Hats and Suspenders

The Mortal Instruments

Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. It's been a crazy couple of months. I lost my job, got another job and I'm currently working graves, so most of my life is devoted to sleep and work. Anyway, lately when I haven't been sleeping, I have been reading The Mortal Instruments. I have been intrigued by the book for a long time and when I saw that the movie was coming out in August I had to read it. First of all, it is amazing! I'm currently on the fourth book and haven't been able to put them down. I started the first one less then a month ago and fell in love. 

Recently, Hot Topic got a clothing line for the new Mortal Instruments movie that is coming out. I was so excited I had to go to Hot Topic as soon as it came out so I could try some of them on and buy some. Of course I haven't got the chance yet to take photos of me in it but in case you haven't seen the photos of the line yet I figured I'd post them. 

 The black top with the Angelic Power Rune is the one I got. I love it. It's super cute.

All photos were found on http://search.hottopic.com and Screen Gems and do not belong to me.

Colored my hair!

 

 My Outfit 

Dress - O'Neill Maroon Dress

Black Wedges - Mossimo

Steampunk Necklace - Amber Ily's Steamcrafts (For Sale)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/130725378/steampunk-gear-necklace-gear-necklace?ref=shop_home_active

I've lately gotten sick of my hair color. My hair is a blonde/red color naturally but I also have a huge grey streak that has been there since I was at least Seventeen. I wouldn't mind it if it was like Rogue's but I really just think I'm going grey. Yes, grey at Twenty -Four, that's what stress does to you cause there is no one else in my family who went grey early. Anyway, so my hair is almost maroon color. I love it!

Another Day at Disneyland

 Another great day at Disneyland. My pass is almost up so whenever Daniel and I have a day off together we try to go. I was so happy I got to get my Princess Leia shirt!

I love Daniel's long hair. Maybe I'm weird. Am I one of the few girls who like this? Maybe it's from growing up in the 90's with all the grunge bands and Hanson : )

My Outfit 

Striped Dress - Forever 21

Vest - Forever 21

Pashima Scarf - I've had it for a long time I don't even know anymore

leggings - Target

Sketchers Shape Ups Shoes - Sketchers Outlet

Feather Hair Accessory - Hand Made from a head band that I can't wear cause it gives me headaches

What I Wear to Disneyland

 

Disneyland is always my favorite place to go when my spirits are down and I need a day off. I've had a Disneyland season pass since my junior year in high school so almost ten years. I never gets old for me. I try to go once a month but both Daniel and I have been really busy lately and we haven't gone since December. Daniel and I went on a Saturday, which his least favorite day, but when he works Monday through Friday and I work usually almost every weekend I take whatever we can get. I don't really mind the busyness I have a handicap pass due to my really bad knee problem so I really don't have to wait in line most of the time.

 This is a usual Disneyland outfit. Something that has to do with Disney or Star Wars and usually a skirt (cause weirdly that's what I feel comfortable in) and my really ugly sketchers shape ups because I have a bad knee and it's the only thing that feels comfortable walking around all day in. Oh and I have my glasses on, cause I'm blind without them. Somewhere, in my mess of curls is a cute black bow that is keeping my curls out of my face. Also, if you can't see I haven't dyed my hair since December and it looks horrible, I'm going grey even though I'm only 24. 

 

The Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride of all time. I go on the ride at least four times when we go to Disneyland. The hall where all the ghosts are gathering and dancing is my favorite part. I want to live there. 

Daniel and I don't usually spend too much time at California Adventure. Most of the time we go to Tower of Terror and then head back over to Disneyland. However, there are some other new rides that have become a must for me and that is The Little Mermaid, I mean come on, it's the ride! Most of the time there really isn't a line so I love that because you cannot use a wheelchair pass for California Adventure. Also, I love Monsters Inc. and the Ferris Wheel (but only if you go on the swinging side). I haven't been able to go on any of the new Cars rides. Most of the lines are really long still while I would wait my significant other is a little too impatient.

Outfit Details

Alice in Wonderland Shirt - Disney Store in Downtown Disney

Grey Lace Overshirt - Urban Outfitters

Blue High-waist Skirt - Banana Republic

Sketchers Shape Up Shoes - Sketchers Outlet Store

Purse - Gift from my Grandma for Christmas

Glasses - Walmart (can't remember the brand maybe vogue)

Black Bow Barret - Forever 21

Play Crack the Sky

Today was a beautiful spring day. The winter breeze was still in the air but the sun was bright in the sky and there was a hint of green in the land. I love winter, but I do love it when it gets into the 70's and I can wear cute outfits outside without wearing huge wool jackets on. Don't get me wrong I love my wool jackets and I have almost every color of them under the sun but I also love showing off my outfit. I know most of you are probably thinking I'm crazy because I live in Southern California and I own wool jackets and complain about wearing lots a layers but I do get really cold very easily. I can't imagine how I'm going to survive when I move back east. Enough of my ramblings.

Striped Shirt - TJ Maxx

Blue Skirt - Got it from a yard sale

Octopus Necklace - Gift from a friend for Christmas

Brown Belt - Came from another dress

Tan Shoes - Payless Shoes

Brown Tights - Target

Cirque Du Freak

      
      Hi everyone, I hope everyone has some great plans for the weekend. I shall be working all weekend and week at David's Bridal, but then rewarding myself in a long overdue trip to Disneyland. Since, I'm still sick I'm posting a look that I have on lookbook but haven't gotten a chance to write about it or post on here called 'Cirque Du Freak.'
     I've always enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be someone that I am not. I know that I can look absurd sometimes walking around in some dress that makes me look like I just stepped out of the circus but isn't that what fashion is about. Stepping outside of yourself and not caring what others think and being who you want to be. And, today I joined the circus. 
      This is why we are so attracted to people like Madonna and Lady Gaga because they aren't afraid to go out there and dress crazy for the sake of fashion. They aren't just musicians but they are artists that embody fashion and use fashion to make art. I think that is truly amazing. That's why I love things like Steampunk styles and cosplay. I love making my clothes and fashion into art. It's just another way my creativity can spill into every aspect of my life. 
      So I have a couple of questions. What about fashion inspires you? What keeps you going back to your favorite stores and buying more clothes? Is it the way you feel? How do clothes make you feel? Or do you just dress like a clown in hopes of someday joining the Circus?

Dress - Forever 21

Cropped Jacket -Not sure the brand but I got it from Burlington Coat Factory

Belt Buckle - Antique Store in Temecula, CA

Leggings - Forever 21

Shoes - Bandolinno - I got them from a yard sale

Amber Ily's Steamcrafts

   I haven't had the chance to write about my online store at all on my blog here, so I'd figure I'd post a couple of photos of my Valentine's Day jewelry line. When I hit landmarks with my followers I guarantee that I will do a give-away for a couple of my jewelry pieces. 

  For those who don't know much about Amber Ily's Steamcrafts, the shop is made up of Steampunk jewelry and decorative boxes. Most of my jewelry is upcycled made from pieces and parts of vintage jewelry and watch parts. I also make decorative boxes and shadowboxes like the leaf heart wood box pictured at the very bottom. Check out my store on etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmberIlysSteamcrafts

Pictured Above

Once Upon a Time Necklace -  https://www.etsy.com/listing/121567021/once-upon-a-time-necklace-wedding

Steampunk Rose Necklace - https://www.etsy.com/listing/101818750/steampunk-necklace-rose-with-silver-gear

Victorian Heart Pearl Necklace - https://www.etsy.com/listing/97792643/victorian-necklace-imitation-pearl

Steampunk Leaf Wood Box - https://www.etsy.com/listing/91430182/steampunk-box-red-leaf-heart-box

Skulls, Crosses, and Cogs.

I'm actually wearing two of my favorite items in this outfit. My cog belt buckle and my cross. I got the cog belt buckle at one of my favorite antique stores in Temecula, CA. My boyfriend, Daniel, actually spotted it first and knew it was perfect for my Steampunk outfits. As for my cross, it also has something to do with my boyfriend. He gave it to me for safe keeping after the first three weeks we were dating, when I went to Pittsburgh for two weeks. The cross was his favorite necklace and I knew the second that he gave it to me he really loved me. Corny I know, but we're totally corny. I've worn it everyday since (except when I take it off for a couple minutes while I take the photos).

My Outfit

- Shirt - Skull Shirt - Hot Topic - Was on sale for $10

- Belt and Buckle - Belt I stole from my Boyfriend and the Cog 

belt Buckle is from an antique store in Temecula, CA $15

                             - Hat - I've actually bought this hat from my first job wear I worked                                                       in a little hat shop called Wooleys in a small mountain town in Southern California $30

- Pants - Black and Tan Checkered pants from Forever 21 $22

- Ankle Boots - Clarks - Got as a Christmas present from my Mum.

Spring Flowers

I got this dress at a second hand store in Temecula. I'm in love with anything that has peter pan collars and this dress is so cute. I love the spring chic look. Perfect for a spring day date looking at antique stores and drinking coffee at a local cafe. The Steampunk watch piece is a piece my mother gave me. My father actually made it for my mother when I was little and she passed it down to me. It's been an inspiration to me in a lot of ways when it comes to my jewelry.