Wild Things

There’s a wild thing that exists in all of us.It lives in our passions, in the people we love, in our subconscious thoughts, our beliefs.It’s even made a home in the darkest parts of us.But we can’t be scared of it.We have to become it.From the song #WildThings by #AlessiaCara

I heard these lyrics at the end of a song recently, and I was taken back by this part. It rang loud and clear and shook me at my core. I needed this reminder after such a draining and emotional few weeks. I'm still trying to navigate this wild thing in my soul. I find myself holding back too often. I remember my 9th grade teachers words in my yearbook .."Use that voice of yours because whenever you did, everyone benefitted." I know my fears come from the same passionate place these words do and life has taught me over and over that the more you use something the better you get. All I know is there is a deep and passionate wild thing in us all and as long as we let it out from a place of love and compassion for ourselves and others, there will always be meaning to it. And what's so beautiful is we all have our different ways of using that voice. The thing that pulls us towards certain outlets and causes. I'm grateful for this moment even in all it's uncertainty. I hope it brings change through this winter season and plants the seeds for rebellion and strength to overcome what is ahead. I pray for all around the world suffering from injustice, greed and pain. I know deep down when we come together and use our voices, so much beauty can be made. It's there. We just have to use it. So that is where I'll be this year, where the wild things are. 

P.S. I took these a while back but for some reason I just wanted to keep them to myself. Sometimes when I do self portraits, they become a part of a healing process for me and not necessarily something I want to share. This week I felt different and so here is a post <3

Details: Clothing all thrifted.
Jewelry- Zamarut Jewel
Nose ring is from Bright Designs on etsy
Boots: gifted by my friend Heidi- from Morocco

Serenity

"God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference."  Reinhold Niebuhr 

A prayer that has been on my mind as life seems to be that much more difficult to trudge through lately. Can we let go of the things we cannot change? Open ourselves up to what is out there that we are yet to know? Do we have to the courage to own up to and take steps to change the things we can? and let go of the things we know we should? I will take this time to practice serenity and calm despite the storm. 

Short and sweet tonight as I'm not sure what more to say. Not every post or every story or every anything has to have a bright side or a happy ending and that's ok. It's beautiful as it is, flaws and all just as we are! Well I guess that was a bright side anyways..I can't help it :)

XO
Feda

Thank you to Anthony for being my human tripod <3 I actually shot this look twice! First time it was much too dark and I couldn't capture the details I wanted to so I ventured out a second time. It worked out better though because I ended up styling this dress more me :)

Outfit Details:
Dress- vintage from Garment district 
Vest- goodwill- no tags no idea but it's my favorite carpet vest!
Shoes- bought last summer - had some wardrobe malfunctions with them though as they kept falling down.
Accessories all collected over the years- Zamarut Jewel, Avizeh Jewelry, gifted.
Purse- TJ Maxx a few years ago

Linking up with StyleCrone's August Hat Attack!
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My Ruby Red Slipper Sneakers! élé INSIDERS Tango Shoe Review

Whether we like it or not, what we wear on our feet is personal. It might be based on function, comfort, aesthetics or a mix, but whatever the reason it directly impacts how we feel in our day to day lives.

Sometimes fashion can pose a dilemma. I'm always trying to balance comfort and style and it is hard especially as a woman when the comfortable shoe choices are not always the most attractive. When I was sent these Tango shoes, that I call "my ruby red slipper sneakers" from élé INSIDERS I was so excited because they include many of the qualities I love when it comes to fashion. They are comfortable, aesthetically beautiful and most importantly UNIQUE! like me?! Style can be a form of expression but for me it is also equally about the transformation. The way a fashion choice can transform the way you feel is magic! So how did these shoes make me feel?

I felt bold. On this day, I wanted to play with color and pattern and wear some bright lipstick with them. Other days, I loved wearing them with basics and letting them pop. I felt I had so many options to play with which is what makes styling fun. Red is one of my favorite colors too and I wear it whenever I want to feel daring.

I also felt comfortable and centered because my feet felt good. They are made from a cozy micro suede material and with each step, you are cushioned by a layer of memory foam. I also love animals and have been trying to stay away from buying anything that is made from them and these shoes are made from all man made materials. Yay!

I felt strong and in charge. They are not called Tango for no reason ;)

I felt limitless. I clicked my heels and felt at home. I could walk with style, dance and even... fly! Yes, they have hidden wings that allow you to fly!! Well, no... pictures can be deceiving but these emotions are the real deal!

So overall I really love my slipper sneakers. I've been wearing them the last few months and have thoroughly enjoyed them. At first, I wore them mostly in the house but I very quickly transitioned them into my comfy outdoor shoes to wear to the grocery store, coffee shop or to do errands in. I also took them on a 10 hour road trip and they were ideal for that. They won't hold up in the snow or rain so please check the weather before going out in them (like with any shoes). They can also be really great as indoor shoes if you work from home or want to just lounge around with funky feet. I'm already eyeing my next pair, the Milonga booties for the colder months and to replace my uggs that I dislike because they have zero style and are made from animals :(

You can read more about these and their other dancy named shoes on their website. Their story of bringing the Argentinian house shoe to the states re-imagined is so interesting.

Would love to hear about your shoe adventures. What are your favorite shoes and why??
Much love,
Feda

P.S. Thank you to the amazing designer of these shoes Carlos Villamil for sending these my way and giving me happy feet :)

P.P.S. These were sent to me to review but all opinions are my own and I would never EVER share anything on this blog that I don't love and that do not align with who I am. XO

Tunic Transition Series: Fall

When I spotted this long pink tunic at Goodwill I basically flipped! I have been very attracted to pink lately-have always loved it but have felt more of an attachment to it lately. The tunic quickly became my most worn thing in my closet because it transitions so well with layers! Tunics have existed in almost every culture and part of the world in some shape or form so it makes sense to me why this one proved to be so versatile. The light pink also acts as a neutral and can be paired with so many colors. 

Around that time I had this idea to style it through the seasons and then put it all together to share. I meant to photograph four different looks but never got a chance to do it so I decided to just share as I go. This was taken in the fall by my hubby/turned blog photographer Anthony. Almost everything is thrifted besides the leggings and the necklace. Afghan necklace is from the amazing Zamarut Jewel . I loved how it made it look a bit like a southwestern neck tie. The hat and vest are also some finds that got really excited about. The hat had two cloth flaps that I tied into a scarf. I felt very fashion-y in it. I have no idea the origins of the vest. It looks like a carpet and has such a gorgeous pattern. I have also really been loving green (are you noticing the trend? Most of my outfits are inspired by the color mood I'm in). 

The backdrop is an old rundown building on a property that I technically was not supposed to be on. The things you do for a cool backdrop! The green leaves  and multicolored bricks were so beautiful. 

Hope you enjoyed these and winter will be up next!

I feel as though I was hibernating this year..lots of changes in my work life and trying to balance it all. I am looking forward to this year. I feel an urge to get into creating, creating, and more creating and also NOT CARING too much about the outcome. I want to feel the process fully. Wish you all love and light in whatever direction you are going.
Happy new year!
Feda

New York Mad Tea party honoring DrossintoGold and Style Crone!

If you read my last post, I talked about attending an amazing tea party honoring my dear friend Jean from DrossintoGold and Judith from Style Crone (pictured above). The tea party minus the tea ;) was cp-hosted by artist and designer Carol Markel of Femme et Fleur and Debra Raporport.

These are some pictures from the afternoon with the backdrop of Carol and her husband Richard's beautiful apartment which is a work of art in itself! Thank you Carol for making everything edible and visual so beautiful!

If you don't know these ladies I recommend checking them out! You will be in awe looking through their blogs and seeing their magical outfits! They are all a part of a growing movement of women over 40 that have truly mastered the art of self expression through personal style. You may recognize them from the blog/documentary Advanced Style run by Ari Seth Cohen. I had a blast being around such amazing ladies and I left feeling so inspired!

Left to Right: Jean and Judith in their gorgeous outfits!

I consider Jean a soul friend getting to know her over the last year or so. We instantly clicked when we met and have so many similarities (She has been on the blog before here :) She is so GENUINE, kind and a breath of fresh air. She has such unique taste for mixing prints with layers of jewelry, usually toping it off with an amazing hat! What makes her even cooler is that she makes and up cycles so much of her clothing. It doesn't get more personal than that!

Judith and I met on instagram and her fabulous blog Style Crone. Meeting her in person was wonderful. You can tell Judith has a lot of fun with her clothing. It is extravagant, whimsical and classic all at once. She is famous for her gorgeous and unique hats that she pairs with her outfits!

LtoRight: Fashionista Anne Balcer, Jeff (Judiths partner) getting treats from the beautiful food table.  Some close ups of the table details below.

Along with running her lifestyle blog, Carol designs hats and now clothing. It was so nice to see her artist space full of her inspiration. Real life pinterest hehe. Her style is colorful, geometric and whimsical and so is her space! It's also extremely organized which I envy (inspired to get organized!).

Artist Elke Kuhn and her fabulous red hat!

Carol's home decor was so colorful! Loved it all! Below is her closet full of her handmade hat art!

Stan Satlin trying on a Carol Markel creation.

I loveee this one!!

Judith trying her hat out on top of one of Carol's hats.

Anne Balcer with artist Richard Cramer (Carol's husband). He showed me some of his recent work featuring birds and places he has been shown below that had me in awe! I really enjoyed hearing about his life as an artist and teacher at the Tyler School of Art in Philly. Check out his amazing artwork here: RichardCramer

Richard and Carol both having such amazing style and they've been featured on Advanced Style many times. I recommend reading about them here and here.

Left to right: Carol Markel, Marsha Carlin, Jean Barrett. Obsessed with Marsha's necklace mixup. My favorite colors. 

More of the fashionable crew!
Left to Right: Marsha Carlin, Jean Barrett, Carol Markel, guest, Debra Rapoport, Judith

Loved getting to know Debra Rapoport who has taught workshops on turning trash into wearable art! Most of the accessories above are made out of waste, believe it or not. Her hat is made out of paper towels! I really want her to come to Boston and teach a workshop. Check out her website and blog here. She's also a regular over on Advanced Style, read about her here and on Styleliku here.

Debra explaining to the ladies how she created this necklace!

Also loved meeting the elegant Joyce Carpati. I just love her braids and class, I was honored to be complimented on my outfit by her because I love her style. She's also a regular on Advanced Style. You can see more of her glamourous outfits here and here! 

Had the pleasure of meeting the Jean and Valerie (L to Right) of the duo Idiosyncratic Fashionistas. They were 2013's most stylish new yorkers and run their amazing fashion blog. All I can say is WOW! Loved their style and personalities, fun and down to earth. We were all gifted Frida socks by Jean that I had to put on right away!

Frida was in the air!

Jean's amazing shoes!

Hope you enjoyed! If you missed it, I shared the outfit I was wearing in my previous blogpost here. Seeing women be themselves and being around women that love to express through clothing just as much as I do was really surreal. Very grateful to have had this experience!

Much love,
Feda