Joie de Vivre

hat: vintage via Lovely Things Vintage
sweater: via thrift
belt: via thrift
dress: Urban Outfitters via when-I-worked-there
heels: via thrift

This is another outfit from the series of photos I have been waffling on posting, due to forces in the universe smothering my joie de vivre and feeling like this is evident in the photos themselves. But, then I got over it and I like the outfits so I'm posting them anyway. It was warm enough a week-or-so ago for bare legs with a snug top and I took this opportunity to toss on one of my summer dresses with this lovely buttery yellow sweater I thrifted for a few dollars. I'm veryveryvery much of the opinion that one doesn't need wads of extra $$$ to dress well. Anyway, this sweater is very soft and knit of some fantastic wool. I feel fantastic lounging or adventuring in it!

Give Me a Break

blazer: Forever 21 (several years old)

pastel Hawaiian top: via thrift
baby pink leather skirt: c/o Lovely Things Vintage

heels: via thrift

I took a small hiatus from blogging, which is a very positive hobby and online community in my life. Lately, I have been feeling stuck - my life is not the things I want it to be right NOW and I have achieved the things I want to achieve right NOW and I am not a successful artist living in a loft, sipping classy beverages and contemplating the city before an evening of work on my newest novel, an enigmatic literary achievement. I'm good at working towards things, but I'm not very good at waiting for things to progress. I've been feeling anxious and self-conscious and generally sulking.

I don't often post about my personal life on this blog, which is a PUBLIC FORUM ON THE INTERNET, and therefore very intimidating, but I want to be a little big more open and honest as a member of the blogger community. I think it is okay to sometimes feel stuck and sullen. But, it's also important to acknowledge that one is the captain of one's own ship and that any change can be made in one's life with a little thought, patience, and work. I'm fortunate enough to have delightful friends who made me herbal tea, shared delicious meals with me, and listened to all of my feelings. Now it's time to figure out changes I need to make in my life and how I'm going to cultivate them. 

In other news, this pastel Hawaiian shirt is the best $3.99 I have ever spent. 

Silly Pink Blouse

faux-fur collar: H&M (many years old)
blazer: via thrift
blouse: vintage via Etsy
shorts: via thrift
heels: vintage via Etsy

The other night I spent about two hours darning holes in my tights. I ran out of black thread, so I used blue thread. Then, I ran out of blue thread, so I used purple thread. The soles of my black tights now have little blue and purple zig-zags all over them... in retrospect, I probably should have been patient and waited to sew until I purchased more black thread... but oh well! Purple feet, it is.

I don't know what to say about this outfit, other than it combines a lot of my favourite garments: blazer, shorts, peachy ascot blouse... This blouse also bridged the stranger gap between myself and a wonderful lady who is now a good friend of mine! We were both in a form and technique of short fiction class and I thought she was very beautiful and intriguing and wanted to sit by her and perhaps strike up a conversation. However, there was never a free seat next to this mysterious lady by the time I rushed to class, so it never happened... until one day, I wore this silly pink bow blouse and she stopped me to tell me it was pretty. I was very flattered and more importantly, able to speak to this lovely lady, who is an integral part of my life now! Moral of the story: if you see someone you think looks rad, you should probably break the ice, because he or she is most likely just as shy as you and wants to be friends.

Literary Lounge

hat: via thrift
jacket: upcycled vintage via local designer
dress: vintage via local boutique
heels: via thrift

Here again is my denim jacket with baby blue leather sleeves! Although it is spring and the days are brighter, it is still quite chilly, and I am appreciative of a toasty short coats and tights. These days, I have been eating a lot of kale salad and trying to force myself to write at least one page of fiction a day. It's challenging. I feel squirmy and can't sit still and procrasticlean, (procrastinate by tidying,) rather than write. This dress is froofy, comfortable, and perfect to sit in during long literary sessions.

I have been trying to organize my living space to be more conducive to creativity. I haven't owned a television or microwave in years. I feel like this helps. My living and writing area consists of a large bookcase, my desk, coffee table, record player, couch and chairs for guests. No home entertainment system, thank-you! I need the least amount of distractions possible. Working full time, socializing, exercising, and trying to be creative is a challenge!

It's Been a Breeze

bag: backpack c/o YesWalker
blazer: via thrift
scarf as tie: via thrift
blouse: via thrift
skirt: via thrift
spectator oxfords: vintage via Etsy

Sometimes I feel like I live in the middle of a gale - both literally and metaphorically.

I dyed my hair! I have changed my hair colour for the first time in... five or six years. The change is a little intimidating, but closer to my natural colour. (Reddish- dark brown?) Anyway, today it was bright, windy, and sprinkling rain, which is why I'm both squinting and being gusted in these photos. My eyes are really sensitive to sunlight - I basically can't look into direct sunlight without mushing up my face so much I look like I'm asleep.

Anway, yeah - I cart this backpack around like it's my child. It's so great!