Sun & Moon

scarf, blouse, belt - thrifted, skirt - banana republic, earrings - vintage

So I recently wrote a story for one of my classes about a guy that sees butterflies

No seriously. This was my second story due for an assignment, my first one I was proud with, but didn't feel it was necessarily a "break through" - ie didn't really do what crazy things run through my mind on a daily basis much justice. Sometimes I humor myself and pretend I know what I'm doing, using intuition as my own critic.

So I wrote this story, right? It was about this crazy guy who hallucinates, written from his point of view. You really can't decipher what's real and what's not (or at least, I like to think.) I'm very drawn to psychedelic things thanks to my renewed obsession fascination with the Led Zeppelin film "The Song Remains the Same" and I decided to jump in head first. 

So the day it's due, and we're all critiquing each others stories (me with my pink pen of doom) and I see my story being passed around and I get to briefly take a glimpse...and I see it covered in writing from all different handwriting. Ugh. Fine then, I think to myself. Some things work and some don't. I made a mental note to scrap the idea entirely. I was incredibly worried this was too specific of a theme for a general audience - not everyone finds what weird things I find interesting. 

A day passes and I get my story back. Turns out the writing all over the page wasn't endless criticism, like I thought. It was actually praise! Everyone loved it! I was floating on cloud nine the rest of my day, even took the next class to reread the comments people made. If there's been one immediate affect this writing class has had on me, it's coming face to face with my worst demon, even more than writer's block - the fear of having my baby torn apart and ridiculed. This is yet another aspect I've fully emerged myself into, in hopes of breaking this habit - I practically throw my writing to anyone with eyes. I used to be so secretive. It's a great feeling. 

I tell this story not to "brag" of any writing skill I might possess, but rather, to update on a thought I posed a while ago. I opened up, honestly for the first time ever on this blog, about some rather personal feelings I was battling with - mostly about inadequacies and struggling with a real vision for my artistic endeavors. I'm nearing very important life deadlines, mostly regarding college and career choices. I'm at my absolute wit's end with decision making (god knows I'm horrible at it...I think I found a demon to challenge that other one...) and I'm telling you all this to explain the beauty of falling so low you can't fall any further. At this point, all you have is instinct and primal need. And I thought, what's my absolute most basic need? Writing. I want to do nothing more in life than write to my little heart's content. 

So not only is this a story of self discovery, but listening to your heart. It took me a while to find my own voice, especially with the "writing" medium. I took a lifeline and wrote about something uniquely inherent to myself and bit the bullet with my fear of criticism. I know I'm going to mess up in the future and write a less than perfect story, even to myself, but at least for now, I know what I'm capable of and have a steadier eye on the prize.

Oh, and the look today. SCARF. Love it. I love sun and moon things, saw this scarf, and have been planning a number of ways to wear it and show it off. Also, yellow colorblocking. Funnily enough, I dislike the color yellow on a regular basis, but the flow of colors and the spectrum I'm working with were appealing enough.

Thank goodness for swanky neighborhoods with fountains in the middle of the road.

-h.

Sometimes as I'm editing my photos, I feel like my cat is watching, so I let him do the decision making for me. He doesn't approve. 

Unlimited girl, unlimited sigh

black mesh button up - thifted, scarf - thrifted, jeans - thrifted/DIY, boots - NOT THRIFTED.

Take a look around you. No, not around the room, my web page. I've made slight adjustments here and there that I think will better cater to your bored web surfing/casual browsing/fashion blog hopping/daily check-up? (any out there?!)/routine check-up/first time viewing! For one, I've taken the burden of fixing that Looks page, if you feel the need to look at my previous looks. I'm working on an "about me" page, which is always a struggle for me to reiterate what I believe my identity is, and how I can control a first impression.

Also, I want a banner. And a logo. Wouldn't that be nice? Something a little more welcoming than an unfamiliar song lyric. A cool one though.

Also: big update! I've joined two new fashion blogging/networking sites. Chicismo, which you will see a link to in the side bar, and I got approved for Independent Fashion Bloggers! What an amazing community, I've been getting responses like nonstop. I really do love this fashion blogging world, it's very supportive of each other - there's no competition as far as "out-fashioning" one another, it's a very fair and enthusiastic world.

I don't know if I should say this already, but I feel like even in the 20 odd looks I've produced, I feel like my style has already changed. Maybe it's the hair. In my daily wear, I feel the constant need to cater to what looks good on short hair. (Also, I'm going through this phase, which according to a friend who once had short hair is a normal phase, where I constantly feel the need to wear skirts and dresses and other uniquely feminine pieces just to make sure absolutely everyone I see understands and grasps that I am in fact a girl with this short of hair.) but I'm ok with it! Skirts are more stylish anyways (have you ever worn a skirt on what you considered your "off" days? It feels so unnatural doesn't it?)

I feel like I started this blog with a vision to be edgy and maybe in blend in with the a-typical "hipster" (pardon my French) look with Jeffrey Campbell boots and cut off shorts. But that's not really me. I do have a personality "ism" where if I strive to be as 100% original as I can. Meaning if I've seen someone else do it, I have to do something different now. It's very difficult. But how else are trends made, forged by personal style and a vision for what's next?

~

It was a bold move even for myself wearing nothing by my bra underneath. Phew, finally called out the elephant in the room. But it's more liberating than you think. I started this topic and now I don't know where to go with it, so I'm just going to conclude it with that and say try it.

Andddd we see the first of the combat boots, my designated go-to boot for this fall/winter weather approaching. Sturdy enough to wear everyday, stylish enough to make it look like you're actually trying today. Also the tights + knee high socks + combat boots combo is one I have planned for many, many, a-looks that are a-coming soon.

-H.

Makeover!

 shirt - forever 21 (old), skirt - family vintage, belt - borrowed, scarf - borrowed, earrings - vintage buttons

Notice anything different? Unless your powers of observation are minimal, I CUTTED ALL MY HAIRSES OFF.

I've finally joined the ranks of Twiggy, 1950's Audrey Hepburn, Edie Sedgwick, Mia Farrow and other 60's mod era fashion icons and hacked off my follicles. I hate to use cliche words such as "empowering" but I really do feel so liberated with short hair. I donated that alarmingly heavy pony tail to Locks of Love so someone in need can have the hair I once babied.

I've always been in love with a woman who could pull off short hair (see list of style icons I adore listed above) I always worried I'd come off too manly, because of my large nose... 3 days later and I don't regret a thing except that I didn't do it sooner. It's changed my view of the beauty standards. I'm embracing it. I've been told time and time again (though the compliment never gets old) that I favor Emma Watson. I completely adored her makeover, and as we all know, every good artist copies, every great artist steals. How could you not love her with short hair?! Too many girls feel limited to having long hair because it's safe. That's been the reoccuring theme I've heard among reactions to my dramatic makeover: "Oh I wish I could pull off short hair!" YES YOU CAN! Just do your research, and try it! It'll always grow back. What was really helpful for me, and it might be a fun experience for anyone who wants to just play around, is this virtual makeover site from InStyle that allowed me to try out several pixie cuts. It's fun just to play around with!

My mom made me promise that when I have short hair, I must wear lots and lots of dangle-y earrings. I have no problems with this. (image: emma-watson.net)

Ok, enough about hair, let me tell you about the outfit: did it ring any bells? This was an impromptu look heading out the door... The inspiration is quite literal and taken from Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. Remember when she hacked off all her hair? Yeah, that's exactly how I felt after I cut all mine off.  Roman Holiday is one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn films.

(image: en.wikipedia.org)

I hope to continue updating regularly again. Classes have taken over my life, and I thoroughly miss my "me time" that photoshoots provide. xx

-h.