Craving....

Etsy. Thank goodness for etsy. A place where I can still fulfill my online shopping desires while reusing! So I've been looking for a new bag for quite sometime now... mine has been loved and used for over 2 years now and it's looking pretty rank. The lining is ripped and the leather is stained and the stitching is coming undone on the handles. It's time to retire this bag. Today while searching etsy I found the perfect bag. I am in love and if I had 89 $ to spend today it would be mine... but I don't. But mom, if you are reading this- I love this bag....hint... plus it's logical to buy a French bag anyways, since I study French. Really this bag would help me be a better student.

Anyways, here it is, my dream bag. My summer craving...

It's utterly perfect.

I am also in the market for some sunglasses. Been looking for some 70's style ones and have found a few pairs on etsy I like. I'm going to finally have some time this weekend to search a few vintage stores and see if I find any I like there. I'll keep you posted.

I did however actually make a purchase on etsy last night for my sisters birthday. It turns out everyones birthdays are in March, so there is going to be a lot of tough birthday shopping to do! I'll post pictures of what I got her once it's past next week- when her birthday is.

I'm off to write a French composition and a paper on Hellenistic religion, have a good evening!

Vintage Jewlery

Ever since I was young, I've held a certain fascination in vintage jewelry. I've never worn it much, most only on special occasions, but the idea of it captivates me. I want to wear pieces that other people have loved and worn once before! I've been lucky enough over the years to find and gain a small, but dearly loved, collection of vintage jewelry. Passed down from grand parents, great grand parents, and even great great grand parents, I've been handed some pretty unique and amazing finds. Also, digging through 3 dollar baskets of jewelry at thrift stores and antique stores I've found some pieces that are really interesting.

Now, a lot of my favorite pieces are actually at my family's house in Mesa, such as a jade bracelet passed down from my grandmother and a gold locket that is too fragile now to wear that was passed down from a great great grandmother... it's an incredibly old piece and it still has the box it came in. Also, I lent my sister a silver tassel necklace that wasn't really given to me, I just sort of found it shuffling around piles of jewelry my mom has collected. I'll show you a pictures of all those later, but for today I'll be putting up pictures of some of my favorite pieces here with me now.

The reason I'm doing this, is because I've realized that I need to work with what I've got with this self challenge. Although I wear the same locket and watch everyday, I can definitely play with my jewelry to add to my total look and snazzy up all my neutral clothing( seriously, I love neutrals)! So when wearing vintage jewelry I find it's most important to remember one thing; I am wearing a piece of history around my finger. So with that, I bring you a few pictures of some of my favorite finds and hand- me downs.

First, is my favorite piece, ever. It's a sapphire, pearl, gold ring that was my grandmother's. I wear it on special occasions, and it makes me feel like pure royalty.
I found this necklace in an antique store in Bisbee Arizona, such great small town to go thrifiting in. It's on the border of Mexico and Arizona, the town has so much character and many of my family member are from there! The detailing on this piece is out of this world plus tassels are the way to go!
This is an antique watch that was one of my grandmothers, it's all scratched up and doesn't work, but what a great piece.

These are two of my favorite bracelets ever. I'm not huge on bracelets usually, but the etched stars and o's are so casually fun on the silver piece! The gold one is completely dainty with cut outs on it, they go so well together. I prefer to mix silver and gold daily than to just stick to one. It seems to stuffy to just wear one on it's own, I'd much rather mix things than do the matching thing.

Photographs courtesy of Callum Badger Photography

The Beginnings

Today I am starting my very own experiment.

For those of you who know me, you probably know that I love fashion. I see the way we dress our lives as one of the greatest art forms... and what do you know, I study art and humanities all day! So I spend time surfing fashion blogs and pictures from fashion week, reading nylon and vogue, and drooling in front of Anthropologie's dresses. And Spring is just about to start- meaning... lace dresses, silk shirts, gauze skirts, 70's inspired everything, and wedge sandals! The excitement is boiling up inside of me and I am lusting after so many things - even though there is currently a blizzard here in Flagstaff.... so much for spring, thanks for getting my hopes up Punxsutawney Phil.

Anyways, I've recently decided that I need to monitor the way I live my life,meaning I need to focus on helping out with the problems Earth is having. Recycling is a great place to start, not just recycling bottles and cans ( although I am also doing that), but recycling and reusing things that we love in our daily life. I've recently been finding myself being made to feel guilty for loving fashion and art and I've finally realized I shouldn't. These are things that make me, me, and I can still love them and mother Earth at the same time. But I know, I need to focus more on reusing things, recycling things, and reloving things in every compartment of my life. Whether that be furniture to dress my room, vintage jewelry to refashion my life, or thrifted boots to walk me through the feet of snow piling up outside.

I've always been a lover of vintage and thrifted things... I love to feel the history of an item and spend hours imagining the the people and stories that stay attached to an item that one loves. I want to relove that item.

So the plan is plainly put- I will not buy any new items this spring that I can get used. I am going to reuse, recycle, and relove all of my findings and discoveries- and also put some of the things I don't need in a store where someone else can find them and love them!

I did however order, with some tax refund money, a pair of new shorts and shoes the other day- those are fair game. So here I go... well obviously I'm not going anywhere today seeing as I would have to trek through a blizzard... but in general, my experiment, starts, now.

Welcome to Reused Recycled Reloved