Energy zappers, photography and fashion illustrations

So that's a random title for a post, right? But it's quite fitting, really.

I know this blog has been quiet recently, and quite honestly, it's not just because I'm busy. And it's not because I have a lack of things to post. Ever feel like your creative energy (or your regular, hey-I-need-to-get-out-of-bed-today energy, for that matter) is just completely zapped? That's me. For the last several months.

I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say at the end of the day (you know, when it's time to blog), I just didn't have anything left. Add that to my frustrations with finding a good photography spot for outfit of the day posts and my green-eyed monsterness of all the lovely fashion bloggers out there who have magazine quality photos thanks to their photographer husbands/boyfriends/significant others/friend's cousin's aunt persons, and I was pretty much done. Kaput.

Being a serious hobbyist photographer makes me an utter perfectionist when it comes to my blog photography*, but I just can't seem to master the art of the self-portrait. I mentioned this frustration to Mr. MG and he (bless his heart!) offered to learn how to use my digital SLR to take pictures of me. I may take him up on this sometime soon (before he changes he mind).

But until then, I'm hoping (now that I've rid myself of some of the big creative energy zappers) I'll be able to find the inspiration (and time!) to post more on this blog and my other blog.

Today, I'll leave you with some fashion illustrations I did recently for my product sourcing class. For that class I'm working on (what else?), a high-end costume jewelry line. It's been a while since I've picked up a sketchbook in between bills of material, competitive strategies, target market research and all that other stuff that goes on in business classes, so this was therapeutic for me. Maybe I should have picked up the sketchbook a long time ago.



*Full disclosure: Being a serious non-hobbyist perfectionist is actually what makes me a perfectionist about my blog photography but that's just between you and me, okay?

{ Update! } Have you seen this dress? (Tracy Reese Nougat Classic Lace Frock)

{Update}
I got the dress! After tweeting, blogging, facebooking, message board-ing, and searching all over the internet, I finally called the Tracy Reese flagship store and got the last dress. Shipment notification hit my inbox a few hours ago. The dress will be in my possession in a few short days!

Apparently, Tracy Reese herself was planning to keep the dress, but when I called she sold it to me. Very excited and glad that Tracy sold the dress to me (because, you know, it's her company and she could have just kept the dress for herself and I'd have never known). I always like it when one of my favorite designers turns out to be a cool person, too. Thanks, Tracy Reese and the employee who helped me!

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Help, help, help!!!!!! Yes, I just used multiple exclamation points, but I promise, my current fashion emergency necessitates them. (And I know I've been MIA for a bit, but that's a story for its own post. Coming soon, I promise.)

But first- my emergency! I was planning on buying the Tracy Reese Nougat Classic Lace Frock to wear for my JP wedding on December 30. It's The Perfect Dress. Perfect!

I had already started picturing myself in gorgeous, wintery, Anthropologie-style wedding pictures, dancing around our holiday bedecked town in this dress, paired with black tights, booties and a gorgeous coat. And uh, my fiance, too. Yeah, he can be in the pictures, too.

But when I went to purchase it this weekend, it had disappeared from the website. Poof! Gone! Vanished! And it ran away with my perfect picture dreams.

I am so sad.

See, how perfect it is? See?




So, can anyone help me track this down? I'm planning to call the flagship store today and according to some other bloggers, this dress was also in some Anthroplogie stores, so I'm going to call Anthro, too. But I'm desperate!

I. Want. This. Dress.

Anything else at this point will be a sad substitute. And what bride deserves a sad substitute (even if she is just going to the JP)?

PS- I need a size 6 (or a 4, since I've heard it runs a little on the large size). But I could possibly also do an 8 and take it to the tailor. But a 6 would be perfect (I hope).

what i wore:: something old, something new

Last night, Mr. MG and a few of our friends went to a charity event. The invite told us we'd be "walking the red carpet" so "dress to impress." As if I need an excuse to get all dressed up. And when it's for a good cause, that's all the better!

Usually, an event like this is an excuse for me to go buy something new, but I decided to be frugal and wear something I already owned. I bought this dress a few years ago and have only worn it once, so that's sort of close to new anyway, right? Right. I also carried a bag (and forgot to photograph it) that I've had for quite a while. Just a little black satin clutch, but it looked nice with the dress.

I did pick up some new shoes (since I needed some strappy sandals anyway) and some jewelry (since I found some on sale at J. Crew- and I have serious issues resisting their jewelry). Both reasonable reasons for buying something, I think. And that bracelet on the left in the bottom pic? I made that one using some supplies that I've had hanging around for quite a while.

So, three pieces bought, three pieces already in my closet, one piece handmade by me. I'd say that's a pretty decent start to re-wearing and re-inventing a piece that's already in my closet. I'm hoping to continue that trend.

What about you? Do you tend to run out and buy something new for big events, or do you re-work what you already have?

ETA: After posting, it occurred to me that I should probably mention the animal in the cage next to me. That's our Stella Blue Bear. She is recovering from knee surgery, so she has to be in a kennel most of the time. It's very sad for us and for her, but she's doing well and it's for her own good. Just didn't want any readers thinking we're mean to our dogs!