I'm Still a Mermaid~

Hello hello! As you can see, I decided to make the top of my mermaid dress into a shirt, because I wanted more possibilities! Lately, all I have really been up to is packing whilst listening to The Human League. I keep getting distracted rediscovering some of my favorite things (stickers, books, etc) when I am *supposed* to be packing them and have started spamming my instagram with pictures!

SHIRT: D.I.Y. SKIRT: Goodwill BELT: Goodwill TIGHTS: Forever 21 SHOES: Years ago at Kohl's

What is on your to-do list for this summer? I have been compiling a list of what I want to accomplish and I'm getting very excited~ Even though it was disgustingly hot out today I had fun rollar-skating around the neighborhood!

♥,
Kailey

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Behind the Zine: Get Animated

Re-imagining cartoon characters was one of my first ideas for Pistachio, and it definitely ended up being one of my favorite parts of the zine! I wanted to share some of the pictures I didn't include in the zine and explain a little bit on how I achieved these looks!

KIMBER FROM JEM

I wore the Jem pin Marlena made for me, made my eyebrows blue using eyeshadow, and tackled the unique eye make-up for Jem's little sister, Kimber.

HELLO KITTY

Since my freshly dyed, uber bright pink hair would clash with her color scheme, I wore a short black wig. I made the bow myself using Marlena's bow tutorial, and painted on whiskers and a button nose to emulate Hello Kitty!

JUDY JETSON

If you have ever wondered what it looks like when I smile with my teeth (I strongly dislike my smile so that's why it's so absent from this blog! >.>)~~~ I didn't use this picture because of how messy the ponytail looks and my handmade-out-of-felt collar's clasp broke and I didn't notice at the time! For the hair I used an old wire hanger and manipulated it until I got the right shape, and the bow is also one I handmade for the occasion. I went through a drive-thru like this and got quite a stare from the cashier!

To view the finished project, check out page 12 of Pistachio!
♥,
Kailey

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Snail Mail

Getting a package in the mail is one of my favorite things - especially when it's one from my penpal Marlena! Inside the colorful envelope was her fully illustrated coloring page tribute to Meadham Kirchhoff - Pastel Puke, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite possessions and just further proves that Marlena's skill transcends many different art mediums *_*

As if that wasn't enough, she also included a Barbie valentine circa the late 80s, two handmade pins (one of Siouxise Sioux GUH), stickers, AND Mary Quant socks - I WAS ON CLOUD 9 FOR THE REST OF THE DAY I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ♡♡♡♡

Just today I also received ELLE Collections' S/S 2012 issue after a couple of months waiting for it to arrive! The colors and overall layout of this magazine is just absolutely beautiful. My favorite part? Definitely the collage that included a clipping of Prince from Purple Rain - SWOON. Did you get anything interesting in the mail today? ^^ ♥,
Kailey

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PISTACHIO ZINE

After TWO MONTHS of hard work, stress, and frustration, I am very very proud to present

PISTACHIO ZINE
CUE FANFARE AND CONFETTI ;_;

Inside you will find: my re-imagining of three different cartoon characters, several of my favorite people telling me what their favorite children's book is and why, an interview with Eline, an article on why Grace Jones is perfect, and much much more!

I hope you find it to be just as refreshing as the ice cream flavor of the same name, and don't forget to begin the playlist (see below) specifically intended to be the soundtrack to this zine!

Somehow, this zine became more and more ambitious as time went by, and this took up a H U G E chunk of my time, SO PRETTY PLEASE WITH CHERRIES ON TOP comment letting me know what you think! (=①ω①=)

THE ZINE
VISIT HERE!

THE INSPIRATION

THE PLAYLIST

LISTEN

Also, as you can see, I dyed my hair pink for the occasion~ ^.~
♥,
Kailey

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Musical Chairs: Björk

"I like fashion when it’s a creative thing, and it’s about expression. when it’s about waking up in the morning and feeling a certain way, and putting clothes on that will support you as an individual."

I just noticed that I don't really have a feature specifically for musicians, so welcome to "Musical Chairs" in which I will be fangirling over various musical artists! Who better to kick of the series then Björk?

Have you ever realized you like an artist, but haven't actually listened to a full album of theirs? For me, it was disturbing to make this realization over Björk after going through my sister's iPod last week, and so I decided to fix this injustice by listening to her 2001 album, Vespertine - and haven't really listened to much else since? Watching her video for Pagan Poety, I was absolutely speechless - her performance was filled with such intense, raw emotion that by the end of the video, I was crying. AND THEN WATCHED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND CRIED SOME MORE ;_;

I really respond well to musicians who intertwine their music with a highly visual context, and I feel like Björk is the perfect example of the visual and musical going hand in hand in absolute harmony.

"The reason I do photographs is to help people understand my music, so it's very important that I am the same, emotionally, in the photographs as in the music.

Most people's eyes are much better developed than their ears. If they see a certain emotion in the photograph, then they'll understand the music. So instead of having to listen to my album ten times, they'll get it the first time."

She also comes across as being wholly original and fearless - who else recycles a Comme des Garçons dress from a photoshoot and wears it whilst strolling through the neighborhood, goes to balls with Jeremy Scott, wears a dress with Michael Jackson's face in sequins to the Golden Globes, and totes around owl bags?

I notice in popular culture, people are always poking fun at Björk, and it bothers me because I feel that if she was a man, she would be hailed for her genius much more freely. My first exposure to her was not her actual music, but mockery from the press for wearing something different to the Oscars. Björk definitely isn't for everybody, but there is a certain amount of skill and obvious effort that she puts into her work that I feel deserves respect.

REQUIRED LISTENING
Pagan Poetry (please note this video deals with explicit content and you must be over 18 to view this on Youtube)
Venus as a Boy
Isobel
It's Oh So Quiet

PICTURE SOURCES
Björkish, All Is Björk, & Björk.fr

♥, Kailey

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Zine Sneak Peek + New Layout!

Hello hello readers! I have to open by saying I'm so sorry my last post was over two weeks (!) ago, time has slipped away from me! I have been working on several other projects that I am really excited about - including my first zine! My first exposure to them was really Marlena - whose posts on zines (here & here) made me realize that making one wouldn't be impossible (which I thought it would be!) and now I am forever indebted to her :3

Above is a close-up of the cover for my in-process, as-yet-unnamed zine (which will be available as a pdf), and I couldn't be happier with it ;_; I am actually looking for contributors, so please shoot me an email at hellomermaidens@gmail.com for more information if you are interested (I definitely do not bite, so please send me your ideas)!

And finally, Mermaidens has a new layout! I had my previous one for over 6 months, and it was definitely time for a change - what do you think? Regular posts will resume soon!
♥, Kailey

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