A Very Good Time

Outfits
Walking Forward

Floral Headband | I made it myself.
Yellow Rose Cardigan | Forever XXI
Dress | Thrifted
Belt | Thrifted
Socks | Stole ’em from my dad’s dresser.
Ankle Boots | Mod Cloth
Pocket-watch Necklace | Target

 


Looking Down in the Sun

My brother and my photographer for today’s post, Joshua, and I ran over to a local park by our house around twilight to shoot this post. It was one of those days when time went t0o fast, and I could not keep up, but I decided that it was important for me to try. We made it to the park and beat the sinking sun, as well as the dying battery pack on the poor little SLR.

Resting on a Bale

I’ve been a little M.I.A. on Ways of Vesture lately because life seems to be getting a little ahead of me. My whole job right now is replete with detail-oriented time management skills. I am currently a server at a restaurant. As a server, I’m always seeking new ways to do the smallest elements of my job more efficiently. Filling two drinks up at once while preparing a desert, counting change, refilling ice bins, and gathering the minutia that my guests have requested (more napkins, salad dressing, etc.). I organize these multiple-point to-do lists on the fly and execute them under tight deadlines—often in under two minutes’ time. I’ve noticed that minutes saved piles up to hours earned. Furthermore, the more I increase my efficiency, the more I can accomplish in a single work day, and the more successful I have become in my current job.

The trick is learning how to do a job of excellence—never sacrificing quality for a deadline. This was a struggle for me when I worked for newspapers in college. We always had deadlines looming over our head like a cloud. Deadlines don’t take into account the interviewee’s availability or a writer’s block or a cold lead on a story. I usually am a perfectionist when it comes to a craft I love. However, the show must go on. The story must be written with skill and accuracy and viable human interest. It’s tricky. I never want to sacrifice quality for efficiency, but I also have learned that I cannot sacrifice efficiency in the pursuit of perfectionism. It’s a delicate lesson to learn.

I want to apply that lesson in this blog. Also, I am also open to new challenges that this blog has presented to me. It’s true: I need to do a job of excellence in an efficient manner, but I need to be self-disciplined in my goals and practices. Because I am the editor-in-chief of this blog, the general manager, the boss, I set the deadlines, and I have not really done a very good job of setting those deadlines. So, my current goal with this blog is to set more challenging posting deadlines for myself, not allowing Time to be a an excuse. Another personal style blogger recently told me that frequent consistency is important in fashion blogging, both for the blogger as an artist, and the blog’s audience. I believe she is right. In further support of my battle to manage my personal time better, I agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said,

“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.”

Checking the Time

Sitting Pretty

Walking into the Barn

Sunshine Smile

Looking Down

IMG_3130

Being a Goof

 

Sibling Style: Spring Break Edition

Sibling Style
WOV - R2 - Us in Sunshine

On John:
Shirt | J. Crew
Cardigan | Thrifted
Khakis | Club Monaco
Socks | GAP
Sneakers | ASOS
On Allison:
Cardigan | Target
Double Breasted Day-dress | Mod Cloth
Belt | Thrifted
Tights | Francesca’s
Striped Canvas Loafers | Urban Outfitters
Bracelet | Charming Charlie’s

HERE we are again for another Sibling Style adventure. It’s John’s spring break from college, so we traveled up to see our older brother and sister-in-law in North Carolina for the week. It’s quite gorgeous up here—not yet the weather for shorts or tight-less legs (for me) like we were hoping, but it’s still quite pleasant.

These photos were taken while our older brother and sister-in-law were at work. We galavanted around town and found this pretty park around magic hour.

WOV - WallOur middle brother (I know, there’s a few of us), Joshua, took the photos. He did a great job! I’m pretty sure that was his first time using an SLR not on the auto setting. Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself! WOV - Walking

WOV - Swing

WOV - SunflareWOV - 12.03.20 - John David and Detail

WOV - Jump Final

WOV - DapperThis is John’s “model stance.” He’s so hot right now. =P

WOV - R2 - Cross Process

WOV - 12.03.20 - Allison and Detail
WOV - R2 - Allison in Sunshine

WOV - R2 - Labrynth

There was a sort of random labyrinth at the park. We’re not sure of it’s purpose. Perhaps its waist-high walled pathways are meant to puzzle shorter folk, but it was still an interesting place for us taller explorers.

WOV - R2 - Dirt Road

Winds Won’t Deter the Light

Outfits
Outfit Details
Jacket | Target
Dress | Forever XXI
Woven Leather Belt | Flea Market
Canvas Boots | Forever XXI

My little brother (well, he’s in his 20’s) and I stopped by the side of the road to take these photos after our brunch date today. It wasn’t exactly the best time of day for photography—what with harsh noontime sun. However, the weather was exhilarating: warm and sunshiny, yet cold in the wind. Looking back over the photos we took, the mood and setting remind me of Emily Dickinson’s poem “A light exists in Spring.” I would elaborate, but I think I’ll just let the poet speak today:

“A light exists in Spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

Smile

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But Human Nature feels.

Step

It waits upon the Lawn;
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

Sideways

Then, as Horizons step,
Or Noons report away,
Without the Formula of sound,
It passes and we stay —

Golden

A quality of loss
Affecting our Content
As Trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a Sacrament.”

IMG_2699
Soak
Closeup

Near the End of Winter and Wine

Outfits

Outfit Details

Floral Peter Pan Collar Dress | ModCloth
Rosette Cardigan | Target
Bird in Tree Necklace | Target
Socks | ModCloth
Boots | ModCloth
Lace Hair Brooch | Charming Charlies
Lipstick | “Wine Not” by Revlon

The weather is letting me know that it’s almost time for winter to go. This means that my wine colored lipstick is probably on its way out, too, as my skin gets darker so easily. I only wear it when I feel like setting a major contrast in tones.

Besides all that, today is one of those days where I’m playing an interminable game of catch-up. You know what I mean? I mean, spring is almost here already! I can feel it in the sunshine, even while the edge of winter blasts a reminder that spring is not yet here through an occasional gust of sharp, cold wind. I actually am glad when I feel that cold reminder that it’s still wintertime. Who would have thought I’d like the cold? I’m more of an aborigine than an eskimo, really. Meaning, I like warm weather better than cold. Nevertheless, I have NOT finished all that I’ve wanted to accomplish before spring sings its lovely warm and flowery song! O, well.

Time for a Close-up

You can probably tell that I like ModCloth and Target a lot. Lots of elements in my wardrobe comes from these two places. This wine-colored lipstick actually came from Target too. It is a nice late winter part of my wardrobe. It contrasts nicely with my winter skin. Probably would with anyone’s winter colors, really.We used to pretend.

 

IMG_2455

This is probably one of my favorite necklaces. The bird swings from the cute little winter tree. It’s adorable; although, one of my friends calls it my “broccoli necklace,” which is funny. So, either way, it definitely adventures around with me a lot, from its perch around my neck.

In the Middle

In a Woodsy Plain

Morning Coffee

Outfits

Outfit of the Day

Hat | Thrifted
Stacked Arrows Necklace | Forever 21
Scooped, Striped Tee | Pac Sun
Skirt | Target
Woven Leather Belt | Thrifted
Socks | Urban Outfitters (in the guys’ section, actually)
Canvas Ankle Boots | Forever 21

COFFEE is my morning elixir.

It just takes that first sip. An awakening. The colors in the world are clearer, brighter. A panacea for my sleepy-morning mental fog. A few more sips. Then, the haze clears, mostly. Ha. I could be a Folger’s commercial, for real, except that I do not prefer that stuff. Also, I cannot act to save a kitten. It’s terrible.

Morning Coffee

I am a creature who loves routine and order. Morning coffee is one of my routines. Unfortunately, however, I find little order or routine in my current days. No two days alike, I am striving to find my rhythm in a world unaccustomed to the beat of my unique heart and mind.

We all are unique, aren’t we? Don’t try that whole “if everyone’s different then no one is” business. While there may be “nothing new under the sun,” there was most certainly someone new under the sun with each birth and breath of new life. We may all be humans with things in common, which I personally think is great, but we are also each individuals, which is also great.

So, let’s be ourselves, shall we? I know I shall. I might even break a few rules, like wearing socks from the dude’s section of the store.


Sassy Face

Shoes + Scrunched Socks

Detail Shot

A Twirling I Go!

A-SmmetryAs an aside, I totally took all these photos on my own for this post, so hopefully they’re up to par. =)
Have a lovely night!