Stylespiration: Jane Birkin

If you couldn't already tell, I am completely in love with the styles of the '60s and '70s. Anything from the past really captures me in a nostalgic way, despite the fact that I have never experienced that era. (I would have thought that was completely weird if I hadn't met so many people like me in the blogosphere!) But anyway, Jane Birkin is one of my major style inspirations. She was such a free-spirited muse, and I love the contrast she captures with her innocent eyes and not-so-innocent clothing choices. If I could dress like anyone, I would probably choose to raid her closet. I definitely had Ms. Birkin in mind when I got my hair cut!

Here's an idea of what to do if you'd like to take a Birkin-esque spin on your own style... Click here to find out the names and prices for everything! As always, everything is under $50 except for the main piece (in this case, the dress). I'm particularly smitten by those shoe-sock boots... I've never seen anything like it!

If anything is essential to this collection, it's the wicker basket. Never forget the wicker basket! ;)
Sources (top to bottom, L to R): 1,2,3,4,5


<3 Linda

Food For Thought: Obstacles

In honor of PostSecret Day, I went onto the site and picked one that really touched me. Many of the posts today about suicide prevention, but I wanted to talk about general hardship that leads to such dark thoughts.

I feel like at this point, I'm not quite sure where I'm at. These days, the only things that really get me stressed is when my problems involve people I care about. Letting go of friendships, opening my mind to new things, and listening to others' problems... these are all things that make me worry. Worrying is good-- to an extent. Those who do not worry at all face being reckless, which is equally as unappealing as being uptight. Life is all about the balance: Caring about people, about the world, without being destructive towards yourself. I used to find myself thinking so much about other people that I wouldn't deal with my own issues, and that's just as bad as not caring about anyone other than myself. And now, I just see everything as being not as terrible, because I know other people are dealing with much worse.

I'm lucky to still have yet to confront major obstacles, but for those of you who are struggling to get over something right now, know that you're not alone. Plato has this great quote: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle". It's hard to judge anyone when you know you're not seeing the whole picture; you don't completely know what's going on in someone else's life that makes them react the way they do. I do not often talk about religion because I believe it is a very personal and spiritual thing, but I will say this: If you do believe in anything, you probably have a reason to. You know that you are not alone because you feel a power, a force of the universe, all around you. The hardest person to please is yourself, and that force (whatever it may be to you). These are the only things that matter, in the end. And if you can find a way to get through the hardest of times, you will prove to yourself how strong you are. Life is difficult, but the point is: We always get through it, even when we believe that we can't. That constant surprising ourselves with our own potential is what we live for; it's what makes life worth living. Remember that.

<3 Linda

Bamboozled: Semi-Portraits?

Hello everyone! I've been so busy making programs for my theater group that I haven't been able to do any actual drawing for the blog! I can't wait to show you the work I've done on it though... But I will have to wait until it's actually printed and given out at show. I don't want to ruin the surprises for anyone who is in the group who reads this! I must say, it was quite the challenge to do about 8 pages worth of design in one day, but we managed it and I am so proud.

For today, I wanted to post a printable for you, but once I took my tablet to the lounge, everyone wanted me to draw pictures of them! Here are two of them, using Corel Painter.

Clearly, this is not how either of them look in real life. Haha! Both of them wanted me to draw them as historical figures... On top is "Lewis the Dashing" and on the bottom is "King Vivek the Jolly". It wasn't bad for a speed drawing, but I can definitely do better... they look so cartoon-y, like a child drew it! And yes, there are some really random objects in the background, as per their request.  I love how they look, just because I know how silly these guys are.

Expect a printable or something of the sort from me by the end of the week!

<3 Linda