Sunday, March 2, 2014

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!

24 comments:

  1. Natalie, I enjoyed the way you added interest to your eggplant dress. All are fun and eclectic and seem to speak of who you are...vivacious.

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    1. Thank you so much, Glenda! It is great to see you in my blog and hear from you!! :)

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  2. I love your approach to blogging, it obviously sums up your personality, thoughtful, well-planned and dedicated. Your outfits are always creative, beautiful and full of colour and its no surprise that Senora Alnutt is an inspiration as she's one of my favourites, too.
    That base dress was a great buy and the tee shirt layered on top looks so good. I must try it myself.
    Love your doodles, go on, show us the five legged cat! xxxx

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    1. I knew you'd say it about the cat!! I might dare, we'll see. Thank you for your kind words! You inspire me so much! I haven't told the world about 16 cents art I bought - all because of YOU! :) Although, I am not really well-planned, I am rather a spontaneous creature!

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  3. I agree that blogging is a great way to learn and further develop your personal style. I take far more risks now, since I started blogging, I am more fearless, and have become used to that strange phenomenon of the outfit that looks fine in the mirror but less than stellar when captured on camera, and vice versa! And of course there is inspiration aplenty among the other bloggers we follow (love Senora A!)
    Both these outfits are great, Natalia. I think the purple dress is an excellent piece which can be combined with lots of different colours (funnily enough, I am wearing yellow and purple today too!) You could wear different coloured or patterned tights, a contrasting camisole underneath with the buttons undone so it shows, cardigans/jackets with print, anything you like! So yes, keep the dress and work it!
    Loving the doodles! xxx

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    1. WOW - so many wonderful tips! Thank you, Curtise! I came up with colorful tights and cardi too, but you have even more. I will have to go shopping to realized those! :))) I absolutely admire your style - you are brave and gorgeous!! Much to learn.

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  4. You're a trouble maker! :-) Now I won't be able to get rid of anything!! About twice a year I swear I'm going to purge my closet. I drag everything out, try it on in different ways, and try to figure out what I can live without. Now, seeing these beautiful outfits you've just posted, I don't want to part with anything.

    I LOVE your use of color. The combinations are rich and artistic. You look beautiful. I appreciate your writing as well. Agreed, it all takes a lot of time, but it's a joy on so many levels.

    I think the next outfit I try will incorporate some of these jewel tones. Oh no, I may have to go shopping!! :-) See, it's your fault!

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    1. Jean, you made me laugh, and that's a great thing! Fun to be a trouble maker! :))) I decided (for now) to donate those items which either don't fit me, or there is obviously something wrong with them - like one of my skirts wrinkles way too much (plus doesn't fit very well), and even though I love the color and shape, I am not going to keep it. Otherwise - why get rid of stuff if you LOVE it? :) It might not be for everyday wear, but from time to time it will lift up your spirit! :)

      Thank you so much for your kind comment!

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  5. Oooh how do I follow/stalk you? your purple dress is amazing, you have styled it beautifully each and every time you have worn it, isn't blogging is brilliant! I am constantly inspired by the creativity of other bloggers and becoming braver by the day! your doodles are great x x x

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    1. Sandra, it is so good to see you in my blog! I am honored! :) Yes, blogger bring so much inspiration to me too - you all are just AMAZING!

      I follow all the blogs I like via Blogger. If you click on the button (letter "B") in the upper left corner, it should bring you to your main Blogger panel. Then just copy and paste the blog URL into the little window as you push on "Add" - "REading list - Add blogs to follow". That should be it! I hope I explained it all right. :) I am not on any other social networks (FB, Twitter etc). I will look into Blogloving some time soon - if it is pretty straightforward, I might join there.

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  6. Natalie , I agree and I applaud , First I love your outfits for the bold colors and interesting mixes that work beautifully together. Blogging is a process , and it is nice to allow ourselves to learn as we go, and use our experiences to enrich our blogs, and out own personal growth. Perfection is not attainable, but creative success is a wonderment ...
    I love Following you!
    XX, Elle

    http://mydailycostume.com

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    1. Thank you o much, me dear Elle! You are always so encouraging and positive - you are a treasure! As my yoga instructor put it today. "Results are nothing. Process is everything." I loved it! :)

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  7. Your dress is good on its own too but yeah, one gets bored quickly to wear it like that only. But the good thing is that the dress gives many possibilities to play with accessories and mixing up. And you did it beautifully! How wonderful it is that you didn't get rid of that t-shirt, it looks great with the dress and actually it is very pretty.

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    1. Thanks, Olga! Yes, it's a good base to start playing... and the t-shirt is tons of fun - I just run out of ideas before I stumbled into Senora A's blog! Blogging is just sooo cool for sooo many reasons. :)

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  8. I get all taken away by prints, but I forget how powerful solids are together in the right combinations. I love it that your choices are all pretty equal in saturation. That gives them cohesiveness, doesn't it? Great lesson, Natalia!
    The tee shirt and dress really works ... such a cute transitional-season styling. I'm getting to be a complete fan of yours. Thanks for the lovely post.

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    1. Jan, thank you for soooo many such kind and wonderful compliments! Now, prints are something almost completely undiscovered by me at this point - I'm feeling pretty ready to start experimenting with prints soon! A friend of mine - become a friend of mine! :) Way better than a fan! :)

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  9. This post was fun x 3: the writing, the closet mixing, and the doodles! I especially like the tee-over-dress inspired by Sra Allnut. Hang on to that tee!

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    1. I am so happy to hear that you had fun here, Anne! Thank you for letting me know. And yes, I am going to keep this t-shirt kind of beauty for ages now! :)

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  10. I love the purple dress and all the bright colours you put together with it. The drawings are great! I do much of my drawing and painting from what I see in my head too. Since nobody has ever seen a cat with five legs, nobody can say your drawing does not look exactly like one!

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    1. Such a lovely and meaningful comment, Shawna! I looked at your paintings - they are awesome (but then, you are the director of awesome, so they just must be). Good thinking about the five-legged cat! :)

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    2. It feels a bit arrogant to call myself the director of awesome, but I explain on my blog that the title was bestowed on me by a dear friend. With all the amazing ladies on the blogs I am reading I feel more like a witness of awesome.

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    3. Oh I love the title of your blog - such a fun, whimsy expression! I haven't read the origin of it, so thank you for telling me. I bet this friend is a special one! I think this title suits you very well - I feel your fun, vivacious energy through the screen!! :)
      And we are all here witnesses of Awesome, I so agree with you on that! But we also can be directors of our own awesome. That's the great part of life. :)

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  11. I want to raid the rich colours in your closet. The purple, mustard, teal and orange are regular favourites in my closet too. Will have to play around with wearing them together more.

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    1. I love it how we all inspire each other here in the blogosphere... now, that is what I call "changing the world... one post at a time". :) I would love to see your mixing these bright colors! I was way too timid to do something like this before. But hey, I am now on the other side of the fence - life seems so much more free after 40. :)

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