A Love for Grunge and the First Wendy Darling Jacket

I've always had a love for grunge.

You see, flannel was my best friend growing up. Plaid, my partner in crime. I never went anywhere without a plaid shirt whether it be flannel or not. I wore Doc Martins until they fell apart and my mom had to secretly sneak into my room and throw them out before I made a scene.

I loved the feel of chunky soles mixed with a red flannel—I felt comfortable. I felt like me.

Now at the ripe age of 10-years-old, I didn't know Kurt Cobain nor did I care about trends (well, that has stayed the same). But I still find myself leaning toward a plaid shirt and something leather or ripped whenever I want to make a statement.

As I looked at these pictures today, I noticed there were a few things that I took inspiration from. Like this Stella McCartney jacket and although I was not aware in the moment, I think I must have subconsciously been channeling Bender from The Breakfast Club.

But, my favorite thing about this outfit and this post is that I could finally debut the jacket I made. I wanted to pair this jacket with something different, something bold. I wanted to show that a traditional tartan doesn't need to be dressy or at all preppy. When paired with different pieces such as an oversized shirt and chunky boots, it can give it that grunge look and altogether different expression.

So, although this jacket will be worn with everything from jeans to heels to dresses, I wanted to debut my creation with something different and bold.

I hope you had a wonderful Monday, my friends. And may we all thank Kurt Cobain for putting plaid on the map.

Gotta love boxy silhouettes. 

Photos taken by Brian Loftus

shirt: Free People; lace shorts: Forever 21; boots: Doc Martin's; wool coat: Wendy Darling

"Should": Your New Nemesis

photo source: http://qsprn.com

As I read this, I am "shoulding" myself. "I should have woken up earlier so that I could've gotten more work done," "I should have gotten more work done so that I could go to yoga tonight," "I should have cleaned the bedroom instead of watching TV"...and the list goes on.

Unfortunately, I find myself doing this quite often. When reflecting on my day, I usually can pick out three things I should've done or shouldn't have done. Rarely is there a day where I don't wish—or think—that I should've done more.

I love this quote because it reminds me to be content with everything I'm able to accomplish—or not accomplish—throughout the day. Finding balance is one thing that most everyone struggles with, but with moderation comes contentment and with contentment comes the ability to stop judging ourselves.

And when looking back, the things I didn't get to were put aside for more important things like spending time with my boyfriend before he goes to work, talking to my Mom on my phone, or meditating.

So going forward, remember to love yourself, even when you don't think you're doing well enough. You are. I promise. And enjoying life's moments is a damn good excuse to shirk your responsibilities from time to time.

Maybe I "should" not be eating these delicious M&M cookies right now, but to be honest, I don't give a damn. And that right there, my friends, is freeing.

Friday Findings: The Universe

Friday is one of my favorite days (except for Sunday, of course) for more than the obvious reason of two free days with relaxation and my favorite things. Lately, I've started attending my 4:45 pm yoga class and find that it starts my weekend off in the happiest way. After a long week, lots of school work and work behind me, yoga relaxes me and revives me in a way nothing else can. I walk away from the class with an internal smile and a feeling as though all is well in the Universe. So when I saw this quote today, I instantly brightened.

photo source: http://colorfully.eu

Happy Friday, everyone! And a blissful weekend ahead of you. 

Devon

Friday Findings

Happy Friday, everyone! Friday Findings is a dedicated space to share my findings of the week; whether it be a recipe, a pair of shoes, a DIY idea, or a simple quote, it's a great way to wrap up a wonderful week.

photo source: http://askhighcotton.tumblr.com/post/22658799646

I know I'm going to take this with me not only for the weekend, but onto next week as well. With the daily pressures of work, school, relationships and whatever else, it's a nice reminder to always put on a smile and shine. Because after all, everything will always be okay. So shine on, you crazy diamond. Be the brightest of the bunch.

Devon

Happy Sunday!

I love Sundays. Fridays are great, Saturdays are fun, but Sundays are perfect. They're lazy or exciting (whatever you fancy) and full of spontaneous decisions. Because with Monday around the corner and crazy Friday and Saturday in the past, one day where you can do nothing and not feel the teensiest bit guilty is like ice cream with zero calories.

photo source: http://lornajaneactive.tumblr.com/post/28867211269

I hope you all had a happy Sunday! I spent mine with my boyfriend, my mom, several glasses of wine, Napa sun, a puppy named Abbie, and a huge smile on my face. Needless to say, I was extremely healthy today. Xx

Devon

An Ode to Lilly Pulizter

Fashion icon Lilly Pulizter and guru of bright colors, whimsical designs, and garments that scream happiness sadly died today at age 81. 

 photo source: http://savannahcake.tumblr.com/post/44065468043

Ms. Pulizter started her career like any successful fashion designer—with passion. Although her passion didn't start with clothing, it did start with a little orange juice stand that she opened in 1959.  Several spills and a few outfit changes later, Lilly asked her seamstress to make dresses in bright prints to camouflage stains. Soon, customers were asking for more than just orange juice.

And the rest is history.

Here's to Lilly Pulizter and what her amazing designs have become in the past 54 years.

Devon

Coming Alive

source: All Things Girly & Beautiful

Pure: adjective \ˈpyu̇r\ 
a: free from harshness or roughness and being in tune

Vanilla: noun \və-ˈni-lə, -ˈne-\

a: a commercially important extract of the vanilla bean that is used especially as a flavoring.

Pure Vanilla. Pure and Vanilla. What exactly does that mean? And how do they relate to design whether it's food, fashion, or home interior? Well, the pure aspect of life stands for refined taste, humbling attitudes and grounded ideas. But all simplistic beginnings need bold taste, fun flavor and exciting possibilities. That's where vanilla comes in. Good ol' vanilla. It's not as bold as chocolate, it's not as sweet as strawberry—but it's just right and takes simple to perfection. 

Pure Vanilla is a blog dedicated to everyday simplistic designs, recipes and ideas with a touch of flavor through fashion, food, home decor and adventures galore.  It's all about finding life's sweet imperfections because after all, isn't that what makes life so rewarding?