Breathing out, hoping to breathe in. I know nothing's wrong, but I'm not convinced.

Hello to you all and happy holidays!

Alex and I ended up getting a white Christmas... and then some. We were pounded with snow and while I was fortunate to have some time off the past few days, my poor darling ended up having to work to make up for the time lost on Christmas Day. Watching the snow fall steadily for two days, I was itching to get outside for a winter shoot. As Alex and I rarely have days off together, I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to capture this snowfall but luckily my shift today didn't start until later in the afternoon. After a quick coffee run, we headed just a few minutes west of our apartment complex to some hiking trails. There's a great view of the mountains and with the snowy white blanket all over, the sky has never been so blue. 

Today, I woke up and decided it was a good day to catch pneumonia. Okay, okay... not really– but I clearly dressed for a photo shoot and not for the weather. When I saw the snow, I knew that I wanted something white and something soft, so my first thought was a white dress. Unfortunately, I realized that the only white/ivory dresses I had were all mini/skater/babydoll and I was looking for something... different. While I didn't have anything specific in mind, I was definitely onto something.

 I grabbed one of the few ivory dresses I had and decided that I would use it as a canvas and then transform it somehow. As the holidays and upcoming bills/rent have sucked me dry of seemingly all my funds, I haven't been doing much shopping and so I'm trying to figure out how to make old things new. I was sifting through my closet when I came across this kimono I scooped last year and recalled how I repurposed a different kimono as a wrap shirt over the summer. I wanted to see if I could make a wrap dress out of this kimono, since it has a high-low maxi cut. I grabbed my favorite belt and threw on the ivory mini dress and sure enough, a wrap dress was born.

What I ended up liking most about it was the asymmetrical cuts at the bottom which were a result of wrapping the high-low detail. The extra layer, while it still isn't weather-appropriate, was definitely a warmer touch and it was an added bonus that the skull lace detailing gave the dress more texture. Because I went with my favorite brown belt, it only made sense to pair the look with my favorite brown boots. Then I just grabbed my grey hat to top it off – okay, I admit that pun was intended.

GET THE LOOK

Hat: H&M
Dress (underneath): Nasty Gal
Kimono (wrapped over dress): Ebay
Belt: Forever 21
Boots: 2020 Ave

Until next time, my loves...
XO

Garden of the Gods

Hello to you all!

I realize that I'm probably about the worst blogger ever but I swear I haven't forgotten about you. As the holidays are approaching, my work schedule has been rather... hectic. I haven't had any inspiration or energy to bang out any shoots. Aside from that, I've been rather disappointed in myself as I haven't been doing any writing in months. It's beginning to take a bit of a toll on me, I really do need to master the art of time management so that I can balance things I need to do and things I want to do. Right now I've been sacrificing a lot of the pleasures in my life trying to make sure presents are bought, bills are paid, and food is on the table. I've been picking up extra hours at work to get any extra cash I can, and it's ultimately taken priority over the things I enjoy. And that's sad, yeah, but I'm slowly but surely pulling myself out of this unenthusiastic rut, so bear with me. 

Alex and I don't often get days off together and the past week or so our "dates" have been errands or Christmas shopping trips, but since the past two days have been so beautiful and warm (60 degrees two weeks from Christmas... crazy!) we decided today would be a real treat. We took a trip just a little over an hour away to Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods. We've been meaning to go since we got to Colorado, and with the weather being so tempting how could we resist? The rocks were just absolutely beautiful. It reminded me a little bit of Sedona, Arizona to see these gorgeous red rocks towering over me. Of course, I wasn't hiking around in this skirt. I'm proud to say that I've successfully mastered the fine art of changing in public, although it never gets any less awkward doing it. Aside from dodging families and little ones as I put this sequin maxi on/took it off again while bopping around different locations, it was a quick and easy shoot – I mean, with a backdrop like this it's pretty hard to get a bad photo. I do have to admit, though, we did get lost on our way back to the car... the crazy curved pathways had about a million different turns you could take, we spent around 40 minutes just trying to find the parking lot!

Get the look!

Top: Gypsum Style
Skirt: Missguided

This skirt was fate. I had just given up on my search of a sequin maxi when I came across this one on Missguided – and it was on sale! When it arrived in the mail, I was so anxious to try it on only to then find myself drowning in nine extra inches of silver sequins. Unfortunately for my tiny self, I ended up paying four times the initial price of the skirt just for alterations. Life is hard at only 5 feet...

Until next time, my darlings.
XO

Girl Shapes

Hello, everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I realize it's been quite some time since my last post, but as I have been settling into my new home, I've been applying to places and going to interviews. I recently started a new job in retail, and I'm proud to say that I survived my very first Black Friday! Anyways, as it is the holiday season, my work is very busy and to help pay for all the Christmas gifts, I've been scooping up extra hours. This leaves me with very little free-time and since Alex has also been working, the two of us have hardly had any time together with our conflicting schedules. 

I was beginning to think that I needed to take a hiatus from my blogging and pick it back up in a few months or so because I felt so bad about not having more frequent posts, but Alex talked me out of it. It's nice to be supported by someone who truly wants nothing more than for you to succeed. Shortly after, I received a text from my friend Chris Vongsawat, who I worked alongside with Alee Rose this past summer. He came along during my first time modeling for Alee and took us to Chinatown, where we stumbled upon this crazy bright alleyway. We found this bright red door against these metallic silver walls and it just went so perfectly with my hologram platforms, so we couldn't resist.

This was my first time modeling, and so I was extremely nervous and awkward. It didn't really help that some workers on their break were also in the alley, smoking and watching me. I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing and I had a lot of direction from Alee at first, but the whole "pretty/sexy model" thing really just wasn't working out. I felt a little defeated and flopped myself over out of frustration when Chris decided to go in a different direction for this shoot. I remember him saying, "Don't do sexy. Do weird." and that, well... that was something I definitely knew how to do.

I remembered from taking modern dance classes in high school that my shoulders were really strange and disgustingly flexible, so I decided to tug at them in order to contort them in such a way that mimicked creature-like movement. I kept getting good feedback, and then Alee would direct me as far as facial expressions and what else to do besides just the really creepy stuff. When Chris played back some of the shots he got, the three of us were speechless. 

This is, as Chris put it, definitely on the weirder side of shit. Enjoy!

"Girl Shapes" a mini fashion film by Chris Vongsawat
Artistic direction by Alee Rose
Modeling by Danielle Castano

GET THE LOOK

Top: Tobi

Shorts: American Apparel

Shoes: Public Desire

Necklace: H&M

I'll be back again to blog soon... XOXO

Olive and Mustard

Hello, friends!

I hope you all had an exciting and safe Halloween! Alex and I have had a relaxing but fairly uneventful week so today we decided to immerse ourselves in nature to make up for it. Just about a half hour drive away, we went to this gorgeous park and walked along (and also strayed away from) the path down a mountain. Colorado's weather this past week has been rather sporadic, but today was a fairly warm day, at least that was the case until we went up into the mountains. 

I'm glad I have someone to adventure with. I've really been enjoying spending the time out and about, spending time with nature. Growing up in New Jersey, it's really hard to get away from all the hustle and bustle because everything is just so... crowded. Moving out here and having access to so much space is still so surreal to me. As much as I miss the company of my friends back on the east coast, there is something so satisfying about this taste of seclusion. I mean after all, we spent the afternoon surrounded by mountains. I really don't think I could ever get tired of living like this.

All photos were taken by my loving boyfriend, Alex:

Sweater: Forever 21

Shorts: Forever 21

Socks: American Apparel

Boots: 2020 Ave

Hat: Thrifted

Ittttttttttt's thigh-high season, y'all!

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year and I cannot get enough of layering. When it comes to clothes, I like–first and foremost–to be comfortable. When I came across this fuzzy sweater, I knew it had to be mine immediately. This thing is so damn cozy, it's like wearing a big warm hug in the form of an olive green cardigan. I'm in love. Doesn't hurt that it's in one of my favorite fall colors, either!

I picked up these denim shorts from there over the summer and true to form, I refuse to retire my shorts just yet. I tend to keep a small portion of my shorts and mini skirts in my wardrobe for fall/winter because it expands my outfit options. I simply pair them with tights or a pair of thigh-highs and viola! Instant warm. I have these exact socks in multiple colors and if you haven't purchased a pair of knee-high/thigh-high socks from American Apparel yet, I highly recommend you do so–especially if you're into layering like I am. They're super thick and warm, I swear these could protect you in a blizzard! I have worn these with a mini dress and a jacket and have been comfortable and toasty warm. You have my word. They're a staple in my wardrobe and a very good investment, in my opinion.

This hat is something I thrifted back when I was about 14 or 15 years old and I can't believe I still even have it! My mom recently sent me a backpack of things she found at home that she thought I might want, and to my surprise, this hat was somehow in the mix. I wore a lot of hats like these in high school, I had five or six of them at the time. This one stole my heart because it's not only open-knit, but it's also mustard yellow (which is probably my ultimate favorite fall color). I'm always tempted to pair mustard yellow with a bold red, and so I went to my go-to: Mac Russian Red. 

As always, be sure to check my Tumblr and Instagram for more updates.

Tumblr: feralblonde.tumblr.com

Instagram: @daniellerosecastano

Thank you all for reading, take care.

XO