S.O.S. - Kitchen Style!

It's been a while since I've done a Spoonful of Sugar, so here are some tips for sweetening up your kitchen!

Recycle old silverware as drawer pulls:


Cute doily coasters from Urban Outfitters:


So cute/fun for fresh picked corn in the summer:


Antique/vintage dinnerware - scope out tag sales, estate sales, and the like for these gems!


I think there's something so dreamy about glass jars...


Can't decide between a beautiful cake or cute cupcakes? No need to settle, just bake a GIANT CUPCAKE


What's classier than diamond ice cubes??


And do I even need to step into the world of tea sets? These should be a given!


Don't stop there either!

* Go berry picking and store your fresh summer berries in those glass jars
* Remember those tea cup candles from the first S.O.S. on bathrooms? No need to restrict them to one room! I'll probably have these everywhere once I move into my new place
* In the summer especially, we've always got home made iced tea in a pretty glass pitcher in our fridge. For about a gallon of iced tea, boil one or two cups of water, and brew 5 or 6 bags of tea. We generally throw in 5 bags of regular black tea with one bag of a flavored tea. Once the tea is brewed, pour into a glass pitcher and fill the rest of it with ice.
* If you like baking, show off your pastry delights with glass bell jars, such as these strawberries n cream cookies

Hope you enjoyed these tips to sweeten up your kitchen!

♥ Jesi Carroll

"The Rules", or Cool Kid Psychology

I'm one of those people who think that people who follow fashion guidelines religiously are a little uptight, to say the least. There are people who treat fashion magazines like bibles, and worship labels like Versace, Dior, and Valentino like dieties. A popular term in lolita for girls who only purchase brand label pieces are 'brand whores', and while not so popular of a term in the general fashion world, you know that one girl who refuses to carry any bag without clearly showing off that it's a Coach. Whether it's a niche fashion like lolita, or general fashion trends for the season, some people just take it way too seriously!

And you know what? I think this all stems from the need to be the cool kid.
Seriously. Let's take a peek into the psychology of trends and fashion.

As early as elementary school, we're all exposed to trends, some of them more innocent as toys - pokemon cards, yoyos, and recent generation's silly bandz - and some even pertaining to fashion. I recall in 5th grade, popcorn shirts were all the rage, as well as those patchwork looking jeans that look like several different washes of denims were run over with a lawn mower and sewn back together with the frayed edges showing, anyone remember those? Something about these toys or pieces of clothing caught our attention and made us want them. Why did we want them? Because so-and-so had them, and you thought they looked cool, so that meant so-and-so was cool, so obviously if you had them, you would be cool!!


Even earlier than elementary school - did you ever notice the way toddlers are sometimes completely uninterested in a toy, that is, until someone else starts playing with it? Then they pitch a fit until THEY can have this newly deemed awesome toy.
Would it be so arbitrary to suggest that even now as young adults and adults, we're still acting like babies?

Fashion can have a captivating effect on people. New clothing can boost self-esteem, change your identity, and give you confidence enabling one to feel special and unique - sounds like our 'special snowflake' syndrome, right? Any piece of clothing can boost a person's self-esteem simply by having a designer label on it. How does this happen? By connecting themselves to popular, expensive, and high end names, a person wearing designer labels is creating a status symbol of who they are and who they want to be. If a person can afford designer, others will recognize this, and thus a feeling of importance is created, boosting ones socioeconomic status solely on the clothes one is wearing. This allows one to find comfort in situations where we might feel socially anxious. Take going to a party, for example. You know you won't know everyone there - in fact, maybe you won't even know anybody! So you slip on a designer label dress (lolitas, read 'brand') and pick up a tote with a designer logo emblazoned all over it, and head out in confidence, because even though other people who have never met you before will have no idea of your personality, because they will recognize the designer labels, they will associate the labels with this person has money, and maybe even connections in high places, they have designer, they must be in-the-know with fashion, they must be... cool! At least, this is how we think our brand-conscious peers think, and we're probably right, only not everyone cares so much about designer labels.

Fashion is a vicious cycle for those who follow trends. Everyone wants to buy the very newest style to set themselves apart as an indivudual, to be 'cool' - these are our trendsetters - but predictably, the styles turn into trends with everyone and their mothers wearing the same thing, wanting to be like the cool kid. But then, fashion designers come to our rescue, releasing new styles once the trend becomes too dull, and thus the cycle begins again. For those who want to feel like the fashion elite, this can cost a pretty penny.

Getting back to our cool kid statement, people who feel designer labels are most prestigious, who monitor fashion trends like a hawk, and even lash out against those who are "doing it wrong" and breaking the "rules" of how to wear something or what to wear, I believe, are simply trying to ensure that they are the cool kid. By creating a fashion standard for themselves and ordering others to follow, they are trying to force themselves as a trendsetter and fashion leader. Maybe they have lost confidence somewhere in life and are trying to restore it via fashion as an outlet, maybe they enjoy the glamour of being trendy and followed - I can't answer for our cool kids, but being lighthearted about most matters I would suggest everyone to just relax and lighten up, yet I know not everyone can take matters so lightly. Designer labels will always be captivating icons to some, while others can feel just as comfortable with themselves in lower end brands.

In reality, there is no unseen panel of judges monitoring you for faux-pas, giving points to those who are trendy, and condemning others or breaking fashion commandments.
Coco Chanel is not grinning at you from the afterlife for sporting her label's shades.
Maki and Asuka are not going to show up at your door and give you a pat on the back for only wearing Angelic Pretty.
Your favorite celebrity icon is not going to give you a trophy for mimicking their style.
There is no fashion rulebook.

So, relax, take a deep breath, it's only fashion.

♥ Jesi Carroll

Inspiration - Your Secret

Today, I just wanted to share this charming video I stumbled upon the other week...

Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

♥ Jesi Carroll

Life Journey Journal - Wardrobe Building

Whoops, sorry about the little gap in posting! I've been really busy lately, what with Connecticon and Warped Tour this past weekend, working two jobs, and some personal going-ons, yikes!

Anyways, a week or so ago I treated myself and bought a new jumperskirt; it's a black milky chan replica. Some people like replicas, and some hate them, and as much as I'd love the real thing, it simply isn't in my budget. I could wait and wait to save up, however keeping in mind that I need to furnish and equip an apartment, save up for art supplies, and possibly even get a car for when I'm back at school so I could continue working at Ulta down in Savannah, and get to and from classes without jumping through hoops - well, it'd take a while!
Of course the quality isn't the absolute best, but it's pretty good in my opinion. The lace is decent and cute, the print is done well, and it's put together nicely. The fabric is a little bit stiffer, but this could just be from starch as my mother pointed out.
I'm happy with it, though, and I think that's what's most important. Also, had it been the real deal, I would be a lot more hesitant to wear it out and about for fear of wrecking something precious on accident, so I feel a lot more freer about wearing it casually rather than letting in sit in the closet for only the best occasions.
All in all, the dress is cute, the quality isn't the absolute best but it's good, it didn't cost me an arm and a leg, and most importantly: I'm happy.



A quick coord after opening - way too hot today for socks/blouse!!

In other news, I recently started at Ulta - we've only just been setting the store up though, not quite open yet ;) Even though it's been 8 and a half hour shifts, it goes by quick and I really enjoy it - I actually feel like I'm doing something productive when the progress is as visually apparent as it is when you're setting up a store and things start filling up the shelves. Plus, my best friend works there!! Hopefully I can just transfer to the Ulta located in Savannah, it's only about five miles away from my apartment, and a girl who graduated from my highschool a year before me who also attends SCAD works with us too, so it would be even better if we could carpool!
If any CT lolitas follow my blogspot and want discount coupons and such for Ulta, there's a soft opening for friends & family a week before the grand opening, so let me know if you're interested, I can hook a girl up ;)

♥ Jesi Carroll

Finding your Season - Colors best for your skin tone

Sometimes when dressing, you might find your appearance to look off - but it's not the style of clothes, it's the color. So, as promised, I'm delivering an entry regarding which colors look best with your skin tone! I did a lot of digging for this, and decided it would be best to create a guide based on color analysis, or color seasons.

To start off, note that a persons season is the same for life - a tan will NOT change it, because you still have the same color skin, just in a darker hue. Determining your color season mostly relies on your skin tone, do not rely on your hair color and eye color, because throughout the years and even seasons, hair color changes, can be dyed, and eye color can be changed with colored contacts.

To help determine your season, figuring out whether you are warm or cool skinned, and clear or muted skinned is a good start.
Cool skin has pink or blue undertones, and visible viens will appear blue.
Warm skin has yellow undertones, and veins will appear more green.
Easy enough, right?
Clear skin does not refer to blemish-free skin in this situation. Clear in color analysis refers to large contrasts between skin, hair, and eyes, and generally skin will have a transluscent quality.
Muted skin has little contrast between skin, hair, and eyes, with more ashy tones, and will have softer color than that of a clear skin tone.

Winters are cool and clear
Summers are cool and muted
Autumns are warm and muted
Springs are warm and clear

If you're still stumped, don't worry, I'm here to provide you with more in depth descriptions of the seasons, and try to create a comprehensive guide.

* Winters are often stark and dramatic. People of Asian or African descent are often winters, as well as Caucasians with very pale skin and dark hair, such as black, dark chestnut, ash chestnut, white, and salt and pepper. Skin might be cold brown, olive, neutral beige, sallow beige, or pink beige, and will contrast dramatically with hair and eye color, and can be described as 'intense'. Gray, blue, brown-black, chestnut, and hazel eyes are winter characteristics.

* Summers often have pinkish, pink-beige, or ivory skin; ashy blonde, dark chestnut, mousy brown hair - and especially natural blondes - and a strong complexion that tans easily. There will be a low level of contrast between eye, hair, and skin color, and the contrasts will be gentle and seen as softer and less intense. Eyes will generally be lighter and gray or blue.

* Autumns will tend to have warmer skin, such as dark brown, golden brown, light gold, olive, warm beige, and ivory; red, brown, dark brown, copper, chestnut, golden blonde hair, and golden-brown, amber, hazel, green, or darker eyes. Blue eyes with a gray or turquoise cast may also be autumn traits. If you're an autumn, you might also burn easily in the sun.

* Springs also have warmer coloring, though skin will be extremely light, and possibly freckled and rosy cheeked. Golden beige, pink beige, peach, ivory, and porcelain are very characteristic of springs. Light blonde, auburn, strawberry blonde, dark brown, and golden hair are spring traits, with clear light blue, aqua, green, golden brown or amber eyes that may tend to be paler.

***

Hopefully, now you are able to figure out which season you are! So the next step is figuring out which colors look best with your season.

* Winters - you will look best in true white, as well as true black, cool grays, navy blue, deep reds, bright pinks, jewel tones (emerald, royal blue and purple), and icy pastels. Colors that are relatively more intense and contain sharper contrast will create an intense, pure, and clean look.
Avoid: beige, orange, gold, camel, brown, & other washed out shades - this will make you look faded and ashy. Less intense or highly contrasting colors will wash out the strong contrasts between your skin and hair and eyes.

* Summers - pastels, neutrals, muted colors such as lavender, rose, mauve, pale yellow, and light blue are best for you. Dressing in these colors that are relatively softer, less intense, and contain less dramatic contrasts will make you look subtle and harmonious.
Avoid: black and orange. Intense and vivid colors will be too harsh for you'll appear drowned out. In higher contrasting and intense colors, the gentle contrast between your skin and hai rand eyes will be overpowered.

* Autumns - stay with rich and muted earth tones, such as caramel, beige, burnt orange, gold, dark reds, olive, ivory, camel, and rich brown. Strong autumns will look great in black. Essentially, anything with warm yellow undertones.
Avoid: Cool shades, you'll look pale. Pink may be unflattering for you, as well as clear bright colors. Black & white will make you look faded.

* Springs - pale and soft colors are great for you! Ivory, peach, true reds, clear blues, camel, light pink, coral, salmon, golden yellow, golden brown, aqua, and bright greens are highly recommended. Similar to autumns, warm yellows will compliment your skin. If you have dark hair and vivid skin, black will look good on you.
Avoid: dark, dull colors. Black & white will cause too much contrast.

***

Since I don't have all the time and resources to instruct you as per my winter semester color theory class, hopefully this color analysis guide has introduced you to the fantastical world of seeing colors like no man or woman ever has, and provided you with guidelines as to what colors work for you!

Don't let a guide like this limit your experimentation, though, it's merely meant as an aid to help determine what may and may not look good on you. If you're in love with a color, work it!

♥ Jesi Carroll