The Way of the Dragon or The Way of The Lamb

This book is an insightful look into how Jesus Himself actually led people, He didn't strive to exult Himself before time but strove to serve people even though He is king. Our society is all about achieving fame, status and influencing from the top. However, that is not how God intended the narrow path to look like. He didn't intend for us to have a selfish heart looking only to control with power.

The Class Shift Dress

The Classic Shift Dress



From Fashion Tips UK:
Tips On How To Choose The Right Shift Dress For You

Many of you will have seen the picture of Sarah Jessica Parker dressed in a Giambattista Valli pale blush shift dress at a gala in Manhatten (see picture courtesy of In Style and Getty Images). I thought this was certainly a more understated look for SJP, but loved it all the same, simply because of its simplicity and style. Shift dresses are the perfect "easy" way to dress, whether it's going out to a party or simply for everyday work as they are just to simple, flattering and downright elegant when dressed up the way SJP has it going on. If you are looking for a simple, but flattering dress here are some guidelines on what to look for.
What To Look For In A Shift Dress

As the shift dress is very simple in design, it is worth spending more on this type of garment, as any mistakes in the dressmaking will show up immediately. Good quality seams and cut are very important.
Many shift dresses are sleeveless (think of pictures of 60s icons such as Twiggy who made the dress style famous at that time). Sleeveless styles tend to hang very well and look really stylish. A sleeveless shift dress can be worn over another top, such as a turtleneck in a contrasting colour, and teamed up with high heeled knee boots will look fantastic.
Think of black or dark red dresses for parties, a simple shift dress with either short sleeves or sleeveless dressed up with diamante or silver jewellery will look stunning for a party. Look for versions in black with lace sleeves for the latest gothic look too.
With footless or opaque tights and leggings you can get away with amazingly short shift dresses - and remember that wearing black tights is fantastically slimming for legs - see the article on dressing to be slim.
What are your favourite dresses of the moment - let us know if you have seen anything great as we've all got Christmas parties to look fantastic at soon!

(http://www.fashion-tips.co.uk)

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COURSE HIGHLIGHT
The must-have item of the moment is the classic shift dress that every"body" can wear. A beginner such as yourself, will create this simple, stylist dress inspired by American designer Calvin Klein, although variations have been seen on fashion runways around the world. You can decide to make that "little black dress" you've been looking for or maybe you'll make it in your favorite color.
LEARN
Sewing-machine basics.
The names and uses of common sewing tools and terms.
How to sew a straight line and curved line using a seam guide.
How to measure yourself.
How to lay, mark, and cut fabric.
How to read and alter a commercial pattern for a perfect fit and much more...

Fashion and Social Justice

Fashion and social justice. Those two things don't seem to connect. However, in LA and all over the world, fighting for human rights, social justice, and the good of this world are becoming a widespread epidemic, for the better. Fashion lovers and shoppers can now donate part of their shopping spree money to non- profit organizations. Companies such as TOMS are doing good by donating a pair of new shoes to a child for each pair WE purchase. So WE can really make a difference in this world.

TOMS STORY:

"In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers". http://www.tomsshoes.com/

To think that Blake was an ordinary American traveling in another country and yet, he was so moved to create his own company, for the good of children. This leads me to believe that we can all make a difference if we have the motivation to move beyond seeing the need to doing something about it.

I am a volunteer Wardrobe Stylist for an event called Freedom and Fashion Fashion Show. It will be held at UCLA on November 19, 2009. This event seeks to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking and other awful inequalities and injustice in this world. Please jot this date down!

Female Species

Surrounded almost 24/ 7 by the female species, going to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, I find myself having a deep passion to help women regain their self- worth. In this world where beauty and vanity has become more important than their intrinsic value- I find myself at a lost for words. I am pained to see girls compare themselves to models on the runway, pained to see girls staring at themselves in the mirror for twenty minutes. There is a deep emptiness. I agree that it is easy to give in. But that's why I am speaking out.

Where has the thirst for knowledge gone? What happened to reading actual books and why has it been replaced by reading about Lauren Conrad. Why does Britney Spear's sister getting pregnant and Lindsey Lohan getting a tan matter to us? How come it is so difficult to carry conversations about Bach and writers like C.S. Lewis. We have resulted to a superficial culture that has an underlying emptiness. The world of different cultures, countries, art, music, literature, and anything else seems to be forgotten. We can't expect to survive on reality TV shows when our own lives are messed up.

I say all this because I know underneath that facade, there is a beautiful woman of intellect and intrinsic value. She is a woman that should be unconditionally loved, even if she doesn't have makeup on or a skinny bod, even when she isn't carrying a Gucci, LV, Dior, or a handsome male. I speak out for all women- please know that you are loved. Stop trying. Stop trying to be someone else. You are unique. You are special. You are loved.

Phases

I still remember being a middle schooler, many people thought I was weird. I had this Tiger stripped shirt. I went through many phases. One I'll call the Tattoo phase. My orchestra conductor, Mr. D, would always comment on the fake tattoo staring him in the face during Orchestra. Every week, I stuck a different tattoo on my arm, rubbed water over it, and waited, anticipating the vivid colors of an animal, cartoon, or at times, something hard core. Another stage, which overlapped with Tattoo phase, was the "Sleeve" phase. I had short, long, medium sleeves of all plethoras of colors. Some had stripes, some were bright orange, some were loose, some were skin tight. At the chill of the wind, I would whip out one of my sleeves and put it on. People thought I was soooo weird. That was three years before the whole Avril punk trend came out. Then everyone started wearing it. Not fair, I thought. She jacked my punk look.

Then I had a "hair" phase. I had three pony tails, from the front you see two pipi longstocking hairdo. Then you walk to the back and be shocked by the other sticking out from the back of my head. I also had three braids, sometimes I had one unbraided, and the other two braided. I was just plain weird. And I think I still am. I hope to not let go of this.

For Halloween, I tried to spike my long hair. And failed miserably. I was many times made fun of. But I am so thankful they did- thank you people, it has helped me to know who I am.

High school years, I started wearing this bright blue tights, people thought it was awkward. Yet, in a few months, tights became popular. Not fair. I had these green/ black and red/black striped tights that I were under everything- shorts, skirts, dresses.

Now, I am no longer the outcast I used to be- I thank God, yet at times, I long to be that person that people talk about in a bad way. With their heads high and voices low, they glance at me with eyes of criminals. Yes, it is she the weird, friendly girl with weird clothes. I am glad people notice this energy and joy in me, because then I can tell them its all God. Yet, there's a bittersweetness in people backstabbing you.

My phase now? Temporary hair dye. I'm trying plum next time. Ich liber men's wear. Women's wear inspired by men's wear. I believe in this word call "coo".

Because I really Should Update

This blog is definitely past due. So my collection is due on Tuesday. Finally got it done, its got pants, skirt, jacket, and a blouse. However, the blouse doesn't seem to match the others. Maybe that's my style though!! Hopefully I won't get graded down.
I will upload pics SOON! Then I got a collection portfolio due. SIGH.

Spring break I will clean out my closet and try to sell some at Cross Roads or Wasteland, two of my favorite Vintage stores. One's a little overpriced. I get most of my goods at thrift stores like Goodwill (huntin...hahaah), some at yard sales, and of course my beloved SAMPLE SALES at Calmart or New Mart in downtown LA. I got a military jacket for 10 bucks, then at Salvation Army I got a cool Indian style dress with birds flying down the side for 3 bucks. YES, three freaken bucks.

Alas, the fashion world can get tiring, very tiring at times. FAKE too.

I have gotten used to red lipstick- for some reason, it makes me feel like a wholnother person. I can strut down in a wholnother way. I feel maybe 5 years older and a lot more confident. It really takes some guts to wear bright red. But once you got a hang of it- you feel like everyones staring at you. But you just don't care.

I was thinking of selling my clothes and giving the money to charity- we'll see how that works out~

Here's a shot I took in Japan- in the farms where we picked peas.

Making it from scratch

From nothing to finished!

For Creative Draping class, we were told to create a garment with a knot, any kind. So with the "too bright" pink fabric (as my instructor noted), I started draping and cutting away even though I really should have used muslin and drafted a pattern first.

That is, however, besides the point. I had a vision, like Picasso with abstractions in his head. And I dove for it. Even if it meant finding a piece of fabric from my closet that I saved 3 years ago, knowing that one day, yes one day, I would use it for something cool.

It is at the moment I sit back and soak in my artwork- that I can reconfirm this fact.

Yes, Fashion is my passion- as corny as it sounds.

I don't want to live my whole life earning money, no I want to love what I'm doing, so I don't have to "work" a day in my life. And of course, I do it for my Creator. The only one Who can sustain me and give me a little boost of energy when the 10 hours of sewing is wearing off. By the way, sewing is NOT my passion- designing is. So is giving people makeovers.

Alas! and with lots of love!