Halloween Happiness

The Halloween costumes that I made this year turned out better than I had anticipated! That's what made my Halloween so great--and the fact that I didn't have to fight the Village Halloween Parade and subway chaos this year. Instead of going to the Village Parade, my friends and I decided to volunteer for the Halloween celebration at Prospect Park. We saw so many cute children and parents dressed up. It was such a nice change from being forced to stare at "adult"-style costumes every year. Lindsay wanted a picture with a 3-year old Max (Where the Wild Things Are), but we didn't think he could sit still long enough.

At the park we participated in the parade, holding and marching the big Mermaid down the street, her fin flipping and arms waving. I think it was a great idea to be in the parade because 1.) we could see everybody's costumes as we walked by, and 2) it was good exercise.
We were so lucky that the subway wasn't crowded, or else we would have been in trouble. The size of our wings was ridiculous (I just had to buy the awesome realistic ones!), but people were very courteous as we tried not to hit anybody. I think our cute costumes made it difficult for anyone to be annoyed with us. Who could get mad at a fairy?!!!

I was very impressed with Liz's Artemis costume because she threw together a toga using a curtain and some rope--no sewing involved! It didn't even fall off or need adjusting. Quite a few people easily pointed out who she was, while others thought she was Cupid and asked her to shoot them.
I made my costume using a romper pattern and Tinkerbell's costume using my own design knowledge, complete with a satchel, flowers for my hair, a ribbon for Tink's bun, and dandelion puffs for her shoes! I just can't believe that Halloween in over. Now what am I going to sew?!!!

Gone Tomorrow

It makes me so happy that the warmth came back, even if it is only for a week. I'm glad it came back to say goodbye, and fade out as a new chilly breeze comes in.

Poetic, I know. That's all I've got.
Anyhow, on one of the colder days last week, I decided to wear the new jumper that my mother made me. I picked out the fabric at mood. When my mother came to visit last Thanksgiving, I circled a few spots on the map for her to check out. She went out to mood while I went to class, and when I called her 4 hours later, she was still browsing fabrics and neglected to follow the agenda that I had set for her. No worries...I got a new jumper out if the experience.
Halloween costumes are almost complete, and they look great. I actually picked up another project. My friend is dressing up as some chick from a video game (I don't recall her name). Anyway, I hemmed a cardigan, and I will be making a skirt today with some pink leopard print material.
Lindsay and I took a trip to the Museum of Natural History on the weekend, and we made sure to pick up some sugar crystal candy on the way out. I really have a weak spot for sugar.

Jacket: Dillard's
Jumper: Mom made it
Bag: Nine West
Boots: Aerosoles
Heather Tights: Dillard's
Shirt: Christmas

Take My Picture!!

I haven't been blogging as frequently as I should at this point in time, and its not because I don't have time. I simply don't have anyone to help me take photos of my outfits and activities. I've been busy with two Halloween costumes and I remember wearing lots of cute outfits in the past 2 weeks. I'm so lame that didn't get pictures to post. Hopefully I will be back to normal by next week.

I never say much about school, do I? Well, yeah, I'm still in school...

I just recently received an internship in the wardrobe department for an independent film production company. My second day is tomorrow. My first day pretty much consisted of sorting a sea of ties by color. That was fine with me. I love organizing.

I'll just leave it at that. I love organizing.

The Extent of my Rendering...and Photoshop

BEWARE: All of you designers out there are going to cringe at what I am about to show you. You may even throw up in your mouth a little.

I had a few ideas for my Halloween costume (I'm going to be a fairy), so I tried making a few designs so I could take it to the fabric store and decide what I wanted. I took and introductory art and design class (can't you tell?), but it didn't seen to help any. I am going to be honest: that isn't even my croquis. I traced it. I don't have any patience for rendering either. I just color the clothes like a 6-year old would color her Barbie Princess coloring book--very flat, no shading. I'm sure I didn't have to tell you this, since it is plain to see. However, it suited my purposes.For those of you with little girls (or are little girls at heart) you may recognize the orange fairy as "Fawn" from Disney's "Tinkerbell" movie. She is so awesome when she helps all of the little animals! Yeah, I wanted to be her for Halloween.

I settled on the fairy to the right on this set because she looked like an upside-down flower, only I decided on brown stretch velvet for the bodice and tie-dye red-orange for the skirt. I would like to resemble an autumn leaf.
Lindsay is the lucky girl who gets to be Tinkerbell (on the left). She bought some awesome green-yellow velvet fabric for it. I'm a little apprehensive because it doesn't stretch, and we bought the last of the yardage. I'm sure it will turn out fine.... : /

Late Summer

So, I'm still without a camera, but I do have a photo to share with you. I had made a summer skirt for Lindsay months ago, but there were some technical difficulties, and I did not receive the photo until last week. Here is Lindsay, modeling her skirt. Didn't she do a great job picking out the fabric?Today is Wednesday, and I am now trying to dedicate my Wednesdays to sewing. I was actually excited to thread my serger because I had accumulated so many projects since I got back to school. Aw man! I forgot to pack my serger needle! As much as I love shopping, the walk out to the notions store always seems so far, especially when I get back and realize that I bought the wrong needles...

After my second trip, I chopped off the bottom of one of my old jumpers, and used it to make a skirt. I serged some elastic around it! It's actually pretty cute. I think I am going to spray paint a design on it though. I just wish I had a picture that I could show you!

New Blog Name: Broken Style

Here's just a heads up that I changed my Blog name from "Catherine G" to "Broken Style" (still the same author and address). After looking at all of my past outfits, I realized that "Broken Style" (a play on "Broke in Style") would be most appropriate. Most, if not all, of my pieces come from some sort of second-hand, off-price, or discount store for budget consumers (yes, I actually find a thing or two at K Mart every once in a while, as much as I HATE to admit it...). Sometimes I'll score a major deal in one of the higher fashion markets.
Honestly, I'm a student on a very tight budget just trying to look good in NYC. I just wonder...if I attended any other college or university, would I be wearing jeans, a screen tee, and a college hoodie just like everyone else?

By the way, these are pictures that I took before my camera busted.

sweater: Old Navy
Dress, belt: American Apparel
Skirt: Thrift Store
Shoes: I got them so long ago that I can' even remember
Bag: Daffy's

Bad News First...

...my camera is broken. Here is a picture of it.

It keeps shutting on and off, on and off. When I turn it off it makes clicky noises while it flashes its lights. I don't know what to do. I don't want to buy another point and shoot, you know? I would like to invest in an SLR, but I don't really have that kind of money to invest! Perhaps eBay can help me out.My site may be down for a little while until I can resolve the matter.
Do you have a recommendation for an older, more affordable camera model?

The Good News: My serger arrived in the mail today! My plan is to dedicate my Wednesdays to sewing projects. I'd like to make my own pixie Halloween costume for October. I have so much fabric and supplies that I don't know what to do with all of it. The disaster in my room is driving me nuts because I am usually a very organized person. Everything has a place, and not knowing where to put anything frustrates me.
Would you consider yourself to be an organized or messy person?

I am where the food is

The crazy week has taken me to all sorts of places...
It's a hot day, and Lindsay and I head to Le Pain Quotidien for lunch.
Pommes Frites at Julie and Julia...
Ronny Brook Milk Bar-Lindsay had what was called a "Lemonana", ice, lemonade, and a ton of mint blended together in a refreshing " curious green drink" as we called it. I went for the chocolate orange peel milkshake. I couldn't believe how good it was! We plan to go back to try the lavender milk.
Alice's Tea (Chapter III) was probably my favorite place this week. the carrot cumin sandwich and the pumpkin-stuffed pancakes were just divine. I could have sat there all day on the patio with my bianca tea. THOSE PANCAKES WERE ROCKIN!
Can't turn down a ballpark hot dog...
I ended up going to Fashion's Night Out. I didn't see any celebs, and I didn't trail very far from 34th, but I did score a jacket from Forever 21 (in the next picture).
I ended the week at the Fillmore at Irving Plaza with FeFe Dobson and Cobra Starship. Free Tacos! Whoo!

NYC Adventure Week

I've only been back a week, but it seems like I never left! I've been busy switching my classes around, running around to the various departments at school, and cramming in all the fun that I can before I get slammed with homework. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to post my outfits and adventures (I can't post my sewing projects because my serger hasn't arrived in the mail yet!).

Lindsay and I hit up all of our favorite places, and explored some new ones. These places are fabulous! --Katz's, Momofuku Milk Bar, Pommes Frites, Le Pain Quotidien, Alice's Tea Cup, Ronny Brook Milk Bar at Chelsea Market, and Caracas. Wow. Writing this down I realize how much I ate in one week! Hey, It wasn't all food...I went to see Julie and Julia, the Brooklyn Bridge, the US Open and a Mets game too!

I'm also working to joining the cross country team at my school. I really need something to balance out my addiction for NYC restaurants.I don't want to go to much into detail right now and overwhelm you, so I'll leave all the adventure stories for another day...When I'm day dreaming and avoiding homework...

1st Day of School

When I was little, I used to plan my best outfit for the first day of school (actually, everyday)...and I still do. I was looking forward to warm weather, but the wind brought a little chill to the air that forced me to wear a sweater (I hope you know how much I hate having to find a summer sweater to match my summer dress at the last minute).
I'm at fashion school in New York City, studying for my Bachelor's degree in International Trade and Marketing for the fashion industry. The ITM department seems to have a lot to offer its students including semester field trips, trips abroad, and a lecture series. I just hope that I am able to take full advantage of these opportunities.
However, my time is limited this semester. Work-study takes up precious time in my schedule, but I guess I should be thankful to have a job, right? It's just that upon coming back, I haven't quite got it in my head that I'm in the city to study... Sure, I went to class today, but leaving with my first homework assignment was such a bummer. Oh well, I guess it's time to hit the books!

My outfit:
Dress: Marshalls
Sweater: I can't remember
Shoes: Daffy's
Bag: I made it!