Where Does Your Inspiration Come From?

So I happened to watch Pearl Harbor the other day. I was in the need of a good cry (I sometimes get like that for some reason!), and so I popped in this baby. It was fantastic, per usual. And upon finishing it, after wiping the tears, I was all of a sudden inspired to dress very a la 1940's. Had I watched something like Burlesque and my outfit would've been completely different!

And then at school today, I was asked by a couple of Visual Communication students for an outfit picture and a brief questionnaire they had for one of their classes. It had your basic questions like How would you describe your personal style? and Who is your fashion icon? and Would you consider yourself to be on trend? and it got me to thinking: where does one's personal style and inspiration come from? It brought me back to my Critical Thinking class this morning in the sense that our opinions and our beliefs are conditioned by what we download and absorb as we've grown. Fascinating, is it not? So then of course I went into my deeper canyon of thinking and came out with a few new thoughts.

How would you describe your personal style? Now I love the quote: "To define is to limit", for I think that using a couple words to describe your personal style is simply not doing justice to the whole being that you are; however, they don't want some philosophical answer, they want simply some descriptive adjectives to describe your style's aesthetic. I came up with some along the lines of vintage, classy, elegant, different, old-fashioned, and sensual. But of course that all changes with the changing of the seasons, and even as quickly as the blink of an eye. My personal style stays true to my old-fashioned aesthetic, but adapts to everything around me: films, food, weather, boys ( I know, no judgement!), emotions, music, and the list goes on. And so I ask you this, where does your inspiration come from?

Who is your fashion icon? Man, this is another one of those tricky questions. The first one that comes to mind is Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, but she is more of a hero to me, being the first to introduce me to the fascinating world of fashion when I got to portray her in a wax museum way back in 5th grade. Plus, I love her stand against the molds of fashion and her power in the feminist movement. But then I think, there's also Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and even Joseph Cassell's styling for Taylor Swift (my favorites being all in the Blank Space music video especially). So how does one choose just one fashion icon? How do celebrities always choose just one? Cause then I think of Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Schiaparelli, and even vintage Balenciaga. So I would love to know who your favorite fashion icon is!

Would you consider yourself to be on trend? Now instantly my answer goes to "no", and for many reasons. Firstly, I belive in the ideal of "Fashion fades, style is eternal." That being said, I believe in mashups of past seasons and not giving a darn what each season says is "in" or not. And some trends don't work for everybody! I'm a firm believer in personal style, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a trend that comes out that works for me. So would you consider yourself to be on trend?

Anyhow, these couple questions just really made me think today. Maybe it's that Critical Thinking class getting to me, but that's a good thing, right?

What I wore: naturals rhinestone vintage earrings (used), brown silk vintage 1940's style dress (used), gold sparkly BANANA REPUBLIC belt (sale), and tan t-strap MIZ MOOZ pumps (used). 

We Are Supposed To Be Different.

In lieu of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I thought it best to don one of my favorite messaged tees. I found this one at a consignment store by good hYOUman. 

I find their objective to be quite inspiring. On each of their tags, they feature an inspirational story submitted by anyone during each season. When I first read the hand tag, I was touched and I actually misted right there in the store. Granted, I cry at everything like Achilles dying in the TROY film, but I just loved how this company was doing something more than just producing clothing. Everyone has a story and to be able to share such a story on a hang-tag where everyone can see is a fantastic example of corporate social responsibility, going above and beyond the norm.

Anyhow, tying in with the above and beyond, I want to give a personal shout out to Martin Luther King Jr. and his standing up for freedom. Because along with that, comes a sense of being different. It's about not following the rules and standing up for what you believe in to be right and true. 

Being different is a beautiful thing, and it's something we all have in common, so why not embrace that? Why not step out of the social norm and do what you do best? We're supposed to be different, we were born to be different, so why do so many still want to fall into place like a puzzle piece? Don't be that person, be that almond that Winston wedges into the puzzle (New Girl joke, I'm sorry if you don't get it!). 

Like today- I was in Starbucks in my alligator shorts and good hYOUman top, handing over my mason jar to be filled with coffee, and the barista guy asked how tall I was. I responded with 6 ft 2" and he goes WOW! naturally. But what got me is that he said something like "And you say it with pride" and then I got to thinking well DUH because being tall is something to be proud of! Being different no matter what your uniqueness is, is something to be ultimately proud of. 

Coco Chanel says it best:

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

What I wore: vintage rhinestone earrings (used), pistachio green good hYOUman top (used), pink alligator CJ LAING shorts (used), and red TOMS. 

A Song For Sunday- Alaskans.

My musical best friend Emma has done it again- gifted me with an excellent CD full of an array of incredible new music.

I got it just the other day and have been listening non-stop to the tracks, completely zoning out the world here in my bedroom and enjoying the new sounds grace my ears.

Where to even pick one of my favorites this time? I mean, we have Luke Friend's Take on the World, Hozier's Like Real People Do, and then Tom Odell's Real Love, just to name a few.

The one I chose today is by Volcano Choir, and its called Alaskans. 

Ok, maybe it's a bit ironic considering it's my home state, but I truly do enjoy the song. It has a peacefulness to it that brings back to the rainy mornings and the crashing waves of Alaska. It takes me back to that place, the echoey, quiet, nature filled land that I get to call my home.Even the album cover perfectly symbolizes it!

I guess Volcano Choir was a side project that was started way back in 2005 and the album, Repave, is their second record, with Justin Vernon (singer of Bon Iver) included! It definitely has that zone out sound to it, so very pretty.

"..We climbed up on your carpet

There's a carpet in our minds, wherein

Shameless in humming

Like a violin strumming

We were going to hit every mark in stark

But the sutra didn't suit you that long day in the park

I'm talking about it 

We're talking real love

I want to read up on that love

Damn, can't believe you left me on the land, to be seen, to be scribed

Tell you now that you..."

Throwback Thursday- Missing Home.

It hasn't even been a week yet, and I somehow find myself to be missing home.

There's a lot of things I miss about home. A lot of little things that I take for granted everyday. I guess it's when you're away when you realize just how special these little things are.

So today, I'm going to share a couple of little things that I miss dearly about home.

I miss my doll, Jess. Yes, I know she's a doll, but we all have those little things (or beings) that we're fond of, even as we grow older.

Jess likes coffee just like her mom!

FIDM represent!

Secondly, I miss my favorite furry feline friend... Fudge. I love waking up with her on my feet, I love petting her when she's all cuddly, I love playing with her as she chases string, and I love her company.

I miss my sister. I miss our New Girl nights, making her hot chocolate, gabbing about all the attractive men in the world, and being in her company. 

I miss my brother. I miss our in depth conversations, his nerd talk about Smart Wool, and being in his company.

I miss my mom and dad. I miss their generosity, kindness, humour, and love. 

I miss coffee. Whether it be homemade, from the lovely friends at KBC, or from any other fine establishment on the Peninsula, I miss the taste of good ole Alaskan coffee.

I miss Alaskan wildlife. I miss being able to spot a moose every day, especially through our backyard..

I miss sushi, specifically at Nikko Garden, home of the best sushi in town. I miss the kindness of Mrs. Nikko and the excellent rolls, not to mention dining with the goofy Krull family..

These are just a few of my favorite little things that make up the wholeness of my beautiful home.