Buds + Blessings

The past few weeks have been quite a blur pet/house sitting, working and brainstorming remotely with the usual sprinkle of self discovery-- because it's never done, I suppose.  

In just a couple of short weeks I am making a big, funny, cool, ludicrous change: I'm opening a retail space.  Saying that is getting easier, but still feels crazy and impossible, yet God dropped the means squarely into my lap.  Not only will my little boutique offer hand-curated vintage clothing, but over time I'll be offering handmade, fair trade and US made vintage inspired (and otherwise awesome) clothing and accessories as well! 

I'm realizing that these types of random opportunities, simply ought not be questioned. :) So with the newly budding spring, I'm quite prepared to let things happen and see where they go.  So so many things are on the horizon, and while I'm not sure how this little boutique of mine fits in with any of them, I have peace.  Today is only that, and tomorrow will worry about its self.

Details

{dress} - ModCloth

{tights} - Target

{sweater} - Urban Outfitters

{jacket} - gift, Michael Kors

{boots} - Mel via ModCloth

{scarf} - ?

Abandon

Believe it or not, I actually found these adorable slacks at Goodwill!  I was pretty shocked to find such 40's style pants wedged in between skinny jeans and 90's flairs, but you just don't ask questions about a find like that!  The missing button has since been remedied. ;)

I ditched my fiery locks a few weeks ago, so looking at these pictures (which are from before then) is a little funny in hindsight-- I didn't realize it was that bright! Haha, I'll chalk it up to experience.

As this year comes to a close, I've been expressing a lot-- I mean more than usual.  I wrote a long overdue letter to tie up some loose ends and get some closure.  I shared a poem that I wrote over six months ago with the person I wrote it about.  Funny, but I'm realizing that sometimes the craziest, most uncomfortable instincts are the ones you really ought to follow-- even if other people don't get it, and think you are silly.

You know, maybe I am silly.  So be it.

The only thing I really ever regret is not expressing myself, and giving voice to things that lay heavy on my heart.  It seems the heaviest of those are the first to be neglected, because they are usually inconvenient.  I'm kind of tired of that, or at least the aftermath of it.  

I'm not really a New Year's resolution person, but I'll say that 2016 is going to be a year of abandon for me.  Abandoning the remnants of my self doubt/consciousness, abandoning fear and clinging to the truth of my heavenly Father's provision and faithfulness, abandoning how I think things should be.  

I've tasted the freedom that comes from that in 2015, and really just want more.

All of the Shoulda-Coulda-Wouldas lyin' in the sun, 

talkin' about the things that they shoulda-coulda-woulda done.  

Then all of the Shoulda-Coulda-Wouldas ran away and hid, from one little Did.

-Shel Silverstien

Details

{blouse} - thrifted

{sweater} - Urban Outfitters

{jacket} - Michael Kors

{pants} - thrifted

{shoes} - Chelsea Crew

Fashion Truth

A long time favorite online boutique of mine is running a social media campaign that I actually find interesting-- it's centered around the concept of #Fasiontruth and asks followers to post what their's is. I can get behind something like that, in a culture where fashion is often used as a tool to "keep up with the Joneses", build a sense of worth or get attention. Can I just say that I find those to be fashion lies? I often use the term "personal style" in place of "fashion" because I believe it better defines what a healthy sense of fashion should be-- a style of one's own, purely for self expression and because we get to choose what we wear.

My fashion truth, I suppose, is that a wardrobe should not be a facade, or a hiding place, but a canvas for the heart.

And I seriously wish I had a specific reason for wearing this "Gossip Kills" tee, but it's just true and awesome. :)

Details

{Tee} - brand? (Karma Loop)

{Skirt} - Bettie Page (ModCloth)

{Oxfords} - Call It Spring

{Necklace} - gift from Dad

{Ring} - vintage 70's, inherited

{Watch} - vintage 30's, inherited

Jeans

Now and then I do wear pants for purposes other than walking my dog early in the morning.  I've actually made a practice of wearing jeans (specifically the blue, normal-low-waist kind) every once in a while to shake myself up.  And it does, wearing jeans is weird for me.  Don't get me wrong, I can sport menswear really well, but there's something assimilated feeling about walking around in jeans and a blouse.  But I suppose that's exactly why I have to do it.  I have a tendency to over value (or make an idol of) individuality, which muddies the truth that we are all individuals regardless of our choice to follow the stream, or not.

So sometimes I don outfits like this, to remind myself.  Even if it makes me feel a bit awkward.

Details

{peplum top} - Esley

{jeans} - True Religion

{necklace} - handmade via Seven Finches

{leather cuff} - handmade by me

{shoes} - Lollipop

Sumac + Understanding

 

The recent snow has put a bit of Holiday Spirit in my step, but leading up to Thanksgiving I'm not as excited as I would hope to be.  I love my family but often feel that they don't understand me, or even desire to.  I want to be myself around them, but I've learned over time that many of my personality traits are not desirable in my family culture.  That's painful, but I am trying to keep perspective.  I often feel left out, dismissed, written off, or inconsequential.  That doesn't mean those things are true.

Today I will try to approach my family with a clear head, allow the Holy Spirit to guide my steps, show me what is true, and how I can understand them.  I know someone (?) wise said that to be understood, we must first seek to understand.

Today will be a day of prayer and seeking to understand.

Details

{dress} - Modcloth

{shirt} - T.J. Maxx

{tights} - Target

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{mittens} - ?

{necklace} - Mata Traders

Rust + Mint

My recent season of newness, color and growth is about to transition yet again.  It's a good thing I'm comfortable with change!

Specifically, my internship with the wonderful people at Mata Traders is about to come to an end-- so bittersweet, that.  In the three short months that I've been there, I have seen and learned so many new things, and proven my own capability (to myself) in more than one area. It's also been so cool getting to know the individuals whom I've worked alongside, the entire team at Mata is comprised of kind-hearted, fun and genuine people.

I'm also moving in...less than a week! It's not very far away, but I'm so excited because the apartment is in a tiny green Victorian house, very close to friends, the train and one of my favorite coffee shops.  Cheers to that!

{dress} - Mata Traders

{rust sweater} - Obey

{mint coat} - J.Crew

{knit tights} - Target

{boots} - Steve Madden

{necklace} -  Seven Finches

Snakes & Polka Dots

This is week is flying already!  Since Friday I have been working on an exciting 20's themed project that a friend asked me to consult on-- mostly including research and styling, two of my favorite things!  Velvet, beading, finger waves, and pearly hues are definitely on the brain lately.  I'll probably post some 20's know-how here in the coming weeks.

In general I've felt overwhelmingly blessed of late, even in the midst of some financial stress in my family God is providing left and right for me in other ways: creatively, relationally and spiritually.  Most of all with the ability to really, truly release my expectation for life.  The more I let go of my preconceived notions, the more God can surprise and delight me with His plans.

Seems crazy, but it's so much better that way.

-----

{turquoise dress} - ModCloth

{snake tee} - Lucky Brand (a looong time ago)

{gladiators} - Sam Edelman

{beaded bracelet} - gift

{silver watch} - vintage, Grandmother's

Day off Casual

I don't think I ever used to get tired of "dressing up" but now that I work in an office and it's a requirement, my days off look a little more casual than they used to.  I think this also may in part be becuase I can't wear my more casual dresses to work, so I end up wearing them on my days off.  This can be a problem, but I digress.  This outfit is from my day off on Thursday.

Somehow, I've never blogged about these shoes that I made in the fall.  Yeah, I made them.  I have long been interested in leatherworking, grew up making leather bracelets and key chains at summer camp and for a few years have been searching for a way to learn the craft of shoemaking.  At first I tried to become an apprentice to a local cobbler, a 80-some year old man who has been making and mending shoes since stepping off the boat from Greece as a child.  That did not work out (there's a great story there though), but I ended up finding a little place in Ravenswood called The Chicago School of Shoemaking.  I took a two day intensive class, and walked away holding these puppies that I cut, stitched and made by hand.  That was my first exposure to actual shoemaking, and this summer I'm going to attempt to make my second pair (of my own pattern this time)!

And woah, I'm not wearing any vintage in this outfit-- it does happen every now and then! :)