tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57298728744756949872024-03-12T17:02:05.641-07:00the joyful foxLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-62290195703529662432013-06-13T18:04:00.000-07:002013-06-13T18:04:01.967-07:00Giving up the gun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">top, shoes, belt: thrifted | shorts: Forever 21 | lady tie: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/flappergirl?section_id=6111869" target="_blank">Flapper Girl</a></span></i></div>
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Once again, I've gone far longer than I intended to go without an update! I think I underestimated just how much time I was going to spend playing with Bandit...but other aspects of my life have been busy as well. My <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thejoyfulfox" target="_blank">shop</a> has now been live for just about two weeks, and honestly, it's been doing better than I thought it would. I've sold ten prints so far! I get such a rush of excitement every time I see a new order, or even a notification that someone has added one of the prints to their favorites list. My head is brimming with ideas for new designs - both Doctor Who related and otherwise - but first, I've got to design wedding invitations for my sister. Exciting times.<br />
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I feel like I've been holding back on my creativity a little bit for the past month - partly because of getting Bandit, but also because I haven't had internet at my place and because I don't have anywhere to work on art in my apartment. Ever since I moved in, I've been lacking in furniture, but that is slowly being remedied. Last weekend at a garage sale (less than a block from my house!) I found a little golden yellow couch for $10, and today I got a lovely mid-century-style desk! It's been ages since I had a real desk, and I can't wait to make my workspace my own. My desk at work has minimal decorations, for reasons which would merit a blog post of their own, I think. So, more on that later...<br />
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Do you have a workspace at home? How do you keep it decorated?Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-18967041734169402792013-06-03T11:09:00.000-07:002013-06-03T11:09:54.665-07:00A (little) Etsy shop relaunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I first started this blog, I was bound and determined to sell vintage clothing. I had romanticized it quite a bit, and thought that I would somehow be able to become a successful Etsy seller while still holding down a full-time job among numerous other responsibilities. Needless to say, things didn't work out that way...and you know, I'm perfectly okay with that!</div>
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However, something I can do is sell art prints. I wouldn't have thought it was possible even a year ago, but after quietly reopening my Etsy shop over the weekend, I've already sold five. (!) The shop is far from complete - I want to give some more thought to the look I want - but I do have five different prints available. The new shop is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thejoyfulfox" target="_blank">here</a>, and I'd be honored if you'd take a peek! If you're not a Doctor Who fan, you're probably not going to find much that piques your interest, but I hope to expand my repertoire over time.</div>
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Here's to new adventures. <i>Allons-y!</i></div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-42949510282613869252013-06-01T13:30:00.000-07:002013-06-01T13:30:08.845-07:00All is love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: ModCloth | cardigan & belt: thrifted | shoes & tights: Target | earrings: Francesca's Collections</i></span></div>
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If you're inclined to skip blog posts that contain mushiness, consider this fair warning...</div>
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What an incredible couple weeks it's been! I'll be the first to admit that not every little detail is settled - this blog has been too-long neglected, my hair is in desperate need of a trim and a dye job, and my apartment is still full of leftover clutter from the move - but when is everything ever settled? I have everything I <i>need, </i>and then some. I live in a beautiful apartment in a peaceful neighborhood. I have a wonderful family that is soon to expand to include a new baby niece and brother-in-law; I have a man who loves me. And, as you especially know if you follow me on Instagram, I have the immense pleasure of getting to watch a corgi puppy grow up.</div>
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There's nothing quite like it. Really. It was my instinct in this post to apologize for not having updated in a while, but I can't say I'm a bit sorry for all of the moments I've spent doing nothing but watching Bandit sleep, or letting him nibble on my toes, or taking him outside to play. Having never had a baby, I can't say I fully know what that would be like, but I imagine I understand it a little bit better now. It's amazing how something so small can take up so much of your heart.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-84260649523196827962013-05-21T10:45:00.000-07:002013-05-21T10:45:00.871-07:00A new addition...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Say hello to Bandit!</div>
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<i>What?</i> you might be thinking. <i>Where did this come from?!</i></div>
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I wouldn't blame you. I'd be lying if I said that getting a corgi puppy had been in my immediate plans...but it was definitely in my long-term plans. Corgis seem to be the "in" breed right now, but if you'll forgive me sounding like a hipster for a moment, Chris has always wanted one. He grew up with a corgi named Davy, and was heartbroken when he died when Chris was 13. He's wanted one ever since.</div>
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So how did we get here?</div>
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Well, what started out as me spamming Chris's Facebook with cute corgi pictures to cheer him up yesterday turned into a quick Google search to see if there were any corgi puppies available in our area - a search I've done before with no success. This time, however, the search led me to a listing for puppies for sale 5 hours away. The price was right. They were precious and healthy and painfully adorable. And perhaps most amazingly of all, they were available to take home this upcoming Monday, which is a holiday - so I don't even have to take the day off! Serendipity at its finest.</div>
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I realize this has all happened quickly, but Chris and I are/have been dog owners, so we have a pretty good idea of what we're getting into. Technically, it will be his dog, and kept mostly at his house instead of mine since he has more time to devote to a puppy than I do...but you better believe I'll be showering that pup with love as often as I possibly can.</div>
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And you better prepare yourselves, because there's going to be a huge onslaught of cute on this blog starting in about a week!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-38417785298020311842013-05-16T10:59:00.003-07:002013-05-16T10:59:58.014-07:00Thursday Three: Star Stuff edition (5.16.13)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://scoutmob.com/p/Michigan-Constellation-print-1?referrer=tjf13&affl=tjf13" target="_blank">Michigan Constellation print by Sibling Design</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115635282/saturn-wooden-earrings" target="_blank">Saturn earrings by Kate Rowland</a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>3. </i></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.yatzer.com/Stargazing-Elqui-Domos-Chile-James-Florio" target="_blank">My absolute dream vacation: stargazing at the Elqui Domos hotel in Chile</a></span></i></div>
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Happy weekend, everyone!</div>
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-55205602901444684592013-05-14T11:15:00.002-07:002013-05-14T11:15:36.331-07:00Fire or freshness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">dress: Charlotte Russe | belt: thrifted | tights: Target | shoes: Francesca's Collections</span></i></div>
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Last week's post was just about as casual an outfit as I've ever worn on this blog...and here I am, swinging in the complete opposite direction. I've been having more fun with my style lately, and I like to think that it shows! This is mostly due to the fact that I've gotten a few new thrifted pieces and a few new pairs of shoes. Isn't it wonderful how just a few purchases can open up all sorts of possibilities?<br />
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These shoes, however, were not one of those new purchases - not exactly. I actually bought them online last September, and proceeded to not wear them even once. Much to my dismay, when I tried them on I realized that they rubbed my ankle every time I took a step. I'm willing to be slightly uncomfortable for a pair of shoes I really love, but even I know my limits. I kept meaning to do something to fix them, but I never did...until last week. I finally bought some little squishy pads to cushion the ankles. Now I'm kicking myself for not having done it sooner! True, I may never run a marathon in these shoes (or in any other shoes, ever) but for the occasional wear, I think they're lovely. I've got a girl's night planned on Thursday night to go see the Great Gatsby, and you better believe I'll be dressing up with these shoes and a flapper-inspired dress. Old theatre habits die hard!<br />
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Have any of you seen Gatsby yet? It's my favorite book of all time, and I've heard mixed things about the movie, so I'm trying to keep my expectations in check.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-41013089967941867302013-05-08T19:19:00.002-07:002013-05-08T19:19:44.740-07:00Casual Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>top: Ruche | jeans: Charlotte Russe | bracelet: c/o Fleet Collection | sandals: Target</i></span></div>
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Well, here you have it: photographic proof that I do, in fact, occasionally wear pants! After the crazy week leading up to our Easter, which was this past Sunday, all I wanted to do was wear something as un-fussy as possible. So I took my favorite top - which I usually dress up with a lady tie and skirt - and dressed it way down. This is definitely the most casual look I have ever posted on this blog; it's different for me, no doubt. But you know what? I still felt amazing in this outfit. Something about this top makes me feel awesome, even when it's untucked and messy.</div>
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I think there's probably a lesson in there somewhere. Style is about more than fit and color and pattern - it's about what makes you feel your best. I think that's why I hardly ever wear pants. I've worn dresses and skirts for so long that pants usually just don't feel right. But after this outfit, I think maybe I'm willing to give them another shot!</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-11030531336082526812013-04-24T10:12:00.002-07:002013-04-24T10:12:48.012-07:00Goodwill and green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: vintage (via Bluesville USA) | top, belt, shoes: thrifted | lady tie: Flapper Girl | glasses: c/o Firmoo</i></span></div>
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More and more, I'm learning that when I'm feeling stagnant with my wardrobe, Goodwill is the place to go. Case in point: this dress. I bought it on Etsy months ago, and I absolutely love it - gorgeous color, wonderful texture, insanely comfortable. The problem? It's a little bit low-cut for me, and didn't feel quite appropriate for work...which I have to go to 5 days a week. So for most of the fall and winter, it hung sadly on a hanger, unworn. I don't know what exactly spurred me to try it with this top I thrifted last year, but I'm so glad I did! I felt amazing in this outfit, both because I loved how it looked and because it allowed me to give this wonderful dress a spin. It inspired me to hit up Goodwill again that evening, and I walked away with a bunch of new tops and a skirt - all for less than $4 each. Can't beat that! </div>
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This post is basically a reminder to myself: if you're bored with your clothes and short on cash, Goodwill is the way to go. It's not exactly a brilliant new idea, but sometimes I forget what a treasure trove thrift stores can be.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-85657049975039192172013-04-17T10:12:00.000-07:002013-04-17T13:03:41.758-07:00If not now, when?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>sweater: thrifted (via Fawn on a Lawn) | shorts: Forever 21 | belt: thrifted | tights: gift | shoes: Target</i></span></div>
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Maybe it's the fact that we are finally experiencing some approximation of spring weather in Michigan, or maybe it's just that my new apartment and new job have me in the mood to take on new challenges...but whatever the reason, I'm finally taking steps to accomplish something I've always wanted to try: selling art prints.</div>
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Ever since I began taking over graphic design duties at my old job, I've had this lingering feeling of being an impostor. After all, I'm not a trained designer. I didn't go to school for it, and the last graphic design class I had was back in tenth grade. In some sense, I was worried that I would be "found out." It's a ridiculous (but common) feeling. I didn't realize how ridiculous it was, though, until I had a lightbulb moment when listening to Austin Kleon's phenomenal talk "Steal Like an Artist":</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s this very real thing that runs rampant in educated people. It’s called imposter syndrome. The clinical definition is a “psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.” It means that you feel like a phony, like you’re just winging it, that you really don’t have any idea what you’re doing. Guess what? None of us do.</span></i></blockquote>
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So I'm done feeling like an impostor - I can hardly imagine a more self-defeating endeavor than that! I expect I'm going to be humbled, and I expect I'm going to learn a <i>lot</i>. But I could hardly be more excited. I posted my first piece on a few sites last night (a Doctor Who fan piece - what else?) and got a great response. I'm going to give this all I've got, and I can't wait to share with you.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>On a side note: it's awesome to be posting outfits again! My all-yellow outfit from a couple weeks ago was intended to be a bit of an April Fool's post (yellow is my favorite color, and it's by far the most-represented color in my wardrobe) but I'm glad you all liked it - I had fun with it!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also - there are just a few days left to <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=465159203553312&set=a.267123643356870.60110.155794431156459" target="_blank">vote for me</a> </b>in Fleet Collection's April contest! If you haven't already voted for my picture, I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to do so. Thanks!</i></span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-27446625429216944832013-04-10T10:06:00.000-07:002013-04-10T10:06:05.369-07:00Found by Fleet + 15% off your April Fleet Collection purchase!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyVW21foV3dCxXfuGwNmYqyJ2EmufH04CiPcLpDFX_7voHdq307mqNeTCM_Etvvqhov7FWN7bIcfaS3bGhOF2zvQQs3LVenOhM7pJLEF51Wl4OaTdh51Rh1MG_GaUgU8KkiMLJ2HQjdy/s1600/foundbyfleet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQyVW21foV3dCxXfuGwNmYqyJ2EmufH04CiPcLpDFX_7voHdq307mqNeTCM_Etvvqhov7FWN7bIcfaS3bGhOF2zvQQs3LVenOhM7pJLEF51Wl4OaTdh51Rh1MG_GaUgU8KkiMLJ2HQjdy/s1600/foundbyfleet.png" /></a></div>
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Remember a couple months ago when I expressed my love for all things Fleet Collection? Just in case you need a reminder: they're a small (but quickly growing) brand that carries affordable classic clothing and jewelry, and all of their original designs are made in the USA. Pretty great, right? <span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, they were kind enough to invite me to take part in their April "Found by Fleet" campaign. Three ladies are chosen each month, and the one whose photo gets the most likes on Fleet's Facebook page will win some fun prizes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I'd be absolutely thrilled if you could take a moment and head over to <a href="http://facebook.com/fleetcollection" style="font-weight: bold;">facebook.com/fleetcollection</a>, find the above photo, and "like" it (or you can use <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=465159203553312&set=a.267123643356870.60110.155794431156459" target="_blank">this direct link</a> to get right to my entry).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that's not all - they've provided me with a coupon code to pass on to all of you, and it's good for 15% off your Fleet Collection purchase for the month of April: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>FLEETTJF15</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm sure many of you have recently gotten your tax return, so why not use it to support a small business and invest in beautiful pieces such as these:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhqBWeUiyaZlls61ullTxAetS9a9knSGTXIqzrn8dqN6x1wIxhkFgfrIA5QOeYBwg8CMTjkX7ZqDs-Fonei6ZhSUTFtXPcmHuRbSFqq-ZYg0QrwUI7HtebXRrz_O2yo95dhFVpuP3l0lcxxrAQPRWkvB47JZ0cRnFRlCH-v23-olaK8k85RlO-S1IuFGvanYOjC=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhqBWeUiyaZlls61ullTxAetS9a9knSGTXIqzrn8dqN6x1wIxhkFgfrIA5QOeYBwg8CMTjkX7ZqDs-Fonei6ZhSUTFtXPcmHuRbSFqq-ZYg0QrwUI7HtebXRrz_O2yo95dhFVpuP3l0lcxxrAQPRWkvB47JZ0cRnFRlCH-v23-olaK8k85RlO-S1IuFGvanYOjC=" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(This is the one I'm thinking of using as my bridesmaid dress in my sister's wedding this upcoming autumn!)</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">T<span style="font-family: inherit;">hank you so much for your support, everyone!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; white-space: pre-wrap;">FLEETTJF15 code: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Good for 15% off purchase. One use per customer. Expires at the end of April.</span></i></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: vintage | cardigan & belt: thrifted | shoes: Francesca's Collections</i></span></div>
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This outfit was borne out of one of those lovely moments when you see two pieces hanging next to each other in your closet and wonder, "why have I never worn these together before?" Maybe it's because I thought on some level that they would be too matchy-matchy, or maybe the combination honestly never crossed my mind...but either way, I love them together. And anyway, any over-matchiness (wow, can you tell I studied creative writing?) is offset by the complementary orange-brown of the shoes, belt, and even my hair. It's a new favorite outfit, and one that I'm sure I'll be returning to often.</div>
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Oddly, though this outfit came together almost without thinking about it, I've been having much more trouble with colors in my design work. Any kind of creative block is beyond frustrating, whether it be writing, art, or design...so I'm hoping I snap out of it soon. I've got a steady stream of inspiration going, but it's possible that that's paralyzing me even further, you know? Regardless, I think I'm going to try to spend some time outside this weekend. Spend too much time inside at a desk, and you're going to need to get your batteries recharged sooner or later.</div>
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On another note, the sun has me feeling optimistic, so I'm labeling this post "spring." Let's hope it sticks around!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-50491096833268514822013-04-04T10:53:00.000-07:002013-04-04T10:54:11.414-07:00More thoughts on fast fashion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been over six months now since I started my self-imposed six-month <a href="http://www.thejoyfulfox.com/2012/08/the-forest-for-trees-thoughts-on-fast.html" target="_blank">ban on my "fast fashion" vices</a>, Charlotte Russe and Forever 21. I can honestly say that in that time, I have not been tempted to buy anything from those stores. I walked into a Forever 21 after six months on a whim, and truth be told, it felt completely overwhelming. So I think it's safe to say that I probably won't be going back much, if at all.</div>
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However, one thing that I didn't accomplish during my ban was actually looking up information on fast fashion. I intended to, but I never did. What good is a ban if you can't actually articulate why you're doing it, if anyone should ask? </div>
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A few weeks ago, however, I was contacted by someone (thanks, Amy!) who had helped make a short 2-minute video on the business of fast fashion. She had seen my blog post and thought I might be interested. Well, she was right! There's only so much they can cover in two minutes, but for being so short, the video packs in a lot of information - and it helped me to understand the reasons why it's best to cut back on mass-produced clothing.</div>
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Whether you're a Forever 21 junkie or a Goodwill devotee, I encourage you to give this video a watch - not to condemn your choices, by any means, but rather to inform them. Let me know what you think!</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-43756055153147548042013-04-01T16:10:00.000-07:002013-04-01T16:10:03.837-07:00A study in contrasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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dress: vintage | cardigan: H&M | shoes, belt, and coat: Forever 21 | tights: Target</div>
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Hello again! It's only been a week, but I've already missed keeping this blog up to date. I still don't have internet at my place, so this is just a quick post because I just had to get one in today.</div>
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Today I decided to put together an outfit using one of the most under-represented colors in my closet: yellow, of course. I normally don't like bright colors, yellow especially - but I thought I'd try something new and different. My favorite thing about this outfit, though, is the contrasts. It's so important to have contrasting colors; otherwise, you either look bland or like you're in some kind of costume. I like how the different yellows subtly contrast each other, particularly the shoes and the tights.</div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-59192537977321755492013-03-25T12:17:00.002-07:002013-03-25T12:17:20.931-07:00Moving day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes, things happen faster than you expect, and all you can do is hold on for dear life - even if those things are good. This past week has been one of those times. I went to go look at an apartment two weeks ago and I fell in love with it...but there were four people ahead of me in line for it. I thought there was no way I would get it. Well, by some miracle, all of their applications fell through in one way or another...and I'm about to be an apartment dweller! I picked up the keys today, and I'll start moving things over tomorrow (smack dab in the middle of an already busy week, of course). I can't wait.</div>
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Needless to say, though, it's going to be pretty quiet here on the blog until I get settled and figure out the internet situation. But, in the spirit of moving and starting anew, I've gotten this blog a shiny new domain name! No need to adjust your bookmarks - everything should redirect just fine - but this blog can now be found at <b>thejoyfulfox.com.</b></div>
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So...here's to new beginnings, I say! Happy Monday, everyone!</div>
<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-30900028565505243052013-03-19T11:21:00.000-07:002013-03-25T12:04:24.181-07:00Return to Oz<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: ModCloth | cardigan & tights: Target | belt: thrifted | shoes: Francesca's Collections</i></span></div>
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It's hard to believe that last St. Patrick's Day, it was over 80 degrees and I was wearing shoes with cutouts and sweating in an airy dress. These photos are from this year's St. Patrick's Day, and it was bitterly cold and miserably windy. (Today, it's been snowing furiously. Oh, Michigan.) I'm amazed any of these photos turned out at all; in almost every single one, my hair was doing crazy things and my dress was blowing in such a way that it looked like I was wearing a saggy drop-crotch romper. Not my best look! However, I'm really happy with the photos that did turn out. Despite the cold, the golden hour was really lovely that night.<br />
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That afternoon, Chris and I had gone with his parents to see the new Oz movie. It wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was quite fun - plus, I've met one of the actors who had a bit part, so I had fun playing "Spot-the-Ralph." (He was one of the main actors in <a href="http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com/2012/07/free-pie.html" target="_blank">Free Pie</a>!) I also enjoyed finding all of the callbacks to the 1939 movie, even though they couldn't have those references be overt because of copyright. When I was younger, the Wizard of Oz was my absolute favorite movie - I even made my parents call me "Dorothy" for six whole months. That movie will always be special to me. The effects may not be much compared to today's CGI (which was impressive in the new movie), but it's got a charm that I don't think will ever be topped.<br />
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I hope you all have a great week! Have any of you seen the new Oz movie?<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-81437190363315493462013-03-14T07:00:00.000-07:002013-03-14T07:00:09.549-07:00Thursday Three: 3.14.13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/50-inspirational-branding-identity-design-projects" target="_blank">SpoonGraphics' list of 50 inspiring branding projects</a> (<a href="http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fast-Eddies-Barber-Shop/1056613" target="_blank">Here's a link </a>to the original source for the above example)</span></i></div>
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There's something about these kinds of images that makes me want to simultaneously breathe a big sigh of relief and get frantically to work on my own skills. (From a designer's perspective, that's what good design should do, right?) Chris from the SpoonGraphics blog has compiled an excellent list of examples of branding done right, and it is, quite simply, beautiful. This example is one of my favorites. I'm probably not the target audience for Fast Eddie's, but after seeing this branding project, I would definitely want to be one of their customers somehow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUsNI3AOTzZPWoUUbsUb4Zutci_X59l6vAiFTaVivPafBvt7QjH8yXDLBsd0HjVQLZ4uh8TxOXJK8sQMyhAzAgCZ6vpqLgyekg8SpGcIUIWLNwI2SjZJN9espN-bdtxlsoGhi5p8llZwx/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUsNI3AOTzZPWoUUbsUb4Zutci_X59l6vAiFTaVivPafBvt7QjH8yXDLBsd0HjVQLZ4uh8TxOXJK8sQMyhAzAgCZ6vpqLgyekg8SpGcIUIWLNwI2SjZJN9espN-bdtxlsoGhi5p8llZwx/s1600/2.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>2. <a href="http://dailydishonesty.com/post/36528636889" target="_blank">Daily Dishonesty</a></i></span></div>
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In honor of Pi Day, enjoy this deliciously simple typography by the talented Lauren Hom. Her blog, Daily Dishonesty, has become one of my absolute favorites - and again, it definitely makes me want to sharpen my design skills and try my hand at lettering.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW8qMy6ZAQwjjHCigDhyphenhyphenVcE4JHmy5DVzSm82oCkbpiXx-BlqcTHcExCTVyrDNm258NqiOEUU-GXXn1CPlcdVpKfUWftK7NpfM0y8QkUizKxYQG4PDHPRHXJUnVZWGY9Q8f_lmUmUYkotR/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW8qMy6ZAQwjjHCigDhyphenhyphenVcE4JHmy5DVzSm82oCkbpiXx-BlqcTHcExCTVyrDNm258NqiOEUU-GXXn1CPlcdVpKfUWftK7NpfM0y8QkUizKxYQG4PDHPRHXJUnVZWGY9Q8f_lmUmUYkotR/s1600/3.png" /></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://shoppe.scoutmob.com/austin/vinca/fox-stud-earrings?referrer=tjf13&affl=tjf13" target="_blank">Fox earrings by Vinca</a> </span></i></div>
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Last, but not least...do I even need to explain this one?</div>
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Enjoy your weekend, everybody!</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-71142096865496160722013-03-11T12:00:00.000-07:002013-03-11T12:00:00.025-07:00Sponsor The Joyful Fox / March's Charity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank you all for your comments a couple posts back regarding sponsorship and supporting charities! It was honestly just the seed of an idea, but due to the support I received from you, I have decided that I will start accepting sponsors as of today. Why wait if there's a possibility that we could make a difference <i>now</i>?<br />
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Here's the plan: every month, I will choose some kind of charity or good cause, and donate 25% of the sponsorship proceeds to that cause. I'll also feature them in the sidebar, and do a quick post introducing the charity to all of you. There may be some times when I repeat a charity (my brother runs one, so you better believe they'll be getting some frequent love!), but I want to stay open to what causes are important to you, too. I'm always up for suggestions!<br />
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I'm very new to this whole thing, so there may be some kinks to work out in these early days, but I do have a <a href="http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-joyful-fox.html" target="_blank">sponsorship page</a> set up in case you are interested. (Please excuse the fact that the ad spots are showing up in a random order - haven't figured that one out yet!)<br />
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This month, I will actually be donating 100% of the proceeds to the <b>Elisabeth Oosterhouse Memorial Fund</b>, in memory of my brother's friend who passed away two weeks ago. Funerals are crazy expensive, and Elisabeth's death has put a huge financial burden on her family, in addition to the considerable emotional burden. The money will go towards paying off her funeral so that her family can focus on healing instead of making ends meet.<br />
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Thanks again for all your support - I'm excited to see what kind of good we can accomplish together!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-84593920070026391272013-03-09T18:56:00.000-08:002013-03-09T19:00:42.629-08:00Skirts & stripes forever (+ Firmoo glasses review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>glasses: c/o <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/" target="_blank">Firmoo</a> | dress (worn as top): Forever 21 | cardigan & wedges: Target | skirt: Francesca's Collections</i></span></div>
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When Firmoo contacted me a few weeks ago offering me a pair of glasses to review, I had two immediate reactions. The first was unbridled excitement: <i>yes! I've always wanted my own pair of glasses!</i> But the second was something like embarrassment. <i>I don't need glasses! Everyone would know I'm faking it! </i>But after a quick moment of reflection, I realized three things:</div>
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1) No one knows I don't need glasses.</div>
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2) No one cares I don't need glasses.</div>
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3) If someone does care that I don't need glasses and wear them anyway, they seriously need to get a life.</div>
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So, here I am, wearing glasses as a fashion accessory, completely unashamed. So there!</div>
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And now, a little bit about Firmoo and my experience with them:</div>
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Basically, Firmoo is an online eyewear retailer that aims to make glasses both fashionable and affordable. They even have <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">a First-Pair-Free program</a> where new customers can get, well, their first pair free! (This only applies to certain frames, but even the frames you have to pay for are pretty inexpensive.)</div>
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My favorite thing about them by far, though, is their virtual try-on system: you can upload your picture to their site to see what different frames will look like on you. I've tried to do this in the past with Photoshop, just to see what I would look like with glasses...but their website takes all the guesswork out of it. Upload your photo, click on each pupil, boom! Done. That was hugely helpful when I was trying to pick out my frames. (<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/eyeglasses-p-1018.html" target="_blank">Here are the ones I chose</a>).</div>
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And now for the awkward part...my experience with their service. See, as a blogger, I sometimes get a little bit annoyed when I read blogger-written reviews that are just a little bit <i>too</i> nice. So I was almost looking forward to having that catch, that one little negative thing I could warn you about. But I honestly didn't have any problems whatsoever. The glasses arrived in a timely manner, they were just as classy as they looked online, and they came nicely packaged with a glasses case, lens cloth, repair kit, and drawstring bag. If you too were looking for the catch, I'm sorry to disappoint! I've gotten tons of compliments on these glasses, and I'm really enjoying how they spice up my wardrobe just a little bit. So, if you're in need of new frames, I highly recommend giving Firmoo a try. </div>
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And now, since I'm curious, I turn it over to you: do any of you wear glasses as a fashion accessory? For you glasses-wearing ladies, what are your thoughts on people who wear them but don't need them?</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to Firmoo for sending these glasses! As always, I promise to be completely honest in any and all reviews.</span></i></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-31347999595632899042013-03-06T19:18:00.000-08:002013-03-06T19:18:29.582-08:00A splash of saffron<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: Charlotte Russe | cardigan: H&M | lady tie: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/flappergirl?section_id=6111869" target="_blank">Flapper Girl</a> | belt: vintage | tights & shoes: Target</i></span></div>
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First of all, thank you to all those who took time to read and/or comment on my last post. I know it was nothing like what I normally post, but the subject is very important to me.</div>
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I've been thinking a lot about my goals for this blog: what should I do with this tiny little bit of the internet I've carved out for myself? I started to make a list of what I wanted to accomplish here, and somewhat to my surprise, the first thing that popped into my head was "be a force for good." I'm not sure exactly what form that will take, but I'm excited at the prospect. I'm going to do some more thinking and planning on that front over the next couple of weeks. One thing I've thought of is accepting sponsors, and then donating a percentage of the proceeds to a charity. What do you think? How can bloggers have some kind of positive impact?</div>
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This has nothing to do with being a force for good, but one small thing I've changed around here so far is finally installing Disqus for comments. It's something I've been meaning to do for a long time, but I thought the process would be tedious and wrought with messy coding. Much to my surprise, the whole process took approximately two minutes! I wish I had done it a whole lot sooner. I've always been a little bit frustrated with Blogger's stunted ability to foster conversations. What's the point of blogging, after all, if you can't meet new people and talk with people from all over the world?</div>
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I hope you're having a wonderful week!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">p.s. - Just in case you missed it, I did a guest post for <a href="http://kittenhood.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Daria</a> last week while she was in Paris. I'll give you a clue: it's <a href="http://kittenhood.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/guest-post-thai-peanut-soup/" target="_blank">something delicious...</a></span></i></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-63242663082755459972013-03-04T21:42:00.000-08:002013-03-04T21:42:33.373-08:00On a more serious note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've written a lot lately about how wonderfully things are going in my life, but something happened last week that stopped me in my tracks. One of my brother's friends from high school passed away from suicide.<br />
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I can't claim that I knew her very well. My brother was friends with her, and I worked with her brother for a while. I remember meeting her a few times when I was in sixth grade and she was in tenth, during my (brief and ill-advised) stint on the cross-country team after I moved to Michigan. What I do remember, from my own memories and from what I've heard from others, is that she was intelligent and lovely and a ray of light to all around her: the sort of person that <i>everyone </i>admired. And that's not from looking back with rose-colored glasses. That's simply who she was.<br />
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Despite the fact that I hardly knew her, I've found myself struggling to fight back tears for the past week. This is the second time in less than 18 months that a friend of a friend has died by suicide, and it absolutely breaks my heart. I can't stand seeing these vibrant lives cut short. Two beautiful-inside-and-out girls is two too many. Two people is too many, period.<br />
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I feel simultaneously somewhat powerless and absolutely compelled to do something - what little I can. I'm planning on putting the number for the suicide hotline in my sidebar. I don't know if my posting it - or this post - will help anyone, but I feel I must say something. It's too important and I can't stay quiet.<br />
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If you need to talk, there are always people who will listen. My inbox (for what it's worth) is always open.<br />
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Otherwise, if you're not struggling, take time to talk to your loved ones - and listen. Really, truly listen. Your time is one of the greatest gifts you can give, and you never know the difference it could make to someone who's struggling.<br />
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Memorize these numbers:<br />
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<li class="odd" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 8px; text-align: center; text-indent: -8px;"><b><span class="label">Depression Hotline:</span> 1-630-482-9696 | <span class="label">Suicide Hotline:</span> 1-800-784-8433 | National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK</b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, Hoefler Text, Times New Roman, Times, serif;">And stay well, friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, Hoefler Text, Times New Roman, Times, serif;">Laura</span></div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-78250643357752318452013-02-25T18:33:00.000-08:002013-02-25T18:37:53.852-08:00Navy blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress/coat/belt: vintage | shoes: Charlotte Russe | hat: borrowed (ahem) from my mom</i></span></div>
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My new job is pretty amazing, but I have to say that one of my favorite things about it is that I'm finally downtown. Suddenly, I'm close to everything - which means I can finally explore the city like I've never done before. Case in point: there was a little vintage shop that I passed a couple of times on the bus a couple years ago, but I never could make out what it was called. I tracked it down last week and walked over on my lunch break...and to nobody's surprise, I walked out one 1950's dress richer. I almost didn't try it on - I didn't even see it at first - but I'm so glad I took the extra minute to search deeper in the racks of clothing. The lace has a definite vintage flair, but in a way that also looks very of-the-moment. (It's sheer, for one thing.) It's also a slightly larger size than I normally wear, which I actually love - it makes the dress feel comfortable and chic without being fussy.</div>
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It really felt wonderful to add another vintage piece to my wardrobe. I've been noticing a trend in myself: lately, I've been buying more and more new pieces and letting the vintage pieces collect dust (well, figuratively, anyway). There's nothing inherently wrong with a style changing, but vintage will always be very special to me, and I'd like to get back to my roots in that sense. It was vintage clothing that first got me interested in personal style; you wouldn't be reading this blog if I hadn't discovered a few fashion blogs that centered around the writers' latest finds. I didn't get interested in style until relatively late in the game, and I don't know if I ever would have if I hadn't found those blogs. </div>
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What about you? Have you always loved clothes, or was there something that sparked it later on?</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-10497553157489846302013-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-23T08:00:00.569-08:00Spotlight on: Clothing Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple Saturdays ago I had the privilege of interviewing Marta Swain, owner of a local boutique that specializes in eco-friendly and fair-trade clothing, for my monthly magazine column. Sadly, my column couldn't afford me nearly enough space to share all of the fascinating stories and awesome pictures I left with. But here on my blog, I've got unlimited space! Sustainability isn't a topic I bring up too often on this blog, but I think it's far too important not to bring it up every once in a while.</div>
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Marta's shop is called Clothing Matters, and as anyone who has visited will tell you, it really <i>does</i> matter. How many of us get dressed without even really thinking about it? I've got to raise my hand as one of the guilty ones here. I think about colors, patterns, proportions, textures...but I rarely stop to consider where my clothing comes from. The answer often isn't pretty. As Marta shared with me, conventionally-grown cotton is one of the worst environmental offenders: it's the crop most heavily treated with carcinogenic chemicals and pesticides, and it's incredibly water intensive. Not exactly sustainable! But even beyond the myriad environmental issues, fast fashion is responsible for a great deal of economic and social injustice. Workers around the globe are paid next to nothing and have to work in unsafe conditions. (I'm generalizing, but it all too often holds true.)</div>
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So what's an eco-conscious girl to wear? Luckily, there are plenty of options - and before you dismiss it as "not your thing," take note that this isn't just for hippies. Yes, there's clothing made out of hemp and bamboo and soy (all wonderful fabrics), but there are also divinely soft shirts made of organic cotton - and, though you'd never know it by looking, some are also made of recycled bottles. And then there's downright luxurious "peace silk," which is made through a process that, unlike regular silk, doesn't kill the silkworms and is made without harmful dyes. I seriously don't think I've ever felt anything more wonderful on my skin...you can count on that teal dress making its way to my closet soon! <i>(top photo)</i></div>
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As a consumer that's increasingly aware of the impact of my purchases, to me, Clothing Matters is a breath of fresh air. We may never be able to make the footprint of our clothing completely disappear, but buying eco-friendly clothing is at least taking that footprint in the right direction.</div>
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So, if you ever visit Grand Rapids, I encourage you to pop in to Clothing Matters to see, as Marta says, "just how good clothing can be." I look forward to returning and sharing some new finds with you! But first: What are your thoughts on the issue of eco-conscious clothing? Do you own any yourself, and do you have any favorite environmentally-friendly shops?</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Note: This was not a sponsored post - I just loved the shop so much that I wanted to share it with you! :)</i></span></div>
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<br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-18858580783691102262013-02-21T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-21T08:00:02.254-08:00Thursday Three: 2.21.13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-SMcumc-0VBJmcjGXvmHrxFwhtFAWcuL_xBiuhMMlMu0HK08r_3V-UWu84sbbTuymXkgOBjdD8fD3oU_pabthQp9ZVhwotqKPhl7xAVnNbUHgn36FOxP1QQYv4J4ceK5-cgCf9RQVY-U/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-SMcumc-0VBJmcjGXvmHrxFwhtFAWcuL_xBiuhMMlMu0HK08r_3V-UWu84sbbTuymXkgOBjdD8fD3oU_pabthQp9ZVhwotqKPhl7xAVnNbUHgn36FOxP1QQYv4J4ceK5-cgCf9RQVY-U/s1600/01.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>1. <a href="http://fleetcollection.com/products-page/fleet-originals/holly-golightly-in-mustard/" target="_blank">Holly Golightly dress from Fleet Collection</a></i></span></span></div>
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If you know me at all, you're probably laughing at least a little bit right now. Why? Because this dress is probably the most predictable item on the planet I could possibly fall in love with. But can we talk about how perfect it is for just a sec? It's the most lovely shade of yellow (it comes in four other colors, if you prefer), it has a back cutout that doesn't infringe on bra territory, it was made in the USA, it has a full skirt and a not-too-twee bow, it can be dressed up or down...I could go on, as you can imagine, but I'll leave it there. (Okay, one last thing - it has <i>pockets!</i>) Suffice it to say that I'm delighted to have stumbled upon Fleet Collection's website. (Thanks, Instagram!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>2. <a href="http://wishwishwish.net/2013/02/orla-kiely-aw13/" target="_blank">Orla Kiely A/W 2013</a> (photo from <a href="http://wishwishwish.net/" target="_blank">WishWishWish</a>)</i></span></div>
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Normally, I could hardly care less about fashion collections. But time and time again, I find myself smitten by Orla Kiely's lovely designs - and this year is no exception. I would love to step right into these photos taken by Carrie of WishWishWish...but I'll have to settle for painting my nails dark, searching for a sweet collared dress, and perfecting my beehive.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ-4Dxk5w8TyEzhiuJFuMXFWPjsrbRlXOgJ8LznjgBfA82QvkC3y-5Btzg8rXSpFRNqn2nykLB4iJGb7ik-911w2rKR1uHes79k8W7sx0FvAJQhIoY0QZEy0oHmKq1GTPjQzQSWxeyZvl/s1600/PS_fox2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ-4Dxk5w8TyEzhiuJFuMXFWPjsrbRlXOgJ8LznjgBfA82QvkC3y-5Btzg8rXSpFRNqn2nykLB4iJGb7ik-911w2rKR1uHes79k8W7sx0FvAJQhIoY0QZEy0oHmKq1GTPjQzQSWxeyZvl/s1600/PS_fox2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>3. <a href="http://www.westsoundwildlife.org/SponsorFox.html" target="_blank">A little bit of cute for your Thursday</a></i></span></div>
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And now for something completely unrelated to clothing: check out this ridiculously adorable little guy! I don't know too much about him, except that he was rescued by an animal shelter some time ago and he's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. I've come across this photo a few times, and I've never been able to stop myself from squealing out loud. How could I not share the cute?<br />
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That's it for this week! What are three things you're loving this Thursday?<br />
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<i>p.s. - I've given my blog love page a long-overdue update, <a href="http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com/p/links.html" target="_blank">so head on over</a> to see which blogs I've been loving lately!</i>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-76759129983751614962013-02-18T11:49:00.000-08:002013-02-18T11:49:00.312-08:00Everything in its right place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkDT3-3SE3uR3CndNd7j0lXMR-MopmASkAf3h4QvYkNFTRay0YEGpuk0mmA7swJ7Ykz5-l1GdKYdfFkybDodUfxPj0Izypzt5_f8riM-K7o32IHxA0ALbje6L9SAShl9ZYEfyf1oG3cI/s1600/good-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkDT3-3SE3uR3CndNd7j0lXMR-MopmASkAf3h4QvYkNFTRay0YEGpuk0mmA7swJ7Ykz5-l1GdKYdfFkybDodUfxPj0Izypzt5_f8riM-K7o32IHxA0ALbje6L9SAShl9ZYEfyf1oG3cI/s1600/good-002.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>dress: ModCloth </i>|<i> scarf: Charlotte Russe </i>|<i> cardigan & shoes: Target </i>|<i> belt: vintage</i></span></div>
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I can hardly think of a more apt description of my life than the title of the Radiohead song that is lending its name to this post. A month ago, I wouldn't have believed that I could be this content, but now I've got the job of my dreams, my little sister just got engaged to a wonderful guy, I've got a new niece on the way, and opportunities are opening up everywhere. Perhaps it makes for boring blog entries, but I'm really quite excited for both the present and the future.</div>
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I've come across some criticism of bloggers that are too cheerful, too happy about their lives. In a way, I understand; it can come across as insincere or some form of bragging: <i>look how perfect my life is!</i> I get that. No one wants to read something that sounds too fake. (I know I don't, at least!) But on the other hand, I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating the good times...and for me, this is one of them. So I'm going to keep on being joyful - remembering all the while, of course, not to pass up on chances to grow and challenge myself.</div>
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But joy can never be full unless it's shared. So, tell me, lovelies - what's good in your life right now?</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5729872874475694987.post-57398659174520450202013-02-12T17:18:00.001-08:002013-02-12T17:18:28.871-08:00Unstoppable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>top: Ruche | lady tie: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/flappergirl?section_id=6111869" target="_blank">Flapper Girl</a> | skirt: vintage | tights: Walgreens | wedges: Target</i></span></div>
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While it would probably be hyperbole to call this my favorite outfit ever, I think I can say that this is definitely my favorite outfit right now. There are a few specific reasons why - I'm having a love affair with gingham/plaid right now, and I just think lady ties make everything look classier - but beyond that, it just makes me <i>feel </i>amazing. The minute I put it on, I'm suddenly confident and ready to tackle just about anything. I wore it to my recent interview and I wore it again on my first day on the job (which, by the way, is incredible - I could hardly be happier!). Truth be told, I think I've worn it just about once a week for the last month and a half...because, well, why wouldn't I? It's hard to ignore a feeling that wonderful.<br />
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So I'd like to have a word with anyone who thinks clothing is superficial and can't make a difference. Of course, I don't think it's wise to rely completely on clothing to make yourself feel good, and we'd all do well to judge books by their covers just a little less often. But never underestimate a lady who's wearing the right outfit on the right occasion. She's unstoppable.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14508864441526180702noreply@blogger.com16