Rethink The Way You Live

A few weeks ago, former Associate Editor of British ELLE Decoration and Top Design judge Amanda Talbot sent me a heartfelt note with a link to her new book, Rethink: The Way You Live. She thought it might resonate with me, as I’ve slowly morphed into this odd, thinky design blog where I’m asking a lot of questions, searching for answers and trying to figure out how design applies to my life now. I don’t know if I’ve properly put this into words here, but I’m in this weird space where I see so much value in design, but am also seeing a lot of the cost. Consumerism, materialism, keeping-up-with-the-Jones-ism. I mean, these concepts have been around for years, yes. But for some reason, I’m feeling the weight of it in a bigger way. Something in my heart is stirring…

The Facade of Fashion

I am in a constant state of thought surrounding why it is that we choose to wear what we choose to wear. (I’m still reeling from this post in particular.) I’ll be honest – there are lazy mornings where I pad around in my pajamas, my mood matching my attire: thoughtless, wrinkled and sleepy. And then I shower and throw on an outfit I love and the cloud lifts. I feel… better. And I sometimes wonder why it is that dressing in particular clothes brightens my day. Am I polishing up my outsides to hide the insides? Am I decorating to hide an unsteady foundation? Are we draping ourselves in clothing to hide the flaws beneath?

Uncategorized

I’m continually inspired by those who color outside the lines, play without rules and run without boundaries. Perhaps it stems from my own insecurities, this lust for an adventuresome spirit. As anyone who knows me will attest, I’m a fairly predictable (rigid?) gal. I eat the same breakfast daily, follow the same deadlines weekly, arrange my desk in precisely the same fashion each afternoon. I’m a lover of structure, and often have to continually remind myself that the unknown is good. Great, even. And if this is my lesson of the moment, Isabel Berglund is my willing teacher.

Gender-Neutral Kids Clothing

My friends and family always joke that Bee is very, very rarely seen crawling around the house in anything but a onesie/pj combo situation. It’s not that she doesn’t have a closet full of frilly dresses and lace (oh does she ever), but outfitting her in daily ruffles has just always felt a bit odd.

Beliefs & Imagination

Of the many creative disciplines that exist, the conceptual fashion designer is perhaps one that intrigues me most. After all, many are gifted, skilled creatives who could easily climb the ranks from intern to assistant to in-house designer and beyond. Yet instead, the conceptual fashion designer believes that a fashion collection is an art form

On Body Image And Self Worth

When Caitlin Mociun, cult-hit fashion designer, left the world of dress forms and measuring tape to focus on an accessories line, she said something that made me pause: “I never really liked doing my clothing line, and when I switched to jewelry it was such a different response. It seemed to make people feel good

A Refashioned Purpose

I may be partial, but man, Midwest kids don’t get the credit they deserve, do they? Time and again, I’m amazed at the creativity that exists between the much-praised coasts, scattered among cornfields and cityscapes and cottages. We’re scrappy and resourceful, continually pushing the boundaries like the middle kid seeking a hint of the spotlight.

The Inspired Generation

I’m a family-first kind of girl. Friends are great, yes, but families are unique forces in their own right – kneaded with memories and experience and perspective. And I often think of the legacy my own family will leave – is leaving. The knowledge shared from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter and beyond.

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