What stays and what fades away

I took these photos in April, and have purposely avoided posting them all this time because looking at those rural landscapes behind my body makes me a bit sad. I'm glad that I live in New York now, but I do miss my old photo spots, like Watson Mill Bridge. Picking up my camera while in London and using it regularly reinvigorated me. I'm not sure what it means for this blog, and I do not mean to have a slow obnoxious existential death of it, but I really truly miss the challenges of self-portraiture outdoors.   

I've never really worn this dress in any spectacular exciting ways; the bright color and sailboat applique just scream for it to be worn with minimal additions. My eagle necklace, which I've shared here before, is a tribute to my dad, who used to photograph eagles and other wildlife when he was in the Navy. It reminds me of family whenever I wear it.

The last two shots of me are kinda funny to see now that I'm six months removed from when they were photographed. I went through a phase earlier this year of taking portraits of the back of my head, as if I was journeying toward something off-camera. The composition of the last shot took forever, as I had to position myself between the boats before my timer went off, all while trying to avoid the bugs and snakes near the water's edge (sorry Mom if you're reading this).

credits - dress and necklace: vintage, both from minx (athens, ga) | shoes: target

(here and here are my favorite past outfits featuring this dress)

Tomato

I meant to publish these photos last week, but school and work (and two conferences last week) kept me busy. In addition, I spent the earlier part of this week worrying about Jeremiah up in New York, but he's fine. There wasn't much damage near him and he didn't lose power, but so many areas near him are affected by flooding. Hoping everyone continues to stay safe up there as the northeast rebuilds in the coming weeks and months. 

This is just a uniform I've repeated over the years — bright red sweaters and bowties have become my thing! I'm really liking this one from Madewell. This is my first purchase from them and I really like the design -- there are subtle stars imprinted into the cotton. Madewell essentially has my dream wardrobe and eventually I'd like to fill my closet with the brand's dresses. 

credits - sweater: madewell | bowtie: vintage, from minx (athens, ga) | plaid shirt: arizona jeans co., thrifted | jeans: old navy | shoes: minnetonka moccasins. 

About a boy

These photos are such a time warp — I actually wore it back in July the day Jeremiah turned in his thesis, and we went out for celebratory milkshakes at The Grill. It's weird looking at these photos because so much has happened since then with moving him up to NYC and me starting school — and it's like this version of myself is blissfully unaware of all that.

I've worn many iterations of this outfit before, but I think the bowties and plaid will once again become my template for a good fall outfit.

credits- shirt: arizona jeans co, thrifted | bowtie: vintage, minx | shorts: walmart | bag: fossil, thrifted | belt: from camp | shoes: born crown. 

Flutter by

Even though I've done landscape photography for the last couple years, I'm still pretty new to it, especially when it comes to taking photos of animals and creatures at the park. I've seen many kinds of birds, and occasionally deer and foxes, but I usually discard many of those shots because I couldn't get close enough physically or my lens couldn't zoom far enough, and those animals are relegated to blurs and dots in my online photo gallery.

So imagine my surprise when, on the same day I wore butterfly sleeves, I spotted a really pretty butterfly nearby. The colorful insect rested in the same area for about 10 minutes, so I experimented with different angles as it flitted around. I'll hopefully be getting a new camera soon so that I do more landscape stuff — something tells me that trying this with either the ducks or the foxes just isn't going to work out quite as well ... 

credits- dress: erika, vintage, from minx | sandals: miss trish of capri, target. 

Rainbow sails

When I spoke of "write fright" a couple weeks ago, I didn't mean to disappear online for so long! I took a post-finals trip to New York to go apartment-hunting and to help set J up in preparation for his new job up there. After a few days of meeting with brokers (we saw 11 open apartments in a day, which still feels a little surreal and oddly something to be proud of?) and getting lost in the subway, we finally found our new home! It's a much smaller place than the one we live in now, but I'm happy with it and am looking forward to my own move up there in a few months.

I took these outfit photos  a couple weeks ago. In the midst of finals and cross-country moving, it seemed appropriate to stay optimistic -- and what better way to express that than in my clothes? 

credits - dress: vintage, from minx| belt: banana republic| shoes: naturalizers| bag: fossil, thrifted.

What kind of bird are you?

I saw "Moonrise Kingdom" last week and I am hard-pressed to think of anything I didn't like in it. The sweet storyline, cast, vintage aesthetics and soundtrack were perfect, and this may be my favorite Wes Anderson film (not an easy thing for me to say, because I admire all of his work). Perhaps my favorite parts of the movie include the scenes at the Boy Scout camp. As a former Boy Scout camp counselor, I thought the cinematography during these scenes caught the outdoor orderliness of camp life well, and some of the compositions seemed inspired by Norman Rockwell paintings of BSA life. 

When it's humid outside, my thoughts often linger on those strange and wonderful summer months I spent in the mountains teaching aspiring Eagle Scouts how to pitch tents, build fires and work compasses, all while hanging out with the coolest staff. My friend Viktoria has been feeling nostalgic for those summer days too and recently wrote about our time at camp (check out a photo of us in uniform here). As some of the only girls on staff (let alone in the entire camp), we were mini-celebrities, which came with its pitfalls (imagine getting noticed and pranked quite a bit). But Vik sums it up well: "It was never easy to being a girl at Boy Scout camp, but it was always, always worth it."

This outfit is not only a nod to "Moonrise Kingdom," but also a personal tribute to that seminal time in my teenage life.

credits - blouse: spenser jeremy, thrifted, vintage | shorts: walmart | belt: from camp | necklace: vintage, from minx| shoes: born crown.

I've written about camp before, but this is probably my favorite post on it.

9 best places to shop for Athens, GA fashion

Though Athens is more known for its music scene, the town has its own artsy culture that makes shopping around here memorable. After being asked by some grad school friends about where to shop, I pulled together a list of my favorite places in the Classic City from 6+ years of living and experiencing Athens. Whether it's a quirky locally-owned boutique or a megachain thrift store, there are tons of treasures to be found around here:

downtown

minx vintage (166 w. clayton street): I absolutely love this store. It's very well organized and the prices are decent. Lots of 1940s - 1980s clothing. They also have discounted stuff in the back (50% and $5 bin). Their jewelry is really pretty too in the front. Here are some items I've worn before that are from Minx.

agora (260 w. clayton street): This place is where I take out-of-town friends to visit, because it's like an amusement park for vintage because it's so huge. Not only will you find tons of clothes, but there are so many housewares, knickknacks and furniture that you could spend all day in Agora and still not see everything. The owner, Airee, is super nice and very knowledgeable about everything in the store (not a small feat!). Here are some pieces I've previously bought from Agora.

junkman's daughter brother (458 e. clayton street): Another place to visit with out-of-towners. This store has everything -- fun gag gifts, music memorabilia, candy. A fun place to shop when you don't know what to get someone.  I really like going up to the second floor and looking at the band t-shirt collection. 

cheeky peach (269 north hull street): If I could, I'd buy everything in my size at this store. This store has more contemporary fashions that are on-trend but seem to have staying power -- ikat designs, lace blouses, fun jewelry. I love looking at their accessories table, where a lot of local designers are featured. Check out their lookbook here.

cillie's clothing (175 e. clayton street): This place has secondhand and vintage clothing. Lots of clothing is still on trend, but a lot of it is mall stuff/semiformal that would be a good option if you  have a wedding/formal to go to. You may find some good deals, especially on sundresses -- they seem to have a ton everytime I go. 

dynamite clothing (143 n. jackson street): I have been going to Dynamite even before it was in this location (it used to be Uncle Albert's Vintage). You can find accessories (in the front) and home goods (in the back) for pretty good deals. I've done more than my fair share of Christmas shopping here because they have cute knickknacks and accessories that make great stocking stuffers.

five points

suska (1664 s. lumpkin street): This place isn't vintage, but it is upscale secondhand. They do have an excellent eye and it is worth looking to see if you can get any designer deals. I got an Akris Punto dress there for my college graduation at like 95% off in fantastic shape.

detour: Head to hodgson's pharmacy (1260 s. milledge avenue) for an ice cream cone or soda from their old-fashioned soda fountain counter. Cheap, super-delicious and fun to do.

west side

america's thrift stores (3190 atlanta highway): They have a ton of women's clothing and accessories, and tons of vintage if you are willing to look closely. They also have crazy discounts dictated by color -- I think it's like 30%, 50% and 70%. It's basically free. It's good to go if you have an hour or so. They also have an awesome collection of old National Geographics. One downside: they don't have dressing rooms, so you'll have to either eyeball and just buy it, or try items on over your clothes in the aisles. Some recent finds for me include this sweater vest and this silk vintage dress. 
.

goodwill (10 huntington road): They do have a great dress collection. If you need furniture, don't look on a weekend day -- a lot of it's scooped up by mid-afternoon. I think vintage resellers look at this particular store often because there's not a lot of vintage stuff here, but because this is a college town, you can find some stuff that's still on trend in clothing. 

what are your favorite places to shop around your town?

 Previously:
[Sidewalk Chic: How to shop for vintage dresses]

Prep schooled

Growing up, I had to wear a uniform for middle and high school chorus performances. Though a lot of my classmates hated the tucked-in shirts with peter pan collars, cross-ties and pleated skirts, I secretly loved it all (perhaps it was a nod to my newfound love for Britney Spears?). Either way, this is my adult version of that long-gone uniform. I've worn the bowtie as a brooch before, and I like it with the argyle print here.

credits - dress (as skirt): elie tahari, handmedown | argyle vest: arizona jeans co, thrifted | bowtie: vintage, from minx | shoes: born crown.

This pleated Elie Tahari dress was a secondhand item from Jeremiah's aunt. Here are some ways I've worn it before: 

I know I am but summer to your heart

 

Dress: Jennifer Moore, vintage, thrifted; 

Bow tie as brooch: Vintage, from Minx; Shoes: Born Crown. 

I know I am but summer to your heart,

And not the full four seasons of the year;

And you must welcome from another part

Such noble moods as are not mine, my dear...

... Wherefore I say: O love, as summer goes,

I must be gone, steal forth with silent drums,

That you may hail anew the bird and rose

When I come back to you, as summer comes ...

— Edna St. Vincent Millay, 

"I know I am but summer to your heart"

To live that old life no more

Dress: Body Central; 

Shoes: Born Crown; Bow tie: Vintage, from Minx.

Listening to: Old Crow Medicine Show, "Wagon Wheel."

Over the weekend, Jeremiah was out of town and I had a rare chance to visit one of my old photo locations: McDaniel Farm Park. I used to take all my outfit photos there before we moved from Gwinnett, and I relished the hour or so I had there this weekend to reminisce and to see how the park has changed. There were some differences -- new wood planks for fences, different crops planted in the fields -- but for the most part, I was grateful to see that this place that I had kept sacred in my heart was still recognizable to me. 

Since it's gotten hotter, I haven't been doing much experimentation lately with my clothes. The most I've been mustering is wearing my bowties in ways they weren't initially intended, like as brooches. 

To see my previous adventures at the farm park, click here. Stay tuned for a giveaway later today!