Teenage Graffiti

Since getting this new camera, I feel like a little kid with a shiny new toy I can't put down. I've always enjoyed the writing aspect of blogging, but to be honest, uploading and editing pictures always bummed me out. The lighting always looked terrible or my shoes would be out of focus or everything would be so dark that no amount of fill light could salvage the photo. Now I'm genuinely giddy to pop in that memory card and see what great shots Ray got. 

With my rekindled enthusiasm comes a desire to explore locations other than my rooftop ledge. Unfortunately this heat wave has limited me to stick close to my South Philly apartment, not the most scenic of places. Do I want to take pictures by the dive bar on the corner with a bullet hole in the door? Maybe the neon lights of the multiple nail and braiding salons would provide an interesting background. Or there's always the side streets littered with neighborhood drunks and junkies. Hmmm...

Little did I know, Ray had been eying this abandoned truck across the street. I never gave it much thought, but it did provide a beautiful background, even with the fading afternoon light. I've never shot directly on the streets of my neighborhood and I probably won't do so anytime soon. Too many weirdo mutants staring at us as I held bizarre poses in a semi-sheer shirt with the wind trying desperately to blow my skirt up.

Ok, so the outfit. It actually just kind of came together. It's been so muggy and sticky that I wanted to dress as loosely as possible. The tank top is incredibly sheer and breathable, while the skirt, though double layered, is light and bouncy so it actually retains a lot of air flow. I hardly ever wear it because it's such a busy print that I never know how to pair it, but I think these work rather nice. It's very busy and chaotic, but it works. Please excuse the rats nest of an excuse I call my hair. I spent the majority of the day nestled in the apartment with the air-conditioning on full blast, with no thoughts of attempting to run a brush through my hair.

In other news, the fashion show I'm planning is remarkably starting to come together! I've already signed contracts with about a dozen designers and there are at least another eight or so in talks.  Clothing has started arriving, waiting to be mocked up into outfits on my dress form. We're even in touch with a very large and very well-known clothing company to sponsor the event! I don't want to jinx it, but their participation would be huge and relieve my remaining worries about the actual production itself. For those in the Philadelphia/mid-Atlantic region, the event is free and open to the public. You can read more and check out the designers at the Philadelphia Bike Expo website.

Tank Top- BDG

Skirt- Forever 21

Shoes- thrifted (Village Thrift- Pennsauken, NJ)

Sunglasses- Forever 21