Outfit - Feeling Glamorous

Lately I've been feeling stuck in the style rut the end of winter lends itself to.  So, yesterday I wanted to spice it up a bit.  Then, I realized that sometimes all a girl needs to feel glamorous is a little vintage fur.  This is what else I wore: sweater from TJ Maxx, Marni Current/Elliott jeans, Ash heels, and a vintage Saks 5th Avenue bracelet.  Lipstick is NARS Niagara.

I'm very ready for spring over here!  Shorts, tank tops, and skirts are my favorites.  Stay warm until then kiddos.  ♥ Mallory

P.S.  I know fur tends to spark some controversy conversation, let's me lay it all out.  This collar was a hand-me-down, one of about 3 I have.  They've been dead since the 50s so I see no point in not wearing them.  I know the conditions that animals in current times go through for fashion to use fur.  I don't own any new real fur, nor do I plan on buying any.

Senior Collection - Coming Together

Things are starting to come together over here.  I finished my portfolio yesterday, hence no Monday post.  So I can now check off one of my 2 big projects for the semester.  As far as my collection goes I finally put it all in one nice Moleskine Plain Notebook, I bought yarn on for a hat & a scarf, the shoes arrived for my models to wear in my presentation, and all other fabrics have been purchased!  I'm only waiting on one more order to arrive!

I have one more round of fittings with just my teacher and models, partially final fabrics and partially muslin mockups, this Friday/next Wednesday.  After that's over I'm ready to make final adjustments to my patterns then cut all of the garments from their final fabrics.  Scary, but I'm so ready and excited!  You can see all of the process here.  I'm honored to have such supportive readers and friends through this! ♥ Mallory

Tuesday Tunes - Jeremy Larson

Today my friend Jeremy Larson released a new song as an Epilogue to his last solo album, They Reappear.  It seems like everything he adds his talents to is great, and I'm not just saying that as a friend.  Fort Christmas, awesome.  Sleeping at Last, always awesome.  Etc.  Then Sucre's freshman album, A Minor Bird, was my favorite album from 2012.

Anyway, go check out Jeremy's new song on his blog.  Brian will be back next week,  ♥ Mallory

Outfit - Working From Home

I'm spending a lot of time at home lately sewing, drawing, re-doing my portfolio, taking an online class, and blogging.  I have class 3 days a week but only have to go in two days a week, so I haven't gotten too fancy dressed lately.  Here's what I wore yesterday on one of these work from home days:
My jacket's from Old Navy, top is from Urban Outfitters, jeans are Levi's, bracelet my sister got me in South Africa on her honeymoon, and Chucks are real ancient.  ♥ Mallory

Senior Collection First Sketches

Here are my senior collection designs.  This is just my first, quick illustraton to give my professor a feel for the collection.  I designed the fabric prints, and I haven't ordered yardage yet so it was hard to visualize the whole thing finished.  When I showed my professor this illustration and presented my mockups on my models I was approved (with a few very small suggested changes).  I'm getting excited again!

I used Chartpak AD Markers this time because they're really fast.  When I'm finished with the collection I'll do more dimensional watercolor illustrations (my favorite medium).  It will take longer, and my garments will continue evolving until they're turned in.  So, now I sew and then I paint.  xo, Mallory

Tuesday Tunes- Bunbury Lineup 2013

Hello everyone.  Today is a very exciting day for Cincinnati and music festival goers across the US.  Bunbury Music Festival announced their 2013 lineup.  They have some huge bands this year, and although I don't think it quite holds up to 2012, it will still be solid!  Here's who I'm most excited for (and some photos from last year):     MGMT- Like most people, I've been listening to these guys for a while, but have never had the opportunity to see them.  I've always found their style to be so fun.  I think when they first hit popularity, it was pretty innovative.  Now it seems there are a ton of bands who throw that techy, dance feel in to their songs.     We Are Scientists- I love this band.  They are incredible songwriters.  Again, they're a band I've always wanted to see, and I'll finally be able to thanks to Bunbury.     Vacationer- If you follow my posts at all, you will know that I'm a big fan of Kenny Vasoli, the lead singer and writer for Vacationer, Person L, and The Starting Line.  Vacationer is my second favorite project of his, so I'm really, really excited to see them.  Their music has a very summery style, so it will be perfect come July.   You can read the full list of bands on the Bunbury website.  Who are you most excited to see?  Brian.

A Beautiful Mess Projects

In November I flew to visit my friends Elsie, Emma, and the rest of the A Beautiful Mess team.  I went to visit and to work on projects for their blog and upcoming book.  I love working with them.  It's so easy to collaborate with Elsie on projects after all the things we've done together!  I realized the other day I had not posted any of the projects I did while I was there.  Well, check them out and make some of them yourself!

Leather pillows I sewed for Emma's house.  Crazy awesome quilt hand printed then sewn.  Really Easy faux fur and flannel blanket.  I should make some of these for myself, too!  Let me know if you attempt any.  Oh, and they featured my blog today in a post about their design course.  :) Mallory

Hair Dye Confessions

I have a confession: I use box hair dye to color my hair.  Spending $100 and up for a salon trip doesn't seem justifiable to me because my natural hair color is a very light brown/almost dark blonde (top right).  This means my hair lightens easily to a golden blonde, covers easily in red, and also darkens nicely.  I've used a box to get to every other color above.  I have done salon color multiple times, but it was only necessary when I wanted to go from a copper red to dark blonde because it's a big change.  My hairstylist left my salon, and her replacement gave me highlights that made my hair an AWFUL light red with white blonde streaks.  I went to my sister's stylist who fixed it right up (I still see her, she's fantastic).  After that I thought well if even a professional can mess this up I'd rather just spend less and be mad at myself.  Luckily, I've never had a color disaster of my own doing.

Well, it's not just luck.  I've been using boxed colors since high school.  I started making small changes at a time and learned a lot from my mom who has dyed her own hair for as long as I can remember.  So, I have a few tips if you're going to box dye your own hair!
1.  Only go a shade or two darker or lighter than your current color.  This is why I needed to go to a salon to do red to blonde
2.  Don't buy the cheap stuff.  You're already saving cash with a box.  Spring for the $12 one.
3.  I think foams give better/quicker coverage and don't make as much of a mess since it's less drippy.
4.  Semi-permanent is less damaging and is ready for touch up when roots are ready for dye anyway.
5.  For red color use a shade very to your hair color to start with.  Red also fades faster than other colors so expect to dye more often, and bath towels to turn red.
6.  If you have a lot of hair you may need two boxes to cover it all.
7.  It's never a bad idea to do a test on a small chunk of hair from the back of your head.  This could save you from a hair emergency, which is worth an extra 25 minutes.
8.  Read the instructions, and follow them.  Then use the deep conditioner weekly!
9.  I wash my hair every other day to keep it from drying out.  Though, my bangs get washed every day.  I use Lush Big Shampoo and Veganese Conditioner most days.  Sometimes I use Wen cucumber.

Happy coloring! Mallory

Tuesday Tunes - Grammy Performances 2013

Hello music friends.  If you are like me you were watching the Grammy's (except between 9-10 because of The Walking Dead).  This year seemed like it had more performances than I can ever remember.  Some of them were shaky and some were incredible.  Here were my favorites.

The Black Keys

Personally, I think these guys may have gotten ripped of this year.  Mumford and Sons took home the Album Of The Year category.  Although that album is good, it doesn't seem different enough from "Sigh No More" to win that award.  The Black Keys are the new direction of rock and roll.  This performance helped prove that.

Jack White

I don't even listen to Jack White, but I loved everything about his performance.  He was so intense, and I love the backing band he had with him.  I was hooked on that drummer.  His style was so different and interesting.  I think Jack continually proves why he's such a staple in the rock industry with the range of the stuff he does.  He's always been a little different, and of course that makes him all the more interesting.

Justin Timberlake

I actually had no idea this was even happening.  I turned it on when Walking Dead was on commercial, and I see Jay-Z get up out of his seat and just start rapping.  I knew instantly that this was going to good.  So after going back and finding the video online, I was pretty in to.  I love the big band, Frank Sinatra feel that he had going.  Plus, the dude can sing like no other, and he puts on a great show.  It was exciting to see him come out and kill it after being away for a while.  Enjoy, Brian.

Valentine Downloadables

Sometimes I draw in Photoshop and Illustrator just for fun because I'm nerd (and I procrastinate).  So, this time I thought I'd share these Valentine's Day cards.  Click the image below it to bring up the full-size 8.5"x11".  Feel free to print them out and share them with friends and loved ones!  Valentine's Day is this week after all!  Love, Mallory

WhoopTee Winners

It's time to announce the winners.  Thank you again to WhoopTee for allowing me to do this giveaway!  I love the shirts so much and can't wait for these winners to get theirs.  The authors of these entries can email me and I'll send you onto WhoopTee for your free shirts!  mallorymakesthings(at)yahoo[dot]com :

Thanks for entering everyone!  xoxo, Mallory

P.S. WhoopTee lets you custom design your own tees, if you're ever in need.

Getting (this blogger) Organized

Getting organized and making a schedule is one of my goals for this year.  It may already be February, but I'm finally getting there.  I started working every weekday, and last week I printed out a February calendar from Just Dawnelle's to make a schedule of blog posts for this month (unsure why it printed yellow).

I started out with my notebook I keep ideas in, as well as my blog note on my phone.  While writing my month plan I made a checklist of all the topics I wanted to cover every/every other week.  I looked at my Google Analytics to see what days I get the most views and what topics get the most views, to take into consideration with my post schedule.  I wouldn't want to post a project I spent hours doing on a Saturday night (high topic, low day) because it would get lost in the weekend shuffle.  I may not always be able to stick with my plan, since school work and life happen, but I like having a general plan!  It's at least a good start.  Love, Mallory

Tuesday Tunes 2.5.13

Hello everyone! I hope you are recovering well from your Superbowl festivities.  I know I ate too many wings and not enough chocolate.  This week, I've got three great albums to talk about.

Daughter - The Wild Youth EP

This album may have one of my all time favorite covers with the boy's tiger face paint, making the extremely disgusted face.  I imagine it's not because he's listening to this album because it is far from disgusting.  It's like The XX meets Wye Oak.  My favorite song in this EP is probably "Youth."

From Indian Lakes - Able Bodies

I will gladly admit that I have not stopped listening to this album since I first heard it a few weeks ago.  I've listened to it during almost every morning run.  "We Are Sick" is easily the song that I've listened to the most.  I usually repeat it a couple of times before I move on to another song.  One of my friends from Standing Small turned me on to this album.  I'm forever thankful.

Shone - Heatthing

If you've followed the Shone viral campaign at all, you know how anticipated this album has been for a lot of people.  If you haven't followed it at all, then I'm sorry you missed out on one of the coolest things to happen in recent music (ex: they led a real life scavenger hunt to release the first song).  You can read all about it here.   Piano Wire Number 12" has been my favorite song on this cd so far.  I will warn you, this album is a little weird and dark, but it's really interesting.  It almost feels like you're listening to a play.
 

Until next time dooooooooods!  Brian.

Outfit - The Details

It's the details that really make an outfit, the combination is what makes an outfit interesting.   A few days ago I combined a Land's End Canvas top, Gap Jeans, Clarks heeled boots, and an Urban Outfitters cuff bracelet. ♥ Mallory