“Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Each teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring." William Alexander
"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.” Charles Dickens
I realized that I have been experiencing a lot of contrasts lately. It's been a long winter in Boston. We've had record snowfall with lots and lots of shoveling. I don't hate snow, I actually enjoy the seasons in New England, but it can test your patience when it's week after week of snow piling up with no place to put it. That along with some of the incredibly ugly things happening around the world had me feeling some pretty low lows. Winter blues started to take on a different tone this year and I was having trouble working through it all.
I do feel that without the bad, in contrast you can't appreciate the good. I mean without winter do you really appreciate when spring finally arrives? There is beauty in all the stages but we have to be wise enough to trust and know that it will pass. Without the lows you can't appreciate the highs and everything in between. It is a process and a cycle just like nature.
I've actually been wanting to photograph this outfit for some time. Once I got through some of the mental block that had been piling up, I mustered up the courage and just did it. It felt sooo amazing to do this little outfit post for ME. The mind can tire you out and it's important to do things that make you feel good. Things that help you to let things out and express whatever it is inside. For me it's dressing up, putting colors and textures together and creating art on my body. In those moments I can let go and play. What good are you to the world if you're constantly in a negative state of mind?
This outfit was inspired by winter and the awakening of spring. I had fun doing the makeup with this one with pops of pink and yellow. Speaking of contrast, I've been wearing a lot of black and white lately. I was excited when I found this very in trend checkered print vintage dress while thrifting! The outfit is almost all thrifted by the way besides the boots and the jewelry. This scarf is just my favorite ever and I thrifted it last year when Jean from Drossintogold came up to Boston. She gave me some lucky energy that day ;) I'm just sooo in love with the Russian/Eastern European floral prints and I'm not sure if I'll ever get over them. I did an entire editorial with them with an amazing team but it will be some time before I can share anything. The necklace was very kindly gifted to me by Alina of Zamarut Jewel and it added just the right touch of tribal energy along with the ring from Avizeh Jewelry.
My husband Anthony was kind enough to take these for me in the freezing cold. Thankful <3
Fringe coat: Otello Pelle Vintage thrifted
Belt: thrifted unknown
Checkered black and white dress: Appleseed's vintage thrifted
Moto vest: DIY cut jacket thrifted
Boots: Steve Madden Marshalls
Scarf: thrifted unknown - has a stamp on it with 1992 but I can't make out the name
Necklace: Zamarut Jewel
Large blue ring: Avizeh Jewelry
Small round ring: cart in Boston commons
Lipstick: Wet N Wild Liquid Lip Color in Back to the Fuchsia
How has your winter been? How do you overcome the not so pleasant sides of life??
MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!
XO
Feda
You are incredibly beautiful, Feda, inside and out! Such gorgeous photography, I especially love the portraits - beautiful details of your make up and the gorgeous scarf. It'll be very interesting to see your tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to find such a beautiful (and on trend) dress! I bought a couple of dresses from the same era just recently, can't wait to play with them. Love the fringed coat, so beautiful. And as always, your jewelry choices are inspired and so unique.
Love your prose, as always, so reflective, so beautiful and wise. I agree about the contrasts. It's not always easy to remember about it when you are experiencing darkness. I prefer to be with the closest people who I know love me just the way I am. I eliminate all the judgmental contacts - they do not help. And once my soul spend all the time she needs in a loving cocoon, a new butterfly is born, ready for the world, singing cheerfully.
But I also believe that it is us who create the light as well as the lack of light in life. We create all those learning experiences for ourselves, when we are in doubt, so the next time we will be able to choose light, without a doubt.
Love to you, beautiful philosopher xxx
Natalia your words are so beautiful. I so appreciate you sharing what helps you overcome difficult times. I loved what you wrote, "I prefer to be with the closest people who I know love me just the way I am. I eliminate all the judgmental contacts - they do not help. And once my soul spend all the time she needs in a loving cocoon, a new butterfly is born, ready for the world, singing cheerfully." You put into words what I often feel I need to do in those moments. I agree that we also have to create our own light. I'm reminded of the quote, "don't like the darkness? Make some light."
DeleteThank you again for sharing those special words. Means so much to me! LOVE TO YOU!
XO
I really enjoyed this post. The photos are very nice ones and you certainly do look lovely, as ever. It has definitely been a long winter here and I am so looking forward to the Spring. I hope that you and your family are all well. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMany Bright Blessings,
Guinn
Thank you Guinn. Always so kind. Hope you are well. Blessings and love to you!
DeleteI finally made it by! As I scroll down, loving each picture more than the last, I am reminded of how much I miss you! This was a beautiful shoot (thank you Anthony!) Every element is lovely, and the combinations are perfect. I saw the close up of the necklace and was struck by the fact that the center piece is identical to the one I brought for you on my last visit! I couldn't find it and thought I'd left it behind, but in fact it was in my suitcase. Now I understand. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree that for some of us the art of dressing is an important expression. The act of it allows us a moment of pure creativity, a centering and meditation, powerful in that moment. I've found too that the truer I am to it, the more people are attracted to that energy. It's a way of connecting across many superficial boundaries. I'm especially aware of it with the women I'm meeting who have dementia. It's profound and beautiful.
Sending love. Grateful to be inspired by this glorious expression of you. XXOO