Geek style: Star Trek Starfleet ships outfit

I like coming up with quirky outfits that combine geekdom and fashion, as you probably know from my previous geeky look.

Now that summer looks like it's here to stay (crossing my fingers) in Chicago — I virtually-styled something casual, cute and appropriate for a sunny Saturday.

I love the fun print on the shorts, and the muscle tee is simple enough that you have an cool combination without too much going on. I also like that the armholes on the tee aren't huge — which will make it easy to tuck the tee into the shorts. The rest of the look is minimalistic: lovely summery flats from Madewell, perfectly tiny bar studs and a great envelope-style crossbody bag.

All fit for the "Federation" of fashion! (I just groaned at that too, no worries.)

Linky links: Star Trek Starfleet muscle tee | Tile beaded shorts | Margot flats | Bar stud earrings | Rebecca Minkoff Marlowe Mini

geek on,
michelle

Geeking over: No Manches Clothing

T-shirts are the tortillas of our wardrobe. Stay with me! :)

They serve as simple staple pieces yet they can really make your outfit unique and memorable. T-shirts can also provide much-needed comfort while you're lounging around, or cleaning your house while singing Marco Antonio Solis songs. That said, you might as well have some culturally empowering options!

I had heard about No Manches Clothing before, but after I got this amazing Frida long-sleeve tee for Christmas (Gracias Ivan), I wanted to check out what else they had on their website.

I pretty much wish I had their entire collection in my closet, but here are my absolute faves for women, men and baby. If you need some cultura in your closet, I urge you to check them out.

First row: Educated Latina | Frida Long Sleeve | Hecha en Chicago
Second row: Mexican Gothic | ¡Toma! Onesie | Chicago Skull

Find them online, on Twitter, on Facebook or in person at 1800 W. 18th Street, Chicago.

geek on,
michelle

How to be Wayne Campbell from 'Wanye's World'

With growing families and busy lives, my college friends and I have a hard time getting together during the holidays. Which is why we throw an annual themed holiday party in mid-January! This year "Saturday Night Live" was the theme, and I decided to dress up as Wayne from "Wayne's World."

The other SNL-themed costumes! Behold, a Latina on SNL! (Finally, haha)

Here's how to achieve this simple and awesome costume:

Dressing up like Wayne is pretty easy. Throw on a semi-fitted black t-shirt, ripped light-wash jeans and the infamous "Wayne's World hat." My hair is currently the perfect length for Wayne's mullet-y style. :)

You could come up with these basic items pretty easily, but here's where I got my stuff.

Outfit details:
Men's black t-shirt: Target | Wayne's World hat: Amazon | Distressed boyfriend jeans: Forever 21 | Shoes: Converse or more affordable option from Target

geek on,
michelle

How to be Elaine Benes for Halloween

I hope you have a great Halloween today, whether it be in front of a scary movie with friends, stuffing your face with candy or getting a kick out of scaring the neighborhood kids. :)

I celebrated Halloween last weekend, and in case you were wondering which costume I ended up going with, here's photo evidence of my geekiness.

Mexican Elaine BenesPhoto: geekylatina — Mexican Elaine Benes
Photo: geekylatina

Behold, my lady hero Elaine Benes from Seinfeld. I spent a lot of time crafting together an appropriate Elaine outfit, and my naturally frizzy curly hair finished off the look.

Prop-wise, I had:
- The Tweety Bird Pez dispenser from "The Pez Dispenser"
- Today Sponge from "The Today Sponge"
- Jujyfruits from "The Opposite"
- White tube socks for Mr. Pitt from "The Chaperone"

Hope you enjoyed my costume!

You should know I did not go around shoving people and yelling "Get out!" But I was tempted.

geek on,
mexican elaine

Geek style: Breaking Bad "Better Call Saul" outfit

Can you tell I'm still looking for ways to cope with Breaking Bad being over? :(

So it only makes sense to shop online for BB-related things, right? Enter this great Etsy find. This "Better Call Saul!" sweatshirt is awesome — you'll be cute and warm this fall. Complete the look with cute booties and a bright plaid scarf. Bam! An outfit Huell would approve.

geek on,
michelle

Bueno, Bonito y Barato: Mano y Metal

I recently discovered Mano y Metal through Twitter. Their account @manoymetal followed me, and per my usual I clicked on their profile to learn more. The minute I saw Desiree's photos, logo and website I knew I had stumbled upon something very special.

Not only is Mano y Metal based in Chicago, but all the pieces are hand-crafted by Desiree (who is simply stunning!). She does everything herself, she truly is a one-woman wonder! What an inspiration. I immediately ordered the "Made in Chicago" necklace.

Check out my favorite pieces from Mano y Metal in the gallery below. Not only are they unique and creative, but they are all super affordable, considering they are handmade!

Frida Kahlo Copper Earrings

$25 at manoymetal.com

Made in Chicago Heart Charm Necklace

$15 at manoymetal.com

Chicago Flag Earrings

$25 at manoymetal.com

Amor Mio Ring

$16 at manoymetal.com

CTA Map Earrings

$25 at manoymetal.com

Me Vale Madre Ring

$16 at manoymetal.com

Skull Tie Clip

$16 at manoymetal.com

Meet the Mano y Metal Team shop: http://www.manoymetal.com facebook page: http://facebook.com/manoymetaljewelry blog: http://www.manoymetal.blogspot.com twitter: http://www.twitter.com/manoymetal

geek on,
michelle

* * * **

I was raised on the Mexican 3 B's: Bueno, Bonito y Barato. For those unfamiliar with this adage, it translates to good (quality), nice, and affordable/cheap. Having grown up with not much money, my mother always instilled in me that you could always find a good deal if you looked hard enough. And in her case, that usually involved combing through clearance racks. :) This motto has been engrained me in and I'd love to share it with you through these posts.

Help me this Halloween!

I'm in the process of brainstorming for my DIY Halloween costume. Here are two possibilities, both realistically easier with my naturally curly hair. Elaine Benes and Deanna Troi have been TV characters I've idolized since I was young. :)

What do you think?

geek on,
michelle

Geek style: Star Wars pencil skirt

Now THIS is work wear I can get behind. How great is this Millennium Falcon and X-Wing pencil skirt? Coming to Hot Topic soon.

via Fashionably Geek

geek on,
michelle

Geeking over: Breaking Bad finale and nail art

Yesterday I (and millions other people) watched the series finale of "Breaking Bad."

I won't post any spoilers here, but I will say I was immensely satisfied. This show has affected me in ways I can't even describe. It's such a brilliant show with incredible acting and I while normally I get whiny when something I love gets super popular, I love the love that the Internet is feeling for BB.

Plus, any show that can make me bawl for a drug lord (also include "The Wire" in here) is a show I'll hold on to dearly for decades. I can picture myself as an abuelita, telling my kids about Walt and Jesse's adventures in that RV. They'll probably roll their eyes.

Anyway, I chose to commemorate this special day by attempting to do nail art for the first time. I have a helluva shaky hand, so forgive the non-perfectness of it all. I'm not the Heisenberg of nail art, I'm more like the Badger or Skinny Pete of manicures. :)

Props to one of my favorite beauty gurus on YouTube, Julie G for her awesome tutorial!

geek on,
michelle

Ivan's geeky birthday

One of my BFFs Ivan celebrated his birthday this weekend and we got geeky. We donned Scott Pilgrim vs. The World t-shirts and headed over to Music Box Theatre for a midnight show of the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, you must! If you have ever loved playing video games, you'll love it. I promise.

Happy Birthday Ivan!

geek on,
michelle

Geeking over: Larry David dress

It's no secret I'm kind of obsessed with all things Larry David. So imagine my sheer delight when I came across this charming frock. It's prettay, prettay, prettay good. :)

geek on,
michelle

Geek gear: Han Solo t-shirt

You know how everyone's got that list of celebrities that you would leave your boyfriend/husband for? Oh, no. Just me? :)

Anyhow... Harrison Ford has always been on my list. Yeah, I know. 2013's Harrison Ford is looking aged lately, with his platinum white hair and random earring. I only need to look up photos of him as Indiana Jones or Han Solo and sigh. So dreamy!

For that reason and more I must simply have this t-shirt.

Hot Topic's got a great assortment of other Star Wars tees, check 'em out.

geek on,
michelle

My First Time at C2E2!

Previous commitments have always kept me from attending the annual Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, a.k.a. C2E2, but this year I was able to go! Cue a happy Elaine dance.

Game of Thrones Q&A with James Cosmo and Natalie Dormer!

As overwhelming as it first seemed, I quickly got used to the seemingly never-ending aisles of comic books, toys, posters and all things pop culture. And the costumes! Man, it was a people-watching dream. :) There's a sense of relief to know and feel you are among others who know what it feels like to love something, be a fan girl (or boy). I highly recommend it for anyone, geek or not!

The highlight for me was getting to sit in on a Q&A with Game of Thrones actors James Cosmo (Lord Commander Jeor Mormont) and Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell). Props to RedEye's geek blogger Elliott Serrano, who impressively moderated the panel.

And because I needed some kind of souvenir, I left with a lovely pair of Star Trek inspired earrings which I plan to rock with everything!

Confession: I get excited anytime I get to wear a lanyard.

I ended up purchasing these rad Star Trek Next Generation communicator earrings.

geek on,
michelle

Geek Style: Pixelated Sweatshirts

It's finally warming up here in Chicago but lest we forget its freezing the other 80% of the year, I had to share these cute pixelated sweatshirts! Of course, I'm partial to the GameBoy one, but any of these would be a geeky addition to your closet. Check them out here.

Awesome pixelated sweatshirts via Beloved Shirts

geek on,
michelle

El Top 5: R2-D2 Bodysuit y OMG Louis C.K.

It's time for another edition of ¡El Top 5!
Yes, I'm still not over the announced demise of Google Reader. I know, sad — but that is my life as a RSS-feed devotee. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one crushed by the news. Check out this ode below:

A Dominican immigrant wins the insane 338-million Powerball jackpot and people are assholes about it on Twitter. I shouldn't be surprised, but these reactions annoyed me. Don't worry about the haters, Pedro!

This R2-D2 bodysuit from Black Milk is HOT. Pair it with a cute skater skirt and you're set! What would R2D2 say about this? Probably this:

Help take back the Latina tag! If you are on tumblr, reclaim the Latina tag! These amazing Latinas have presented the challenge to take back the tag and stop the hypersexualization of Latinas.

Tune in on Saturday, April 13th at 10PM. Connect with HBO on Facebook & Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/hbo http://www.twitter.com/hbo #louisckonHBO

OMG Louis C.K. I heart you. That is all.

geek on,
michelle