We Talked of Getting an Inflatable Driver

"The Drive Home"

by W.S. Merwin

I was always afraid

of the time when I would arrive home

and be met by a special car

but this wasn't like that

they were so nice the young couple

and I was relieved not to be driving

so I could see the autumn leaves on the farms

I sat in the front to see better

they sat in the back 

having a good time

and they laughed with their collars up

they said we could take turns driving

but when I looked

none of us was driving

then we all laughed

we wondered if anyone would notice

we talked of getting an inflatable

driver

to drive us for nothing through the autumn leaves

________________________________________________________________

Mission complete.

I wouldn't be opposed to congratulations.

EWOK!!

I can't say I'm thrilled with this entire look, but I feel cozy and I do LOVE this hat...so much :)

When trying on this hat, I was essentially frolicking through the store. I was with my mom at the time, and she was just giggling at me (as she often does because I'm a bit of a shenaniganizer). She told me I had to get the hat because it makes me look like a little ewok. And I love ewoks*.

Meep!

Look inspired by Freckles in April.

*No ewoks were harmed in the making of this hat...or in the making of this post, for that matter.

Outfit Details:

Hat//JC Penny Outlet
Polka Dot Blouse//Vintage
White Blouse//Charlotte Russe
Sweater//The Quirky Poet
Cameo Ring//Antique
Belt//Vintage
Broach//Antique
Jeans//Target
Booties//ModCloth

I Can Point Fingers, Too

Taking outfit photos in public is so uncomfortable and sometimes intimidating. But I find that it is a really great way to nurture self-assurance. When you go about doing something you like, flippantly disregarding the thoughts of outsiders, you realize that, despite how demeaning their glances and opinions may be, they don't matter one bit.

At first, taking photos in public places frightened me senseless. I felt like a giant sign was broadcasting my presence and awkward behavior to passersby. 

But in reality, nobody really cares about what I'm doing. They're going about their (normal) business while I'm going about my (relatively normal) business. So it's quite probable that I'm just imagining their derogatory thoughts and assumptions, but even if I'm not, I feel a little bit powerful for influencing someone's thought patterns.

So take THAT, giant white arrow! I can point fingers, too. 

Need some encouragement, like I did? Check out this post at Laughing With Broken Eyes.

 Outfit Details:

Necklace//Antique
Sweater//Vintage 1980s
Skirt//Target
Tights//Vera Wang for Kohl's
Shoes//Payless

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

My head is spinning with thoughts of finals week and all the miserable essays I have to compose in the next few days, so I'm afraid I have nothing of substance to say other than: Like, OHMYGOD, don't you just love this sweater?!

So I realize these photos are somewhat subpar, but IT'S COLD OUTSIDE! I had no desire to put makeup on my face, so you can see how rosy my nose is from the coldness. But it's sort of endearing, right? RIGHT?! 

Forgive me. I'm ever so slightly stressed out o.O

Outfit Details:

Collared Tank Top//Old Navy, Thrifted

Star Cardigan//The Quirky Poet

Skirt and Purse//Target

Tights//Vera Wang for Kohls

Change Purse//Vintage

Rope Ring//Charlotte Russe

Shoes//Vintage St. John's Bay

I Would Have Her Be Beautiful

"Selecting a Reader"

by Ted Kooser

First, I would have her be beautiful,

and walking carefully upon my poetry

at the loneliest moment of an afternoon,

her hair still damp at the neck from washing it. She should be wearing

a raincoat, an old one, dirty

from not having money enough for the cleaners.

She will take out her glasses, and there

in the bookstore, she will thumb

over my poems, then put the book back up on

its shelf. She will say to herself,

"For that kind of money, I can get 

my raincoat cleaned." And she will.

___________________________________________________________________

I cannot say I'm as practical as this ideal reader; I cannot say no to a book once it calls to me. 

This past week I spent hours researching a poem by W.S. Merwin because, for the life of me, I could not recall the title. Certain phrases came to mind, but the title still eluded me. And so I searched. Google did not prove wholly useless. Eventually I discovered the title of the piece. Then I learned which collection it was from. And from there I was able to peruse Amazon.com for the book. After all that searching, I purchased an entire collection for only one poem, a poem I so desperately want to remember. 

Once the book arrives, I will share that poem with you and the rest of the internet so that the next person who googles this poem will find it in less than 78398452110 hours of searching.

This is my mission.

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