A Focused Bohemian

For many years, I have had a soft spot for all sorts of jackets, blazers and coats. My latest coats-infused madness aside (there will be time for spilling the beans in the Fall), I think I still can share some great jackets like this one, even in the heat of the Summer.

This beautifully and richly embroidered, tribal inspired linen number is a purchase from last summer (great sale price, as usual), and I showed it HERE in July 2015. This jacket is just the sort of thing that originally attracted me to the Chico's brand years ago - their whimsical and well-crafted items, often vividly colored and inspired by world culture, are just my cup of tea. This time, I wanted to give this jacket my full attention and make it the star of the show, so I wore it over my chambray culottes jumpsuit with clean simple lines (shown also in my recent post about our trip to the Olympic Peninsula HERE). I added a necklace with semi-precious stones that I found on clearance at Target, probably a couple of months ago or so. It really spoke to me, and I knew I'd find a way to wear it. I think it compliments this outfit so well.

What I like about this outfit is that it blends together the two strong sides of me, one being a free-spirited artist and explorer, and another that is focused and "pulled together", as they say. Do you know what I mean by that? Not one or another, but both. I think once I discovered the artistic side of me (read the post Becoming an Artist, February 2016), I kind of assumed that the other, more structured and organized side of me, was going to fade away. I thought that my love of blazers would fade away along with it too. But nothing fades away! If it is an organic part of who you are and for whatever reason, your personality shifted in a different direction, you can still be who you were, and in addition to that be all the new things that you keep discovering about yourself. Embracing your whole self by including all parts of you, that's to me what it takes to find my inner harmony. 

This outfit also has a great little story to share. I was walking through IKEA, and couldn't help but notice a stylish and unique looking young woman in a brightly colored dress. She was with her family, and I did not feel comfortable to talk to her, though I just really couldn't take my eyes off of her. You know IKEA - it's a maze, but we crossed paths again, somehow managing to pay at the same time, just at different cashier registers. And what do you know, she looked at me and said, "I like your outfit!" I was thrilled, and across the aisle, I yelled to her that I loved hers! And that little encounter really made my day. I don't dress to impress, but I do appreciate being recognized by another creative soul. 

Photos by Justin

Jacket - Chico's (old)

Jumpsuit - Old Navy

Sandals - Ecco (old)

Purse - Urban Expressions (old)

Necklace - Target

Sun glasses - Lane Bryant

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