Thursday, April 28, 2011

Professions for Women: A Letter to my Daughters (or to myself 5 years later)

In an English Lit class I took at BYU, we discussed Virginia Woolf's "Professions for Women," and were asked to write a letter to our daughters talking about the issues raised in Woolf's speech.

I'm hesitant to share it with you because... I'm not a big fan of feeling so vulnerable and exposed as this will make me feel--the writing isn't exactly perfect, and the things I expressed are really deeply held beliefs of mine. But as I read through it, I feel like it is great advice to myself for where I am now in my life. So, here it is...

My Daughters:
I hope that when you read this you will understand the intent with which it was written. I write to remind you of the blessings and opportunities that are yours as a result of the sacrifices of those who have gone before you.Your Mother has lived a fulfilling and enjoyable life—a life that passed in a world that is much different that the one you live in now. The opportunities you have were not always available to women, and opportunities that are not yet open to you will one day be available to your daughters, as long as my generation and yours do not stop trying to “smooth the way” for those that follow after us.
            The opportunities that were available to women when I was born were vastly different from those available 100—even 50—years before my birth, and the same is true for you. But brave, strong, and sometimes “defiant” women paved the way for us and fellow women of our generations so we could pursue those interests which truly intrigue our minds and add depth to our souls. Some of these women you may have heard of: Mary Wollstonecraft, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Aerhart, Edith Wharton, Sandra Day O’Connor, and so on. These women, in many cases, were seen as acting against their very natures by pursuing hobbies, professions, and livelihoods previously reserved for men. Yet there was something in them that drove them to these pursuits, as there is “something” that calls to each of us in our turn.
            You have the liberty to choose your course—to learn about and practice almost any discipline or skill that appeals to you. Some will tell you what you ought to think, how you should spend your time, or the things you should say or do because you are a woman. You might think to yourself that there are certain things which lie out of your reach because of your sex; never put limits on your potential—you have countless resources for developing desireable traits, perfecting specific skills, and acquiring a useful and interesting education. You may not know what you want at this point in your life—you don’t need to choose immediately. But don’t let yourself be blown listlessly about by what other people want—you do everyone a disservice by allowing your mind to be made up for you.  Live with purpose, and your life will be all the more meaningful for it. Sometimes you may find that you change your mind. That’s okay, too. Whatever you choose in the end, you will find that your searching and trying will not only make you more well-rounded, but it will more fully equip you to contribute where you so choose.
            Now, my dears, a word about our nature as women. Some may say that we must abandon all assumptions about the inherent nature of women in order to realize our full potential. I disagree. I feel that women naturally have more nurturing and selfless tendencies than men (I am speaking generally, of course). Cultivate these natural tendencies, but do not allow youself to think that because you are nurturing that you cannot also be pragmatic, analytical, or scientific; because you are selfless that you must also be shy, self-deprecating, or apologetic. Develop the skills and traits you desire, while letting your natural tendencies act as a catalyst for them; you will find that very few traits worth having are mutually exclusive.
            Your chosen course may prove quite difficult. It is true that an astounding variety of opportunities are available to you; some roads have been traveled by many women before you, making them smooth and relatively easy, while others may appear to be nothing more than a footpath overgrown with vegetation. Whatever path you choose, move forward and make each experience your own. You have specific talents, perspectives, and instincts that will make your navigation of the Road different than anyone else’s—not just because you are a woman, but because you are an individual. And your individual nature is what you need to infuse into everything that you do. Virginina Woolf once said in an address to the Women’s Service League:
You have won rooms of your own in the house hitherto exclusively owned by men. This…is only a beginning; the room is your own, but it is still bare. It has to be furnished; it has to be decorated; it has to be shared. How are you going to furnish it, how are you going to decorate it? With whom are you going to share it, and upon what terms?
You, my daughters, have inherited and won rooms of your own, as well. They may have been previously occupied; they may be newly built. Some are bare, while others may still reflect the lives of those who have gone before. Whatever the case may be, you must make your room your own. Your life cannot merely become a shadow of someone else’s—it must reflect who you are, what you desire, and what you become. You are responsible for creating a life that you can be proud to call your own.

With all my love,
Mother

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Debbie Millman

I just watched this video, and it was so good I found myself taking notes in my journal. It's 50 minutes long, so I don't really expect anyone to watch it all, but I thought it was fantastic.



via swissmiss

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

30x30x10

This might be one of my favorite outfits so far. I love my two-finger ring.



I love this little necklace. So dainty.

I now this picture looks like the ring was Photoshopped in for some reason, but let me assure you... it's fo' real. Isn't it awesome?

Skirt: Kohl's
Cardi: Target
Ruffled tank: Target
Ring: Icing by Claire's?? Maybe. Maybe Forever 21.
Necklace: Target
Shoes: DSW

Monday, April 25, 2011

30x30x9



It rained this morning, and it's supposed to snow tomorrow. I can't wait to get out of town and head to St. George for the weekend--sunshine, hiking, warmth, and swimming. And that amazing Swiss Muesli at the Bear Claw Coffe Co. Mmmmmm...

Hat: BHV, Paris
Shirt, pants, shoes, jacket: Target
Earrings: don't remembah
Bangles: Forever 21

P.S. I kind of can't wait to wear jeans every day once school starts. Hooray!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Paris Vicarious - Easter Sunday

Okay, I'm introducing a little series of posts on the blog, since I've transferred everything over from the Paris Vicarious blog. I'm going to have a regular column called Paris Vicarious, where I will discuss my favorite things about Paris, post pictures of my lovely adopted city, and basically talk about what I would be doing if I were currently in Paris.

Two years ago on Easter Sunday my family was driving through Eastern France on our way to Austria, and we stopped in Strasbourg, where we arrived just in time to enter the cathedral and hear the Hallelujiah chorus. It was gorgeous.



If I were in Paris today, I would have attended my own church services, but I wouldn't be able to help heading over to Notre Dame to listen to the Easter Mass. Just in hopes of hearing the organ.



Can we all pretend for just a minute that we're in Paris today?

Thanks.

30x30x8

I think this one-eye-partially-closed look is good for me, don't you?


Please especially take note of the silly string all over the yard from the kiddos' Easter baskets.



If nothing else, I love this outfit because it's the first time I've worn navy blue with black for as long as I can remember.

And that necklace. I love it. It almost reminds me of an Ancient Egyptian pectoral piece made of inverted gold lotus flowers. Charlotte Russe, $6!

Cardigan, H&M
Blue ruffle shirt - Target
Black skirt - Nordstrom rack
Shoes - Guess (found at Ross)

30x30x7




I kind of love this. Maybe a lot. Although, I did end up deciding that the polka-dot cardigan with the circle necklace was a bit much, so I switched out for a more simple necklace when I came home for lunch.

Overall, though, this is one I would wear again--and one I never would have put together otherwise.

30x30x6

Okay, I'm back with another handful of 30x30 ensembles.



Hmmm... not my best look, I think. Those sandals might have to be gifted to someone.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Happy Easter!

Have a wonderful Easter, everyone.

I can't express how much Christ and His life, work, and atonement mean to me. But this video helps to express some of what I feel.

I wish you warm and beautiful weather this weekend. Today I had to scrape ice off my windshield... so let's all hope that doesn't happen again until October.

50 Things

Swismiss posted a lot of great things today.

This amazing inflatable iceberg that I want to buy and take to the lake house for the Knight family reunion, and this list of 50 Things Every Graphic Design Student Should Know, from Jamie Wieck.



This one above is my favorite. I'm so prone to comparing myself to others... so this is good for me to keep in mind.

I thought the advice given was really great. Maybe I should set a reminder for myself to read it weekly. :)

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ideas

Inside a church in Dresden (I don't remember which one!)
Last night I couldn't fall asleep because my mind was going a million miles an hour with ideas. Ideas that I can't implement yet because I don't have the skills or resources. Aaah! It's-a-makin-me-a-craaazy. I went to bed at 10:30 last night, and spent several hours jotting down ideas. I finally turned the lights out at 2:40. Kill me now--is this going to get worse, or better, once I'm in school?



(Secretly I love it. It's nice to stay up because I'm excited about something, rather than anxious.)

I Might Be Bad at It

You know that scene in A Walk to Remember when what's his face tells Mandy Moore he's going to kiss her and she freaks out and says, "I might be bad at it..."? Remember? Oh...no? You don't watch dumb girl movies as much as I do? Oh, okay.

I've kind of adopted that phrase and I will say things like "I feel like I'm going to be bad at this game," even when there isn't a game to be played. It's one of my little quirks.

All this to say: I had a feeling I was going to be "bad at this game" of 30 for 30. I've mostly worn a different outfit everyday, some shockingly similar, but not exactly the same. My problem is actually getting the pictures taken.

So, I'm going to try to be better, but I'm not going to go back and take pictures of the outfits I've worn. I'll just wear them again and start off counting where I left off.

Oh, and I'm cheating (what's new?!). I'm changing it to 40 for 40. I'm still going to call it 30 for 30, because I can... but it will last longer and include more shoes and jeans, since I only have two weeks left in the corporate world.

:)

Monday, April 18, 2011

I want one. But not for $50.

Genuine Genius Necklace from ModCloth

So eventually I might try to make one myself. Should be suuuuuper easy. Loop some suede cord through itself around a nice smooth ribbon (so I don't scratch the back o' my neck), and voila. A nice bib necklace that's just the right length and color scheme for my proportions and skin tone.

Yes? (Yep, I think so, too.)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Friday Faves - General Favorites

Along with the switchover to the new blog address, Friday Favorites is back. :)
This is one that has been sitting as a draft in Blogger for a good couple of years, so I added a few things to it today, and here it is...


These are a few of my favorite things. There's no real theme here, these are just things I think are fantastic:

  • Earrings
  • My camera (both of them, actually) - Nikon D60 and Sony Cybershot
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Anthem by Ayn Rand
  • Sour Punch Straws (I'm totally addicted to these)
  • Paperchase notecards, stationery, and notebooks
  • Etsy
  • Post-It notes
  • New Pens
  • Sharpies
  • Caramel Creme
  • Eccolo notebooks
  • Sunshine
  • Sandals
  • Real Italian-style pizza (Margherita... mmmmm...)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

30x30x5



After work today I changed things up a bit.

Grey pants: Wal-Mart (who knew Wal-Mart had cute clothes?? I didn't until a week ago)
White shirt: Wal-Mart
Grey flats: Target
Necklace: No idea whatsoever.
Bangles: Mix of Target and Forever 21

30x30x4

Today I wanted to wear something I normally wouldn't... so I knotted a silk scarf I got in Paris a bunch of times along the length of it and turned it into a bracelet. I like.




Dress: Target
Shirt: Wal-Mart
Shoes: Kohl's
Earrings: Target
Silk Scarf/bracelet: Dawali in Paris

30x30x3

Yesterday after work, I changed into something a little more comfy for dinner out with friends.

Cardigan: Target
Tank: Target
Pants: Target (der...)
Necklace: Target
Bracelet: Wal-Mart
Shoes: some store in Paris I can't remember the name of. I loooove these shoes.

Ready, set... export.

Hi, friends! I am getting ready to combine two blogs into a single (third) blog.
Paris Vicarious (a.k.a. the silly english kaniggit) and the Thursday Night Supper Club will be combined onto one blog. Coming soon. :)

So, if anything gets messed up in the meantime, don't mind me. And if I accidentally delete it all, heaven help me--I'll be bawling for days.

Mwah.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

30x30x2

Here is day two. My lovely co-worker took these pictures out in the gardens at work.

Wow... my legs are so white...



Black ruffle skirt: Nordstrom Rack
Black cardigan: Target
Coral ruffle tank: Nordstrom Rack
Necklace: Target (most likely)
Bracelet: Wal-Mart (who knew?)
Awkward poses: That's all me, baby.

Could I be any happier? Maybe, but not much.

Okay, Kiwi Fresh'ins should pay me for how much I am going to talk up their shoe inserts right now.

In Paris I bought a similar product--a disposable shoe liner--to wear in all my ballet flats that I didn't want to wear socks with.

I have wanted to buy them ever since I've come home, but never found them in the US. Well, today I found them online at Kiwi for Women!!

Seriously, if you like to wear shoes without socks, and you hate the tiny footie socks (since they fall off half the time anyway), you should get some. Find them here: Kiwi Fresh'ins (a.k.a. every girl's lifesaver). They are only $3.99 for a six-pair pack.

I haven't tried this particular brand before, but I think they would have to be seriously unfortunate to disappoint me.

Hooray! (And you're welcome in advance.)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

St. George and Zion National Park

A few weeks ago some friends and I went to stay at my parents' condo in St. George. I went down a day early and spent some time in Zion National Park. Deeee-lightful.

We stopped by the temple for a few minutes, and then drove up above the city to catch the glow of the sunset on the red rocks.




Beautiful, no?


All pics by me.

30x30x1

Here is my first 30x30 ensemble. I wish I didn't look super awkward in that first picture, but what can you do?




Cardigan = Target
Tank = Nordstrom Rack
Pants = Target
Shoes = DSW
Earrings = Target

Thursday, April 7, 2011

30 for 30 (Attempt #2)

So, with the upcoming financial change I'm going to experience as I go back to school, I think it's more appropriate than ever for me to do a wardrobe remix project. I never ended up doing it the first time, so I'm going to start now (well, soon).

I am going to pick my 30 items this week, and then next week I'm going to start the remix. The 11th will be day #1.

Things I already know about the remix:

  • I am going to focus on creating more variety in my casual outfits--since I'll be going back to school and won't have to dress up for work, I want to look more polished while wearing comfortable clothing.
  • I am going to have a hard time picking which shoes to include.
  • I am still going to be really grateful that accessories don't count in the 30 items.
  • I will be completely over taking pictures of myself every day.
So, here goes nothing...

Dreams - Sewing Machine to Vacuum

Recently I've been having very detailed dreams. Very detailed, and very random.

Last night I dreamt that I went to a small appliance store. I wanted to buy a sewing machine (apparently I'm already making plans in my dream for my at-home tailoring), but when I grabbed a sewing machine and turned around to show my mother, it had turned into a vacuum.

The end.

Back in 'Business'


So, I may be starting up the Thursday Night Supper Club again. But it will be on Fridays, since I won't have Friday classes during summer or fall semesters (nice, right?).

I'm excited to get back into the kitchen and start experimenting with new recipes again.

Monday, April 4, 2011

How to Be Poor

Oh, dear.

At the end of this month, I'm leaving the company I've worked for since December of 2003 to go back to school.

I'll be working part-time and focusing on school, which means I am going to be POOR.

Really poor.

Haven't-had-so-little-money-since-I-was-a-freshman kind of poor.

I think I'm going to be bad at it.


Considering the upcoming belt-tightening, I am going to incorporate the following changes starting now:
  1. Way less money for eating out = more cooking at home (maybe a revival of the Thursday Night Supper Club?)
  2. Fewer new clothes... (and more learning how to sew so I can attempt to tailor my own clothes) (oh, scary. I can barely sew a straight line.)
  3. No more buying jewelry (at least not at my current rate...)
  4. Checking books out at the liiiiiibrary, or camping out at Borders and B&N to read new books (raise your hand if you've camped out and read an entire book at the store. No shame.)
  5. Packing lunch every day to eat between work/school.
So, those are the big things that will have to change in my budget.

I would be lying if I said I knew what I was going to do. But I'm happier than I've been in a long time, despite the uncertainty.

Any tips on how to be poor? I know almost everyone has been there at one point or another. What is your biggest money-saving tip?