Turning the Corner

I have a feeling that I turned the corner with my style - and with my life as well. The three years of my blog that I celebrated recently (HERE), are also three years of me. Only now I can see clearly how much inner work had been done. Only now I can see what a courageous decision I've made three years ago regarding what direction to take my life. These three years were years of solitude, even hermitage, and reinvention. At times, it felt incredibly hard, dark, lonely and vulnerable - to the point when I doubted my own decision. At my darkest moments, I was afraid that I was becoming someone I would never want to be - a disappointed, bitter, maybe even cynical loner with sad eyes who enjoys poking their wounds to make sure they never stop hurting, so they always have a reason to hide and not live their dream. But even in my darkest times, when I looked deep inside me, I knew that choosing light is the only way to go, and that there is no way back for me. I might look back from time to time, to sort of reestablish where I am in my journey. But I never ever go back, no matter how scary the unknown in front of me seems. It wasn't the first time I've done it, and I don't have any reason to believe it will be the last one. It seems that this is what it means to be Natasha Lialina on this planet - to discover and rediscover, to create and recreate, to invent and reinvent her own life. 

Labyrinth: Created for Dreamers

A week ago, Justin and I went to see Labyrinth (1986), a fantastically wonderful fairy tale which celebrated its 30 year anniversary this year. Justin had already watched it before, loved it and even, apparently, owned it on DVD. I, on the other hand, watched it for the first time! Can you believe it? I can't! Me, who is all about fairy tales, magic, innocence, humor and romance - who writes stories not very different from Labyrinth herself, has never even watched this gem of a fairy tale! 

Anna: Connecting the Disconnected

Dear friends and readers, I am excited to start the new year of my blogging life with a new round of interviews, and introduce you to Anna. If you, like me, weren't familiar with Anna's blog Melodic, Thrifty & Chic, then you are definitely in for a treat. And if you know this whimsical, one of a kind blogger from the US, then you still are in for a treat - I think you'll find our conversation with Anna fun and stimulating. 

Anna, thank you for playing along and making your wonderful contribution to the symphony of unique voices reflecting on style as a creative process. 

3 Years!

Hello my lovely friends and readers from around the world,

Even though it's a little late, I decided to still mention my blogaversary.

On September 9th, In The Writer's Closet turned 3 years old! 

To celebrate, I picked 9 outfits from the past 3 years (three for each year), 

which were some kind of milestones on my style journey. 

~ 1 ~

So, let's begin with this burnt orange wool coat (photo above, original post Magical, February 9, 2014). I don't think I had such a vibrant coat before I purchased this one. Here, I'm wearing it with a faux fur collar from a sweater poncho that I have. I noticed a year later or so, one of big internet retailers came out with a version of a burnt orange coat with an over-sized fur collar. And even though I loved their version, I did not buy it - why should I if I invented my own a year earlier? ;) I love all the rich textures I combined in this outfit, and the fact that it has a 1960s vibe, one of my favorite periods in fashion. It was one of the most enchanting posts photographically too - Justin captured the snow on Bainbridge Island, a rare vision in the Pacific Northwest.

Art

Justin and I visited an art exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum this weekend. It was dedicated to the Northwest, presenting both local and visiting artists, and this weekend was the last chance to see it at TAM. We loved it! I shared some of the paintings that moved me on my FB page, so if you are interested, just search for my name. Here, I am going to share the art that Justin and I created together at the museum that very same day.

A Stroll by the Lake

It's official. I'm in love. And I'm in love with this dress. 

If I had to reduce my entire closet to only one dress, this would be it!

Midlife Fun: Rock That Vintage!

Hello my friends and readers, and welcome to the 2nd Midlife Fun link-up. We are all about vintage this time! Feel free to add your posts showing you wearing any vintage item of clothing or accessory, or join as you are!