As I said in the "About Me" section, I have no particular talent. We would just assume someone comes to earth with that one thing that makes him/her special, but it is not true. Most of the time, you have to work to develop your gift and if you're gifted by nature, you're just a lucky bastard! Anyway, being untalented doesn't stop me from trying out stuff, and this time, I've decided to put my hands to work with some home-made craft. All that in just 5 steps! If I can do it, you probably can too.
Cork boards are very convenient and useful to have around. Not only do they dress up the walls or help covering some nasty after-party stains (like the vomit of your friend George who strangely you never hear about anymore), but you can also hook pictures of your loved-ones on them or memo notes. And if you have earrings you tend to lose, why not hang them on it as well. Long story short everyone should have one. But in these times, why bother buying a 20 quid board while you could do it yourself with a piece of styrofoam and some paint?
MATERIAL REQUIRED
- one piece of styrofoam
- couple of oil paint colours
- brushes
- glass of hot water to dip your brushes in
- tack
STEPS
Step 1
Prepare the field to avoid any damages. In other words, put a big cardboard or newspaper on the floor to prevent any paint to fall on it.
Step 2
Prepare your paint and water and place them on the cardboard/newspaper as well
Step 3
Apply your background colour, one or two coats should do.
Step 4
Let it dry for the required amount of time, usually one to two hours.
Step 5
Personalize it to give it some character ... And you're DONE, just stick it on your wall or door with some tack.
I hope you're ready to make your own! If you do, let me know how it is or even send a few pictures so I'll put them in the entry.
Everybody knows how hard it is to find nice basics theses days... And by 'nice' I mean basics that won't suddenly change colour or shape after a wash. It seems like the industry is sinking deep, selling us resistance-less tees that burst into fire if wore on a sunny day. But amongst all those corrupt stores, there're still some reliable brands we can count on to provide us with safe pieces of cloth that not only look good but remain unchanged even after a trash night out. One of these is American Apparel.
The brand has its controverse though. It screams 'Hipster'. And some might have a problem with this etiquette as they're too cool to wear such a globalised brand. Let's face it people, we need to have at least one nice shirt in our wardrobe that falls right whether it's worn on a pair of jeans or with a skirt. And don't pretend you don't take care of your style because that's just a bunch of crap. We ALL pay attention to our looks. As materialistic as it may sounds, it is the true face of our reality.
Last year's rummage
Even though I appreciate the quality of American Apparel garments, my credit card really doesn't and sometimes stops me from making any purchase at the store with two simple words: balance insufficient (doubled with a pleasant ear-splitting sound). Yes, that hurts. But there is a solution: the annual American Apparel Rummage Sale ! Cuts go to up to 90% off the regular price... Ain't that good news?
Those rummage sales or flea markets as they call it, use to happen mainly on the American continent over cities like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Miami, etc. Since last year it has finally reached Europe, hitting two of the major stylish/hipsterish cities: Berlin and London.
Last year rummage's sale in London went mad... Police had to come to stop the people from crawling in front of the entrance doors. It is heard that even inside the store, people were fighting over some garments. The sale was shut down a couple of times during the three days it was supposed to run for.
by AAfailday
This year's flea market
Hopefully for us, that didn't stop the brand from organising another sale this year. But they've learnt from their mistakes. Security has been improved and a bigger space has been rented, plus it will go on for five whole days from 9am till 9pm. I'm guessing you must all be wondering where and when the sale will go on. Some of you may even have skipped the entire article and skimmed the entry to find out the date and address of the flea market. Well, that's rude... I feel used. I shouldn't even say anything and continue mumbling over some absurdity that goes in my mind just to keep you waiting. NAAAA I am not that mean and I totally understand why you would try to go down to the subject as fast as posible.
So this year's sale is held at the famous Brick Lane's Truman Brewery Market from the 20th to the 25th of October 2011 (yes this is now) from 9am till 9pm.
I went yesterday on the grand opening and, trust me, the queue was huge! So be sure you don't have anything planned for a couple of hours if you go. I stayed outside for about 45 minutes but once I got in, it was a dream come true. You know this scene of Alice in Wonderland when she enters the rabbit hole and feels confused but attracted at the same time? That's exactly how it felt. Especially since once in, you have to go up a couple of stairs in a dark corridor which reminds Alice falling. Then when you actually step inside the flea market, you're overwhelmed by all the light and the clothes everywhere. Pictures are better than words, here a couple.
LONG STORY SHORT
American Apparel's Flea Market in Brick Lane's Truman Brewery Market is happening from
the 20th to the 25th of October between 9 am and 9 pm. Be there if you're after great deals ;)
Outside queue, endless.
Like for every big sale, come prepared. skirt and tank so you can try on clothes easily
Naomie and Rebecca, second year King's college students who missed a lecture to come... Brave!
Inside queue to the checkout, worst than outside.
Perk: you get a 20%off voucher valid in every American Apparel store
1620 so far... and it was 2pm.
BOOK : THE REBEL SELL/HOW THE COUNTERCULTURE BECAME CONSUMER CULTURE
It's always weird to write down the first entry of your blog as it actually is the last entry everyone will see (if anyone ever sees this). But for those of you who'd have had the courage to make it to the end, let me know what you've thought of those few pages and if you have any requests/ideas you'd like me to look at, put them down here.
And because it is the end of a new beginning, there should be some dramatic sound effects like a solemn march chant. Instead, let it videos for each month spent on this blog.
June's one is Cré Sabe from Carlos Silva. It's old but there's not better to announce summer !
