Dear Fashion Diary: Cotton Candy Steampunk

A few weeks ago we went out for some yummy Thai food for my brother-in-laws birthday dinner. For once I was a bit more organized and gave myself time to properly get ready (stress-free!!), which resulted in touches of steampunk influence, and what I'm now calling the Cotton Candy Steampunk look. I love the whole underground Steampunk culture that has really been taking off recently -- even though it's been around for quite some time, and within some groups it isn't really a new trend but more of a lifestyle. The Steampunk look usually is a mixture of the Victorian era mixed with science fiction and pure imagination. The fashion, as described on Wikipedia, says:

'Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles influenced by the Victorian era. This may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; suits with vests, coats, top hats and spats; or military-inspired garments. Steampunk-influenced outfits are usually accented with several technological and period accessories: timepieces, parasols, flying/driving goggles, and ray guns. Modern accessories like cell phones or music players can be found in steampunk outfits, after being modified to give them the appearance of Victorian-made objects. Aspects of steampunk fashion have been anticipated by mainstream high fashion, the Lolita fashion and aristocrat styles, neo-Victorianism, and the romantic goth subculture.'

The colors in the fashions are usually all in deep rich colors such as browns, golds, burgundy and so forth. I think it would be fun to see a full on steampunk look done all in exaggerated candy pinks and pastel purples. Imagine these classic looks (which all look insanely good by the way) but in shades of pinks instead:

The pink versions:

And my version -- which isn't full-on hardcore steampunk, but definitely has a slight nod to the style, and influenced by it....

I thought the cat earrings were a nice touch.  ;)

And approved by my cat, Riven.

While we're on the subject of steampunk, I'm going to mention a couple more things before I go. First, my first attempt at this look was my crafted Steampunk mini hat, which was such a fun project to do, and one of my favourites:

And second, Jarred recently bought me this book:

Which is FULL of excellent projects and looks done by people all around the world. My favourite is the Nautilus Private Home Theater, based on the Nautilus sub from the Disney movie classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Work done by Dillon Works!, USA

http://www.dillonworks/

OMG, make sure to check out the above link -- some reeeeally amazing projects. Isn't that home theater sooooo cool?!! One thing that I've always envisioned is that if I were to build my own home I would 100% construct a home theater -- fully equipped with a popcorn machine! The theme was never fully decided on, although I think Jarred will now be convinced that it should resemble the Bat Cave...

Bat Cave Theater found here, along with another awesome Nautilus-themed home movie theater.

And another!! Click HERE! Wow, a popular idea, for sure...

And if we were to do a super girlie version we could throw in this chandelier too.  :)

xoxoxo...

We're All Mad Here

I love theme parties. My favourite part (besides dressing up!) is dressing up the table. It sets the mood for the party and the process of brainstorming and putting it all together is sooooo fun. Here are some past parties we've done and particular table / party settings I'm most fond of. We'll begin with...

1950's Boardgame Night

Unfortunately this is the only photo I could find. This was a fun idea. We dressed up the table in the classic Coca Cola red and served finger foods like chicken nuggets and mini pizza bites. Everyone came dressed up in soda pop girl costumes and cats eye glasses, and we played boardgames all night.

Hillbilly Party

The lovely Danyelle in her gingham reds and denim blues. The menu consisted of chips, pretzels, BBQ hotdogs and beer, of-course. The perfect summer backyard setting.

Halloween Parties

And my personal all-time fav...

Harajuku Girls Mad Tea Party

I of-course used Alice in Wonderland's Mad Tea Party as my inspiration...

Which is endless on ideas and ideas, overflowing -- till my tea cup runneth over. Bah.

This was by far my most favourite party to put together. I had such a blast preparing for the party; researching ideas, and shopping for props. I would even love to do this idea again, only next time I think it would be cute to make it a true tea party -- where we actually drink, TEA..!! It would be fun to get together in the early afternoon, drink tea, and eat (mainly cookies and cupcakes) to our hearts delight.

And what if this time we dressed up as the characters..?? haha, okay, I might be pushing it.  ;)

Aren't these table settings soooooo wonderfully sweet?! Want to see more of these tea cups and cake stands?!! You can view them here at Cake Stand Heaven.

Also, isn't this Mad Hatter tea cup set so cute??  :)

Endless on the ideas -- ENDLESS!! If I had a backyard I'd love to do this tea party outside too...

Now, the thing that sparked this idea again was last months Better Homes and Gardens Special Halloween issue.

Inside they had a special spread on throwing a halloween party with the theme of Alice in Wonderland's Mad Tea Party.

With ideas on the invitations...

Table settings and costumes...

Food and recipes...

Drinks...

And decorations...

I love this idea on the flowers!! The very thing I've been creating with my hair accessories...

Umm, check out this girls manicure... Eeeeee!!!!

And this snowglobe...

I also LOVE the A Mad Tea Party snowglobe...

Drink Me snowglobe...

Alice with her Mad Friends. I bought this one at Disneyland last year  :)

Anyways, like usual I'm getting sidetracked here. I'm going to go now and try and convince my friends to buy Alice in Wonderland costumes for another Tea Party...