Come Out To Play!

It's no secret that I started my blog to learn, - I mean, that's not the only reason I started the blog, but it is definitely a big part for me. So how do I learn? I try things on, mix them up, buy more, mix more, Justin takes pictures of my "so-to-speak" learning, I pick the ones which I like best and edit out those which are repeatable, then I write a text (whatever I feel inspired to write about in that particular moment), often I ask Justin to proof read and correct only if I made some serious mistakes. I really don't mind minor mistakes or "eccentricities" which I think make any blog more real and alive. I have not probably told you yet, but I worked in a newspaper for a few years - I was a proofreader and used to clean up texts, sometimes pretty radically. I am over this sort of cleanness now - it sort of makes anyone's language too universal, too proper, if you get my meaning. Writing is very similar to style, really. Eccentricities are what make our style individual, interesting, intriguing. Same goes for writing.

But I was thinking as I wrote the previous paragraph that this sort of "learning" really seems more like playing. I know, I know - blogging takes lots of time. But tell me, what doesn't? I mean, really - what doesn't take up your time? Even washing dishes takes time - and it is far less creative than blogging. I try on clothes, I write, I take pictures, I edit, I post - I have fun! And I learn. So it is more like playing actually. It's the best kind of learning! Any kid will tell you that!

I love the idea of "shopping your closet" and combining old things in a new way. They stay there in the closet for years sometime (well, at least in my closet they do), you get bored with them, you contemplate donating them to free up space for new stuff (I am really not good at that!). But then suddenly you get a sparkle of an idea, and the old stuff begins having a new life! It's like their old marriages (with other old stuff) exhausted themselves, they got divorced and then met someone  new and got a completely fresh start. I like that. Anyone deserves a new start if they feel like they are stuck in the old stuff. (In my opinion. I can be wrong, of course. Wait - I can't! It's just this - an opinion!)

I consider this dress a basic one. I bought it at Target (my #1 clothing purchase for myself at that store) probably in early Fall (last year). I remember it was on clearance for something like $17, and it was my size, and I just loved the eggplant color! In other words, I saw possibilities. So I bought it. But I don't think I wore it much. By itself, it's a bit plain. I did show this dress paired with my Russian shawl (you might have seen it here, and by the way - you can take a better look at the earrings which I use in this outfit too). And I thought of pairing the eggplant dress with this yellow mustard cardigan which I have had almost forever (I will have to look up the brand, I can't remember it now). I don't know if you can see the belt here, but it is this shade of green which we Russians actually call khaki - sort of military green, I think it goes beautifully with both of these colors. And I think that the cardi goes so well with the dress - I like the uneven bottom.

Justin took some photos of my little garden, rather abandoned lately. But Spring is everywhere - even in this humble space!

The next "old stuff, come out to play" thingy is not my idea, and I won't take a credit for it. No, no, don't even ask me! I was exploring this wonderful, colorful blog, and got inspired by the pairing a tee-shirt with a dress! I don't know, maybe everyone knows it already, but to me it was something so fresh, unexpected and fun! And so this outfit was born.

I mean, I honestly was getting ready to donate this t-shirt! Glad I did not do it before I read Senora Allnut! :)

So what am I learning here? I am learning that you can combine your old-ready-to-donate-stuff in a new exiting way (or two). That some things really seek for companions - like this eggplant dress. (Or, tell me, do you see it as a solo dress? Am I missing out on opportunities here?) I have also learned that rusty red, purple, mustard yellow and teal go beautifully together! The lesson was Fast, Fun and Free since I owned all these items (and some of them for years!). One of the best kinds of lesson, as far as I'm concerned.

It's a rainy day here. We had a very nice family day browsing cute little shops and hanging out at coffee shops. I am not an artist, but I doodle sometimes (once a year or so). Here are a few I've done today (each took me less then 5 minutes I think). I draw strictly from my head - including self-portrait (I did not have any image in front of me, other than an image in my head). I also never erase anything - just do it all at once, as it comes.  I also drew a picture of a cat (in the end, it had 5 legs), but I'm not showing it!

So that's my weekend. How was yours, girls and boys?

Dress and belts - Target. Cardi - I forgot (old). Tee - Christopher and Banks (old). Wool jacket - thrifted (Goodwill). Tights - Hue. Shoes - Dansko. Scarves - Target and TJ MAXX. Purse - B Makowsky.

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday!