Spring into fall (see what I did there)

Since this disconcertingly indecisive weather seems to have completely skipped over winter, of course I am going to be gawking at all the spring lookbooks and assembling my threaded arsenal. Spring is my absolute favorite of all the seasons for its tendency toward soft, lovely themes like floral prints, lace, and pastels. But I had to double take when I took a peek at what Club Monaco has going on...

CM was all like, "Yo spring. I'm really happy for you and I'mma let you finish. But fall was one of the best seasons of all time." I have to admit though, I am loving those neutrals. And socks, socks galore! I shall not hesitate to join the resistance. Flip those seasons on their heads! Who are they to tell us what we should be wearing? Now excuse me, while I go put on my bikini.

View the full lookbook here!

A little artificiality

skirt, sweater, bag, jacket, and shoes- thrifted, scarf- Target 

Ever have those days when you're just feeling so ethereal? It's like, you get out of bed and your skin is glowing, your eyes are luminescent, your cheeks have the faintest rosy flush, not an eye booger or puff to be seen. Yeah, me neither. In fact, when Gare and I went outside at about 9am to take these photos, I looked like I had just crawled out of my grave. But thanks to the wonders of photo processing, I can live vicariously through my digitally-rendered, most angelic self-portrait. Don't get me wrong, I'm no photoshop genius. But I get by with a little bit of brightening and smoothing. It makes for a better photo than, say... 

This monstrosity... (au naturale, baby)

In all seriousness though, maybe this horse has been beaten to death, but I'm still fascinated by the controversy ever-circulating the media about its use of photo rendering of celebrities and models in the fashion and advertising industry. I find it concerning when we suddenly are accepting without question these digital transformations of beautiful, healthy, unique bodies into "tall sticks with assets." Where do you draw the line?

Look up!

One itch that has begun to inhabit my brain these days is that distinguished bloggers have such awesome, uniquely designed blogs. They're not limited by pre-made layout gook. They've got a look, a style, a brand. Many bloggers are so proficient in the world of HTML, a world to which I am completely foreign (and quite honestly, a bit intimidated by it). But today, my friends, today I have decided to take my first few baby steps into Blog Design Land and create my own header! It's not terribly extravagant, but I think it suits me, don't you? Typically, I don't think this sort of event necessarily merits its own post, but there are a couple artists who deserve credit for their contribution to this header!

The first is the patterned background, which I found off this fantastic website for those who fancy color and pattern design, Colour Lovers! The creator of this pattern is Jewel (a peace of mind). I just can't get over the palette... I'm such a sucker for pastels.

Second, the gorgeous illustration of a girl was done by none other than renowned fashion illustrator, Christina Koutsospyrou. I enjoy her style, it is soft and very feminine. And those soul-gazes! Her work has been featured by many publications and commissions including Vogue, Elle, Levi’s and La Perla. Here are some of my favorites:

 

The rest of her work can be found on her official site here.

All washed out

There's a trick to fashion on a budget, especially when your wallet limits you primarily to secondhand shops. That trick, although perhaps it's more of a test of perseverance, is patience. I remember having a conversation with a good friend about the challenges of finding certain trendy items when thrift store shopping is always such a grab bag. You will never (well, rarely) find the same piece of clothing each trip like you would at a typical retail store. So, as combat boots became the big autumn hit, I tore a reluctant eye away from F21 online and began to scour the shoe sections during my thrifting outings. A couple months fly by without much luck and the $40 I very swiftly could dedicate to those boots begins to sizzle and spark in my pocket. Long story short, I DID eventually find these boots. Rather than $40, I was put out a mere $7. The price of patience? Well, I did nab my prize at a significant discount, despite being a bit tardy to catch on to the trend. Perhaps in the high fashion world, with how quickly trends rise and fall, I would receive a deserving scoff. But in Reno, fashion creeps at a turtle's pace, and hey, I can get by ;)

Is the price of patience worth it to you?

Boots, jacket, tee, shorts - thrifted
Knee-highs - Macy's
Clutch - thrifted gift

Hey, whaddya say

This is one of my favorite ensembles as of late. My closet has become so monochrome, you'd wonder if I've become a funeral crasher. The hair, I tell you! The purple lends my look so much character that when I wear too much color, I feel like it's too loud. It's all about balance, right? Although to be honest, I'm very taken by a somewhat grungier, 90s-era look. That slouchy beanie has become a personal accessory vice of mine. It. Is. So. Bomb. For one, I've never ever ever before been able to pull off a beanie. For two, I've never really frequented skate/snowboarding shops because, well, I haven't attempted either of those sports. But the triumphant feeling of strolling into Zumiez and picking through the giant beanie rack for the perfect black beanie was just so satisfying. Fist pump for expanding style horizons! Thanks, you unicorn hair, you.

Jacket- Marshall's
Dress and button up- thrifted Ralph Lauren
Cut off cowboy boots?- thrifted

Dooney and Burke bag- thrifted
Infinity scarf- gift from my sweet man

There and back again

Want to hear something funny? I've been putting this post off for about a month thinking that I've been too busy to find a quiet moment to write it. Tonight, as I wrestled with my boredom and self-pity about having nothing to do all by my lonesome while the husband is out with the boys and The Old Republic, the thought of this golden opportunity to write entered my mind and even still I was tempted to discard it. But hey, here we are!

Want to hear another funny bit? I did this shoot about a month ago. A month ago! A short bout of inspiration, maybe. Didn't make it to my blog so quickly, as you can see. But that's not all. In the process of moving to our new place, I relieved my closet of more than three GIANT trashbags of my collected vintage. I thought it would scar the core of my being, but for some reason, it didn't. It felt good. Freeing. And not only from the pains of having little to no closet space (ask my husband).

I had conversations with myself about quitting my fashion blog altogether. What do you know about fashion? You're not inspired. Look at that silly tilted half-moon pose. Cut it out. Great, Gabi, wave goodbye to another attempted hobby.

Sorry. This wasn't supposed to be Debby Downer hour. Writings do reflect the writer whether they mean to or not, and what I mean to say is that this is where I am right now. Or at least, it should explain where I've been.

The point of this post is to serve as a confirmation for myself, that I'm starting a turn-around. I've been perusing the blogging community again, and finding new favorites. And I realized I still like fashion very much. I still like writing. Motivation will come and go, won't it? As cheesy as it is, I think that's what I love so much about creating. Zero obligation. One hundred percent freedom to express, no matter who, what, when, where, or why I am. I'm just happy to be here again. And I'm happy that you're here along with me!

Let me warn you, my style has certainly changed since I've changed my hair (which will soon be made apparent on here, I'm sure). I now know what it is like to have true love/hate relationship with my hair. A sigh of pleasure at having achieved this unusual aesthetic goal meets a shudder of the next five-hour session to upkeep it every time I look in the mirror. Oh well, c'est la vie avec la mode ;)

Top and cardigan: thrifted vintage gifts
Shoes: thrifted vintage
Bag: thrifted Dooney and Burke gift
Necklace: Target
Attitude: positive

Dumb blonde

I promised myself I wouldn't do this. Wouldn't do another style post until my hair transformation is complete. BUT... With autumn upon us, creeping in with its chilly little fingers, I realized that I'm running out of time to shoot outfits that require warmer weather. So, here we are. Hair is currently in Phase Three! I'm currently giving it a nice rest from all the processing, but it has not yet reached the look I've been envisioning. I think... I think if I had known from the start how long this would take, I might not have endeavored to try it. But I will press on! Sometimes I wonder to myself why I decided to do this. It's absolutely ludicrous, the trouble I'm putting myself through for the sake of my appearance. I don't know. Is there a reason? Should I bother trying to justify the marvelous misadventures of my youth?

Honestly, my head hurts trying to understand myself sometimes! But, gosh darn it, I'm having a lot of fun. I hope you are, too. Such is life.

Also, I want to shout out to my lady Ilse, who has been so patient and wonderful in helping me achieve my hair vision. This could not happen without her!

Wow. Ultimate brain fart. I have no idea what I'm wearing. My brain is conjuring the words "smock" and "hammock" (what the?). Um, if anyone would care to help my idiot self figure out what word I'm looking for, it would be much obliged. I blame the hair. Either way, that thing enveloping my torso is a gift from Christina!
Shoes- Hunt Club, thrifted
Bag- Dooney and Burke, seriously awesome thrifted gift from my mother-in-law, who is my kindred thrifting spirit

A few of my favorite things... collide!

Nothing beats the exhilarating feeling of worlds colliding. For some, it's new friends and old. For others, it's cake and lollipops. 

For me, it's the mighty pen and a stunning gown by Anthropologie.
I stumbled upon this wonderful short narrative piece by a blogger, JLgerhardt, and I couldn't resist sharing it!

"Why I'm Not Allowed to Daydream in the Dressing Room"

I’m at Anthropologie and I’ve already broken two of my cardinal shopping rules:

1. Do not go into Anthropologie.
2. Do not touch the merchandise.

Fingering the hem of a jewel-toned shift in raw silk, I break a third.


    3. Do not daydream about wearing the clothes.

Here I go…


When I wear this dress people will see me differently. I’ll step out of the background like an actress stepping into a lone spotlight. I will be respectable and mature but still fun and unconventional. I’ll look like I’ve just come back from a trip around the world, like I, only minutes ago, left a so-cool-you-don’t-know-it’s-name gallery, like I have class or, at the very least, style.

I may as well take it to the dressing room. There, looking at myself in the mirror wearing someone else’s clothes, I can step outside my stay-at-home-mom, covered-in-snot reality. I can be someone new.

I forget, conveniently, that the dress is dry clean only, that I’ll wear it once (to a pizza buffet, not an uptown soiree) and then throw it in a pile of clothes awaiting the day when I have enough extra cash to take it to the cleaners.

This dress will not change my life. It won’t fit my life either. It will make me painfully aware of the life I wish I were living. It will mock me from the dirty clothes pile. It will make me wish I had better shoes to wear with it, a more flattering hair color, daintier earrings.


Whatever it is I expect from this dress, I can be assured it will not provide.


But here in the store, holding it close to my chest, smelling that perfectly new smell, all I can imagine is a new me, a better me. In this dress.

I love it. I love the artistic vision behind the clothes we wear, the clothes that have yet to even come into existence because they are being conceived in the mind of a renowned designer at her drawing board in NYC or the Academy of Art student in his sketchbook. I love the potential for clothing to speak through us and transform us into someone new. Or even to reveal a part of ourselves we didn't realize we could be. The beauty of clothing? It is universal. Everyone is an artist in this way, even if you don't carry a paintbrush or hold a camera.

Her piece also got my brain buzzing about Anthropologie's fall catalog...

Hellooooo boots. Hello prints and colors like the changing trees and sunsets. Hello socks and scarves and full skirts. Hello mustard yellow <3!

A tip of my hat to creative writing, fashion, and fall in their beautiful marriage!
Gabrielle

P.S. My hair is currently in Phase Two! This is quite the process, let me tell you. But it will be worth it, I just know it!

Hair adventures!

Happy Saturday!

For some reason I have been waking up much earlier than I'd prefer to (especially after I've had a late night!). It's 8:24. What to do? Write a blog post, alright!

Anywho, I'm not going to be putting up any outfit photos for a while, at least a week or so, due to some drastic, experimental changes my hair is going through. I won't say what, although I'm sure those of you who bump into me throughout the week will have a pretty good idea. Also, I apologize in advance if you do, I'm currently in Phase One and it's a bit of a frightening sight. The ideal would have been to do it all in one go, but you can't rush this kind of thing. The poor mop needs time to rest!

If you're really curious, Lady Gaga alludes to what I'm doing on a certain song on her album, The Fame Monster!

Wish me luck as it all turns out!

Red drums

Skirt, belt, bag: thrifted vintage
Top: old Old Navy
Earrings: gift from my mother-in-law
Shoes: gift from Christina

Jumping right back in to vintage fashion again, my friends! Had some trouble modeling for this one thanks to a combination of wardrobe malfunctions and the wind. Hopefully that explains my closed-eyed, smiling shenanigans. I'm especially drawn to southwestern prints. So geometric! Geometry is probably the only type of math I have ever felt any kind of affinity for. Also! Gare was my photographer today! Didn't he do a swell job? Now I can be one of those fashion bloggers whose husbands does their photography. No more tripods and timers for me, wahoo!

I think I may be overdue for another trip to the thrift store. (Psst, want to come sift through orphaned clothes and granny shoes with me? Open invitation!) I really really really want to find some maxi skirts to play with for fall. Fall is right around the corner, you know! And it sure won't last long here before the snow rears its icy head.

On a more important, non-fashion related note, I literally just caught word about a horrifying plane crash at the Reno Air Races. As if this town hasn't had enough tragedy lately! My prayers go out to the victims and their families <3 :(

Geranium kisses

Wow. Hi, hello, blogging world! This has been quite the vacation, let me tell you.
Before I start shpieling about what's new, I first have to share this amazing surprise I discovered upon logging into Blogger for the first time in a few weeks:

Well, hot dog, that's ILSE! That's the very photoshoot we did back in May! As it turns out, a lovely lady, Natza, has featured my blog as one of her fashion influences on Polyvore! What an honor, my mind is just blown. Thank you, Natza!

Anyway, last we left off, I was about to get married! And now...

I am officially a Mrs!!! I think I have been subconsciously putting off this post because I am afraid I don't have the right words to do my feelings justice. The wedding was... it was just more than I had ever imagined it would be. All of the elements came together so wonderfully. The lace runners and fabric flowers, the yarn chandeliers, the bunting with our names, the perfect weather, the great food, the music, all our friends and family in one place at one time. (I promise I will make a special post with more photos, just as soon as we get the CD with all of the pictures.) It's so difficult to describe decently because it all happened so quickly, as for some reason weddings do when you're the one in the dress! I just remember feeling like I was an astral projection floating above my body the entire time, looking at everything going on around me as if I were dreaming. I cried, I laughed, I nearly starved to death before Gare and I were finally able to sit down and have a plate of food. All of a sudden the night was over and all I wanted was to keep repeating it over and over and over.

The very next morning, we were off on our honeymoon, to spend a whole week exploring in both Seaside and Portland, Oregon. More on that later!

And now, I am back in college, starting the year fresh. Except this time, I've taken up residence with a certain special man of mine ;) Living with my husband is somehow so natural to me. We have spent more consecutive waking (and sleeping!) hours together the past couple weeks than we ever have over the course of our three and a half year relationship, but it feels like we've always been this way.

It does seem a bit strange when I think about this life course I have chosen, especially in a world that doesn't have much support for it. In fact, it just recently hit me that I am one of the first in my graduating class to get married. People have asked me, how am I ready to make such a decision right now? To devote my entire life to someone so early? You might not be too surprised when you see that we're Christians. And young marriage is, honestly, something that Christian culture is known for. But the underlying reason behind why I feel like I can be able to unconditionally love and commit myself to someone like this is because Jesus has done exactly that for me (when I didn't even do anything to deserve it, what the heck?! haha). This marriage will take serious sweat and blood, and it won't be perfect. But what is life without taking some risks for what you care about? :)

So, that's the story. We're married. And excited. And grateful. And we love everyone in our lives so, so much. But enough about my life, I can't even WAIT to get back into vintage fashion! Stay tuned :)