How To Be Creative

A lot of people think creativity is something you are born with. Well, it's not! Experts believe that creativity is a skill that can be learned. While in school I have to take a class called "Critical Thinking" which is basically a class to improve your thinking skills. In our book "The Art of Thinking," the Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero gives great insight into how people think creatively. So, with that said, I thought I'd share what I've learned with my blog readers!

What is Creativity?

Acording to dictionary.com, creativity is "the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination." Well, to put it simply, creativity is the combination of careful thought with pure imagination. This combination of careful planning with original ideas is what makes the the difference between creative people and the rest. It doesn't matter how intelligent you are either. Creative people fall on all sides of the IQ scale. All there is to it is that you must be able to harness your ideas in order for them to be relatable to your audience. After all, no matter how expressive and original you are, if no one gets it, is it really that successful? The creative process is something everyone can learn. Its a very specific process that anyone can understand.

What is NOT Creativity?

Creativity is NOT random thought or free-spiritness alone. You are not creative just because you act wild and act on every whim. Being loud and expressing every thought that comes to mind is pretty much the exact opposite of being creative. It requires much more thought and careful action to be a successful creative person. Also, creativity is NOT something drugs can inspire. Drugs may inspire random thoughts, but it is not purposeful. Like I said, creativity is part imagination, part thought. So without thought, there is no creativity.
Another point I'd like to make about creativity is that creativity is never purely original. The idea of "inspiration" is that it must come from something outside our mind. Whether its art, ideas, nature, people, shapes, color, we are constantly surrounded by things that inspire us. Never assume that your idea is completely yours. Certain things have been around since the beginning of time, and we build upon those things to improve them. Creativity is simply building upon ideas from the past.

What is a Creative Person Like?

Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero describes creative people using five words:

Dynamic: Being able to see different aspect of a situation and having a sense of playfulness with ideas.

Daring: Having the ability to expand your ideas and try new things, and willing to accept new ideas.

Resourceful: Having the ability to try to solve a problem, even when the odds are stacked against you. Using what you know and have to work towards solving an issue.

Hardworking: This one goes without definition. You must be able to put in a good effort to get a good result.

Independent: Be your own leader. Don't always assume some one else is right. Try your own path.

How Can I be Creative?

The creative process is only four easy steps that can be applied to most situations that require a unique outcome:

Step 1: Searching for Challenges
What is your problem? What do you want to change? Some problems are obvious and just happen. But sometimes you need to find a problem first in order to act creatively. We as people need to constantly be searching for problems. For instance, if you're a student, what are the problems at your school? Is there problems with the students? The school rules? Or perhaps your problem is your wardrobe. Ask yourself, what is the problem with my clothes? What specifically do I not like about them? What's the issue? From that point, you can start to think of ways in which you can fix these problems.

Step 2: Expressing the Problem or Issue
Coming up with a specific question is a major part of the creative process. Knowing exactly what you want to solve will help you be as effective as possible. For example, let's say you want to wear a really cute unique outfit to a party. Well, your question should be, "Out of all the clothes I have, what combinations could I put together to make the best outfit?" From there, its easy! You've already started solving the problem by coming up with a question. All you'd have to do is start putting together different combinations.

Step 3: Investigating the Problem or Issue
Do your homework! Find inspiration that pertains to your problem. For instance, if your doing an art project, after you come up with a question as to the type of art you want to do, look for inspiration. Photograph things around you, research artists, go to the library. At this point, you simply must find things that appeal to you that could potentially solve the problem.

Step 4: Producing Ideas
Now that you have found inspiration, its time to solve your problem. Simply start off by changing little things about your inspiration to fit your problem. For instance, lets say you want to wear a really cute creative outfit. So you found all sorts of pictures of outfits you like. The next step would be to find pieces you have that look similar to the pieces you like. Then, simply attempt to recreate your inspiration, but perhaps changing little things to fit your personality. Its really easy to start changing things and then all of sudden realize you've got something brand new! It is yours! It becomes original and unique!

YOU ARE CREATIVE!

What do you think? Got any questions? Comments? Leave one down below!

Dollar Store Fashion: Lace Doily Shoulder Covers

Have a thin strap dress that you want to make look a little more modest? Why not try this solution, its inexpensive and looks great.

What you Need:

• Lace Doily 
• I bought this one at the dollar store. You only need one.
• Scissors
• Small Safety pins -or- hand-sewing needle and thread

How to Do it:

1. Simply cut the doily in half.
2. Wrap the straight edge of the doily half you just cut, around the thin strap of the dress
3. Use the safety pins or had sewing needle to secure the lace will stay in place. Be sure to pin on the inside so it doesn't show on the outside.

That's all there is to it! Love it? Hate it? Let me know!

Dollar Store Fashion: Mexican Bath Mat Bag

Another of my great dollar store ideas. This one is super easy and quick, and it only cost $1!

What you need:

• Bath Mat (I love this one. It has amazing colors)
• Sewing machine -or- hand-sewing needle with thread -or- even hot glue(for those of you who don't have any sewing experience)
• Something to use for a strap(I used a strap from an existing bag that has little latches, so the straps are detachable, a thin belt would also work)

How to Do it:

1. Simply fold the bat mat in half length wise with the sides you want to show on the outside facing each other.
2. Sew up the two sides( or glue), with the fold on the bottom. Be sure to back stitch if you are using a machine. Leave about 1/2" to 1" extra past the line you sew so it doesn't come undone.
3. Attach the strap. Be sure to make sure the strap is sewn securely. Re-inforece the straps with multiple sewn lines so it doesn't come undone. 
4. Test it out. Put a few heavy books in it and jump around with it. See if the strap is sewn securely enough. The last thing you want is to be walking down the street and your bag breaks.

Spray Paint Shoes

Have shoes that you don't really like the color of? Or perhaps they're a little worn out? Well why not bring a little life to them with some spray paint! Its inexpensive (only about $3.50 per color, and one can will do about 6-8 pairs) and looks amazing!

Here's a photo of a pair of boots I refurbished with a little spray paint! What do you think?

 What you need:

• Pair of shoes 
• Pretty much any type of fabric with work, including leather, which I will later explain how to deal with. Spray paints works very well on canvas. Suede will usually not hold the color real well and will turn out a little darker than expected, but it can still be done.
• Spray Paint
• I purchased mine at Home Depot for about $3.50 per color. There are a variety of different finishes the paint can have. Matte finish will give no shine, while any type of gloss will give you a shine.
• Warning: In most states, kids under 17 or 18 can not buy spray paint, so you may need an adult to purchase it for you. I know I bought spray paint at Wal-Mart when I was 17.
• Sand Paper
• Only if you are working with a leather or vinyl shoe
• Masking Tape
• Preferably blue or green painters tape
• I bought a roll for only a $1 at the dollar store
• Plastic bags or trash bags

How To Do It:

Here's what they looked like before.

1. If you have a leather or fake leather shoe, use the sand paper to rub down the finish on the shoes. This will allow the spray paint to better adhere to the surface and prevent rubbing off of the color.
2. Use masking tape and plastic bags to prevent areas from being painted. Use a plastic bag on the inside of the shoe so the inside doesn't get painted. Otherwise, the paint will rub off on your foot. Any areas that you don't want to paint should be covered.  I would recommend masking off the rubber bottom of the shoe also. If you want to get a little more crazy, try making stripes with the tape or different designs. Make sure to tape off any lace holes, so paint doesn't go through them.
3. Lightly coat the shoes with the paint. For those of you who have never spray painted before, you want to do it outside, or in a well ventilated area. Stand about 3 feet back from the shoes. Press gradually down on the trigger until you get a steady mist of paint. Make small back and forth motions as you go QUICKLY around the shoe. Don't stay in one area for a long time, otherwise it will cause dripping.
4. Wait to dry. If you want to do multiple colors like how mine I did black and silver, wait for one color to dry before adding the second color. For mine, I only did a light coat of silver in different areas for more of a faded effect.
5. Remove masking tape.
6. Wait a couple days for paint to set. Do not wear them right away, the paint smells terrible for a couple days, but if you leave them in a well ventilated area, the smell will leave in a couple days.

Dollar Store Fashion: $1 Ties

Just a quick little post of some crazy cool ties I found at the dollar store for only $1.00 each. 

Take a gander!

Love them? Hate them? Let me know what you think!

Dollar Store Fashion: Do-it-Yourself $3 Lace Dress!

So recently I've taken a little trip to the dollar store for some poor and creative inspiration. Let me tell you, I bought A LOT. Approximately $35 worth of stuff (granted everything was only $1.00).... So there will be a lot of crazy cool project coming up! 

First in my dollar store fashion project series is this cute little lace dress. It's relatively simple to do, but it does require BASIC sewing skills. Meaning you can either sew with a hand sewing needle, or you can sew a straight line on a sewing machine. I'll give you some quick sewing tips for you beginners who want some help along the way if you'd like to learn.

What you need:

• XL-XXXL Cotton Knit T-shirt (bought for $2 at Walgreens)
• Lace Doilies (bought a pair for $1 at the dollar store)
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine or a hand sewing needle and thread
• Measuring Tape
• A tank top for reference.

How to do it:

 
1. Cut sleeves and straight across under the collar. 
2. Measure the length of the top of you chest above your bust.
3. Cut the top the length of your chest. Be sure to cut equal amounts off from each side. Then gradually cut from the top to the side seam on an angle, until it blends with the side seam. 
4. Sew up the side seams. Meaning, where the arm holes use to be, you'll sew up.
5. Create the lace tank top front. To do so, take a tank top and lay it down flat. Lay the lace centered over neckline of the tank top. Cut out the shape to match the tank top neckline shape. The bottom of the lace section should end a little past your bust, you'll need a little extra in order to sew it to the shirt.
6. Attach the lace to the shirt. How you do that, you'll simply just need to sew a straight line across. The correct way to sew it so it looks good from the outside, is to sew "right sides together". Meaning which ever side you want to show from the outside, put them facing together. Then when sewing on your machine or with a hand sewing needle, leave about a 1/2" extra fabric from the line you sew. Make sure to backstitch your ends so it remains sewn.
7. Create the tank top back. In order to that, think about the shape you want to create. Draw it out if you'd like. Cut out the shape from the lace you'd like to create by folding it half length wise. Lay down the front of of dress with the back on top of it so you can match up where the straps on the front and back match. If you want the lace to dip down into the shirt like on mine, you'll need to cut out the shape in the shirt.
8. Sew the back lace to the shirt. Same way as the front.
9. Sew the front and back straps together. Make sure you sew it so the stitching doesn't show on the outside. Once again, make sure when you sew, right sides are together.

That's all there is to it! (I know it is a little more steps than my usual projects, but I thought I'd up the skill level a bit)

Try it out! Tell me how it goes. Send me a pic! Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll try to help. Do you like it? Hate it? Let me know!

Have Any Poor Creative Questions?

Fashion advice?

Have comments?

Have ideas?

Let me know!

I'll answer your queries here on my blog!

Leave a comment or go to my formspring:

My Formspring (click here)

Creative Solution for Oversized Shirt

Have a big shirt and don't know what do to with it? Well why not try this solution! It's perfect to layer over another shirt to make it look brand new!

Here's the same look, but this is from Bebe. It costs $69!!! Say whaaaa?

Any idiot with a pair of scissors can do that.

Here's how its done. Simply fold you shirt in halves the direction in which you want the cuts to be made. Then, simply cut along the edge. It looks good if you try and keep the lines even. I did multiple rows on mine. I also cut out the neckline of the shirt to make in a tank top style.

Its super easy. I like the style with something a little more formal over it. Otherwise, it can look really sloppy looking just worn plain. Try it out! See how it goes! The possibilities are endless!

"I Bet You Can Find It Cheaper..."

So here's the deal. My friend Ellen Opacich were talking over break about how people spend too much money on clothes they can find at much cheaper prices. What it really comes down to knowing when something is really worth the cost. Before you purchase something, ask yourself the question "Can you find it cheaper?" In a lot of cases, "YES, of course you can!" should be the answer.

Here's an interesting comparison Ellen found (thanks for the great pics Ellen!):

The sweater on the right is from Urban Outfitters with a retail value of $50-$80. Ellen's sweater on the left cost under $10 at a thrift store. Scary likeness, right?!

The thing you must really understand is knowing how to achieve the LOOK you want. As much as I want to look like I wear designer clothing all the time, I know that it is simply not an option. So I find pieces that create the feel as designer clothes. 

How You Can Find The Look for Less

1. My suggestion on how to begin to start saving money is to first pretend that you have no budget. Search online or in stores for the clothes you absolutely want, no matter what the cost. Keep a going list of all those items. 

2. Next, give a title to each of those dream pieces. For example, let's say you see a pair of expensive sunglasses you like. Give them a description such as "oversize, round, amber faded sunglasses".

3. Last, find those items based of the description you have. Start by researching online. Type in the description you gave to the item. Search multiple store catalogues online. Or, go straight to the thrift store or stores you can afford. Look specifically for those items you wanted. Most of the time, it will be easy to find something eerily similar to a designer look for a whole lot less money.

Have you ever had some great finds you've found for a whole lot less??? Let me know! Send me a picture! Or tell me a quick story below!

Fashion Q&A #1

So I've recently been getting a lot of questions via formspring (http://www.formspring.me/jordanblake) about fashion. So I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share some of the questions I get with my blog viewers! I plan on posting fashion related questions here as long as they keep coming!

QUESTION 1:

i hate birkenstock style shoes and mocassins. what other types of shoes can i wear with skinny jeans, to school may i add (no heels), besides converse & boots? it is also very cold to be wearing flats

I hate those too! Well, I particularly love combat boots, their a lot better than UGGS (or should I say UGG-LYS), that are winter appropriate, and trendy. But if you don't like boots, there's the option of the Oxford-style shoe. Here's a link to Urban Outfitters shoes:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?popId=WOMENS&navAction=poppushpush&isSortBy=true&navCount=207&pushId=WOMENS_SHOES&id=W_SHOES_LACEUPS
I love this oxford style with skinny jeans. But if that's a little too hyper trendy for your taste here's another option, high top gym shoes:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?popId=WOMENS&navAction=poppushpush&isSortBy=true&navCount=234&pushId=WOMENS_SHOES&id=W_SHOES_SNEAKERS
They go with everything, their comfortable, and not too out there. I'm also a fan of the a low boot-let style shoe. Here's what I mean:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18600452&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump

Hope that all helps!

QUESTION 2:

I have two fashion questions! 1st… I am just curious what your opinions are on Ugg shoes & Ugg lookalikes & Birkenstocks & Birkenstock lookalikes. 2nd… What do you think of the trend of people wearing shorts + tights together?

I HATE UGGS AND I HATE BIRKENSTOCKS. Yes, I know their comfortable. But, there's a point at which it just looks ridiculous. I watched an interview of Tim Gunn (fashion guru from Project Runway), and he said this about people who dress for comfort, "If you want to dress as though you never got out of bed, THEN DON'T GET OUT OF BED." What he means to say is that people are getting lazy with their clothing. I think those looks just add to the excuses people have when it comes to quality taste.


And the trend of shorts and tights together. That one is really up in the air. It really depends on your body type and personal style. I don't think it looks good on people with larger hips, unless the short is a bit more voluminous than their actual hip line. If the shorts aren't right for your body, TIGHTS WON'T HELP. I think if people would wear proper fitting shorts that are the appropriate length for their body, the trend is not a bad one.

QUESTION 3:

You said you hate uggs, which is fair, but if I wear my "nice" boots that have heels, it starts to really hurt my feet. Can I make that stop?

Well let me just say, if your feet are hurting, DO NOT WEAR UGGS. According to an article in the New York Times, UGGS can cause major damage. They flatten your arches, which can cause foot, ankle, and even hip problems. What you should turn to is getting inserts that have the proper support for your foot. There are shoes that are both comfortable and stylish, you just need to find ones that work for you.
Here's a link to that article I referred to:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/03/17/2010-03-17_wearing_ugg_boots_for_long_periods_of_time_ruining_womens_feet_experts_say.html

QUESTION 4:

hey, im a guy & i have these white jeans that are unflattering to me and I want to dye them some other color....what do you think I should dye them to? nothing to crazy....but I have black jeans and like dark blue and gray...but, I just am stumped.

Well, what a cool project. A blank canvas! If you don't want to go to crazy I think what could be interesting is if you wet the jeans first. Then take black dye and kind of wash it over the jeans, perhaps splashing it in different areas. That way it could have like different shades of grays and blacks, with some abstract shapes. Depending on how much water you use, the effect could be really subtle, which wouldn't be too crazy.

QUESTION 5:

leggings as pants? acceptable?

As a good rule of thumb, NO. BUT, there are exceptions to every rule. I have seen the look pulled off successfully very few times. About 98% of girls who I see this look in, it looks completely horrible for their body type. I'm all for personal style, but it has to fit with your figure. For example, I'm very skinny, if I decided to wear excessively baggy clothes, I would look like a child swimming in his dad's clothes, which destroys the purpose of that. So here's the deal, I like leggings as pants if one- you have the body type to wear leggings, meaning you don't have wide hips, Two-they either look EXACTLY like jeans or have cool or interesting pattern. Three- they are worn the right way, meaning they are styled interestingly and uniquely, by wearing a unique silhouette top of some kind and/or the right shoe.


Do you have a fashion question you want my opinion on? Leave a comment or go to to my formspring and ask:


http://www.formspring.me/jordanblake