A Shawl So Good The Cold Makes You Smi...ver

   The day I took these photographs was obviously freezing.  In fact, many of the pictures you see in this blog were taken in weather that a sane person would not tolerate.  However considering where I live, I think it’s fairly safe to question my sanity. 

   I state the day was, “obviously,” freezing because of the redness of my nose in these images.  This was something that initially irritated me.  However, it reminded me of a kind observation a friend once made towards one of my older winter portraits.  He said, “He liked that my nose looked red in it.  He could tell I was cold.”  I thought about this statement for quite a while.  Finally, I came to the conclusion that not all glamour shots have to be perfect.  In fact, a little humanity might be just what the fashion industry needs in order to engage more people.  Something like….Yes, that picture is pretty.  But guess what, the person in it is not an android.  Look at her nose.  That woman is cold.  I think she might have feelings!  I might be able to relate to her!  Perhaps if real models would once in a while be allowed to show just a little bit of imperfection they would be a lot more endeared by the general public. 

   That being said, I guess it’s these imperfections that separate this blogger hobbyist from the real deal.  I'm far from perfect and no matter how many fancy scarves and accessories I cover up with I’m still going to have that cold red nose and lipstick on my teeth.  I like to think of this as my, “Trainwreck Who Tries,” look.  I take comfort in the idea that everyone wants to root for the underdog with heart…right…am I right?

   I guess that’s why when I FINALLY got a smart phone I became absolutely obsessed with camera apps.  I couldn’t believe the altering possibilities.  Finally I could turn those, “meh,” images into something inspiring.  I could digitally morph myself into looking perfect!  Interestingly enough, most of the images I’ve messed with have come out looking rather sinister.  Admittedly, I’ve always been inclined to go this direction.  I can’t seem to help revealing my creepy side.  I mean come on, a lady who constantly walks around with lipstick on her teeth is obviously a little creepy.  The thought has crossed my mind that perhaps the world of Instagram might understand this, "personal style blogger," better if I just stuck to glamour glow and smoothing filters.  However, how can I pair an image like that with a Gordon Lightfoot quote?  Nope…can’t happen.

   So I continue to periodically post semi ghoulish images under the guise of a fashion blogger simply because I’m not confident enough to label myself an artist.  Honestly, I’m not comfortable with calling myself a fashion blogger either.  It’s like the idea of committing to these titles make me feel an enormous pressure to prove that I'm worthy of them.  Instead, this lady would rather bumble along with her hobby and enjoy the occasional thrill of capturing a picture like the last one featured in this post.  I have to state that currently this image is my favorite self portrait so far.  I can’t fully explain the feeling I get when I look at one of these images as think, “Yeah, that’s me.  That’s exactly how I feel.”  Of course, this image is one that I’ve altered so that my natural imperfections are not showing.  Without my habitually cold red nose, I really am starting to wonder if I might be an android. 

-r.

Praying for Primavera

   To begin, I feel I should clarify the word, “Primavera,” used in the title of this post is a referral to the Italian term for spring, not the pasta dish.  However, facing this new bout of wintry weather, a carb-loaded dish like pasta sounds downright irresistible.  Huh,…I wonder if I have any easy mac left in the cupboards?  Considering how motivated I’ve been lately towards tasks like grocery shopping, it may take an actual act of God to find anything edible in my house.  As a result, I guess one could say I’m praying for both spring and something for dinner that doesn’t have the word, "Tombstone," plastered over the front of it.  At this time, both of these requests appear far-fetched.

   Honestly, the topic of religion has been on my mind lately.  Don’t worry, I’m not about to go all preachy.  In fact, if you know me personally you would most likely be shocked if I did.  However, the one thing I will state…and this will probably be the only time I do so…is that if you know me really, really personally…and very few do.  Apparently, us introverts only feel comfortable confessing our true self through blog posts….then you are aware of the fact that I am a very spiritually reflective person.  However this side of me is something I keep extremely private…like most of the things in my life that I highly value.  What can I say?  I guess I selfishly hoard the best parts of me.

   The reason I have spirituality on my mind today is due to the first image of this post.  Recently I created a Pinterest board regarding religious imagery mixed with fashion.  It sounds totally sinful, right?  Honestly, when I created it I seriously feared I might be doing something karmically wrong.  “Is it okay to depict religion through something as trifling as fashion?” I worried.  This is the kind of stuff I concern myself with.  I think it’s probably obvious why I need spring to arrive so I can get out of the house and think about…well…anything else.  In the end, I came to the conclusion that my Pinterest board was not a morality issue and a fiery Old Testament God would not accuse me of idolatry.  Besides, this would have happened a long time ago since I’ve been worshiping the golden interlocking Gucci logo for years now.

   As a result of my decision to create, what I found to be a pretty edgy Pinterest board, I was inspired to take the first photograph of this post.  Actually it was just a happy accident that occurred between a pretty great thrifted scarf and a lot of glamour glow filter.  In the end this picture felt rather spiritual to me and my karma felt good with it. 

   Of course, I suppose it could be argued that God is pissed at me for trying to portray spirituality through my own image and possibly this is why we simply can’t get past this hellish winter.  However, I prefer to believe that God is fine with this hippie’s visual representation of inner peace.  I also believe that God is more than good with Gucci’s logo.  I guess it’s a good thing I can’t afford any of Gucci’s actual apparel considering all of the primavera I’m going to be eating.

-r.

"I finally found a love of a lifetime....and it's a coat?!"

   I feel compelled to start by stating this is not the first time I’ve referenced the band Firehouse while writing a post.  Considering just how dated hair bands are perceived, I should probably feel a tiny embarrassed.  However, to be totally honest, I’m not.  I’ll admit it.  I love hair metal!  Most romantic ladies who grew up in the Midwest during the 80's and early 90's love this type of music.  Hearing it today makes me fondly reminisce about middle school dances.  At that time an awkwardly tall and gangling Rayna, inevitably wearing skorts, always had to hunch over her much shorter dance partner.  Happily the, "head on the shoulder routine," was big back then or my neck would've really gotten sore.  Yes, during those dances it was the hair ballads that would make one forget things like the crackle of the crappy PA system, or the school gym’s stench of old tennis shoes.  There were only the dim lights, the idealistic juvenile chanting of each song, and all of those teenage boys trying to grow their hair long just like dreamy Sebastian Bach.  It truly was a glorious time to be alive!

   Sadly, I can never return to that time…not that I haven’t tried.  Writing this now finally makes me realize why every time a hair band is remotely in my vicinity…and living where I do this happens a lot… I have the absolute need to go see them.  Let’s just say when you see C.C. DeVille wear the exact same hat on more than one occasion you’ve probably been to a Poison show one too many times.  Actually, my only regret is not buying a t-shirt at each one of these concerts.  If I had done this I would have an amazing collection of hair band shirts that I could PRETEND was solely for ironic purposes.  Sadly, I only have one badass Ratt shirt and I can’t even fake mock it because I love it so much.

   Okay, I think I’m finally done confessing my love of hair metal.  Originally, this post was supposed to be about the coat I’m wearing in the above photographs.  I suppose I could justify my earlier 80's theme by arguing I suspect this particular garment was most likely constructed during this decade.  However, I’m certain it was originally owned by an individual who was way too cool to be listening to the likes of L.A. Guns…while wearing skorts.  Actually back then I remember ogling after the older teenagers who would dye their hair jet black and wear these type of long tweed trench coats with fingerless gloves…think Tia and Bug from the movie, “Uncle Buck.”  To this day I admire the style of the true 80's Emo kid and I've have spent nearly a lifetime searching for that perfect tweed coat that says, “Yeah, I could have hung out with Bug.”

   At long last, about three months ago, I found my treasure.  I was driving home from work, and despite my exhaustion, I got that tingle at the base of my skull demanding, “swing into that Goodwill parking lot!  There’s something waiting for you!”  History has taught me to never argue with the tingle and suddenly I found myself confronted with another tweed trench that probably would not fit.  I held it with shaky hands thinking, “It’s perfect!  The pattern, the color, the cut, the built in shoulder pads!  This is a coat that was made for Tia!  There’s no way it’s going to fit me.”  I stood there highly considering just putting it down and leaving in order to avoid the impending heartache.  However, I eventually mustered the courage and tried on the most perfect fitting coat I’ve ever owned.  It was truly my Cinderella moment.  I will lovingly remember it each time I listen to that band.

-r.

Once a Cossack, Always a Cossack

   For those of us with more eclectic style it can sometimes become impossible not to come off as looking like you’re wearing a costume.  I can’t help but think of a time I was out with friends and a stranger approached me stating, “I love your costume!!!”  Immediately I was confused.  Since when was bell bottoms paired with a vintage shaggy alpaca coat a costume?  Plus, it wasn’t anywhere near Halloween.  What in God’s name made this person believe I was trying to disguise myself as someone else?

   I guess for certain individuals it’s simply hard to believe that one could dress like this on a normal day.  Of course, I blame this on yoga pants.  As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m a true believer in the idea that athletic wear is completely destroying society’s sense of style…at least in the Midwest.  If I see one more pair of Sorel boots styled with leggings and a black puffer coat I’m going to freak out.  Okay, honestly I’ll confess to owning a pair of Sorel’s myself…how could I not when they gave the boot a name like, “Joan of Arctic?”  Oh yes, those marketing people own me.  However, why can’t anyone pair these puppies with something interesting like a vintage jumper?  How about this…why not go completely old school L.L. Bean and matchy match those potentially kitschy rubber ducks with flannel lined mom jeans and an over-sized fisherman’s sweater?  Now that’s a Sorel look I could totally get behind.  Of course, I suspect someone would probably accuse me of that pesky costume thing again.  I can hear the mocking now, “Ayuh, watch out the cah’s bound to slide on that wicked ice!”

   The reason I have this pretty ridiculous topic on my mind is due to the fact that I can’t help but look at the above photographs and think, “Okay yeah, now I see it.  That outfit does look a little costumey.”  However at the time, I swear, I seriously didn’t notice.  I was simply constructing an outfit out of individual pieces I’ve collected over time…little did I know how very Eastern European I was starting to appear.  I suppose I could try to justify this outfit by stating I felt compelled to give a shout out to my Croatian ancestors.  However, I can’t help but wonder why I feel the need to make any excuse at all for an ensemble that came into existence simply because I love wacky clothes.

   Of course, it didn’t dawn on me that this outfit was a little different until I posted a picture of it on Instagram and received a message from a very good friend of mine stating he could probably trade me for two yaks and a pack of smokes.  While I could not stop laughing at this, I informed him I was definitely worth at least 3 yaks.  Later that day, I got the comment from another friend that I, “reminded them of a Cossack.”  I honestly loved this statement as well.  Mostly because my high school mascot was a Cossack and it seemed so damned appropriate.  Suddenly it occurred to me just how much attention this initially unexciting outfit was starting to get.  “Huh, I thought it looked boring,” I wondered. 

   In conclusion I’d like to make the argument, “Dress in a costume every day!”  Not only will you get lots of attention, but you’ll also enjoy several comments that are bound to make you laugh.  More importantly, always dress for yourself even if it is crazy, because crazy is a whole lot more interesting than the dreaded black puffer coat.  Just let that freak flag fly.

-r.

Ahoy Cowboy!

   Have you ever had a fantastic piece of clothing that you just couldn’t figure out how to wear?  That’s the problem I’ve always had with the poncho I’m wearing in the above photographs.  Upon first finding it I was instantly in love.  I believe it's obvious that I have a serious addiction to Southwestern patterns.  This combined with the above color palette was something that I found irresistible.  I left the store that day feeling confident I had found an inherently, “Rayna,” piece.

   However, the first time I tried to actually wear this poncho I found it rather bulky and unflattering.  Go figure, a poncho that’s baggy?!  I would’ve never thought.  As a result, I’m ashamed to admit this piece hung abandoned in my closet for MANY years.  It wasn’t until very recent that the idea finally struck me, “Belt it, you dummy!” 

   The above ensemble is a result of this epiphany.  I’m so pleased to report I found the perfect concho belt at my local vintage store for an extremely reasonable price.  Concho belts are something I believe could be seriously problematic for me.  Thank God most of the ones I seem to like are well beyond my price range.  One of my ultimate wardrobe wishes is to someday acquire one of these vintage sterling silver and turquoise beauties.  However, until the day my conscience allows my credit card to spend this much on a belt I will be more than happy to sport around this less expense model. 

   Despite it’s cheaper cost, I can’t believe how pleased I’ve been with this belt.  Finally I can wear the poncho I shamefully pushed to the back of my closet.  I knew I should always trust my gut with clothing!  I stick by my argument of, “Just buy it!...and figure out how to wear it later…years later.” 

   Looking at these pictures now, I can’t help but feel justified in owning so many Southwestern inspired pieces.  Can a lady really have too many?  Truthfully, I kind of want to answer, “Yes!”  While I’m well aware that my addiction to this pattern is far from over, I have to admit I’m starting to feel the need to move on.  Of course I blame this totally on YouTube.  Specifically, I would like to thank Ralph Lauren for making me seriously consider trashing everything in my closet to pursue a completely nautical themed wardrobe.  This would be totally appropriate for a woman living on the plains…right? 

   I think it's notable to mention it was recently fashion week in New York and those of us on the fringes of the style loop are forced to participate via internet.  Basically, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been glued to my computer watching fashion shows featuring clothing so good I feel compelled to renounce my entire closet.  As I mentioned before, Ralph Lauren’s nautical inspired collection blew me…well…out of the water with its’ breezy beach theme.  After I watched it I immediately made a list to identify all of the garments I possess that could translate easily into this look.  Ironically, the thrifting Gods also seem to be a fan of Ralph, considering I recently found the most adorable blue and white polka dot blazer at St. Vincent de Paul.  For someone who is totally land-locked I have a pretty decent collection of boat attire.  Now I just have to find some water!

   Lastly, I find it kind of sad to finally be over my obsession with the Southwestern print.  Mostly I feel this way because I can now actually wear the beautiful poncho featured in the pictures above.  I also wonder how I’m going to style this kick ass concho belt over a vintage sailor shirt.  It could be an interesting looking summer. 

-r.