We have many choices in life, one of them being to disappoint or to impress people.  When it comes to school though, I'm usually the student that goes beyond what is asked, but lately I'm getting worn out.

I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to disappoint, in most cases, but there are times in life where you have to choose who to let down in times of struggle, and that's really hard for me to realize.

Last night I spent forever working on my dress, making it completely from scratch, sewing everything together with my PFAFF machine that I'm lending from my aunt.  I showed up to class at the regular time and everything was perfect, my teacher spent individual time with me for probably an hour in the bathroom as we tweaked it to fit correctly... fyi the sheerness of the muslin made my striped granny panties easily seen. Even though working so hard on that was worth it in the end, I neglected my fashion history homework because the overload from everything else.

I went into my teacher/student conference shaky, whether it was from lack of sleep, nervousness, or caffeine, I don't know... but I bombed it.  There haven't been that many times in my life that I can honestly say that I wanted to disappear, but at that moment I wanted to soak into that hard cushion and never reveal myself.  Maybe seeing her tomorrow will be a different story.  I have to study my butt off for her extremely hard exam tonight but at the moment all I want to do is sleep.

I'm exhausted, worn out, and looking for the weekend which starts at approx. 6:20pm Wednesday... whatever it brings me.

Thank God for Easter break... but seriously, thank you lord.
--Athena

The depressing weather is putting a damper on my exercise attitude.  I've been warming this leather lazy boy with my un-exercised booty for the past two hours now just because I'm unmotivated to move.  I've devoured the rest of my Cherry Garcia Fro-yo, and I need groceries.  It's one of those attitudes that you know what you have to do, but yet the idea of bumming around just seems oh so much better.

I haven't been on in a while mainly because I'm either busy or extremely bumming which means I don't even have the effort to write in this bad boy... so we found out today that our fashion show at the UICA isn't happening any longer.  Coming back to school after a week off for spring break makes you lazy, but with that news, I'm just a little mad/sad.  Good news though, we still get to have a fashion show, but it'll be at the school during the week instead of a museum on the weekend, not exactly what we had in mind, but it's something.

Speaking of spring break I probably had the best spring break I've ever had... sadly all the pictures from my trip to Baltimore lay on my sister's smart phone, so I shall be stealing those soon, but as we walked to the harbor, ate at both classy restaurants and the standard school cafeteria, I realized that I need my sister closer to my side.  I know I've missed her, but leaving her again at the airport just made it harder.  It was also cute being asked if we were twins riding the buses around the city as well.

During my time spent in "the Greatest City in America" I clung to my sisters' side in her office.  For four days straight I got up much much earlier than usual and lounged on my computer as she did her work, we even are starting up our Etsy store and I decided to make a logo for us.

Well, I think it's about time to get off this chair and actually get up and do some sort of yoga exercise and shower... then I have to chose my classes. WHOOHOO for waking up at 7am tomorrow to schedule classes online, basically an online battle.  

Gotta go read and do everything else, hope the weather isn't bumming all your moods as much as mine... 

--Athena

The snow is falling to create a thick layer of cake outside, and I want to add frosting to it.  I don't know why but I always feel the need to relate experiences and happenings to different types of food... maybe I'm just a fat kid at heart.  I've been extremely busy lately, and my only posts are from my polyvore account that are stylings for my ModCloth dress that is soon to be published, well give or take a month or two.

Between classes, and running around for them I'm finally sitting down to write down a few things that have been happening.  Today was a day for new things, I got off my butt and conquered some fears of doing things by myself and bought a plane ticket to see my sister in a few weeks for spring break, my gosh I'm so excited to see my beautiful tall sister.

BOOM!

Also, I've been working on my self portrait for digital imaging... this class is definitely out of my comfort zone, but with the right tools, like my bamboo from my beautiful friend Grace, I can actually paint on my computer.  It's challenging, but once I'm in the zone I work hard... the thing is getting in that zone to begin with.

There's a little slice of it...

Also, I've been trying to get together a nice concoction of my inspiration lately.  Today I turned in my sketches for the dress that I'll be making for a fashion show coming up in late April that I may or may not be modeling.  So I'll post pictures of those things once I'm further on.

I hope everyone is enjoying the crisp weather outside, don't slip and slide too much, and make an extra cup of tea or chocolate for me :)

--Athena

My logo that I designed. whatchaaa, took me a while and I think I'm still going to tweak it, but it's finally in the works.

As Mod Podge fumes filled the air I decided to shop online... the thing with that is that I always look and never buy, I'm safari shopping.  Something cool did happen though, as I was shopping dresses I stumbled upon my very own dress that's being sold... remember the one I was telling you about? it's out and I'm beyond excited.  Poor Laura was just plain shocked at my reaction, I was freaking out and needed to call my Mom and sister.

I have to get up early and do more homework in the fashion lab and then study for another exam, but my tiny little school is celebrating Valentine's day with cupcakes and I'm quite the happy little school girl, maybe I'll snatch some for the road.  Tomorrow will be a day filled with sappy movies, and spending time with lovely people.  

Happy Valentine's day viewers, I love you all

--Athena

I've spent a solid amount of time within this past week watching some s/s 13 couture runway shows.  Whether by myself, or trying to explain certain trends to my friend Isaac at 3am, there were some things that genuinely caught my eye as fairly interesting.  

These are just a few that I liked.

While randomly searching on stylesight I also found some fairly interesting suits/patterned pjs that just look absolutely luxurious.  I've never been a huge fan of a garment such as this, but I find it'd very comfortable for the spring time.  Living in such an area that I do and hating snow, I'm pining for the warmth that springtime possesses.  Maybe this is me trying to warm myself, from the inside out, viewing images online.

School has been pretty hectic lately, and I've been meaning to write more on here and post pictures, but sometimes it's hard to make the time, even though I'm mainly on the computer anyways.  I miss my family, and I miss my sister even more.  I've been mentally overwhelmed with classes, and relationships, and I'm just ready to hide in a cocoon of blankets with sweet coffee.

Good day viewers,

going to go drink some coffee with some beautiful friends.

--Athena

When I was told that I did in fact win the contest, I was ecstatic, but I was also told that I had to answer a few questions from ModCloth...

• What is your design experience?
• What inspiration helped inform your design?
• Where would you wear your piece?
• In general, what places, eras, trends, etc. inspire your style aesthetic?
• Do you have any fashion trends you’re loving this year?
• Who is your style icon?
• Do you have any future design plans/aspirations/dreams?
• A swatch of fabric can spark your creative juices, but what other materials, media, places, or artistic fields impact your design work?
• What visual queues or design ideas did the swatch inspire in your piece?

My Answers are as follows:

• My design experience in general ignited at a young age, but recently I rekindled the fire in my fashion illustration class this year.  For the first time I created an eight piece collection that was cohesive and had an overall theme, and I loved it.  I have only made one dress, a collared shirt, and two skirts, but they've mainly been made from patterns I've created myself.

• When I started designing this piece I figured that I wanted all shapes and sizes to be able to wear such a garment.  I think that the cut of the sweetheart neckline with the boning of the bodice complements the collarbones, and gives a slimming effect with the swirling of the already busy pattern.  I just wanted to create a garment that complements any body who'd want to purchase and wears this.

• This style of dress can be worn for multiple occasions.  I originally thought that the dress alone could be paired with light accessories, bright flats or pumps for a light summer brunch, or for a summer soiree a cardigan and belt could be added.  I think that the simplicity of the cut, with the busy zig-zag pattern is an easy look for any occasion, any time of day.

• In general I love very cultured places, my greek heritage has always been a huge thing that I stand behind.  I also love the classic, elegant look of the 40s, and 50s woman, but I also love the business silhouette of the 30s woman.  I like a strong, independent, elegant, yet sexy, woman.  I'm also a huge fan of Rodarte, Marchesa, Elie Saab, Valentino, Chloe, Michael Kors, Balenciaga, and many more. I love the little intricate embellishments that give detail to pieces.  I'm an advocate for sparkle, I think that theres a fine line between gaudy and acceptable embellishments, you just need to know when you cross that.  Lastly, I love the elegance of ballet.  Beautifully dressed dancers gracing the stage in intricately sculpted tutus inspires me a great deal.

• For this past year I've been loving the trend of a bold lip. Dark plum, wine, or bright red, I like how with one piece of make-up you can totally transform a look.  Also, I love the collared botton-ups, flowy maxi skirts, big outerwear, and cut outs. 

• I don't know if I can necessarily name a style icon that I look to.  Felicity Jones', Rachel Zoe's, Olivia Palermo's, Jennifer Lawrence, and Mary-Kate Olsen's personal style is some of my favorites.  I like the range that these have because fashion is all about changing your look for what you're mood.  You don't wake up with the same feeling everyday so I think that it's a way of shaping what you want to feel, and what you want to portray.

• My sole dream is to become a fashion designer, rather that, be under another name or a name of my own, I'd like to provide pieces with my aesthetic.  I hope to move to a bigger city, design either ballet costumes, wedding dresses, red carpet garments, or every day pieces, I'd just like to be in the thick of it all.  Any shape or form of fashion, I would love to be in it.

• Since I go to an art school in an artsy city such as Grand Rapids, I'm around a lot of art.  I believe that paintings, and installations are a huge influence on my designs.  After taking an art history class my eyes were opened, and I had an appreciation for more artwork from back then than I ever have.  Also watching fashion shows, and jewelry lets me indulge in my more "sparkly, semi-gaudy" side.  I think music and nature are key parts in creating creative juices.  I think the crisp clean outdoors and classic piano, or folk music really help me.  If it's got a banjo, I'm in.

• I think that the swatch of fabric was a huge part in inspiring my design.  Since the dress was going to be made out of that cotton fabric I thought about the way it'll move, and the way that no other fabric was going to be used.  The whole idea of this simplistic a-line, sweetheart neckline dress was to showcase the zig-zag pattern that ModCloth showcased.

They also sent me some photographs... gosh dang, I'm so excited, plus I'm getting my check in the mail very soon, because at the moment I'm surviving off of $14 in my bank account.

This is the first prototype, so they're making adjustments, I can't wait to receive one of my own.

This morning I decided to come to the school with my roommate to work on pattern making for my fashion construction class tomorrow, so I'm in here alone.  I took this opportunity to snap some shots of the room that I've been working in since August.

But, I got here and realized that I can't exactly work on anything without my two dart sloper, what a bust.  Now it looks like I'll need to work on this later, but it's about time to eat some grub in the Cafe downstairs with my roommate.  For the next seven or so hours I'll be here, between fashion history and my digital imaging class.

In ModCloth news, I won!

I had to submit a headshot so this is it...

and this is the winning design... I'll submit what they've sent me later...

~Athena

I had today off of school because my fashion construction teacher was sick, so I took the opportunity to actually watch fashion shows, listen to music, drink some hot chocolate, and make a collage of what's inspiring me lately... hope you enjoy!

The Hall of Mirrors, bleach blonde blunt cuts, weird flowers, Swarovski ear cuffs, Jil Sander bag, Mason Martin Margiela for h&m boots, ballet, Girls on HBO, cats, colorful hair, and a Fossil watch.

Also, next time I'll update you on my ModCloth entry :)

~Athena