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saturday // portland, maine.
when i come home to maine for the weekend, i am lucky if i even pack a full outfit for the whole weekend. i kind of rely on whatever is in my laundry basket. and most trips, this one being no exception, i don't do my laundry in time to get dressed for the next day. i did, however, purchase a few new pairs of jeans from urban outfitters for $10 each (they have 50% off all sale until monday!) that i was really excited to wear. i also brought along this shawl that i got from swapmaine just incase the weather was less than spectacular. luckily for me, it all worked out into an outfit i was really in love with. i've said it so many times, but what you wear really can make or break how you feel. if you feel good, you act with more confidence, have more fun, and look better.
the laid back feel of this outfit is so perfect for a saturday. i tried a much looser fit jean than i usually do. it feels more modern because of the high (mom jean) waist and the cuffs at the bottom. the t-shirt is a project social t. these look and feel like designer t-shirts, but for a much lower price. they are cut in a way that makes you feel sexy, but super comfortable. and they are made in la. this shawl i got for the low price of $0 from swapmaine last weekend. the colors are so beautiful.. oatmeal, grays, and brown. i brought this hat to maine with me on the off chance i might want to wear a hat. i don't know about you, but i buy hats like this with the full intention of wearing, but don't always seem to find the time to wear them. bring them with you somewhere and make yourself do it. you will see how easy it can transform the whole look.
and as for this particular sunday in portland, i spent most of it with my mom. having lunch at the crooked mile, running errands for a special someone's (my sister) bridal shower, and getting coffee at one of our favorite coffee spots, coffee by design. later, i had dinner at terry's parents house... crab with rice and his mom's amazing garlicky spicy fish sauce. it was a lot of work but totally worth it. before heading out, we went down to thompson's point to take a few photos. the only thing i would love more than looking at these old places would be occupying this old places. i love all the details, the textures, the colors, the history.. anyone knows of a cheap, cool fixer-uper, sign me up! the evening ended with checking out the new top of the east, meeting up with some favorite people at novare res, and ending with a late night snack at blue rooster. it was a real good saturday.
clean out your closets for SWAPmaine
It may just be that I am in total spring cleaning mode or maybe it is because I am really trying to take on a more minimalist lifestyle, but for this swap, I am really cleaning out the closet.
In the past years, I have made a lot of excuses as to why I should keep something. And for the most part, it left me things I am still not wearing today. If you are like me, a lot of the reason I hold on to things is for emotional reasons. I keep things that may have cost me $5 or are worth less than that because it holds a memory or a feeling for me. But no matter the reasoning, I am letting it go. If it is bringing me no benefit and just adding clutter, I don’t need it. If it doesn’t fit or isn’t in good condition I don’t need it.
So here is how I am doing it:
- go through every pile in the drawers or on the shelves
- go through everything that is hanging
- try each piece of clothing on (unless it is brand new and you know you love it!)
- if it does not fit, put it in the swap pile
- if it is stained, ripped, or in bad condition, donate or recycle it
- if you are unsure about what to wear it with, if it looks as good as you think it does, or just want another opinion, ask someone who is honest with you or send me a photo and I’ll tell you!
- if you love it, if it makes you feel good, and you are excited about it, hang it or fold it, and keep it
- if it is something with sentimental value, but doesn’t look great on you anymore, take a photo of it, do something special with it, leave a note in the pocket for the next owner, and send it off to the swap for its next journey
And remember if you are bringing these things to the swap, you get to come home with new things to make new memories out of. Since the motto is give more than you take, you can still keep up with your new minimalist lifestyle. (Or so I keep telling myself!)
SWAPmaine
east end school
may 17th
9-10 pre-swap/drop off
10-12 SWAP!
urban flea // may fair.
this sunday, may 5th, is may fair in harvard square. i will be selling vintage women's clothing as part of the urban flea being held at the urban outfitters from 12-5pm. i will be there with a lot of very talented urban employees and local designers, selling everything from vintage to handmade goods and jewelry to art and ceramics.
just head to harvard square on sunday. you won't be able to miss it. all the roads will be closed. there will be entertainment and lots of food and other vendors.
come check out what i've got and see all the other talented people there with me!