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.

 

Skull Candles

 

My mother forbids me from burning candles in my room, complaining that it's too messy but since I've removed all the paper litter and she works during the day I spend a lot of me time either on the computer with a scented candle burning a few metres away or cleaning my room with it burning. Two years ago or maybe even three I received a large green tea candle and had it displayed on my side of the bathroom vanity and then it mysteriously vanished- I fear that my mother threw it out on my behalf and without my permission. It's a shame really, I've almost burnt out the last of my candles and need some more but maybe I can get myself a large decorative candle in the shape of a skull on my next trip out to the shops.

 

Since I don't want to frighten the few guests I do welcome into my house, perhaps I should get a skull candle in a bright and bold colour with a wicked and mad grin on his bony face? Online store Pretty Dog based in Australia sell the large pink skull and small black set of skulls for $70 Australian and $58 respectively. They also sold the fluorescent yellow skull as well as an impressive wax candle bust of a Victorian woman but those both seem to have sold out. What a shame.

Although I do like the dramatic effect of a large skull in a wild and bright colour, for my needs smaller skulls may be just what the doctor ordered. I have a small dish to burn candles on and collect oozing wax effectively but it may not be practical when burning a large and ornamental candle, if you are indeed meant to burn them at all. Collecting dripping wax underneath a beautifully carved candle by using newspaper doesn't seem fitting at all and would diminish the beauty of the object.

Normally I prefer my skull candles to be plain and as close to the design and contours of a real human skull, but I do like the coiling of the snake around this wax skull in black. It reminds me a lot of the designs for Meadowlark jewellery which is a New Zealand based label, so the combination of deep set empty eye sockets as well as temples and a black snake with shimmering skulls seems very fitting. It would look good on top of a small coffee table with a doily underneath, for ironic and dramatic effect.

 

I can only imagine the sort of havoc I would try to reap on the world with a skull candle in my possession. For starters I would probably also try and find a large Victorian looking collar and dress up as either William Shakespeare with a tiny mustache and a single hoop earring, clasping it in my hand with the other placed firmly on my heart. Then I would make a large speech bubble out of cardboard and write 'Alas Poor Yorick, I knew him well.' I have been studying Shakespeare firmly since Year 10 and received an A on my essay about Hamlet so I think I have earned the right to mock him just a little bit. Of course I would have to do it kindly and tastefully as well.

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.

Chains of Love Skull Necklaces

 

Seeking to unleash your inner Mexican? Or maybe you're just a fan of skulls and gory little pieces of jewellery. In that style and tradition of chains of many little skulls with attached dangling bits and crosses comes some of these featured pieces from a brand called Chains of Love which I found as a brand stocked by the Amelie Boutique. It reminds me of some of the necklaces in collaboration with Opening Ceremony but at a more favourable price as well as a brand called Popsie but there seems to be more definition on these skulls with thicker set empty eye sockets, more detail on each of the mad grinning teeth and wilder colours. For example, I've gone gaga over these lovely turquoise coloured skull earrings with dangling wooden crosses. Perfect for those of us with smaller ear lobes and could stand to feel the weight dragging them down a little.

 

Although each necklace is sold individually, I dare say it would be very worthwhile in investing in two of these gorgeous necklaces for a layered effect. Because of the different lengths of chains and amount of necklaces between the two variations shown above, you can double your pleasure with white as well as brown necklaces each attached to dangling Egyptians ankhs in silver. A lot of the pieces on the Amelie Boutique website are also on sale- the brown necklace pictured has been marked down from £55.00 to £38.00. The only down side I can see to this lovely piece is that the skulls in brown means there's less detail on each of these little skull faces to enjoy- what a pity.

 

From this close-up we can see all the gory details of each skull- from there large and expansive empty eye sockets to the intentional cracks in the paint and even the slits of the nostrils which seem to remind me a lot of snake. It's hard to decide but I do think that my favourite coloured skulls would have to be a tie between cream pictured above and purple. I'm a sucker for all things purple but the minimalist white skull necklace without dangling chains and charms would go well with a colourful blouse and instantly add some Mexican chic to an outfit.

 

I just wish the extra long x-boyfriend skull necklace by Chains of Love shown here was a part of their selection of pieces on sale, alas it's the usual £50.00 for this piece but on the plus side your chain is real silver and a length of 25 inches which includes fifteen miniature and friendly looking skulls. I don't even care that Halloween isn't a largely undertaken holiday event in Australia. With this necklace, everyday is Halloween!

 

For a larger statement and to draw attention to your neckline and other regions unknown, layer two of these necklaces, wear with a chic blouse and if necessary a big and bold faux fur jacket such as cheetah fur or dyed blue. Bake in an oven at 200 degrees Celsius for twenty minutes and cool over an open-window-sill and collect complements for wild style as well as pretty jewellery. To prevent one necklace from sliding away from another, attach one clasp to another to prevent the two pieces from layering unevenly. Don't stop there either, I'm sure small and dainty cameos would add a touch of class to an otherwise spooky ensemble.

 

While all the necklaces are lovely I may save my money in the meantime of invest in a similarly designed piece- I've spotted some beaded bracelets in the same design with a single skull which are just a little more appealing towards me although this shade of purple is very much to my liking. Some skulls seem a little brighter than others and I like that one of a kind feel about them. My personal pick is this shorter necklace featuring fewer skulls but a price tag of £28.00, a lot cheaper than the large cream necklace and the swords hanging below each skull are rather nice too. I'm sure I'll pick up one of these items sooner or later but for now I'll just wait for all my purchases to come in from online shopping.

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.