Tribal Multicolored

I bought this skirt on a whim (surprise, surprise). The tribal looking pattern was just so interesting; bright and colorful, but faded at the same time, and the pattern seemed to be placed directly on top of the fabric, as the skirt itself is white underneath. Speaking of the fabric, it's a stiff and heavy thing, with a bell-like shape that holds in the wind. I went for casual-fancy on this outfit, with my old gray beanie and my smart black boots toning the saturation down. I loved how the colors and patterns of the heavily-beaded necklace seemed to go with the skirt while not feeling too matchy-matchy. Also, like my model posing? I got that cool lean going on, the far away stare... All I need now is to grow like, 600 inches. Honestly though, I'm not that photogenic. I think I look totally fine in person, but often in photographs, that attractiveness gets lost and wanders into a dark alley where it gets mugged and gets amnesia. So what you see is are carefully curated photos that get cut down from the actual amount of photographs taken. Sorry, went off on a rabbit trail there, just like my good looks.

The day I wore this outfit, my two friends in my class also wore cute outfits, so we strode down all the sidewalks looking like an awesome girl gang - complete with a slo-mo, epic music shot and giant fans blowing our perfect hair back. It was great.

Looking back at this post makes me really want to wear this skirt again - I unfortunately had my camera stolen recently *cries* along with the part that attaches the camera to my tripod, so I haven't been able to capture any of my recent looks these last 2 weeks.  I assure you though, they were magnificent. I think I will definitely wear this same skirt out tomorrow for a school event. Yay for lots of colors!

Shirt, skirt - Target

Necklace - Walmart 

Boots - Modcloth

Earrings - World Market

Beanie - stolen from my dad:)

<3 The Magpie

Song of Colors

I feel like this outfit is my style incarnate; the floppy felt hats, the constant scarves, the cute little side-bag, the boots, and of course, the perfect color pairing contained in a limited spectrum. The hat matches and reiterates the boot texture and color, the lines on the beige turtleneck mimic the pleats on the pale chartreuse skirt, which in turn is repeated in the color of the ribbon tied in a bow on my loose braid. The coral in the earrings matches the coral of the lipstick and bracelet, while the gold metal from my jewelry is repeated on the shimmery chain links of my bag. The soft pink scarf is the go-between the softness of the beige and the brightness of the coral. Every item and color is thought out and pertains to another part of the outfit; everything has a place, a system that it fits in, a tightly controlled gamut of colors while the draping layers and flowing fabrics keep it from being too harsh and stiff. The overall effect is pretty and almost casual looking, until one notices the little bits of glitz and the hint of preparation from all the matching hues.

To be honest, this is probably one of the best outfits I've ever created. Not only did I feel comfortable and free wearing it, but I also loved the way the colors sung and danced together, as if I myself was a walking piece of art. That feeling is what I try to create and recreate in my outfits; some hit the mark, others are learning experiments, but to feel like one is walking in a delicious, delirious dream is what I aim for. To say this one hit the mark is an understatement.

These photographs stir up bad memories, aside from the happiness my outfit brought me; memories of a strange man watching me in the park while I took photos, stabbing me with his leering gaze, like mud clouding clear spring water. My outfits are my mental resting place, my tiny shield against the harshness of the world. Despite the attention they might bring, oh how brightly I hear the colors sing.

Shirt, skirt, bag, earrings - thrifted

Hat - Target

Scarf - gift

Earrings - Walmart

Boots - Modcloth

<3 The Magpie

Summertime Gladness

Summer is supposed to be fading and Autumn is in the early morning air. There was a few days of blessed relief from the strange heat wave overtaking the September days, but now it's back in full force. I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts though and wear all my light summer clothing before the chill creeps in. It helps spur on my creative inventiveness apparently, because I suddenly have an excess of summer outfits I want to wear, and only so many more warm days to wear them!

I'm still loving this skirt, with it's interesting combinations of teal, magenta, cyan, tan, and black. It sounds crazy, but it works so well! The tie-on espadrilles have been really fun to style, and I love how they pair with the skirt. It's all in the color details.

Pretending not to see the camera ;)

As much as I am looking forward to Fall, I am trying to remember to enjoy what I have now; to squeeze out the best of summer and not waste one little drop. Because when the rains and endless stormy days are here, I'll be missing that sunshiney heat. I'm trying not to let the days slip by so fast and hold more in my hand, and to get more of my life accomplished. It's always a work in progress, but I am glad I am at least making the mental attempt. Part of the progress is realizing you want to get there.

Dem tree hugs doe.

Carousel nails!

Shirt, shoes, hair pins - Modcloth

Skirt - thrifted 

 

<3 The Magpie

Body Electric

I bought a bright candy-colored eyeshadow palette from a Walgreens just in time for the summer. It's a cheap Wet n Wild thing, but they do have great eyeshadows, despite my face now owning flashing neon signs winking above my eyes. Sorrynotsorry. I wore this outfit to work so it's pretty simple. I work at a coffee place where we aren't required to wear a uniform, but you definitely don't want to wear anything that you can't throw in the wash, because your clothes WILL get dirty. So I sometimes try to dress a little cute, but the kind of cute that's chill and easy going, and still light weight enough for the summer heat. The lipstick I added later, because why not go full neon? The colors seemed to crackle and spark, like hot pink orange electricity in my mind.

Every stance I've ever had with color is now falling away into dust and whole new exciting fields are opening up to explore, now that I've moved past particular biases. I used to hate pink; loathe it. And look at me now, excitedly slathering it on my face while it sparkles behind my eyes. I wish color was as exciting for everyone, but it does take work to bring your mind around and some cultural perceptions are hard to overcome.

 

Shirt - hand-me-down

Skirt, necklace - thrifted

Earrings - gift

Sandals - DSW

<3 The Magpie