Do Good, Feel Good.

At work today I helped a woman who had been in a pretty bad car accident find an outfit that made her feel great and daring. She had a lot of hangups about her body (hiding disfigurement and scars), and she really opened up to me in the fitting room. It felt great to speak openly with her and to laugh about the absurdity of one’s self-imposed vulnerability. She left with so much more confidence and she seemed so much happier than when she came in.

Sometimes a person just needs a reality check: our bodies are simply the vessels through which we live our lives.  Our physical appearance is not something that should keep us from being happy – it is something that should be used to our advantage as we seek joy and fulfillment in our lives! We are more than bodies, but it is important to acknowledge that our physical appearance impacts the way we view ourselves, the way we treat ourselves and the way we approach the world and treat others.

Everyone deserves to feel good and happy.
Over and out!

Cherry Blossom Girl

Cherry blossoms are dropping, the grass is growing, the sun is shining, and I’m wearing sandals. I am in heaven.

Poolside

My favorite earrings pictured on my favorite coasters.

Pattern Happy

A glimpse into my closet reveals my unabashed love of prints.

642 Things to Write About

Since the title of this blog isn’t doing its proper job guilting me into writing regularly, maybe this book will:

Written by the San Fransisco Writers’ Grotto in 24 hours, this book full of prompts (ranging from easily relatable to completely crazy) is a tribute to the unleashed mind.

Here’s to setting aside the constant self-analysis, and letting that creativity run wild!

(Here’s where you can get your own copy!)

Outfit of the Day: Orange Coral

It’s one of those warm, grey days in April, and it’s time for color! Bear with me as I take another self shot (the least I could do was spin for you):

The outfit:

• Blouse: Grey Lin (Anthro)
• Skirt: Lil (Anthro)
• Cardigan: Club Monaco (Thrifted)

Bridal Headpiece Mockup

Before...

After!

All it takes is a little wire and a handful of crystals. Here’s a link to a pretty good twisted wire/branching wire technique, if you’d like to try it yourself! Simply mount the piece onto a hair pin, and you’re golden.

Outfit of the Day: Striped Stripes

The outfit:

• Dress: Striped Stripes Dress by Tracy Reese
• Shoes: Dansko
• Red Leather Bag: Gifted
• Cardigan: Merona
• Necklace: Made by me!
• Phone case totally matches, but not intentionally, I promise.

The best part about this outfit is that the dress is currently on sale at Anthropologie! Get it, you’ll love it! It’s one of those pieces that guarantees compliments. When you’re wrapped in such happy colors, everyone wants to talk to you and the whole world seems brighter! If you do get this dress, I would recommend sizing up. It fits tightly in the bust and there is no stretch, as it’s silk. It comes with removable straps and built-in underpinnings. It’s really a class act all around.

I also totally recommend these shoes. They are phenomenally comfortable and still available on Endless in brown. If I could wear them every day I would. (Heck, I actually do, and they’re kiiiiind of gross because of it…….. shh)

Also, let’s talk about this latest attempt at solo outfit documentation. I figured that if I used one of the classy mirrors at Anthro, maybe a mirror shot would be forgivable! Not bad, but I bet I can do better!

Oh, oh, one more thing. Before I left Anthro, I had to try on this necklace by Ranna Gill. It’s really love. I think I need it.

Tutorial: Gardening Pots From Found Objects

Any metal container can easily become a unique pot for a plant. This weekend I found a fondue pot, a coffee can and an old soup cauldron at the junk shop and turned them into new homes for indoor plants!

The process couldn’t be easier! All it takes is a hammer and a big old nail.

Simply pound a bunch of holes in the bottom of any metal container (in this case a completely amazing enameled fondue pot) to create adequate drainage.

Since nail holes are quite a bit smaller than the standard center-drilled hole found in most manufactured plant pots, spread a few out across the bottom of the vessel. Punch more holes for plants that like dry soil!

Just think of all the containers you could use in a garden! Coffee tins, lunch boxes, old colorfully enameled pots and pans… fondue pots in particular have a great shape to them and come with saucers underneath to catch water. If you look at your local second-hand store for old cookie and tea tins, don’t discard the lids - they can often be used as saucers that fit the pots perfectly!

How do you keep track of what you wear?

I’m trying to come up with a better way to document my closet, and my favorite outfits. I love getting dressed (which should come as no surprise) but it’s hard to keep track of the constantly evolving results of this creative process.

It's hard to take a picture of yourself.

Between life as an irreverent tomboy in high school and eventually finding a job in the fashion industry after college, it took me years to figure out how to dress like a girl comfortably, confidently, and without irony. I want to share my discoveries, and help others learn to feel beautiful and genuine simultaneously. Appearances aren’t everything, but I do believe the way we present ourselves impacts our lives profoundly. Documenting my own creative choices will help me define myself and grow, and help other people do the same.

Now… I just need to find a good way to document! Photographs? Drawings?

I like the illustrations for two reasons: one, no fiddling with a camera timer, and two, doodles feel less narcissistic than a blog full of gratuitous self portraits. Maybe I could go photographic but skip the modelling by whipping out a few nice hangers and shooting outfits hung along the (one remaining) blank white wall in my hallway?

Thoughts?