The Lady Nerd

Belated Holiday Gifts

2012-02-10T16:02:00.000-06:00

After a couple of months of crossing wires on scheduling, I was finally able to meet up with a couple good friends of mine for lunch/dinner. We exchanged gifts that had been collecting dust on our respective shelves. And oh boy do my friends know me well!

My friend Philip (from the previous post) has become my geek shirt supplier. So chances are if you see me wearing a geeky shirt in any given post, it's from him! Both shirts are from http://shirt.woot.com/. They have one day deals on really spiffy t-shirt designs for an equally spiffy price.

I absolutely adore the shirt on the right - it's a Kiwi bird trying to draw up a schematic to try to fly. While it's adorable in it's own right, I also found it rather symbolic. My favourite place in the world (and other home) is New Zealand. I'm also an artist...an artist who spends entirely too much time planning schemes on how to get back to New Zealand and/or how to actually launch into a full-fledged career in the entertainment industry (slowly getting there. I've had some major clients, but no steady work to employ me full time). So right now I feel alot like that little Kiwi bird trying to plot out how to fly. Yeeeep, my friends know me well.

Next up is just a good classic geek tee (which is SUPER comfortable). TARDIS, meet Delorean. Delorean meet TARDIS. Now play nice!

And last but not least my friend Shanah surprised me with....a sonic screwdriver! The 10th Doctor's sonic screwdriver to be exact, complete with sound effects, lights, and the ability to write secret messages and use said UV light to read it by. Oh shenanigans will occur with this little devices. *cue maniacal laughter*

The Chill Spot

2012-02-07T21:52:00.002-06:00

I got to spend today hanging out with one of my best friends who I haven't seen in a few months. We galavanted around town running errands which consisted of things such as fabric shopping for costumes, introducing my friend Philip to the largest used bookstore in town, looking at comics, and hunting for rock climbing shoes (for him, not me! I'll stick with my hoop thanks!).

Since it finally decided to get colder (we've been experiencing spring-like temperatures all winter), I donned a sweater. This is definitely my most comfortable sweater, though I'm not sure if the outfit works as a whole. The proportions feel slightly off to me. But I did try to use this ensemble as an experiment in pairing accent colours together (ex. the jeans with the grey-blue in the sweater. The brown boots and purse with the brown in the sweater).

We stopped at one of my favourite places to eat - The Chill Spot in Brentwood, Tennessee. I discovered this little place back when it known as Elena's Cafe. Not only do they serve the best cherry chicken wrap in town (it's mouthwatering!), but they also serve bubble tea! I got hooked on bubble tea when a friend introduced me to the milky concoction while I was living in New Zealand. It's a delightful treat of milk tea mixed with a bevy of flavours (my current favourite mixture is with taro, green tea, vanilla and avocado), small tapioca balls, and/or jellies (I like the combine the two. The tapioca balls are fun to chew and the jellies give a burst of flavour). (On note to the picture below, I was trying to fix the ISO setting on my camera, when my friend Philip decided to throw out this look. I just about died laughing!)

Sweater: Goodwill Cami: A'Gaci Jeans: Express Boots: Studio Works via Marti & Liz
Purse: Ralph Lauren

TNRF Casting Update

2012-02-06T19:49:00.000-06:00

I'M A FAERIE!!!

I got cast as a faerie for this year's Tennessee Renaissance Festival. It'll definitely be a different experience to play a mythical character. So far I've only acted in historical noble and peasant roles. I've already got a handful of ideas swirling around in my noggin for what character I want to be. Our first rehearsal is this Sunday so I'll find out which of my ideas gets chosen (or who knows, it may be something else entirely). But if I do happen to get to do the favourite idea I have in my head right now, it will be GLORIOUS!

I'm so excited! (If you couldn't tell from all the exclamations.) Not only will this provide a wonderful costume design opportunity, but also a good acting exercise as the TNRF faeries speak their own gibberish language (i.e. No english, all gestures). Physical improv is my strong suite, so I'm looking forward to getting to play in that arena again. Since this is a short post, I'll leave with a look at some of the faeries from previous years of our Renaissance Festival. Enjoy!

(© Kirk Hughes 2011)

Tennessee Renaissance Festival Auditions

2012-02-04T07:34:00.000-06:00

As many artist do, I have my various outlets of creativity (because let’s face it, despite the fact that I get to do something I love, production art is still work!). Costuming and modeling are my primary avenues, with the Tennessee Renaissance Festival being the greatest release of all. Every year, Tennessee holds its own Elizabethan faire full of stage acts, jousting tournaments, live music, human chess, and character performers. Every year I can, I audition for cast. I did it once before in 2007, landing the role of a peasant pickpocket. Last year I moved up the chain a wee bit to a french countess, sister to the Prince of France.

One of the great things about our faire is the immense creativity that goes on behind the scenes; from character development to costume building. All of our costumes are hand-built and custom designed. This is undoubtedly my favourite part of the year. It gets all my creative juices going (though I have to be careful not to let it spill over other work)! I get to spend months planning, preparing, and designing. It’s heaven for a preproduction gal like me.

Alas, my original design (which was basically a Renaissance version of Belle's green gown from Beauty and the Beast) did not get approved as another lady in cast had a similar colour scheme (and whose garments were already made). So I yielded to the costume director whose daughter, in turn, let me rent her costume (it helps having a body twin around!). At first I wasn’t sure about the gown I was given as the colours of baby blue and light gold. They were certainly not colours I would’ve chosen for myself. But after seeing the final result I realised I have a thing or two to learn about colour…So although I did not design this costume, I did design/pick out the accessories, hair, and makeup. Here is the final result of me in 2011 as Countess Elaine de Francias, half-sister to the Duke of Anjou (one of Queen Elizabeth I’s favoured suitors):

© Angela C- Zonis

© Pablo Scruggs

© Daniel Meigs© Derek Deweese© Scott Craig
© Chris Jarvis

Well, it's getting near time for the audition, so I'm going to pop off here. Mom made a wonderfully hearty, yet utterly delicious bread for our family that I absolutely must have for breakfast this mornin!. It's chock full of all sorts of fruit (cranberries, banana, pineapple) and made with spelt flour and baking soda (no yeast).

Behind-the-Scenes

2012-02-03T18:33:00.001-06:00

Here's some behind-the-scenes pictures from the previous photoshoot.

Fur and Feathers Photoshoot

2012-01-31T19:27:00.000-06:00

Lauren Athalia, the photographer featured in the previous post proposed a trade of photoshoots. For doing the Shannan shoot, she asked if I could model for her. She had a photography series she was wanting to shoot called Furs and Feathers - a fusion of fashion and animals. (Though in terms of co-stars and highlighting local rescues and animal organisations. No animals were taken advantage of in any of the shoots.) You can see more of her work on her Facebook page --> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Athalia-Photography-Design/272197242805463.

The shoot I was asked to model for was the last of the series. The original idea was to have me in Christian Dior-esque apparel surrounded by miniature horses. Alas, getting the horses to work with us was significantly harder than working with the wolf. So unfortunately we weren't able to get the shots Lauren originally envisioned. BUT the owners of the horses had an amazing backyard that we used to our advantage. That coupled with Meredith Malone's absolutely beautiful outfit (that she custom-made for me. I wanted to take it home with me!) made for some very neat shots. So without further adieu, here they are...(Stay tuned for the next post for a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot)!

Photography & Editing: Lauren Athalia
Custom Skirt & Neck Ruffle By: Meredith Malone
Hair: Kristina Noel Wojtkowski
Make Up: Galilee Bagwell
Lighting Assistant: Josh Wood

Shannan Costume - Allon book series

2012-01-27T20:19:00.001-06:00

My mother asked me to create a tangible costume for Shannan to accompany the artwork in publicity. For background on the character, Shannan is the female heroine from the novel, Allon - http://www.allonbooks.com. From birth, she is destined to bring back the return of the mysterious Guardians and help Prince Ellis take his rightful place as ruler of Allon. She is a strong, but caring girl, wise beyond her years (and needs to be to deal with a young, hot-headed Ellis!) and an expert hunter. Her grandfather whisked her away upon her birth as she was marked for death by the Dark Way (Why, you ask? Well, you’ll just have to read the book!). As such Shannan lives in the secluded forest of Dorgirith away from prying eyes and invasive questions.

Being costume-centric as I am, I was quick to take up task. Though, being me, I added a few other challenges to the mix. I knew that I wanted to make a movie-level costume (or as I like to say, a "Weta-level" costume (i.e. Weta Workshop)). This particular costume is from the beginning of the book where Shannan's character is introduced. It a forester’s costume in basis, but with it being in the world of Allon, we’re trying to stay away from the cliched medieval look. The era of costume design for Allon is designed roughly around the renaissance period, but with a fantasy aspect as well (as Allon is a fantasy world not unlike Middle Earth). Stealth and ease of movement in Shannan’s clothes are essential. So I designed the costume to keep with a utilitarian fashion.

If interested, I have posts on my art blog detailing the making of the entire costume...

The Concept: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/shannan-costume-design/

The Concept 2: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/shannan-costume-details/

The Cowl: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/shannan-costume-the-cowl/

The Undershirt: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/shannan-costume-the-undershirt/

The Jerkin: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-the-jerkin/

The Sleeves: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-the-sleeves/

The Bracers: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-bracers/

The Pants & Boots: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-pants-and-boots/

The Quiver & Belt: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-belt-and-quiver/

The Pouch & Wineskin: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-pouch-and-wineskin/

The Wig: http://brianalamb.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/shannan-costume-wig-and-winter-shoot/

Then, of course, comes the icing on top - the photography. Lauren Wood (or Lauren Athalia as she’s called) is one of the most top-notch photographers I’ve ever met. Not only does she know how to wield a camera to maximize the beauty of a naturally-lit scene, but also knows how to use that light to bring out the best qualities of her models. (I have a difficult time with photographers not lighting my face properly and thus my weak jawline becomes my undoing - i.e. my face and neck tend to appear to blend into one another in most photoshoots. I know when I look in the mirror I have a jaw! It’s probably a minor point to most, but Lauren managed to capture my usually elusive jawline on camera and I couldn’t be happier.) I wanted to give both my mom and Lauren the best pictures I could and boy did I get them. (Please check out her website to see her incredibly photography. Who knows, you might see a familiar face popping out from behind a blonde wig and top hat. ——> http://www.laurenathalia.com )

The really special treat with this photoshoot was that I had a co-star, and a four-legged one at that. One of Shannan’s companions in Allon is a wolf named Torin. Lauren has a knack for procuring incredible sets, props, and animals. So my co-star was a real, full-blooded Timberwolf named Breeze. Now Breeze is not a pet (and I do not support having wolves as pets). I’m not sure about all the details, but she was a rescue. She was a bit skittish at first, as wolves are around strangers. It took about 30 minutes for her to warm up to me, but it wasn’t long before we started to call her Miss Kiss-n-Run as she’d bolt to lick my face off and then run around between shots. I hate to sound cliched, but it was a dream come true for me to be playing alongside a real wolf. I've always had a deep loves for wolves. (I think one of the first jobs I ever wanted was to be a zoologist just so I could work with the wolves at our local zoo. It was a sad sad day when they got rid of them at the Nashville Zoo.) But before I get sappy, here are Lauren’s beautiful photographs.

I Hate Exercise

2012-01-25T12:44:00.002-06:00

I'll admit it. I hate exercise. I abhore the repetition of straining muscle groups in the hopes of improving one's figure. Not that I'm knocking exercising for health's sake, not at all. I just can't stand the gyms, the weights, the push-ups, the sit-ups, the running. It's all so jarring and painful. I'm familiar with the addage of no pain-no gain, but why would I want to voluntarily put myself through pain in the hopes of not experiencing more pain later?

I've tried running....

(This is an outtake that became a joke among my friends. They like to call me "stick","twig", or "toothpick" so I figure this picture was appropriate. :P)

But I've found running to be one of the most painful exercises there is. It looks innocent enough and many people swear by it. I find it to be too jarring on the knees and ankle joints. That coupled with my tiny lung capacity makes for a poor runner.

Although my main issue is an aversion to pain, my secondary problem with exercise has to deal with the involvement of the mind. I've never been one to be able to "push through" pain. (To give you an idea of how much I'm squeamish about pain, my dad had to literally sit on me when I was kid to get a splinter out of my finger!) I prefer distraction. Which is why I find myself drawn more to activities that involve my whole mind as well as my body. I don't mean a mind-over-matter scenario where one has to will themselves through a difficult exercise. I mean something more encompassing, something that activates the creative parts of the brain whether it's through strategy or through physical art. So throughout the years I've done fencing (sport and SAFD style choreography), martial arts (shaolin kung fu, wushu, wing chun, tae kwan doe), dance (ballet, modern, tap, swing), and most recently hooping (hula-hoop dancing). All of those give my brain something else to focus on besides the pain my muscles and joints are going through to accommodate the activity.

Unfortunately, despite being ridiculously active in college, I live a sedentary lifestyle these days. Between my storyboarding, blogging, Photoshop work, driving, eating, watching TV/movies, or even dinner out with friends, I'm sitting all the time. That coupled with a laziness acquired from a couple years of being very very sick, I'm finding it hard to get back in the game. Now I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to doing fencing, dance, and martial artist due to the illness I went through and it's (seemingly) permanent effects, but I'm attempting to make small steps. I hoop when the weather is nice and try to go walking with my parents. I'm hoping to get back to doing yoga regularly as some forms are gentle enough on the body to not trigger my pain aversion, but good for keeping me limber. So here's some yoga to start off the new year!

Top: Nike via Rosss Pants: Nike Pro

All photographs taken by © Abrea Garwood 2011. http://abreagarwood.com/

My Home Studio

2012-01-23T12:03:00.000-06:00

How some bloggers can do a photoshoot and post every day is beyond me. I can do brief spurts here and there, but I find it very hard to be consistent with posting. Then again, my life is not consistent right now (not that that's a bad thing, mind you. It's just something that I'm having to adjust to). I am a freelance storyboard artist and model. While the past few years have yielded the odd job here or there, I've usually had to have some sort of stable part-time job (ex. Starbucks, legal assistant at a law office, etc.). This year has been quite different! I've been booked solid with storyboarding work since before Christmas. Sadly, due to the freelance nature of my job it's hard to plan in advance. I've had a few photoshoots for my blog planned out that I've had to shelf for later. So my apologies at the lack of posting! Ah, but enough of me rambling. Time for pictures! Here's some photos of my home studio where I spend most of my waking hours.

My dad and I share the studio. On his days off, he's usually doing Photoshop work while I'm at the drafting table.Now, it's back to work with me! Time for tea...

Creative ADD and...Oh look! A new idea!

2012-01-16T14:38:00.002-06:00

Fan Pop

I had planned to do a whole bunch of stuff today - projects, chores, etc. but cold, dismal, and rainy days have a habit of derailing my best-laid plans. (Not that I do nothing mind you. I have thrown in a few loads of laundry, finalised a costume plan for spring, and picked up a new storyboarding job.) But on the days that I have off from work, I have a serious problem prioritizing my To-Do List. I blame it on what I call 'creative ADD' - where there are entirely too many creative concepts in my brain vying for top spot. (Then there's the added problem of when I start on a project, I ended up getting an idea for another!) To paraphrase the White Queen, "Why, sometimes I [create] as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Actually, for me...make it ten.

I have no problem prioritizing when it comes to paid jobs or for specific events (i.e. deadlines). But open-ended creative ideas have a habit of piling up to the point that I get buried under them. Some have given the advice of, "just pick one!" and I daresay I've attempted that. But as mentioned earlier, while in the middle of researching for one project, a random photo or drawing will pop and off my brain goes to create another photoshoot/costume/unfinished art project.

I'd be lying if there aren't some days I wish I could shut my creative brain off! The projects are of so many different varieties - costumes, illustrations, short films, photoshoots, blog posts, etc. - and in my typical fashion, NONE of them easy! (Now I do keep all of these ideas logged in specified places as not to lose any of the ideas. I have extensive libraries on my computer and Photobucket of reference folders full of photographs, Word documents, doodles, etc)

But I'm beginning to fear that I've pigeonholed myself into the Idea phase. I come up with a plethora of concepts and reference to support them, but never seem to get very far past that phase due to yet another idea (and another and another and another) surfacing. I have completed a few ideas from concept to finished product, but they are fewer than I'd care to admit. I haven't been able to find a solid solution to this dilemma. The closest I've been able to come up with is tying my concepts to specific events (such as conventions, holidays, movie premieres, etc.). Having a deadline definitely helps, though strangely a self-assigned deadline like, "I'm going to finish this costume by ___ (fill in the blank with arbitrary date)" doesn't seem to work at all. My will circumnavigates my brain in its realisation that it's not a hard-set deadline. Oh how my creative proverbial cup overfloweth!

And on that note, I'm going to go make myself some tea.

Cafe Coco Outing

2012-01-12T14:09:00.002-06:00

One of my photographers friends (Abrea Garwood, who's photography has been featured a few times on this blog) moved away recently, but not without a fun farewell. We had lunch at a favourite Nashville haunt, Cafe Coco, where we noshed on paninis, tempted local wildlife with promises of tortilla chips, and played musical chairs to get away from the gaggle of smokers outside (as you do). While we were waiting for our order, I had Abrea snap a few shots of my preppy little outfit and the stash of books I'm currently inhaling,...I mean, reading!

My current reading list....
- The Huguenot Sword - by Shawn Lamb. A fiction novel written during 17th France (the time of the musketeers). Political intrigue, matters of faith, friendship, and action abound. This is my mom's latest book and perhaps my favourite out of everything she's written. It's one of my favourite novels ever, to be quite honest. I highly recommend it! Allon Books - The Huguenot Sword
- Slave - by John Macarthur. It's a look at a word used often in Scripture, but ignored today in an attempt to water-down (or outright ignore) what it truly means to be a "slave" for God, being a "slave" bought at price by Christ, the Lord of Lords himself.
- Uncanny X-Men: The New Age comics - Well, it wouldn't be me if there weren't something geeky in the mix right?
- Directing the Story - by Francis Glebas. A storyboard artist view of directing a narrative. It's one of the few good books out there for us storyboard artists.
- Rough Justice: The Sketches of Alex Ross - Best. Impulse buy. Ever. Alex Ross is my second favourite artist (Iain McCaig is my number one). I am just in awe of his mastery of comic book realism.

Abrea asked my favour in helping her get some 'lifestyle' photograph shots, some basic talking shots, expressions, etc. Me? Talk to myself? Act? Bring it on.

Top: Ralph Lauren Rugby via Marshalls Jeans: Ross Shoes: Goodwill Rings: Gifted

I'm Seeing a Pattern Here

2012-01-11T21:29:00.000-06:00

Right before I went flouncing into my pilates-ballet fusion class this evening in all my black spandex-clad glory (great mental image, right?), a friend stopped by with a very gracious gift. In an effort to clear out space to make her own home studio, she's been getting rid of old assorted items. She braved the rain to give me a box full of her grandmother's vintage patterns. I got to go home with spoils tonight!

Check out the price difference between a Simplicity pattern from the 1970s and a Simplicity pattern today. Yeowch!

Costume Plans 2012

2012-01-09T12:19:00.001-06:00

Fan Pop

Belle - Blue Provincial Dress

I originally wanted to have this completed in time for the premiere of Disney's re-release of Beauty and the Beast in theaters on January 13th. Alas, while the costume itself is complete, my wig will not be done in time. So I'll have to save my peculiar mademoiselle antics for another day. But either way, I'm very excited about the costume! I've long identified with Belle over any character of any fandom, so it'll be the proverbial dream-come-true to portray her.

Costumer's Guide - Pride and Prejudice Costumes

Elizabeth Bennett - Green Striped Dress

In my efforts to learn how to sew I tried picking a historical period that would yield a simple pattern (as well as something modest and easy to make with a few conservative friends of mine). Despite my severe dislike of womens' Regency dresses (I still hold that the high empire waist and cap sleeves of the Regency period is one of the single-most unflattering styles ever put upon the female form. While they may make those who are endowed look more, um...voluptuous, the lack of fitting from the bust to floor makes for more effect of a sack than anything else! Now Regency men on the other hand.....I believe the adequate phrase is "hubba hubba!") But I digress. I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone........one baby step at a time.

Constantly Kristin Kreuk

Lana Lang - Smallville

I've been invited by some not-so-local friends to participate in a Smallville costumed photoshoot at the Metropolis Superman Celebration in June. One friend mentioned that I could do Lana Lang, as they had no one for her in the group. (Apparently everyone jumped to be Lois, Chloe, or one of the costumed crusaders. Surprisingly Lana was left in the dust.) I'll ashamedly admit that I had never watched Smallville, though I was very familiar with Superman comics having read them when I was kid. So for 3 months, I knuckled under and marathoned through all 10 seasons of Smallville. Whew, what a rush! I can now safely say I'm head-over-heels for that show. But I'll save my adorations for another post. I actually really like Lana's character so pulling together a real-world outfit for the shoot shouldn't be too much of a burden. ;)

Girls Read Comics Too

X-23 - Laura Kinney - Original(ish) Design

For a secret project. Gotta protect those identities, y'know.

Geek Fill

Chell - Portal 2

While most people are doing full-out costumes or modified costumes, I'm doing something a wee bit different. PAJAMAS! Every geek needs a good pair of geeky pajamas, right? I've already got the Aperture Laboratories tank top and the Long Fall Boot Socks. Now I just need some orange capri pajamas pants and voila! I'll be sleeping in combustible-lemon-heaven.

Millionaire Playboy

Femme 10th Doctor - Doctor Who

For Dragoncon, I'm trying to get a group together of all 11 Doctors from Doctor Who, but femme versions based on my own design. Hopefully I'll have that artwork posted up soon.

The Shadow and Flame forum boards

River Tam - Serenity

I learned last year at Dragoncon that it's good to have a back-up costume in case of overheating. I wore an all leather costume and almost passed out. When I changed into a sundress and rainboots, my friend remarked that it looked like a River Tam costume. So it got me to thinking....I haven't decided which River costume to go with. River's reaver dress is her most iconic, but hardest to find/recreate. (And for those of you who know my modesty tastes, River's dress is alot longer than it appears in the picture above. It skims the knees. Though if it does actually hike up that far when crouching, I might have to rethink that dress. No one needs to see anything close to my nethers!)

Esperino

Lara Croft - Tomb Raider

I've been working on this costume for over a year now! (You'd think those clothes wouldn't be that hard to find, but noooo....) Although, I'll admit the new game looks too dark for my tastes, I feel I could pull of this newer, younger version of Lara than her older sultry self. Yes, I know Lara Croft was always a sex symbol, but I love this new version of her. The design is much more realistic and less obvious-sexpot. Hopefully I can get this costume done in time for the release of the new game.

Sunday Mercury.net

Lady Christina de Souza - Doctor Who

She also sports a leather jacket, gloves, backpack, and a certain British artifact through most of the episode. Pretty much all of my friends who love Doctor Who have a particular character they look/act like and therefore cosplay as. Christina de Souza is the closest character for me. She also has a special spot as being a companion (though that's debatable by some) of the 10th doctor. The 10th Doctor is very special to me as one of my dearest friends cosplayed frequently as him. You might know him as the best Doctor Who costumer around - Ryan Jones, doppleganger of David Tennant.

Almost Nerdy

He passed away last year. So I'm doing this costume in tribute to him.

Fanpop

Lord of the Rings elf

Although I haven't settled on what costume I'll do (Arwen, a generic Mirkwood elf, or Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly's character), I WILL have a costume to wear to The Hobbit premiere!

Movie Staples - The Red Plaid Shirt

2012-01-04T11:03:00.000-06:00

After watching a plethora of TV shows and movies, I've started noticing one understated article of clothing showing up in almost everything I watch - the Red Plaid Shirt. For example...

Anne Hathaway - Brokeback Mountain

Toutlecine.com

Amy Pond - Doctor Who

Cosplay Island via The Coconut Hits Montreal

Zooey Deschanel - New Girl

What Would Zooey Deschanel Wear?

And of course the King of Red Flannel himself...Clark Kent (Smallville)

Smallville Season 10 Blog

Alright, so most of those were from TV shows instead of films, but you get the idea. I had originally shied away from the idea of wearing such apparel as I didn't want to be called a 'country girl' (then again, I do live in Nashville.) Pair it with a pair of jeans and I guess it's inevitable! Clichéd, but comfortable. So I decided to romp around our downtown Bicentennial Mall in my new-found flannel. It is extremely comfortable, so in conclusion....I'm sold! :)

Shirt: Target Jeans: Ross Belt: Came with dress from A'Gaci Boots: Nine West via Marti & Liz Satchel: Borrowed from photographer Choker: Gifted Bracelet: Target

Outfit - School Uniform

2012-01-03T09:23:00.001-06:00

Although I never wore this outfit until I was well out of school, the whole ensemble made me think of a British Commonwealth schoolgirl. (It brought back fond memories of living in New Zealand and watching students all neatly filing into schools with their matching uniforms. Granted, I'm sure it was no fun for them, but since I never had to wear a school uniform here in the States, I found the whole look rather intriguing.) Originally I had slapped on all the layers to keep myself warm backstage during a runway show, but after hearing a few squeals of admiration from other models I decided to document what silly thing I had put together.

The setting is at one of my alma maters - East Literature Magnet School in Nashville, TN (now known as East Nashville Junior High School). I attended there for 8th, 9th, and part of 10th grade. Sadly, my desire to devour classic literature and be challenged academically there was not met in any way shape or form so I moved on to another school. But as far as this blog post goes, it makes for a great backdrop! (Sidenote: The top part that I'm standing on in the photo below was a popular spot for us more adventurous students. We'd jockey for position to get the highest spot then see who could jump off and gain the ever-coveted 'cool stunt' status. After doing this photoshoot and seeing how high up that precipice is, that has got to go down as one of the dumbest things I ever did in middle school.)

After viewing the photos mid-shoot, I realised that while the over-the-knee tights kept my legs warm (and perhaps added a bit of interest to the outfit), they made my legs look a little bit thicker than what I liked. So off they came! So in conclusion, no light-coloured socks/tights on my fencing muscles (unless fencing of course :) )!

(In college there were seven of us that all had this same Swiss Army backpack in my TV Production class. So we all agreed to put something on our backpacks that signified it being ours so there was no mix-up in picking up someone else's backpack by mistake. So while everyone else put on various band and music-related memorabilia, I flew my geek flag in the form of a Bumblebee keychain.)

Dress: Forever 21 Tights: DKNY Socks: Topshop via Ebay Shoes: Goodwill Glasses: Gifted Backpack: Swiss Army via Target

Nossi Beauty Shoot - Look Two

2012-01-02T21:07:00.000-06:00

The second look from the shoot we affectionately called the "80s Punk Warrior." (We were originally going to put bright neon war-paint stripes on my cheeks, but the MUAs chickened out! Ah well, they were first day makeup students, so I'll soften up on them.) Here are some highlights from the shoot...

Ah, but what is a photoshoot without some gool ol' antics from yours truly?

Top: Forever 21. Pants: Forever 21

Nossi Beauty Shoot - Look One

2012-01-02T14:30:00.000-06:00

I modeled for a few shoots for Nossi College of Art & Design's fashion photography class at the tail-end of 2010. I've updated this blog for 2012, but there were such nice and funny comments on these next two posts that I didn't want to lose them! The catch for this shoot was that I modeled for 2 classes with a total of 26 students. The first look was what called the "Disco Queen 'Fro." (I was flabbergasted the stylist was able to get my usually fine, limp locks into that massive mane!) Here are some highlights from the shoot...

Top: Forever 21. Pants: Forever 21

Pardon the Mess!

2012-01-01T14:08:00.000-06:00

I'm still working out the kinks of this new blog (specifically in terms of layout and theming). So bear with me. The look of this blog will no doubt look like it's being run by the Heart of Gold's improbability drive than a Caucasian female (*see The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for that obscure reference!).

The Lady Nerd 2.0

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

2012 has arrived and I have returned into the blog-o-sphere. *cue clichéd maniacal cackling*

This coming year I hope to be a progression of years past. 2008 was a year of discovery - I was living in New Zealand with a travel blog, exploring my new physical surroundings as well as learning new ways of life. 2009 was a year of recovery, as not all of my discoveries were positive. 2010 seemed, overall, to be an average year, a sort of just-making-do-to-get-by. 2011 was a regaining of self, launching of my career, rekindling old friendships, and forging new ones. Many plans were made. Many went under. But 2012 will be different. 2012 will be the year of Adventure! I've had my fill of average. This year will be more than average. I've got old habits to kick and new frontiers to explore. This blog, in particular, is one of those frontiers. In conception it's gone through many changes - from a 365 blog to a traveling outfit sort of blog to...well, we shall see what this place will become. I've decided to let the creative reins loose and let this blog turn into what it will be.

So to commemorate the starting of this blog, here is a quirky little photoshoot featuring yours truly. (This photoshoot is actually from when I tried to start this blog back in 2010. And since my main idea for new photoshoot to commemorate the launching of The Lady Nerd 2.0 fell through, I'm reposting these pictures. Oh the madness!) These pictures were taken by talented Tennessee photographer Matt Heusmann (http://www.headlineimages.com/).

The look is based off of a couple of movies. Can you guess what they are?

Tee: Plato's Closet Leggings: Forever 21 Boots: Guess "Maeve" via Ebay Glasses: Gifted
Ring: Kohl's

Happy New Year everyone!