This is the second Thanksgiving the Dolls have spent together.  We're all from somewhere else and most of us wait until the Christmas holidays to visit family and friends, so we gather up all of the orphans and have a huge feast at the Dusty Rose Vintage HQ.

Now that this little shindig is becoming a tradition, the Dolls are bringing their own traditions into the fold.  Now no Thanksgiving will feel complete without:

The Dolls love to roll deep.  We like to surround ourselves with awesome ladies with a variety of talents and interests.  So we've been pretty stoked to add Ariana to our "Friend of the Dolls" rolodex.  She's definitely got what it takes to play with us and we are proud to honor her as Novemeber's FOD of the Month.


1) What do your weekdays generally consist of (ie, how do you make money, what are you working on, etc?)
I'm an artist, so do various things for that.  For example, working on projects in my studio, making temporary tattoos of nipples at home, sending images out, applying for grants, photographing my stomach, etc.  Today I had a Skype interview with a newspaper in Columbia!  My day job is a dental assistant, so I'm looking in people's mouths a lot.
Going to art openings, galleries, museums, music shows, taking walks around the city, or relaxing at home with my adorable cat Beep.
Through mutual friends over some homemade sushi.  Then at a rooftop party that ended with me going home carrying a cupcake at 4am.  It was all downhill from there ;) 
They aren't afraid to be silly so we laugh all over the place, even with the impending doom of a hurricane (see image).


Let's go to brunch and then have a vintage dress up day!
Thank you!  I make work about skin, and in particular my skin condition called dermatographia.  Using temporary tattoos, collage, photographs, video, wallpaper, and window decals, I'm exploring unconventional ideas of beauty.  I think we experience life through our bodies as well as our minds, and skin is our largest organ.  So it's a great place to start, especially since it reveals so much about us. 
Watch fireflies in the summer (I love the summer here!), go for boat rides (especially to Ft Tilden!), and look at all the amazing art and architecture New York has to offer (the Met is one of my favorites!)
Since 2007
Many of my dreams involve water: looking at it, swimming in it, riding on it, sliding into it, walking next to it, or flying above it.  Sometimes there are cool creatures in it too.  But not really one recurring dream in particular...it's more of a theme.
East (even though I'm from the West coast and and some things are just better out there)
Cheesy hip hop and R & B.  It reminds me of when I was a kid.
I'm an avid snowboarder and have been doing it for the past 17 years.  It's almost that season again, who wants to go!?



How cool is this girl?  Thanks for being our friend, Ariana!!!  We're looking forward to many more good times to come!  I'm pretty sure I see a brunch and then vintage dress up cocktail party in our future!  

1.) How'd you find your path crossing with the Downtown Dolls...just how did you and the gang become friends?

I attended a fashion swap held on Joan Threat's roof. I also met Mess Demeanor and Snowflake at the event and I immediately realized these girls had style with a little extra bang.

2.) What do you do for work, play, extra-curriculars???

I'm a photo editor by day and at other times I do it all: shoot (photographs, not people), write for Brokelyn.com, see a whole lotta music, and never miss a brunch. I have a weakness for puppies (oddly enough dachshunds, same as last month's FOD and shiba inus), ketchup, British television, and lately, Pinterest.

3.) Tell us something quirky about YOU, that maybe even the DTD don't know.

I lived in London several times growing up and although I was born in Manhattan, I most identify with this European city. If that's not quirky enough for you, I'm also deathly afraid of fish.

4.) What's your favorite food?  Any excellent restaurants you and the dolls should hit up at some point in the near future?

I've been a vegetarian for over 16 years but I recently returned to a vegan diet. I absolutely love scouting out vegan spots, as well as vegan-friendly spots. I'm a big fan of The V Spot (also a fave of doll Snowflake) and the "chicken" teryaki vegan pizza at Vinnie's. Other favorites include Spring Street Natural and Stogo for a sweet treat.

5.) Being a FOD means rollin' with the dolls and throwin' down for the dolls.  If they found themselves in a bind and needed some backup, what weapon would you wanna be toting around with you...ummm just in case, ya know...the situation escalated?

I'd probably use some sort of nerdy and extremely cunning reverse psychology. That's sexy, right? In high school, I made a mural for our school with a huge peace sign and woven flowers throughout it. Need I say more?

6.) What's your favorite part of being a FOD?

These girls are the best. I have a feeling they'd probably have my back in case of hurricane, fire, famine, or flood. A little black eyeliner goes a long way in a crisis situation.

7.) What do you plan to do with your month long role as FOD OF THE MONTH?  Gloat to anyone and everyone?  Or just revel silently and bask in the "awesomeness" of knowing you're the DTDs fave FOD for October?

Whoa, well for now, I'm gonna sit here a blush a little. When that passes, I'll be out on the town celebrating Joan Threat's birthday and moving one block away from Mess Demeanor. I'll be borrowing lots of cups of sugar from that doll.

8.)  Any crazy fun activities you've got lined up in the near future that you're thinking the Dolls should join in on with you?  If not, no worries--we've got plenty lined up ourselves to invite YOU to.

Since I'm moving this month, and so many of the dolls live within walking distance from my new pad, I'm hoping there'll be lots of excursions to show me the ropes and all that. October also puts me in the mood to bake. Baking party? Finally, since we all have so much free time, I've always been dying to go apple picking and never have. I bet the dolls would slay a mean apple.

9.) Quick fire round...choose one QUICK

-movie theater or netflix? Netflix. (I wish I went to the theater more. I love BAM)!

-magazines or novels? Lately neither...but nerd-me says novels.

-puppies or kittens? PUPPIES! (I'm also allergic to cats).

-The Great Outdoors or Cozy Indoors? Cozy Indoors: this is Brooklyn. When I live in Colorado in a tent in the mountains, it will be the Great Outdoors. 

-cross country road trip or cross country flight? Road Trip. I've never done it. I'd like to do it.

I hope that quick fire round showed you what an indecisive person I am. Or not. Maybe I'm decisive.