Follow the Leader

First thing first. Yes, the scarf as a top idea came straight from Christina. There I said it. I stole an idea. I'm sorry I'm not sorry if that bothers you. I like this idea and I think it's ok to "take inspiration" from people. Thank you Christina. I heart you. 

Second thing second (duh). I am wearing a Clyde's Rebirth harness. After staring at Merl's shop way too long, I took the plunge and made it mine. It helped that when I met her she threw a harness on me for the night. I recommend flying Merl out to try on her pieces in her presence. I mean if you can afford to do that sort of thing. This one kind of makes any outfit better.

I've been stressing out about all the New York Fashion Week and Blogger meet up talking that has been going on. In many ways this represents everything I hate about fashion. I don't like stress and I don't like competition when it comes to something as varied as looks or personal style choices. To me, a lot of it feels like you're thrown back into high school. Everyone judging you the moment you walk in the door, sizing you up and down, and right there deciding if they're going to be your friend or not.

I also realize that I said giving a good first impression is one of the reasons I wanted to start dressing better in the first place. That's still true. However, giving a first impression that represents who I am as a person, is different than trying to give an impression because you know you're going to be judged. Will you be able to sit at the cool bloggers table, or not? High school, I know but I can't help it. 

I have been going over and over what I should wear to each of these events. Am I perhaps overanalyzing how much people will care about what I'm wearing? Probably. I also think about the fact that I'm a new blogger. Not only has relatively no one met me yet, but most other bloggers and people attending these conferences have probably never even glanced over to my page. Which I understand. I may not have glanced at theirs either, but it does make me feel a bit more pressure that I need to make that impression a positive and memorable one.

All of this has been admittedly getting the best of me recently. I think that on top of the recent realization that yes, I am single, the idea of having to make first impressions has been really hard to swallow. I will certainly admit that it's been hard to drown out the thoughts of oh that color is in, or those boots are everywhere right now, etc. versus listening to my own voice. The one that has to remind myself that I've worn jeans almost everywhere since high school, that heels hurt my ankles that have been sprained far too many times over the ten years I played lacrosse, and that I'm the girl who has worn the same bracelets everyday of her life since she was six years old. Yes, that is all me. And what I hate about fashion is that it too often tells you to be someone you are not. 

Vintage Scarf from my Mom's Closet, Seven High Waist Jeans, Anthropologie Wedges

Harness from Clyde's Rebirth

These are the thoughts I have been struggling with recently. I have been trying to stock up my closet with things I think I need and some things I probably don't. Hopefully I get a grip on myself soon. It's a little bit a lack of self confidence. Which is something I know I have to work on. 

What do you guys think about all this fashion talk?

Thanks for hanging around while I took a little hiatus last week. It was nice not to have to worry about having a post ready. I know I didn't give any warning, but I really didn't even know myself that I wasn't going to post until I wasn't heading out to take any pictures. So thanks for hanging around. Let's get this thing back on track. 

She Is : Cintia Dicker

I absolutely fell in love with this photograph over the weekend. At first I didn't know anything about it. It was just an image that captured a seemingly perfect moment. Everything about it, I want. I actually thought it was an older photograph. After some searching around I found out that the woman is model Cintia Dicker. Brazilian born in 1986 and of German decent, her trademarks are her red hair, freckles, and pouty lips. Maybe I'm a day late and a dollar short but I'd never heard of her before and now I have a brand new, full blown, girl crush.  I found some other images of her that are just as amazing. I hope you enjoy them and they have as much of an impact on you as they did on me. 
Here's a little late summer / early fall inspiration...

 

 

Photos found here

Cintia Dicker by Anne Menke for Marie Claire France September 2010

  
  
Photos found here

  

Photos found here

Cintia Dicker by Clare K in Bunny Love

I can't thank you all enough for your amazing words on my post on Friday. I also wanted to say that I will definitely continue blogging. The blogging community and all you girls are exactly the reasons I'm so happy to be a part of it. It's such a release to come to this place and know that there are people out there who can identify with you. Whether it be a simple outfit post, or something much more personal. 

It might take a while to get back to a steady schedule, but once I do I'm more than positive that it will be better in so many ways and for so many reasons. 

Thank you so much. 

Love,

My Tiny Heart

so many beats

This is something that I've been really conflicted about sharing here. I think this past weekend with other bloggers made me realize that sometimes it's better to reach out and share than sit quietly in the dark.

I've hit a rough patch these last few weeks. Kevin and I broke up on the 30th of July. I never went to Delaware that weekend. It was his decision entirely. I won't get into too many details because this is a public space and breakups are a really personal experience, but I will say that it was unexpected and I haven't spoken to him in any form since then. There was no explanation for the ubrupt end put on a 4 year relationship, although I have my guesses. You pour all this emotion and all this time into one person and then just like that, they're gone.

I felt like I needed to out my break up for a few reasons. It explains my absence, and it also explains why his face will never show up here again. He was one of my biggest blog supporters and took all my pictures. So as far as blogging, I'm not sure where that leaves me. I want to do it, I love doing it, I love the connections made, but I'm not sure in what capacity I will continue. It's hard even being on the blog now. There are so many reminders. And sometimes when I have to scroll through pictures, my old relationship is right there staring me in the face.

As well as this, I have been going through a breakup of sort with the friends in my life. Certain events have taken place, and it has put a lot into perspective for me. I can't put myself in a position to be hurt by the people in my life anymore. I don't gain anything out of those relationships and it's time to move on. 

The relationships I've had have been failing. It beyond blows my mind that people I've never met, these bloggers out there, have become some of the most supportive people to me in all this life mess. It was great to see and meet Merl this past weekend. She's one of the people who has really supported me through all this. It was such a welcome surprise that we were able to be friends when we had only actually just met. It gives me such hope for the relationships I've yet to create in my life. All the wonderful people out there who haven't found their way in yet.

Blaque Label Top, Scoop Jeans, Jeffrey Campbell Sandals

Great Great Aunt's Gold Feather Earrings, Grandmother's Opal Ring, Tree and Kimball Necklace

I'm going to take some trips in the coming months, partly to rediscover myself, partly to unwind, partly to meet all these new friends face to face. 

I'm still trying to go through everything in my life and make the most of the parts that truly matter to me. I know I will land on me feet, right now it's just about getting there. 

Photography by Steve Hanson
More on ¡OH MY GATOS! and Morgan and Lua Tumblr

So that's where my life is right now. I hope you all can understand why I haven't been as visible here. I'm looking forward to the future now. Only good things to come. 

World's Collide

Merl came to town this weekend! We were very bad bloggers and these were the only pictures I was able to get. This was Sunday when I stopped by her hotel on my way out of the city. So many twist and turns happened that day. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that Merl will elaborate on the story because I know she will do this day justice. The short story is I went to Brooklyn, got a flat, hung over Merl came to help, we couldn't fix it, some men came to help, they couldn't fix it, we waited hours for a tow truck, we emptied my car which was full to the brim of luggage including Lua, and waited for my dad to pick me up because my mom was in the ER getting shots because she'd gotten bitten by a bat the night before. Oh yeah and I still don't have a car.

 
Merl's outfit details are not mine to tell, but I will say she looked ravishing and is the reason we got any help with the tire in the first place. 
ie. Low cut top and hole in skirt.

I also got the chance to meet Nickie of Wild as a Mink, but Sweet as Sodapop and Marissa of Dusty Rose Vintage this weekend (Nickie has some more pictures in her Flickr). It was the first time I met bloggers in real life. I have to say it was pretty amazing. I'm excited to continue the trend of meeting new people. I need to bring some more genuine people into my life. This will be good for me. 

Anthropologie Shorts, Minnetonka Moccasins from DSW
Sucre Sunglasses, Tiger's Eye Earrings from Australia
Vintage Top from Mo Vintage

 

Find Merl:

Website, Blog, Clyde's Rebirth, Mo Vintage, Twitter 

I heart her. 

I'm sorry for my absence here. I promise there's a reason, I'm just trying to find the best way to talk about it. I'm still on twitter, and trying to get back to my normal blog read and comment routine. I hope you can understand. Sometimes life just creeps up on you and you need a minute to breath.

A State of Mind

Hey there, I'm guest posting for Merl over on Clyde's Rebirth today. After Merl's more than stellar guest blogging appearance here I was very intimated to show my face on her blog. Turns out Merl is one of the best people I've come across so far. I highly recommend you take a long lingering look through both her shops, Clyde's Rebirth and Mo Vintage. 

Thank you so much Merl for letting me paste my face all over your blog and thank you for so many things beyond the world of blogs.

Head over to check out more pictures and outfit details! There are a few other pictures on my Tumblr as well.

I'm going to the Chictopia Conference this September. Let me know if any of you are going. I'd love to meet up!

I'll leave you with this because it just feels right. 

The Beatles - Rain