(In Favor Of) Grandma Dresses

I had been eyeing this construction sight for awhile as an interesting backdrop for my photos, and finally found what I thought to be a secluded spot. The construction worker who turned a corner and came face-to-face with this strange girl standing in front of a tripod, was probably just as startled as I was. Talk about embarrassment!

I bought this dress on a whim - not a whim because I was adverse to it, but a whimsical purchase nonetheless, because it was such a odd little grandma dress. I apparently have grandma whims, someone help me. I loved the interesting combination of bright teal, pure lilac, and a hot, hot red, all smashed in a tiny floral print which somehow all worked together, while draping up to shoulder-padded heights, and falling down to a respectable length mid-calf. I am strangely addicted to obviously dated dresses, as long as they nip in perfectly at my waist, and have a certain flair.

I got the term "grandma" from my mother, who promptly called it a grandma dress the moment she saw it hanging in my room. I had not fully realized my granny tendencies till then, but I am rather (unapologetically and cheerfully) forced to agree.

To help modernize the look, I wore an infinity scarf, a fitted jean jacket, and bright lilac lips that matched the lilac in the dress print to perfection. I grew very fond of lilac that day.

After my run-in with the construction worker, I wandered over to a worn path on a little island of land between cross-strips of road. How strange, how marvelous! To find a small patch of wildnerness so entangled between paved streets. It also started to become rather uncomfortably warm. The lengths we go to for style.

Dress, jacket, crossbag - thrifted

Earrings - World Market

Scarf - I forget :(

Boots - Modcloth

<3 The Magpie

Color Like A Sucker Punch

 

I am so attracted to color, it's ridiculous. I have such a strong awareness of its presence, and the infinite myriad color variations both man-made and in nature is a feast for my eyes. Sometimes a certain rich shade of luminous blue will hold me spellbound for minutes that seem like eternity. I've seen an apricot sun rise tremulously over a golden horizon on my morning drive to work, and it takes my breath away every time. Every day is a new sensation and a magnificent luxury when you are as astonished as I am at the intense beauty the visual world has to offer. Even when I am at my lowest, the world is still so beautiful.

That same sense of color is a major point in my outfits. Some days I want to try a new color theory; to provide a sharp contrast or create a sympathetic harmony. Is it strange I think of color as music running in my mind? When all the elements in my clothes come together in a precise way, the outfit seems to "sing". I try to meld and shift around the pieces until I hear them sing. This outfit song was definitely loud, haha. But oh, the powerful notes! 

 

I loved how these roses seemed to emulate the colors I had picked for the day; or maybe it was the other way around?

Shirt,  sweater, belt, and skirt - Thrifted

Shoes - Ross

Earrings - flea market

Rose ring - boutique store

 

<3 The Magpie

Rose Garden

This outfit was so difficult to photograph! I drove around for an afternoon after school, tryin to find a good place to shoot. When I finally thought I got a good background - a nice amber fence in a neighborhood - a neighbor chased me off saying it was illegal to park there (it's not) and that he's just being extra careful about strange people (because a girl with a skirt and lipstick on is just so threatening). Sigh. I supposed I wouldn't have been so riled up about it if finding a place to photograph hadn't been such a struggle. The next place I went to didn't work out either. Thankfully, I finally found a nice spot, both isolated AND photogenic.

Shirt, skirt, sweater, necklace, bag - thrifted

Earrings - Asian market

Shoes - DSW

Found this pretty fellow. He probably sleeps there everynight. 

<3 The Magpie

Blue House, Red Fence

I had been eyeing this blue and red color combo for awhile to use as a backdrop, and I thought this outfit to be a perfect accompanying fit. Sadly, I was only able to take a few pics with this outfit on before a truck billowing smoke pulled up onto the grass nearby, and the owner leapt out to seek help from the blue house pictured above. I found it better to leave than stand around awkwardly taking photographs, but I did enjoy the color combos... No matter, for I found another good backdrop just a little farther down the road in the form of some yellow-walled housing. I can't resist a good color contrast.

I've been exceptionally busy lately with school and finals and weddings and graduations. Let me tell you, May is simply the worst. The month is finally over though, and I can go back to a little more moments of calm - enough to hopefully post more often. 

I swing back between moments of smiling and moments where I don't feel like I need to. These are all pictures that seem to capture my state of mind. It is that calm interior when one gazes deeply inward and smiling is far from the mind. Not because one is unhappy, but because smiling is an outward expression of energy, and sometimes it is nice to save energy and have time to oneself for self-reflection.

Strange now that I think of it, the difference of my state of mind and clothing choice, as cyan and red are clashing colors creating visual vibrations when seen next to each other in their purest saturated forms. But perhaps, that too, is an expression of the turbulencies and strange turmoils of the roiling mind.

 

Shirt - thriftstore, skirt and earrings - flea market, 

Necklace- thriftstore, sandals - DSW

<3 The Magpie