Let's *Clink* To That

 some reworked personal pieces

I stated briefly in my last post many moons ago that I started making jewellry, using this blog's namesake. So far business has been fruitful with the support of my friends, family, and by word of Carousill instagram. I've been pretty lucky starting out and have even made nice relationships with some suppliers. Things have been moving along and it all came together when I got my custom stamp from Kid Icarus . Right now I'm in the process of building my etsy shop, so that in itself is a journey on it's own, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. I can literally feel myself growing up, as this brand comes together. I decided that I don't want to subject Carousill to just jewelry but that I want to present it as an overall lifestyle accessories brand. I feel pretty weird calling my endeavors a brand, but if there's one thing I've learned from working in social media it's that everything you post, or put out there impacts your personal brand (a.k.a who you are!) I even wrote an about summary:

Inspired by nostalgic moments & a childlike wonder of pretty things. 

An object be it piece of jewelry, a candle or that lip balm in your purse is something you subconsiously carry with you through rites of passages, like a wallflower. Each piece I create is made with care, nothing but good ju-ju, and a hope that these accesories will someday accompany someone through their adventures.

Like a carousel, it's a ride that changes motions through every tune, but goes in circles none the less. 

As a child I've always loved going on carousels, they were pretty, fun, and it was the one ride you didn't have to be scared to go on because you just knew you were going to be okay by the end of it. This is how I view life and want to convey this through the things I create. It also helps that my name rhymes with it so I just changed some letters around ;) 

swaggie bags I gave to my guests

I recently invited some close friends over to celebrate a soft launch with me, we had rose wine, fondue and an overall good time catching up, reminiscing of our younger years (we're only 24).

Happy New Year

I will admit I've been a bad blogger in the last couple of months. Transitions arn't easy, so long story short, I've been really busy with life. Excuses, excuses, excuses...I know! 2012 has been quite the challenging year for me. Life subtracts and then it adds, changes happen and sometimes for the better. So for those who actually read this silly blog of mine, expect some big changes for 2013! For those of you who actually missed me here's what's been going on in my life for the past 3 months through instagram pics:

 

I turned 24 and the responsibilities hit me, but I'm loving every moment! The shoe pictures represents my career walk, I went from one job to another within a span of 3 months. So for these past few months I've been hustling. I've also started my own jewellry company called yours truly: Carousill, making jewellry is not only super relaxing for me but it lets me tell a story through the pieces I make, each piece is one of a kind, made from a different mood of mine, weaved for those who want a piece it's a story combined worn around a wrist, neck, ears, & fingers. As corny as this may sound I've found my inner peace. What I hope 2013 for all of you, is that you too find your inspiration, and the challenges you crave! Also expect this little blog of mine to showcase some pieces I make, and the process. I'm really excited for the New Year, new beginnings, new jewellry, new people to meet along the way..I'll also be doing some giveaways too, so keep posted ;) xo Geri

Workaholics and WTF happened to September?

Hello readers, well to those who actually take the time to read this silly blog o' mine! 

First and foremost sorry for totally skipping September, balancing work and blogging is actually pretty gotdamn hard. With that said here's what's been happening in my super mundane Canadian life, I've been in quite the slump, other than working and the occasional sleep-in's I was feeling rather uninspired  for about a week or so until I discovered the show Workaholics. I came across Workaholics during one of my daily youtube marathons, after about 10 seconds in and about 20 videos later I was hooked. It's basically a show about 3 college friends who happen to live and work a 9-5 job together. They drink more than they work, and why they're still employed on the show is beyond me, the point is this show is awesome, super funny, and the guys are actually pretty cute...so win/win.  

Aside from me being almost obsessed with Workaholics, September flew by very quickly. It's always THE month for big change and transitioning. As some of you may know September is a huge deal in the fashion world and landmarks a lot of upcoming trends. I'm still not really over summer but I'm ready  for fall so the question I've been asking myself for the past month is how do you mix summer and autumn into your everyday wear? Here are just some of my fave Summer turns into Fall trends that I've indulged in the past month- pics are all from my instagram :)

Mix and match dark lipstick and camo to bright shoes and nails. Print on print action with similar colours but different textures. Taking the candy coloured hair trend but transitioning to darker hues think licorice, dark reds, burgundy, to purples!

8 Bit Fashion: An Invading Trend

 

As we enter the second part of the year and Fashion's most coveted season, there is a resurgence in 90's trends...I'm talking about pixelated prints! Move over navajo hello space invaders. This season's trend is reminiscent of those Super Nintendo games your older brother use to spend hours on. It's been seen around the runways for quite some time now.

  

But it wasn't until last year when Japanese designer Kunihiko Moringa based his whole collection on 8-bit for Anrealage during Japanese fashion week, which leveled up the trend.

This year French designer Sabine Ducasse uses 8-bit with a twist but instead of using fabrics, he irons perler beads which one can obtain at any Toys R Us. Creating colourful pieces that not only catches the naked eye from a 100 mile radius, but into unique wearable pieces. Expect this blossoming trend to re-enter it's way into the future. If you still can't get enough of these itty bits heres a blog dedicated to your favorite designers runway pieces but in super low pixelated but high illustrated resolution Fashionary

Something Old, Something New, Something Chic

Model Jackie for American Apparel 'Advanced Basics' Ads

You know that famous saying 'always listen to your elders' well it seems some designers are doing so by using older models in their Fall/Winter 2012 Campaigns. Not only is it refreshing from the usual youthful fresh faced models you see down the runways,  theres a whole new 'it crowd' in the fashion scene and their all over the age of 50. During Hot Docs this year HBO released a documentary called About Face: Super Models Then & Now which explores the lives of some of Fashion's famous faces who've graced the covers of magazines and dominated the runways for decades. This was just the beginning of the wave. Lanvin recently released their Winter ads which celebrates "individuals with individuality a true reality and not reality stars" which features 82 year old former Ballerina Jacquie Murdock amongst other unique citizens.





Not only are designers using elder models as muses there is a whole blog which garnered numerous articles, and interviews and even a documentary dedicated to New York's stylish senior citizens called Advanced Style Browsing through the blog you not only get inspired to take a trip through your grandma's closet, but you suddenly get inspired to actually try these ecclectic looks.



The use of older models this year is not only refreshing but it makes one look at the clothing from a different perspective. Were so used to looking at fashion's latest trends on young up and comers, that age is rather a taboo in the fashion industry. A model in her late 20's is almost considered ready to retire. With these new campaigns not only does it showcase the clothing in a new light, it's a reminder that fashion is ageless and that age really is nothing but a number.