You Bobbin Beauty!

This can't be real. Seriously. It's just way too cute/cool/awesome. But no, these glorious two-wheeled homages to the past are in fact the real deal. They're from Bobbin Bicycles in the UK - the "the most beautiful bike shop in Great Britain". Not only do they have spectacular bicycles, but their website is illustrated! Swooning

Off to Market by Jordan Clarke featuring True Religion jeans

Items in this set:
Elizabeth and James Summer Cohen Super Check Button Down Shirt - Red, $225
Underwired Sweet Pea Bra, $32
Jeans von True Religion ab 169,00 € im CONLEYS Online Shop
PLASTICLAND - Tattoo Luck Heart Ring by Classic Hardware, $22
Blixen cotton-blend fedora, $395

Style Sleuth: 22.03.10

Back to Basics

I've been a very bad girl. It's been almost a month since I wrote a post here. But I put the blame squarely on trying to be a proper grown-up. Evidently it doesn't suit me. Playing by the rules tends to snap back and bite me in the ass.

You see, I have no money. Nothing exceptionally new about that situation (as anyone who's followed me for some time already knows). But I'd finally resolved to go out and get a 'real' job, earn some money and focus on getting my shit together. Hasn't worked.

Blogging has been all but abandoned. Personal artwork has been shelved indefinitely. Have had no social life to speak of. It's been truly horrible and I've almost forgotten who I am. I'm so tired and fed-up with fighting to survive.

But no more. Time to be irreverent, irresponsible and ridiculous. Bollocks to getting a job in design - where I have to fight for every creative decision, where I'm working ungodly hours, where I have to wait weeks (or months) to get paid. Honestly, I don't like design that much.

I'm returning to simple blog posts. Sorry, but no more fancy headers and image treatments. Takes too damn long. I'm just going to keep it short and simple. I'm going to look for a job, any ordinary job, where I clock on and off and leave it behind. Where I get paid regularly (even if it's peanuts), where I can be sociable and meet people.

Reflecting on my state of existence I'm somewhat mortified that I am a 27 year old impoverished artist who still lives at home with her parents and still can't drive. So I have the following resolutions:

1. Learn to drive. Actually, I got my Learner's License right at the end of last year and have been out learning with my Dad. Need to keep the momentum up (perhaps dreaming of how I can redecorate the lil' ol' car - needs some serious lovin')

2. Move the heck out. Which requires regular money. Obviously. Paying your own rent and bills, doing groceries and housework does wonders to your sense of self and I've missed that for the past 2 or so years.

3. Get a job. Any job. Cafe, bar, cinema, bookshop...As long as it's shiftwork and I can work my art and studio hours around it then that's dandy.

Here goes nothing. Time to grow up - but on my own terms.

Upside Down

...Cause' I have made it through this far,
In an unforgiving place.

It feels sometimes this hill's too steep
For a girl like me to climb,
But I must knock those thoughts right down,
I'll do it in my own time.

I don't care,
I'm halfway there,
On a road that leads me straight to who knows where?

I'll tell you what,
What I have found,
That I'm no fool,
I'm just upside down.
Ain't got no cares,
I ain't got no rules,
I think I like living upside down.

Watching people scurry by,
Rushing to and fro,
Oh this world is such a crazy place,
It's all about the go go go.

Sometimes life can taste so sweet,
When you slow it down,
You start to see the world a little differently,
When you turn it upside down.

I'll tell you what,
What I have found,
That I'm no fool,
I'm just upside down.
Ain't got no cares,
I ain't got no rules,
I think I like living upside down.

Upside Down - Paloma Faith

I totally get that. Soundtrack to my life.

Rollergirls

Roller Derby - Skate of Emergency by Gomisan


Roller Derby - Skate of Emergency by Gomisan


L-R: Fourteen Fifths; Marshall Astor; Gomisan; Axle Adams

Roller Derby. Think pin-up girls, tattoos, rockabilly, skates, bruises, biff-ups, speed, attitude, fish-nets, thigh-hi socks, leg warmers, hot pants and bitchin' alter egos. It's the not-so-nice-girls sport. What a perfect outlet for all that pent-up frustration and aggression. Beats sitting in front a soppy DVD with a tub of ice-cream feeling sorry for yourself.

Now, I recall reading an article on this some time ago. I was intrigued. But I was so young and feckless that I didn't think to look any further into it. Then I watched Whip It the other night. Now I have the bug.

The local league here have just finished Fresh Meat tryouts, and the new season of bouts begins in April. I'll be saving up for a pair of skates and practicing my ass off to try out at the end of the year. Fitness, attitude and dress-ups...what's not to love?