Colours

1,2,3

Birthday wishes

Since my birthday's coming up in a week I decided to put together a small wishlist.
Now I must say that I'm actually most excited about Jonathan Safran Foer's new book about (not) eating meat, especially since I've recently decided to become a vegetarian. I'm pretty worried though that I won't make it through the book without having to go through at least twenty outbursts of hysterical crying, but on the other hand, that probably will do wonders for my motivation to stay on the 'right' track. The other books pretty much sum up what I've been really into lately, which is Russian poetry and Egon Schiele's work.

The new perfume is part of my masterplan that's called "getting it together". I feel like I'm at a point in my life where the search is over and I can finally start "expanding" my own identity. Now I am aware of the fact that having a signature scent is only a small and rather insignificant part of one's identity, but still, it's something new, something I haven't tried before, and for me it would feel special. So there you go.

Also, to come back to the topic of my previous post, I took some of your very much appreciated advice to heart and bought a beautiful scarf, one that I had been secretly eyeing for weeks. And I dyed my hair in a chocolate brown colour, which turned out really nice. So now I'll just have to wait and see what effect that is going to have.


Unfortunately the shoes I had been longing to add to my wardrobe, and which would have totally contributed to feeling inspired again, did not fit. I knew it was going to be a long shot since they were a uk size 3.5 which is more than a size smaller than I usually need, but still, they were to pretty to pass up. I'm not sure if I should keep them anyway (as a 'collector's piece'), or be sensible and sell them?
More will follow. Soon.

Blue lips, blue veins...

After a period full of exams, when dressing nicely was the last thing on my mind, I now seem unable to properly reset my priorities. And quite unfortunately, I'm stuck in what could be best described as an inspiration rut. Nowadays I seem unable to convert my ideas of what's interesting and beautiful into outfits that actually work.

Also, I think my style has never been this consistent over such a long period of time. Therefor feelings of doubt have started creeping in. Do I still like these clothes as much as I once did? I feel like my personal style (i.e. preferences) has evolved in such a way that at this point some of my former go-to-outfits seem dated.

During the past year I've been so focused on composing the perfect basic wardrobe that I haven't really been paying attention to clothes that were a bit more out there. Now I'm looking for something fresh, that's not entirely different from what I used to wear, but maybe a little more eccentric? Not so much more colourful but rather more complex / interesting. Different fabrics, new shapes.

As I stated before though, at this moment I do not feel the desire to purchase a bunch of new clothes. Instead, I think I might start by tossing a couple of things out, not for good, but maybe for a month or two. Just stuff them in a box and try to 'live' without them for a while. Even though my closet isn't exactly overly crowded, or actually crowded to begin with, I do think that I still have too many options. I'm hoping that having a smaller wardrobe will force me to be more creative with the clothes I dó have, to create new silhouettes, new combinations, and develop fresh ideas about what works for me.

And just to put some more pressure on myself, I will keep you posted on any progress I might make..

Feathers

Recently I've been re-exploring my love for feathers. Especially when it comes to jewellery I'm pleasantly surprised at how many beautiful pieces are out there. And by out there I mean on Etsy.

I'm the first one to admit though that wearing earrings isn't something I often do. Practically never actually. But for some reason I find the idea of wearing an all black outfit together with a pair of the earrings pictured above and below very appealing.

etsystores: 1, 2, 3, 4

November 14th

Blue Velvet

Yoox is torturing me. As per usual. So if there is anyone out there willing to trade their size 37 feet for my pair of 38.5's that would be great.

things about my style #1

Today I'll be trying something new. I'm actually going to write an entry that consists of more than 200 words. Not sure how it's going to work out though. Any feedback on whether or not to continue writing these kind of texts would be great!

I would dare say that most of the time I can't be bothered with trends. That does not mean I can not appreciate a trend that really speaks to me. It's the "wearing something just because it is trendy" that I find particularly unappealing.

Just to make this clear right away, my personal dislike of looking "(intentionally) fashionable" does not stem from a desire to be unique, to dress uniquely or to protect myself from becoming interchangeable. Because I couldn't care less about those matters. Humanity's recent strive for individuality is something I fail (and do not wish) to comprehend.
I'm also pretty certain that it does not stem from the fear of not being able to live up to what's supposedly expected of me. Quite the contrary. There's something about having to wear -this and that- in order to look 'acceptable' that awakens my inner rebel. Leaving me unwilling to comply to what seems to be yet another manifestation of society's standards. (I realise this might sound contradictory to my first statement, but trust me, it's not. Neo-Freudians have a go at thát!) But since that's a completely different subject, I will not elaborate any further.

I personally feel like giving in to a trend, especially the kind of trend that half a year ago you would have never envisioned yourself participating in, is nothing more than a subconscious manifestation of a fear of not being good enough. Of having to be something you're not in order to be likeable. Of having to be similar minded (i.e. sharing preferences) in order to be accepted.

I hate that idea.

As it's pretty much a given fact that we are living in a world where we're constantly judged by our looks, I can imagine that looking fashionable might give people a (false) sense of security. Thinking looking fashionable equals looking great and therefore is going to land them the selfconfirmation and admiration they're hoping for.

But if you ask me, I don't believe that mindlessly consuming every trend out there is going to do anyone any justice in the looks department, nor will it make one feel accepted or liked, as long as the inside does not match up.

After all, truly looking good and being a nice person comes from within. Confidence is what looks great and attracts other people. And when I dress "(intentionally) trendy", I feel uncomfortable. When I put together an outfit that's so 2009 but so not me, I can't take myself seriously. Nor will others.
So instead, I prefer to derive my confidence from my personal qualities that I base upon mental character traits instead of physical characteristics. Consequently, how I decide to dress is therefore a sincere expression of what I like, instead of the result of what I've been led to believe will make me feel confident. Even if it's: not what the masses seem to be into at that moment / exactly what the masses are into. I am not afraid to trust my own taste. Ultimately I think that this attitude provides me with much more confidence and self esteem (and all the advantages that come with that) than intentionally trying to look trendy ever could.

( I'm assuming that it is clear that this is just my personal opinion, as it is my personal blog and not 'the guide to live your best life' but still I would like to say that if any part of this strikes you as condescending, it was most certainly never my intention to sound that way.)