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Wednesday, June 28, 2017

looks inspired by MUSIC ft. Low Roar


It's been a sec since I posted about music I've been enjoying and a look based off of that. 
This soft, vintage, romantic look makes me feel the same things as I do when I listen to Low Roar's "Nobody Loves Me Like You"

shoes/ headband/shirt/skirt

The melody most of their songs are haunting and nostalgic. The soft color palette and European peasant feel of my outfit reminds me of my childhood in France and watching certain vintage French films or films about previous decades in European history. These elements are haunting and nostalgic to me in much the same way this Icelandic artist's music is. 

another similar option to these shoes

Espadrilles are originally from southern France and northern Spain, included in the region of their origin is the place of my birth and where my family is from. They date all the way back to antiquity although their styles have evolved drastically over time. To me no other shoe says "summer in France" than a pair of espadrilles. Hence their nostalgic feel for me.


"Dreamer" is another beautifully haunting track by Low Roar. It reminds me of growing up, and realizing that things don't always turn out the way you dreamed they would. 
I have fond memories of spending many hours of my childhood in the woods and natural areas near where I lived, this little parcel of woods was the perfect backdrop to emulate this feeling and suits most of Low Roar's tracks. I wish now that I could spend more time playing outside the way I used to as a child. 


I'm Leaving is a little more upbeat, but still reminiscent of better days, simpler times perhaps. It feels summery and a little more carefree to me. As I head to Europe these next few weeks, I hope to recapture some of the feelings I had of childhood in France and long, beautiful summer days spent unburdened by the cares of the world which I now have as an adult.


What are some things that make you think of childhood summers?

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Covering the basics with Unique Vintage---modest clothing options in a modern world

skirt/blouse/heels/purse/belt/crinoline

I'm back with another addition to my series on places where I find clothing with more coverage. One of my very favorite sites where I continually find beautiful modest clothes is Unique Vintage. I own MANY of their one piece swimsuits which I might feature here at some point, and the heels, skirt, and petticoat I am wearing in this shot are from there as well. 
skirt/blouse/heels/purse/belt/crinoline

Unique Vintage's pieces are a little spendier than what I am accustomed to paying for but they also run sales and deals and honestly, the quality of their pieces can't be beat. If you know anything about me you know I am a sucker for vintage and retro styles so the fact that they sell true vintage clothes and vintage recreated styles has me goo-goo, ga-ga and needing to exercise a lot of restraint so as to not buy everything.

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Now I want to clarify some things about myself and this blog. I have titled this series about "modesty". I find that modesty is subjective and easily misinterpreted. So here are a few things to keep in mind...

1. My version of modesty looks different than it might yours. It might look different even than other women's in my own faith. Modesty to me, means I respect myself, God, and the promises I have made to Him. I dress in a way I would feel comfortable presenting myself to Him. That looks different on different days too, if I am going to church I am going to try and show respect by dressing a little nicer. If I am working out, I am just trying to be comfortable and functional to exercise and keep my body healthy. 

To some I dress in a way that might seem stuffy, old fashioned. I get that and respect it. 
And to others I might dress in a way that is totally scandalous. I get that and respect that too. 
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2. Some people think modest dressing even goes beyond that to not dress in a way that brings any kind of attention to yourself and that style in and of itself cannot be "modest". Some people see it as being completely frugal with the money you spend, and to an extent I try to adhere to that with my wardrobe but it is all relative, and I am sure that to some of those people I am scandalous as well. But they probably wouldn't be reading a fashion blog...

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3. Just because I choose to dress the way that I do does not mean I will judge ANYONE for their own choices to dress in as much or as little clothing as they want to. I also don't think that modesty should be about anyone other than YOU and YOUR choices. Whatever YOU are comfortable with does not have to be explained to anyone else. Everyone is responsible for their own thoughts and actions. The way you or I dress does not give anyone a right to say or do anything to degrade or humiliate us. That says more about the person making the comment or doing something rude than it does about you.

skirt/blouse/heels/purse/belt/crinoline

At the end of the day fashion makes me happy, and finding ways to be creative with it makes me happy. Finding great new places to shop, like Unique Vintage, makes me happy and I just want to share the happiness. 

:)

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

How to: rock all blue hues---Comment: porter plusieurs nuances de bleu



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Monochrome looks are nothing new, but they are definitely not for the faint of heart. To get this styling challenge right, here are a few tips...

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1. Make sure your hues are of similar warmth. We call this a color family. For instance, there are khaki greens vs. turquoise greens. One has a high concentration of cool tones (turquoise green) and the other is very very warm (khaki). My blues are in the same color family, they have concentrations of cool blues and grays.

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2. Keep the accessories neutral. Unless your monochrome look is comprised of neutrals itself make sure the accessories are not a distraction to the rest of your color palette. I chose some simple nude sandals and one of my favorite wood bracelets inlaid with a band of antique gold. 

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 3. Keep in mind the whole aesthetic of your look  when pulling pieces from your wardrobe. This whole outfit has a rustic, vintage vibe. I have other blue items but some of them are more modern or sleek looking; those wouldn't have fit with the look I was going for. You know yourselves and your wardrobes, maybe don't pair a super feminine blouse with frills with a pair of ahtleisure mesh and scuba leggings of the same hue. Or do, it might turn out fabulous!!!

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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

changes---changements

ikat chambray shirt/ sequin skirt/ heels

maxi dress (similar)/sandals 

I've heard that the only constant in life is change...

J' ai entendu dire que la seule constante dans la vie c' est le changement...



Change has most notably been in my life in the form of moving. I've never lived in any one place longer than 4 years. This is something about me that I both love and hate about my life. I have seen so many different places and met so many people, but I have never felt at home or settled down.

Le changement s' est présenté dans ma vie sous la forme du déménagement. Je n'ai jamais vécu dans une même ville pour plus de 4 ans. Ceci est quelque chose qu'à la fois j'adore et que je déteste, j'adore voir de nouveaux lieux et rencontrer de nouvelles personnes, je déteste devoir tout recommencer et me sentir comme si je n'ai pas de "chez moi". 


My husband has been looking for a job for awhile now. He wanted to get out of the oil and gas industry; his company and many others experienced a lot of layoffs, oil and gas is not his passion, and ethically it doesn't really agree with us. Musashi's interests are in the aerospace and aeronautic field. He has been working toward his pilot's license and he is very close to being done with that, and he also just got a job offer. Two of his big goals have been achieved. 

Mon mari cherche un travail depuis un certain temps. Il voulait quitter son poste dans l'industrie du pétrol; son entreprise et beaucoup d'autres ont souffertes avec la crise de pétrol, Musashi n'est pas passioné du pétrol, et le pétrol ne s'aligne pas avec nos éthiques. Les intêrets de mon mari sont plutôt l'aerospatial et l'aeronautique. Depuis quelques années il travail sur sa licence de pilote privé, et maintenant il a reçu une nouvelle offre d'emploi. Deux de ses grands buts sont presque atteints. 


Musashi's new job is in avionics, which is definitely in the field he wanted to get into. The company that offered him the job is Safran, a French aerospace and defense conglomerate. The position is in Dallas, Texas. I am both excited and very sad about this new change.

Le nouveau poste de Musashi est dans l'avionique, donc c'est un domaine qui l'nteresse. L'entreprise qui lui a offert le poste c'est Safran, une entreprise de défense et d'aeronautique française. Le poste est à Dallas, dans le Texas. J'ai hâte de pouvoir déménager mais je suis aussi tellement triste de devoir le faire.


Not only is moving stressful and a pain in the butt...I hate having to leave behind all the friendships and connections I feel like I just barely made. We have been in Houston 3 years, but because we have been so busy with work, it has been hard getting to know people and making friends. I always end up becoming close to people only right as I am about to leave.

I find that all too often I get written off and forgotten once I move, and while it is very hurtful it's also understandable; when you're no longer a part of someone's day-to-day it just happens. As a social person one of my biggest fears is that I will never really have a true friend, one that I can turn to no matter what (besides my husband), there have been friends like that in the cities I have lived in but once I move it is never quite the same afterward. 

Non seulement le déménagement est-il stressant et pénible...je déteste devoir quitter les amis que j'ai l'impression d'avoir à peine rencontrer. Nous vivons à Houston depuis 3 ans, mais puique nous avons été préoccupé par le travail nous n'avons pas eu l'occasion de sortir souvent et de former des amitiés. J'ai la mauvaise habitude de me rapprocher des gens juste avant de devoir déménager. 

J'ai constaté que l'on oublie rapidement ceux qui partent, ça me blesse mais c'est comprehensible; quand tu n'es plus dans la vie quotidienne des gens c'est une conséquence naturelle. En tant qu'une personne sociable j'ai peur de ne jamais pouvoir trouvé une amie à qui tout confier (à part mon marie), j'ai eu des amis proches dans les différentes villes où j'ai vécu mais une fois que je pars les choses ne sont jamais vraiment les mêmes. 


One thing I hope to continue in my new city is to mentor young people. The lovely lady pictured with me is one of MANY young people whom I have grown to cherish and I hope that I will continue to be able to teach and inspire them through my work as a teacher and my church responsibilities.

 Until I move, I will make the most of the little time I have left in Houston. This was a fine city to experience "real" adulthood in, now I guess I'm an old wizened woman moving up north just a few hours ;)

Quelque chose que j'espère pouvoir continuer dans ma nouvelle ville c'est guider et inspirer les jeunes personnes. La jolie petite demoiselle dans les photos avec moi n'est qu'une de plusieurs jeunes personnes avec qui j'ai eu le privilège de servir. A travers mon travail en tant que prof et en tant que dirigeante de jeunes à l'église j'espère que je continurais à être une conseillère et une enseignante pour elles. 

 Mais bon, jusqu'au jour du déménagement je vair profiter de mon temps à Houston. Houston a été une ville sympa pour notre première experience de travaul, et maintenant il est bientôt temps pour cette vieille harpie de partir quelques heures au nord ;)