I’ve always considered myself an amateur photographer. Good enough that people comment favorably on my pics but with no formal training, everything I shoot is based on instinct. To be honest I have no clue how my Nikon camera works. I’ve learned to experiment with the settings until I’m satisfied with the desired effect. I’ve been in a darkroom exactly five times, having developed some film and watching friends develop others. To say that I’m curious about using my lens as an instrument is an understatement. This is an interest that I’ve had for a very long time.

Sooo… I’ve finally signed up for an actual photography class which starts pretty soon!  I’m prepared to be all over the city with various cameras in tow figuring out the mechanics of shutter speeds, etc. Knowing me, the whole thing might go in one ear and out the other and I’ll be using instinct once again.

Naturally, I’ve been inspired by pretty pictures of cameras and girls with cameras. These are some that are in constant rotation right now.

♥ the alchemist

I have a thing about the mail. I love it.

I love getting little postcards, greeting cards and the best are letters. Magazines and catalogs are also very much appreciated.

Bills and junk mail…not so much.

When I was in seventh grade, I had a pen pal exchange set-up through my school and I received my first letter all the way from Japan!

Unfortunately, that was the only letter I received as they unexpectedly ended the program.

My cousin and I exchanged letters for the longest time and I still have those to this day.

As I watch old movies or period pieces, when someone writes a letter or receives one, I get all tingly. It’s all been built up so romantically in my head. The art of writing.

I’ve decided that I want to revive the art of hand-writing. I want  a pen pal, someone that will actually write back and hopefully we won’t get bored of the whole thing.

Any suggestions?

♥ the alchemist

Happy New Year, lovelies!

New year, new decade. Whenever Jan1 rolls around, everyone scrambles to put some resolutions into effect because there’s this need to improve ourselves. I think it’s silly to believe that you can only achieve that within the first month of our calendar year.

So, I don’t go around making resolutions. I know I’m not going to go to the gym.

1) I hate the gym

2) I hate the gym when its packed

3) The gym will be inevitably packed in January

4) There’s no way I’m going to the gym

I’m more content with the idea that I’m constantly evolving, growing and learning.

What do you think?

Glee has quickly become a quirky comedy that I like to watch when I have the time.

Oh, Bowie. I love you. This gif is aptly titled Bowie disapproves. Don’t you love the disdain on his face?

The King of Pop eating popcorn. ‘Nuff said.

We all need a little Office humor in our lives.

Heath Ledger as the Joker. He approves of whatever mischief you’re getting into.

I have a ridiculous amount of these saved to my computer. Expect some more GIF parties in the future.

♥ the alchemist

Fall is finally here and with that comes a new episode of Cinema Aesthetic. I’m really excited about this one because this was one of my favorite movies as a little kid. I watched it over and over again.

I think its safe to say that I’ve gleaned some inspiration from Princess Maubi and this tattered Oz.

Enjoy!

Return to Oz:Cinema Aesthetic from stylealchemy on Vimeo.

The point is that we are here with the 1st installment or rather the pilot episode of what will be many more to come. Enjoy!

Swoon-O-Rama from stylealchemy on Vimeo.

Hey lovelies,

I am very happy to say that stylealchemy is officially two years old!!! Yay!! Instead of ushering in the terrible twos, we’ve decided that it’s time for a few changes to take effect.

The vision of this blog part has changed dramatically from the very first post in May 2007.  As a result, there will be a brief hiatus from stylelachemy but we will be re-launching on June 9, 2009.

I look forward to these new changes and I think you guys will be pretty pleased also. Thanks again for all the readers and everyone who has passed through this little space in the interwebs….

mucho, mucho love!!!!

This camera ring = love.

Personalized pencils, yes!

Sequins, feathers, jewelry and layering.

♥ the alchemist

Cute romper/bathing suit, check!

Novelty sunglasses, check!

Lollipop, check!

(Lily Allen looks amazing by the way…)

I am in love with the romper. It is so easy and versatile and screams warm weather. How could you not love it?

I need that Topshop bodysuit (the one in the middle) in my closet, like yesterday.

I think I’ll wait until all the pandemonium dies down with the official opening of Topshop in the city, before I attempt to head over there. I can’t wait though, four floors of Topshop goodness!!!

Anyway, I’ve been wearing rompers for a couple of years, ever since I stumbled onto a few at a thrift store and added them to the wardrobe. I had only found vintage ones but now that they are so popular, you can find all types just about anywhere.

Even though, there is a part of me that doesn’t want to be smack in the middle of the latest trend but I love these rompers so much that I don’t care if every other girl is rocking them. Though, there is something really satisfying about finding this type of stuff in a thrift store for $5 bucks.

What do you think of the romper? I refuse to call them onesies because I am not an infant…

♥ the alchemist

I don’t know about you but this winter kicked my ass!

Usually, I’m down for the cold, the layers, the inevitable hibernating and most importantly, the inspiration. There have been times when I get some of best ideas during the winter and I hatch them just in time for the spring.

However, this year I became completely uninspired. With fashion, with writing, with just about everything. I’ve never been so affected by the winter. I still went out, interacted with friends and had fun but my usual burst of creative energy was no where to be found. I think the most to suffer has been this website. I don’t even think I looked at one fashion week collection via style.com.

It’s not that my interest in fashion or art is any different but somehow I feel that my overall vision for stylealchemy has changed. I was beginning to feel horrible about the lack of posts and attention to the site especially when there are some bloggers that are so prolific and never seem to run out of ideas or steam.

Then I realized that it would be better for me to sort out what it is that I wanted from stylealchemy and what I wanted to share with everyone than to sit back and not do anything. I’m still interested in interacting with the community but I’m definitely over posts that don’t have much substance to it. There seems to be an over-saturation of the same images and ideas all over the internet and I want to avoid adding to that noise as much as possible.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I am going to try a different approach to this and I hope you guys will be up for a little bit of experimentation. I’m also open to any suggestions or comments. Feel free to contact me at stylealchemy@aim.com.

Thankfully, within the last week or so my creative mood has shifted about 180 degrees. The ideas are plentiful and I can’t wait to get started. Which is a good thing because I’ve been real tired of this brooding sh*t!

♥ the alchemist

photos by zarajay on flickr