It Gets Better.

"It’s been decided. On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the 6 gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and schools. RIP Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh, Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase and Billy Lucas. You are loved." credit here. 

Magic Monday

This week's Magic Monday is from Celeste of Wanderlust, a fantastic blog on life and all of its wonderful components. Her pictures are stunning, her travels worthy of envy, and her musings charming and genuine.


Here is what she had to say...

"I've never been afraid of heights, but when I stood with my toes aligned with the cliff my heart skipped beats. The ocean was so big, and so blue. Thinking back now, I can still feel the heat of the rocks and my wet footprints evaporating in the sun. And I can feel my legs pushing off, my heart sinking, and the warm, welcoming blue as I fell into it.

This is how I'll always remember Greece. It's the clearest blue water you've ever seen. The refreshing ocean in the heat of warm sun. The saltiest water you've ever tasted- so much salt that you can just float and bask and think, "Am I really here?"

This photo brings back so many feelings. It was taken in Aegina, a beautiful island southwest of Athens, during my trip to Greece a year ago. To me, this photo isn't only of an amazing experience, but it also represents the leap into my wanderlust heart. It's understanding that there's always a little fear in what's ahead of you but going for it anyway because you don't learn when you hold back. 

(Also, if you look really, really closely, you can see a little green kayak out further in the middle of the sea. That's my friend, Jamil. And the little blob swimming next to him is my friend, Chris. Both wonderful friends I made that summer.)"

The Great Pumpkin

Saturday marked my first trip to a pumpkin patch in many, many years. I always have an incredible nostalgic yearning for all of the things I did when I was small, and the pumpkin patch was no exception. To finally get to go was just as exciting as I hoped it would be.

 

The boyfriend was far less picky with his pumpkin selection than I. Determined to find just the right one, we wound up in quite an ambitious trek around the length of farm patch. Eventually, I settled on one (which I named Philip), only for his stem to break off. No other pumpkins compared, and I came to overlook this handicap and take him home anyway.

The patch we went to had a petting zoo, bakery, and a pig show. But despite the tempting food options, such as fresh corn, we skipped eating at the farm and made our way to an adorable 1950s Diner.

It was a supremely lovely afternoon.

Frightfully Fall

Pumpkins, spice cake, and the crunch of leaves - these are the reasons I love fall. The lovely boyfriend and I took a trip north to visit a pumpkin patch, pet goats, and eat caramel apples (though we didn't actually eat caramel apples).

Photos and pumpkin details are to follow in the next post. For now, here is what I wore.

 

 Outfit:

Dress - H&M, Knit Cape - Secondhand, Leggings - Secondhand, Hat - Urban Outfitters

Wandering Days

It is easily forgotten how hectic the academic year can be in the heat of summer. However, in these turning leaves of fall, as I arrive on campus at 8 am to work, only to finally shuffle home after 6 pm from my exercise class at the gym, I could not wish for the leisure of summer more. Sure, there is a certain degree of pleasure in knowing my days are packed with pay checks, homework assignments, cardio classes, and lunch dates. But there is a lovely feeling derived from waking up and having the whole day to my whims. 

 

In an effort to keep my sanity, I will be trying to keep my coming weekend as laid back as possible despite pumpkin patch plans, yoga, a friend's surprise party (in which I am baking a cake), and volunteering at the NW African American Museum. I am so thankful for gcal.

Outfit:

Dress - Goodwill Outlet, Sweater - J. Crew, Belt - A&E, Shoes - Goodwill Outlet, Necklace - Old Navy

What helps you hold on to your sanity when your days are full to the brim?

Giveaway?

Photo courtesy of wikimedia

I have nearly 10 followers! I know this sounds like quite a small number, but it has me very excited. I never thought I could get one person to read my thoughts, let alone several. I have decided to aim for a giveaway at 20 followers. It will be a collection of some lovely Seattle themed items (because I'm starting to think this blog is as much about my city as it is about me!).

If we can reach 20 followers by November 15th, I shall have the most charming Pacific Northwest Giveaway.

London Calling

Now seems a better time than any to touch on the topic of my outfit posts and the awkward dance that is my daily wardrobe photo documentation.

Being that I live in Seattle, in an apartment, in a very busy part of town, taking my photos always tends to be hurried and frantic. Occasionally, I have a roommate or boyfriend on hand and we can walk somewhere to take a few shots. But more often than not, I have my tripod, my self-timer, and an inner battle of embarrassment at the thought of walking to a public space to take pictures of MYSELF. 

 

My building is a charming complex built in the 1920s, it's brick with ivy on the outside, hardwood and glass door knobs on the inside (perhaps I'll share photos with you all?). Unfortunately, the unit faces the back alley and several other apartments. Sunshine never quite peeks in enough to provide ample light for indoor photos. 

Thus, the photo dilema deepens.

The alley to which my back door opens to has little foot traffic and lovely lighting. Thankfully, it's the perfect place to snap a few quick shots before I run off to class, or once I get home from work. My days are fast paced sprints between class, work, someone's house, the library, and (sometimes) home. Fitting in photos can be difficult. So if you're wondering why you've seen this delightful wall so many times, that is why. Call it my comfort blanket.

I know many bloggers use their tripod and take stunning photos in their own environment. Where do you take outfit pictures?

Magic Monday: Lovely Lydia

Today's Magic Monday is Lydia of Style is Style. She is a brilliant and charming blogger who hails from just north of me (BC, Canada). Her blog is both heart warming and fun to read and I am so grateful to have her contribute something to my young blog. Maybe one of these days when I'm in Vancouver I'll be able grab a cupcake with her and hear more!

Here is what she had to say...

"I hold this picture very dear to me. It was taken on February 12, 2010, on my first trip to New York City. It's of Grand Central Station, and it was one of the very first photos I shot after arriving in the Big Apple. I am still awestruck that I got to the amazing opportunity to be a part of Chictopia's first Fashion Week event. I can't believe I went to NYC!!! It's been months and it's still one of the most surreal things to happen to me. I met sooo many amazing bloggers (many of whom I had been admiring from afar, aka the Internet) and I had so, so, so much fun! Such a great experience! This little thing called blogging has brought such interesting and amazing people and places into my life, and I am very excited for whatever may come of it in the future. "

Pistol Dreams

Living in a world without art is unimaginable. There is something to be said for communities that can reflect their vibrancy via acrylic paint and an old brick wall. I love being able to walk down the street and appreciate free magic all around me (although I will be paying to see the Picasso exhibit at the SAM this fall).

These photos were taken at and around Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill.  It was another stunning, fall day, and we wandered around the Capitol Hill shops as I admired skirts I couldn't really afford, snapped photos of my lovely city, and ate delicious thai food with the best friend and the boyfriend.

(this is the boyfriend, I like him quite a lot)

Happy Weekend!

Wicked Words

Note: This is not a light blog post.

As an english major, I have been trained to entertain words, to use them, and to bend them to form new meanings. Many of my peers feel words are words, that they carry only the meaning we give them, and for the most part I agree. However, there have been some words that I've always felt leave a bitter taste in my mouth -- words of hate, words that are meant to cut, words that cross a line. Tonight that line was crossed. Tonight, for the first time in my life, I was called the n word.

I am of mixed race, half black and half chinese. I have lived a privileged life, relatively free from discrimination. I grew up in a predominantly white suburb of fairly kind folk, and I never identified myself as substantially different. I never acknowledged either racial heritage, I never explored the extent of pain and discrimination my ancestors suffered. It wasn't until last Winter, when I took my first African American studies class, that I cried for the first time over the racial struggle we all deal with (black or white), both in the past, and today.

What happened tonight took me by surprise. It was not from the mouth of a stranger or of a white supremacist preaching hate on my campus, but from the mouth of a someone I knew. They said it with a southern accent, as they instructed me to get out of their room. But what hurt more, was that they said it in jest, jokingly and that after the fact, they felt no remorse. It was as if they deemed it as no more eventful than a trip to the dentist office or the grocery store.

Shortly after, I cried. My boyfriend sat next to me, held my hand, and let me cry. I cried out of shock, I cried because I was hurt, and I cried because I'd made it nineteen years without ever being called such a hurtful world. There have been so many people whose lives have been filled with powerful words daily. 

How I will resolve the situation, I don't know. I can still taste the ice cold sting of hearing something so jarring. Words are funny that way, they can pack a powerful punch. They can make an English major, a little girl who has always loved words, cry. Tonight, wicked words made me cry.

Silver Soul

At last, the ominous grey and swift winds we know all too well have made their appearance in the Northwest. There's a comfort in their arrival, I must admit. The weather is finally catching up to the smells and sights of fall.

I predict a visit to the pumpkin patch in the near future. Because quite frankly, I'm aching to continue the series of adventures I embarked on this summer, into the fall. 

Where do you go when you've got an afternoon? What do you like to wear on day trips to be both comfortable and chic?

I think I need a good, healthy dose of Paris. 

 

 Outfit:

Skirt - Thirfted, Blouse - Thrifted, Belt - A&E, Cardigan - J.Crew, Hat - Urban Outfitters

Farm Friendly

Seattle is still prettier than ever and I'm taking mild advantage of the weather by not wearing a jacket or appropriate fall footwear. Though caught somewhere between a desire for hot chocolate, big sweaters, and muffs, I must admit I don't mind this taste of fleeting summer at all. I know it will pass, and I know in no time at all, I'll be wishing it was spring and that I didn't need so many layers.

I'm especially fond of this outfit as it puts to good use one of my favorite items, my Anthropolgie hen sweater (I always struggle with what to pair this with). While fun and bright, my creativity has yet to figure out the complete extent to which I can utilize it. Suggestions?

My dear friend (and roommate), Jasmine, kindly snapped these photos of me in the fall sun. Unfortunately, we took them when the sun was highest, and they came out quite bright. I have always enjoyed Jasmine's sense of fashion. The polar opposite of mine it includes a plethora of black, a love of animal print, and a chic edge that I could never pull off. Additionally, Jasmine sews and modifys a lot of her own pieces. The talent comes from her mom, who made her lovely purse.

 

My new goal for fall, more DIY.

Je t'aime, Paris

Paris Fashion week is always an inspiration. But sometimes the best looks aren't on the runway, they're on the streets.

Here are my favorites thus far...

all photos courtesy of Elle

If I Were a Boy

I like to think that if I were a boy, this is how I'd dress. Patterned button-ups, cardigans, high waisted bottoms and slim belts. Thus, this looks is to me, the pinnacle of a feminine take on menswear. I wore this today, as I spent yesterday on my deathbed sick with who knows what. It was a combination sinus, throat, headache catastrophe that was perhaps a blessing in disguise as I spent the entire day in bed doing Astrobiology reading.

Even as I woke up this morning, I wondered if I would make it to school (errr...work, I don't have school Mondays). Luckily, I brightened up and was greeted by even more Seattle sunshine. These photos were quickly snapped on my way out the door.

Keep up the sun, Seattle!

Outfit:

Blouse - J. Crew (menswear, Cardigan - J. Crew, Shorts - Thrifted, Booties - Thrifted, Belt - Thrifted

Magic Monday: Rebecca Amongst the Clouds

This weeks Magic Monday is Rebecca of The Clothes Horse, an inspiring fashion blog I have been reading for quite some time now. She's inspired millions of writers and fashion enthusiasts to embark on their own creative journeys, and I was so honored to have her as my first blogger featured in my Magic Monday section.

Here's what she had to say...

"As a personal style blogger I take daily pictures for my blog to record my outfits. The longer I blogged the more invested I became in my “photo shoots” and I began dragging my tripod out and about with me on little adventures into the wild. Yet, despite the initial idea of recording what I’m wearing, my favorite shots are the ones where I’m in profile or my back is to the camera…something about the absence of a face in these photographs allows me to remove myself and my experience that day from the image. Instead of the actual experience and the person I really am, I look at the image and conjure up some impressive heroine and a day of epic proportions.

Even the images of other photographers who leave their subjects faceless and anonymous are often my favorite. An empty scene can lack depth or a sense of a story, but once a person enters the pictures, even unknown, a plot starts to emerge, but the essence of the story and main character is left to the viewer to decide. They’re the visual equivalent of reading a first-person story and feeling as though you become the lead character…but perhaps I spend too much time staring at anonymous photographs and reading fairy tales.

For better or for worse, this is one of my favorite pictures from the past year. I’m 23, but looking at it I can imagine being a small child and diving into clouds…not a murky lake."