That Instinct

You know that feeling that comes in moment you see them? That putter in your heart that makes you gasp and say, “Yes, you are what I have been mindlessly searching for…” I believe we all possess this feeling. We often ignore it and end up with regrets that collect dust in back of our closets, but we all have it somewhere deep inside.

I am taking about the instinct that comes when you are out (or on the couch) shopping for shoes. It is the instinct that drives you to immediately purchase another pair of black patent leather pumps. It is the adrenaline that tricks your mind into thinking you will totally wear those snake skin wedges. This gut feeling unexpectedly came for me the other day.

Whenever I am feeling stressed out I like to go online and fill a basket up with dresses or furniture I would potentially purchase. I was in the shoe section when it happened—I saw the boots I have spent the last year and a half searching for. I left behind possibly the best pair of fold-over, lace up boots in Italy. It was my wish to wake up and magically find them sitting in my closet waiting to be worn with distressed Levi’s and a loose V-neck... but, I had given up on that a few months ago when I decided it was time to let it all go. I was tired of looking back; always waiting for things to change when I should be taking action. As with most things, the moment was unexpected and that is what made it feel right. Like love at first site, I knew these new boots were the ones. My fingers even tingled a bit, although that could have been from the excessive pretend shopping I was doing all night.

If finding the boots I had spent the last year and a half searching for isn’t proof that dreams do come true, I don’t know what is! As a control freak, it is difficult to allow things to happen organically, but I am learning this year. In terms of fashion, it’s just a matter of recognizing that instinct when it comes, and having the confidence to rock those leopard platform booties.

I think this will be my last posting on this blog. As I mentioned earlier, I am cleansing my mind of the lost things I loved and directing my focus on being in the present. I will continue writing, perhaps on an art blog. Where ever life takes me, I thank you for being kind and listening. A dopo!

The Traveling Billabong Jacket of Friendship

In the semester I took off to save up before going to college, I was to do nothing but work, learn Italian, and “master” yoga. I did yoga maybe twice a month, saved up just enough for a plane ticket, and memorized funny Italian pickup lines. I also spent about 70% of my free time shopping with my best friend Ana.

We felt the best time to shop for cutesy candles at Earthbound was an hour before having to spend the next four slinging chicken. (Note: New studies show that shopping before work increases mindless conversations about said shopping and occasional tardiness. I highly recommend it.) So we set off on what was the first of many malling adventures. 

Right as we were rushing out the doors, I saw the striped jacket hanging so coolly from a mannequin in the window of a surfer-y shop. It was the perfect piece to transition me into fall, so I sprinted into the store and snatched the first one I saw off of the wood table. If I had known that it would take the sole retail worker ten minutes just to wrap it up I might have walked away and made it to work on time. But one never knows when they may be asked to a late night bonfire at the beach, so I patiently waited for the over-priced jacket to be neatly folded, wrapped, and gently placed into a bag while exchanging apologetic looks with Ana. Finally, we were able to leave and so starts the magical story of the traveling Billabong jacket. 

The jacket was left in a friend’s car before leaving. It was shortly returned to me, then left in Rome. I was heartbroken. To my surprise, it returned to me a few months ago by a wonderful friend in Italy who retrieved my dusty suitcases from a mysterious place where the Roman sun definitely does not shine. I thought this is like the traveling jeans, except it totally wasn't. No matter, the beach-chic jacket gives me warm feelings of friendship whenever I wear it, which is all of the time.

Miley Cyrus/Max Azria Vest

Ah, Labor Day Weekend! Time to bid adieu to wonderful Summer and begin welcoming crisp Fall. While I love a day of no class, sales are the real reason why I keep track this minor holiday.

I was in desperate need for new bras but we all know how pricey that can be. I patiently waited the entire summer for this weekend to replenish my collection, keeping my eyes out for a good sale. Last weekend though, I could not take the stabbing any longer! I splurged on new bralettes online at American Eagle’s Aerie. I knew AE always had a huge Labor Day sale, but all bras were just 15 bucks each! With free shipping, I figured it could not get better than that… Until I went to their site to write reviews (yes, I just have ample free time) and saw the promotions. Everything 40% off, plus free shipping! The obsessive side of me needed to know what the difference would have been-about 15 dollars less than what I had spent and I would have received a free polka dot tote. Oh well, I am still pleased with my purchase. (They have the softest lace bralettes in a myriad of colors in case you are wondering.)

When I went to throw out my abused bras I saw the bandeau I bought years ago as my first purchase from Aerie. It is a floral print bandeau that I’ve publicly worn for more than an hour once. It was to the 2011 Honda Civic Tour, which my friend Jaime generously took me too after she scored free tickets. I rocked my floral bandeau with a black Miley Cyrus/Max Azria cotton vest from Walmart and espadrille Keds. I know. Walmart? Miley Cyrus? What is wrong with you Claudia?! 

I promise you this vest was as cute as it was versatile. Just picture pre-twerk Miley. I risked the dangerous parking lot of Walmart with my mom to find black jeans for work and I wondered into the Miley section. I adored the simplicity of the piece and since I rarely stepped foot into a Wally World I just had to get it. And it was $3.88. 

The vest was lost during the tiny window of packing for school and leaving for school. It was pretty faded, like had become an off navy blue, so I wasn’t too sad about losing it. However, I will never forget the awesome time I had, jumping around to Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and Matt & Kim, in my cute vest and denim shorts. 

Megan, the vest, and Jaime. 

Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day!