"Keeping Things Whole" by Mark Strand

I wrote an analytical essay on this poem in ninth grade. I'm pretty sure I got an A.

"Keeping Things Whole"

In a field

I am the abscence of field.

This is

always the case.

Wherever I am

I am what is missing.

When I walk

I part the air

and always

the air moves in

to fill the spaces

where my body's been.

We all have reasons

for moving.

I move

to keep things whole.

-Mark Strand

Patch It, Work It

Jeans by Trussardi 1911

I love the look of these jeans. At first glance, I thought a project like this could be a tall order. I've never done any serious sewing to the point where I needed a pattern. Lately, I've been having alot of fun using a less dramatic version of Kat Von D's t-shirt lacing techniques to alter the shape of a top. But after closer inspection, I bet I could take apart a few pairs of jeans (that are all the same size) and just fill in the gaps. I'll see to it someday....

I'm really in love with the desing of this Trussardi 1911 dress as well.

Motorin'

The first time I saw these jeans a few months ago I had a lustful desire to own them. After some thought, I concluded that the stitching is what makes these jeans so special. So, why can't I give it a go myself? Plus, most clothing these days is cut for the proportion of a model. In the image, the knee section actually hits her knee, which means that that detail would be smack in the middle of my 5'4" shins. I've limited my pant selection (denim and otherwise) down to twelve pairs but I might thrift shop for another pair of jeans to experiment on. I don't want to mess up and maim my jeans in an unflattering way for good :( Though, I tried ankle zippers and ended up not liking them but successfully rescued my favorite jeans.

Thoughts? Has anyone else tried this?

Something Old is Something New

I've admired that several bloggers have recently been writing about they're wardrobe staples instead of accumulating they're closets desires. Over the past few years I've slowly taken up this mind set quite seriously. But, I of course still like to buy something new once a in a while. Especially if I can get it for a steal. Here are a few things that I've picked up over the past few months.

This is my new favorite chocker (above.) It is actually a 'boot bracelet.' I bought the set for $10. I'm not sure what I'll do with the other one. I don't know if I'm a boot bracelet type of person but I will try out the look just once.


I love this belt. I had my eye on it all year. In November I decided that I had nothing else like it. I got it in a consignment shop where about half of my wardrobe has gone overtime. It was $25. I usually like to take my cash when my clothing sells (instead of accumulating more things) but I had more than enough store credit to cover it (yes!). I found it in the men's section (surprise, surprise) but it fits fine. The coins have eagles on them and the buckle is removeable.


I bought this clock key in an anitque store for $3. I originally alternated between hanging it from a chain and a strip of dark brown suede. I settled on using this leather cord that I took from a vintage necklace and I love it.

Heart of Gold

I remember the first time I felt moved by Neil Young. I was in 8th grade. My mom was meeting with her co-workers in Barnes and Noble and I tagged along. I loved (and still love) sitting on the floor in a book store and flipping through giant (and expensive) art books that I hoped to someday afford. The meeting dragged on for hours. I was actually starting to get bored. And I was starving. Just then, the music changed. I'm the kind of person who likes to have a mental catalogue of musicians who seem to have passionate fans. I like to know their sound just enough and eventually check them out thoroughly. This was the case that very day. I recognized that it was Neil Young's voice, although I didn't listen to him much. I fell in love the with the live recording of his songs and looked for books about him. I flipped through the images and text for until the albums end. Then my mother called for me.