Write fright

My outfit posts have been piling up and sitting in draft mode. I have like 17 posts just lingering in the queue, mementos of summer days and sartorial decisions gone by. I'm not sure why I've hesitated in publishing  -- I've been consistently taking photos everyday, but for some reason, I've been coming up short when it comes to writing the actual posts. Perhaps it's because I've been sitting in research classes all summer, and have been preoccupied with writing papers on methods and studies, that it's difficult to switch writing styles and be confident and definitive with publishing something that hasn't been copy-edited and fact-checked to pieces. Perhaps it's because in my free time, I'm tired of staring at long words and searching for meaning in research theories, that it's easier to pick up a camera and accept whatever truth I can find on the other side of the lens. Perhaps.

As I've evolved with my photography I've realized it's become more difficult for me, at least mentally, to improve my writing here. Sometimes I feel tempted to put up two ill-punctuated lines of lowercase ramblings and emoticons and just call it a day. Staring at the fruit of my self-photography efforts sometimes is overwhelming, how many hours of blog photography can yield just a handful of photos. And yet I keep trying.

Of course, it sounds like such a navel-gazing luxury to have the time and opportunity to wax and wane on a hobby I profess to love. I feel like any sort of hand-wringing over it seems a bit silly and overdone (not to say that I haven't done it before, though). But often it is eye-opening to take a moment and see how things have evolved as I forge ever onward with my camera, my dear friend who understands me at the end of a long day.

credits: blouse - loft | shorts - walmart | shoes - born crown | sunglasses - forever 21 | bag - fossil, thrifted.

A clearing in the woods

Thanks so much for the congrats on the last post. For the first time in months, I've been excited about future plans. There's so much to do in the next few weeks to get J situated into New York, and it feels like there are a million points in between, but for now I'm just thrilled that we're finally putting this years-long plan into motion.

My summer class is ending soon and I'll be free for a little bit! I'm looking forward to sleeping in for a few days.

credits: dress - c/o sway chic; scarf - vintage, thrifted; bag - fossil, thrifted; shoes - born crown.

Springing evergreen

Because I've been working from home this month, it's been really tempting the last few days just to stay inside, sleep in my pajamas and rewatch all of "Breaking Bad" before season five premieres in a few weeks. 

I must have been subconsciously thinking about Walter White when I put this outfit on, because I match the  "Breaking Bad" series poster! I've always loved how that show mixes in greens, yellows and browns to show  character development in costume design. 

I've been trying to rewear some older items in my closet recently. This J.Crew dress has been a remix master in my wardrobe for several years now. When I originally bought it, I had no idea how to wear paisley or mix prints. Now I can't stop wearing it.

credits - dress: j.crew (2009) | vest: old navy | shoes: montego bay, handmedowns | frog belt: vintage, won from a giveaway | sunglasses: forever 21.

Here are just some of the many ways I've worn that J. Crew dress:

Looks like morning in your eyes

Dress: Elie Tahari, hand-me-down from Aunt P.; 

Sweater: Loft; Necklace: F21;  Boots: Target; Tights: Kohls. 

This is one of those outfits that I've been itching to photograph lately because I haven't tried a white/creme combination in awhile, and the pleats and ruffles seem to recall my old romantic looks back in the early days of my blog. I later wore a different sweater with this dress during the day, but I'm glad I photographed this combination. It rained a lot before I took these photos, and I was so afraid I'd step into soft ground and splash mud all over this dress, which remains a favorite piece from Jeremiah's aunt's collection. Word to the wise: no matter how pretty it is, don't wear prized possessions to the park. 

I had major plans to take reflection photos on the long bridge, but the early morning mist prevented that. Another time, perhaps? 

Here are some other ways I've worn this dress. 

Come, you creatures of comfort

Dress: J. Crew; Moccasins: Minnetonka, gift; 

T-shirt: from the Grand Canyon, originally from my dad; 

Jacket: Aeropostale, thrifted; Necklace: Forever 21.

Back when I did the 30x30 remix challenge a while ago, I included almost all of these clothing items but never came up with this combination. I am glad that a year later, I've still held onto them: my Grand Canyon tee, a worn but beloved shirt that once belonged to my late father; my Minnetonka moccasins, which came as a gift from my grandmother; and my paisley dress, which started out as a difficult item to wear but has since become a style mainstay in my closet (the links include the back stories to each piece). Clothing is never simple -- what we wear can go beyond the mere aesthetics and be an indicator of everything from class to personal creativity. For me, though, it can be purely about the sentimental: clothes don't merely remind me of home; they are home.

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild

Blouse: Forever 21; Skirt: Kensington Square, thrifted; Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri;

 Carpet saddle bag, brooch: thrifted. 

"O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild, Should waste them all. The crows above the forest call; Tomorrow they may form and go. O hushed October morning mild, Begin the hours of this day slow. Make the day seem to us less brief. Hearts not averse to being beguiled, Beguile us in the way you know. Release one leaf at break of day; At noon release another leaf; One from our trees, one far away. Retard the sun with gentle mist; Enchant the land with amethyst. Slow, slow! For the grapes' sake, if they were all, Whose leaves already are burnt with frost, Whose clustered fruit must else be lost-- For the grapes' sake along the wall."

- Robert Frost, "October"

To new heights

 Dress: Suzy Chin; Sweater: Forever 21; Belt: Loft;

Shell Necklace: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI;

Wedges: Bongo, thrifted.

The top of this parking deck may be a new photo location favorite. It's quiet, mostly isolated, and is witness to some of the prettiest sunsets.

I've been wanting to dress up lately in really tall wedges, so the nicer weather has given opportunity to that wish. Despite the fact that they add about four inches to my height, they're incredibly comfortable to wear. I may just end up wearing them all spring with everything ...

Happy weekend! What are your plans?

This one goes to 11

Dress (as top): Donna Ricco;

Leather skirt: Old Navy;

Boots: Target;

Bag: H&M;

Belt: BR, from Marilou;

Necklace: Forever 21.

Photos of me by Jeremiah.

Since the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge began, I haven't used my post titles to inspire my sartorial choices -- usually it's the other way around. But for Outfit 11, I had to channel my favorite rock mock-umentary film, "This is Spinal Tap," and dress up like a rock star. I gave myself a little mini-challenge this weekend: to wear some neutral items in a different way. This dress was worn in Outfit 10, but it completely transforms with a leather skirt. I like the idea of re-inventing ways to wear clothes.

And what better way to be a rock star than to go downtown for the music and art scene? For these photos, Jeremiah and I spent an afternoon pretending to be tourists in our college town. Seeing it closely with a camera was like seeing it with new eyes -- lots of different textures and colors. We ended the afternoon at our favorite hole-in-the-wall pizzeria.

How's your weekend going?

I'm with the band, too

Shirt: Arizona Jeans Co., thrifted;

Band Jacket: Ecru, thrifted;

Jeans: LOFT;

Carpet saddle bag: thrifted;

Moccasins: Minnetonka;

Cougar bracelet: Finder's Keepers;
Headband: from Philippines,
gift from sister;

Elephant necklace: Forever 21.

I'm wearing jeans! It feels like it's been forever since I've worn them since I've been living in dresses, but Saturday's freezing temperatures required them, plus a pair of tights underneath for layering. I wore this while we were tailgating Saturday for UGA's football game against Idaho State.

The red band jacket has been sitting in my closet for more than a year. I thrifted it with the special intent of wearing it for football season, but never really had the courage to try it out until now. With the 30 for 30 Challenge going on, it seemed a perfect time to try out a bunch of items I had never really styled before. For whatever reason, the jeans and the plaid shirt seemed to really click with it.

The building behind me in the pictures is my old dorm building! I lived on campus all four years, and this was just one of my homes. The building is more than 70 years old and I always loved its architecture.

Happy Tuesday,