Trashy or Flashy?

Images from Sanriotown

I have a confession to make. While I was in Japan I discovered the local obsession with Nail Art, and I am smitten. Usually I have a very strong aversion to anything that purports to be nail art, as it conjurers up images of some rappers girlfriend waving lethal talons around slapping me down for my lack of pizazz. But the Japanese version of nail art was all together different. While many of the techniques and supplies remain the same the outcome is something sparkly, cute and innocent.

Usually my nails are simply clear coated, as although I love a red nail, the manicure just doesn't stand up to my lifestyle. But Japanese style nails just might. The trend is to cut off your own nails and replace them with glass like press ons. Rather than working with a French Manicure or a coloured base, one of the most popular styles works with this clear base and uses sparing adornment to create a sort of Cinderella look. The 3D nail art I found was just delightful. I know that there are lots of cons to this sort of work, but I think it is just so pretty!

So am I just having a moment of bad judgment, or do you see the kitschy cute value I do? Either way, I'm off to paint my nails with glitter and stars.

Further reading on the subject if it takes your fancy.

She Finds asks - Trendy or Tacky?
Buzzfeed gives you more pictures videos and links

Hello Kitty Nails How To on You Tube

Coveting and Convalesing

Photo by Dan in LA

I was going to bring you the 200th post competition winners today, but alas, I am still laid up in bed feeling sick. As such, there will be no barrel girl antics today for I couldn't possibly present the winner without all the appropriate to do. So instead I'm going to give you a peak into my inspiration for the extensive shopping list I managed to build from my sick bed whilst trawling Ebay. Oh dear, health hazards on so many levels.

I apologise for the lack of image credits and links, but in my addled state, I forgot to record their origins. Still, I am feeling quite pleased as I made one major discovery today. Now for those of you in the know please don't laugh, but I've only just discovered that the decorating style I have been lusting after and finding impossible to describe actually has a name! Hollywood Regency. Oh, that makes it SO much easier in these days of Google. Well, what is in my head is a little more over the top than this, (surprise surprise) perhaps I can coin a new term as I move towards Hollywood Georgian? I have been dreaming of large sweeping rooms decked out in satins and velvets, floors you can dance on, and bedrooms to swoon in. All rather like the extravagant set of a 1930's Hollywood blockbuster. Mind you, I'm not entirely sure how any of this will work with the architecture of my home, but still, a girl can dream. If you are in the mood to gorge yourself on some serious style, head over to Design Public, for the most comprehensive list of links and an exceptional description of just what Hollywood Regency is.

In fact, it seems that there is one woman who would be perfect for decorating my home. (Once again almost all Americans will have heard of her, or anyone with an ounce of decorator aspirations) Dorothy Draper. While the lady herself is no longer with us, she has left an indelible mark on the decorating landscape. Behold her creations.






I have been living in my somewhat disassembled bedroom now for a number of months and my indecision is beginning to depress me. I have my new lighting installed, but that is almost the extent of the renovations so far. The walls have been stripped and a looking rather sad in their underwear. I have paint chips taped to the wall while I make colour decisions. But for the last month I was set on a vivid green, now I am tending towards a deep Wedgewood blue. It is so much easier to change a dress than repaint a wall when your mood changes. And this leads me to another epiphany I had today. I now know why I love these interior styles so much. Not only do they evoke romantic notions of the life one will live in them, but they require a certain style to live in them. Can you imagine sleeping in an old t-shirt in this sort of bedroom? Would Madame ever be seen lounging around wearing a tracksuit in such a divine living room? I think not. Just like buying a Chanel dress, buys you a piece of the dream, I think that is why I so dearly want these rooms. I only hope that should I achieve them, I can live up to their expectations.

Obsession

Lucy in Wonderland dress - from Danger Dame.

I am dreaming in colour. It is soft and floaty, stiff and rough. It is netting and tulle and all the things that go into giving your day a little pouf. I am tackling several sewing projects all at once, in the hope that by the time I have finished all these requests, I will be the queen of the crinoline. I never started out wanting one, even when they started to appear all around me. It seems that they are just an undercurrent of the time, not yet breaking through to the mainstream, but everyone in my life has to have one. And so I am sewing.
Today I have been making a dozen little Fairy Ballerina outfits for Miss 3's fourth birthday next Saturday. With stiff mint green netting and sparkley pink over skirts, they should be perfect for a rowdy group of princesses. Tomorrow I'll attach the wings, or perhaps I can get them all to earn their wings on the day, (now there's a thought).


I have also been finalising a beautiful pleated tulle skirt for a fellow blogger, and am just trying to get the colour of the waist band fabric right. I couldn't find quite the right crushed blue satin, so my fabric is currently sitting in a bowl of thick, black coffee. Being that it is a poly satin, it is still looking a bit to perky for my liking, but we'll see.
And of course, while out shopping for all these supplies and hanging around in the netting area of the store, I came across something that just held onto my hand for dear life and wouldn't let go until I bought it. A cherry red net, with flocked polka dots. Oh how sweet it is! It is all I can do to save this beauty until my real work is done. She is simply begging to be bound in satin and taken out on the town, (or back to the bedroom). But until I get the serious work finished, she'll just have to sit on the shelf watching "Lucy" re-runs until it is her turn to dance.