SIA: PSA

Illumination, Colette Calascione
Oil on canvas, 2004

Here, a day late but better late than never, is this week's Style Imitating Art inspiration! Beautiful, isn't it? The detail is amazing. Salazar used the word lush, which I think is an excellent adjective for Calascione's work. Also: pattern mixing! Please send your photos to Salazar by June 3rd. Enjoy!

In public

Pin: heirloom | Top: Anthropologie | Skirt: Talbots | Heels: Urban Outfitters | Nails: butter London Hampstead Heath

The aches and pains I alluded to in last night's SIA post turned into full blown food poisoning overnight. This is the second time in five months that I've had it, and if you haven't had it, take it from me: it's one of the most miserable experiences you could possibly have. The worst is behind me, though, and I am in recovery now.

I took these photos yesterday in probably one of the most public locations I've been to. You've seen this location before, but I was there yesterday when the clock struck five and a number of employees left the building. I was nervous at first, but each person who walked by politely asked if the camera was on a timer, and one lady even said "I don't want to photobomb you!" and they were on their way. I was probably the only person who made any sort of fuss.

Style Imitating Art: Flotsam

As a reminder, above is this week's inspiration, an illustration from Flotsam, by David Wiesner. And here's the deal. I think I'm getting sick (again). So this time around, just links and pictures. I hope you'll forgive me, but I feel like I might vomit at any moment and it feels terrible.

Kirstina of Eccentric Owl submitted two outfits!





Jane of Flight Platform Living also submitted two outfits, and here they are!





Next is Kezzie of KezzieAG:



Here is Juuli from Fragmented Worlds:



Rebekah of From the Mixed-Up Files... is next:



Then we have Jen of Librarian for Life and Style:



Pao of Project Minima is below:



First timer Gracey of Fashion for Giants is here!



My dear co-creator Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey:



And me. Once again, Salazar and I seemed to have the same idea!



Thank you all for joining! Everyone seemed to really like this week's inspiration. Well done, y'all :)

The eyes have it

Top: J.Crew | Skirt: Talbots | Heels: Urban Outfitters

I spent a lot of time today taking ultimately blurry pictures of my eyes, because friends A. and S. recently argued a point that I have hazel, not brown, eyes. So first I googled, and then spent a lot of time looking at my own eyes in the mirror, and then I tried to take pictures. Jury's still out, but I wore eyeliner today without poking one of the aforementioned questionably coloured eyes, so that was pretty successful.

Support system

High five me, bro!

Dress: Anthropologie | Belt: Ann Taylor Factory Store | Wedges: Target | Lips: NARS Jungle Red

I am up to my EARS in storytelling stuff, y'all. Books, stories, books on stories, lectures on stories, chats on stories, analyses of stories. I may sound like I'm complaining, and in a way I am--everyone warned me about Maymester classes!--but it's also kind of awesome. I performed one of my stories for my boss today and she was extremely jazzed, and I had a lot of fun doing it. I've never considered storytelling as something I can do. I have a thing about public speaking; I'm not afraid of it, but I subconsciously and physiologically respond to it. My heart races. I begin to blush. I get hot. But generally, none of this happens until the speaking is actually over. And the nice thing about storytelling is that once it's over, it is OVER. Unless you're in class, there's no feedback. As soon as you walk in front of you, everyone wants you to succeed. They all want to hear the story. That's why you're there, and if you panic, that's okay, because you take a second, you take a deep breath, and then everyone wants even MORE for you to do well. Which is kind of an amazing thing. If only all public speaking were that supportive.

SIA: PSA

From Flotsam, by David Wiesner
Watercolor on paper, 2007
(Click the photo for a larger version)

David Wiesner is a kindred spirit; I first read his book Flotsam knowing nothing about him, but felt immediately tied to his artwork and this beautiful book with no words but an amazing story. As it turns out, that story--about a boy who finds an underwater camera at the beach--takes place at a beach in New Jersey. Kindred indeed. Wiesner grew up in New Jersey and splits his time between the Jersey Shore and Philadelphia, and has received three Caldecott Medals (including one for Flotsam), along with two Caldecott Honors. In 2010, I was at the Art Institute of Chicago and tucked away in a corner on the bottom floor was a small exhibition of original Caldecott art, and some of the work for Flotsam was there, including original sketches and first drafts so viewers could see Wiesner's process for creating the illustrations. I felt so incredibly lucky to have the chance to see Wiesner's art for one of my favourite picture books in person--seeing original art for any picture book is incredibly rare, and to have a chance encounter with Flotsam's paintings...well, kindred indeed.

Email me your submissions for this week's SIA by the evening of Monday, May 20th. I can't wait to see how you all interpret this one!

Tell me a story

Necklace: Hearst Castle, lengthened by me | Top: J.Crew factory | Belt: Target | Skirt: eShakti | Wedges: Target

can't talk, too busy getting ready for storytelling class