altered, but there they are.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Finally, a post about sewing!!

Front
Back
So, this time next week, I'll be sitting on a farm in Hillsdale, NY, with some of my best friends. Just for the occasion, I made this dress. I used a [modified] dress pattern from the 90's and 4 old recycled t-shirts, including [1] A House of Blues tee, [2] My 8th grade band trip shirt, [3] A Humane Society Thank-you shirt, and [4] a tee that says "I climbed the great wall." Check it out!!







This color-block dress features exposed seams, a zig-zag hem, and an open back. Urban Outfitters, eat your heart out.

Close-up of the bodice.

Now to make a romper.. maybe. =)

Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

  
Last Year
This year
Well, obviously, the only thing that's changed is I now have facial hair. Also, I've gotten a little better at sewing, which is what I'm about to go do. Latuhhhh.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Day 25 – What’s in your purse?

This is a very sleepy me with my very old purse. A tote bag with multi-colored acoustic guitars.

Inside it, you will find:
1: a wallet (which I often use alone as a purse)
2: my planner, with a purple pen (so I can pretend to be organized)
3: a pack of gum
4: a bottle of Target brand menstrual relief (screw you, mother nature)
5: a water bottle (because it's hot outside, and hydration is important)
6: an umbrella (in case it's really hydrated outside)
7: my ipod (because b104 sucks)
8: a tube of pink lipstick and a tube of burts bees lip gloss (so I can feel a little put together at work.)

yep. nothing exciting. but now my purse is clean =)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Day 23 – 15 facts about you.

1: This is the part of challenge I always despise because you have to come up with fifteen things about yourself that sound clever, but not too conceited, and interesting, but not too freakish. Because
2: I care what people think about me more than I'll let on. I'm convinced everyone does.
3: My favorite pastimes include making clothes and getting coffee with people. There's something I love about discussing life over a hot beverage.
4: On that note, I take my coffee straight-up black, and I might tease you a bit if you add milk in sugar. Of course, this only hurts me when I do a lame Smeagol impression that sounds like "You ruinnss itt. Filthy hobbittsss ruining it, my preciousss." Yep. It's happened. Which brings me to number
5: I'm slightly nerdy. Hello IUP Honors College. Not totally, though, because
6: Despite my love for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, I usually can't stand sci-fi or fantasy, and often wonder if I'm adopted when my family discusses their favorite aspects of d&d, so basically
7: I enjoy making movie references.
8: I also enjoy chocolate. Mostly because I'm female, I'm sure, but also because it's so yummy.
9: I currently work in a shoe store, and I'm starting to feel its effects on my [barely-existant] bank account. I'm a fashion major, and vapid-sounding as this comment is,
10: I believe there's no such thing as too much clothing or too many pairs of shoes.
11: [obligatory fact about me where I gush about how I have the best boyfriend in the world xoxoxoxo] which btw, I totally do. And I finally get to see him next week!!! WEEEE =D
12: I love my boyfriend with all my heart, and I would never ever in a million years cheat on him, but I secretly have a crush on every boy.
13: My favorite place to be is Hillsdale, NY. I miss Falcon Ridge so bad I'm starting to foam at the mouth just thinking about it.
14: I'd love to travel. I really want to go to Europe, but I also wouldn't mind going on an epic road trip because:
15: I love making playlists. Thank you for that talent, Mom.

That's it! Hope you feel like you've learned something new about me!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Dear Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

Why do you have to be so big? You really hurt my feelings by having vast acres of smelly farm land between here, the eastern border, and Indiana, home to many people dear to me. I miss them, doesn't that mean ANYTHING to you?

geez.

-Gracie

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.

Welp, my blog name is "Naive and Optimistic." I named it that because I find that people think that's how I view the world. I'm a happy person, I like life, and dammit I think that's great.

Also, I figured if I ever ran out of things to write about, I could post cheery thoughts about life. Sadly, I got sucked into this 30 day challenge instead.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.

Something I crave a lot. Hm. I crave things all the time. Mostly chocolate or coffee or homemade falafel.

But the thing I crave/miss/yearn for the most? My boyfriend's hands. There's something magical about having your hand held by someone you love. Chris' hands seem magical too - one decent back rub and I'm soothed to sleep. There's something about his touch that gives me goosebumps, but at the same time makes me melt: It excites me and calms me at the same time.

Last night my mom and I watched Beastly, that recent modern remake of  Beauty and the Beast. It was pretty decent. Anyway, there's this part where "the beast" and "Belle" are sitting on a bench, and she lays her head on his lap and falls asleep. As she sleeps, "the Beast" plays with her hair, moving it out of her face. It was a wonderfully intimate moment, and my boyfriend and I have had similar ones. So, naturally, I started bawling.

It's been weeks since I've seen him, and probably will be until two weeks until I do. I miss him so much, it hurts. <3

Tuesday, July 5, 2011