Friday I'm In Love :: Denim Edition

Following last week's trend of denim love from Imogene and Willie, I've put together a collection of denim varieties that I've fallen in love with recently for my Friday I'm In Love post. 

The thing that I love about denim is that is can be all kinds of denim. Pretty denim, rough denim, tom boy denim, acid wash denim, stone wash denim, studded denim, classic boot cut denim with a bit of a rolled hem. Rock and roll denim, boyfriend cut denim, bell bottomed denim, blouse darted to fit perfectly denim. Ideas are endless but denim construction is an art form in itself. It takes a talented craftsman to perfect a jean {or shirt, or dress} by perfectly drafted patterns and also giving this piece enough durability to last a lifetime.

Here is my collection of denim that I love.

All photo resources can be tracked back to my Move Over Denim Daddy Pinterest board.

I couldn't pass up that Debbie Harry photo. She looks killer there - if it were ever possible, I would love to have had the opportunity to be able to step in her shoes for a day.

I recently purchased a pair of purple jeans from the thrift store. They need to be taken in, but as soon as I wear them on a good day, I'll be sure to show you guys. I believe I'm stepping out of my box with colorful jeans. I'm typically a black skinniest of jeans type of girl. I also own a pair of gray denim jeans with a huge whole in the knee. The rest of my jean items include cut off jean shorts from previous denim jeans.

How do you feel about wearing denim? What denim have you been loving lately? Do you own any denim pieces besides your jeans? If so, what do you own?

-Alexz

Friday I'm In Love : WITH NOVELLA ROYALE

Thanks to the NR Blog for their pictures.

Novella Royale. Novella Royale. I love the way that sounds coming off the tongue. So much that I'm renaming today's post of Friday, I'm In Love and changing it to FRIDAY, I'M IN LOVE WITH NR. Caps necessary.

I've been following the Novella Royale brand and blog ever since I came across their Instagram. I first saw a pair of their bellbottoms, but quickly was smitten by their bags and overall lifestyle (All for supporting other bag creators and I can totally talk up another bag designer! I'd do a couple or more dares for my very own NR bag). I've been meaning to share their name, and was reminded to after Laura added them onto one of the Bohemian Collective Pinterest boards. This company is truly an inspiration to me as a one-woman show behind Bird Trouble. They are one of my personal style inspirations, as well as one of Bird Trouble's inspiration because I can see their drive and hard work. I'm just obsessed with those bellbottoms and am loving the fact that they're bags are also made out of recycled leather jackets. NR and I know what's up (nudge, nudge- right Mary Meyers?) when it comes to helping reduce waste.

Not only these reasons, but also because they just really make me want to move back to sunny California and make myself a pair of bellbottoms. I'll just stick to making the bellbottoms.

Friday I'm In Love : Etsy Edition

Today's Friday I'm In Love is an Etsy edition with some of my most recent favorite items. Enjoy!

MOOREA SEAL'S : Atlantasite Pyramid Ring

TUMBLEWEEDS HANDCRAFT : Handcrafted Wooden Faced Sunglasses Heart Locita

MULLEINANDSPARROW : Lucid Dreams Smoking Blend

EUROVINTAGE : Vintage Electric Small Fan

CRESUS ARTISANAT : Needlepoint Coasters

JULIE BOYLES : Hanging Jar Wall Vase

Friday :: I'm In Love With...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"You take what you take, you take all you can, to feel how I feel

well I'm who I want to be, we're not thinking

this is not thinking, this up on high with some not quite natural energy"

1)  Thunder Up from The Sounds. It's 80's, expressive and emotional, fiery post punk and I love it. Kinetic was one of my favorite songs. (I'm been obsessed with Spotify because I've been able to stumble across albums like this.)

2) Fashion Photographer Oliviero Toscani's photographs for The Passion. (The expression of the model's face in the middle row, going down, is my favorite.)

3. Francoise Hardy, another woman on my list of "Women with style that I envy"

4. Novella Royale has one of my favorite curated tumblr, and this wild patterned one piece was on there. (They just combined their blog to their tumblr and I'm always finding inspiration there!)

5. Laura's Healing Art photographs for this post on The Bohemian Collective. 

Friday, I´m in Love With...

First row: Loving The Maine´s logo and the sea foam paint job on that trailer! 

Second row: How cute are those little portable planters?! Also have been loving this bag from Skyline Fever. Laura designs a lot of great women´s accessories!

Third row: This is an alluring music video for Gotye´s Somebody That I Used to Know.

I'm enjoying...

1. Christene Barberich in StyleLikeU. Not only have I just recently found out about this website, but I've already found it interesting to see what I have in common with some of these inspiring people on here. 

2. Un Chien Andalou - I found this on Netflix watch instant. I couldn't keep my eyes off of it! It was driving me crazy. I thought it was really hysterical, actually.

3. I've really just become mesmerized by the colors in this photo. Found on tumblr.

4. I like all the colors and the designs that Man Vs. Ink uses in their printing.

5. Be still my vintage doctor bag lovin' heart. Bag from Jayson Home.

6. Academy Jewelry's Quartz Bullet Shell necklace that I won through a Dirty Richmond giveaway. I've been obsessed with it and wearing it daily, but haven't been able to properly photograph it myself. 

Their shop is lovely!

7. Bleeds, is what I like to call it. This shirt is from here.

10 Things I Love :: Free Spirit Edition.

10 Things I Love

Free Spirit Edition

1. LF lookbook. I just recently came across LF and I love, love, love their Daydream Nation book.

2. Fresh retro styling with a twist of 1970's textures.

3. This website is a really great photo reference and inspiration. I love the look and the kiss lock clutch she girl is giving the camera.

4. How could I not love a pair of 70's platforms? 

 5. She has an eye for texture! I love everything about her hat, and the sequins. If anyone knows more about this picture, I'd love to learn! Also, if anyone has a hat like that.... eh, eh?

 

6. No caption or further explanation necessary. It doesn't really even fit the theme,

but this has to be one of my all time favorite shows.

 

7. Joplin, her wild hair, and Masters with his superb hat. 1970, New Mexico. 

8. Weaving blankets. This specific one was made in Mexico. I'd love to have in my living room.

9. Bike power in San Francisco, 1972 when they were trying to get upper Market St. to be more bicycle friendly.

8. Paint your wagon. A topic, and a recent serious interest! Summer on-the-road business 2012?

9. 1970's Halloween dream masks. Simple solution! I wonder where I can find modern day replica masks.

xoxo,
Alexz

10 Things I Love

Hello!
It seems to be that I'm most inspired at the beginning of the week.
I have about... 5 random sketch/notes/idea books, that are both old and new, filled with ideas.
I just really love brains [especially mine].
There's so much creative thoughts stored in our brains that just need a little help getting out.

For instance, the other day... James and I decided that we're going to make a little book with our own illustrations. It'll be our interpretation of something that happened to us in an everyday incident. Like cooking dinner and being burned by oil, then James coming to the rescue. But we're going to over exaggerate it so that maybe James would RIP OFF his shirt and show his superhero costume... then save me from the mean oil. Yep. ANYWAY.
The whole point to this story is that I definitely wrote that instance down in one of my books and laughed the whole time.

Here are my 10 Things I Love today.
All are inspired to help you be inspired and to create something with your two hands.
Because I know you can!

Ty ate my stuffed squirrel that I made this past winter. Plain destroyed it.
Naughty boy is going back to being crate trained. >=|
Finding these little foxes inspires me to make another squirrel but to make it a million times better.
But this is no where near me saying that I'm not bitter.

I'm not one for accessories on my wrist but this DIY is so cute and easy!
I want to recreate this in my own way and add it to my handmade items.

With summer FINALLY (I think?) being here in Chicago, comes a lot of bike rides.
(Like yesterday, we road all day!!)
This is a really easy quick DIY but also inspires me to further consider some bike bags.
But shhh... that's not fully thought out yet.

Did I mention that we're moving out August 1st?
James, myself, Ty, and cheeseburger are trying to find a new home near a neighborhood called West Town.
I'm in a real big mood for DIY furniture right now. I can't wait to find a place.
James and I are so similiar... plus, he loves my design ideas. BETTER! ;)

I love the texture on this dress.
I'm wondering how I can make it softer for my bags or even on the hip of a skirt.
[p.s.whoelseiscreepedoutbythegirlsface? just lingering in the top corner.]

Made out of a mens t-shirt! How cute is that?!
Ever just stroll through the men's isles at the thrift stores?
How we can use the awesome prints on their shirts to benefit us!

I just died! This is so darling.
I really want to find an apartment with a backyard space.
One we saw, had this huge roof top access, and I keep mentally putting myself back on the roof.
I would definitely put these in my backyard.

I know I'm not the only one who buys the beer just solely based on the artwork of the bottles.
Think of the possibilities!

I used to have a huge thing for plastic crates.
I used to hijack them from behind this hot dog place when I lived in Pilsen.
Hey, being a broke 20 year old really puts things into prospective!
Having a thing for boxes is cool though.

Lack of space but lots of books? No big deal!
I'd paint them bright bold colors because I'm obnoxious like that.

Hope that helped motor your brain! I'd love to see what you guys can create.
Until next time!
<3 Alexz

NINE Things I Love

HA! I'm only giving you 9 photos today, instead of 10. :) It seemed suiting to the inspiration palette.

Today's inspiration was inspired by the first photo.
Texture, shape, bare neutrals, and of course... being bold.
Not to mention that the lace on her shirt is killer... I just had to base it off it.

This place looks so cozy. I'd love to snuggle on that couch with my pooch and a book. Plus, that deer is just too darn cute! Found this photo on design*sponge.

Speaking of candles... I have a DIY project in mind coming up, hopefully, soon!
Time to get things spruced up for the Spring!

What's been inspiring you recently?