Make it up so truly

another giveaway.

hopevictoria — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:49:41 +0000

really cute giveaway over at the i art u blog: a stamp by brown pigeon! Her shop is amazing. I love the typewriter stamp:

Giveaway is here.

-Hope

daily inspiration. (ultimate nerdiness)

hopevictoria — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:37:31 +0000

I recently bought a new Canon Rebel XSi, and unfortunately, I haven’t had any time to play with it. Plus it’s been raining and dark all week, so not the best time for an amateur photog to venture outside to shoot. Oh well. Maybe this weekend?

On another note, I love this.

The Chicago Manual of Style Book Purse by rebounddesigns

Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, this is amazing.

-Hope

daily inspiration.

hopevictoria — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:01:13 +0000

She & Him (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward)

Yes, I realize that every one and their brother loves Zooey. Still like her, even though it’s kinda cliche now. I’m really excited for their new album that’s coming out next week. The end.

-Hope

giveaway — Shabby Apple!

hopevictoria — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:23:57 +0000

There’s a great giveaway going on at www.abusymommy.com: win a free dress from Shabby Apple!! I love the dresses…so sophisticated and pretty.

This isn’t the free dress, but I love it!! The Bethesda Fountain: http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-556-bethesda-fountain.aspx

Here’s the link for the giveaway:

http://www.abusymommy.com/2010/02/shabby-apple-giveaway.html

So, go enter!!

-Hope

ash wednesday. &fashion!!

hopevictoria — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:27:23 +0000

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return. — Genesis 3:19

I’m normally not very religious. I didn’t really grow up going to church (which seems like a rarity here in the South), and I never felt particularly compelled to follow any specific message. I’ve wrestled with religion for several years now, partially because I felt pressured from the various Christian institutions I attended (middle school through college). There were always too many questions that could not be answered, or the guilt of not feeling a connection to a spiritual being, or the fear that perhaps I was just trying to hard and whatever was out there didn’t really feeling like bothering with me.

Two years ago, I spent three months traveling around the UK and continental Europe, based out of Cambridge, England. My travel group visited so many beautiful churches and cathedrals. It really was amazing. Through these visits, I realized that I actually enjoyed attending the liturgical services of the Anglican Church. I have never liked going to church. Ever. I don’t enjoy it. It makes me nervous and uncomfortable, and the whole time I can’t focus because I’m usually hungry and tired and restless, but I actually enjoyed a lot of these services.

Last year, I went to Ash Wednesday at a local Episcopal church for the first time. It was an interesting service, and while I still felt a little uncomfortable (not quite being able to follow the standing, sitting, kneeling rhythm), the service felt meaningful. I think it’s good for people to remember where they came from: dust. Nothing. The whole idea is very interesting to me.

I wasn’t able to attend an Ash Wednesday service yesterday, and I kind of felt sad about it. I’m not really sure why, because I don’t have any concrete beliefs about any of it, but I did.

On a completely different note, I’ve been loving the fashion overload that’s been going on lately with all the fashion weeks! I’ve especially enjoyed my twitter feed blowing up with New York Fashion Week related posts so I can (attempt) to keep up with what’s been going on…or I guess I should say what will go on, since all the couture is for Fall 2010. Anyway, here are some of my favorite fashion pieces from recent weeks.

Jean Paul Gaultier, Fall 2010

I’m absolutely loving Jean Paul Gaultier’s Avatar-inspired collection. The details on this dress and handbag are so impressive, and I desperately want those viridian, over-the-knee boots. I can’t wait until the JPG line hits Target on March 7.

Vera Wang, Fall 2010

The use of tulle in this piece is stunning. I love the effect the light has on the fabric.

Proenza Schouler, Fall 2010

I really love the work of Proenza Schouler. From the shots I saw, everything from this collection is about cut outs. I love the vampy thigh-high hosiery and the tiny bit of skin showing above the waist of the dress. This piece makes me actually like powder blue (I’m usually drawn to warmer shades). I want to buy this fabric and make pretty things with it.

Marc Jacobs, Fall 2010

And last but definitely not least, Marc Jacobs. The name alone needs to introduction. I think MJ is my absolute favorite designer. I just think his presentation is so stunning…it brings together classic fashion, kitsch, glam and natural beauty. The second dress is phenomenal. I would be happy to even afford Marc by Marc Jacobs. Geez, ha. I always love his ads…I mean, how fierce does M.I.A. look here? I love it.

-Hope

she’s done it again.

hopevictoria — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:47:23 +0000

I think many women/men would agree that Christina Hendricks (of Mad Men fame) is absolutely stunning. Here is a photo from the new article in New York Magazine that discusses Hendricks’ career and her thoughts on her own body/body image.

Click the photo for a link to the article. I absolutely love the second photo. Can I please dye my hair that shade of red?

-Hope

goodbye.

hopevictoria — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:12:29 +0000

What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of a good-by. I mean I’ve left schools and places I didn’t even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don’t care if it’s a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I’m leaving it. If you don’t, you feel even worse. —The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Yesterday, one of our most cherished writers passed away. J.D Salinger was one of those writers who made readers fall in love with his characters. Holden Caulfield and the Glass family are legends in literary culture. Reading has always been a big part of my life, and their aren’t many characters with whom I actually feel connected somehow. There are only a select few (that I can think of at this point): Holden Caulfield, Jake Barnes (Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises), Esther Greenwood (Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar), and Dorothy Gale ( L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz). I think most bibliophiles can appreciate the voice Salinger created in Catcher. It’s almost unparalleled (well, except for that whole Huck Finn thing). Salinger’s personal life adds even more mystery to the reasons behind his characters and their choices, and his Faulknerian portrayal of the Glass family children is powerful yet sad, in a way that a cool winter evening is sad.

I was genuinely sad to hear the news of Salinger’s death yesterday, even though I know he lived a long life and contributed to the modern literary canon. I felt the same way when Kurt Vonnegut passed away; even though I never had the opportunity to meet either author, I feel a connection to them through their work, a remarkable benefit of enjoying literature and books in general.

I can’t really find a way to articulate what I’m trying to say, and I know I’ve been rambling a lot. Oh well. I just wanted to express a small part of the emotion I felt when the author of one of my favorite books sadly passed away. I can only hope he felt the goodbye was adequate.

1919-2010

eager/Lea Michele

hopevictoria — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:53:19 +0000

Everytime this point of the winter season rolls around, I start dying to feel some warmth on my skin. Despite the numerous cold fronts sweeping the Southeast, somehow the sun has managed to find its way to us. Another pre-spring habit of mine is to fall in love (again) with pretty dusty pinks and taupes/browns/golds of all shades. I saw this outfit on Lea Michele, and I thought she pulled off these colors perfectly.

I love the balance between the bustier and the romantic ruffles on the skirt.

-Hope

of the moment.

hopevictoria — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:41:30 +0000

Yes, it has been a while since I’ve posted anything here. I’ve been caught up with new things since November, when I started working at my brand new job as a professional proofreader (which I absolutely love). I get paid to read all day, i.e., the best job in the world. In the meantime—when I’m not driving to work (an hour), working, driving home from work (another hour), and working a few shifts here and there at my beloved Fossil—I am still trying to craft handmade things. Right now I’m finishing up (late) Christmas presents for two of my friends. My parents gave me a Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine for Christmas, and I’m so excited to see what I can do with it. I’ve already ordered an amazing Amy Butler apron pattern, which I plan to make for my newly engaged friend.

Domestic Goddess Apron pattern by Amy Butler

I’m also obsessed with Amy Butler’s new Love line of fabric. I’m excited to try to make an apron soon.

I also stocked up on random clothes patterns by McCall’s and Simplicity during a crazy New Year’s sale at Hancock Fabrics. Each pattern was only $2, so I grabbed a few Cynthia Rowley patterns that I’m really excited about.

Just a few things I’ve liked lately:

To Have and to Hold Tote Bag by melangerienyc

I think this bag is the perfect gift for brides-to-be…I might have to invest in a few for my engaged friends (or try to embroider them myself).

Vintage antique bird scissors necklace by mybebesboutique

Of course I would love this necklace.

Pygmy marmoset print by berkleyillustration

I first discovered the illustrations of Ryan Berkley when I found a shark passport cover for Chad’s Christmas present in 2008. I especially love this pygmy marmoset print. Chad and I want to order and bunch and do a series of frames in our house.

Epershand necklace by lsette

This necklace is an amazing combination of modern design and antiquarian type. I think it would go perfectly with the Jonathan Adler Nook case Chad got me for Christmas.

Magnifying glass necklace by crumpetcake

I think this stunning antique necklace speaks for itself.

Oatmeal soopascarft by yokoo

I saw this etsy seller featured in an article in the New York Times. This scarf is so great, but I can’t afford it, ha.

-Hope

etsy.

hopevictoria — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:18:29 +0000

Just a quick post about three of my favorite etsy designers.

chainchainchained : I absolutely love Regina’s metal jewelry. So beautiful. Her blog A Chain of Events is linked on my blog roll.

arrow earrings

amazing cicada necklace

RachelleD : Rachelle’s mixture of beads, chains, and handmade floral pieces are stunning.

Fair Jardin Deep Red

Sweet As Honey

clearcutcrafts2007 : Handmade paper butterflies! As featured in Martha Stewart Weddings.

Mixed Purple Butterflies

3D Transparent Butterflies

-Hope