Past - Els ... Pastels

It's spring! Hooray! I can't wait until Northwest Ohio has the weather to prove it. Sigh. Oh well, it can't keep me from looking forward to what's to come.

Ever since Martha Stewart took down her fabulous calendar from her website I have been lost as to which days to rotate out my clothes. I have resolved to pick a date though (which is probably good because my floor can't take any more of my winter clothes). My rotate date will be April 20, although there is always the chance that I get too excited and get them out before that, or that I get too busy and just kind of live out of the bins I keep them in for a while.

The main trends I am seeing so far this spring: beautiful pastels, continuing patterns, and billowing fabrics. There are also a lot of platform heels echoing of disco days and lacy additions that both hint at strength in femininity.

Check it out on Oh La La Fashion.

Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes. - Carl Friedrich Gauss 

Style Saturday: Lacey Pink Collar

My friend and I went thrifting at the local Salvation Army and she held up this pink blouse to me, insisting that I try it on. I admittedly was skeptical: it seemed too frilly for my taste. When I put it on over my other shirt though I absolutely loved it.

Despite having to cut out the shoulder pads, this is one of my better purchases at a thrift store. Two lessons were learned this day: trust your [stylish] friends and try things on before you dismiss them.

The Owl Necklace is from Wal-Mart

The Skirt is from Forever21

The Shoes are Steve Madden

The Bracelets are American Eagle Outfitters

The Top is Kathy Che

I fell off my pink cloud with a thud. - Elizabeth Taylor

Opacity

Sheer clothing is a daring feat. Wearing something shear is like wearing something skin tight: you had better be prepared for everyone to see everything that is regularly covered by your clothes. However, I think when it's done correctly it is truly one of the most elegant ways to dress. This also offers a nice way to show some daring skin in a time of the year where everything is covered up.

Because I love this look so much, I have not only rounded up some examples of shear clothing on Pinterest from my Oh La La Fashion board, but I have also found some places you can find these gauzy items (click the images for their look-a-likes).

Opacity is Audacity!

Something similar from Forever 21

Similar on Etsy

Similar skirt on Etsy

Similar from Forever 21

Similar at Vince Camuto

Something like it on Etsy

Kind of like this on eBay

Like this on Etsy

Similar on Etsy

How do you feel about showing some skin through your clothes?

Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I'm Dreaming Of A Gold Christmas

It has been a while. In the past weeks I have constantly thought about what awesome post I could write, only to remind myself that I had multiple paintings to finish, thousands of words to type, and hundreds of answers to select. I have now dubbed the week leading up to Finals Week as Project Week. I even overheard a girl whining to her mom on the phone about how last week was really more stressful than this one (finals).

But, alas, it is all over now and I have but one small paper to turn in, goods to collect and then I’m off to Chicago to see Punch Brothers perform. Then it’s down to Texas to help my mom unpack from her recent move and time to work on applications to MFA programs. Do I get a break?

In celebration of the Christmas season though, I have put together an awesome grouping of Etsy products for which you should strongly consider returning those big name gifts you bought. The theme is I’m Dreaming Of A Gold Christmas.

Golden Bar Necklace by laonato on Etsy

Gold Sugar Owl by liwbanks  

Gold Framed Mirror Set by SecretWindowMirrors

Gold Mounted Triceratops Wall Plaque by MostlySunnie 

Cream Lace and Gold Tulle Skirt by TutusChicBoutique

Gold Plated Wild Deer Pin by LeMatch

Oak Leaf Earrings Gold by FawningInLove

Metallic Push Up Bra with Gold Spikes by laroxxhollywood

Abstract Textured Gold and White by ArtByCornelia

In the upcoming weeks I will update you on which masters programs I am applying to, and show you my finished drawing that I showed you the in-progress work last post. I also finished two more paintings after weeks of not picking up a brush. I don’t know why, but for some reason the added pressures of Project Week and Finals makes me want to paint like crazy.

Let me know what you think of my gift ideas!

Our talents are the gift that God gives to us... What we make of our talents is our gift back to God ― Leo Buscaglia