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Shop My Closet!

Since I'm trying to simplify my life, I thought it'd be a good idea to simplify my closet as well and let go of some things that I haven't worn in a bit. I've listed a bunch of new items in the shop in the past day, so go see if something strikes your fancy!

Off the Grid

My style these days has been rather utilitarian. Jeans, t-shirts, and moccasins. I miss taking the time to create an outfit which makes me feel good. Instead, I'm crawling into the day's clothes in a half-asleep stupor merely seeking to look socially acceptable/fully clothed. I don't really feel comfortable wearing dresses at work, as I work in a pretty outdoorsy-active type environment, and while I myself am only sitting behind a desk doing computer work, it seems incongruous to show up in a flouncy and feminine outfit while everyone else is in jeans or activewear. Consequently I don't really feel like myself these days. The weekends are a nice break, though, when I can forget about work and wear whatever my heart desires. TGIF!

dress/forever 21 :: hat + cardigan/courtesy of modcloth :: tights/target

necklace/handmade :: shoes/minnetonka

I'm just starting to read Walden by Henry David Thoreau and I feel like it's just going to intensify my desire to move to the woods and live off the grid. There's such an appealing draw to just ditch society and live in the peace and tranquility of nature. At the same time, I feel like human interaction and community give us a sense of value to our lives which solitude simply cannot. Even as an introverted person who much prefers solitude than the hustle and bustle of social engagements, I still feel that my life would be missing something essential if I were to just spend my life alone in the woods.

Perhaps there is some sort of middle ground. Small town living? Living in a more rural area with a city or town nearby? I've been so consumed with the beauty and necessity of nature lately. I'm glad we live in Tacoma, though, where nature is just a short drive away. That's one of the reasons I had hoped to settle somewhere in Western Washington. I remember living in Spokane and really loving the fact that just a few minutes in a car and I was out in nature. My freshman year I had a terrible roommate and would spend hours driving around the highways at night seeking solitude and the soothing salve of natural surroundings.

Life Lately

Kyla recently just wrote a post outlining her summer intentions and I liked the idea, so I came up with a few of my own.

• Start a private daily yoga practice
• Read the written word. Books, not internet
• Say "no" and keep myself from getting over booked, spread too thin & stressed
• Plant flowers
• Go on consistent dates with Dan
• Start budgeting
• Have fires in our backyard fire pit
• Get the outlet fixed on our back deck & put up lights
• Simplify life

As much as I love making lists, I want to keep this one short. After all, the last thing on it is "simplify life" and I figure, the more lists, the less simple. Of course, organization can help with simplicity, and organization involves lists, but I think sometimes we get so caught up in making lists of things to do that we forget to do less. I'm trying to pare down and enjoy the simple things in life. I think one of the things I've enjoyed about using instagram lately is that it's all about capturing those little, authentic moments. There's no planning of a photo shoot, no trying to find the perfect location, it's just capturing life as it's happening.

Off to get coffee with Dan // Favorite shoes at the gun range // Beautiful Alaskan sunset

Turnagain Arm // Babies! // A newly launched blog design // My new favorite hat from ModCloth // Delicious breakfast in AK: eggs, hash browns & my absolute fave, reindeer sausage // Cupcakes for my bro's grad party // My great grandma's glasses // Coffee to go

Bike Style // Summer Dresses

I missed the best bicycle weather ever while I was up in Alaska. Hot and sunny for days. Luckily I was in one of my favorite places ever, which was also having amazing weather, so I didn't mind. This week it's supposed to rain everyday, so I'm looking forward to the return of sun and heat so I can don some summery dresses and ride around town! I have a friend who's selling a perfect bike basket, as it doesn't fit her bike, so pretty soon I'll have a basket for carting home all my farmers market goodies! I'm such a layer-er, so simple summery outfits don't really come naturally to me, but I do love the ease of throwing on a dress, some flats and a pair of sunglasses and being done. I'm trying to simplify my life and I feel like summer is the perfect season to accompany such an endeavor.

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