The following image is the truth. I firmly believe that in order to be truly happy you have to do what you love, you have to be authentic to yourself. Life is short and you have to relish in each moment. I’m not telling you to print this out and post it in a prominent place in your house – but it couldn’t hurt, right?

When I was ten, I wanted to be a writer and would create little stories or plays and make everyone in my family act them out. I self-published my stories and directed mini-movies.

I thought that was pretty bad-ass but Solveig of Brighton is a 10 year-old graffiti artist who’s even tattooed someone. She paints at legal wasteland sites throughout Brighton.

Oh, and she’s part of a graffiti crew titled AGC, which stands for All- Girl Crew.

She’s totally got me beat. Keep it up, shorty!

» Read the rest of the entry..

Well, this is the first full of week of 2009 and its been a-may-zung!!!

♥ I never thought I would see the day that I agree with anything Pete Wentz has to say but this little piece of soundbyte is so profound, I can hardly believe it’s from him:

“Girls are like apples. The best ones are at the top of the trees. The boys don’t want to reach for the good ones because they’re afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples that are on the ground that aren’t as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there’s something wrong with them when in reality, they’re amazing they just have to wait for the right boy to come along the one who’s brave enough to climb all the way to the top”

See, aren’t you as shocked as I am??? Pete. Wentz???  Obviously, boyz are not as stupid as we think, right?

♥ This picture is basically what I consider porn for any book lover out there. I’m going crazy thinking about all those sentences…next to each other…intertwined…all those thoughts  & words/// it’s too. much. for. me. to. take.

♥ I’ve done a really good job at hiding my love for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles up until now, this poster makes me want to shout “Cowabunga, dude!”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

♥ This gif is my new obsession:

We all know about the big bang theory, witness the birth of emo my friends.

♥ This pictures speaks the truth. Let’s forget all these self-imposed limitations and just go for it. We only live once!

and I will do the same for you!

♥ This ring is genius!!!

♥ Finally, this picture is all types of cute

No, I will eat you in all your cuteness. I will nom nom on those panda cheeks. Yes, I will!!!

What are you swooning over?

♥ the alchemist

This is what has been inspiring me lately.

Here are a few vintage clips of turn of early twentieth century dancer, Loie Fuller performing her infamous serpentine dance. The film was hand-tinted by Thomas Edison to produce the beautiful colors. Enjoy!

♥ the alchemist

1. tak tak tak, 2. Come Sail Away……, 3. For Your Pleasure., 4. technology 

Well, first things first: I am very pleased to announce that I am working for myself and pursuing my creative aspirations!!! I’ve been doing the happy dance at very interesting times.

I have always been a writer and ever since I could string words together I was forming stories based on a very active imagination. 

For me when my creativity is stifled, I tend to feel lackluster and annoyed at the slightest things. Fortunately, I was able to make a dream a reality and leave the traditional job environment behind. No more cubicles and though I haven’t been a member of the corporate work force very long, it was more than enough of an experience for me to realize that this was the perfect time to create the life that I had always envisioned.

What does this mean for stylealchemy and for you lovely readers?

Look for more in depth articles and lots of exciting features to the website and the blog area.

More thought-provoking interviews and adventures.

Ridiculous amounts of visual and mental inspiration.

I am predicting this extremely creative time period as my own modern version of La Belle Epoque. (What a romantic notion, huh?)

So, I am happy for all of you who wish to come along for this wonderful ride.

Stay tuned and if you have any suggestions for this blog or things you want to see, leave them in the comments!

♥ the alchemist

As they say there are no new ideas.

Everything is pretty cyclical and there are many reincarnations of a basic idea. Besides trends in fashion there are trends in hairstyles that are have circular moments of revivals.

One of those is the bob.

Back in the 1920′s, the bob haircut was a blunt cut basically level with the ears all around. This was a huge departure from the long locks that were in fashion. With the popularity of Coco Chanel, Clara Bow and Louise Brooks the bob became the must-have hairstyle for the younger generation.

So, last year I did some research for a speakeasy party that I was attending. The kind of party where everyone would get dressed up to the nines,  in authentic style of clothing for the era, hairstyles, the works.  Oh what was the reason for this fabulous fete: all to celebrate the end of Prohibition. That’s the end of Prohibition. Let that thought simmer for a moment. 

So, I’ve had this image stashed in my files since the end of November. Here is the glorious Louise Brooks, the original jazz baby.

I mean, if this is not the epitome of glamour, then I don’t know what is.

So, this started me thinking about this classic hairstyle and it’s many interpretations and manifestations.

Although, Rihanna just went super short with her hair, didn’t she look lovely in this hairstyle?

I had a bob several years ago and that particular cut was mostly influenced from these two fabulous versions of Ms. Natalie Portman’s bobbed hair.

Here in 2002: this was the look that made me want to cut it to my chin and pretend that I was a glamourous movie star. It was this look that made me swoon.

And the original bad-ass haircut from one of my favorite movies ever (seriously, I must have watched it at least 15 times) Leon, The Professional.

Even at a young age, I thought this was a rocking hairstyle and for the longest time I wanted to be Mathilda…well, without all the family issues and messed up childhood.

It’s just that everyone in that movie was hardcore and I just wanted to be hardcore with a bob.

Don’t think its just the ladies, who rock this look. Please!

There’s the iconic drawing of the little Dutch Boy and No Country for Old Men is proof that if you want to scare people put a man in a bob.
                           

♥ the alchemist

I love glancing through Wardrobe_Remix pool on Flickr which was created by the talented Tricia Royal of bits and bobbins. It’s the best place to see how real people rock their own style. While I love looking at designers and fashion shows and using those images for inspiration, it isn’t how I always dress. Street style is really where you see people’s imagination and creativity and their own personal aesthetic.

One girl who always stands out on Wardrobe Remix is sherbetone who inspires by creating masterpieces from thrift store and vintage items. However, it is this photo that makes her the style muse this week:

From the hat to the tights to the vintage shoe clips to the table to the books on the table, everything about this photo is perfection. Well done, sherbetone. Well done.

♥ the alchemist

Hey guys! Sorry about the lack of posts but things have been hectic here with the unveiling of stylealchemy.com. Well, the title of this post is a bit melodramatic as it has not been that bad. It’s all a learning process as the world of codes, html and css are very complicated. Luckily, I have the help of a very talented webdesigner to help everything make sense. Even though some things tested well, when it was time to flip the switch, some problems occurred. Of course… Well, I am pleased with the pages that are up and as this is an ongoing process, I will be sure to keep everyone updated. Once again, thanks for the support and I’ll be back later with a fashion post! 

♥ the alchemist

Hey guys, there’s a lot of activity and excitement going on around here! It’s been mentioned before but it is closer to becoming a reality, look for the launch of stylealchemy.com on December 1st. So, so excited!! As a result of the last minute attention to details, etc. I’m taking a quick hiatus…hope you guys understand and see you then.

Thanks again for the support…

Working hard in the lab

photo found on flickr: Riccardo di Gianni

♥ the alchemist

Fall is really one of my favorite seasons, I love it so. Right now the weather is still so close to the 80′s and I want it to be crisp, so I can wear wooley tights, delicious layers and wonderful coats. Oh, well. That will come soon enough.

Another thing I love about fall is the feeling of change and that is what is happening with stylealchemy. There are many of you that already know this but for those who do not, this blog stylealchemy.com/ruminations is just one part of a bigger project: stylealchemy.com. I have been working hard at it and while it is not completed yet, it is getting closer and I am bursting at the seams with anticipation.

I want to apologize for the lack of posts recently, it has been so busy!! I promise that there will be more goodies to come! Thanks for your support and have a happy, happy Friday.

photo from flickr: lifeandtimesofchantel

♥ the alchemist

The first Audrey Hepburn movie I ever saw was Sabrina. I knew that she was an actress in those “old” movies but never really sat down to watch her. It was the summer that I was twelve and my grandfather was sick in the hospital when this little black and white movie on t.v. provided a temporary distraction of the events swirling around me. Especially when she filled the screen with those Givenchy creations that to this day epitomize classic glamour. Another favorite old movie I love is Funny Face. Here is a short clip filled with Audrey goodness.

♥ the alchemist

This is a bit late, but last week I had the chance to catch the fabulous Bjork in concert. All I can say is amazing!  Plus the energy from the crowd added to the specialness of the night. One of the best live music shows I’ve seen and she was phenomenal. I admire someone who is so connected to expressing their true creative self. What freedom to have the self-possession to not worry about other people’s perceptions or expectations. Bjork is definitely one of my muses.  All of these pictures are filled with such vibrant colors and energy: classic Bjork.

♥ the alchemist