An open letter to you:You know all those things about you? The way you get moody when your socks get wet from a puddle of rain, or the way your hair gets when the wind plays with the ends of it? The way you turn quiet when the sun breaks against the window of your train, splintering gold and mingling with your thoughts. How you put your chin on your in-drawn knees and watch the slow-moving boats glide past on the beach. Thoughts as dreamy as the white in the sails, reminding you of bed sheets and the roads to dreams that the rumpled folds and creases map out. The way you're fragile and damaged? The way you're fierce and relentless? How you count the stars during the day and feel the sun behind your eyes at night. How you weave moonlight into your hair when we talk on balconies and how you hate the way your voice sounds. The way that your eyes crinkle in the most wonderful, best possible way when you laugh. You know how you never stay down for too long, even though the world is trying its hardest to break you? There's that fierceness. And you know how you never resent it for its efforts; still welcome an outstretched hand to help you back up. Even though that's the way you got down there to begin with? There's that relentlessness. You know how sometimes your clothes don't fit, sometimes you don't have the right words to say, sometimes you lose the map and don't know where to go? And how the whole while you have light. Light coming right out of you in a way you've never been able to notice?
Well, I love that about you.
I'm all about simple touches with pops of wow. When I found these American Apparel shorts on sale for $15 last week I nearly had a heart attack. Shorts that are high waisted and won't show my butt cheeks? How is this possible? Excitement all around. I decided to pair the linen shirts with one of my most favorite summer tops, and then add a pop of wow by pairing it with a mint-and-gold striped clutch. This clutch is from 9th & Elm, a site that's all about the handmade and independent designers. And you know how I'm all about those. This particular clutch is hand-painted by Alissa, the owner of My a la Mode. While the clutch is wonderful, my favorite part was the tag that it came with. It said "Hello lover of...Travel. Weeping willows. Art. Boho style. Being true to yourself. Painting. A free spirit. Dancing in the rain. Independence." It had me smiling as I put it down on my dresser. If you're impressed with this one, you should see what other creations she came up with. It's seriously like wearing art- it'll add a little something to each look. Check out her other hand-painted designs here!
SHORTS: American Apparel (only $15!) (similar: here
BLOUSE: c/o Honeymoon Muse Vintage
SANDALS: Zara
CLUTCH: c/o 9th & Elm
