Even a Fairy Godmother Needs a Break

I know that my writing of late has become very sporadic. Not only that, but it has also become uninformative. To put things simply, I don't feel inspired to say much. There are a lot of things that I could write, or look at. But what fun is there in making things up?

I kind of needed the break. We all need a break from what we're doing now and then, and for me this was an unplanned but useful amount of time. It's given me a chance to evaluate what we've been looking at and figure out what direction I want to go in from here.

So what has been going on behind the scenes here? To be blunt, nothing noteworthy. No, I'm not deathly ill. No, I have not managed to find a niche here yet. No, I most definitely have not forgotten the people that I love that are far away. They're just far away from me. And I am far, far, far away from them.

The funny thing is that my cousin told Squash that. Because he was using a map to learn about where we are. He thinks we're on a whole different planet. Or, in Far, Far Away like in the Shrek movies. He still wants me to go back. It's always 'come home'.

But it's hard to come home when you're not sure anymore exactly where home is. Home is a funny thing like that. Sometimes home is where everyone you know is. Sometimes it's the place where we hang our hats for a little while.  Other times it's where someone else is that makes it home to us.

I don't know where home is anymore.

Kind of sad in a way I suppose. But it's fair to say that the only way to figure out where home is is to evaluate the things that are valued. But how do you decide what really matters?

I really feel like I need a break at this point. I need something to go right. Something needs to happen that will shed some light on the directions I have to go in. But what?

I guess we'll just wait and see.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I will try to get things back into an almost predictable order. After all we all like something we can predict.

Order can be nice in this chaotic world.

Steampunk Shopping (1)

When it comes to shopping for your steampunk accessories, it can be difficult if you want to be unique. Ideally many steampunkers make their own accessories. But I know at times that can be difficult, and not everyone is a leather or metal worker (and that is ok. You don't have to be.) Which means shopping might be in the near future. You have a few options.

Thrift stores are a great place to find things to create a base look. While you may not be the best seamstress, or even a tailor, generally speaking, modifying something that's pre-made can be simple. Not only that there are often a number of vintage pieces to choose from, at reasonable prices. I recommend looking for pinstripes and corduroy. Also look for interesting patterns, these can be good for adding detail or just as inspiration for your look. Of course, these are just recommendations for things to look at. You may decide to go in a whole different direction.

Corduroy, Pinstripes, Ticking, Stripes, and Damask Samples

The internet is a great marketplace to find accessories to help you build your look. But try to be discerning. Not every plastic doodad with a gear glued or painted on to it is steampunk, no matter what the description says. You want to pick pieces that will be sturdy enough for wear, as well as activity. You never know who or what might happen after all. You never know when there might be a pirate invasion, or a plague of boggles.

Steampunk Pearl Ear Cuff by Etsy shop Meowchee

Accessories come in a variety of styles and purposes. Meowchee on Etsy offers some handmade pieces that are charming. They're earcuffs, which don't require your ears to be pierced(so can be worn by men or women.) Things like this add deeper detail as people get closer to you, making the look seem more than just an outer layer. You want to have some layering, as it gives you a more cohesive feel. But don't just wear things because it 'looks' steampunk. Picke pieces that you feel express you, or the character that you're developing.

Hummingbird Pendant by Desert Rubble

Of course, you can look at bracelets and necklaces. Today I'm  also going to recommend Desert Rubble, an online shop that offers a variety of sculpted pendants and accessories.  If you look through them you'll note that each one has a variety of detail, from the metallic shading, to the sculpted textures. If you have a character you've decided on, necklaces and bracelets(or Bracers or...well the list goes on) can be used to illustrate who and what you are, as well as the types of things that you're interested in.

Well, today we'll stop there, we don't want to turn this into a shopping list after all. Just want to get you thinking about the types of things that can express this style. Not sure where or how to start? Stay tuned, Friday we'll be discussing some basic ideas.

Music Monday Playlist (3)

This weeks song list is a little bit different. I hope you all enjoy listening as much as I did selecting the songs for you. The song we're going to "feature" for the video today is a mashup by Titus Jones. Enjoy, and remember to share if you find something you like. We're always looking for something new here.

Megan and Liz - Princess Charming
Jim's Big Ego - Stress
Johnny Cash & June Carter - Jackson
Beach Boys - Disney Girls
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
Brad Paisley - Camouflage
Christina Grimmie - Advice
Daddy Dewdrop - Chick a Boom
Jon Anderson - Loved By The Sun
Schnuffel Bunny - Snuggle Song
Titus Jones - Teenage Kids
Walk off The Earth - From Me To You
Ludo - Lake Pontchartrain
DJ Schmolli - Rock of Ages
Simple Plan - Jet Lag
Steam Powered Giraffe - I am not Alone
Greens Keepers - Lotion
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - Pressure
Kasey Chambers - Not Pretty Enough
The All American Rejects - Move Along
Plumb - Stranded
Xandria - Mermaids
Motion City Soundtrack - The Future Freaks Me Out
Tokyo Mew Mew - My Sweet Heart
Oliver and Company - Once Upon A Time In New York City
John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You into the Dark

Music Monday Playlist (2)

Mhm. It's Monday again! Time for some music to get us through the week!

Vermillion Lies - Bonnie and Clyde
Dudes - Teenage rebels
Lipona - Tragedy of Commons
The Cog is Dead - Death of the Cog
The Prefab Messiahs - Desperately Happy
White Lies - One Of Them
Eartha Kitt - I Want to be Evil
Josh Turner - Punching Bag
Jessie J - Who's Laughing Now
King Charles - Bam Bam
Rachel Crow - Mean Girls
Taylor Swift - Mean
Tex Ritter - Hillbilly Heaven
Phineas and Ferb - Gitchy Gitchy Goo
Imogen Heap - My Secret Friend
Cady Groves - Love Actually
Owl City - When Can I see You Again?
Allstar Weekend - Hey, Princess!
Vanessa Hudgins - Sneakernight
Emily Osment - Everybody's Fool
China Anne McClain - How Do I Get There From Here
S Club 7 - Bring It All Back
The Axis of Awesome- Four Chords
Carla Bruni - You Belong To Me
Brave Little Toaster - Worthless
FloRida - Good Feeling
Aerosmith - Crazy

Steampunk Revolution

Just... WOW... I can't believe I missed this Video!

Abney Park : Steampunk Revolution

Music Monday Playlist (1)

Okay, here's the first in what will turn into a series. It's a song playlist. (or shopping list) of recommended music for the week. And because I'm to lazy to link them all to videos am only going to post the video for one of the songs on the list. Have fun, and happy listening!

Blue Man Group - Time to Start
Madonna - Beautiful Stranger
Flaming Lips - Bad Days
Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Spank
Prozzak - Sucks to be You
Jeffree Star - Beauty Killer
Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
Rihanna - Disturbia
Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right To Party
Everlast - Stone in my Hand
Cameo - Word Up
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
Halestorm - Dirty Work
The Pretty Reckless - Hit Me Like A Man
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
Blood On The Dance Floor - Candyland
The Dreadnoughts - Bone Yard
Zombie Hunter - We're Never Going To Find Them
Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
Emily Osment - Let's Be Friends
Hey Monday - I Don't Want To Dance
Kat Graham - Put Your Graffiti On Me
Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed
Selena Gomez - Naturally
Tom Jones - Sex Bomb
Ke$ha - Take It Offf
Pixie Lott - All About Tonight

 

The Flaming Lips : Bad Days