Style Inspiration: Emma Watson

Since her feature in British Vogue, I’ve noted Emma Watson among my Style Inspirations. Before then, she was just that girl who played Hermione in the Harry Porter series to me. Maybe I was out of the loop. I’m loving her super short haircut right now. Her features are strong yet feminine enough to carry it well. I can’t help but be reminded of Twiggy. Perhaps it’s the short hair/British Vogue association all swirling around in my mind, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ms. Watson counted Lesley Lawson as one of her favourite fashion icons.

Watson’s style right now is all about a feminine palette, lace, and just the right amount of sparkle.

Trend: Felt Hats

In case you didn't know, I love hats.  I think they bring a touch of class to any outfit.  In Saturday, October 29th's edition of the Style section of the Ottawa/Montreal Globe and Mail, there was an inspiring spread of floppy felt hats.

I got mine in brillant blue from Olam Boutique in Montreal of $59.99CAD.

Here's some I'm drooling over:

Style Inspiration: Charlotte Gainsbourg

Whilst living in Australia in 2008, I had a lot of free time on my hands.  I went on a journey of musical discovery to find, among other artists, Ms. Charlotte Gainsbourg.  I become hooked on 5:55.  How could I not?  She collaborated with Air, another of my very favourite French musical ensembles, to create an album of strange love analogies with her whispery voice reminisent of best girlfriends amateur attempts to sing with acousitc accompanyment. The critics may be harsh, but I love her for her simplicity and honesty.

Since then, the French actress/musican has always caught my eye whenever she (frequently) graces the pages of glossy North American magazines.  Her natural, low-maintenance style has defintely been a style inspiration to many in recent years.  Noteably, Gainsbourg is the face of Balenciaga Paris fragrance, running elegant campaign that's not over-defined.  More details on the fragrance & history of the campaign on Wendy Lam's blog, nitro:licious.

What I love about Charlotte Gainsbourg’s style is that it’s not over-defined.  You get the sense that almost anything would fit, yet there’s something very Gainsbourg about everything.  Her unfussy brunette lochs insight envy.  For me, she embodies modern French elegance.

Leslie Feist: Metals

Not long after the album's release on October 4th of this year, I purchased Leslie Feist's newest album, Metals.  I blog about it only now, more than a month after, because I had to let it sink in.  Metals has been in an endless spin on my turntable ever since I got it & I have to say: I love this album.

It's so different from her previous albums, but it's so Feist.  The vocal harmonization on Bittersweet Melodies gives me goosebumps... & I can just picture a crowd of friends swaying in unison & singing along to the la la la parts.  The lyrics to Comfort Me ring so true to me. A Commotion is another of my favourite tracks because of it's Andrew Bird-esque arrangement.  I'm not sure if she's using violins through the Janus Horn (a spinning phonograph style speaker) to get the effect, but it sure sounds like it - sounds like awesome.  Potential hipster anthems include: Graveyards and Comfort Me.

Stream the ablum here.

I'll be attending her show at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Monday, December 5th, 2011 & so should you.  Tickets are still available. I'll let you know if it's as good as her Reminder tour :)

Scoop Coater

Scoop coater, scoop coater, scoop coater!  I can't say it enough!  If you're thinking about trying photo emulsion screen printing GET ONE.  That is all.

Second Sale & Screen Printing Update

YAYAY!  I made my second sale on Etsy and the buyer left amazing feedback! I'm feel as high as the ocean is deep!

Only problem is now I have to build some more inventory.  If only I could do this screen printing thing right.  Last time was another fail.  I think the emulsion was a bit uneven (due to application with a squeegee that's too narrow) and that I didn't expose my images for long enough.  But at least this time, no light bulbs exploded and I had a bit less of a mess on my hands.  The image actually was printed on the screen, it's just that is go washed out in the areas where the emulsion was too thick.

I think I'm going to be able to reclaim the screen as well (I haven't done it yet because I can't even look at it right now I'm so upset.  I put it out on my patio that I never use).  There's nothing worse than working on something for 8 hours and achieving a negative result.  FML.

Solution: order a scoop coater, wait for it to ship, try again.  Three times a charm, right?  If I fail after all this, I'm taking one of Spins and Needles' Silk Screening Workshops in October.  Who am I kidding?  I'll do the workshop anyways.  I lurve those guys :)

Screen Printing Adventure

Feast your eyes on my "Ghet-up" (my ghetto set-up).  Yes, that's my bathtub, so I should probably explain...  This is the beginnings of some new items for my Etsy store.  I'm attempting to screen print and this is attempt number two.  My first attempt involved WAY too much photo emulsion that never dried, a burn out 250w bulb and a huge mess.  So far, this attempt is going a little more smoothly, but I'm not out of the woods yet.

Update to come!