Style Inspiration: Florence Welch

Wow, it's been too long. Not that anyone is really reading this blog anyway, but I've majorly procrastinated on posting... I mean, I think it's been months. Anyway, was planning on doing a post about a crinoline I just finished, but that will wait for tomorrow (cross my fingers.) Anyway, here are some beautiful pics of one of my favorite musicians: Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. Her music is beautiful, but I think her style is even more so- it's really 70's and glamorous and her bright red hair just adds to the whole image. I think what I like most about her is her imperfection. She is beautiful, but never tries to look too put together. When she's wearing makeup, it's to make a statement, not to hide something. Her hair's often disheveled and natural. Her clothes may not always have the perfect fit, maybe because they're thrifted or vintage. These details aren't flaws, though; they're fascinating,and to me, they're what makes a person "stylish" as opposed to traditionaly "pretty" or "fashionable". Enjoy!

Today was actually a good day, except for the fact that there were a couple of torrential rainstorms this morning which I wasn't expecting. Forgot my beautiful rain jacket, too...  Yesterday was a senior skip day, so I skipped. What I DIDN'T know was that seniors in AP classes have this unspoken rule that you don't skip. So, I missed alot of important stuff that I wasn't really expecting to be a problem. Umm, last time I do that. Although I had a really great day home from school: I made a bunch of progress on a dress muslin, knitted some, watched Dangerous Liasons, and basically chilled for the first day in a few weeks.

(Target Dress, F21 Lace Top, Target Cardi and Shoes, Thrifted Belt)

Felt like wearing frills today, I'm in love with this dress and top combination. Umm.. I'm horrible about thinking things up to say for outfits. This is what I wore, it was comfortable, and I felt happy and twirly and girly and nice all day. Please excuse the bizarre face in the above photo,  I don't know why my face does what it does sometimes.

I'm steadily falling back into the rhythm of school: waking up early, packing a delicious (by my standards) lunch, the steady flow of homework which is indeed rolling back in. Today was basically average. I'm going to a seminar tonight for a college I'm thinking of attending, to fill out some scholarship apps and my early admission. But it's so odd to think about going to college. I'm excited, but honestly all this planning and preparation and worrying about my future just feels like an extra-elongated homework assignment that I really wish I could turn in.

So right now I'm working on a couple of college essays, and they both relate in some way to the fact that I love sewing. Honestly, I don't have alot of stuff to impress colleges with, other than the fact that I sew. I have a 31 on the ACT (I'm taking it again, though; that was just my first time) and my GPA's great, but there are tons of people with way better grades than me, and more AP classes to boot. So I'm hoping I can write some really great essays, and those will be what set me apart. I just want to convey that I really, truly care about creating things; I would work hard at whatever college I go to, and I know I could excel because I'm in love with what I want to do for a living.

Anyways, this is what I wore today. And I know these pictures look sunny, but for the first half of the day the weather was miserable and drizzly so the raincoat was definately necessary.

(Shoes, Belt, Necklace: Thrifted, Skirt: Thrifted, altered by me, Shirt, Raincoat: Rodarte for Target, Tank: Old Navy)

In Which I Finally Finish a Project.

So, the week of wearing pants? Well, I did it, but I didn't enjoy it. Haha. So I didn't actually take a single picture of any of the outfits, but whatever.... they weren't exciting anyway. I really  have nothing against a good pair of jeans, and I actually love my new ones from Gap, but wearing pants every day is just so not for me.

ANYWAYS. I am taking my senior pictures today, and I get three outfits, so I'm wearing someting I made in each one. I have been planning on the newest skirt I was working on, but of course procrastinated on actually finishing it, because  in those spare moments when I'm at my house (and not sleeping) all I want to do is watch TV or talk on the phone or something. So, this morning when I woke up, the skirt was only about half finished. I woke up at 8:30, and finished it by 11:00! The best way for me to finish a project is definately to give me a time limit, haha. Otherwise I never get anything accomplished.

This picture kinda sucks, but whatever. More and better pics to come later; anyways, I'm glad it's done, and it fits, and looks good. And I got it done perfectly in time! Wish me luck on those senior pics.

Girlin' it Up before I put on some pants.

(Thrifted Jacket, shoes, and belt; Rodarte for Target dress, F21 lace top)

Was feeling super girly today, and like wearing something with volume. For once, though, I reined the volume in with a belt. I really have no waist to speak of anyway, but if I DID, you would have been able to see it today! Am feeling sleep deprived and swamped with homework, which I must naturally procrastinate on. My rationale is that, since I so rarely post anything on here (hello? anyone out there?) surely it must be kind of important to do it occasionally, instead of AP Lit homework? Hmm. Stayed up too late last night; I went and saw the re-released Avatar in 3D, got snowcones, and came home and talked to a boy for way too long. Which is normally the story of why I don't get sleep...

About to fall over? Or an artistically thought-out pose? Haha, just kidding, I can't think up poses to save my life.

Also, this week, I've decided I'll only wear pants. Monday through Friday, that is. I have alot of pants which I totally neglect, and some of them are actually pretty cool. The problem is, I have this idea in my brain that outfits with pants are just boring. So, trying to correct this notion by actually TRYING them instead of sticking with my standby dresses. So, hopefully I remember to take pics... Starting tomorrow with some harem-style sweatpants, later in the week busting out some jodhpurs (is it even socially acceptable to wear them any more? huh.).

I know this is super-blurry, but it's really true to the color of the clothes and you can kinda see the texture of the fabrics.

Also.. the skirt is progressing! I have been squeezing in an hour here, and hour there to work on it. I am taking my senior pictures this Friday, and since I plan to wear it as one of my outfits, it will at least be done by then. Wish me luck!

School's gonna kick my butt.

(Rodart for Target dress, Target heels, thrifted belt, Charlotte Russe cardigan)

School has officially begun, and I can see the homework load in my immdiate future, picking up speed and rushing towards me... Man oh man. But I really shoudn't complain, since I'm the one that decided to take AP classes and all.

(Target dress, Thrifted top)

So, do you ever have those moments when you see a person, and immediately get this unfounded crush that only last for a few seconds... cause you know you'll never see them again? It happened today when I saw this tall, kinda hippie-ish guy with pretty curly blonde hair, walking to his next class in his v-neck and tom's, working a Rubix cube in utter concentration. All of my nerd senses were tingling; I was just a little bit in love. This isn't the first time this has happened, like last year when I spotted a tall brunette boy in a double-breasted pea coat, carrying nothing but a copy of Fight Club. Oh, the boys that make my heart flutter....

Lately I have no desire to wear anything fitted. If I wear something remotely tight, I must cover it up with something bulky, like this denim(ish) shirt I got at Salvation Army a few days ago. Ultimately comfy, and I'd like to think it looked less shapeless in person, but I'm probably kidding myself. Either way, I was a happy camper today, even if my outfit made me look like Rectangle Girl.

The Jeans that will (Hopefully) make me love Jeans Again

Okay, so here's a confession. I am not a fan of jeans, like, at ALL. Before two days ago, I owned one pair, just out of the necessity of it: I mean, they do have their uses. But I never wear them just because, well, I want to. But I was determined to find a pair that I could love, and cherish, and have adventures in, and basicallly enjoy wearing. It just seems like something everyone should have, you know? So I ventured to Gap, because I read that they made really good jeans. And... Nylon magazine was correct. I walked away with two pairs: the ones shown here, which are cropped with cute lil buttons, and another pair in the same wash that are regular length. And, guys, this may be it. This MAY be jean love.

(Shirt: Rodarte for Target, Jeans: Gap, Belt: Thrifted, Shoes: Target)

Another big purchase: my school backpack! I was planning this whole summer not to buy a backpack, but a tote; I wanted to have something smaller and cuter to carry around senior year. The problem was, I couldn't find ANTHING I liked. I also remembered that I could end up with alot of shoulder pain from the uneven weight distribution of a heavy tote- and all these cons led me to realize what I really needed was simply a non-ugly backpack. I found this baby on the Urban Outfitters site and it was love at first click. It's my first big purchase since I got a job, and I love it. It has tons of pockets and it's made out of great, durable fabric.

School starts in two days, and I am absolutely prepared.