For Reasons, Most Wondrous

"To the garden, the world, anew ascending,
Potent mates, daughters, sons, preluding,
The love, the life of their bodies, meaning and being,
Curious, here behold my resurrection, after slumber;

"The revolving cycles, in their wide sweep, have brought me again,	5
Amorous, mature—all beautiful to me—all wondrous; My limbs, and the quivering fire that ever plays through them, for reasons, most wondrous;

"Existing, I peer and penetrate still,
Content with the present—content with the past,

"By my side, or back of me, Eve following,	10
Or in front, and I following her just the same." ---- "To the Garden of the World" by Walt Whitman

Outfit Details:

Photos taken by Josh.

Glasses//RayBan
Earrings//Vintage, 1950s
Ring//Antique
Cardigan//Charlotte Russe
Dress (worn as blouse)//Vintage, 1980s
Skirt//Vintage, 1960s - via Vintage Archives
Shoes//Vintage 1960s
Handbag//Vintage 1950s

un poète pauvre, mais libre

For so long I was so certain that I would grow up and become a famous writer of short stories or novels or maybe witty magazine features. And if that didn't work out, I knew for certain I would become an editor, a professional and vigilant grammar Nazi. But now I'm second-guessing that future.

After attending the media conference in New York and meeting the nation's most prestigious editors, I felt unimpressed. I can't imagine myself associating with them, and I surely don't want to become like them: boring, condescending, and -- did I mention boring?

I always have loved stories and writing, and I still do! Though I have written some fiction, I've always preferred writing poetry, and I've always been better at that. But, in case you weren't aware, poets don't make any money. Quite literally. None. Even when they have their work published, they still usually make none.

I haven't quite given up the notion of becoming a writer or editor, but I'm keeping my mind open to new ideas. With all my interests, I imagine I will experience multiple careers in my lifetime.

Oddly enough, this uncertainty feels good. I feel free not knowing what it is I want. I feel like dancing. I feel like exploring. I want to try everything.

Outfit Details:

(It deeply irks me that the waistline of my dress peeked out in these photos. I'm trying not to be OCD about it, but it's very very hard.)

Linked up at Not Dead Yet Style.

Necklace//Target (Surprised? I was.)
Dress (worn as blouse)//Vintage, 1980s
Cardigan//Charlotte Russe
Ring//Antique - Sara Coventry
Skirt//Vintage, Ralph Lauren, 1980s
Shoes//Vintage via The Paraders

Happy As A Lark

Ok, so I look severely pouty in these photos, but that is the total opposite of how I'm feeling! 

This Saturday I leave for New York for the media arts conference, and I am completely thrilled!

I'm going with a group of people from my journalism class, which will be delightful because they are delightful people, but I still wish I could take my Josho with me (sigh).
But anyhow...I have a few plans formulating in my little curly head. I'm desperately wanting to visit central park and a few organic restaurants in the area. Unlike my town, NYC actually has options for people who hate eating chemicals. So as you can imagine, I'm happy as a lark ^_^

I'm also planning to visit whatever shops are in Times Square. Anyone know of a vintage shop in that area? I'd love an authentic 50s dress as a souvenir! In fact, I'm packing my suit case full of food so that I can save most of my food money for a dress instead. Priorities, people, priorities!

Outfit details:

Earrings//Charlotte Russe
Dress//ModCloth
Blazer//Vintage, 1980s
Necklace//Charming Charlie's
Ring//Antique
Shoes//Jeffrey Campbell

Love Is Blind...

...and so am I. Do ya like my new spectacles? Well, I love them! They're totally dorky, endearing, and exactly what I wanted.

I've worn glasses since I was ten, but my eyes are so terrible now that the large E at the top of the eye chart looks like a fuzzy, hostile smudge. When I was little, I thought that everybody saw things in the indistinct, blurry way I did.  You can imagine how delighted I was when I got to see that the Moon's craters are actually visible from Earth.

My first pair of glasses were bifocals. After my exam, the optician wrote me a prescription for free bagels at The Bagel Place, which was across the hall from his office. An optician who wrote prescriptions for free cream cheese covered carbohydrates obviously knew what he was doing, putting a pitiful, awkward ten year old in bifocals.

Ok, so I'm still a little awkward, but at least my glasses aren't bifocals anymore. That helps a lot.

Outfit Details:

Linked up here.

Glasses//Ray Ban
Earrings//Charlotte Russe
Blazer//Vintage, 1980s
Dress//Target
Necklace//Vintage
Jeans//ModCloth
Ring//Antique
Shoes//ModCloth

Mon petit placard.

So this is my little bedroom and my closet. The reason the closet appears so sparse is because all the clothes are piled on the bed after laundry day. My room tends to be rather chaotic, and none of my bedding matches. But what did you expect of a quirky poet?

I kind of like taking photos in here...being inside means I get to listen to music. And then pose ridiculously because I’m dancing around like a five year old watching Spongebob. 

I also get to be with my bestemest furry friend Pea, who likes all my mismatched blankets.

Outfit Details:

Earrings//Vintage

Ring//Antique

T-shirt//Target

Cardigan//Vintage

Shorts//Vintage, BONGO 1980s

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Boots//Vintage, Ebay

The Fading Rose

"Ask me no more where Jove bestows,

When June is past, the fading rose;

For in your beauty's orient deep

These flowers, as in their causes, sleep.

"Ask me no more whither do stray

The golden atoms of the day;

For in pure love heaven did prepare

Those powders to enrich your hair.

"Ask me no more whither doth haste

The nightingale when May is past;

For in your sweet dividing throat

She winters and keeps warm her note.

"Ask me no more where those stars 'light

That downwards fall in dead of night;

For in your eyes they sit, and there

Fixed become as in their sphere.

"Ask me no more if east or west

The Phoenix builds her spicy nest;

For unto you at last she flies,

And in your fragrant bosom dies."

--- Thomas Carew

Details:

Photos by Josh.

Necklace//ModCloth

Sweater//The Quirky Poet

Dress//ModCloth

Bird Ring//Charlotte Russe

Handbag//Charming Charlie's
Change Purse//Vintage

Boots//Charlotte Russe

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Green and Red

As a personal rule, I avoid green and red combinations during the holidays so as not to appear grotesquely cheesy. I thought I had succeeded this year, but after looking at these photos of my anti-Christmas outfits, I realized that I had subconsciously worked in variations of the classic Christmas colors. Alas, I am not a Scrooge afterall.

This first outfit felt like such a success to me. I paired not two, not three, but four different patterns without looking like a Christmas clown. I think that right there makes for some fashion history.

Outfit Details:

Hairbow//The Quirky Poet

Necklaces//ModCloth

Giraffe Blouse and Pearl Bracelets//Charlotte Russe

Small Pearl Bracelet//Handcrafted by me

Cardigan and Lace Skirt//Target

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's

Shoes//Vintage St. John's Bay

And I wore this outfit on Christmas Eve...

This dress is so flippy. I always feel like dancing in it. Appropriate for a holiday party, I'd say. And look at that pretty scarf! One of my lovely Christmas gifts this year. Perfect color, isn't it?

Outfit Details:

Pearl Barrette//Vintage
Scarf//Gift
Ring//Antique
Necklace//Vintage
Dress//Vintage, 1980s
Cardigan//Victoria's Secret
Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's
Boots//Charlotte Russe

Cheer Up, Dear

My dearest friend Angel and I decided this past weekend that we did not want to wait until Christmas, so we exchanged gifts early. Such children we are. This sweet owl-clock necklace was one of the delightful gifts she gave me. My time with her was undoubtedly the best part of the weekend. Everything else was rather meh.

Sunday was a particularly unhappy day. When days like that come about, I do my best to cheer myself. First I play dress up. Pretty dresses and frilly shirts usually have a way of improving a downcast heart.

But if that doesn't work, I cuddle with Pea. She can always tell when I'm upset. Such a little mother she is.

If I'm still feeling glum, I stuff my face with as much chocolate as is possible. (I know I'm not the only one who practices this solution.)

And when all else fails, I blare angry, heavy-metal music as loud as my ear drums will tolerate.

That does the trick :)

Outfit Details:

Earrings//Vintage

Blouse//Vintage, early 1970s

Necklace//Gift from Angel

Ring//Vintage - My mom's

Rope Ring and jeans//Charlotte Russe

Shoes//Vintage

Just Peachy

This outfit has so many delightful pieces to it. Normally I don't wear sequins just because they make me feel flashy and like a flapper, and that sort of style doesn't really fit me. BUT this scarf is the exception. I think that, because it's in a small amount and it's on such a lovely crocheted scarf, it suits me.

Then there's the bow. I am wearing these bows on everything lately. They're so convenient! They add just the right whimsical touch. Don't you agree? Beauty and pleasure are in the details.

And I would be remiss if I did not gush about how amazing this purse is. It's made entirely of plastic, which I know isn't exactly eco-friendly, BUT it was the 1930s when it was made. Everybody wore real fur made from chinchilla and fox then, too. But that's beside the point. IT'S GORGEOUS! It belonged to my great-grandmother, who I never knew. I like carrying this purse and wondering about what she was like. My mother tells me she was very sweet. I like feeling that connection to the past. 

And, since I am a person who believes in giving credit where credit is due, I'd just like to take a moment to thank my dear little Pea for helping me get dressed...

...and also for being so freaking cute ^_^


Outfit Details:

Linked up at Everybody Everywear.

Earrings//Kohls
Scarf//Gifted by my grandma (she has good taste, no?)
Blue bow//The Quirky Poet
Dress//Vintage, Thrifted
Cardigan//Thrifted
Tights//Vera Wang for Kohls
Boots//Charlotte Russe
Ring//Antique
Purse//Antique, 1930s

Green With Envy

Some days self-confidence eludes me. Blogging does have a way of boosting one’s self esteem and then other ways of making one feel inferior. 

While many blogs I read admonish thrifty spending and remixing, others highlight expensive brands and lavish jewelry. Seeds of envy have been sprouting in me. (It’s very unattractive.)

I think the commercialism of the holidays plays to this; it waters those seeds. Not only do we want nice, expensive things for ourselves, but we want to give the best presents too. That’s a lot of pressure and a lot of disappointment. Ironic that the most materialistic holiday of the year follows one that was set aside as a day to be thankful for what we already have. 

We truly are an insatiable culture. Nothing will ever be enough. What harsh standards we place on ourselves and one another. It’s difficult to cultivate contentment and self-assurance in that sort of environment. But I try. 


Even now, writing this, I'm feeling better about it. How blessed I am to have such beautiful people (and beautiful clothes!) in my life.

Outfit Details:

Bow Tie//The Quirky Poet

Blouse//Vintage

Cardigan//Target
Jeans and Bracelets//Charlotte Russe

Tote Bag//Vintage from Fanciful Notions
Floral Pouch//Vintage

Socks and Shoes//ModCloth