Much Happy. Very Smile.

Denim jacket, crewcuts. Rolling Stones tank top and sunglasses, TJ Maxx. BDG high waisted jeans, Urban Outfitters. Chelsea boots, Marshalls. 5-zip purse, Rebecca Minkoff. 2013 was a particularly hard year for my family because we lost a member. I don't mean a person necessarily, but we had to put my dog, Rocky, who we have had since I was six years old, to sleep. While my younger dog, Pebbles, featured here, is still alive, my whole family feels the hole that Rocky left. Pebbles was especially affected given that Rocky was a big brother figure to her. However, we have been able to shower Pebbles with twice the amount of love since Rocky's death. It's the least we could do for her. Anyways, I used to think that I was definitively a cat person. I have cat-like tendencies myself, preferring my own company, etc. However, at some point, my preferences shifted. Because I'm more of a quiet loner, I prefer people and animals who are quite different from me. My spirit is more attracted to that of dogs and dog people, so slowly, I've started to prefer the idea of having a lovely dog of my own one day. I'm not sure what kind I want, but I can't wait for the day that my pup gets to come home with me. And for those of you who spend as much time on the Internet as I do, you'll recognize the title of this post as being from the Doge meme that has catapulted to popularity recently. I found it and thought that none of my friends would think it is as funny as I do, but quickly realized that we all share an affinity for the doge. We even spent an entire Christmas party speaking just like the cute little shiba-inu. I'm glad that I have people who find such quirky things humorous, or I'd do a lot of laughing to myself.

Chasing a Ghost

Dahlia UK dress, bought secondhand from Rebecca of The Clothes Horse. Spiked headband, local store in Savannah (similar here). Chelsea boots, TBA via Modcloth (similar here). Camden satchel, Madewell.

     I felt appropriately haunting on Friday the 13th. As soon as I woke up, I knew I wanted my all black ensemble to contrast heavily with my pale skin. Rather than feeling plagued by anything, I was in my element. A day that is dedicated to the spooky, other than Halloween, felt like a bonus. After all, my favorite Emoji on the iPhone is the little ghost that is sticking his tongue out. 

      While I would have loved to sit under a ladder and pet a black cat just to really get the full effect of the 13th, the day passed without superstition taking any tolls. I will admit to having a bit of bad luck when taking these pictures, but I was fortunate enough to get a helping hand from an old friend. Although Patrick and I broke up a few months ago, we have remained in good graces and taking pictures was such a big part of our relationship that it was nice to do it at least one more time for these shots.

     I'm digging myself out of being haunted by things that simply don't matter. Posting hasn't slowed down because of emotional distress, but rather because I have thrown myself into my role as leader on both the cross country team and the school newspaper. But I want anyone that reads this post to have hope. Hold your head high above those ghosts that are darkening your heart. If you need to, cry with this song from The Head and the Heart as your soundtrack. Hopefully after that, you can get up, dust off any cobwebs from your soul, and find something new to chase that only brings you joy.

Folk Tunes

Zig zag dress, Modcloth. Pea coat, Old Navy. Brown tights, Target. Vintage leather Dooney & Bourke purse. Red ankle boots, O'Neill. 

     This little bell sleeved number is only wanting for a tambourine. Although it is completely against my nature, one unfulfilled dream of mine is to sing in a folk or acoustic duo. I quite enjoy public speaking, but my shyness gets the best of me when it comes to any type of performance art. That may have something to do with the fact that no, I was not blessed with a wonderful singing voice. But, nonetheless, my affinity for that type of music still has me wanting to perform in some capacity.

     Appropriately enough, I wore this dress to watch a few friends perform at a local venue. It was one of the occasions where my friends from high school and my friends from college combined perfectly because someone from both places was performing. I don't really believe in "going out clothes" because of my tendency to well, stay in. But in this instance, the outfit I wore fit the mood of the outing perfectly. Although I was definitely procrastinating on some things that I needed to get done, I had a great day of ignoring responsibilities and just enjoying myself for a while. Laid back days are hard to come by while classes are in full swing, so I took advantage of it while I could. 

American Girl

Black boyfriend cardigan, J. Crew (similar).  White tee shirt, JCPenney. Sexy boyfriend jeans, Gap (similar). Jessica Simpson Cranaby boots. Vintage Dooney & Bourke purse. Black wrap watch, La Mer Wanderlust Collection. 

     Whenever I feel too fussy or done up, I return to iconic and simple outfits. Sometimes I'd rather be a rebel without a cause in a worn in white tee and jeans than wearing one of my many fit and flare dresses. I like to take care of myself and I love perfume and lipstick just as much as the next gal, but I'd say at the heart of it all I'm no girly girl. My outfit pictures always seem to go better when a little elbow grease and sweat are involved; that is, I like to put forth some physical effort and work to accomplish things. 

     That being said, I've saved, liked, or cut out more pictures that are Americana themed than I can count. The flag motif seemed to have had a huge year in 2012, but that doesn't mean I won't play around with it in the coming months. The actual flag itself makes the perfect backdrop while exhibiting quite a bit of patriotism because yes, I love living in this country. I'm excited to travel and expand my horizons, but I'll always been thankful for the opportunities I've been given. There's always going to be problems, in the country and in the world, but as Panic at the Disco says, "I know the world's a broken bone, but melt your headaches, call it home." 

Sun Spots

Grey pullover, JCP ($7 on clearance!). Leopard print skirt, c/o American Threads. Collar necklace, gift from my roommate. Black tights, Target. Red ankle booties, O'Neill. Vintage leather Dooney & Bourke purse.

     When it comes to photography, one of my favorite techniques to utilize is backlighting my pictures. Although the sun sometimes washes out my pictures completely, I find the unpredictable results to be desirable. The hazy, dreamy quality that comes from standing in front of the sun took me quite a long time to achieve. I would see other photographers' work and the magical feeling that stemmed from what I assumed was editing. While I do enhance the colors and sharpness of my images (I quite enjoy the way post processing can change an image), good pictures are made in the moment. Sun drenched moments are my favorite so I will continue to capture them.

     As for my outfit, I wanted to create a simple but unique outfit based around my prized leopard print skirt. I realized after returning to campus from winter break that my skirt had disappeared to the recesses of my dresser. I'm not sure about other college dorms, but the furniture that Maryville College provides us with has a nasty habit of eating clothes. Luckily, with an ingenious use of a hanger, I rescued my skirt and have been excited to start wearing it more once again.