.kinda nice...

Here's a peek at the newest buckles being added to my Etsy.

New York’s latest creative duo are whipping up handmade belts perfect for both the fashionable you, and your little brother!

19-year-old twins, Dee & Ricky Jackson, have been a part of downtown’s back drop since modeling for a handful of streetwear brands that started picking them out of the scenery. 5 years ago they began designing belts with XBox game controller buckles as part of a marketing scheme for the gaming system. Evolving their idea, the Staten Island boys are now creating versions of their belts using other brands’ controllers and mini Etch-A-Sketches, but their big break looks like its on the verge of happening right as we speak!

“We met Marc Jacobs through his boyfriend Jason Preston at a party in the Hamptons… Jason was feeling the belts so we gave him a couple. He showed Marc and Marc called us up personally, going crazy like ‘I want these belts for my show for fashion week!’”

Dee & Ricky’s Lego version belt and buckles appeared in the Marc by Marc Spring 2008 show in several forms including brooches, barrettes, and bolos and immediately became a favorite of Kanye West. Currently the twins are ironing out details for an exclusive deal with the luxury designer. They’ve already created a solid gold version of their Lego buckle and are currently working on several other big projects.

Dee & Ricky are keeping a tight lid on their creations but you can find them at Kid Robot and Colette (Paris). They will also take special orders via email: info@deeandricky.com.

Visit them online: www.deeandricky.com

What should you exactly look for in a tactical gear? Here is your checklist:

Durability

First off, you need to find out if the tactical gear that you are about to buy is durable and strong. Remember that tactical gears can be quite expensive and you want to invest something that would give you value for your money.

Functionality

Functionality is also another thing that you should look out for when shopping for tactical gears. They should have the right technology when it comes to functionality. You are buying something that you would use for your line of work, so make sure that it something that is very beneficial to you in terms of function. 5.11 Vests

Protection

One of the primary reasons why you should invest on tactical gear is to protect yourself. There are actually a number of options for you when it comes this function. You can get a light coverage gear or heavy-duty gear. You should also consider the weather and choose a tactical gear for mild weather or for severe winters. It is also important to buy waterproof tactical gears.

Comfort and Style

Finally, if you would shop for tactical gears, it is only but right to choose something that you would be comfortable wearing. These products come in a wide range of styles and colors that you can choose from. Even if you are using tactical gears during your work, there is no stopping you from becoming trendy and stylish.

You can always go online to do your shopping when looking for tactical gears. You can get a wide range of choices at discount prices. Make sure to compare prices and product features to get the best value for your money!

Posted by Feodora Umarov

Last week, dear readers, you might have noticed my mention of having cleaned the bathroom thoroughly. Well, it was acceptable, and I'm discovering that I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my bathroom and my bedroom. If no other two rooms of my house look decent, those two rooms (which often enough nobody else sees!) must be spotless. How frustrating!

At any rate, I shined the bathroom sink last night (as I said) and that got me started. I was bored later on in the evening waiting for DH to come home from work, so I followed that up by cleaning the toilet and the mirrors, as well as wiping down the other surfaces. It wasn't great, but it was acceptable.

I was going to do more today, but I decided to hit the bathtub as well as I could. Unfortunately I feel as though the paneling is going to want to be replaced because bleach isn't doing anything to get rid of the soap scum. I'm going to try something else (tilex first, then see what else is out there) and see what I can do about it tomorrow. I don't want to mix chemicals though, so I have to make sure it's been used for a couple of showers before I do anything. Should get a good rinse that way!

Tomorrow's project is just the bathroom walls. It doesn't sound like much, but this bathroom really hasn't been cleaned since so long before we moved in here that it's scary. Not the landlord's fault either -- we agreed to do the work, and are just now getting around to it! Hopefully I'll be able to get the mildew stains off the tile! Tuesday I'm hitting up the bathroom floor, and I mean a thorough, hands and knees scrubbing for the bathroom floor. And I'm going to use bleach, because I want it to shine. I'm going to get in all the corners and everything. Then I'm going to really give it a good polish (after a rinse, mind you!).

I'm going on here, and I'm not sure there is a point except to keep writing every day. Sorry about that, readers.

One thing that I did talk to DH about tonight was the accountability issue that I mentioned yesterday. I don't know whether or not he agrees to it because he was glued to the TV at the time. That's something we really need to work on in our relationship, is communication. I never feel like he's paying attention when the TV is on. Anyway... So we talked about it, or rather I talked and he... Listened.

One thing that I mentioned is that I do feel that DD needs to come with it's share of rewards, too. I'm not saying that we, as adult women, are like children, but the fact is that a healthy dose of good things in return for the changes that we make is good.

Now I understand that there are universal rewards: A peaceful home, a sense of well-being, increased self-confidence, etc. But I like to know that DH recognizes what I've done, and it's good to do something for myself that directly relates to the changed behavior.

A long time ago, we talked about doing something for the house for every room that got really done. Well only one room ever got "really" done and nothing came of it, so the idea went out the window. But I brought it up again tonight. I want a new set of nice towels that match the bathroom once the room is done. I think it will look better to have towels on the towel racks, and it will be a nice way to round off the room in general.

I'm not sure about the other rooms, but I'll come up with something. It's all about making a house a home. For me, the more "homey" a house feels, the more likely I am to really keep up with it.

DH does have some projects that need to be done before I want to get those towels though. There are some tiles that need to be replaced and I think I'm going to ask him to either show me how to do it or do it himself before we call that room finished and move on to "decorating" another room. Yes, we're still decorating, painting and things like that. The living room is half done in terms of the painting, but we also want to add a chair rail, which is going to take some work getting done. I need to have a good discussion with DH about that, too.

Well, this has been a rather odd entry in a DD blog. I guess in other (DD related news) I've asked DH for a spanking tonight. I'm not sure if I'm going to get it, but I tried to mention to him that I need leather once in awhile. The wooden implements we have really are primarily for punishment purposes and I absolutely hate them. So I'm hoping that he'll learn to use his belt for maintenance (since I actually like it to a certain degree, as long as it isn't overdone).

Well, I am going to sign off now and try to keep away from the temptation to do those bathroom walls!

1. Belt ( Sabuk khusus yang di peruntukkan melekatkan Holster )

2. Holster ( Tempat untuk meletakkan senjata di pinggang )

3. Speed Loader / Magasine ( Tempat untuk meletakkan peluru )

4. Kaca mata ( Untuk melindungi mata dari kemungkinan bubuk mesiu )

5. Senjata ( Untuk senjata bisa di pilih seperti pistol atau revolver )

Hi Lovlies,

It feels like it's been forever. Probably because it has. I have had so much trouble with my internet lately, or maybe it was Flickr, something... I haven't been able to upload any of my photos to Flickr without the dreaded *bonk* response. Heartbreaking really. Maddinging too. 

Anyhoo, I've seem to have fixed this problem by drop-kicking my old internet provider for a faster one. This means more Better Imagined with less wait time. And that is something to celebrate isn't it? ;)) Now, on with the show as I have SO MUCH to catch you up on.

This picture and the one at the top of the post were both taken at Plunder, a way cool airship shopping extravaganza in the sky. They have some cool shops there, and it's also where I bought my top, belt and jeans. The top is from Kyoot Army and I had been eyeing it at the main shop for a surprisingly long time (I have little willpower when it comes to cute clothes, so how I held out on this shirt is beyond me.) The belt is also from K.A. and the detail is amazing. A good belt makes jeans feel special. :))

The jeans are from Desert Moon Clothiers and I like their distressed, worn, faded look. You get a skinny pair to tuck in boots and the pair I am wearing for L$125. Not bad I'd say. I'm thinking of getting the distressed grey wash as well. We'll see how long I last.

The boots are from Bax and they seem to be making the circuit of all the girls in the know. I'd ran across them while sim hopping, a huge billboard of them looming the horizon. Let's just say it was love at first sight. Mind you they aren't cheap- L$700- but they are a classic shape done well, they have a bunch of color change options, some lace socks to adorn the tops (I have yet to play with those yet), and a heel click adjustment. When it comes to shoes, you get what you pay for, and these you'll have forever. They also come in suede but I think the black patent is by far the most swoon-worthy.

Hair is Sky Everett and if you're a hair junkie you're already addicted to her styles. A little bit dramatic in an Elvira sort of way, a little fancy, and way sexy. I wear her hairs with everything, all the time. Sometimes with nothing too. ;))

***

Visit Plunder Airship Outpost @ (177, 180, 251)

'Dark Bella Morte' belt & 'Snake Charmer' shirt from Kyoot Army @ (190, 223, 21)

'Lost Jean X' from Desert Moon Clothiers @ (213, 86, 47)

'Black Patent Ankle' Boots from BAX @ (226, 174, 114)

'Quiet Seduction' in Raven from Sky Everett Designs @ (39, 62, 39)

Posted by Feodora Umarov

Sure, Korto didn't have her best showing last night. And none of them knocked it out of the park. But Kenley's boring mock-neck-racer-back-scaly-fish number really should have sent her home. The only good thing about it was that she removed the fish-scale sleeves.

Add her attitude ("I wasn't going for elegant, Heidi.") and I'd say auf wiedersehen.

In the future, cities will become deserts.
Roads will become battlefields.
And the hope of mankind will appear as a stranger.

The plane coughed twice as it lifted heavily above Bartertown, an oily black cloud of smoke moving across the baleful sun.  Circling low above the cliffs, the echoes of its engine taunted the Tomorrow-morrow children out from their hiding places to throw rocks. Thick metal wings turned in slow, cumbersome contrast to their skinny, gesturing arms. It seemed impossible that such a bulky thing could rise and fall on nothing more than shimmering currents of hot air, spooking an occasional sand devil when it dropped too close to land like some drunken bird.

And yet it was the sand devil that captured my attention.  As it dissipated, strange beasts moved into view from behind the cliff, striking out across the parched sand.  With a flat head atop a long curved neck, a tall lumpy back, and four long legs, this was no creature I'd ever come across in our part of The Wastelands.

In a whisper, I counted as each one emerged... six in a line... towing a vehicle behind them all. At the very top of this rolling heap was a man, his thick hair streaming back as his hands guided the strange animals confidently forward.

He was caught unawares.  In the roar of an engine, a glint of sunlight on steel, the plane appeared and struck the man down.  His body made a slow motion arc, legs rising up as he fell onto his back in the sand, raising a puff of dust.  In fast motion, the plane's pilot and a smaller human passenger made a hasty landing and an even hastier getaway with everything.

The sun grimaces across a metallic sky... I continue to watch... waiting for a sign of life.

Finally the man sits up and shakes his head. He rolls stiffly onto his hands and knees, then into a crouch, hands spaced apart in the dust.  With a deep breath, he pushes his body upright, swaying a bit as he slaps his hands loudly against his thighs. One dusty arm lifts to shade his eyes. Turning to slowly scan the horizon, the ragged leather of his sleeves hangs inert in the heat. His arm drops. He begins walking with the steady rhythm of decision. My Neko senses tingle: his shadow points like a knife blade towards the distant gates of Bartertown.

You wanna get outta here?
He may be the best chance we've got.

From Mad Max to The Wastelands

My imaginary story was inspired by the movie Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, and seasoned with a heavy dose of time spent exploring a fascinating place in Second Life known as The Wastelands.  It's an area comprising multiple post-apocalyptic sims with names like The Junkyard, Fort Stygian, Bloodmoss Swamp, and The Great Fissure -- all of which feature awesome landscape, buildings, and objects (not to mention avatars) that would look completely at home in any Mad Max movie, not to mention any other post-holocaust / apocalypse story setting.

Whether it's a virtual world, movie, comic book, or novel, post apocalypse themes foretell of a future in which our world and society have gone sideways, as a result of global catastrophe and/or poor societal choices.  Story lines often introduce mysterious heroes who are destined to save humanity -- all of which is perfect fodder for roleplay.  In fact if you decide to visit The Wastelands or its adjacent sims (and I highly recommend you do), come prepared to engage in an RPG dialogue.

Neko Fashion, Post Apocalypse

Nekos must be ready for any situation, particularly after a holocaust.  This outfit's plethora of dangerous accessories requires that you manually attach your tail to your Left Pec (editing it into proper position) to leave room for all the other goodies.

Note: Tails that feature embedded "action" scripts (i.e., touching the tail brings up a chat action) are typically NOT able to be manually attached. I wore my favorite older (non-scripted) Atomic Neko tail with this outfit.

Top left: Suicide necklace above my tattoo; Middle: Barbed wire neko bandage, 45 rpm gauntlet on wrist; Right: Bukka's Belt Volvic. (click photo to enlarge)

| Hair | Eat Rice! Kawaii in Auburn (with 'coon brown' tips, very easily tinted, thanks to this hairstyle's easy-touch scripted menu)
| Piercings | Deviant Kitties: Low Bridge and Lip Rings
| Tattoo | Nasty Tatts: Wrapped Dragon full body
| Necklace | Spica Shop: Suicide Necklace
| Top | Bare Rose: Haruka (giveaway set)
| Arm, upper right | PrimtroniCS: barbed wire neko bandage camo
| Arms, lower left | Atomic: Bloody arm band (a great Group member gift)
| Arm, lower right | PBI / Pushbutton Industries: 45 RPM Gauntlet in black metal
| Gloves | Avid: from the "Ellagarto" outfit
| Back | Kitty Scraps: Zombie Bat w/Rope
| Pants | Bare Rose: Haruka (giveaway set)
| Belt | Bukka: Belt Volvic with iPod M in Black (Bukka's textures ROCK!)
| Stockings | Sheer: Torn Tights Black
| Legwarmers | Kitty Scraps: Zombie
| Shoes | Lazy Places: WoolyBully boots (feet only) in black (these come with cute tintable legwarmers; but I didn't wear them because I wanted bloody ones).  ^_^  Oh, and this store has a pretty cool Halloween build happening too... check it out!

Left: Back view of cute Eat Rice "Kawaii" hair and Kitty Scraps' "Zombie" bat; Middle: Atomic's "Bloody Armwarmer" (free with group membership); Right: Sheer's "Torn Tights;" Kitty Scraps' "Zombie" legwarmers; Lazy Places' "Wooly Bully" boots in black (click photo to enlarge)

Visit The Wastelands in Second Life
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Wastelands/127/144/73

Visit The Junkyard in Second Life
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Junkyard/127/185/72

Visit The Great Fissure in Second Life
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Great%20Fissure/126/114/68

Visit Fort Stygian in Second Life
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fort%20Stygian/108/177/73

P.S. Mad Max Fans Alert
A fourth Mad Max movie is reportedly in the making: " Mad Max 4: Fury Road" -- co-written with cult British comic book creator Brendan McCarthy, who designed many new characters and vehicles. Previous "Max" director George Miller would direct this sequel, which will likely be filmed in Namibia, Africa. Details were confirmed by Miller in November 2006, and again at the 2007 Aurora film maker initiative. In October 2007, production offices re-opened at Fox Studios in Sydney, Australia. The only catch? Miller is considering doing the film using a Hollywood unknown to take the role of Max, as he thought Mel Gibson would not be interested in the film because he is too old. (nooo...!!!)

Awesome photos and photoshop talent by Bobby Yoshikawa <3***

=^..^=

Todays release are 4 new belts! Each of the 4 belts has a different look. I recommend the "PVC Wrapped Steel Belt" It has a big skull ribbon with steel lining and a bit of liquid steel draping off the ribbon. There is a live display in the accessories section so go check it out!

Click Here to go to the Accessories Section

I still have tonnes of work to finish up, but until it's done I thought I'd give you a couple work in progress shots.  I would have liked some prettier photos, but I don't have time for that.

Enjoy!

]]> http://thisislifeinaustin.wordpress.com/?p=422 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:54:12 +0000 Lyssa http://thisislifeinaustin.com/2008/09/29/lets-talk-about-the-second-street-district/ Formerly, I was not impressed with the Second Street District. My main beef was that it's ridiculously hard to park. I get that it's a mixed-use development and you're supposed to walk, but say you don't live there and you still want to shop there--give me just one free parking garage! Bridges on Lamar has a free parking garage for its retail.

My number two beef is that everything closes early. Some of the shops were closed at 6pm! But I think that's gradually changing, and the restaurants are obviously open.

Also, the shops are all expensive. And they still are. But it seems like they've started finding a good mix of high- and lower-priced items, like $34 shoes next to $230 dresses. Plus there's always Peyton's Place, which is very reasonable. Today I LOVED Estilo. Obviously, you say, everyone knows Estilo is the place to go. But today there was just the friendliest sales girl, the cutest LBD, and sweet vintage belts from Moss Mills.

I also loved Shiki--friendly salesgirl again, but also some really cute dresses, especially a short green silk jumper-style dress. Hard to describe, but it was precious. I really missed out on the silk romper craze this summer season ... but then again, where in the world do you wear a silk romper?! I might have to break my steadfast no-shorts-at-night rule for a silk romper.

I digress. So the new boutique Minx seems pretty cool, but every time I go there it is closed. This includes a random Saturday, today at noon, and tonight at 6pm. Also, they're already having a sale. If a boutique just opened AND is never open, what can it possibly have to put on sale?! Um, maybe most of its inventory?

Point is, maybe like me you thought Second Street is an expensive place with boutiques with little selection. True. But remember that it's Austin, and you can roll up shoe-less or whatever and the salespeople will still happily ask you to let them know if you need any help.

Anyway, go shop. Fuel our downtrodden economy...

UPDATE

MINX was open today! I went around 2pm, and the owner, Kate, was there and as sweet as she could be. They also had great summery silk dresses on sale for $120, beautiful bright yellow, shimmery purple, pretty, un-fussy flowers ... good stuff. The prices were a good mix, though the cutest things were all expensive, of course. There was good jewelry too. Worth checking out, and hopefully they've worked out the kinks of opening hours!

I am really tired of the Julia Stiles/ Kirsten Dunst philosophy that you can show up at red carpet events in schlumpy clothes. Come on. Maggie Gyllenhaal has pulled herself together. Claire Danes wears couture clothes and still is considered a serious artist.

You can do it. Shed the frumpy clothes, comb your hair, consider some mascara. I guarantee you will still respect yourself in the morning.

Let's look at this dress:

Brown with light blue polka dots, a blackbig bow belt, and white frilly poofy sleeves-bet you wouldn't seek that out on your own now would you. Nor did I, however I am pleased with the find.

Its one of those moments where you wonder "why do I like this, do I like this, I think I do, I can't stop looking at it" and while debating you end up falling in love with it.

Got to make a decision and move with it, that's for sure especially with fashion. If you aren't sure, no one else will be either.

So long as you love what you wear and wear what you love all is well by me.

I freaking love this bow belt, by the way. It has a little hook underneath so it is easy to match up with any other outfit, too. A black belt on a brown dress would never have been my first choice, but why not. This is how it came and was intended to be worn and I am quite enjoying it.

Anyway, here's what my table looked like last night.  I'm just about to bust them out of their molds now.

I'll share more when I have them all finished up!

]]> http://foreignboutique.wordpress.com/?p=598 Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:07:05 +0000 jasfy13 http://foreignboutique.pt-br.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/lrg/ [/caption] ]]> http://xssat.wordpress.com/?p=22 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:28:48 +0000 Xiaohan http://xssat.pt-br.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/blue-monotone-central-station/

He does the skinny jeans well with a non-trendoid approach, nice and refreshing, stands out from the army of arty boys that all dress the same. Note the transformer/autobot belt buckle, nice!

The dress feels like Queen Victoria dressed in Ralph Lauren. It also feels a little heavy-handed, with the lace and the darting and the gathers and the high neck and the long sleeves and the scalloped edges.

Closer inspection of the fabric is also confusing. At first, I thought it was a lace overlay, a la Prada. But close up it seems that it is printed on the fabric. I dunno. I'm just so confused.