Good Morning Sun, I am a bird.

I strolled through downtown this morning before work, and I found myself at the library. I picked up this book by Edith Head, eight time Oscar winning costume designer, and this quote was inside:

It made me feel so inspired. It's been a rough time, trying to find a job in my field that isn't something I feel or am told am "overqualified" or "not experienced enough" for. Maybe I just need to dress better.

I felt an urge of inspiration this morning, despite the oppressive heat. I think I need to go fabric shopping.

I think it helps that this summer, I read a book on the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, and then the novella by Truman Capote. Maybe that's why I have the need to fill my closet with little black dresses and I feel slightly more glamourous.

Perhaps it's a little cliche, the girl with the Fashion Degree getting inspired by something like Breakfast at Tiffnay's, but I kind of don't care - when in doubt, refer to the classics and stick to what you know.

What I've been up to.

So, it's post-grad life, and between searching desperately for full-time work, I've been having some fashion fun! Here are some of my current obsessions:

1. Nail Art: Here is a pic of nails that I painted to match my dress for an event I went to. I'm totally psyched that crazy 12-year-old nails are in!

2. Maxi-Dresses: At first, I wasn't too keen on the idea of maxi dresses, since I felt like they swallowed you up whole/make you look like a whale. It's all about finding the right fabric and fit, though, and now I own three that I absolutely cannot live without. Below is a picture of my modeling for local newspaper, The Express Times, wearing a Desigual dress and other fun accessories from the boutique I work at, Shuze.

Also this summer, I'm loving comfy sandals, crazy short shorts, sunglasses, tie dye, and more.

So besides modeling and events, I've been settling in to living back at home. One of the things I've been doing is going through all of my old things (TAG SALE SOON!!) I have an old bulletin board that I used in my apartment at school to put things in our kitchen like a grocery list, coupons, the mail key, etc., and painted it with some leftover yellow and blue craft paint. I figured it would be perfect for storing/displaying accessories, take a look!

 

Here's what I did today: I recently bought a t-shirt with Zac Efron on it. [Total impulse buy, but who could resist it at $2.99 at Hot Topic?!] I decided to shred it, which is a technique used on knits to literally shred the fabric so the texture changes and it becomes sheer. I also cut it to a crop top, removing the phrase "TGTBT" [because quite frankly, I'm not sure what it means. Either "Too Good to Be True" or "Troy gives terrific Blow...Torches." Take your pick. 

Neglect

Dearest blog,

I'm so sorry that I have been neglecting you. Now that it's summer again, I plan to fill you back up with silly posts and creative ideas or maybe just rant about things that annoy me. Who knows.

I guess I've been so busy because I graduated from school, nbd. Which has thrown me into this downward terrifying spiral of "what am I doing with my life?!" and thinking about Dustin Hoffman non-stop.

I spent most of yesterday feeling sorry for myself, sucking on a spoonful of nutella and staring at all of the things that need to be unpacked - too many things. I stared at the shirt that I traded with one of my friends; after washing it, it still smells like him. It still smells like that hick town I spent the last four years in.

But enough is enough. I need to realize the rest and best of my life is yet to come, and I'm not going to let one day of self pity destroy my dreams. Hopefully I'll get back into blogging.

Love always,
Gracie

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

PICTURES FROM BFE!!! =D

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

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.... =)

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. =)

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!

=)

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.

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.

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.

Hillsdale <3 This time next week, I'll be back!!

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 =)

Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.

This ring. <3

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!

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

Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy

Live music. Nothing beats the high you get from having good music played in front of you.

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.

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

Just hanging out with Keith and Tim from Good Old War, NBD.