Wednesday, March 30, 2011

wishful thinking

Ohh bugger, ok so I had an entire post written out and then I accidentally deleted it? Great work Amelia, really. Anyway I'm cooped up inside because a) the weather is awful and b) I'm sick. I think those are pretty legitimate right? So since NC has decided to have a deluge, I haven't been able to take any outfit photos lately. This weekend is supposed to be beyoooutiful though, I'm crossing my fingers!

Cooked up a few outfits on polyvore for kicks. Dreaming of warmer weather and free time

An Outdoor Concert:
Lightweight layers & sunglasses! Crossbody bag- easier to keep track of and to crowd surf/mosh pit if that's you're kind of thing




Girls' Night Out:
Pretty details & fun colors




Beach Bound
A long, breezy skirt and a wide-brimmed hat, what more could you ask for?





Oh and a side note: For anyone who lives in the triad area of North Carolina, my painting class is having an exhibition this week and next through April 9th! I have two paintings in the show and am featured on our promotion poster below. I would love, love if you could come. Let me know if you think you'd like to meet up!




















xo,
A.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

from the horse's mouth

An Interview with Rebecca of The Clothes Horse:

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Rebecca was sweet enough to answer a few questions I had about her and her blogging endeavors. She is among one of the first bloggers I found this past summer including Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky and Tieka of Selective Potential. It is because of these lovely ladies that I became interested in pursuing my own blog. They proved to me that personal style can be more than what people generally say it is. Justifying my passion and curiosity for fashion is something with which I have struggled. It is easy for others to write it off as materialistic, self-absorbed and superficial.

To me Rebecca is a perfect counterexample to these stereotypes. I chose to interview her because I can sense her broader intuitiveness for art and for life. She is extremely introspective, something I can relate to, and very intelligent. You can feel the thought and emotion she puts into her outfits and written reflections. It is people like Rebecca who help me muster the courage and pride to continue doing what I love. Personal style is about expressing who you are and being proud of that unique identity. Being self-confident is something I have lacked at different times in my life. The power of clothes does not come from their innate qualities, but rather in their ability to empower you.

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Without further ado, here's our interview!

1. How did you get started blogging?

I was reading a lot of other blogs and eventually reading them wasn’t enough for me, I had to have my own! I think the first blogs I started reading were poetry and food blogs, but I did eventually stumble across street fashion and really fell hard for personal style blogs.

2. As a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?

When I was little I wanted to be an artist. What type of artist changed fairly often and it wasn’t really a driving force; even as a kid I didn’t know with certainty what I wanted to be. I’m still in that place of uncertainty; I really don’t know what I’d like to be doing in 10 years. I just hope I continue to enjoy my job.

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3. What did you study in college? Are you still currently pursuing that area of interest?

I studied Marketing and Business and while I’m using some of the skills I learned, I’m definitely not pursuing that area. I chose the major because I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I thought I could learn some useful skills through it.

4. Do you have a favorite post of yours? I know there are a few that tend to draw me.

I really don’t think I have a favorite post. There are some I really love for different reasons, but one favorite? I think a fairly recent one I really like is “Pale But Not A Ghost;” I really love how the pictures came out—it was a really wonderful, eerie day.

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5. How would you say your sense of personal style has shifted since beginning blogging?

Since I began blogging I’ve graduated from college and I think my personal style reflects that; I’m not a college student so in some ways I’m more adventurous with heels, but I’m also experimenting less as I try to look somewhat close to my actual age. I think overall my style is getting more refined; I’m really beginning to figure out what I really like.

6. If you could only play around with only one element of style, what would it be? Color, pattern, proportion/shape, or texture/materiality?

Color! I’ve always been really intrigued by color, I think it comes from having a color blind Grandfather. From very little I had this awareness of color as something significant, something I noticed because I knew someone who didn’t see it the same way as me at all. In high school my AP Art portfolio focused on color and color theory. So, it’s still an important element in my wardrobe and something I pay attention to.

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7. Could you describe the mental process you go through when putting together an outfit?

Every outfit is a little different; I usually start with one piece and build from there. It could be a dress or a headband, but I start with a narrow focus and just pull pieces that I think will go with it.

8. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Telepathy! It would probably be super rude and intrusive, but I’m such an introvert that I often wish I knew what other people were thinking. Human beings can be such a mystery!

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9. What is your proudest blogging achievement?

Oh goodness, I don’t know! I mostly just focus on the content and I’m happy when I’m producing photographs I’m not ashamed to share. I’m also really honored by the opportunities I’ve had; being allowed backstage at a number of fashion shows during NYFW was definitely a wonderful experience.

10. What is your best piece of advice to other bloggers?

Blog about what you love. If you want your blog to last, then figure out what your passion is and something that you won’t get tired of doing. I also advocate generating as much original content as possible; it makes your blog unique, but it’s also a chance for you to express yourself creatively.

11. Where do you hope to be in 5 years? (physically, professionally, mentally, whatever-ly)

I have no idea! I’d like to be doing something I love and be surrounded by people I love. Unfortunately, all the other details are hazy. I’m not entirely sure where I will be or what I will be doing this fall. 

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Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

xo,
A.

Monday, March 21, 2011

color me happy

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We have these beautiful flowers blooming by the field next to the art building. Although I'm skeptical about half the things our university spends its budget on, I do love the landscaping. We have one of the topst 10 best landscaped campuses in the country which is kind of cool for bragging rights?

It was beautiful today, mid 60s with a light breeze. It's definitely starting to feel alot like spring. Only six more weeks left in the semester, time flies. Still haven't solidified my summer plans. Does anyone have exciting adventures in store?

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Dress (worn as a top): Vintage via ShopMinette, etsy// Button-up top & skirt: Urban Outfitters// Booties: Steve Madden

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Spring collections this year are featuring alot of complementary colors which is fabulous. Tried it out on this look, I think the key is to allow one color to be more saturated and the other to be more muted so that they're not competing with each other. My favorites are rich red and minty green, royal blue and burnt orange, and lemon yellow with lilac.

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So long for now! Hope your Monday's off to a solid start.

xo,
A.

PS. Another way I wore the dress here and another way I wore the skirt here

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

coming up rosy

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Not feeling all that talkative so I'll let the photos do the talking. I do want to mention this beautiful purse though! I found it through Etsy, the seller is a lovely lady named Rym. I love that name. She makes a concerted effort to be green in her process and everything is handmade by her! Check out her etsy shop here. Her shop is called Bagatelles&Co. and features playful, beautiful prints for clutches, clutch purses (like mine) and coin purses.

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The lining is one of my favorite parts! It's like a secret surprise that you only discover once you open it.

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Cardigan & Scarf: J.Crew outlet// Top: Urban Outfitters// Jeans: Gap// Flats: Steve Madden// Clutch purse: Bagatelles&Co.// Earrings: Target

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xo,
A.

Monday, March 14, 2011

against the grain

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Very excited today because I found an hour in between classes to take pictures! These are behind our art building aka my second home, and it was completely deserted so I felt comfortable taking my time. Well save for the people in the dance studio who could see me, but I don't think they were really paying attention anyway. Plus I gotta get comfortable with it at some point, right?

Don't you hate when your hands smell like food after you eat? I washed my hands 2x and they STILL smell like hamburger, bahh. Anyway I should be doing homework right now, but editing photos is much more enjoyable. Spring break was very rejuvenating though. I feel ready to finish out the semester strong.

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Just wanted to throw this out there to you guys. You can donate directly to the Japan Relief Fund on the Red Cross website or just text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. This tragedy is one of awe-inspiringly awful proportions. I strongly believe that regardless of the differences that divide us whether they be national or ethnic, the inviolable, underlying truth is that we are all human beings. The rest is arbitrary. It is our duty to value humanity in ourselves and in others. Any little bit helps!

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Chambray Shirt: Madewell// Shorts: J. Crew Outlet// Tights: WeLoveColors// Booties: Steve Madden// Scarf: Urban Outfitters

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Hope Monday has been kind to you all. Cheers to making it through the week with some happiness along the way.

xo,
A.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

look on the bright side

I was really super pumped about spring break this week. I packed my tripod and my camera and my tall, ridiculous wedges that I never get to wear and then what does it do? Rain, rain & rain some more. Just raining on my parade all week. We have all these flash flood warnings, it's no joke.

So, instead here are a few outfit crushes that I've been having lately. I'm getting very excited about springtime and am looking forward to wearing bright, bright colors! Especially in the red family like these lovely ladies.

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Robyn of Twitch Vintage: Love reading her blog for her adorable, vintage outfits and her hilarious, astute sense of humor

http://www.calivintage.com/
Erin of CaliVintage: Always on top of the latest fashion happenings and she works for modcloth, super sweet!

http://www.lusttforlife.com/
I've got a lust for life: A gorgeous girl with an eye for color and texture, whimsical photoshoots too

http://www.ashleyording.com/
Ashley of FancyFine: Whimsical vintage lover who just opened an etsy shop!

Hope you enjoyed these beautiful girls and their outfits.

Weathering the storm.

xo,
A.