Blue

Something that takes me by surprise countless times is the use of blue in punk clothing and outfits and how well it works as a constituent shade of darkness. Once I at least sort out my funds of what will be spent on fun things and what must be saved, I will either buy a wonderful handbag that will serve me for years to come or I will be in the mood to finally buy a pair of creepers. I would probably be a little more enthused to buy some creepers once my leggings from Wowch come in the mail but for now I have my mind set on a good studded, black leather handbag. I'm also thinking of injecting some more blue into my wardrobe by wearing clear shoes with blue socks and denim shirts, but it looks like I'll need to make me mind up and prioritise- I can't possibly buy all the lovely items my heart desires at this moment in time.

Sometime last year (possibly even in 2010) Oyster Magazine featured a striking image of a girl with heavy black front fringe and a  gold-metal studded leather jacket- I thought it looked like heaven on Earth. An icier and cooler reincarnation of the same jacket has once again blesses us this time with silver studs and chic blue hair. I'd love to be able to stud things myself but I have seen far too many sub-par studded jackets and would prefer it be done right and with medical precision. I don't own a leather jacket myself and while they're not on trend prolifically at the moment I wouldn't mind having something with biker gang toughness to wear over my sweaters for university. It just feels so good being punk.

At this very instant I am watching David Attenborough's documentary on bears which features our friend the polar bear. I feel horrible and worn it today and a little blue myself- I think lethargic would be the best word since I've started my holiday for Mid-Semester break and need to revise over all the biology lectures, something which I'm struggling with. Were it not for the fact that I am such an over-achiever and I pride myself on my grades, I would love to curl up in bed with the laptop and watch Japanese movies and blog all day. This is but a simple reprieve from my busy study schedule in order to make time later in the week to relax- when I'll really need the rest and relaxation.

Another wonderful result of my rest from attending lectures is that I allowed my self ample time to scope out Tumblr and collect a few more photographs and images together and explore the Olympia Le-Tan blog. In the online world is a refuge of Japanese and mysticism, something I've been in dire need of for some number of weeks. The next week will be spent refueling my spiritual tanks and getting inspired once again to write and also commentate on collections. There's a great variety of new collections on Solestruck and other 2012 runway shows I can't wait to share with all of you.

My last holidays were spent in the company of aromatic, scented candles of Cherry Blossom and a near-obsession with fire and flames. While I don't attempt to spend my time again in such insidious conditions and with dark auroras abound, I wouldn't mind using them to spark a mood of romanticism- were it not for the fact my family will be home for the entirety of my break. It looks like I'll be faithfully enjoying the company of my new laptop and interactions with the keyboard instead...

While my father would be both abhorred and scarred by the image of such a beauty with blue hair, I love the modern and fresh take on models. I watch Britain's Top Model on and off when I can (the only region where I can tolerate their accents and challenges) and was delighted when a contestant for the show, Anastasia, received a makeover of pink hair. Whether you opt for luscious pink looks or something a little more close to the heart of the ice queen, I am certain that for a moment you will capture strangers' attention. With a great variety of streaking shades and colours that branch out from the scalp and culminate over tantalising bare breasts, I love the new and artistic nature fashion has been heading towards as of late.

I'm already looking forward to studying abroad and I think my mind has been swayed to either visit Japan for three weeks with my mother or study there as part of student exchange. I caught up with all the recent activity of my favourite Parisian designer who had been to visit the Miyazaki museum, feeding my own childish love of manga and the zoo as well as other adorable photos. I can't wait to press my ugly nose up to airplane windows as I touch down into foreign lands again and to go mental with disposable cameras to cement my aspirations, hopes and dreams within a strange city. There's inky black skies and flickers and streamers of light to look forward to on my own when I get out there into the big bad world.

While I had been keen to go on night time adventures in parks and finally engage in wild youth-filled exuberance I'm struggling to stay up at night due to me early morning routine and will probably hang around the house for the next few days over Easter. You often picture what your life is going to be, and plan what you want to become and no matter how much you want something within a single instance, by the time you get to what you plan for, you don't want it anymore. It's enough to make you blue when your mother wants your brother to buy his own house and he's playing video games starring batman instead.

 

I rather badly wanted to make today productive and do work and get on top of my study and feel an aching sense of tiredness, intermingling with accomplishment. I made a small dent into the lectures I need to review, watched an absolutely inspiring video of Tavi Gevinson's room and interview about her journey in fashion blogging and fragmented outfits and am now listening to covers of Lana Del Rey. Strong women and being strong myself usually cheers me up but I could kill for a coffee right about now... were it not for the fact it's nine o'clock at night. I hope everyone is having a cheery Easter.

 

Popsie Skull Jewellery

 

Because I'm in a bit of a grim mood why don't I share with you some lovely happy skulls from Popsie available on the Storm online store? While all the lovely tassled red skull necklaces have already all sold out in their limited numbers you can still grab wither the earrings or the bracelet shown below. There's a less intense cracking effect on the paint of the skulls from Popsie compared to the Chains of Love skull jewellery but there is less dangling and less sulls hanging around the neckline so instead of a collared and modern flapper girl look you have a draped tassled skull necklace.

If I hadn't already been so undisciplined in my shopping habits this past week and splurged out on a brooch as well as American Apparel collared shirt on eBay I might be game to get myself a pair of black leather shorts from Storm as well as this beaded skull bracelet to match but I have got to make sure I don't squander my money- that is until I can referee in the Australia Day basketball tournament which is a fair few days away. It is in my price range at the moment but I have to be sure I pace myself properly and just hope that the numbers of these lovely skull pieces hold out. There are always other alternatives seeing as these beaded skulls seem to be popping up everywhere under a few different brand names, Popsie, Chains of Love and a collaboration of Opening Ceremony being just a few names that I know of.

Black Mood

I'm not in my usual dark and mysterious, black-magic-loving mood but I still can't help but sort out some of my favourite images conveying a mystical mood. I am attracted to the notion of shutting myself away in my room, burning a scented candle and reading 'The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy' but after being in a frenzied shirt for my work shirt as well as my wallet, I turned the place upside down and into another mess so that's a no-go zone for the next few days till I have motivation to clean and fold clothes once again. So although I'm off my usual mood of loving black and have been buying colourful things as of late, I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to create some of my own magical photographs by using a shattered lens cap to create warped images such as this. Since Kodak is on the verge of delcaring bankrupcy I find myself moving towards creating photographs that can't be created using a digital camera in a sort of vendetta against the digital age.

Another mystical tool I'm longing to decorate my room with is a lovely set of healing chakra crystals- sat on top of a desk or wardrobe but first I have to wait to get the guts to clean all the dust away. Still, it may be a worthwhile endeavour to see the different shards and spectrum of colours sealed within the walls of these darkly coloured crystals. The hexagonal points lets the light bounce off in all manner of wonderful ways but it also looks a bit like jelly too.

As well as updating my room I'd love to update my hair but I'm also wary of the way everyone around me would take to it! I don't have the pale complexion and blue eyes of this lucky girls to be able to wear soft pink hair, my nose is a little too broad and features aren't all that delicate. The only thing I've managed to start off this year is shaping my eyebrows in the way I want- I still don't know whether I'll dip dye my hair... I'm happy just to admire others who have taken the plunge and accepted the commitment.

While I am in a bit of a colour-loving mood, I still want to get my hands on some creepers. Currently my staff-discount is a ticking-time-bomb waiting to expire so I'm hoping to get everything I can out of my retail experience before it all comes to an end. Unfortunately my manager had no information that was of use as to whether I'll be kept on or anyone else being kept on, when my discount ends and when I have to hand in my keycard. Maybe I'll be able to get a few good book bags, satchels and a pair of black shoes in creepers style before it all comes to an unholy end.

I haven't totally abandoned my love of dark magic, I really want a Nick Von K necklace of a cow skull which comes in brass and sterling silver. While I would never be allowed to display a real cow skull in my necklace my mother can't put up too much of a fuss if I were to wear a smaller one around my neck. It would look fantastic against a black plain dress and I also wouldn't mind seeing the colours of the metal clashing with a vintage, floral patterened dress. I have now given up on buying a cheaper and smaller cow necklace skull from one of my local shops, instead I've got my eyes on the lovely creations from Nick Von K and his four collections.

Despite hitting the middle of Summer, wearing black patterned tights won't go out of style for a while- I should invest in a few pairs of myself. I'm thinking of getting dotted tights as well as tights dotted with hearts. I have no idea as to what brands are good and bad and I don't exactly like buying non-branded stuff from eBay so maybe I'll just stick to hunting around Myer's ladies accessory department.

Eyes of Common: Poor Number 10

 

The debut collection of the baby-faced, new-kids-on-the-block label 'Eyes of Common' was named 'Poor Number 10 and this collection was allegedly inspired "by love and heartache, bikers, tattoos and the ‘80s, amongst other themes and images."

This sweet crossbones necklace immediately reminded me of pirate maps and searching for long lost treasure. The thin band ring in sterling silver is just the right thickness to compliment the double crossed bones which don't seem formidable at all. The ring isn't so thin that it's uncomfortable, unlike my skull ring from Karen Walker but the design doesn't detract from the main bone motif. I'm going through a bit of a phase concerning skulls and skeletons at the moment.

 

A motif I've been clamoring to get my hands on is a dream catcher necklace in a precious metal, but all the pendants and necklace that I've searched for on eBay aren't up to my standard. Fortunately from the Eyes of Common debut collection there is a solution to my first world problem. The threading at the centre of the net resembles more closely a spider's web with the crude looking straight lines and hexagonal motif, but I do like the beaded effect of string towards the bottom end of the catcher and between the feather. The pointed end and sharp barred edge of the feather strangely reminds me of a knife. If you are interested in dream catcher's in jewellery, D_Luxe also have a netted dream catcher necklace (gold or silver) as well as a separate necklace of four feathers.

 

One of my favourite good luck charms when I was ten was a horse shoe, but rather than bringing me good luck I seem haunted and a bit doomed by it. I later came to the dramatic conclusion that horse shoes are only good luck when pointing upwards as this photograph indicates and that being downwards they attract bad luck. Fortunately you can have it pointing which ever way you like and the design is quite sweet and minimalist. Silver seems to be the more appropriate precious metal to use for this particularly ring, especially for the Bohemians out there that love turquoise as well as suede and fringing. This piece could do well stacked against others in an attempt to channel the  American Indian style.

 

The jailbreak ring fittingly features a harmonica to play the cliche blues on as well as the grim motto of 'We Ar All Alone' / 'Wear All Alone'. It's a present you'd want to give someone best described as a realist or a pessimist. This must be one of the rings that was described as belonging on the fingers of a classic rock guitarist and or poet.

 

I've seen many brands take on the common motif of a curled up nail in a perfect circle tried by many brands that use silver as their prime medium but it never really caught my eye well, but I do like the craftsmanship on this ring by Eyes of Common. I think it's the clean design, symmetrical curling of the silver nail as well as the grooves in the nail which are then accentuated by oxidation and the burn, rainbow effect at the tip of the nail. Not something that I would personally buy but it's the best execution by far of this design.

 

"Eyes of Common was formed in 2011 by Midnight Youth drummer Aidan Bartlett and Stephen Marr hairdresser Donielle Brooke after a realisation that the duo's constant jewel adventures and taste in precious metal could become a collaborative journey.

Both Auckland-based designers were already established in their own respective industries before their intense fascination with jewellery and the lost wax process compelled them to start their own label. After filling their scrapbooks with sketches they decided on their first collection 'Poor Number 10' and released it mid-2011. It has since been stocked at boutiques all throughout New Zealand.

The vision for Eyes of Common is to create unique, real quality jewellery using only traditional precious materials. Each collection is a progressive and cohesive range and tells an underlying story." 

- Eyes of Common website

 

I have many found memories of breaking wish bones with my older brother as well as the same tired wishes I would make. It always involved my crush of the month and mooning over consummated love. Not once did any of my wishes on a wishbone come true but seeing it cleverly incorporated into the design of the peace symbol did spark back a lot of memories and leave me with a mild pensive feeling. There certainly is a lot of originality within their designs and this is something I have not previously seen on the New Zealand silver jewellery seen. It's always nice to be reassured that a new brand will bring new ideas and execution of similar symbols and themes.

 

Skulls being traditional motifs associated with graves and decay remind us of our own mortality, but occasionally a skull or skeleton piece of costume jewellery is crafted that looks neither threatening nor grim. It's also difficult to not over do things and make a skull look comical but the little oxidised beak of this bird skull made of Sterling silver as well as nasal cavities, empty eye sockets and hanging jaw bone makes it look almost endearing. The bird skull as well as large eyes also remind me of all the time I spend playing junior basketball for a club named the 'Vermont Vultures'. I sustained many bruises as well as a few wood burns from the court but still am happily reminded of my healthier days be looking at the rounded off break of this bird's skull.

 

Mercy to the Masses

Available on the Superette website is the New Zealand label 'Mercy to the Masses' which features some of my favourite dark and gritty techniques incorporated into silver jewellery- oxidised silver that's cleaned and brushed off in places. This ring comes in one size and features a faceted and sculpted design, purposely used to make the ring look old and worn. The nature of this ring is to look aged and as you continue to wear this piece the aesthetic allows it to look older as it is continually worn. Just as a friendly disclaimer- while I do love the oxidised look of silver giving it the blackened look, with enough wear the entire oxidised finish can wear off.

What initially attracted me to the brand was this large tooth necklace, I'm going through an odd phase where my dreams are filled with me rotting my teeth to the core and as a result they end up falling out. As well as the odd dreams there's also been a little bit of talk about my friend who recently got all four of his wisdom teeth removed in one sitting and his involvement with out referee association. What I'm really looking for is a necklace to remind me the importance of taking care of my teeth and a reminder of my sullied dreams which usually shock me when I finally awake in the mornings.

 

Pieces from 'Mercy to the Masses' are each hand crafted with love, care and gusto by the dedicated team at Mercy to the Masses and not by slaves- all of this happens at what I assume to be their studio in Queenstown New Zealand. Mainly stocked at boutique stores within New Zealand, they are also available online and promise that their empire can only continue to grow.   

 

They're a bit difficult to see with the dark lighting, choice of black shirts and black eyeshadow worn like bandit masks but the silver necklaces released by 'Mercy to the Masses' in thier 2008/2009 collection are of a ribbon and cow skull respectively. I've been tossing between whether to get a cow skull necklace or not but this Western style tie with matching silver cow skull is really something. The black suede cord used as a necklace is very appropriate- I adore the dark grunge necklaces and I feel even more excited knowing there is another great New Zealand brand crafting pieces of silver jewellery in skulls and other motifs.