I'm just another bird

Thinking about Bangladesh and following the collapse and fire deaths while simultaneously reading Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty makes for me constantly re-juxtaposing understandings of our consumer and audience responsibilities within fashion. 

For myself and I'm sure others, fashion is a dream. The vast majority of designer garb is almost ephemeral as it is currently out of reach for my person, mostly monetarily, but also in regards to my body type and height. That's kind of the point; my beautiful is also grotesque and difficult. I want what's less attainable that much more. 

Material goods are material though. Duh. To be tangible it must have a creation point and it must have history and the unfortunate history of our fast fashion garments is that their creation and history is rooted in near slavery of women and children of color across oceans with names we will never know. There's that Native Guns song whose title I can't remember right now about a message written in blood on the soles of his Nikes from a Filipino girl-child factory worker. Let's not forget the Foxconn suicide side effects of our iPhone, which I'm writing on right now. At the same time, high fashion is not blameless in this game. Ready to wear, be it J. Crew or Chanel, is made in Vietnam and China.  It's always more complicated than a few lines of text. Let's keep thinking.

What can I take responsibility for right now with where I am? What can you do? 

Army jacket with Cosby sweater replaced sleeves - borrowed

Leopard keyhole top - handed down from my sister

Lace skater skirt - H&M

Leggings - H&M

Belt - thrifted 

Changes

Firstly, no more numbering. What exists exists.

Secondly, more pictures, less talk. Good practice for life. 

Thirdly, focus shift. These years have been good but my time in New Orleans is ending. This will continue but in a new form. 

180. Cooking & Things, 1.0

I've got a new endeavor going: Cooking & Things, with Boutiqunaire. I'll be cooking some stuff here and there and giving tips. You've gotta scroll to the side a bit, sorry. Macaroni & cheese recipe and breakdown there.

 Bacon-free. 

Asparagus recipe: 
- Clean your asparagus and cut off the tough bottom end.
- Boil a pot of water.
- In the sink or on the counter, make an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water. You're going to use it to stop your vegetables from cooking and keep them crispy and green.
- Add salt to boiling water.
- Throw in all your asparagus (I do NOT like to cut it into pieces because it looks better as spears) and set a timer for 2 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, take out the asparagus and put it in the ice bath.

- Drizzle with olive oil and asparagus
- Sprinkle some grated cheese (I like parmesan) and garnish with some sliced almonds.

Marty from Boutiqunaire and Re:fresh.  

My dinner the other night. Sliced cherry tomatoes and chives sauteed for 1 minutes in olive oil, with eggs cracked over and poached/cooked on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Cracked pepper. 

179. This isn't how it was supposed to be

1. This isn't how it was supposed to be.
2. But this is how it is. 

These pictures are from Easter in Atlanta. This evening marks about two months since Daniel and I ended our relationship.

It is what it is, and that's all I have to say. 

Keys to recovery:

• Treat yo'self (I've been getting my nails done every week).  
• Physical journal writing. Buying a pretty notebook. Purchasing specialty pens. Enjoying the sight of one's own handwriting. 
• Rallying in the evening time and spending time with people (laughing, eating, dancing).
• Being open to new experiences. 

I remember when Grace bought this hat. It's from the West Bank Forever 21. It's so goth and whenever I'm in Atlanta I feel the need to steal it. The Fossil watch is a recent adult addition to my jewelry collection. I figured I have several crappy watches that I never wear, so it was time to put out money on one I like and will wear often. I need to bust out my Dee&Ricky cigarette brooch on more occasions, I always feel happy when that shit is dressing me up. The cross trend may fade but I shall enjoy and reap of its benefits as long as possible, in constant contradiction with my evangelical upbringing. 

I'm listening to the Eisley Live at the Troubador recording and thinking about being 18 and heads over heels in love. It is actually pretty nice. 

Outfit Details:
- Chiffon cross-embroidered blouse, Blink NOLA (Metairie location)
- Mini-skirt, American Apparel
- Motorcycle boots, Target
- Cardigan, secondhand
- Chain-band fedora, Forever 21

178. Bauhaus

Things are tough right now. These were taken when things were more together. We'll see where it all goes from here.

Coat - Salvation Army
Shirt - Hong Kong, cut up by my sister
Skirt - Sidewalk sale
Cardigan - Borrowed
Starry tights - Birthday gift
Boots - Sister's
Sunglasses - Time Warp Boutique, Baton Rouge
Earrings - Mall clearance sale
Lipstick - Makeup Forever