I did this last year and the year before that here at blackcigarette, so why not this year aswell?
This is what I've been up to in 2009.


( so many pictures you can't even believe it. )

I've recently been looking for a black or dark blue velvet dress online but can't find the right thing anywhere. Ive seen the dresses on urban outfitters but they all seem a little long to me.
Has anyone else seen anything fitting that description, hopefully for about £50 or less?

X

Hope this isn't TL;DR! I came across a really interesting post on Tumblr today and thought i would share/put its subject matter up for discussion. The post talks about a recent interview with Lady Gaga in the LA Times. Here's a couple of extracts from the story:

Her new songs address serious themes like women's shame about their bodies and the need for open communication in relationships; her often physically distorting costumes show that the pursuit of the feminine ideal is far from natural. Her commitment to confront the changing notion of what's "natural" puts Gaga on the same road traveled by artists she admires, such as the photographer Cindy Sherman. Her frank talk about how female artists aren't expected to write their own songs or about how young women are afraid to ask for what they need from their sexual partners inches her toward a new articulation of feminism.

..."The great thing about Gaga is she always want to push for the most extreme option," Card said. "She's brave enough to let herself be a canvas for a designer to go and really express themselves. Nothing is off limits! With Rihanna and Beyoncé there is an end result of desirability and unattainable sexiness, whereas Gaga is a really interesting bridge between the desirable and the grotesque. She's not at all worried about looking ridiculous or hideous; actually, I think she thrives off it."

And here's a couple of extracts from the brilliant post on Tumblr:

i feel like there are limits, maybe, to how “hideous” an extremely skinny blonde white girl can be considered...to put it another way: picture a fat woman, or a black woman, or a Latina woman, or a fat black Latina woman, doing ANYTHING that lady gaga has ever done, and tell me people would still be talking about her as some kind of subversive artiste...tell me 95% of the commentary about her outside maybe the feminist blogosphere wouldn’t be ridicule or disgust.

...or to put it another way: white skinny bodies are allowed to be art. you see this all the fucking time in the twee/hipster zones of the world/internet, soft-focus photos in sepia tones with size 2 AT MOST people standing in for melancholy, or wistfulness, or love, or whatever. you don’t see fat girls lying in a field of daisies wearing fishnets and reading haruki murakami next to a picnic spread under a parasol. because then the viewer, it’s assumed, would get distracted by their fatness. skinny bodies (& white bodies) are allowed to turn themselves into things because they are presumed to be blank slates. they’re neutral. fatness already symbolizes things in our culture - laziness, sloth, greed - so it’s not allowed to symbolize other things.

or another way: lady gaga is allowed to play at being grotesque because it’s understood that she is making a choice to be grotesque; fat, non-white, or otherwise atypical bodies already belong to the realm of the grotesque. the choice is made for them. whether it’s as unfuckable (fat women, women with visible disabilities) or inherently sexualized (black and Latina women) or some weird combination of fuckable but not sexual (asian women) or just grotesque and unworthy (trans women).

I think the critique on Tumblr brings up some really interesting and valid points with particular reference to the way we see things on the internet in terms of body types/ethnicities represented in the art and photography we post on our journals, or write about in our blogs, or favourite on Tumblr.

So discuss if you wish: Lady Gaga and her image, representations of 'controversial' women in pop culture, white/thin bodies v everyone else.

2amtomorning
If you find yourself at the crossroads of insomnia and insanity, this is the place to channel those demons that keep you sleepless. Vivid pictures, poetry, ruminations, and confessions from the nether hours between dusk and dawn. Originally formed to celebrate the city at night, there's a strong urban theme.

green_future
Dedicated to promoting global sustainability, this community offers a forum for discussing current environmental news, research, and issues with tips on how to make positive, pro-active changes to reduce carbon impact. You'll also find information on how to get involved in eco-activism and learn about events near you (i.e., act local; think global). Offering a wealth of data on earth-friendly products and practices, you'll be inspired to don an organic bamboo cape and save the planet.

wtf_sexism
Self-described as "a little community with a lot of rage," you can soak up impassioned vibes and read blistering exposes detailing sexist attitudes in the news, pop culture, and science! A must-join community if you are, or love, a feminist. (NB: the topic of whether a "man" can be a feminist is outside the scope of this spotlight, but will probably wind up on the Writer's Block.)

does anyone know how much these retail for? can someone pleeeease CP (custom purchase) me one? or can you call a marc store and order?

( bowler bag )

 These shoes retail for $299.00. The price I am offering is $120.00 including shipping costs.
I only accept PayPal so leave a comment if you're interested.
Let me know if you would like additional photos.

Click here if you want to see my eBay feedback.





-Marc by Marc Jacobs unique and ultra-cute quarter strap flats
-Size 39.5 or 9
-Suede/calf leather upper in a dress mary jane style
-Round closed toe style
-Leather lining
-Leather sole
-Worn four or five times, tops

Selling for $30 shipped. Never worn. Paypal only and I only ship within the United States



(I have feedback on Ebay under "die_my_darling"

EDIT: I'LL TAKE $30 SHIPPED NOW

i need this dress in my life. or at least one like it. this one is from topshop, but i don't really wanna be spending £45 for it. if anyone knows of a place that has one very much the same for less that say £30, please please let me know. i would be so in love with you for it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300381639417&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SO ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!! I own a pair and wear mine every day. I am selling 2 different sizes one in 8.5 and one in 9. which is 39 and 39.5. I wear size US 8 and i got the 38.5 which is still really a tight fit. I can fit into the 39 perfectly :)


Still selling Marissa bag asking $200 and I am also selling my black terri bag please look at old posting

 There's a HUGE final sale going on RIGHT NOW. A lot of Marc by Marc Jacobs stuff but going really fast. I scored a dress for $24+$8 shipping!!!

Here's my invite link if you need one:  http://www.gilt.com/invite/thatstooeasy you don't have to use my link to sign up, but I'd appreciate it because I get referral account credit.

Thanks! Enjoy your week! (:

hi, hello, my name is Lauren,
these are a few things I've found in my attic, and some things about me.





"Tattooed Family" 1955 Todd Walker
it was folded up in a box, so that's where the lines came from



( this post is full of pictures! )

i know it's juicy, but does anyone know where I could get it online?

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.