The Poetic Wardrobe {i carry your heart with me(i carry it in}

I love fashion. I also love literature. For quite some time, I was a little sheepish of the former love. What self-respecting literary nut puts value on something as trivial as pretty clothes?

Over time, though, I've come to peace with my disparate interests, in part because I no longer see them as being so disparate. I don't love fashion for the compliments. I'm not concerned with being trendy. I love it as an art, just as literature is an art. I fully admit fashion is probably a lesser art, but it's an art nonetheless.

I really can't draw. I'm the only one of my siblings with this affliction. Getting dressed is my art form. It's an aesthetic that I can create and, even better, wear. It's my own means of creative expression.

My love of literature quite frequently ties in with my love of fashion. When I get dressed, I often think of books and poems as inspiration. To highlight the meeting ground I've found between my two favorite art forms, I'm starting a new series called The Poetic Wardrobe. From time to time, I'll post outfit pictures accompanied by the poem that inspired it.

This first one is a bit silly and needs little explanation. As I got dressed, all I could think was "I carry your heart with me. I carry it in your heart."

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

by e.e. cummings 

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                                      i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Outfit Details:

Glasses - Rivet & Sway
Shirt - Old, Gap
Heart Brooch - handmade by me
Belt - thrifted
Skirt - thrifted
Tights - ?
Shoes - Urban Outfitters

Valentine's Day Giveaway Winners!

The two winners to the Valentine's Day Giveaway  are Carrie Faith Colby and Jane Andrews.

Carrie's Valentine's Idea:

"I am planning to make a heart garland with scrap book paper and/or tissue paper and string, possibly using left over white petals from our wedding too! And hoping to hang some red hearts on the white tree in our living room. (one of the ones from our reception with white lights on it.) :) "

Jane's Valentine's Idea: 

"This year for Valentine's, I have a DIY idea of sewing heart knee-patches onto a pair of Cedar's pants. I think it could be a manly nod to V-Day. For an activity, I'm thinking Color Me Mine--that is, if I can get my artist to come down to such a lowly level."

Congrats Carrie and Jane!

Carrie Valentine's Day Tree

Weekly Inspirations and A Beautiful Sunset

I'll be announcing the winner to the Valentine's Day Brooch Giveaway later today (hurry! You still have time to enter!). Until then, enjoy a few blogposts that have been catching my eye this week.

• Cutest dress ever! 
• Lovin' this outfit.
• An incredible read by my own dear sister. 
• This is an old post, but I loved this description of what really happens when you write a DIY tutorial. 
• Summer wishlist? If I were rich . . . .

Earlier this week, I looked up from my computer to see a gorgeous sunset out my window. I had to stop and take some pictures. They don't do it even a tiny bit of justice, but I thought I'd share what beauty I could capture. Enjoy.

My Wardrobe Architect: Defining a Core Style

Last Summer, I discovered Jennifer L. Scott's 10-piece wardrobe project. I was fascinated. Could I create a basic wardrobe so perfect that 10 pieces was enough?

Eventually, I decided that for now, I'll concentrate on a general simplifying, not just meeting a particular number. From there, though, I started wondering about a capsule wardrobe. If I had a ten piece base to my wardrobe, would it make everything else I owned fit in better?

So I decided to set a challenge for myself. I want to learn to sew better than I currently do. Why not make myself sew my own capsule wardrobe? As of yet, I haven't met that challenge, but I was reminded of it again after reading Sarai's Wardrobe Architect series. I'm working through some of her worksheets to help me better plan that basic wardrobe. Here are my results for defining a core style.

When you're wearing your favorite clothing, how do you feel?

relaxed but elegant
comfortable but structured
at home in my own skin
subtle

When you're wearing something not quite right, how do you feel?

stiff
scratchy
awkward
obvious

Who do you consider to be your style icons?

Audrey Hepburn. I know EVERYONE says this. But I can't not include her. Until I discovered Roman Holiday at age 15, I had no idea how to be stylish without being girly-girl. Audrey has been a huge part of my own style discovery. Since age 15, I've gradually realized I look nothing like her and can't be her, but I honor her individuality by staying true to my own personal style.

Leslie Caron. I love Daddy Longlegs. It is one of my favorite movies. I can't get pass how adorable Leslie is and how amazing all her outfits are! Whenever I feel in a style rut, I watch it!

Brigitte Bardot. Ok. This is a bit of a mixed style icon. I'm not a fan of her sexy looks, but I love how well she pulls together her tomboy and girlish sides. Plus, there's that hair. It always makes me feel like there's hope for my own thick, full, crazy locks.

Carey Mulligan. Carey is probably my only style icon from this millennium. I love her slightly vintage look that still borders on modern. Clean lines. Warm, basic colors. Simple combinations.

Downton Abbey Women: Quite some time ago, I decided that the 20s look wasn't right for me. I wanted a more defined waist. The recent seasons of Downton Abbey are changing my mind. Right now, I don't have much in my closet inspired by them, but I expect to see that change some.

What are some words that describe styles you like in theory but aren't quite right?

Gamine. A true gamine look (AKA Audrey) is too harsh on me.

Flapper. As I mentioned, I'm enjoying the 20s again, but the outright flapper look is far too loud for me.

Minimalism. I love simplicity and basics, so minimalism always attracts me, but it never works for me.

Look over your answers from last week on history, philosophy, culture, community, activities, location, and body. List at least 15 words that you associate with your answers. Think about descriptive words, moods, and feelings you associate with these things.

I actually didn't do the first worksheet, but I tried to come up with some words. I'm not good at describing myself. The hubby agreed to help. His answers made me smile so much, I had to share!

my words
quirky
gangly
awkwardly elegant
truthful
basic
rich simplicity
warm
natural
airy
textured
controlled/structured

the hubby's words
sensitive
passionate
childlike
paradoxical

Hubby summing me up: "a passionately sensitive child philosopher."

So those are my answers. What about you? How would you define your core style?

Valentine's Day Heart Brooch {A Tutorial}

As promised, here's the tutorial for making a heart-shaped brooch. Enjoy! And don't forget to enter the giveaway to get one of these premade and for free!

This tutorial does involve sewing. However, if you're not a seamstress, don't worry. You can actually use hot glue throughout for a slightly different brooch.

Supplies

• hand sewing needle with wide eye
• cotton embroidery floss in your choice of color
• felt in your choice of color
• scissors
• heart-shaped template
• hot glue gun (optional)
• metal pin closure

Skills

• very basic sewing skills 
• blanket stitch (check out this tutorial) 

How-To

1) Download heart template here. Note, if you make sure your printer is at 100% this should print to size. For reference, however, just measure from the dip at the top of the heart to the point (the bottom of the heart). It should measure roughly 2 1/4 inches to 2 3/8 inches.

2) Cut out two hearts from the felt. You can double the fabric together and do it at once, but I found the felt was so thick that I ended up with crooked edges, as you can see below. I'd recommend cutting them one at a time.

3) Sew metal pin closure to one heart. Make sure you sew it on correctly. If the heart is right side up and the pin is facing you, you want the opening side to the left. That way, you can easily pin it to your clothing with your right hand. If you're left-handed, then reverse the direction.

4) Blanket stitch the two felt hearts together. I've been planning a blanket stitch tutorial, but haven't been able to get good pictures or a video. It's nearly impossible to photograph yourself sewing! 

For now, check out this You Tube video. If you don't have time to learn, try hot gluing the two pieces together. You won't have the decorative edge, but the hot glue will work just fine. You'd be surprised how much money you've shelled out on cute accessories that were hot glued together! Just use the glue sparingly around the edges, so it doesn't leak out.

5) *Optional Step* Cut out a 1 inch x 1/2 inch rectangle from your felt. Mine is actually just over 1/2 inch wide. The size really depends on the size of your brooch pin. 

Hot glue the piece over the brooch pin as shown below. Spread the hot glue evenly over the felt piece but use lightly so you don't have visible glue.This step stabilizes the pin and covers up the messy stitches. 

If you don't like sewing, you can actually skip sewing the pin on and just do this hot glue step. I prefer having the pin extra secure, however.

Voila! You're done! 

Valentine's Day Heart Brooch {A Giveaway}

Can you believe Valentine's Day is almost here? It seems we were just celebrating Christmas or even Independence Day!

Valentine's Day is one of those things that everyone seems to have a love/hate relationship with. I have to confess, that I've been on both sides of the fence throughout the years. This year, I think I'll stay on the loving it side. Yup, it's a corny holiday, but so what? Corny can be fun, too!

To celebrate the launching of this blog, I'm posting a Valentine's Day tutorial and hosting a giveaway. Tomorrow, I'll be posting a tutorial on how to make this cute, heart-shaped brooch. Today through Saturday, I'm giving two of the brooches away through a giveaway.

Here's how to enter

1) Comment below with a Valentine's Day celebration idea. It can be something you've done in the past, something you're doing this year, or just an idea you love. You need to comment on this blog post to enter.
2) For an extra optional entry Like my Facebook page. If you've already liked it, just let me know in your comment. You can still get an extra entry.
3) For an extra optional entry, follow me on Twitter. Once again, if you're already following me, just let me know in your comment. You'll still get the extra entry.
4) You need to enter by Saturday, February 8 at noon EST.

Terms and Conditions

1) You must comment on this post to enter.
2) You can get up to two extra entries by liking me on Facebook or following me on Twitter.
3) To get those extra entries, you must let me know what you've done in your comment here.
4) The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
5) Shipping is free.
6) There will be two winners. Each will receive one brooch.
7) I'll announce the winners on Saturday, February 8 at 2 PM EST.
8) The winners will be drawn at random.

Got it? I look forward to reading your comments! To get you started, here's one of my favorite Valentine's Day ideas this year. Check out this gorgeous flower wreath!

Freckled - A Philosophy

One summer, after days spent running outside in the sun, my older brother and I discovered our freckles had turned green. We ran through the house telling everyone and laughing at our images in the mirror. It’s one of the last times I remember taking joy in my freckles.

Photo Credit: Carrie Hoge, Quince & Co

I am freckled. Freckles speckle my forehead and cheeks, dot my neck,

boldly cover my shoulders and arms, and cluster on my kneecaps and shins. Not even my hands, fingers, knuckles, feet and toes are free. Wherever the sun hits, I have freckles. 

I have a love/hate relationship with these freckles of mine. They make me more like my mother, one of the most beautiful women I know. But they are also traditionally considered a flaw. They mar my pale skin.

I’m freckled. I’m imperfect. For years, I beat myself up over this fact. I hated myself. I tried to force myself into what I thought the world wanted. I tried to be thinner but curvier, shorter but not too short, blonder or redder but not in-between. I wanted smaller hands, smaller feet, a smaller waist but bigger bust and hips. I tried to learn when to be quiet and when to be raucous, when to laugh and when to swallow my humor. I tried to erase my freckles. I tried to be perfect. 

I still remember the day that I really started to change. It was about halfway through college. I’ve never been good at trusting people with who I really am. But there was one person there who I let know the real me. We were walking down the hall after a class when I think I made a self-deprecating joke about my freckles. She countered with a line from Gerard Manley Hopkins “Pied Beauty,” “Glory be to God for dappled things.” 

In the poem, Hopkins thanks God for all things pied. Pied means multicolored, spotted, dappled . . freckled. Hopkins’ is thanking God for: 

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)

Some years ago, a friend gave my siblings and I handmade mugs. I chose the mug with an imperfection. The clay had collapsed slightly at the lip. When I started dating my husband, I gave him that mug. He understood. That mug was me, fragile and imperfect. Whenever he drank from it, he held that slight curve, that imperfection, against his mouth. It was a perfect fit. 

A freckled bride

In seeking perfection, we too often miss what we have. Life is freckled. It's never perfect. But we can choose to see the beauty in the imperfection.

This blog is me. I'm done with pie-in-the-sky expectations about my personality, my looks, and my life. I’m ready to love, discover, and enjoy my pied, freckled life for what it is. 

I’ll write here about what I love doing. I love writing, sewing, cooking, reading, and philosophizing. In short, I love creating as well as reflecting on other people’s creations. This is something of a DIY/fashion blog, but it’s one with a twist. This is a blog about the beauty of life in all it’s messiness. By blogging about what I love doing, I’m also blogging about where I find that beauty. It’s in the journey of creating, that I have learned and continue to learn to appreciate the life I’ve been given.

When trying to nail down the theme of this blog, my husband summarized, “Even beautiful women have freckles.” I’d like to edit that statement. Life wouldn't be half so beautiful if it weren't for the freckles.

Pied Beauty

Glory be to God for dappled things--

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced--fold, fallow, plough;

And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:

Praise him.