39 degrees celsius. that's really hot.

Hi everyone! I've got a surprise. It's kind of big news, actually. I was a little nervous about letting you guys all in on this but, hey, I figured why not. So, if you must know.... I've become a DUCT TAPE MUMMY! Mwahhaha. You know... just casually... in my spare time...



If you thought to yourself, "Oh, well gosh! Look at that! Lexy! A duct tape mummy!" then I've got yet another surprise for you... TRICKED YA! I didn't really become a duct tape mummy on you! I was just playing a joke on you! I'm so funny! Ha! Hahah!

Ahem. Anyways. I should stop pretending I'm clever and just get to the point. And, the point is, well, I made a dress form out of duct tape! I've wanted a dress form forever to assist me with sewing, but I got bored of looking around and gasping at prices and additional shipping costs. So, at last, I had the brilliant idea... um, I'll make one! I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier - it just seems so obvious. So, a Google search later and BAM! We were ready to go!

Fairly attractive process, I'd say. I would highly recommend it to all my single readers lookin' for luvvvv.

It was fairly simple and strait forward. All you need is a baggy t-shirt (hey, dad's bingo shirt!) (which I actually think is cool! shhh...), duct tape, saran wrap, duct tape, a willing helper, and, optional: coloured duct tape for the extra BAM! I was going to post step-by-step tutorial but, let's face it, that would be going above and beyond expectations and, as much as I love you, I have better things to do (i.e. crochet and watch re-runs of modern family). Instead, why don't you just use the link I used? Yeah! Do it!

And voila! Some hard-labour (thanks, sibling!), a bit (lot) of sweat, and some awkward fumbling around, we've got our newest girlfrannnd... Here's a bit more about her...

Meet Paulette*. She is somewhat emotionally damaged. People suspect it derives from her unhealthy devotion to iguana themed videos, but this has not been proven. She might just be born a little wack. Like, she just can't help it (iguana videos or not). Still, she's a real riot. She started the "save the glitter" movement in '06 and regularly participates in protests and rallies related to the subject. Her favourite colour is hot pink. Suitably, she is hot pink (her favourite colour). And made of duct tape.
*Note: Paulette may also be Jean-Claude. I haven't decided yet. Jean-Claude is a drag queen. He is especially popular amongst the young, hispanic community. 


I've actually already used Paulette play around with old fabrics to make reversible collars. Wahoo!



They're made from scraps of old projects and clothes (hey, if you stalk my blog hard enough, you may be able to find the original goods!). They're fun. I think. I've worn them. It was fun. I'll post pictures. Okay.

So I hope you're all being snappy and snazzy and stupendous and all those other s-adjectives to make this alliteration thing super! I will talk to you all soon! Let me know what you think! Or don't. Like, I don't care. Pfft. (Praise me! Praise me!)

What is on your summer "to-do" list?

pretty little things

I OPENED UP AN ETSY STORE!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!! How obnoxious, ahem, ENTHUSIASTIC was that?! Don’t you see that I’m bursting with EXCITEMENT? And now, AREN’T YOU EXCITED TOO?! Yes, yes, YES! To all those questions! Give me an E! a T! a S! a Y! What does that spell?! [LEXY HAS] ETSY!!!! WOOOHOOOO!

I’m sorry if reading that hurt your eyeballs. Here is my marketing theory. You are now super excited and will immediately proceed to check out my new ETSY STORE. Please confirm this theory? Thanks. You’re a doll face. ☺

It was a lot of fun making these goodies and even more fun to photograph them. Enjoy!

----

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...

Inspired by the whims of imagination and the beauty of life, why not sprout some flowers in your hair? Channel your inner little girl – the little girl that loves to dress up, to look pretty, and to imagine. Imagine you are a dancing flower, a dainty fairy… or maybe just yourself, with an extra, pretty accessory.

These headbands are 100% unique – just like you! (awww.) Created from fingers of love and care, it can be ensured that no one in the entire universe has a headband like this one. Elements are hand-sewn with careful attention to design, execution, and love (of course).

This is a versatile accessory that can be worn with anything – from jeans to princess dresses! From grocery shopping to tea parties (oh, don’t we wish…)! Be weary: side effects include sparkling individuality and glowing smiles.

BLOG AND SAVE!
(I’m really tempted to add some marketing jargon. Limited time only! Act fast while offer still applies!)

Do you like pretty headbands? Do you like to save money? If so, then this offer is perfect for you! Get 10% off your first purchase just by blogging about QUIRKY EXPLOSION’S new etsy store!

1. Must include at least three pictures from this post.
2. Must include a link to my etsy and a link to my blog.
3. Email me (lexyht[at]hotmail[dot]com) a link of your post so I can take note of your kindness!
4. Get 10% off your first purchase from this line of headbands! (not including shipping)

I would really appreciate it if you could spread the word! Tweet! Text! Facebook! Tumblr! Formspring! Blog! Xanga! Myspace! Livejournal! Netflix! (Ah, don’t you love modern technology?) Thanks so much for all your support.


I’m really excited and nervous about this new endeavor. I have my fingers and my toes and my intestines all crossed for good luck. I would be intensely grateful if you could check out my shop. And even better, please make a purchase! If all goes well, then I will have oodles of new things up. xxx smooches!



Feedback?
(I’m not fishing for compliments. If you have any ideas of how I can improve my store, what I should add, etc. please gobble it out!)

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for...
Visit my shop!

"thank you for holding. your patience is appreciated. the next available representative will help you momentarily."

Oh, hi there. So do you remember how I possibly told you that I'd possibly post pictures of the play that I was possibly (definitely) designing costumes for? Possibly? (The use of the word "possibly" is a deliberate political move. In truth, I have no idea as to whether I possibly told you this or not. Thus, I'm channeling my inner politician and utilizing profound and manipulative rhetoric skillz. Hah!)

Um. So yeah. Last weekend (WOAH ONLY LAST WEEKEND SEEMS LIKE FOREVER AGO) was the play I was the costume designer for! I'm being technologically savvy and attempting a "click to read more" thing-majig (I'm a jack of all trades. A Renaissance Man, if you will.) (AH HISTORY ESSAY GO DIE IN A POT HOLE). So yeah. Continue if you want to be flooding with images of strangers in wack attire with black rectangles over their eyeballs...? I know. Intriguing...

Synopsis: Albeit being Shakespeare, the costumes were actually a significant part of the play. And supposed to be cool. WAIT WUT SIDE TRACK I KNOW. There's so much about a Shakespeare + fashion = equation cool that is seemingly incorrect. But, at last, life is full of wonderful surprises! Also, the play is hilarious (I KNOW ANOTHER SHOCKER CAN WE PLEASE GO CRAZY NOW) and it's basically about two sets of twins and mistaken identity dun dun dunnn.

So now that you're sufficiently intrigued/ confused... Enjoy...

CLICK THIS CRAFTILY ADDED BUTTON FOR MORE PHOTOS AND OTHER FUN STUFF! (woah, it's like a PUZZLE or a MAZE. Obviously, you will want to complete this labyrinth of fun stuff.)

ho hum

Hey guys! Did you see all those pictures? Guess what I'm currently working on? My prom dress! I know it's a little early, but I want to have at least eighty-five bow ties and an endless sea of cotton ruffles and --

[We interrupt this program to tell you that Lexy is currently rolling on the floor laughing out loud [ROTFLOL]]

Kidding! Can you imagine? A colourful, ruffly, obnoxious prom dress? Pffft, that'd be so -- oh, wait. You probably can imagine that. Um. Awkward pause as you secretly (and easily) picture Lexy in an oompa loompa prom dress. Um. Awkkkkward... (Edit. Note: These photos really AREN'T of my prom dress in progress - it's a sneak peek of the costumes. (read below) LOLZ.)

ANWYAYS. I am currently the CAWSTOOM DEZINER (sound it out, kids) for my school play! Yay. Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare. What? Fashion + Shakespeare? I know, this baffled my mind, too. But at last, costumes are actually, like, cool. Like, yeah.


The play is only a few weeks away, which is very daunting. We're working our way there. Here's a sneak peek of one of the costumes, the Duke of Ephesus. My sister isn't dramatic enough to be in the play so I forced, AHEM, she voluntarily dressed up. I also made her wear the costume for this 10 feet guy (by "10 feet" I mean "6 feet"). It was hilarious.

An illustration I did for fun to accompany this piece. Somehow, it led to me doing six more for the posters. By tomorrow. Eeek.

Busy, busy! Fun stuff! Hot stuff! Smooch! (I'm picturing those little Valentine cards you used to get in your youth from your classmates. (When you were given a class list of everyone's name and it was basically the equivalent of committing murder if you didn't send a Valentine to everyone.) In retrospect, I'm not sure "Love ya sweetie, mwah!" generic cards were entirely appropriate for, you know, the entire class. But I'm sure we didn't know what that even means. Love ya sweetie? Happy Valentine's day? Psh, SAMETHINGIWANTCANDY)

Anyways. Adieu!

When was the last time you cried from joy? Aw.

P.S. I finally got myself (reactivated) a tumblr. Let's be Tunds! (Tumblr+ friends = Tunds.) (Uh. Just follow me and make me feel worthy yeah yeah.)

(EDIT: the ridiculously colourful pictures above ARE NOT MY PROM DRESS. I don't have one (I'm too hipster). yayayay. Damn my attempts at being "funny." I will now resort to being a humorless fashion drone, amen.)

#filtration

I write this to you all, snuggled in a polka dotted robe with the warmth of the fire beating on my back, at complete ease and serenity.

Except for my polka dotted robe is making me extremely hot, the fire is burning the bare flesh off my body so I'm currently all blood cells and muscles, and I have homework/essays/portfolios/university marks/ life to worry about. But still. One thing at a time, right friends? Recently read the quote, "Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx. This is now taped on my mirror and I hope you all have a happy day. Oh, Happy Days! (Am I quoting a movie? I feel like I am. I'll pretend I am. An Indie movie, no less. That will give me "indie cred." Therefore, I am cool.)

Today's creative project. FINALLY GOT TO PHOTOGRAPHING MY COFFEE FILTER DRESS. Procrastination? I think I'll just go with the "Ah, I was waiting for zeee perfect vinterrr day." (That was supposed to mimic a French, ahem Francais, accent, thus successfully giving me that air of "je ne sais quoi." Har har.)

Coffee Filter Dress/ Styling/ Photography/ Some of the Make-Up - Me (Lexy)

Modeling/ Most of the Make-up - Sibling (Mimi)

We glitterfied her face. Any relationship to Ke$ha was purely coincidental and do not represent the views of those involved with the project. Rated E for Everyone! (That was supposed to mimic those "Viewer Disclaimer" things. If you didn't get that, then YOU'RE STUPID.)(I'm kidding. That was a joke. It was a defense mechanism for my lack of competence. I AM SORRY.)


Another disclaimer: I AM NOT AN EVIL SISTER I SWEAR. Sibling insisted she could go outside. Repeat, INSISTED. How's that for Canada, eh?



I've been seeing a lot of pine trees outside of peoples' homes. It makes me sad. I feel like these poor trees were bread for just one purpose and, as soon as their purpose was served, BAM THEY'RE GONE. I'm sure that this could transcend itself into some life analogy, but that's not somewhere I want to venture towards. In conclusion, heinous, plastic Christmas trees FTW!


(Coffee Filter Dress - By me, more information here)

Hope you all enjoyed these Brrrreathtaking photos! (Brrreathtaking because "HOLY MOLY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. My breath is being taken away by Brrrs" not because they're, you know, "Breathtaking." There's a differrrrrence.) (The excessive rs = a failed attempt at emphasizing coldness.) Certainly a nice life break to take some photos. By "some" I really mean "300+" but, you know, same thing.

Sorry that comment responsiveness is on the low-down, hoe-down. Life is busy. But exciting. But busy, WOAH.
How are you all? If you could be an animal, what would it be?
(Life altering question, as per usual. I'm desperate to have you all RELEASE YOUR INNER BEAST. (like inner animal.) (like... never mind. Have a good day, my beasts xxx))

chchchcherry bomb

You know those characters that exist in movies and shows and books that just don’t exist in real life? You really, really want them to as they’d be super awesome, entertaining and/ or awkward? But they just DON’T exist? And you know the really enthusiastic one that smiles at everyone/thing and might as well be giving gold stars? And you always think “Man, no one is that joyous in real life”? (If you answered ‘yes’ to all these questions, then try out…!)(that was supposed to be a mockery of an advertisement.)

Actually, I know one of these always smiling/ encouraging/ doyoureallyexistinreallife? characters. Enter my grade 10 Careers teacher, who also doubled as a guidance counselor. Yes, a great combination for some feel-good “If you can dream it, you can do it!” One of the tasks we had to do in was create a “Brag Sheet.” (Not sure how that was significant to my future…) It’s exactly how you’d picture it: a sheet where you simply brag about yourself. No, I’m not going to share mine. Ever. But here’s one thing I’ll brag about.

Brag: (in a nonchalant, cool way. obviously.) Painted this chair for a school fundraiser and it sold for $2400 (!!!!)



At the time, I wanted to murder this chair for consuming my life – both physically AND emotionally. (Okay, maybe not emotionally. Or physically. But it makes me sound INTENSE. And dramatic. AND INTENSE.)

Actually, I still do want to murder it. Nicely. Maybe through poison and evil snakes rather than straight up burnin’? I think it would be effective. While I adore Roy Lichenstein, I’m inspired to never do his project related to him again. Never. Ever.



“The inspiration for this chair came from the works of iconic pop artist, Roy Lichenstein. Reaching both national and international fame in the 1960s, he was one of the frontrunners in the pop art movement. Lichenstein honed a truly distinctive style, which was associated with words like unique, bold, fresh and energy – adjectives that this chair strives to embody. Several elements of this piece, such as the flat, bright colours, the comic-esque figures, and the words denoting sound were all inspired by the characterized style of Lichenstein. The plethora of quotes that fill the centre of this chair are ones that students and staff labeled as their “favourite quote.” From Albert Einstein to German phrases, this chair inhabits an accumulation of beautiful and inspirational words from, literally, around the world. Artist Lexy hopes that you enjoy this piece!”

"If you want to be happy, be" - Samuel Levenson.
(My life motto. Fo realz. Yo.)

Anyways, enough about me. We get it, I’m awesome (kidding, kidding). Therefore…
BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF.
You know, it has been scientifically proven that those who brag more lead a longer and more content life. Score? I KNOW.
(That is a lie. However, it was purposefully constructed to 1) make you feel unguilty for any feelings of narcissism that may fall upon you 2) trick you into bragging. Pretend you fell for it. Or send me some sympathy brags for my efforts to get you to brag. Basically, if you don't brag, you SUCK. Kidding, of course...)

my grandma is the bestest!

There's a few ways in which you can tell if you are situated on the oh so daunting BOTTOM OF THE SOCIAL PYRAMID (ie "Hi friends! Oh wait, I don't have friends!")...
1) If you consider your boogers your BFFS.
2) If you floss your teeth with your toenails.
3) If you stage fake photoshoots like some wannabe big shot

Fortunately, only one of the above signs has been proven true. It's true; floss has become far too inconvenient. Why floss and create waste when you can simply utilize the natural resource that's at your disposal? (I'm only kidding. Half kidding. No, fully kidding.) But, at last, I guess the faux photoshoot is a testament of my lack of friends and - ahem, I'M SO COOL.

Not really sure what the theme was, but something along the lines of "WWLISYW?" (What Would Lexy In Sixty Years Wear?), so I guess it amounts to something along the lines of effortless-old-grandma-meets-cool-new-grandma-meets-explosion-of-colours-here-and-there. In more "fashion-y" terms, it was intended have a dark palette with pops of unexpected colours, coupled with clashing prints and textures. Aw yeah!

Stylist/ Photography - Me (Lexy)
Model/ Make-up - Sibling (Mimi)

Look 1: Playing with polka dots. I bought this skirt intending to chop 'er off, but now my sister has a weird attachment to it and, quite frankly, chopping it up could be concerning. (By "my sister," I may actually be referring to myself...)



(Polka Dot Shirt - Value Village $3, Skirt - Value Village $3, Sweater - H&M, Vest (worn as scarf) - Peru, Hat - Thrifted, Shoes - Vintage)

Look 2: Beloved dress being worn as it's actually supposed to be worn - a SKIRT. And holy moly are the colours the same. Maybe they were designed by the same designer in the same collection? Maybe. But definitely not.



(Skirt - Vintage $5, Sweater - Value Village $4, Flower Headband - New York, Tulle Headpiece - Homemade shenanagans)

Look 3: I'm obsessed with this look. She kind of looks like a psychedelic joker, but maybe because she is in real life... (Uh yeah, busted! That IS an invalid point.)



(Blazer - Vintage $35, Sweater - Dad's, Pants - Value Village $4, Polka Dot Shirt (worn as scarf) - Value Village $3, Pink Vest (worn as scarf) - Hong Kong, Hat - Thrifted)

In conclusion, I need friends.*
Hope you enjoyed!

*I really DO have friends. I don't know why I make continuous friend-less jokes. Maybe Seventeen should cover this. "You aren't confident with yourself! This is so normal! You DO have friends and you need a girls night out with lots of Zac Attack Efron! This is actually a secret sign that you love eating too many cheesies and you're an alien..."