Links

Home     About     Contact     Press     Yellow Skirt     SKETCHES

Monday 31 July 2017

Never too much colour

This dress is originally from the bastion of fast fashion, H&M, one of their eco-recycled-garbage (ERG) collection, but I bought it pre-loved. Of course there is a real feel-good, corporate-speak name for it but I can't be bothered to check - I like ERG.


I blogged about it the first time HERE as my entry in an H&M contest, a completely different styling with an alley shoot - lots of fun. But I didn't win - my fizz was apparently too flat (or maybe too fizzy) to refill these recycled PET bottles. Judging by the women who became finalists, my contents were decidedly past their best-before date. All I can say about that is - old food can be good. 

Cases in point. Have you ever experienced the dry chewiness of an old marshmallow? Bliss. Or the ecstasy of eating a chocolate bar you'd lost in the glove compartment for over a year? (Question: Did anyone ever really put gloves in a glove compartment?) And what about grapes? Old grapes taste great in wine, although some of my old ones are just sour. Well, semi-sweet.

The bell bottoms are by Rip Curl, thrifted. The booties are thrifted too, not my first choice for this outfit but I needed a heel. Many of my shoes are in sick bay right now with heel ailments. Seriously, footwear should come with insurance or a Dr. "Bones" McCoy fix-it wand from Star Trek.

You can see all the extra stuff below: magic loupe pendant and ring by O, available HERE, handmade ghost-on-a-swing necklace by friend Monique, a hoity-toity brand leather wrist wrap (gift), leather belt with silver buckle by Josef (say it like it's French), booties, DIY T-shirt, and my favourite DIY praying mantis pendant made from an on-sale Liz Claiborne Christmas ornament. Those insects are amazing creatures. Did you know that the female often devours the male after coupling?


A woman wrote the following comment in response to an article about praying mantises in Entomology Today, which I stumbled across while doing research.

WARNING: This paragraph deals with the animal kingdom. Don't read it if you are squeamish.
I followed a female mantis that took up eye-level residence on a pepper plant last summer near my door, and she eventually mated with at least four different males, and for several days had two on her back at the same time with more males standing around expectantly. The female nibbled an eyeball of each mate, then finished the other eyeball, then eventually ate the whole head. Each male stayed attached to her for several days, ending up as discarded wings on the surface of the flowerpot a foot below after a new male took up position.
Moving right along... With a cart.


I dug this neon lemon robe and red, white, and blue hooded garment out of the alien pod vault a few days ago. Static, just hanging there, this outfit looks like almost nuthin', but in motion it flies. The robe gently laps at the legs of unsuspecting passersby with the slightest breezy provocation. I wasn't sued for it either. Or devoured.


These weakling pixels - they just can't seem to capture this neon colour. I bumped the saturation on the photo below but it didn't help much.


I got those Zara shoes out of the vault too. The dress thingy is sleeveless and has a front slit and zip. The Chanel sunglasses are also a gift. The loupe and ring, O made me. And that's a mechanical Tissot watch, which, if you've forgotten, means you have to wind it up by hand. And it has 17 jewels! It's old too. O reconditioned it and machines custom parts if it gets stuck in the past.



I posted about another outfit this week on Instagram if you're interested, HERE.

That's all for now. I had a wonderful meetup with some fellow bloggers this week, but that will have to wait.

I'll link up to Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, hosted by Patti, and #iwillwearwhatIlike at Not Dressed as Lamb, hosted by Catherine. See you there.

I wish a company would sell old marshmallows so I don't have to age them myself. They seldom survive to old age in my home. What about marshmallow wine?


36 comments:

  1. Obviously, I totally agree on everything because of the title, 'never too much colour', yes, you get me! And that H&M recycled collection is amazing, and it's even more amazing that you bought something pre-loved: that's doubled fabulousness!. Floaty fabrics, bold colors and a mantis pendant! you rock!
    I'm in love with your neon fabulousness, and that striped long piece is awesome!!
    besos
    (Do you watch those YouTube videos by Isabella Rossellini about animals and their sexual life?, Look for 'Green Porno'!, mwahaha)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are one of the queens of never-too-much colour! I bow down to you. I haven't seen those videos. Hahaha!! I think Ms Rossellini would be the perfect host. What a fun job that would have been. xox

      Delete
  2. Mmmm, chewy marshmallows and I adore old raisinets. Any candy found at the bottom of my purse is a bonus. Love the ERG, and all the fantabulous combinations here. And that watch - love it so hard. xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeeeeah, old raisinets, they sound dreamy. And any candy at the bottom of a purse is right up there. Hugs. xox

      Delete
  3. Yes, chewy marshmallows, wine, and that dress!!!!!! I have several pairs of shoes out of commission rn :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't you hate when your shoes break down? They are so expensive to fix - even more than new thrifted shoes, but sometimes the bill is worth it. xox

      Delete
  4. Doesn't anyone warn the male mantises about their fate before they go off to woo a mate? I guess they think it won't happen to them because they are far superior to the last guy she ate. Hah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, I'm sure that's exactly what they're thinking, Louisa. Heh. xox

      Delete
  5. That preying mantis story brings back wonderful memories of my early twenties. Ahhh... le sigh.

    Ha ha!

    That watch is pretty darn special.

    I don't like old marshmallows. Ick. In fact I've been known to throw out a whole bag. Now I know what I'll be sending you for your birthday.

    Love all your colours but I really liked your latest IG photo in your hippie dippy version of Little Girl on the Prairie.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your early 20s, hahaha! Belch. Excuse me.
      I love my old watch. It makes a ticking sound too.
      You throw out old marshmallows? Gaaaa! Hahaha.
      Yes, that hippy dress is pretty cool. I got three at once at My Sister's Closet. Score day for sure. xox

      Delete
  6. Love chewy old marshmallows - I leave Peeps out just so they dry up.
    Kinda weird that way ~
    Your Never Too Much Color is a feast for my eyes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are a true marshmallow warrior, leaving them out like that. If I do that I suffer by eating them before they're ready, like cookie dough. xox

      Delete
  7. I'm a fan of stale popcorn - it just tastes better when it sits overnight! However, I can never wait that long, and gobble it all down before I can even think about leaving it overnight. Gummy marshmallows sound delish (can't have 'em in the house, too tempting).

    Love all this colour (of course you can never have enough!). That H&M eco thing is lovely - my Gaga-shouldered red jacket is also one of their eco things (made from recycled plastic bottles!). I'll have to wear that next time I'm in Van. We'll be popping over in Sept to see Frank Turner at the Commodore, but won't have time to visit (flying in from Portland, then leaving the next morning). :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stale popcorn? Yeah, that's really good. But I've gotta have the butter soaked in them too, or whatever that yellow stuff is on it these days.
      So great that you'll be town. Those whirlwind trips can be the best!! Too bad I won't see you, but next time. xox

      Delete
  8. Raisins. Old grapes are raisins.

    I buy my Dear Husband a package of Peeps marshmallow ducklings every Easter, because it is the one candy that says "Easter" to him. He never eats them. After a year or two, I package them up and send them to an acquaintance in Florida who prefers his Peeps well-aged.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, you are absolutely right about the raisins. I just skipped that part. Oh man, those stale marshmallow choco Santas and rabbits are the best. I wait for the sales, but even then they are not properly aged. You are a good friend indeed! xox

      Delete
  9. Excuse me, your ERG is showing.
    Comeon you lazy pixels. We wanna see the neon!
    Xo Jazzy Jack

    ReplyDelete
  10. The colors in that H&M dress are lovely and evoke watercolors to my eye. The preying mantis male is a rather stupid dude eh? I guess dying that way is the price you pay. I love the DIY neon mantis a lot!!
    Do you have a wonderful old cobbler where you can take your disabled shoes?? So few people bother with seeking that kind of cract these days...a dying breed. At least they're not being eaten post coitus.
    I love the stripey dress with the neon kimono. You look very tall and thin. The Instagram dress...that's a frock that needs farking!! Love, Jude

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's that watercolour feeling and the humongous sleeves that made me buy this dress.
      I guess these males think it's worth it. But sometimes the male eats the female. They are both rather rude.
      I have a cobbler but fixing is soooo expensive, more than the shoes when I bought them at the thrift shop. But usually I fork out in the end and get them tended to. That IG dress is not really "me." But I like it. Its fate hangs in the balance.
      Thanks, Jude. xox

      Delete
  11. Colour! Fabulousness! I love both the stripy all-in-one and those groovy bells. H&M were clearly mad not to let you win, I bet the prize went to some bland 20-something with funny eyebrows.
    Marshmallows aren't vegetarian so I've no idea what they taste like fresh or stale. I'll go with the wine instead. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, those bell bottoms are awesome. The fabric is not great but the shape won me over. Yeah, the prize did go to a 20-something but I didn't notice her brows. In fact, I can't remember one single thing about her.
      I didn't know marshmallows are not vegetarian! I looked it up, gelatin! Oh. Well, I still like them. I hope they make a vegetarian-friendly variety some day. xox

      Delete
  12. Oh those TROUSERS of FAB!
    H+M (or hmmm) obvs can't cope with your styling Mel - they have to BE SAFE so as not to scare away their demographic. Like ZZZZZZZARA.
    Love the neon - carry on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha, hmmm and zzzz, it sounds like a kids' comedy troupe. xox

      Delete
  13. Darling, you clearly got your mojo driving you. Very out of the ordinary. Difficult for an very ordinary person like me. Still, I like it. I can see the beauty of the different textures together and different prints.
    Greetje
    PS that female mantis story made me feel so sorry for the males. I mean killing is one thing, but letting them suffer day by day, that is too cruel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry, Greetje. Sometimes the males eat the females. Sometimes the females don't eat the males at all. There is a certain balance to it all. !!! But this story is rather gruesome. xox

      Delete
  14. You have more FIZZ than all those other contestants for that H&M Contest put together. You are the FIZZIEST of FIZZY. I'm sorry to hear your shoes are all sick - get them to the shoe doctor, QUICK.

    The stripes and neon outfit is groovy baby. The story of the Female Preying Mantis reminds me of Isabella Rosellini's Green Porno series too (thanks for bringing that up Monica!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish my shoe doctor made house calls. Or I wish my shoe doctor would sell me the materials so I can fix them myself - although that would be rather difficult, and they use strong glues. Oh well. I must attend to them.
      I didn't know that show. Hahaha. What a great idea. xox

      Delete
  15. A preying mantis orgy they obviously die for! Great to see the spotty accessory out and about town. The robey outfit would be perfect for Morocco or somewhere exotic - very cool. But I have to say that the image of zaniness, colour, flow and style - ERG - is absolutely brilliant - I loved it the first time - THE SLEEVES!!! - and love it again here. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha! I wonder if the male mantis would be afraid at a key party - who's going to consume me tonight? And I'm glad you remember this colourful piece. I had such fun taking photos that day. xox

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Clearly you know what I'm talking about!
      xox

      Delete
  17. Love your dress – all those fabulous colours! Look so wonderful on you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Barbara! So great to see you here! xox

      Delete
  18. I kinda like flat, room temperature Pepsi. Does that count? Yes, I knew about the p.m. sex, but I wouldn't want to watch it. eeeeeuuu. Meanwhile, I do like watching your clothes writhe in blank white space. They look darn swell on you too. yeah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flat pop reminds me of melted ice cream. That kind of counts. No, I don't think I could watch the carnage of that coupling. More creepy than any horror movie. The white space is kind of interesting. I like it. I have to stand on a stool to take the photo. xox

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...