New Haircut: I Finally Did It!!

You may recall that just a short time ago I was pining for a messy 80's bob haircut ala Sherilyn Fenn of "Twin Peaks" fame. I thought about it for several months and just couldn't get up the nerve to do it...but, my damaged, unruly, dry locks really needed a change, so I got it all chopped off this weekend. It feels so much softer and healthier!! I did cry a little at first, and I really don't like the shortness of my bangs [ but they will grow quickly, right??]. I went to Forever 21 yesterday and bought 4 new flower/feather headbands, a black cloche, and a black, knit stocking cap (all for under $45, mind you) to further encourage acceptance of my new cut...I think it's working!?!

New goodies for my hair...

With a face like Sherilyn's, you can pull off any haircut...

Tesoros Trading Company: Little Gifts on the Cheap

I love giving gifts, but as I've grown older and accumulated more acquaintences, co-workers, and social networks, it has become harder and harder to always come up with something creative and thoughful for the various occasions that arise. I've come to appreciate the act of giving "little" gifts -- gifts under $10. I'm not talking about an anniversary or Christmas with the family, but rather, events like housewarmings, birthdays, dinner parties, etc. I try to consider the personality of the recipient [unless I don't know them well, and then I always just give wine], and I try to give something slightly off-kilter or unique...so when the person looks at or uses the gift [albeit small], they will remember me!

I discovered Tesoros Trading Co. while living in Austin, and their website is chock full of great little imported oddities under $10. I often order 10 or more items, so I have cool stuff stocked away when I need to grab a gift and go...

Mermaid purse mirror, Peru. $5.00.


Lucha Karate Toy, Peru. $8.50.


Heart Milagro cards, Nepal. $2.00

Floral Oven Mitt, Vietnam. $8.00.

Floral coin purse, Guatemala. $8.00.

Copper Heart, Peru. $6.00.

Sequined multi-color orn, Bangladesh. $5.00.

Floral Wrapping paper, Vietnam. $8.00


I love the oilcloth-print floral paper with a little black ribbon:

Happy Halloween To Everyone!!

Halloween is Every Day

Halloween is Every Day by Nothing Elegant

All items are from: fitzsu.com
Citizen Kite, Falco, $58.
All Black Playing Cards, $15
Crucifix Clothes Brush, $95
Animal Shot Glass, $28
Ballistic Nylon Rose Corsage, $175
Gorilla Ash Tray, $38

Eiko Ishioka's Horror Aesthetic

[Thanks for bearing with me on my Halloween/Horror obsession; I know not everyone is quite as fascinated by it as me. Only three days to go...!!]

Ever since Coppola's Dracula came out in 1992, I have been intrigued by designer Eiko Ishioka's creepy imagination -- she won an Academy award for her design work on that film, and she also designed costumes for The Cell and The Fall. She has worked on numerous stage productions, as well as Cirque de Soleil, and Bjork's more-eerie-than-usual video for "Cocoon." Here is a sampling of her work so far...hopefully there is more to come.

The designer herself:


From The Cell:


From Bjork's "Cocoon":


Costume designs from The Fall (2006):


Some of her own designs:

From Dracula:

Princess Ozma of Oz

My favorite books growing up were from the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy was wonderful, but Ozma always fascinated me -- she is the quintessential Art Nouveau girl (and a definite inspiration for Princess Leia, don't you think?). I don't know why I have never dressed up as Ozma for Halloween!? Probably because it is complicated and would entail me being crafty. I just really want her flowery crown...

Art Deco and Art Nouveau Packaging

A gift for me, a gift for you...beautiful goodies for well-stocked vanity.


Art Deco and Art Nouveau Packaging by Nothing Elegant


1. L'Aromarine Vanille Eau de Toilette, 1.6 oz., $19. Amazon.com
2. Claus Porto 12.3 oz. Grapefruit and Tuberose soaps, $16. Amazon.com
3. Rachel Perry Lip lovers in Vanilla and Grape, $3.95. Drugstore.com.
4. Perfumeria Gal Balms, $6. Bellasugar.com.
5. Hot and Flashy lip balm in Pear, $5.99. BlueQ.com.
6. Roger and Gallet Sandalwood soap set, $16. Amazon.com.

Hel Looks, Looking Good

I'm always impressed with the street styles on Hel Looks, because the main focus is on truly unique, personal style. That said, I often admire many of the ensembles, but can rarely imagine myself pulling them off...

This beautiful lady is one exception -- she manages to embody my version of perfect style so much better than me (a little goth + a little cowgirl + a little cozy and disheveled) .