Pushpops, obstacles and the purple YSL pumps.

Woooo

The past month has been quite the learning experience for me. =)
The "job" thing:
I got a temporary job with big responsibilities, where I had to FORCEFULLY change the way I dress. I knew I wouldn't be taken seriously in my orange fuzzy top(very last year Louis Vuitton I thought) even if it was worn with a black pencil skirt. It didn't help that I was youngest person there, either.

Thennnn due to a serious of unfortunate events, IT happened.....
My blog was tossed around La Ceiba like sibblings toss around an elder sister's diary. It has been turned into an object of ridicule...the whispers, the comments. I became the naca* with absurd dreams and hooker shoes. Then came the rumors of nude, obviously photoshopped pictures of me being passed around cellphones.

ohh FABI FABI!! I trusted and mingled with the wrong crowd, the kind that live for a reputation and are willing to step on others to get what they want.

(On a side note: Why why WHY is it that boys lie and cheat and then girls end up ganging up on EACH other?!! Oh that darn animal thing called survival instinct!!!)

I shouldn't have been surprised, though. La Ceiba is a small city and there isn't much to do.
Even so, I chickened out. I felt disappointed, and betrayed even. So I did the matching without the mixing, the classy without the fabulous, and yes, I EVEN changed many outfits because I didn't feel like being stared at or talked about.

Dumb!

I thought about this...

Possible reactions to my all-around-town diffamation and rejection? I could've either:

A.)Hide in embarassment, cry and feel sorry for myself.
B.)Lash out at those involved and fall into their little game of manipulation, OR

C.)Laugh, hope it's Halle Berry's body that was photoshopped with my face, and feel good that people think I'm someone worth talking about.

I went through option A for a while, but then realized how pathetic it was and decided for C, and stuck with it. Chin up, back into my senseless senses.

I was wondering how La Ceiba would react to other NACAS* (I say others because I've been referred to as one about 20 times in the past month) in the blogosphere who have also been constantly criticized and could care less. What about Queen Michelle from Kingdom of Style who was called "materialistic and pretentious" by an ignorant "Charlie" for making her own skirt+top á la Miu Miu?

Susie from Style Bubble who layers and unlayers wonderfully, to her heart's content and I am sure sees plenty of frowns and grins when going out...

And my wonderful friend Diana Bobar from SoFashon
who despite the ugly rumors spread by some classmates in Romania, she just recently launched an amazing Spring 08 RTW collection that has gotten tons of attention, fans and clients!

I'm sure it would be one heck of a show if all 4 of us, perhaps a girl or two from Facehunter and The Sartorialist, Chloe Sevigny and Lou Doillon came along, plus say Lala (Art Geek and Fashion Freak) and maybe Ashley Heaton (ChicShopper) walked the streets of La Ceiba altogether. What would happen if then Eleh (Come thrifting with me) and all the others would come and join us? Boy, that would be a full-on "naca" fest and boy, would we love it!

It's good stuff.

And I must add...

Thankyou bloggers for inspiring me, readers for the encouraging comments and thankyou boy from San Pedro Sula (yes!!!! a fellow Honduran who lives 2 hourse away from me!!!) for sending me the perfect email at the perfect time.

Anyway, I'm excited again...I started my second and last year of sewing school already!!! Yes yes!!! I've also been teaching Geral ("Gee") to sew, and she already made her first skirt.

I also finished a dress I was working on that I had ignored for a while due to the idle state of my "DIY" spirit. Heehee...it fits perfectly, and the straps look really good in the back, but I forgot to take any pictures of that! I used two different fabrics, and made the pattern myself which ended up being altered anyway.

My Etsy shop is still a plan, I need to get a lot of things done but pictures are already being taken!!! Preview coming up soon!! ;)

You know what's funny? That in the midst of all the criticism, I was hired last week as a "fashion advisor/consultant" for a holiday at a big department store, later helped them set up a fashion show where local media was present, was interviewed by a local tv channel and radio, and got two compliments on my shoes in only ONE night! Heeheehe...Even though I was really representing the store and not myself or my own style, it was alot ALOT of fun.

And ladies and gentlemen,

I decided I'm sticking to this verse:

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:14
God is good, people. So let's enjoy when people are saying things, and keep doing our own shizzle without fighting back ;)
♥
Queen Michelle said:
"Fashion blogs...are where we share our trials and tribulations as we navigate our way though the fashion landscape, expressing ourselves to others and baring our insecurities."

and I am so taking advantage of that... ;)

xoxo,

a very inspired Fabi in bubblegum pink hand-me-down pants...

*"Naca" (pronounced knock-uh) is a term constantly used in La Ceiba (or Honduras?)to describe a girl who mismatches, likes to shop at thrift stores, doesn't stick to local trends and likes to take risks. It's a twisted definition of the word "trashy".
It's supposed to be a bad term, but turns out I like it.

The cat is back.

Yes, oh how I've missed you bloggers!!! I've been feeling guilty the last couple days (ahem, weeks) wanting to post but not being able to! Mostly because I'm lacking new pictures :P

Lately there's been some cold days, cold enough to wear a jacket and LAYER!!! That one thing I always complain about not being able to do down here. I've already mentioned my skin-overexposure phobia. ;)

Anywho, I've been playing around with the few jackets I own, and trust me when I say coats/jackets can make such a huge difference. Call me a newbie, but I mean how many days do I get to wear jackets in Honduras?! Hehehee....

Please excuse the blurry pictures.

By the way, I have a shopping horror story to tell:

Oh dear,
I was at the biggest department store we have (Carrion), I went in the stalls to try on a couple of (too big, too small or too purple) items. I walk out, passing through the middle of about 12 employees, thinking everything is in it's place. Sure, if by "in it's place" I meant my dress was all tucked in my very sheer tights exposing my hiney to the world!!

About a half hour later (after browsing through half the store) one of the employees comes up to me and tells me about it and said she hadn't told me before because she was too embarassed to do so. EMBARASSED????!!!!!! She was embarassed?!!

Oh well...thankgoodness for polkadot granny panties.

Also, this year for sewing school is done! So now I'll have more time to work on actual fabric items (and not paper). I have, however, customized one or two items. I should be ashamed! But I will definitely sew alot more now. I promise. These thrifted shorts are high-waisted, and the length wasn't flattering so I chopped off ALOT of it and added a ruffle+lace trim on the bottom. Geral "Gee" modeled them for me...

It was fairly easy to do, and I think they look pretty cute.
Speaking of Geral reminds me...I have a little project I've been working on with her...Nothing too big: A little reinvented vintage shop on etsy!...it's funny how I'm more nervous about how bloggers and readers will react to it rather than my family. Which of course refuses to take fashion seriously.

*Stop*
*Think*
Hold on...I don't take fashion too seriously either. I just enjoy it alot more than they do. ;)

But yeah, I'll let you guys now when it is done!!! There's still quite alot of things to get done (Can you believe I have to travel to get shipping supplies??!)

One more thing...I got a freebie! My first freebie for that matter so of course I was excited. When I first started blogging I hadn't a clue bloggers occasionaly got free stuff!

The Skin MD Natural Shielding lotion people sent me nifty samples and I actually really like the stuff. The smell doesn't interfere with my BodySplashes, it hydrates AND it isn't sticky. Pretty good ;)

And on to my inspiration picture of the (many) weeks...

I went to a cafeteria place called "La Super Baleada" and saw this man carrying a "man bag" and was pretty sweet about me taking a picture of him. I must tell you what this sir does, he walks around with a flashlight at night and "supervises" everyone who sleeps on sidewalks on my grandma's neighborhood with no purpose whatsoever. Strange, I know, but he looks darn chic with that purple handbag. =) Reminds me of that purple clutch I have in the back of my closet.

--------

p.s.

like I've said before, sorry I've been taking so long to post and for not returning comments!! :( I got an extra job for December, too, and training starts now, and then there's the etsy shop, and the secretary's never-ending pregnancy breaks. I'm not quitting my blog, though!

XOXO

You people are awesome...

And so patient. I'm really sorry (again) I haven't posted in a while. Blame it on my job, though! Hehee...

the secretary got 15 days off because of her pregnancy, she needs to get extra rest. Therefore, I have been stuck here with double the work and barely any time to do anything else. I do promise I will come back with a good one, ok? I also have plenty of plans, ideas and stuff I'll tell you about later. I'm done with sewing school for this year in about 15 days...so we'll see what I come up with during vacation. =)

Be checking for a new post soon and thankyou for everyone that has been already!! I miss reading everyone's blogs!!

xoxo

Fabi

Fruit vendors and tan heels.

I'm back, sorry I took alot longer than usual! Long enough for me to find my new favorite accesory, though! Felix had almost no effect on our city, by the way; So thankyou for your prayers!!! =)

My sister finally got to wear the dress I was making for her! I'm quite disappointed about how it looks on camera, but she looked so cute! She wore it the perfect day, too: September 15th (Independence Day), so the theme colors were WHITE+BLUE. Trust me though, that cheap discount fabric was a horror, and I am NEVER using it again.

And now that I'm finally done with that dress, I'm going to start working with patterns that a friend, Caroline Greeven, was kind enough to mail me all the way from L.A.! I've NEVER worked with commercial patterns before because I haven't found a place that sells them here. Hehee...I get really excited whenever I look at them...!!!! and the mags ♥

I'm making a few of the cute makeup bags to give to friends and co-workers, the easiest, so I can practice. So far they're looking pretty good!
And then of course I can't wait to get to the Built by Wendy ones!

This happens to me more often than you would think, but please don't tell anyone...

You know those days where you are too lazy to even think about what to wear? I have those, and I end up grabbing the same jeans I was wearing the day before and grab the top nearest to my hand.

So, yes, I admit, I do need a little inspiration once in a while. Plus, the way the heat makes me all sticky doesn't help much either. My inspiration usually comes from the most random unexpected places, or people.

I know some might not seem like they connect, but in my brain somehow they do.

whoaa...just noticed there's alot of yellow.

About the fruit stand, I take breaks from work and head to the fruit vendor's "carreta" in the corner for a perfect breakfast.

Black? Yep, with tan heels and a super breezy bright top. A chunky fun necklace. Mmhmm.

The glasses were plastic clear so I painted the rims because otherwise they weren't flattering.

FLATTERING?!

Hahahaha...the reaction these glasses are getting are, well, brutal. High school kids literally point and laugh, a man asked "Why do you hide such a face under those glasses?" (nice try), and more than a few people have said I look like a "viejita". Some pretend not to know me when I'm wearing them.

But, you know me, once I choose to stick with something, it really sticks. I think Rachel Comey and Luella would agree. :P

(style.com)

SEWING SCHOOL?

Mehh...

We moved on to shorts, and that's good, but I'm kinda bummed out because I found out one of the girls has been stealing. Makes me upset because as much as I like these girls, I can't really trust all of them...but besides that everything is going marvelously. After all the paper shorts we'll get to make a real fabric one. Can't wait!

I really have to go home now, and I'm sorry for lack of posting, I've had soo much stuff to do but I promise I'll make it up to y'all.

In the mean time, I highly suggest you check out this awesome post from Bojana ( Power Rangers Go) who always comes up with reeeally creative concepts. Front row bloggers at fashion week, wohooo!!!

xoxo,

Fabi (and her recently thrifted pink top)

Layers and shorties.

Oh dear, please go away hurricane season. Now it's Felix, category 4, who's supposed to hit us tomorrow morning! People are going crazy buying food, gas, streets are being closed. Phewww

Change of subject please.

Lately, I've been having a sick urge to layer; pair tights with socks, long sleeves, coats, boots...BUT I would die asfixiated under the burning sun of La Ceiba (there's a hurricane coming tomorrow and I can still get a tan if I stand outside for 5 minutes).

Therefore, I shamefully look forward to when it rains a tiny bit so I can run and take my boots out of the dusty boxes. Heehee.
But these days, I've been keeping it simple.

Denim Dress and purple top: thrifted.

Speaking of tanning, here's an irony (and sort of a secret): My legs are not as tanned as the rest of my body. I'm the girl who wasn't allowed to paint her nails 'til age 15, makeup and spaghetti straps 'til age 18, so leggings under shorts and tights under skimpy dresses have always been sort of a necessity for me (not a trend).

Dress: thrifted.

Sometimes I do get away with it, though. ;)

Anyhow...
I've been wanting to introduce you to my grandpa's sister, Marina. Last weekend we took her out for lunch and shopping. Marina is deaf, but she is an amazing person who doesn't let her impairity keep her from being happy.

The only reactions she ever has to my outfits are: nods her head if she disapproves, shrugs if it's "ok", and smile if she likes it. I love her and being with her, even if she's nodding about my shoes.

This is RANDOM: But I thought I'd show you how incredibly easy it is to make a mini turban (headband)...

I know some of you think that turbans are overrated, but I particularly like the headband style because it tames big hair and I don't have to be telling people "it's worn like this on purpose".

Semi-high waisted jeans:thrifted

All you need is a stretchy jersey fabric (an old t-shirt works).
Cut a piece that's double the thickness you want it + seam allowances and double the circumference of your head (for the knot).

I am currently working on a dress for my little sister and as soon as I finish it, I'll put it up here! ;) Right now I'm off to charge my camera in case I we have no power tomorrow (I've been lagging with the picture taking!)...and please pray that everything goes good with MR. hurricane!

xoxo
Fabi

That awesome feeling.

OK, this is the best form of flattery! AHHH

My cheeks are pinker than normal!

I was so excited to find out I was chosen for a Rocking Girl Blogger Award by verryy talented Patricia from Bobble Bee, wonderful Lala from Art Geek and Fashion Freak, Amy from the coolest Fashion Fleur, and the kindest blogger ever who I'm sure always looks Pretty in Black!!!

I did it again...
I was GOING TO choose 5 other fabulous GIRL bloggers, and was really excited about it, but I realized I have wayyy more favorites than I expected and I'm too WEAK to leave anyone out...So I'm going to do like I noticed someone else did and choose only one blogger so I can feel at peace:

***Stevie from Discotheque Confusion
Because her blog never ever fails to entertain me and I think we have more in common tastewise than is healthy.

Good luck with picking 5 girl bloggers! (Trust me, you'll need it!)

Slightly embarassed but extremely flattered,

Fabi

Dean bean.

Hi everyone!
As of now, we are awaiting the arrival of hurricane Dean that apparently is about to reach category 5!! We are already getting TONS of rain and thunder and people are getting dismissed from school and work.

So, goodbye sunny days for now.

If you wanna read more about the hurricane you can check out La gringa's blog http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/. La gringa's a fellow blogger who happens to live in La Ceiba, too (glad you found me!) and who also took the time to feature me in her blog! Check it out here.

I have to shut down the computer now because of the thunderstorms, but I promise that as soon as it is possible I'll come back with a bigger, better post. Thankyou everyone for all the kind comments and all the support! Makes me happy. =)

xoxo,
Fabi

Update: The hurricane has moved away from us AND has downgraded to a category 2! So everything's okay, it was just a minor scare...thank goodness!

In my own mind.

I had a nice week.
My grandma made me the happiest girl in the universe when she gave me this...

A box filled with a million years old jewelry that once belonged to her. "You can keep the things you like and maybe sell in a garage sale what you don't like." Wahhaaa, you should've seen my face when I opened that thing.

Me and redhead sis, modelin' the shtuff.

Also, my best friend from elementary school, Dayla, came visiting from Canada. And let me give her some credit, she's the girl that DRAGGED me into my first thrift store. She hadn't been to one since she left to Canada...and now she's hooked again! Our styles are very different from each other, but we equally love shopping.

She found a fabulous FABULOUS oversized vintage clutch she kept shoving in my face. Heehee...
Later that week we went out for dinner in our 10 lempira tops.

And remember when I said I had to make a skirt for a sewing school test? Here it is. I finally wore it to work.

I made it high waisted and with barely noticeable ruffles on the bottom. I used velcro and a zipper as a closure so it would lay flat when worn with a belt. My family was laughing because they said my outfit looked "expensive" and the whole thing was pratically free.

And on a different note...

"You are in the wrong social circle"...Someone told me a few days ago. Perhaps becauseI mentioned that not a decent guy was interested in me. I thought maybe this person was right. But later that night when I got to ride a bike to a nearby "pulperia" with a dramatic 15 year-old and the sweetest social outcast, and after playing soccer with my brothers and church kids on our neighborhood street, and after I had the dearest conversation with my friend Mario who struggles to frown his half-paralyzed face when I make him carry around flashy dresses at a thrift store (he survived a gun shot)...

That's when I realized I couldn't be in a BETTER social group.

There's alot of things we can miss out on when we put our reputation over people or even over life itself.

xoxo,

Fabi

New post by tomorrow afternoon =)