Thursday, July 5, 2012

I like the way you walk


After a string of unsuccessful dates and an empty bank account, I'm finally burnt out and looking for excuses to stay in. Add onto that, the heat index is about 100°F and I have no qualms about not going out. I'm actually looking forward to staying in tonight. I plan to sew and watch Andy Griffith. I think that the news of his passing was some of the saddest to reach my ears all summer. I grew up with tremendous respect for Andy Griffith and I've always taken great comfort in knowing that he was still alive. It's tough news to hear that one of your childhood idols has passed on.
 
I had planned to wear this outfit to the zoo, but after taking these photos I had sweated so madly that I decided it wasn't worth the pit stains and changed into something sleeveless. I'll save this for cooler weather. I was most just excited to share one of my Crafty Projects...these sunglasses!
 
I've been in love with the floral sunnies at Dolce & Gabbana as well as with some of the other designer spin offs that have followed. Almost immediately after seeing them in one of my fashion magazines, I vowed to make my own by the end of the summer. I used polymer clay to make little flowers and then glued them to some cheap-y sunglasses using E-6000 glue. I'll post a tutorial soon and am already buying more inexpensive sunglasses to decorate with odds & ends. I'm kind of addicted...
 
I spent today running errands around town, being successful in 2 out of 3. I leave for Guatemala in 5 days and seem to have so much to get done before then! I'm absolutely excited to be down there for 8 days, building roads and helping in reforestation efforts. I won't be bringing any fancy sunglasses down there, but I'm looking forward to the experience and hoping that it will change me for the better. My 5 weeks backpacking Europe had such a huge effect on my outlook on life and especially on materialism...I'm hoping that going to Guatemala will influence that even more.
 
I think that when most people stumble upon the blog, their only impression of me is that I'm some dumb teenage girl who only cares about clothes and make up and how she looks...which is so untrue. Yeah, I like to look decent and I think clothing and make up are really fun creative outlets, but there's so much more to me than that. I was recently having a discussion with a co-worker about why I only have a couple of girl friends. The reason is this: the number one question I get from girls is, "Where do you shop for clothes?" That is usually followed with, "Can we go shopping together?" To be quite frank, I hate talking about clothes and shopping (to an extent). It's so mundane (also, to an extent). Most boys couldn't care less about what I wear, where I bought it, etc. and thus I have real, actual stimulating discussions with them. Girls start and end with clothes and shopping, which really isn't me at all.
 
I was reading the new Teen Vogue and in the article with Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield there was a very poignant ending note. It kind of went something like this:
 
Emma Stone: But people do always ask that. They ask who is my style icon, what's the one thing that I can't leave my house without. I'm always like, "My clothes!" I can pretty much leave without anything. It's fine as long as I'm not naked.
Andrew Garfield: I don't get asked that—
Emma Stone: You get asked interesting, poignant questions because you are a boy.
Teen Vogue: It's sexism.
Emma Stone: It is sexism.


And so, I'm really looking forward to going to Guatemala as an escape from all that. From sexism. It's just gonna be a group of girls who don't know me and don't know that I have a fashion blog. And we can build roads and wander around San Lucas and not care what we look like or where we shop, and not care that sexism even exists, because we're there for a reason even larger than sexism.
 
Okay, that's over with. I've found myself lost deep in thought lately because there's been so much going on in my life. It's been very bumpy, which is largely why I cannot wait to hang out with a bunch of girls or why I cannot wait to spend the night by myself watching The Andy Griffith Show and sewing.
 
In addition to the DIY sunnies, I am wearing floral shorts that I bought at Target last year. They're super lightweight and swing-y, making them ideal for the heatwave that's passing through Minnesota. I don't know if I've ever featured them on the blog before, but I brought them to Europe with me last year, only to find out that much of Europe is chilly during the summer and thus the shorts were not really weather appropriate. Thank goodness they're cute with stockings!
 
Anyways, that is all for now! I have so much to get done this weekend (agh!), but I'll be sure to update and have some posts scheduled for over my trip! Keep cool in the heat, kids xx

9 comments:

Winnie said...

I love the DIY sunglasses, they look awesome. That's also a great quote from Emma Stone (she's kind of awesome!). I like fashion a lot but there are a whole bunch of things I love more...like Art, travelling, food.

Anyway Europe is pretty chilly in the Summer. I've lived in the UK all my life and it's the most annoying thing ever. I want Summer to be here now!

Safiya said...

I totally get what you mean about girls and fashion. I have a couple friends who are just completely and utterly obsessed with their image and fashion and it really bugs me. I mean, yes I have a 'fashion' blog but I've got pictures of me up there without makeup on and I'd like to think that I don't just talk about clothes. You've got me ranting now, I do apologize.

I think it's great that you've brought this up!

Sara said...

you look so retro and beautiful! your outfit is very cute!

http://sarassweetstyle.blogspot.com/

Ester Durães said...

oh my, why do you have to be so fabulous?? I end up loving every single outfit of yours, you're super stylish! :)

Drawing Dreaming

Priya said...

I can't believe you made those glasses! Why can't I craft! Like that little interview with Emma Stone (who seems awesome, and so down-to-earth) I feel like I am always walking a fine line between being stupid and shallow and real. That's being a girl, I guess. Hey hope you have an amazing and safe trip! Good for you for doing that!

perfectly priya

Amy Shaughnessy said...

Great post! What kind of things do you sew? I was big into it a year ago but haven't really done much with it since my baby was born in October. I really miss it! I actually did a post yesterday wearing a pair of pants that I had made a long time ago. Someone actually said they 'weren't fond of my pants.' Gee, thanks! I guess that's what happens when you have a fashion blog though! I hope your trip goes well. I teach some high school girls that just got home from there! (Mission trip.)

Amy


Fashion and Beauty Finds

Anonymous said...

Hi Chloe, hope the heat wave is over soon!
I strongly disagree with what you said about girls. I think the myth that girls only really talk about shoes and clothes is really damaging! Of course when you first meet somebody, they are going to say that to you! You obviously have a killer sense of style and that is probably the first thing people pick up on. It doesn't have to be that way, I'm sure if you got to know someone they would provide engaging conversation no matter what their gender.
If clothes are what someone is really interested in, that doesn't make it shallow. It isn't a coincidence that the fashion industry, which is predominately female is judged for being shallow and vain. It is our job as strong young women to fight these views, not support them!
xo Char

Bethany Kellen of bunnypicnic said...

i just started reading your blog and i simply adore your style. but i also hate talking about clothes. the furthest i get is the way i want something to look. but it's totally just playing into the sexism of women and clothing or fashion.

Meli said...

I like the glasses! As a sewer, I find that I do love to talk about clothes- but that I will bore people with details about construction and washing requirements! There is so much more to talk about than just where something was acquired.