Diary of a Third World Fashionista

Pushpops, obstacles and the purple YSL pumps.

2008-01-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-11-06T17:09:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-10-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-09-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-09-03T19:36:00.001-07:00

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.

2007-09-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-08-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-08-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

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 =)

Fancy schmancy.

2007-07-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Yahayyy I'm soo happy to be back!
I was missing the blogging world!! Horrible internet connection.
The secretary went on vacation too which got me really busy, so much so that I didn't even get the chance to go to sewing school. Bad! Im way behind on everything but the secretary is BACK and so will my track. ;)

However,

I've managed to escape a few times (woops) to a thrift store that's right around the corner and snatch myself a few more items to mix up with the past "tegus" finds.

I would've most definitely paired this with Dries Van Noten "athletic-like" pumps. But unfortunately those were very obviously and very unfortunately unavailable for me and my brownish shoes (I posted about those before) are being repaired.
Geez, why can't I stop tripping over things?!

Overalls. Almost for free.

I know this isn't a newbie, but when a skirt fits too big I put it up higher on my waist and cinch it with a belt. Very bubbly like.

Oh, and has anyone heard of Tara Jarmon? Cause I hadn't until I bumped into this cool new dress at a thrift store. Brand new. Price? About $5. I'd heard about the Proenza, Luella, Robinson collections for Target but never of Tara Jarmon. Should I be worried? Heehee.

So I went online to checkout a bit more of her collection. Her stuff is pretty, I'm not really impressed, but I am quite content with my dress. The stains you see were my fault (apple juice). Messy eater.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is my inspiration pic of the week:

Their story?

Five sisters, raised by there single mom who lost an arm while trying to protect her husband. Their father was killed with a machete. Their little brother died because of medical negligence. I see them often when they come down to get help from my grandma.
These girls are truly wonderful and always bring a smile to my face.

Plus, their shades are smokin'.

xoxo.

Pretty people, I will be posting more often, really. As long as my internet connection doesn't fail me. I was tagged, so I gotta do that, too! ;)

Sorry.

2007-07-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

I know Im taking a looong time to update AGAIN but I promise I have not abandoned my blog! Internet connection at the office is not working AGAIN, I dont have a connection at home and I dont feel comfortable posting at an internet cafe where i have to pay for every minute I spend here.
But I promise I will, soon. Promise. And I'll have cool pictures.
xoxo,
Fabi

Her boyfriend's pants were tighter.

2007-06-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

I'm back!!
And I am sooo sorry I've been taking so long to post! The internet at the office hasn't been working.
So yes, I went to Tegucigalpa last week!! I was actually born in this city but we moved to Ceiba when I was like 2 months old., so I was really excited to go back there.

Tegus is a whole different story. Let me make this short: I had NEVER ever seen so many girls doing there makeup in a mall's bathroom. And of course, I joined in and dabbed a little mascara on. Hehehe...I would be embarassed to do that in a mall in Ceiba. You can imagine.

Style? Well, I wasn't impressed, even despite the fact there boutiques are much more up to date (MNG, Nine West, etc.). But yes, everyone (even boys) is much more HIGH MAINTENANCE. I realized I should've at least brushed my hair before going out. Most girls were wearing something like this+sleek straight hair+lots of concealer:

Our friends took us EVERYWHERE...but the first night we went to the movies (because we aren't really allowed to go to the movies at home), and I wore a Jill Stuart dress I found for $0.50 at a thrift store. I figured I was in Tegus, so my outfit shouldn't stir up any comments. Wrong.

Shoes were one of my finds!

And the nifty little towns (Valle de Angeles) and nifty museums were my favorite. They even had an art gallery!!! I know, I know. I was a little bit too excited. I had never been to one before.

My other sister is a t-shirt and jeans gal. She's the one in black, and could care less about fashion. She's like my bestfriend.

And back at sewing school, we celebrated Dina's 15th birthday. AAAANDDD we had a mini photoshoot!!!!!! Dina's story? Sexually abused by her father (who's now in prison) since she was 12. Now living with a foster mother and 9 other kids. I'm learning alot more than just sewing and pattern drafting, here. She is one of the strongest girls I have ever met, and bought her a 3 stations birthday cake to remind her of it.

All I did was bring a bag with a few accesories and a vest or two to throw over there uniforms and make them feel like rockstars. No makeup or fancy hair products were used. Just another 5 minute photoshoot. Oh we had sooo much fun. =)

I have so many neat things to show you, stuff I got at Tegus thrift stores. I'll post about them next!
xoxo

Oh boy.

2007-06-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

I know Im taking a looong time to post again, but I promise I will next week! Im out of town right now, Im in the capital of Honduras!!!! My ACTUAL hometown and it is soo different from La Ceiba. They have much more modern stores, boutiques, and the coolest thrift stores.
I have so many pictures to put up!! So check'em out next week!! Thankyou everyone for all the sweet comments.
xoxoxoxo
Fabi.

Vintage nightgowns and a carnaval.

2007-05-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This post was meant to be put up yesterday but the internet at the office wasn't working.

This weekend was the famous carnaval in La Ceiba, done once a year in May. It's a great opportunity to go shopping and find cute stuff for cheap. Ohhh and good food, I'm a fan of that one. Tons of tourists and tons of skimpy bikinis.

After 10pm it's more for the loud crowd and dancers and drunkies.

I know I should have more interesting pics because it IS that one day where you can wear anything and DO anything but I was more focused on my sweet batidos and fried plaintains than photography. Sorry!!

Parking space? Nowhere to be seen. Night Traffic? We had to get out of the car a couple times and make friends with people.

And at the fair, I got this t-shirt of "El Chapulin Colorado". An old but the neatest mexican show ever!

(My dad claims Im ruining my little sister. And he said that because she now wears hightops and layers dresses. woooo)

And here is my very first dress. I know, I know, it does resemble a curtain but the dress has alot more detail in real life. Braided straps, button closures on the front. It was my firstee, so I went with the simplest.

Fabric? Hehehe only 10 lempiras ($0.50) the YARD.
Today I finally wore this shrug (Is that what they're called?) I forgot I had made looong time ago. Super easy to make and super comfy, check it out.

I love the girls at my sewing school. They are really funny and almost fainted when I brought my Harper's Bazaar mag and noticed a Burberry Prorsum dress for over $2,000.00. I was just bummed that I had to pay almost 200 lempiras for the magazine. Hehe. They only sell them (and Teen Vogues) in one place here. Guilty pleasure. I believe the dress was this baby.

And now, everyone is more excited about sewing. They've decided to jump in my dreamwagon, too.
=)

Find someone born in the 1970s. They'll understand.

2007-05-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

The other day I wore a hippie headband (It's good for taming big hair) and guess who I got compared to?
The Indian in our lowest denomination bill.

Awesome.

Geral is hiding at my place because the lady who works at her cafeteria stole her jewelry, so her dad fired her. Turns out the psycho lady came back the next day with armed men threatening to kill them. I know, it does NOT make any sense.

But anyway, Geral's the girl I used to force to look at runway pictures and accompany me to thrift stores. Now, she understands. Yesterday we had a LITERALLY 5 minute photoshoot.
Here are 2 edited pictures.

She was already wearing her uniform skirt. (Uniforms, argh). And then the rest was just random accesories that were already on my drawer. The red lipstick was there, too. So nothing else was considered.

Me this week looking like a "maid". Hehehe...yes, we do have a KFC...

P.S. Next post, the first dress I have ever made. It's hideous but I am In love with it. Sewing school testing is next week because it's been postponed this whole time. I have to make a skirt with ruffles from scratch. Wooohooo!!

"Those girls look ridiculous."

2007-04-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

My friends are now tolerant of my style. AND they aren't shy. So I took them to the mall with me to do a survey as proof to you and myself that I have not been exaggerating when I say I live in a place where fashion means looking like everyone else: "normal".

If I had to, I would sum it all up in just one picture.

I made them pick a streetstyle outfit.

Here are the stats.

·Winner: The flare jeans and shirt in pic 2 with a 42%.
·Second place: Rachel McAdams just because of the leggings under dress. (It's already on displays.)
·My outfit in pic 4 was chosen by only 2 girls. Enough to keep me pleased.
·Irina's tights were dissed by about 18 girls I never want to see again. Heh, just kidding.

I made them pick a runway outfit (all fall 2007).

Here are the stats.

·The Betsey Johnson outfit in pic 2 was the winner. But everyone said they would never actually wear it.
·Only 19.6% went for the Erin Fetherston outfit in pic 1. I felt insulted.

"If you HAD to wear one of these, which one would you pick?"

Here are the stats.

·98% frowned at the sight of these and when reminded they HAD to pick one 4 girls refused to do so.
·Three girls made bad remarks about the MiuMiu shoes (pic 1).
·64% went for the heart-shaped sunglasses. Winner.

I asked them if they recognized any of these 3 faces.

Here are the (crrrazy!!!) stats.

·0% recognized Christian Lacroix.
·0% recognized Marc Jacobs. but a couple girls mentioned he was hot. (and one believed us when we told her he was somewhere around the mall.)
·1 girl knew she had "seen the guy with the white hair, somewhere", and 1 girl knew he was Karl Lagerfeld.

There. No jokes. =) It was fun.

Thrift store allergies.

2007-03-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

The highlights of sewing school this week:

*The girls insisted I was drawing my boyfriend's initials on the chalkboard. It was the Chanel logo.
*The same girl who makes jokes about having aids everytime she coughs also tried to look up my skirt.
*We have a new classmate. I like her. She's 22, and pregnant of her 4th child.
*After spring break (or "holy week" as we call it here) comes my first week of testing. yes! REAL skirts!!

I went thrift store shopping on Saturday and I overheard tourists saying I dressed "quite different from the rest of the people here". I was happy. Tourists think no one here can understand English.

I got this thing. Belts and dresses, too.

I make her look at runway pictures so she'll know I'm actually sane.

Wedding dresses and poofy sleeves.

2007-03-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

I've been busy. Now it's 3 paper skirts a week I have to make at sewing school...all by hand. And they're paper, so "I can't get no satisfaction" of wearing them when done. And my job. And stuff.

Family trip to a wedding last weekend.
I asked my mom to help me pick the outfit and instead she decided to dedicate a whole hour to making fun of my wardrobe. Whatever. Then she picked on my (I say) fabulous vintage finds and called them "obsolete antiques only her obnoxious friend Lulo would've worn". Thanks alot lady.

Trip was good.

Honduran pee break. Ask for napkins at the restaurant.

Cute little kids amused at the sight of a car.

I think it's obvious, I like cake more than I like boys.

How cool.

How ugly is style discrimination.

2007-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of an article from a "hot" national magazine from Friday. One of the few (and the first) designers in Honduras, not from my town, has a new collection. I will not make any comments about it, but everyone else is free to do so.

Sewing school?
I had been noticing this lady giving me bad looks, like I didn't belong there. And today she finally burst, "Those are the wrong pants!! That is NOT the uniform! You have to be like everyone else here, and follow the rules! And I will NOT argue with you!"...
Fine, but from what I had been told, any kind of black tailored pants or any black skirt could be worn. The only difference about me that I guess made her react the way she did: Mine are skinny black tailored pants. Quite unfair if you ask me.

Goodness gracious.

2007-02-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Teachers dropped out of school. Ahum. They are protesting for (I'm guessing) either a better salary or there actual salary they haven't received a check for. Hopefully new sewing machines? Maybe "Oh, government schools" should be the title of this blog, too. Hopefully not many others. We'll see.

Saturday: Vintage plaid pants.

"Wow, those are the same exact pants my grandpa used to wear!", said Eddy. He cracked up for about 5 minutes.
Eddy's dumb, but I didn't argue with him because they could've been his grandpa's. Heh...that should give out where I bought them.

There's this girl named Geral. Who used to wear snake skin print bell bottoms with mid-riff tshirts and heels. She became my friend.
I will soon dedicate her a post.
I love befores and afters.

Oh, government schools.

2007-02-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my second day at sewing school. The teacher didn't show up on time, so my classmates and I started a conversation. oh my. I'm the oldest. All are mostly from foster homes and there mommies are really "solidary mothers"...some not so solidary.
They were obligated to be there. And me, trying to fit in, shared how my family was opposed to me being there. It was working. We decided to leave early and they were all walking back home. I drove past them, I had to...
and for the first time in my life I felt embarassed for driving a car.

The Bad: Ugly persistant stares. Old, rusty sewing machines.

The Good: Life lessons to be learned. Fun making the hideous PINK uniform look decent.

Limits.

2007-02-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

I abuse of my black boots on rainy weekends. My grandma banned them from her house, and my life for that matter. And I see her Monday through Fridays. Thankyou God for weekends and respect. My shoes have nothing to do with my "job".

Is it really that bad?

2007-02-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

So here are 4 different reactions from members of family when I told them I was getting into sewing school:

1.)"Oh.....um, isn't there anything better? Like a business or marketing course?

2.) "pshh!"

3.)"Sewing school? Why? Stick to one thing, Fabi."

4.)"Ha ha haahaaa"

And then person with reaction #3 asked me if I was interested in Real Estate (I work for my family's real estate agency). I said "No, not really." And he said, "Oh, it'll eventually catch up to you. It's a family thing" and continued to read his newspaper.

But Im doing it. At a recreational center for poor people (only option I have). I'm so excited about it but scared at the same time. They say if I look away for a second my stuff can get stolen and some people will hate me just because. Oh, dear.

I really hope I know what I'm doing.

p.s. pictures soon. my camera is broken right now.

And this is me...

2007-02-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

My name is Fabi Pina. 19.
I live in tiny La Ceiba in Honduras, Central America.

I have an insanely random interest in fashion that isn't socially accepted in my town OR by my family.

The possibilities of me getting into fashion school? Probably none. Moving to Paris or Milan? Probably none.

Therefore, I have decided to become a designer to myself, make a runway out of my life, and have fun with people's reactions (because to my locals, fashion goes no further than what's on display at our only REAL department store.)

Here is an endless editorial of me and the nutties I convince to join me every now and then. ♥