self-expression through clothes

Sweater: Ebay (JCrew), Skirt: Thrifted, Boots: Gift (TJ Maxx), Trench: Thrifted

There have been multiple posts on other blogs and comments and my own thoughts that have made me consider why I do "fashion" posts or at least fashion pictures to go along with whatever I want post that day. Maybe you don't care. Or maybe the only reason you come to my blog is to see what I'm wearing. Or maybe you think I should get over myself and stop being so self-involved and materialistic. Please, read on.

I like clothes. I think they're great. And I'm glad that I don't have to go around starkers, especially with the changing seasons and increasing cold.  But the reason that I choose certain outfits and dress up and take pictures of myself, or at least have Nick take pictures of me is the same reason that I paint and write and cook--to create.

Clothes are a form of self-expression and getting dressed can be a creative process. Some days my clothes express that I'm busy, tired and haven't showered, other days they express more of my personality, interests and even sense of humor. I don't buy clothes just to take pictures for my blog, but there are times that I feel like the colors, patterns and textures are so delicious that I want to share them with someone else. Someone who might think, "Dang girl, I like your style." Other times I share my failures because those are real too; who hasn't gotten dressed, after spending too much time trying on alternatives and then left the house only to realize that whatever they're wearing isn't really working? I don't think I'm the only one. And that's the one of the life parts of lifestyle blogging that I want to share and be true to.

You may have noticed that I rotate through my wardrobe, which is largely thrifted because that's how I learned to shop growing up and because I think that it would take intense brainwashing to allow me to overcome the guilt I'd feel at buying all my clothes retail. :) Like I said, I don't buy clothes for my blog and sometimes when I see a new outfit everyday on someone else's blog I wonder how big their closet has to be to accommodate all those clothes. (My side of the closet already encroaches on Nick's side.)

I know that lots of people have their own opinions on "fashion blogging" and I hardly ever talk about where I shop or fabrics, brands or trends (cause that's not super important or interesting to me), but I do like to share my outfit creations.

What do you think about outfit posts in general? Do you love 'em, hate 'em, couldn't care less about them? Do you think I should stick to photographing other parts of my life instead?

paint your walls gray and the world will look better

Our house is in a bit of disarray but I'm so proud of little pieces of it (especially our lovely, hard-earned walls) that I decided to shove some piles to the side and show you what we have so far.
In order of appearance:

A lamp! I told you I was looking and I found this beauty in Salt Lake last weekend! It was the score of the century since I've been wistfully looking at similar ones for weeks. They were out of our price range (plus shipping!) but this one was even better than many of those.

These are our walls. You can't quite tell, but the left wall is an accent color in elephant skin and the right one is painted in classic silver. Our walls are pretty much the pride of our home. At least in my eyes. The tablecloth is an awesome blue/purple/green vintage one from my mom and sitting on top is a vase from our wedding decorations with dried lavender.

Our rocking chair nook where we talk and gaze out the window at our view of beautiful sunsets along with our small collection of art they we need to figure out where and how to hang. Suggestions are welcome. As are introductions to further art to make our life more visually stimulating.

Well folks, that's all for now on the home front.