Nicole Orabona | Frivolous Universe

BEFORE IT BLOWS AWAY: Light Layers and Holding onto Inspiration

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

02-04-2012

Kelly: Creativity is fragile. The circumstances that invoke the creative mind are complex and difficult to control. It is the heartbreaking task of those of us who pursue a creative life to chase down the maddeningly fickle triggers of inspiration and try to regiment them. Often, it feels like trying to catch individual grains of sand blowing off the crests of the Bruneau Sand Dunes.

N: You gotta catch the inspiration quick, before it gets carried off in a spring drift. Creative moments are like cherry blossoms, beautiful and fleeting.

K: I realized a long time ago that I had a creative destiny, but I avoided that destiny for a few years after college by working soul-killing jobs . Since becoming a full-time creative being, I have learned so much about those diamond-in-the-rough moments of divine epiphany.

K: Being outdoors on a beautiful day will almost always activate my higher mind. Add to that the rebirth of Spring and warm sand sliding under my feet, it’s like inspiration serum.

N: My energy, mood and creativity also increase immensely with the start of spring. I will be missing the inspiration Idaho gives in these warm months. Spending my spring and summer days outside is vital to my emotional and artistic well-being. Being surrounded by a thriving city offers its own creative energy, but I’ll miss nature for sure. At least I have the waterfront 10 minutes from my house. Nature bumps up against the city skyline. I guess the view ain’t that bad…

K: Not knowing what the fickle weather would chose to do, I wore light layers to the sand dunes, a porous over-sized sweater and sheer floral kaftan, along with your basic bleached Canadian tuxedo: vest plus cut-offs, a look of my own invention. These items used to be jeans and a jean jacket in a wash that reeked of yesteryear. When inspiration whispered in my ear to alter them, you better believe I listened.

N: Yesterday I went down to the East River waterfront in Williamsburg. It’s been much chillier this week in New York than the past two, but my brisk walk to meet my photographer/co-worker in time warmed me up enough to take off my sweatshirt. Underneath: I was inspired by Anna’s NAKED post and layered my vintage slip under denim bustier (that used to be a dress) with floral print skirt.

K: Not to be underestimated in the creative process, Jeanne Giltzow gave me just enough direction and distraction to help me feel uninhibited for these pictures.

N: I’m sooo jealous of the bad-ass pictures you and the other girls got at the dunes.

N: I’m still trying to figure out my creative life in the city. There is an amazing energy here, but I’m still trying to find my niche of like-minded (slightly nutty) people. Until then, creating weird outfits that coordinate with Boo’s is a good way to keep the juices flowing.

K: Dirty!

N: What, I”m just showing off my socks!

We are fixed on a star. We will not change our minds.

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Silk, Acetate, Ruffles and Bows: the Boos are united again

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

12-03-2012

Nicole: Two weeks ago I arrived in Boise for my first visit since I moved to New York. I wrapped myself in a bow and presented myself as a gift to Boise.

I got this amazing vintage dress at the Idaho Youth Ranch ages ago, and have been dying for the right occasion to wear it. It is made out of 100% Acetate. If I stand too close to a candle in this dress, it will likely melt into my flesh. Kelly did a handy bit of tailoring in the arm holes to make it fit like a glove.

Two days ago I celebrated the six-monthiversary of my moving to New York. It’s been an incredible experience so far, even if it has the draw-back of boo loss. This loss affects not only us, but the general public, who do not get to experience the awesomeness of our powers combined. Like how we coordinate our outfits.

For Story Story Night, we kept a very neutral color palate and long hem-lines. Kelly is wearing a brown silk skirt as a dress, layerd over a tiered-silk skirt and made into a dress with a woven leather belt. When in doubt, wear silk and leather.

We both add a little bit of drama with our neckwear. Me with a tulle scarf tied into a floppy bow, Kelly with a borrowed (and totally rad) Armour Bijoux breast-plate.

Who wouldn’t want to be our friend?

My boring Target booties are classed up a notch with vintage shoe bows, part of my birthday package from Kelly. She’s also gave me the lovely jade ring I’m wearing and letting me borrow her vintage beaded clutch. Our outfits are always better with the combined force of both our wardrobes.

The pretty embroidery helps make this dress special. Add it to the dramatic length and high-neckline, this demure number is better than your average little black dress.

My bows match! Details, details, details…

Story Story and local food and cheap drinks and old friends and dancing boos made my Boise trip a blast. But New York is buzzing, and I’m glad to be back.

Dip!

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JEANS, BOOTS, and a BLAZER: How to Keep it Snazzy on a Lazy Sunday

By: Kelly Lynae Robinson

13-02-2012

Kelly, Kelly and Nicole, Nicole

Kelly: Jeans and boots are easy, too easy…

Nicole: So easy that you can stumble out of bed after one-too-many beers (which in my case, is 2), throw them on and ride your mechanical pony to brunch in 47 seconds.

K: When I’m pressed for time to pick an outfit that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be photographed in, I almost always default to menswear. In this case, a plaid wool blazer layered over a distressed denim vest. No, resorting to wardrobe staples is not brilliantly creative, so I added wow accessories. Both gifts from fellow bloggers, this Indian silk scarf and vintage Turkic pendant are precious to me.

N: My outfit was put together so that I could easily change into work clothes. I had to wear the black skinny jeans and Frye boots for work, so to make it more interesting I threw on this multi-colored floral blouse and navy blazer.

K: Ahem, we call this the gay pirate shirt, probably because it looks like Tobias would wear it.

K: Nicole’s navy blue blazer is by Luella Bartley for Target and used to be mine. The contrast stitching accentuates the tailoring and it has apple print lining! My jacket has a contrast fabric under the collar and the color palette of my scarf is repeated throughout the outfit. We never tire of saying it: Details, details, details.

N: The gay pirate shirt is vintage by Terry of Chicago, and has the most awesome colors and pattern and funky draped neckline. With so much happening I didn’t want to overwhelm it with too many accessories, so I just stuck to these red square studs from Idaho Youth Ranch.

K: Don’t forget the creepy baby ring. Creeeeeepy….

K: My bottom layer is a 70s vintage Sears blouse in red and black check(?) print.

N: Love, love, love all the print mixing.

N: I hate to admit it, but my boring work jeans are Forever 21. Please don’t judge me (too harshly). Boots are Frye, and worth every penny. Mine are finally starting to wear out a bit after 2+ years of continuous wear.

K: I’m on the Frye bandwagon too, even though we normally don’t advocate buying new.

K: My boo spotted my cowboy boots at the Idaho Youth Ranch on Chinden for $7.50 (holy shit) and she gave me these Levis cropped jeans after I repeatedly told her that her ass is too big for them. (It’s a spectacular ass, but that don’t make the jeans fit.) Also alpaca mitts, crocheted by me, and red leather purse, which was practically free at ReStyle.

N: Bundled up in my vintage wool coat (brand name un-readable…) and crocheted wrap made by boo.

K: Check out a different iteration of my outfit (jeans, boots and a blazer part 2) photographed yesterday by Thomas Lea at Boise Style. Yesterday was another lazy day. Bethany did a killer job on my pictures.