-P P P PUSH IT-

Growing up a teen in the 90's, I was gorged on powerful female singers. Attitude. Talent. Makeup. Each had her own iconic style. And each remains a badass.

Art Brut(e)'s JP likes to joke that I'm the Shirley to her Gwen. And with her paste pale skin, wide set eyes, and sly aggression, Garbage's Shirley Manson is a babe I'm happy to be compared to.


Known for her near uniform of minidresses, fishnets, combat boots and perfectly kohled eyes, Manson is easy to recognize and, luckily, easy to emulate.



1. Compressed eye shadow in Jet Black - Urban Decay $16
2. Nirvana Black Diamond ring - Swarovski $220
3. Fish net tights - Nine West $10
4. Stripped dress - Dorothy Perkins $50
5. Enamel peacock earrings - Urban Outfitters $18
6. Black peep toe pumps - Target $21

-Nude but Seldom Naked-

Former tomboy that I am, I sometimes run into walls trying to soften my look and bring it into a more feminine slant without walking away looking like a god damned wad of bubble gum and sparkling like a fucking Cullen.

I've found neutrals to be a nice medium. Definitely not frou frou, but soft enough around the edges, not to mention the eyes.

Taupes, ballet pinks, khakis, bronzes. These fleshy colors aren't nearly as beat you over the head stark as my default of black, and paired with the right accessories (say, a thick brown leather belt or a pair of brown-out aviators), still say what I want them to about me. I'm a lady. Damn it.


1. Nude ombre dress - Helmut Lang $600
2. Blush colored lace up heels - Chinese Laundry $90
3. Ballet pink dress - Top Shop $105
4. Suede jacket - Mrs H
5. Gold aviators - mall kiosk $10-15
6. Multi charm penny necklace - Urge the Boys $90

-Skirting the Issue-

In Florida, spring is a three second lukewarm spell before we all get scorched alive in summer. Which lasts for the rest of the year.

In order to avoid the default of jumping into a pair of jeans and a tank, I try to keep it a little more sleek by pairing a graphic t-shirt with a cotton black pencil skirt. The material on both is breathable, easy to wash and can be swapped out with several other items for additional outfits.



It's an outfit that meets with some discourse, but by and large, people seem to like it, and besides, I adore the look. So fuck you. Throw on a pair of cute flip flops and you're simple and casual without looking sloppy.

1. The Greatest Connection Yellow t-shirt from Threadless $17
2. Black Cotton Pencil Skirt from Target $15

-Gotta Powder My Nose Somehow-

My current makeup bag is looking like it's ready for its strut down the damned Green Mile. So the search is on.

My old bag was a bright fuchsia Bollywood looking affair that has served me pretty damned well over the years. So what I'm looking for is something that's going to have a lot of character and not have to be replaced anytime soon. Also, cheap. Cheap is good. Cheap is my friend.

So, logically, I turn to Etsy. WonderMart of all things nifty. In the running at the moment:

Alice in Wonderland bag from Mish Mash Designs:


Virgin Mary Guadalupe from Vintage Galeria:


Ouija Skull from Queen Bee Handmade:


All of these range in the $10-15 range and I'm thinking I'm leaning towards the Ouija bag. Just call me Spooky Pants.

-Hefty Hefty Purse Thing-

You hear a lot of women claim to carry their entire worlds around with in their purses. I'm not quite that bad, but I damned sure lug around a lot of shit.

So, when my standard issue messenger bag showed signs that it was ready for me to put a shotgun to its rabid head, I started poking around for a new one. And today I found it. And it's motherfucking yellow.



The bag itself is made by BlueQ, though I found it at my favorite comic shop. I was a little iffy on the material at first, but the color and print warmed my dark little heart and the purchase was made.

BlueQ makes all their various bags out of recycled feed bags, so for those of you aiming for green, ease your bleeding hearts with all the nifty options they offer. The material, though reclaimed, is surprisingly resilient, as evidenced by a coin purse I've had for years made by the same company:



Many years ago, my gran instilled the idea that all ladies must have a coin purse. She never attempted to explain why such need was dire, but there it is. At any rate, it makes it easier when I'm trying to fuss around for quarters at a toll.

1. Yellow Rose Tote from BlueQ via Tate's Comics $15

2. Miso Pretty Coin Purse from BlueQ via Tate's Comics $3.99

-Whip Me, Tease Me-

Agent Provocateur's Whip Me stockings have been making the rounds on the interwebs lately. They're sexy. They're cheeky. And at $70 a pop, they're out of reach for this cheapskate fashionista.



So you can imagine how thrilled I was when good friend and loyal reader Lizzie linked me to Tattoo Socks's Etsy shop.

With heaps of designs and lengths there's plenty to choose from. I'm also impressed with their range of sizes and particularly taken with their octopus stockings. And by taken, I mean absolutely smitten.



1. "Whip Me" Stockings from Agent Provacateur $70
2. Octopus Tattoo Tights from Tattoo Socks $23