turn that frown upside down

it is so easy to find myself feeling like i "need" and just haaave to have so many things. especially clothes.

i'm so blessed and i find myself still wanting more: consumerism and materialism overtake me. isn't it time to put that down and look for something higher?

instead of just wanting things, i'm trying to turn my love of creative fashion into a creative outlet other than shopping and wanting.

so, i started using polyvore. it's so much fun to do and be creative, and rather than making me want things (though that never stop with so many cute things in the world) it helps me be creative with what i have and just have fun.

here are a few of the outfits i've come up with so far, mostly inspired by old fashioned things and the English literature i've been readin'.

Brideshead Reworked by munchye featuring Nicole shoes

this one was inspired by this particular book cover - one of those covers that really makes me interested in reading the book, and also a little by what Virginia Woolf stuff I have read.

day at the beach by munchye featuring Kimchi Blue flats

i got the idea for this set when i was in santa barbara and saw a girl on the beach with a big floppy hat, under an umbrella, opening a train case. oh to be that girl, and do crafts on the beach on a pleasant sunday afternoon (unlike today in southwest missouri!)

Dreams of Spring by munchye featuring Monsoon accessories

and finally this set, inspired by a few of the things i already own and from my love of the idea of something so cosy and casual, but also very pretty. my sister-in-law lindsay has been a big influence on me for that sort of style, she always looks cute and cosy at the same time. : ]

now i'm off to do some rainy day reading - finishing Jane Eyre. this book is making its way into my favorites. as much as i love more modern american literature, english romanticism and victorianism still intrigues me so much.

Countdown to Hibernation... 5, 4, 3, 2,....

Although it would officially complete my first week of classes this semester, a snow day sounds like a better plan for tomorrow.

Some things I hope to do with my time?

-Repair all broken pieces of clothing and jewelry on my craft table, or as many as may be repaired

-Wrap Josh's birthday present and brainstorm ideas for creative birthday cards and items for other friends

-Launder

-Finish Frankenstein

- And maybe even an extra project or two...

So much has happened in the past week, both in my life and out in the world. The speed of time rolling along is overwhelming, and my semester promises to be a stressful one. My goal is to keep my eyes on Christ and those around me and carry out each day with love, patience, and care.

On a totally separate note, I just viewed and commented on this photo from The Sartorialist:

Something about this photo of Kanye West really struck me. Apparently it was taken at a Louis Vuitton show in Paris. I can't really put words to it but it is a strangely beautiful image, not particularly aesthetically pleasing to me (perhaps because of what Kanye represents in my mind). The photo seems profound and almost epic, yet not beautiful. In my literature class we have been talking about the difference between the beautiful and the sublime, the sublime being something profound and aweful (awe-inspiring) and beautiful being something that can be more shallowly appreciated. As an example, a pretty flower would be considered beautiful but Mount Everest is somewhat terrifying, brooding, and inspirational, so it could be thought of as sublime.

What category do you think this fits into? Thoughts?

p.s. There are probably a lot more photos I could think of to post onto this question, but most of them fall under the category of sublime for sure, as I associate it with tragic events and such.

Love,

Erin

Found: Old Puppy Pictures

Dear Winchester,

I love you, but I wish you were still small and cub-like rather than large, gangly and clumsy.

Missing good old cuddly times.

Awwww puppies.