Frivolous Universe

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Approximately one year ago, I FU‘d for the first time. Back then, I had such grand ideas about what the year ahead would bring. That I would be able to do anything, and everything, at once. That I would not trip up, and fall. Now that I am in the future also (nod to Mike Birbiglia) all I can do is laugh, at myself. In a dark and rueful sort of way.

This year was brutal, of a scorched earth variety (pack). In my life and in the lives of those around me: apocalypse in all arenas. All extant weak spots in relationships, partnerships, habits became blights that burned out the sky or broke the back of the camel, so to speak. Until nothing remains but heavy change, and a little hope for a brighter future built on firmer stuff (because really f*ck this year).

In latin, “beatus” means happy or fortunate or blissful. In the Bible, as a cruel twist of fate/root word, the Beatitudes are written for anyone but. They are written for the me, for the we. Though not religious, I now identify with the passages wrought so beautifully in iron script on the door to the Cathedral of the Rockies. Eternal maxims for rough times.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Blessed are the meek.

Blessed are the pure.

Blessed are the persecuted. 

Blessed are they which hunger.

Blessed are they that mourn.

Blessed are the merciful.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Photos by the unbelievably spectacularly beautiful Bethany Walter.

Outfit:

Banana Republic lace camisole (thrift store $2). Anne Klein II silk tie-waist skirt (thrift store, $3). Hugo Buscati Collection red silk jacket (thrift store, $3-never worn, with original tags). Tibetan turquoise, coral and beaded breastplate ($140, Armor Bijoux, the ethnic and vintage jewelry collection by Bethany Walter). Frye Boots dorado short ($200, after $200 parental figures gift).

Now, may we embark on the journey of restoreth-ing our souls.

For more cheap fashion and what-nots by Jessica, check out her other blog love, Cheep

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My mood dictates heavily what I wear. This night, Story Story Night, I planned on dressing more glamorous and wearing my Kim Basinger cream wool dress circa 1990’s Batman. Earlier in the day, I had even made it over to Tanzanite Salon and stylist Jen Brown fixed my hair into this 2012’s popular side swept look.

 ooooo . . .

2012’s popular side swept hair: Tanzanite Salon, styled by Jen Brown

My female cycle is coming. That night I was feeling emotional and vulnerable. I wasn’t wanting to embody the feminine and delicateness of my preselected dress or it’s white coloring sure to spotlight against an audience of dark colors. This is my last minute scramble for an outfit styled by PMS.

Gray campy t-shirt: GAP, over a year ago
Emerald velvet dress: Betsey Johnson, Lux Fashion Lounge, Christmas gift from Jessica

Anna wrote this week about chromotherapy and how color can change a person’s mood. Anna, I’m not sure if I believe in it either but I am definitely drawn to certain colors based on what I feel or want to feel. When I am emotional, I usually want to counterbalance and dress for strength, which usually translates into minimal and or darker colors.

Tibetan breastplate: Armor Bijoux

Adding to the empowering strength of a dark color palette, I also like to wear big and bold jewelry for extra emphasis. Accents of fierce colors such as the red in this Tibetan breastplate helps too.

 Vintage rings: old pawn Navajo, gift (see this post for close up photo)
Black lace-up leather boots: We Who See, Urban Outfitters 3 years ago

Why stop with color and big jewelry might as well wear black lace-up ankle boots that say I am durable.

Photography by Anna Demetriades

My female cycle has a pattern of inspiring me to want to move to another country, change careers, and save the world in one week.

My current fantasy for a better world is wage laws that make it so that everyone who works a full week can afford a humane way of living, which includes the occasional vacation, healthy organic food, day care, health insurance, housing, and time to be physically active. It would also be nice if there were laws that regulated how businesses operate, i.e. not over working people because of labor cuts or slave driving people over seas because they have less protection. Maybe there are some laws, but right now it seems too easy and acceptable to exploit another person for profits. We need more accountability.

What is the psychology of how you dress?

 

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Ho-hum skinny jeans and tank top collide with red coral and turquoise Tibetan breastplate:

Kim Philley, Armor Bijoux, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, AXARA Paris, street style, Asia street style

The New York Times says the fall runways abound in “harmonious collisions“–Ruth La Ferla’s elegant euphemism for fashion mashups. I was feeling a bit the collision myself last night after jumping off Evel Knievel’s motorcycle (a.k.a, the Thai moto-taxi who drove me down Chong Nongsi doing a breezy 65mph).

Ten months ago, I left 90% of my wardrobe in a restaurant storage closet in Phnom Penh. Long backstory. Cambodia being tropical temperature, my beloved clothes proceeded to grow technicolor mold. My good friend has been assiduously removing the Spore Life with a spray bottle of grain alcohol and water, and will be arriving in Bangkok tonight with my resurrected clothes in tow. Which brings me to the subject of today’s post: What to wear when you’re waiting on your fashion mule:

Kim Philley Armor Bijoux Frivolous Universe, FU, Bangkok, Axara Paris, Gentic Denim, Fly Now, Soda Water

Tank top: J. Crew

Skinny jeans: Genetic Denim (Fancy Pants, Boise)

Soda water is perfectly legal, but there should be a law against dry cleaners that close at 6pm. Yesterday I ran out of clothes–shirts that don’t double as underwear; jeans that hadn’t been worn so many times they stand on their own two legs. When you must wear something predictable and shopworn, pair it with an over-the-top ethnic breastplate. I received a lot of compliments yesterday on my mashup. As long as the coworker wasn’t within whiffing distance, I nodded a demure “thank you.”

Kim Philley, Armor Bijoux, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, street fashion, street style

Tibetan ceremonial breastplate: Armor Bijoux (Christmas present from Bethany Walter)

Having to photograph myself this week gave me a new appreciation for the contortions Nicole Orabona pulls off. But as G.K. Chesterton said, “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” And while you’re at it, why not have cheesy fun with FxCam filters? Oh, Nana Chen, please come back!

Kim Philley Armor Bijoux Frivolous Universe Elevator Photo, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, street fashion, street style

Only do this alone. Say “David Bowie” ten times and then open your eyes.

Kim Philley Armor Bijoux Frivolous Universe Elevator Photo, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, street fashion, street style, saddle oxfords, elevator photos

Saddle oxfords: ZARA (Bangkok)

Kim Philley Armor Bijoux Frivolous Universe Elevator Photo, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, street fashion, street style, GENETIC DENIM, skinny jeans

Jacket: AXARA Paris (Saigon)

Belt: Fly Now (Bangkok)

Kim Philley, Nana Chen, Frivolous Universe, FU, Asia Street Style, Dolce & Gabbana, D & G, red hot chili pepper dress, street style

Days after styling me in the green hot chili peppers dress for last week’s FU / ASS posts, Asia Street Style’s Nana Chen came across this new Dolce & Gabbana creation in American Elle. Apparently, the collective unconscious is a Thai-Mexican love child. Nana will be returning to Bangkok in March. Thank goodness I’ll only be photographing myself for two more weeks.

Kim Philley Armor Bijoux Frivolous Universe Elevator Photo, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Bangkok, street fashion, street style

If Robert Frank could be resurrected and rephotograph The Americans, he’d find a lot of us in mirrored elevators in Bangkok, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, taking furtive photos of ourselves at work.

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