Korean Influences

On the right: Portrait of a Beauty by Shin Yun-bok (born 1758), source

This was almost a month ago, back in March, so no fresh green leaves on the trees behind me, neither blue bells, nor dandelions by my feet just yet. Our two-week-long Summer which I was writing about a couple of times lately was not hot (even our real Summer is rarely hot, for which I am greatly appreciative), but we steadily had temperatures around 70 F (21 C) and glorious SUNSHINE, both of which make me insanely happy. It felt like having a mini vacation to restore both my physical and emotional health. But, we now have mild Spring temperatures again, clouds, sprinkles, in other words, all as usual, and while I am not having any new outfits to share from this week, I still have a few outfits and stories to share from the past month or so. Are you ready? Let's go.

Walk, Walk and Walk

I can't get enough of this beautiful summery weather. It seems all we do these days is walk, walk and walk. Justin's smart device tells us we walked 24 km (15 miles) this week - a lot for someone who usually spends hour after hour, day after day writing, editing and staring at the computer screen. I feel that life juices came back to my tired-after-the-long-winter body, and that fresh blood runs through my veins again. I feel that this Summer will be different for me, in my wardrobe options for one - nobody on the planet is happier than I am that stores are now filled with clothes made of linen and cotton everywhere,  and you will most probably see a lot of these pieces in different combinations again and again. 

Slices of Local History: West Hylebos Wetlands

End of March brought us a treasured gift of sunny and summer-like warm days with temperatures around 70 F. When sun arrives, the whole Puget Sound drops everything they were doing and goes outside to play. And so did we. We took so many walks, that now our legs hurt. I have many pictures to share of places and outfits, and I've decided to start with the most recent ones - our today's trip to the West Hylebos Wetlands Park which is located  in Federal Way, a city between Tacoma and Seattle, and features one of the last remaining peat bogs in the Puget Sound area which volunteers lovingly restore since 1983. There is a blog dedicated to West Hylebos (last updated in May 2015), Blog from the Bog, and an Earth Corps' page dedicated to this park as well - http://www.earthcorps.org/hylebos.php. If you are local and haven't been to this marvel of a nature, please do so soon, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Little Things, Big Impact

People tend to think that national leaders and big events are what make history. "If only I was born during that time...my life would be more interesting, more fulfilled, I'd make a difference then, I might even be a hero..." I think, it is almost opposite. We are the ones who make history - any and everyone of us has the potential and ability to make the difference, both in our own life and in those who are near us. Our small decisions impact life, like circles on water, at first it is a small circle, it seems it touches only you and nobody else, then it goes wider and touches those who are right next to you - your family and friends, then even bigger circle, touching your neighbors, people in your town, people who speak the same language with you, and then the whole world, and who knows, maybe even beyond.

Attitude

After seeing Samantha's post at her blog Fake Fabulous today, I wanted to wear my overalls. I said it many times in my blog, and I will say it again. Aging not only did not limit my choices, on the contrary, I became much more adventurous in style, and it does not come from a desire to epatage, nope - it comes from feeling freer inside. I also learn tons from you, my lovely friends-in-style, you must know that. You give me a reason to not get into an old set of rules and become a boring middle aged person who has nothing better to do than critique bold choices of those who feel happy and playful, no matter what age or shape they are. I'll be open with you. As a young person, "good taste" seemed so important to me. Now? Good attitude. Happiness. True joy. Being alive and celebrating it. Those things. The difference is easy to identify. "Good taste" is always in the eyes of others, so called "authorities". Good attitude comes from within. It is impossible to give it an outside measurement. It is purely authentic. It is genuine. 

Stripes, Stripes, More Stripes

They say, we got more rain this winter than in a few previous years, but it does not mean that we don't have perfectly wonderful sunny days and blue sky - sometimes, we do! Like today, or that day a couple of weeks back when I wore my new stripy dress. It is so easy to wear, comfortable, that I wore it out quite a few times, and even was lounging at home in it. The silhouette is very simple - almost a basic sailor shirt, which is flattering on a woman's body even the way it is, but combined with a variety of stripes, creates an especially successful design. 

And I Think to Myself

The day was gray and rainy, and I forgot our camera at home, but I wanted to share with you my new green blouse, fresh haircut, trees in bloom, beautiful video and what I consider the best song ever written. I'm sorry the colors are grayed on the phone photos - the blouse is so much brighter in life. Enjoy your weekend, much love to you all!