Thought For The Day...

Bliss Cavendar: I just wanted to say that you guys are like my new heroes.

Maggie Mayhem: Well, put some skates on. Be your own hero.

- Conversation from the movie Whip It.

Until next time, xo.

A Dose of Style - Drew Barrymore

Hello there lovelies,

Well, another week, another creepy obsession to admit to. I mean what? I'm just obsessed with Drew Barrymore, that doesn't make me creepy right? You might say no, until you hear that one of my Mum's friends once told me that I looked like Drew Barrymore in a particular outfit, and I have never forgotten that moment. Even despite the fact that every other person in the world has no idea what she was talking about. Anyway, doesn't Drew rock? Now I figured I could have shown you pretty pictures of Drew Barrymore all dolled up for awards ceremonies or premieres or whatever, and we all would have sat here agreeing how well she scrubs up. But personally, I love her normal everyday style. I'll show you what I mean.

Tee, jeans and cons with a bit of a twist. Throw in a snarky slogan, a couple of cute accessories, those incredible pants plus that adorable dog and you've got yourself a winner! I so badly wanted a "my boyfriend is out of town" t-shirt back in the day when they did the rounds.

Can you hear my heart pounding yet? Cool shirt, suspenders, baggy pants and Dr. Martens = fashion heaven for me. I like the addition of girly jewellery to make this look a bit feminine.

Drew Barrymore, you are the master. I love this combination - business up top, grunge down the bottom. The distressed jeans go really well with the otherwise clean outfit. And, I do love a girl in sensible footwear.

Does anyone remember a song from the movie Jawbreaker that had lyrics that pretty much just said "I look cool" over and over again? Well, that song plays in my head looking at this outfit (which is a pretty big achievement considering I haven't watched Jawbreaker in forever). Crazy t-shirt, black, biker boots, huge neckace? All fine by me.

BEST PICTURE EVER. I really dig this classy rock & roll type styling. Nice-fitting skinny jeans and band t-shirts are a wardrobe staple for any self-respecting rock chick. Plus, I love the crazy little scarf.

In all honesty, you know what I think Drew Barrymore's best accessory is? Her huge smile. Have you ever noticed that this woman always looks happy? I've never seen her look like she is having a bad day. All that happiness and confidence really shows in the way she carries herself, and it adds a lift to any outfit that you can't buy. Now, I order the rest of you to spend all day tomorrow pretending you are Drew Barrymore and smiling like you mean it!

Until next time, xo.

What I Wore Today!

Hello there lovelies,

It has been a very dreary weekend in the land of Brisbane - perfect weather to hole up inside watching Gossip Girl DVD's and sewing! I have been sewing like a mad thing, possibly in an effort to distract myself from buying new things. It's awesome though, because the more I sew, the more I want to keep sewing. I should probably stop rambling about sewing though, since this post is about what I wore today (don't worry, you'll get to see the fruits of my labor later). Onwards!

Outfit Rundown:

Starcraft 2 T-shirt: Jinx, present from The Boyfriend

Skirt: Made by me, with the help of this tute, from a pair of thrifted pants
Leggings: Kmart, $10
Boots: Present from one of my besties.

Excuse my bored expression. I would have taken a better one, but of course my camera batteries decided to die. Which, of course, is why you don't get to see my sewing today.

Strike a pose! Since I can't lie to you, I have to tell you that I didn't actually wear these boots today. I've been sitting at home, and I never wear shoes at home. But, if we had gone out today then I would have worn them. So, in my imagination I did wear them. Well, my imagination and these photos.

What were you wearing today? And how was your weekend?

Until next time, xo.

22 Things Before 22! - Wardrobe Refashion

Hello there lovelies,

As part of my 22 Things Before 22 gambit, I challenged myself to take the Wardrobe Refashion pledge. I pledged for 2 months (mainly because that was the only time limit that finished before I turn 22, lol. DAMN SEMANTICS OF CHALLENGE NAMES). I am expecting to find this tough, but when I cleaned up my sewing supplies recently, I realised that I have no excuse not to be making more of my own clothes. I have piles and pile of things just waiting to be refashioned, and heaps of perfectly good fabric! The main problem I have is being surrounded by clothes all day at work. As the Head of Ladieswear, I spend most of my time around new clothes and the idea that you have to have them really grows on you. Anyway, here is my pledge! I'm going to give it my best shot.

I, Miss Peregrin, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed MP.

What? You thought that was all? Pfft. To kick things off, I made a kick-ass skirt from my favourite pair of old man pants, using Thera of Crafty Pirate's fabulous tutorial. I loved those pants so much, but the hems of the legs were fraying so badly that the legs of the pants were starting to deteriorate. Also crotch seam had a hole in it so big that my cats probably could have crawled into my pants through it - and I mean both my cats. Luckily, I got to give them a whole new lease on life!

SEWING IS SRS BIZNESS. More like, I've been at work all day and haven't had nearly enough caffeine to cope with the flash on this camera. Also, where did my hair go and why is this mop on my head?

My ruffles are all over the place, but I love this skirt so much! The Boyfriend is also a fan, which means I've done a pretty good job in my books.

Hurray, I'm so damn inspired to keep sewing! I'm going to follow the crowd and give Thera-Joyce and Max California extra shout-outs, just for being so damn inspiring. These girls are taking over the internetz you know, so keep your eyes peeled for their exploits!

Until next time, xo.

Thought For The Day...

Photo

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the Beautiful Stuff out.”

-- Ray Bradbury

Until next time, xo.

Curious Tuesday...

Hello there lovelies,

Most of you are probably aware of Gala Darling's weekly "Curious Tuesday" feature. Well, today the question is "What is your favourite outfit?", and I couldn't help but supply some answers. Of course I couldn't pick just one favourite outfit, so I thought I'd do a little recap of some of my recent favourites.

Now, what do you notice about the outfits I have picked? I'll tell you what I noticed. In five out of six outfits I'm wearing pants and boots, and four of those outfits include the same pair of boots. In four I'm wearing dark skinny leg pants, and in three of them the same pair of pants. In five out of six I am wearing pants, and in every outfit I am wearing mostly black, with a little colour.

What is/are your favourite outfit/s? When you think of them, or look back at outfit photos, do you notice a pattern? Are there particular items that pop up alot? Are there some items in your wardrobe that never make an appearance? I find all these thing quite interesting to consider, especially since I'm trying to downsize everything in my life -including my wardrobe. If you're trying to do that too, then maybe answering this simple question would really help you out!

Until next time, xo.

P.S. I notice there are a few new followers of my humble blog out there! Hello, it's great to see you! If there's anything you'd like to ask me, tell me, suggest, or if you just want to chat then hit me up at i_see_the_purple_monkey@hotmail.com !

Best of the Interwebz

Photo by Amadika, found at kindness over matter.

Hey lovelies,

I've got a short, but sweet compliment of links for you today. Read on dear readers! Now, I'm off to buy sewing supplies.

Fashion Tries on Zero Waste Design is a really interesting read.

Do You Want To Be A Mermaid Or A Whale? from the lovely Gala Darling is one of the cutest things I've seen in a long time!

Learning To Be Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With is another adorable read, from the ever-amazing Corinne of Frock & Roll.

Max California made a cool tutorial for patched baby jeans, based on a pair belonging to Kingston Rossdale (Gwen Stefani's son). It could be adapted for any jeans though, so get embellishing!

Fur-ocious Pics From The Cat Fashion Show is both adorable and alarming. If you've ever tried to force your cat into a top hat, this is for you.

Men's Shirt to Jumpsuit Romper is another cute DIY tutorial from Chic Steals.

Honing a Talent is a very insightful article from Luinae of More Magic Always. I think she hits the nail right on the head!

My Top Tips For Op-Shopping from Recycled Fashion is a great guide for those starting out in the world of thifting!

Go check out Nerd Girls. Their mission is to "encourage other girls to change their world through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, while embracing their feminine power." I think that this rocks.

Check out 119 Ways To Store And Organise Your Cats, for more kitteh cuteness.

Also, don't forget to check out Max California (again, LOL STACEY WAY TO LINK TO SOMEONE TWICE IN THE ONE POST) for Max's Self-Stitched September outfits, and the second Rock & Roll Sewalong!

Here is my newest reason for being obsessed with Taylor Momsen. Oh, you hot mess you.

Enjoy my lovelies!

Until next time, xo.