Man wear

This post is going to be mostly dedicated to my man, Sam.  Sam loves to take fashion risks but also greatly sticks to his own personal style.  Although he is mostly a t-shirt and jeans type of guy(or polyester pants or cotton chino skinny jeans), when he does dress up, he never wants to look like everyone else. 

When he couldn't find his tie for a wedding that we were going to, naturally the next best option was a bow tie.  He picked up this great bow tie from the same vintage store that I picked up the pink necklace that I'm wearing, Shangri La.  One of the great things about the way that Sam dresses is that he knows what looks good on his body and does not try to "make things work".  It may be an awesome shirt, but if it doesn't fit, he doesn't buy it.  This to say, all of Sam's clothes fit him really well.

It is easier for me to look good, when I know that Sam will look good also.  He is also my biggest fan and my biggest supporter.  I am so thankful for his support and encouragement, that I know I wouldn't have even thought about this journey if it wasn't for him.  Perhaps the thing that makes me always look so good, is his heart.  (collective aww?)

Who keeps you motivated to set your goals? 

Frustrations and pushing through

Photo courtesy of the amazing and wonderful Miss Kelsey Foster

When I was in college, I had this theory regarding boys.  If I never said out loud that I liked a boy, then it simply was not true.  Every once in a while, I keep things hidden and stuffed because I think if I don't say it out loud, then its not true (by the way this is also known as denial).  About two weeks ago, I was sharing with my community group that I was feeling really motivated about my blog, sewing, saving money, not shopping, and yoga.  Sam was calling me Miss Proactive (not the face wash, I used it during summer camp and got this crazy chemical burn).

Then it started creeping up on me, doubt.  Doubt hopped in bed with me one night actually.  I woke up in the middle of the night in panic and in fear from a dream.  I have been having doubt and insecurities about the blog and myself and how it all fits together.  I started wondering if I was pushing myself hard enough.  Even though, I want this blog to be just for me, and something that makes me happy... I still want people to read it.

Doing this can be really frustrating because sometimes you can get so caught up in who is wearing what, all the comments others are getting, feeling like you are completely late in the game, everyone is on weardrobe and chictopia and facebook and twitter and blogfacesomethingwhatever...  and I'll be honest, I don't get it.  I feel like I'm working my ass off on this blog, at my job, and in my life and I just feel like I'm so behind or like I missed some fashion wagon that came by on October 7th when I was in the bathroom!  AND on top of that, the one thing that makes me feel like I can get ahead I can't do.  Curse you no shopping year... curses on you!!! 

This is usually when I scream...

and remind myself that I have to just take this at my own pace.  I also need to find some positive ways to move forward.  I've been toying around with paying a graphic designer to help me come up with a logo.  Which means I need to figure out what I would want a logo to look like. I've also been toying around with e-mailing other bloggers and asking them if they will link to my site if I will link to theirs (which I really don't want to do because I feel totally desperate and needy in asking that but I know that its totally normal to exchange links).  I have also wanted to maybe start advertising on some other blogger's sites and getting some fashion stuff going in Nashville.  

I want:
-more visitors and more exposure
-a striped shirt
-black shorts (so I'm not having to wear my thin little black jumper and so I don't have to take my shirt off in the bathroom)
-a "bye" week for my no shopping so I can shop at modcloth
-a pony
-something pink, or floral, with ruffles.

But, what I need is:
-to finish reading Traveling Mercies by Ann Lamott (thanks C)
-so I can start reading Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke (thanks A)
-to finish my skirt
-to be satisfied with what I have and who I am
-to take a deep breath
-to pause
-to feel
-to remember and reflect why I am doing this
-a pony (maybe)

I know:
-I have a unique voice
-I am a great writer
-I love what I'm doing and how it makes me feel
-I wear jeans a lot
-how to use the timer on my camera
-it is part of the natural process of being creative to doubt, but I will not let that doubt control me.

Thanks for reading...

Don't Give Up

 

Lately, I have not been wanting to get dressed in the mornings.  I've been exhausted, tired, and bummed by the weather.  Its cloudy and rainy here in Nashville which only makes me want to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a good book.  However, this mantra has stuck with me, "Don't Give Up".

I first saw this shirt that I'm wearing on Etsy several months ago.  I had told my boyfriend and parents to let me know if I was getting this for my birthday or I would have ordered it.  Well, I didn't and I couldn't order it because I wasn't going shopping for a year.  It would have been a little poetic if the last piece of clothing I purchased was a shirt that said Don't Give Up. 

Print Liberation offers premium American Apparel Track T's with bold block letters.  I fell in love the with Don't Give Up Tee and Tote combo.  I love this shirt...

 

 

Jacket: H&M Atlanta

Shirt: Poetic Liberation

Jeans: Paper Denim

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Thrifted, Buffalo Exchange, Denver