collarbones

awesome events

2012-01-30T02:08:00.002+11:00

If you're looking for something to do with your friends: fun and interesting events and activities in Melbourne? Try WeekendNotes.

2012-01-26T15:54:00.002+11:00

love.

2012-01-17T01:44:00.001+11:00

Now on twitter! @lollipopsocks :) x <3

STAGE FRIGHT 2012

2012-01-05T00:54:00.000+11:00

I and several other artists/performers musicians will be contributing to this:http://www.stagefrightevent.com/Please come along!

Table of Dreams

2011-12-22T12:30:00.003+11:00

http://tokyofashion.com/table-of-dreams-christmas-kyary-pamyu-pamyu/comment-page-1/#comment-87621Such a whimsical and colourful shoot!Speaking of whimsical and colourful, I need to watch all of this cartoon.

Lisa Alisa

2011-11-18T13:05:00.001+11:00

fab, fab, fab. Inspiring words and art from this lady!http://www.guupress.com/magazine/interviews/lisaalisa/Her work reminds me a bit of Stuntkid. I love the empowering and beautiful images she gives in both her images and interviews.Unfortunately her site is down :( But here are some samples:

scott pilgrim amv

2011-11-17T15:28:00.001+11:00

I love the Scott Pilgrim comic series, and this is an awesome AMV that I found a while ago:There are many comics (well, mangas) that I start but never finish, but SP is the bomb. I guess cos it's only 6 volumes, but it kicks ass all the way through. The humour and art are just so fun; this little indie comic deserves all the mainstream success it's gotten from the film.I want Bryan Lee O'Malley to write another series *eagerly awaits*

chyeah

2011-10-10T00:57:00.005+11:00

also:

New Scientist TV: Born to be Viral: Jetpack sets new flight record

cute outfit and DOGS: bullets and carnage

2011-10-03T01:11:00.003+11:00

Last night I had a night out! I should have nights out more often. We went to the Croft Institute, a grungy lab-themed bar located within an alleyway in Chinatown. Nice to meet some new faces and have stimulating conversation. The only bad thing is that the place is tiny, and the upstairs only opens at 10pm. It's also very dark, but that is to be expected as eerie is what they are going for.

Started reading DOGS: Bullets and carnage. It's a shonen manga series about mutants and killing and stuff. So far the main thing that's grabbed my attention though is the character design for Nill, the winged gothic lolita girl.

This is a super cute outfit:

http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/145110-Let+them+eat+cake-zara-jacket-h-m-accessories-h-m-blouse-random-korean-brand-skirt-asos-

kid cudi

2011-10-01T01:03:00.004+10:00

really enjoying his music lately. Good flow.

Especially this:

so chillax!

Also: it's been a while since I entered a bookstore; I should do that soon, and chronicle/review a book or something.

ALSO, this guy deserves props: http://jupiex.deviantart.com He has a pretty cool selection of graphic design, photomanipulation and drawing.

Currently digging

2011-09-08T21:02:00.002+10:00

Lord of the Fries hotdogs. These faux-meat doggies come on a crispy Vietnamese baguette style bun with pickles and very flavoursome tomato and mustard sauces. Om nom nom.
The meal deal is a bit pricey though, but I guess the chips are made from scratch/real potatoes and not frozen (or so they say).

I am working on an exhibition with the illustrious Julianne, whose work can be seen here: http://neveresque.deviantart.com

Stay tuned and peace out.

creating

2011-06-05T23:24:00.008+10:00

I should exercise my creative energies more; did some doodles/sketches the other night. They were slightly inspired by a graphic novel called Koko be Good by Jen Wang, a fun yet introspective look at growing up vs. holding onto youth and looking after the needs of others vs. your own, it's pretty relevant to most of us in the quarter-life crisis :P. I really love the characters' expressions and poses especially that of the title character Koko, a kind of sponger/vagabond who decides to change and be 'good' while jumping, skipping and sliding everywhere and making faces.

Here's a panel:

Gotta love that perspective.

This winter looks to be nice, cosy, and relaxed, I hope yours is too.
Meanwhile, here's some music to go along with it:

I should really get Jimmy Eat World's older albums, and Third Eye Blind too.

tomoko kawase

2011-05-09T23:52:00.002+10:00

so cute *_*

I've always loved this video, especially the colours. Went through a major red/black/white and still have a soft spot for red/black sometimes.

This is cute too:

mellow female songs

2011-05-07T16:06:00.003+10:00

I just remembered some of these:

^ the video is a lil iffy for that one, but the song is mmmm.

Beautiful lyrics to this one, so true.

I should really make a mix of all these songs and some others, mmm nostalgia.

dresses and boots

2011-04-19T16:59:00.009+10:00

I really need new dresses. Here's a lustworthy one:

It's by Baby the Stars Shine Bright, a Japanese Lolita brand. Can't remember the exact name of the dress though, but it's just MMM delicious. BTSSB is notoriously pricey though, so I'd probably have to settle for something else.

I also like these vintage army boots:

I like lace-up boots in general but those look so comfy, I think I prefer a flexible/comfy leather than a stiff kind of boot. I remember seeing ones like those in a shop called Izzue when I was in HK but they seemed to be display only, not for sale. They seem practical for creepin' around but also totally Rock n' Roll and kinda badass.

I've also been trying to find Oxford shoes in op shops. I saw some that seemed perfect but they were quickly snapped up >.<; the problem that comes with op shop shoes as well is that sometimes they aren't very clean, I've seen some that had what looked like gum mixed with food on the bottom (yuck!)

Placebo

2011-04-08T15:22:00.002+10:00

They're a huge inspiration to lots of people. The lyrics are just so intense, immediate and evocative.

exuberance

2011-04-05T22:22:00.001+10:00

I want to do all these things :D

this is a fun band and video

2011-03-24T00:42:00.002+11:00

some man style

2011-03-16T22:12:00.006+11:00

Some rockin' guy outfits:

I love everything about this, its dandy style at its best. The oxford shoes! The skinny tie! The belt! The guy! XD

from FRUiTs: artsy dandy waifishness

From TokyoFashion: I'd wear this :p

dolly-kei

2011-02-27T01:06:00.010+11:00

First got wind of this style from Tokyo Fashion and Art Factory. It is sorta Bohemian porcelain doll gypsy; kind of a crossroads between mori girl and lolita.

Gibbous fashions is kind of a Western equivalent of this:

Their shop may be visited here: http://gibbousfashions.com/

spooky-cute

2011-02-22T12:37:00.003+11:00

(Saki, 19 years old, from Fruits magazine)

I love everything about this picture and how it goes with the autumn leaves in the background <3 Dandy and doll-like at the same time, a bit Oliver Twist?

On a similar aesthetic note:

deviantart round-up

2011-02-08T19:30:00.006+11:00

So here are some more artists on deviantart that I enjoy:

http://klar.deviantart.com << One of the first artists I started watching when I joined the site back in '04; I think I prefer her older more simple stuff like these:

She does anthro art, but classily.

http://fresh4u.deviantart.com << Love her black and white splashy inky ethereal Ben Templesmith meets shounen manga style.

http://ya-na.deviantart.com << Russian artist, hella talented. Surreal and inspired by Japanese monsters and myths.

tiny peek of pink

2011-02-03T02:27:00.002+11:00

I love a tiny bit of brightness with monochrome <3

from lookbook.nu (gotta try and remember the name of the user >.<)

Happy Year of the Rabbit!

some shout outs

2010-12-29T17:32:00.003+11:00

Several months ago, someone called 'peach tutu' added me on blogspot. I appreciated the add but they didn't have a blog, so I assumed it was a stranger.

Now I check back, look at the blog and who does it turn out to be?

My sister. HAHA LOLWUT

Here is her blog:

http://peachtutu.blogspot.com/

Another shout out I would like to make is of a graphic designer I know, Lisa who just finished her degree:

http://www.lisa-jiang.com/

It's a small site but full of clever typography stuff and fun with colours.

lookbook

2010-12-28T19:14:00.002+11:00

As nice as some of these outfits are, these people do not look rugged up enough for below zero temperatures. I couldn't manage even 10 degree weather in some of these 'winter fashions'. @_@

tights do not warm the legs, trust me I've tried...

http://lookbook.nu/2#1427491

haha

2010-12-24T19:35:00.000+11:00

here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWEfmCvu8R8

tee hee.

sorry about my hiatus (whoever's reading this)

2010-12-19T23:33:00.008+11:00

I have been in Hong Kong for the past month or so, working as a 'supply teacher' with little kids at an after-school learning centre, mostly aged 4-10. Which is pretty interesting to say the least, if not a bit tiring. It's definitely more fun than an office job-I mainly just do a bit of English phonic practice, check their homework, and try and keep them from running around throwing toys at each other. Lol.

This place (Hong Kong I mean), while a hub of activity, has an interesting effect on me. Visually, what with all the people, ridiculous amount of street fashions, signage, and other things going on, can be overstimulating and do the opposite of inspiring after a while, so one has to unwind and rest one's mind a bit. Anywhere spacious enough to stretch out your arms without touching anybody is an oasis, and any patch of greenery is a miracle. Libraries are a sanctuary; borrowed a small stack of books at the local one today. They have a lot of social science and psychology books which is swish, and play beautiful piano pieces over the PA when it's time to leave (probably not a good idea since it makes people want to stay).

In somewhat relating to this blog's news, I will be seeing Tron sometime since it looks all sexy and futuristic and stuff. I also want to see Black Swan despite the twist being sorta obvious from the reviews.

Mhmm. I'll do a post with actual aesthetic content later maybe.

some recent (and semi-recent) doodlings

2010-10-04T15:36:00.006+11:00

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim
A deer/goat girl

iumazark on deviantart

2010-09-03T00:57:00.006+10:00

I really should be doing homework, but am blogging instead, lol. I recently discovered this awesome artist on DA, iumazark, whose gallery can be found here: http://iumazark.deviantart.com/ . Above are some of his images.

His art has a sometimes rough around the edges, but delicate and ethereal quality to it. Kinda fey, a little cartoony, a little scratchy here and there. The image at the top reminds me of the Klaxons video for 'Its Not Over Yet' which features similar black geometric shapes.

In unrelated news, I want to go to this place.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1471974/restaurant/Melbourne/The-Alchemist-Bar-and-Cafe-Fitzroy

Also been trying unsuccessfully to lucid dream lately. But then again, sometimes it's fun just going for the ride.

rick owens interview

2010-08-15T19:06:00.004+10:00

I was looking up stuff on the fashion designer Rick Owens (known for his fashion label's dark, apocolyptic presence on the runway) and found this interview:

http://www.hintmag.com/hinterview/rickowens/rickowens1.php

I have to say that it was definitely refreshing to read such a down-to-earth and light-hearted interview with someone in the high fashion industry, where you would assume it would be all too easy to get pretentious. Reminds me, in a way, of model Elyse Sewell's similarly refreshing attitude that contrasts so much from a stereotypical catwalk model.
If you're interested, her blog may be seen here: http://elysesewell.livejournal.com/

It's been abandoned apparently, but a book is in the works. I do wish her the best with her writing ventures; from what I've read of her blog I feel that she'd have more than a fighting chance of success with her brand of humour.

rococo

2010-08-06T00:30:00.003+10:00

Currently loving rococo architecture. So grand, so pretty. Must visit Europe someday.

new blog

2010-07-10T23:25:00.002+10:00

Just thought I'd let you know that I created a new blog at http://collarbones-popsociology.blogspot.com/, this time as an open forum for the discussion of various issues. Kind of a sociological blog but hopefully more accessible. :) Hope to see you there!

I'll still be updating this one, though.

camilla d'errico.

2010-07-08T22:12:00.013+10:00

I can't believe I haven't posted about her already, but I will now...

For the past couple of years, Canadian-Italian artist Camilla d'Errico has been an inspiration of mine, with her innocent looking girl characters pictured with cute animals, soft yet vibrant colours, and mingling of cyberpunk and nature. She has the cute-with-an edge aesthetic that's so popular in the modern art and illustration scene (pop-surrealism?) but infuses it with her own painterly style. There's a warmth in many of her paintings, with their sunny colour palette and dappled lighting, but considerable angst in other works.

She was also involved in pop singer Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes, a comic published by Tokyopop and a sort-of-promotional project for the singer's album. It's more than just advertising, though, and is darker than what one might expect for such a venture, the plot involving a pact made between a small devil and the main character.

More of her work can be found here: http://www.camilladerrico.com/

She also has a shop full of lush and shiny goods including her comics and apparel (which I might buy from in the near future) here: http://camilla.bigcartel.com/

tales of terror from the black ship

2009-10-19T21:11:00.006+11:00

Recently I was browsing the shelves of Box Hill Library, looking for possible manga to read when I came across this book:

I thoroughly enjoyed these short stories and flicked through it eagerly, each story keeping me on the edge of my seat, the scratchy illustrations by David Roberts suiting the morbid atmosphere perfectly. Even though it's marketed as a kids' book, the book is fine for adults to read too; in fact it's probably too creepy and the writing too sophisticated for kids under 12, and the storytelling is definitely compelling enough to draw in those of all ages. I particularly enjoyed the stories 'Irezumi' and 'The Boy in the Boat'. So if you're after something dark and haunting but really fascinating and quick to read, then I recommend this book. Apparently the author Chris Priestley has 2 other 'Tales of Terror' books as well...I should get around to reading those. The website for these books is pretty entertaining: http://talesofterror.co.uk

pimpin' my stuff

2009-10-15T17:39:00.004+11:00

(sorry for the blurriness)
I've been making some of my old artwork and doodles into badges lately. These will be sold at Fashion Incubator at Melbourne Central as of tomorrow! I'm pretty pleased with how the display turned out.

don't know what this illustration style is called, but:

2009-09-11T11:53:00.011+10:00

I love it. Some examples:

by http://iamlocksin.blogspot.com

by http://mazakii.deviantart.com/

by http://jupiex7.deviantart.com/

It never fails to amaze.

music videos, #1

2009-08-29T18:23:00.010+10:00

This video for the 90s classic 'To the Moon and Back' by Savage Garden is awesome, shot in grainy black and white and with a cyberpunk, futuristic sci-fi theme. I don't actually remember seeing this video back when the song first came out, but rediscovered it on Singstar and was impressed by the intriguing costuming and spacey quirkiness.

Another visually interesting and futuristic looking (though more minimalist) music video that caught my eye when I first saw it was the one for 'It's Not Over Yet' by the Klaxons:

who also have another conceptual and very eye-candy-for-females (and perhaps gay men) video for their song Golden Skans, which features ribbons in a way often seen in anime imagery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYKfX6 (embedding was disabled, so you'll have to click ze link)

Ponyo

2009-08-28T15:01:00.005+10:00

Recently I had the chance to see a free screening of the new Hayao Miyazaki film, Ponyo, at Cinema Nova in Carlton.

What can I say, it was fantastic. A sweet and simple story, but filled with rich, detailed and surreal imagery. Think of 'The Little Mermaid', but with a child protagonist and beautifully rendered backgrounds similar to childrens book illustration, happy colours, and just all-round cuteness, sweetness and light. The plot is dream-like and not totally linear, but it gels enough to work, and I really recommend this film.

Minus webcomic and mnem

2009-07-22T15:15:00.027+10:00

MINUS http://www.kiwisbybeat.com/minus.html is a webcomic written and drawn by artist Ryan Armand, aka Rezo.

It's a beautifully illustrated series of vignettes involving a special little girl and her ability to make anything happen, limited only by her imagination. She doesn't shy away from being cheeky and even a little naughty at times, but the pretty watercolour pictures keep it light, providing a whimsical and day-dreamy atmosphere, reminiscent of breezy yet sunny childhood days.

In related territory, while going on a slight Harry Potter binge after seeing the recent film, I came across mnem's art while browsing a HP wiki. Her art can be found here: http://community.livejournal.com/mnem_art/

Although it's fanart, it strays away from the more typical anime-esque or stylised cartoon styles commonly drawn in this fandom, and instead provides warm and enchanting homages to the books, delicately rendered, like Minus, in watercolour, and has a similarly escapist quality to it. Like the comic, it takes you to a different place; this time the fantasy world of Hogwarts. The endearing little illustrations look like they could be used for future editions of the book; in fact at first I even wondered whether her illustrations had been used for foreign editions of the book. But no, just a humble fan doing it for free. Her blog is totally sweet as well.

indeed yes

2008-11-07T23:29:00.000+11:00

i think fashion blogs diverted me for a bit
before i realised i am not rich
and dont have 10000 events to go to
so dont need spanking new outfits all the time and shit

ok

2008-10-30T17:58:00.001+11:00

i am totally going to try and do a joint exhibition either this summer or next year. one of the artists i have in mind is http://azusachan.deviantart.com , as i think our styles are compatible. we'll see...and i'll keep you posted.

also, i saw a black rabbit nibbling the lawn at uni yesterday. as soon as i reached for my phone to snap a pic/message someone about it, it'd disappeared, presumably into bushes nearby. i couldn't find it.

alice in wonderland anyone?

wow

2008-10-28T16:03:00.002+11:00

'When death finds you, may it find you alive.' -Old African proverb

-seen scrawled on the wall of derelict Surf/Ski/Skate shop in box hill

also, i took some pics of water lilies and cute ducklings at uni today, but i must get ze cable for ze camera phone. tis a pity i cannot show you.

good quote

2008-10-22T00:04:00.002+11:00

‘I feel the ice of myself cracking. I feel myself loosen and flow again, reflecting the world. That is what spring means.’ p.64-David Malouf, 'An Imaginary Life'

this sums things up lately. in between nice music late night essaying and stimulating conversations with people, both new and old, I have been feeling this way; still feel drained on the long trips to and from uni, but better. Roll on summer :)

karincoma

2008-10-08T20:29:00.000+11:00

One of the first artists that caught my eye when I was new to Deviantart was karincoma, aka Polish artist Karolina Szafran, who does striking images in mostly black and white, with a splash of colour. Although she's moved on to more cyberpunk, dark/futuristic themed work, it's her earlier, more fashion-related images I like the most:

outfit 2004-24-09 by `karincoma on deviant ART

Her characters are always drawn with a sense of elegance and grace, and her images evoke a certain feeling of lightness and airiness, with slick, clean lines and simple beauty.

welcome

2008-10-01T20:54:00.000+10:00

So, I made this account as a place to post pieces about stuff I find aesthetically pleasing, I hope some people out there will enjoy it too.