Got a Promotion During The Summer, Going Out And Making New Clothes!

 

CATM...

In the first week of summer, I got some really good news! I got a promotion; I've been looking for more in my job. One day, my manager told me I would be getting just that! It doesn't hit every aspect of my dream career, but it's a start in the right direction. I've been under my new title for 2 weeks now, with a few nerves here and there. I feel confident and know I'll be okay under this new title. No, it hasn't gone to my head lol, but I'm learning how to give directions. I want to use my voice but make sure it's still a respectful work relationship.... Update soon on work life.

Last weekend I went out with my older sisters before we went out. I made a shirt for her to wear this week for her birthday. Definitely Joan Clayton inspired! It didn't take me that long to make. I honestly like the shirt so much, though, I'm thinking of making one for myself!

So, getting back to my night out 

We were all late, but we Ubered to my big sis' house and had a pregame! Took some photos and made our way to the club. It was Beyoncé x Rihanna night. Filled with running into my friends and a small FaceTime reunion with my cousin. I had a great night with a mild headache in the morning. No biggie lol. My updates are always so quick.

Hope your summer is going great!

want to get experience in fashion but don't know where to start?

I've been interested in fashion for a while now, but when you don't live in a fashion city. It's hard to figure out how to build your career in that field. I decided to create my own opportunities to gain experience and knowledge. 

1. Figuring out what you actually like about fashion 

Is it designing lookbooks and moodboards, luxury retail, or distribution? Do you enjoy sewing but have no interest in building a brand? Reality check (for myself): The fashion industry is always changing. But also feels like if you don't know someone who knows someone. It's really hard to break through. Is this really what I want?

2. Learning the basics

I attend YouTube University every single year. It's the one place that's free (with too many ads). It has documentaries, tutorials, sewing techniques, and the history of fashion.  One YouTube account in particular, I recommend is Zoe Hong. She gives full tutorials on how to plan a collection. Of course, making a collection takes time and is a tedious process; be comfortable with trial and error. Giving yourself room to make mistakes.

3. Create a mini fashion project to gain more experience and have things to add to your portfolio/website.

Because of your lack of experience, you need something under your belt! It could be a fashion blog, digitizing your whole wardrobe to make a lookbook, creating a mini collection, or developing a marketing plan for a brand you're fond of. I'm simply looking to gain experience. In the past, I've put these projects on my resume and portfolio. For myself, I'm going to create a 5-piece collection. I need to sharpen my skills as a seamstress and a designer. So this will be helpful.

4. Networking 

I honestly hate to even say networking, but I know it's important. To get involved with the growing community of fashion in my city. I've created an Eventbrite account to find events that I believe will make it easier to meet other people in the industry. Filtering the website to work for me. I put my city, free, and fashion in the search bar. The events I saw included so many free tickets to fashion shows and a casting call for designers. 

5. Literature

I have one recommendation to read: "200 Projects to Get into Fashion Design" By Tracy Fitzgerald and Adrian Grandon.

This book breaks it down from moodboards, design software like CAD, and building your own portfolio. I suggest you take a look at the website internetarchive.org. You can read the book there for free. This book has transformed the way I plan out my designs.

Hope the tips help!

300 things I want

So Steve Harvey said to write down 300 things we want in life. 

By number 100, I was struggling to come up with items, goals, dreams, dates, and other things I could want. I'm currently at number 130, trying to understand what parts of my life are unfilled. Also, understanding how much I have already, I didn't realize. Trying to think outside the box of how my life would improve with these wants. I'm left wondering how many I can actually accomplish on this list.

This was honestly just a quick update, happy Wednesday!

Becoming A Fan Of Fear Street, R.L. Stine And Growing Up With Horror

 Hello World... I'm your wild girl

I grew up on R.L. Stine. It has always been a huge part of my life. As I've gotten older, horror has become my favorite genre. I realized the horror bug has always been a part of me. Monster House, Coraline, and Are You Afraid of the Dark. Goosebumps, though, was always my favorite! Bringing in Goosebumps older sister, FEAR STREET, a whole new world.

Last week, I got around to my summerween watchlist and watched the Fear Street trilogy on Netflix. It was everything I needed. I'll be honest, last year, I watched Fear Street: Prom Queen before I ever saw the three-movie saga, which is probably the reason it took me so long to watch the trilogy, because of how bad Prom Queen was. In my opinion, of course, the movie had so much potential. But it fell flat.

Slasher horror has always been my favorite genre, to be honest. It has definitely grown over time from personal underrated favorites. Scream TV adaptation, Wrong Turn, and House of Wax. Of course, you can definitely argue that there are way better slashers; I wouldn't even disagree with you. But when you start from the beginning of this genre, what film popularized it? I would say John Carpenter's 1978 Halloween film. No, this movie was not the first slasher, but it's used as the template for slashers. Good ones and Bad ones. 

The films that run this genre have mostly always been man-driven. While I have no problem with that. It's not free from criticism. When you think of the classics, Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Friday the 13th, to name a few. As much as the world and I enjoy this genre, feel that for a long time, some of these older movies have over-the-top violence towards women and the misogyny that follows. Partially, I can acknowledge that some of these films can bring a sense of empowerment to women with the "Final Girl" trope. When I think of Fear Street, I see how it has come so far, from earlier slashers and what we were used to in R.L. Stine. adaptations.

Following Deena. At the beginning of the film, she is introduced as the main protagonist. We find out in the first movie about Sarah Fier, the witch who cursed the town of Shadyside. This trilogy explores having an unapologetic LGBTQ+ representation front and center. Which was done very well. While also showing religious and patriarchal oppression as the root of who Sarah Fier is and what initially happened to her. Fear Street 1978 was my favorite. It's something about a 70s to 80s summer camp. The clothes, the hair, and the music they picked out for the soundtrack. Honestly, summer was the perfect time to watch these films.

knowing this was an adaptation of R.L. Stine. I didn't think it would have as much gore as it did. Also very excited to find out it was directed by a woman, Leigh Janiak. Although a lot of the film is inspired by classics, I do believe these films are strong. I'm excited for the next Fear Street movie to come out. 

Let this be your top summer watch.