Mixing up the wardrobe

 

Courtesy of Urban Weeds.

Sometimes us girls (and boys, but probably not as much) look in our jammed-full-with-clothes closets and think "Crap, what am I supposed to wear today?  I don't have anything!"  This my friends, is an untruth.  We have plenty- more than plenty actually.  And while I will admit, I like shopping for new clothes (Anthropologie mhmm), I try to make a commitment a) to buy as few new clothes as possible (it's more sustainable, less materialistic, and that money (I like to think I do this at least) could be going to a better cause than my obsession with stuff)  and thus, I try to make a commitment 2) to learn how to mix up the clothes I already have for new looks so I don't feel so outdated.  That's why I love the blog Urban Weeds.  A photographer snaps photos of people (normal (read not high fashion) people ready for a magazine shoot) walking around Portland.  

Great things about this: practical (these people are walking around to work and such, not modeling--- they have on practical- move around clothes that are still stylish), reasonable (so many outfits list thrifted items), creative, and inspiring.  Take the above pic, blazer- got it, collared shirt- who doesn't?, boots- maybe not in that exact style, but yes, scarf- check, skinny pants- check and check. Surprise: you have a new outfit you never knew exisited!!

This blog helps me to revamp my wardrobe without making more purchases by inspiring me on how to mix up the clothes I already have.  Cheers to sustainability!

Hello Dear Friends and Happy New Year!

It has been a while since my last post.  I've been too busy soaking up family and friends, the first holiday season with Andrew, and the constant snow here in Knoxville, which can I say... is AMAZING!!

Beyond that, I've developed quite the obsession with tea courtesy of some Christmas gifts and recent purchases (beyond the obsession I already had), found the best calzones in all of Knoxville (a constant search of every city I've lived in), and written up some New Year goals.  We've been doing a lot of cooking and board game playing and Bailey has enjoyed prancing in the snow. 

I've also opened an Etsy store called dovebird designs for vintage lovlies for your home.   In the future, I also hope to add some of my original artwork.  Check it out here!

That said... I have lots to share so I'll be back soon with pictures, thoughts, and a cup of tea.  :)

Love,
A       

Simple Living Month: Day 12 *Buying, Making Handmade*

I completely forgot to post this yesterday sorry!
And I've actually posted this before, but since I have so many new readers I wanted to post it again.
This awesome movie documents the movement towards handmade goods that are better quality and better for the world in that buying handmade, personalized goods moves away from mass production that supports child labor and poor labor conditions in countries like China. Buying handmade is another conscious choice you can make towards simple living that supports equality and fair treatment in the production of goods.
(This is part of one of my goals in my weekly Artist Highlights.)

Bread Baking!

One of my general life goals is to live as packaged food free as possible. One item I have yet to make or rather bake weekly is bread and thus we still buy the packaged in the store.

But when I do manage to bake some tasty sourdough bread, it's like heaven.

And now that I think about it, bread wouldn't work out weekly because we eat half of the loaf right when it comes out of the oven because it's so irresistibly tasty. I'll keep trying though :)