My Aversion

March 16, 2016March 16, 20166 Comments

To mid-rise jeans

I have never felt particularly comfortable in skinny jeans. Non-skirt wearing people always assume wearing a dress or skirt is uncomfortable, but that has never really been the case for me. Physically, yeah, a skirt probably could feel uncomfortable to some – depending on it’s length, fabric and silhouette – but for me, they have always been the garments I feel most comfortable in. Comfort when it comes to clothes doesn’t only have to be about the physical aspect, certain garments just make us feel better mentally, and for me, dresses and skirts have always maintained that level of comfort in my ol’ brain. Pants, and particularly skinny jeans, have never made me feel all that comfortable, mentally speaking; I have always likened my legs to sausages when I wear them (we are all mean to ourselves sometimes). But then high-rise pants/jeans rose to popularity and my comfort level with jeans moved up a couple notches.

<><><><><><><><><>

For over a decade, when it comes to pants, I have exclusively worn high-rise. So, it’s weird that I bought mid-rise denim jeans, right?! V weird. To be honest, I brought them into the fitting room thinking they were high-rise, but once I tried them on, and quickly realized they were mid-rise, I didn’t totally hate them. I’m kind of forcing myself to try new things…like wear mid-rise jeans, even though I’ve had an aversion to them for years…you know, just little things, but things I have abstained from for a long time because I felt like they didn’t suit me or my style. If I’m being honest though, I don’t love them as much as I would if they were high-rise, and even while editing these images I felt myself wincing at the way I looked in them. So I don’t know what conclusions to draw from this experiment in personal style and in a way, self acceptance. I was initially drawn to these jeans because I like indigo denim, a lot, and for that reason alone I wear them often, but I don’t think I’m totally sold on mid-rise. And that’s okay. We all have our preferences, and sometimes it’s good to try something different; maybe we can change our own minds, or maybe it’s a reminder of the reasons why we prefer what we prefer.

Have you ever tried a particular piece that you have strayed away from for years? Did you have a change of heart? Hate it? Let me know in the comments below.

– WHAT I WORE –
Blouse c/o Larmoni (similar) | Jeans: H&M | Belt: vintage
Larkspur Vintage | My Aversion

A Little Contrast

March 11, 20164 Comments

never hurt nobody

I originally tried to shoot this dress last weekend, but it was far too cold and windy and I ended up with no decent images to work with. Some outfits never see the light of day (of this blog) when that happens (although, it doesn’t happen much), but I knew I had to reshoot on a warmer day to get some good shots of this dress, and you can probable see why. It’s such a simple and classic idea – black dress with contrasting white collar – but it has some details about it that really make it stand out, imho. I had been searching for a dress like it – that’s to say, an easy black dress with a white contrast collar – it felt like a no brainer that I would pick this one, but what really sold me on this piece was the trumpet sleeves and peplum hem. Trumpet sleeves are fun as heck! But rather impractical in the winter when you have to bury them under layers. I’d been waiting quite awhile to shoot this one, so as to avoid needing a coat while shooting, which I obviously jumped the gun last weekend and paid dearly for it (I was just really cold. I’m dramatic). But clearly I lived to tell the tale and was able to share this dress with ya’ll.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Olive has some pretty awesome pieces in their shop and I’m happy to be able to share this brand with you because I love, I think, almost every piece they have available in their shop, which is rare for me (that sounds gross pretentious, but I’m picky). Be sure to check them out!

– WHAT I WORE –
Dress c/o Olive | Tights: old | Shoes: H&M
Larkspur Vintage | A Little Contrast

Outfit: Who Wears Short Shorts?

February 23, 2016February 24, 201610 Comments

in the GOLDEN HOUR

I’ve owned these navy shorts for many years now and never been able to part ways with them – they always make the cut (kind of a pun?). They are lightweight, made of a super soft cotton, and have a dressy feel to them, similar to many of my high-waisted trousers. I love them as much as the day I got them, however, being put in the dryer one too many times over the years, they have become really short, we are talking bum cheek peeping out when bent over short. Until recently I had never considered pairing them with black tights, which would totally solve the bum problem…like maybe these could be cold weather shorts instead of summer shorts?! I guess the reason I had never considered it is I actually kind of dislike shorts with tights, or rather, light coloured (including denim) shorts with black tights (but only black tights, this does not include dark coloured tights…picky picky, I know); I do not like that specific contrast. Without thinking about it too much I had written off shorts with tights altogether without considering that a pair of dark shorts, navy perhaps, would actually look okay with black tights…it might even look kind of awesome.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Aside from this revelation, it’s a bit funny how people react to wearing shorts in the winter. Last night Zach and I went out for dinner and when I got out of the car he was surprised to see I was wearing shorts. He said something along the lines of “shorts?! it’s cold!” He knows I wear dresses and skirts year round, and if you stop to think about it, shorts are absolutely no different, at in least in terms of warmth or lack there of it. It just goes to show how much people really consider shorts a warm weather garment. I am a shorts and tights convert, although I don’t think you’ll see the contrast-y pairing any time soon…I can’t see that disdain budging any time soon.

Outfit: Eye of The Beholder

February 16, 20168 Comments

SOME THOUGHTS TODAY…

Having a photographer boyfriend (who doesn’t take my pics, btw…I feel quite strongly about doing everything myself), I’ve become much more aware of the images I am shooting, how I am editing them and what ones I share. I am so far from being a skillful photographer and editor – I’m constantly working at that, trying to improve it, trying to give an honest depiction of myself and what I’m wearing, while also creating a striking image with bright, vibrant colours. It’s hard, to say the least. I have taught myself everything, all on my own up until this point. But now I have someone who can give me feedback and explain why something works and why it doesn’t, how to create the best possible image…if you are looking for a technically perfect image, that is. This is where I find photography to be so subjective. Because what I may think is a beautiful image may look absolutely flawed to someone else’s eye. Does a technically perfect image make the best picture? And if not, what does make the best picture? Do we feel cheated when an image is clearly over-saturated and over-exposed? Do we think the blogger is being dishonest and trying to deceive us? Or are they just working with what skill they have and what they think makes a good image? It’s hard to say. I like pictures that create a feeling more than something that looks absolutely perfect (if I’m being honest, I don’t know what is perfect in photography). But, I can absolutely feel moved by both. Anyways, I don’t have answers for any of these questions. As in all art (and beauty), it’s in the eye of the beholder, I believe. I feel incredibly lucky to have such a talented person at my disposal; I see myself improving day by day, gaining knowledge, while also becoming aware of what I think makes a good image. It’s important to always maintain your voice, even if others tend to disagree with it, but being open to change and growth is never a bad thing.

– WHAT I WORE –
Blouse, Cardigan, Coat, Shoes: thrifted | Skirt & Hat: Common Sort | Tights & Gloves: H&M | Bow tie: handmade
Larkspur Vintage | Outfit: Eye of The Beholder

Outfit: Baby It’s Cold Outside

February 9, 2016February 9, 20164 Comments

BRRR!

I really wish I could have showcased this outfit better, but I think it was mean’t for a warmer day. I had planned to take off the coat for a few shots so you could actually see this vintage-inspired dress and get some detail shots of the vintage scarf, but the strong and bloody cold winds suggested maybe that wasn’t a wise idea. Whenever it seems like the weather is against me getting the photos I want it’s pretty frustrating, I have to say. I’m not one to admit defeat easily, but when your hands are so cold you can’t seem to adjust camera settings anymore, it’s probably time to call it quits. It’s not that I didn’t get enough photos, I clearly did, but they didn’t turn out the way I had envisioned – it’s damn near impossible to exact an image when your hands are telling you to just stop. Ah well, there are probably (definitely) worse things in life. However, before my hands did freeze, I snapchatted some of my shooting process (and potty mouth)…so this is my ~~seamless~~ way of plugging my snapchat (pushyspence) so ya’ll can follow along!

– WHAT I WORE –
Dress c/o Unique Vintage | Coat, Scarf, Tam: vintage | Shoes: Seychelles | Tights: UO
Larkspur Vintage | Outfit: Baby It's Cold Outside