While we are under construction, this is where you can find our extensive archive ranging from 2007-2011. Thanks!
Category: Uncategorized
Hey Lovelies,
This is what I’ll be up to for the next couple of weeks…
1. an evening reflection, 2. Isola deserta, 3. La Isla de Puerto Rico, 4. Life is like a work of art
We will resume serious posting upon return. I know things have been sort of slow…but after this break things will be back up and running. See you soon and enjoy the rest of your summer!
♥ the alchemist
In the past few weeks, I’ve seen this print ad all over the subways here in NYC and I always chuckled because it seems so crazy. To be honest, I didn’t know what to make of this except that I thought it was a funny spoof and I figured it had to be an ad but for what??? Kanye is pretty infamous for his ego and loud self-boasting so I find these ads to be hilarious and tongue-in-cheek.
At first I didn’t realize that it was actually an ad for Absolut vodka. Remember back in the days when they used to do cool advertisements in the shape of their bottle? This prominent product placement had been replaced on this new advertisement with the subtle tagline: “In an Absolut world”
Now, they’ve moved beyond that and this is their new campaign. I think its brilliant in the sense that I love a good spoof.
I also found this commercial on Youtube. Please click for more hilarity.
♥ the alchemist
Anyone who is a fan of the awesome wardrobe_remix group on flickr, must be familiar with Sarah of sherbetone and all of her wonderful outfits that she effortlessly puts together with thrift finds.
stylealchemy: Sarah, thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview. You’ve become sort of a Flickr/Internet sensation with your wonderful pictures showcasing your incredible sense of style. First and foremost can you tell us about your trademark fringe and your Flickr name: sherbetone
sherbetone: Is it my trademark? I feel so flattered that you think so – since it seems they’ve come back in fashion again and many women have them! I suppose it is. I’ve had bangs (or fringe) for about seven or eight years now. Initially I cut them in very short when I was doing a Rockabilly, Bettie Page-ish thing in my overall style. At that time I was completely obsessed with Pin-Up and Burlesque. I dressed exclusively in fifties fashion. And I liked them so much they’ve just sort-of stuck. I actually have a terrible cowlick in the center so they have to be thick and heavy at all times to avoid a wayward stray.
As for my Flickr name, it’s a blatant plagiarizing of Haruki Murakami. I was reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle around the same time I joined Flickr. In the story there is a particular female character that dresses entirely in the style of the sixties (hair and make-up included). The protagonist remembers that this particular style was called ‘sherbet tone.’ I was particularly infatuated with the idea of such a woman – perhaps because I’ve always been fond of decades past with respect to fashion as well. 
sa: What led you to start posting your outfits online?
st: Um, well I have always been a fan of fashion photography. It was a sort-of evolution that started with Vogue and led to Fruits. Once I discovered street fashion magazines and eventually websites, I didn’t relate to high fashion magazines in the same way – street fashion just seemed more relevant to what I was doing in my own personal style.
Also, I love to sit and watch people. I can do it for hours on end – and often times I am carefully noting their personal sartorial traits. So, when I learned about wardrobe_remix it was almost too perfect. At first I only looked – never posted. In time, I decided to test the waters and I liked the feel of the community of w_r so much that I continued to post.
sa: Your style is so unique, how has your personal aesthetic evolved? How would you describe it? Besides the fringe, do you think you have a signature style?
st: A couple of months ago, when asked a similar question I said: ‘An 80s revival of 50s pin-up with quirk and a dash of overseas influence. I have lived in both
Thrifting is actually probably what played the biggest role in the development of my personal style. When I was in high school I was just completely disillusioned with the idea of style-determined castes. At some point about half-way through the four years, I decided to stop striving to fit a mold I could not afford. I started to thrift. And it is not as though things fell beautifully into place and I was an instant fashion plate. It took time to figure out what worked for me. 
sa: What are your top three places to shop?
st: Salvation Army, Goodwill Bin Store, and Gabriel Brothers (which is similar to a TJ Maxx, but much cheaper).
sa: Who are your fashion icons, if any? What are some of your style influences?
st: Again, the first person who I really idolized was Bettie Page. She was involved in the construction of many of her costumes worn for pin-up. Aside from the racy, she also understood what worked for her figure. I appreciate that quality in anyone – the ability to know what works for their body. I also appreciate modern girls with real quirk in their style like Chloe Sevigny. She has been bashed by the ‘fashion police’ a million times over and she still abides by her own aesthetic.
sa: What are the best vintage/thrift purchases you’ve ever made?
st: Most recently I was happy to finally find a feminine pair of vintage driving gloves at a local store. I’ve been wearing them quite a lot this winter. As far as thrifted items are concerned, I have a wool, cream and white patterned car coat from the sixties with a silver fox collar that I bought for a quarter during a summer sale at the Salvation Army. I’ve had it for years and I never tire of it. It was at the same Salvation Army that I bought a vintage Oscar de la Renta skinny, silk scarf that always feels relevant no matter what the trend.
Likewise, I bought a silk wiggle dress with a matching bolero from, I believe, the early fifties from the same Salvation Army for two dollars. It’s perfect in every way. And lastly, several vintage bras purchased from Italian outdoor markets – they seem to have the best vintage lingerie in immaculate condition.
sa: Do you have a favorite outfit, something that you’re really drawn to lately?
st: I’ve been ravenously seeking out and collecting bustiers from thrift stores for the past couple of months. I think I am returning to my fashion roots, so-to-speak, at the moment – I’ve been attracted predominantly to high waists and boudoir touches.
sa: Do you collect anything? Any hobbies, interests, etc?
st: In general, I live a relatively quiet life – in the sense that I don’t really spend much time in the ‘scene’. However, I travel all the time and it’s one of the things I love to do most. Having studied in Europe twice (two months in France and one year in Italy) I am always yearning to go back. For the time being, I tend to stay stateside visiting my friends who are spread from coast to coast.
When I travel I usually indulge in my three other intense loves:music, food, and visual culture (everything from fashion to film to art). Film, in particular, is something that I consume at a tremendous rate whenever possible. And I’m ever and always willing to try new delicacies (within the realm of my vegetarian diet), bake new cakes, and tweak existing recipes. In general I also very much enjoy: Mid-Century design and furniture, sickeningly cute, kitschy bric-a-brac, old cameras (especially of the Polaroid variety), mixed CDs made just for me, stop-animation, and Japanese dollar stores.
sa: What’s your favorite era for fashion?
st: This is a difficult question to answer because I really do love them all for different reasons. Obviously I adore the fifties because it suits my body’s shape, but I also have a deep appreciation for the earlier decades of the forties and thirties.
Also, the sixties with respect to French pop (yeye) and certain film styling. And though you may not believe it, I was once exclusively into Hip-Hop, both the fashion and the music. So, I have a deep-seated attraction to the style of early Hip-Hop before commercialization.
sa: What piece of clothing can you not live without?
st: This is a terribly difficult question as well! I think I’ll say the vintage dress – I have a ridiculous number of them.
sa: Most of your clothes seem to be thrift finds. Do you have a strategy when you go thrifting?
st: To be completely honest, no. I do have a way in which work through I thrift store, but I think that is based on my own methodologies. For example, I always start with the shoes since it is difficult to find quality vintage in a size 10. Then I move into the dresses. And I think that this routine is based entirely on the paranoia that someone else might get there first. Ha. One thing I do suggest is to know fabrics and textiles really well. I think it aids in being able to spot the quality vintage on a crowded rack.
sa: I’ve noticed in your Flickr descriptions that you write a lot of clothes are remixed, what exactly does that mean? Share a creative tip for others to remix their clothes in an interesting way.
st: Oh, ‘remixed’ just means that you’ve seen that particular article of clothing in a previous photo – meaning I have worn it before in a different way.
Well, as far tips for remixing clothes, I’d say don’t limit what you own. As in, don’t think of t-shirts as strictly ‘casual’ or skirts as ‘dressed-up.’ It keeps things interesting.
sa: What is your profession/what do you do for a living?
st: At the moment I am doing architectural preservation and restoration of historic finishes.
I have two degrees, both in cultural preservation. I need to get a third, a Master’s Degree, in Painting Conservation. Then I will be able to work in major institutions or set-up private practice in my field.
sa: For the recent shoot with your friend/photographer (Laura Kicey), you did the incredible styling. How did you get into that? How did that beautiful shoot come about?
photos © laura kicey
st: I am very fortunate to have a good number of extremely talented photographers as friends, Laura being one of them. She and I have collaborated in the past. Knowing that she is more than capable of producing beauty, I had mentioned a particular shoot I had in mind concerning fashion. She scouted the type of location I was envisioning, so we went for it.
In the case of this shoot I styled myself because I felt the clothes were a bit more eccentric than previous shoots, but I wanted them to convey a sense of softness. I wasn’t sure how to convey that overarching idea to a model, so I decided to attempt it myself. This is also why I wanted Laura to act as photographer – because I knew she would capture the clothes in such a way.
sa: Is it safe to assume that you are available for professional styling?
st: Yes! I have styled two other shoots in addition to the shoot with Laura.
I really adore doing this – it’s just so genuinely gratifying for me to see the end result.
sa: Is there anything else you would like to add?
st: Just want to say thanks so much for allowing me to fill space on your blog. And many thanks to those who find what I do with clothes of interest.
To the left are five images of Sarah’s everyday life that inspire/make her happy.
Clockwise from top left:
1. My Cat Astrid, 2. Cheap lunch specials with people dear to me 3. Old cameras, new photos and finding things others have abandoned 4. Large breakfasts 5. The Santo Spirito Market in Florence, Italy and my lovely friends who I met there.
Thanks again, Sarah! Check out her style: http://flickr.com/photos/sherbetone
♥ the alchemist
I saw this editorial in Zink magazine and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. I’m drawn to the color combinations and am frantically thinking of ways to incorporate into my current wardrobe.
This is why I can never have too much inspiration, I ‘ve seen enough crazy color combinations that work and don’t work to have a sense of what I like. Then I see how another stylist put things together and how a photograper uses that to create an interesting picture and I get a renewed sense of color fever. Annabelle Tiaffay is the amazing photographer for this editorial.
It was this last group of pictures that really made my adrenaline pump. The electric blue tights with the hot pink shoe a neutral short and that lemony green top with a neon blue headband is just pure genius to me. As in I wanted to wear that yesterday.
What do you think?
♥ the alchemist
Lately, I’ve been loving the blue and brown color combination. These blue tights (though in this light they look a little purple) have become a favorite in the short time that I have owned them. Paired with these brown boots, I feel inexplicable joy. It’s the little things, y’all. It’s the little things in life.
♥ the alchemist
photo by foxypar4 on flickr
Happy New Year, lovelies!! Wishing everyone all the best in health and prosperity in 2008!!
♥ 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
I have to let you in on a little secret. We are not amused. (Yes, I am using the royal plural) We look forward to crisp Fall days where layering is welcomed but not essential. Lately we have been bundling up under wool coats and trying not to freeze our royal a** off.
The reason for all this weather-related angst, is the lack of Fall. I had just been discussing with my friend how we had shifted right from summer to winter. Back in September, I anticipated the wonderful Fall weather to come, but it hardly showed up. It shouldn’t be that humid in October, really. The nerve! Doesn’t Mother Nature realize that I need to be coddled into the cold not just shoved into the deep end? In total, there were probably only 5 blissful days of Fall weather to enjoy.
Which leads me to this article Fall Canceled After 3 Billion Seasons on The Onion, which cracked me up. We miss you Fall! Please come back.
A Beloved Classic Comes To An End
Some of fall’s most memorable moments
1841: Leaves crumple gently underfoot
1969: Nation charmed by adorable kids bundled up in scarves
1998: A number of highly anticipated weddings showcase stunning foliage
2006: Crisp autumn air makes its final appearance
WASHINGTON, DC—Fall, the long- running series of shorter days and cooler nights, was canceled earlier this week after nearly 3 billion seasons on Earth, sources reported Tuesday.
The classic period of the year, which once occupied a coveted slot between summer and winter, will be replaced by new, stifling humidity levels, near- constant sunshine, and almost no precipitation for months.
“As much as we’d like to see it stay, fall will not be returning for another season,” National Weather Service president John Hayes announced during a muggy press conference Nov. 6. “Fall had a great run, but sadly, times have changed.”
Though it came as a surprise to many, the cancellation was not without its share of warning signs. In recent years, fall had been reduced from three months to a meager two-week stint, and its scheduled start time had been pushed back later and later each year. Still, many Americans continued to hold out hope that it would make a last-minute comeback.
“I guess I should have seen it coming, but it’s still upsetting to think about fall being gone forever,” said Peterborough, NH resident Dale Simmons, who was informed of the cancellation yesterday while waterskiing with his family. “Maybe other people won’t miss it as much, but I practically grew up watching the leaves change color.”
Finish the rest of the article here.
♥ the alchemist
I love costumes that are different and unique, but it seems that every year there are several figures that become really popular for Halloween. Last year, Borat was everywhere. Apparently, Amy Winehouse is one of the costumes to be this year. Weeks ago, I heard about people going as Amy Winehouse, especially after the big fight with her husband and if you search through the photos on Flickr, there are many different versions. I’m sure there will be plenty roaming the streets tonight. Poor Amy, please get back to singing.
photo: sarahfortune
photo by rpd3
photo by thehipsterbear’s
photo by beatab
photo by mo vengeance
photo by triefy
photo by aaron edwards
when animals are in on the joke, you have definitely reached a certain level in pop culture
♥ the alchemist
