Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Bonjour


French countryside, that's what Justin named this outfit. On a gray rainy day it seemed almost like an escape to a far away romantic place...countryside...maybe in France...and maybe even in a different century. Considering that it was raining cats and dogs all day, such a soft-colored and lighthearted outfit might seem inappropriate to some. Wouldn't it be much more practical to wear a raincoat and wellies of a sensible dark color? Yes, it would. But I am with such style icons as late Lynn Dell, one of the brightest stars of the wonderful blog Advanced Style (and the inspiring documentary under the same name) who used to say, "I dress up every day for the theater of my life." Or, as another style icon and my beloved blogging friend Vix says, "Dress for the life you want, not the life you have." 


Whether Vix realizes it or not, in this very phrase she declares one of the cornerstone principles of creativity. To imagine is to experience. To imagine is to create. Imagination is one of the greatest (and still very much undiscovered and unused!) tools that's given to us all. Children know it. Animals know it (just watch a cat playing - what is it if not imagination?). Artists, creatives, scientists, inventors and mystics know it. Whatever we think about, becomes our reality, and from that perspective, each of us has a powerful potential to be a visionary and create the life that we want - first, in our imagination, then, if we believe strongly enough in our own vision, it becomes our reality. I'm sure each of us experience it, sometimes in small ways, other times in big, life-changing ways - I know I do.


And even though today I walked under raining gray skies on the streets of Seattle, some day I know I will be walking somewhere in charming villages and lavender fields somewhere in the French countryside. To imagine is to experience. To imagine is to create.




My sweater is another purchase from the Prabal Gurung for Lane Bryant collaboration (you can see the cape from that collab in my previous post HERE). I really fell in love with this piece the first time I saw it on the Lane Bryant website. The colors turned out to be much cooler in real life, and I did have my doubts as to whether I should keep it or send it back. Before making the final decision, I wanted to find the ways to style it with the items from my existing wardrobe. I played with my stuff, and found at least a couple of options I was happy with. This skirt (shown previously in FEBRUARY 2017) became just a perfect companion! The irony of it is, I've always loved the skirt, but did not have many ways to style it before. Sometimes, outfits need time to "cook", so they can present us a wonderful feast one day.


So even though the skirt and sweater aren't my ideal colors, I am head over heels in love with this ensemble, and the rainy city of Seattle did not mind at all to greet the French countryside today.


Slouchy sweater - Prabal Gurung for Lane Bryant
Boots - Born via Nordstrom Rack (Summer splurge)
Camel hat - Chico's (sale)
The rest things are remixed, old and well-loved:
Skirt - ModCloth (old)
Necklaces and earrings - mixture of old purchases and vintage finds
Green hat - Charlotte Russe (old)
Not shown here - old coat and umbrella for a rainy day

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday

* * *

SUPERSEAL, our new bilingual book, is coming in 2017!

Illustration by Andrei Lialin

Find our books at
in Seattle, Tacoma, Federal Way, Washington

Connect with me on
INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK     YOUTUBE



18 comments:

  1. french countryside - or dacha style :-D
    genius how you melted together 2 "not so perfect" pieces to a gorgeous outfit! it looks cosy and comfortable in an elegant way - chapeau!
    btw - love that hat with the golden ring - how cool is that!!
    and your text!!
    <3 <3 <3
    everytime i need a bit of mental, spiritual input you come around the corner with the right words!! thank you very much sister!
    lots of love! xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my dearest, for your wonderful words, they mean a lot to me! I do believe that words can heal, and that I do have the ability to help others to heal and grow... I am very touched by your comment, and our friendship is one of the most precious things in my life! <3

      Delete
  2. You look so lovely in this romantic outfit, gorgeous!
    I love all the details, the accessories, the boots!, and the attitude which is the best thing!
    And I agree totally with you that some outfits need time to 'cook' themselves, to leaven and develop whatever they have inside. I'm glad that you found this sweater which matches so nicely your skirt, they make a fab combo!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my dearest Monica, for your warm and wonderful comment! I am so blessed to find such a fantastic community of warmhearted, intelligent, supportive, creative, talented and UNIQUE women such as yourself! <3

      Delete
  3. What a truly romantic outfit, Natalia and if I narrow my eyes just a little bit, I can see you being transported, by way of time machine, to the lavender fields of France in another, more innocent, and therefore more romantic (to our modern eyes at least) era! What would life be without imagination? I for one would find it dull. How wonderful that your skirt and sweater have found each other! I love how you paired those necklaces too. That photo, where you are half turned away from us puts me in mind of one of those sepia photographs of early 20th century ladies! Hugest of hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, dear Ann! I guess the soft colors, almost monochromatic, evoke the feeling of old romantic times and remind of old sepia photos! Lots of love!

      Delete
  4. Love the combination - Romantic/English Holiday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Robin! Yes, you're right - French, Russian, English... they all have something in common!

      Delete
  5. That's a fabulous outfit! I love the skirt and the hat is incredible, that band is like a giant bangle. I need one!
    Thank you so much for the shout-out. I make things but never consider myself a creative person, I was invited to join a creative group in town but thought I'd be seen as a fraud but yes, you're right, a vivid imagination is creative as is throwing together some much loved clothes and garnering compliments from strangers.
    I wish I could transport all of us to a sunny cafe in France, we could chat, drink coffee and be inspired together. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All of us in French fields... yes please! :) Wouldn't it be wonderful if that bangle was removable, so I could wear it with other hats too?

      You are one of the most creative people I know (and I know quite a few, my whole family are creatives and incredibly talented). Making things with your hands is only one of many, many ways being creative - and of course it all starts with imagination!

      Delete
  6. Znów pięknie:)))śliczna spódnica:))fajny pomysł z kapeluszem:))Pozdrawiam serdecznie:)))

    ReplyDelete
  7. I do love this outfit with its soft, romantic style and yes it does transport me to another place and another time. Imagination is so important in all areas of our lives and dressing with creativity and imagination is so much more fun than just buying and wearing the latest look.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And you have such a vivid imagination and true artistic vision, my dear Jill!

      Delete
  8. Natalia you look amazing in this romantic style. Come with me to the Elsaß in this fairytale village in france :)
    Huge hug, Tina

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would have to agree with your husband. French chic is the first thing that came to my mind as well.

    ReplyDelete