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