ootd: 3.22.2012

wearing: sweater - charlotte russe // dress - old navy // necklaces - self made or fashion accessory // boots - f21 clearance // gold bikini top - walmart years and years ago

not really a big fan of this outfit. i've always found this dress unflattering, but the subtle gold sparkle keeps it in my grasp. i'm finally going to let it go since each time i've worn it i've been disappointed. i'm not sure if these big ruffle bodices are for me.

garden: sprouts: 03.21.2012

sleepy king <3

earlier this week i took a few photos of my fox and bunny from savannah of sleepy king. but sleepy king is much more than just adorable woodland animals, savannah also offers jewelry, hair accessories (i also have an owl wing headband!) and embroidered art. new designs have been appearing every week, and since she's also got quite a few items on sale - there's no reason you shouldn't click over for a look. be sure to check out the sleepy king blog as well and see a few other of my photos from this set.

owl wing necklaces // owl wing hairclip // fox embroidery

ootd: 03.21.2012

wearing: sweater - charlotte russe / maxi dress - i heart ronson / sandals - shoe store near our house that i can't think of the name / sunnies - foster grant / necklace - modcloth clearance but the tassel fell off / heart locket - dollar general

there have been so many time where i've almost donated this dress or sold it in a yard sale only to grab it back. i'm not sure why i don't wear it more often, but i love the mix of patterns and the colorful contrasting print on the straps and bottom band.

backyard: 03.19.2012

the rosenbergs

"It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York."







"Dearest Julie, They'll be putting out the lights soon and then I'll be alone with you. So I pretend, anyway. Oh, how I miss you and long to be in your arms where I belong. Good night darling."





She would sing arias, German lieder, and popular songs of the day. One of Julius's favorites was "Good Night, Irene," and on one occasion, after Ethel had sung it, Julius responded by inexpertly singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." These two lovers, condemned to death and separated by thirty feet, singing to one another from their cells...









"Ethel!" he cried. They rushed at each other and embraced tightly, covering each other's faces with fierce kisses. Before anyone knew what was happening, they began pawing one another with wild abandon. They lost all control and wrestled passionately. The witnesses to the scene were stunned by the suddenness and violence of the out burst. They looked on in amazement at the writhing, groaning figures.

Finally, the guards and matron recovered. They pounced on them, pulling them apart. Julius was lifted bodily and plumped hard into a chair. Ethel was dragged none too gently. They were still panting....

Julius's face was so smeared with lipstick, it looked as if he were bleeding. He laced his hair back with his fingers; Ethel pulled her shirt together in a modest gesture which seemed ludicrous under the circumstances. She pulled her skirt down and demurely patted her disheveled hair. She could not see the red blotches on her face from her own lipstick smudged off from Julius'. When Bloch's face came into focus, she felt humiliated and began to cry.

The conference was cancelled. The warden ordered that for future meetings they would be handcuffed and sit on opposite ends of a conference table, each next to a guard. Orders were given to the guards that the two never be allowed to touch again.





...A last opportunity for physical contact came on the night of the execution. They sat on opposite sides of a mesh screen, only minutes away from their execution. The two were allowed to talk privately. At 7:20p.m., 40 minutes before his execution, a guard place his hand on his shoulder.

Julius brought his fingers to his lips and pressed his fingers through the mesh screen as Ethel did just the same. Blood dribbled down the screen as they finger-kissed each other goodbye.





Dearest Sweethearts, my most precious children,


Only this morning it looked like we might be together again after all. Now that his cannot be, I want so much for you to know all that I have come to know. Unfortunately, I may write only a few simple words; the rest your own lives must teach you, even as mine taught me. At first, of course, you will grieve bitterly for us, but you will not grieve alone. That is our consolation and it must eventually be yours. Eventually, too you must come to believe that life is worth the living. Be comforted that even now, with the end of ours slowly approaching, that we know this with a conviction that defeats the executioner! Your lives must teach you, too, that good cannot really flourish in the midst of evil; that freedom and all the things that go to make up a truly satisfying and worthwhile life, must sometimes be purchased very dearly. Be comforted then that we were serene and understood with the deepest kind of understanding, that civilization had not as yet progressed to the point where life did not have to be lost for the sake of life; and that we were comforted in the sure knowledge that others would carry on after us. We wish we might have had the tremendous joy and gratification of living our lives out with you. Your Daddy who is with me in these last momentous hours, sends his heart and all the love that is in it for his dearest boys. Always remember that we were innocent and could not wrong our conscience.

We press you close and kiss you with all our strength.


Lovingly,
Daddy and Mommy
Julie Ethel







While Julius' execution went smoothly, the current had to be turned on and off five times before Ethel was dead.



"Julie Dearest, Since Wednesday and all the good, sweet words that passed between us, I have been walking on air. My dear one, rest easy; I am ever fortified in your love."

softspoken march diy: feminist tee

supplies needed:

one white tee - i used an xl v-neck for an oversized slouchy fit

white school glue (most tutorials using this watermark effect claim that plain white washable school glue will not work and that you should buy the blue gel style elmer's glue. i used the regular ol' white kind since it was all i had, but was very careful to not agitate it or disturb it in the process. it came out fine using the following technique)

scissors

one package of dye in the color of your choice (i'd recommend stronger colors - i'm not sure how well yellow or something similar would do). i used dylon intense violet.

spray bottle

soap and water

cardboard or something to place in your tee to keep the glue from seeping through to the other side.



HOW TO:

step one (optional): if you'd like an off the shoulder look or want to crop your shirt, go ahead and cut it up! i just cut out the neck of mine by folding it so that the shoulder seams match (think of laying it in profile) and cut about an inch below the sewn in neck. it doesn't take much to get it to hang off the shoulder so be careful not to cut too much. if you're unsure, cut a little and try it on and cut more if needed. i also cut the finished edges off my sleeves. with more wears and washes the raw edges will start to roll, so don't be too worried if your cuts aren't perfect.



step two: lie your tee flat and place your cardboard inside of it behind where you'll be writing with your glue. draw your message! i made sure to draw mine nice and thick. the goal here is to create a space where the dye will not seep through so be sure to make your letters or image thick enough to block the dye - otherwise your words will be hard to read.





step three: put your tee in a safe place where it can lie flat. let the glue dry completely. i didn't think this would take that long, but i ended up letting mine dry overnight.

step four: mix your dye in a large bowl (use something that won't get stained like stainless steel - or a plastic bowl you don't mind messing up - or a bucket) according to package instructions. i usually add salt to my dye when i'm coloring other things, but i wasn't sure how it'd react with the glue so i didn't this time (since i was using washable school glue, i wanted to make sure it would stay on long enough for the dye process). stir well to make sure it's completely dissolved. pour dye into your spray bottle (i used an old glass cleaner bottle and filled it up about halfway).



step five: take your tee outside. spray the dye onto the area where your word or image is. using the spray bottle will create a sort of splatter effect. you can go with this or keep spraying for more complete coverage. i ended up hanging mine from a tree to make spraying the front and back a little easier. (i used the spraying technique since i was using the washable glue and was worried that completely submerging the shirt in water and dye would cause the glue to wash away and ruin the image. you could try submerging your piece and dying as usual, but i would suggest using the blue gel glue or trying it with the white glue on a test piece first). let the tee sit for about an hour (or less depending on how dark you want your dye to be).





tip: when spraying, be sure to lift up the sleeves and straighten out the wrinkles and folds to get a complete coverage.





step six: take your tee inside and rinse it gently in the sink (be sure your sink will not stain - otherwise use a waterhose outdoors) with cold water. wash out the dye until the water starts to run clear. you can wring the areas around your drawing to squeeze out the dye, but be careful not to agitate the glue area until most of the dye has drained from the sink. when your water begins to run clear, take a bit of soap and wash off the glue.






step seven: wring out the water and throw it in the dryer. wear and enjoy - mine's a bit wrinkly, but i couldn't wait to share!





please note: original inspiration for this tutorial here. my version just gives you the option of using the white school glue by spraying on your dye since the white glue is more accessible and easier on the pocketbook. take a peek at the link for a bit more inspiration for your designs - her allover effect is striking and would be perfect for your favorite lyrics!

our street: in bloom: 03.18.2012