That's Not The Creative I Was Thinking Of....

My brain, Polyvore, and myself have been having a fight the last few days. Polyvore is still an exploratory thing for me, so I keep finding great new bits and pieces to use. So Polyvore really isn't the problem. What IS the problem, however, is that I want to do sets for competitions, and my brain wants to do slightly morbid, somewhat weird, and altogether pure artistic sets. Somewhere between those points, we clash, and there is a big fuss I simply don't have time for. The first clash of plans was for a Penelope Cruz set that I was under a bit of time pressure to finish. I don't think I need to say that I didn't place in that particular competition.

ANYWAY, I've been experimenting with some new techniques, and am enjoying the more artistic-less-dressy style, but at the same time, I'm turning into a jack-of-all-trades-mistress-of-none. Right now, I was planning on working on sets for two competitions: a Summer Trends themed competition, as well as a Fierce Color with Sebastian Professional one. Its the Summer Trends one that is causing the trouble. I thought a nice beach and board game theme would be a good idea. You can take a look at its most recent permutation (which is always changing, because I'm still editing it), but it is most obviously creepy, not summery.

I'm just wondering why my creative juices have a mind of their own. I've never experienced this for artwork on a computer. I have experienced it freehanding things, but that is when I'm drawing without a purpose. Right now, my purpose is apparently to be violent, or at least slightly morbid (which should be nothing new). Corralling my thoughts into productivity is hard right now. I think the summer heat is getting to me.

Polyvore Weddings: Did it!

Well, last night I bit the bullet and submitted my Nordstrom Wedding piece to the Polyvore Competition. There are a little less than 10 hours left to submit entries, but I gave up and called it quits with what I already had.

If you're interested in viewing a higher-quality version of the piece (its pictured to the left), you can take a look at it here. If you do head over to polyvore and look through my sets, please share a comment or like a set (or both!)

Now, on to throwing together an entry for the Armani Exchange competition that ends tomorrow.....

Polyvore Weddings: I Broke My Resolve

I officially ran out of flowers and other small usable accent items within Nordstrom's stock. Thus, I've officially broken my resolve to be a Nordstrom Purist for this competition. All of the clothing is still from Nordstrom's. The only non-Nordy stuff is the accent items, like flowers, clocks, and some text.

To express my severe grief over this, I've chosen to tout a blood-splattered corsage for the day.

Okay, I'm done being severely grieved.

I'm still proud of myself for having gotten this far while using things ONLY from one store. Hopefully, next time, I can keep that resolve to complete a competitive set with items from only one supplier.

Cheers! I'm almost done.

Polyvore Weddings: I'm Stuck

Today is day three of this project, and, I've made exactly 1/2 of my project beautiful. The problem is, I've not the least idea with what to do with the other half. Unless I think of something overnight, I'm pretty sure this will mean I drop my resolve to use only Nordstrom items.

Not that everything's been all bad. I did learn how to use "color blocks", and I really enjoy the added effect, which was classy and simple. But it isn't enough. There is something missing. I much prefer the look that was perfected by my polyvore friend Anita.Rebel yell!✯·•●♥, who, for her more rebellious tendencies, does have a very good artistic sense. One of my favorite pieces that she created to is the one pictured to the left, a polyvore Anita created for her mother (click on it for a larger version with more detail). Anita also has the gift for speed, churning out a high-quality design pretty much every other day--although, I have noticed that she makes good use of templates, something I (again) only recently discovered.

Ah, I think talking about Anita--and staring at her polyvore set--has given me some ideas. I think part of the reason I feel unhappy with adding more to my set (which I know I need to do), is because its making it too top heavy (although I am still refusing to put any shoes in this set). Perhaps I might not need to break my Nordstom-only resolve, after all.....

Polyvore Weddings, the Nordstrom Way

In exactly one week, another Polyvore competition will be over. At that point, I hope to be able to say I have successfully completed said competition, and, eventually, hope to win. But then, who doesn’t?

For those of you unfamiliar with Polyvore.com, it is a very interesting website that serves as a creative outlet for a good number of fashionistas. I’ve used it before to make a variety of different sets, such as the one pictured above. The basic idea is you take a theme, and then build an outfit and a style off of that theme. Quite a lot of fun.

The competition theme is Nordstrom Weddings. I love this, quite simply because, well….imaweddingfanatic. The only TV show I watch religiously happens to be TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress. My bribery to finish long papers on time is that, if I finish on time, I will sit back with a coffee and a sweet treat and read BRIDES Magazine. I know which destination venues are the best for a low(er) budget bride, aaaand I can also tell you a rough estimate of a gown based on looking at it. I downloaded the Royal Wedding app for my phone, and made calculated guesses on what Kate would wear (and was pretty darn close to getting it right, too!). Now, I’m back into the throws of planning a wedding—polyvore style.

After spending most of yesterday debating what basic style I wanted to go for, I finally settled on a color scheme, as well as the dress I will base the entire set off of. It is a Tadashi Shoji Gown and the price weighs in around 798.00 USD. More details on the specific dress here. I'm still trying to decide if this fits a garden wedding or a beach wedding better, as that will (obviously), effect my final product. However, I must say, I'm happy with finding THE dress (at least, for this competition).

Oh, and I've also set a mini-challenge for myself: all of the items within this set must be from Nordstrom's. We'll see how I do.....