I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! I've been reluctant to contribute much to this blog as I have until recently been taking all of my pictures via iPhone 4s. However, today marks the genesis of a new era. Santa was generous enough to send both my step mom and me new Canon EOS Rebel T3s. We've been playing with them all Christmas morning and afternoon, using our family as subjects. I can't wait to master my new gadget. I'll be on the road to blogging my soul away!
If you've found yourself with an excess of holiday gift money I recommend you check out the Canon Rebel T3 or even the T4i. It's definitely a great after-Christmas gift to give to yourself. Check it out here at abt.com.
Happy holidays and blue skies, my friends!
Brett Westmoreland
Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up with a specific outfit in mind for the day -- an outfit that's been specifically engineered by your mind to serve the purpose of starting your morning off on a positive note? After all, the motto is "look good, feel good," am I right? For some, this outfit involves taking risks -- bending rules -- breaking barriers. From past experiences, I've concluded that there's a direct correlation between the better you feel about your outfit and the more negative comments you receive about it, because, as if on command, you can always count on that one friend who carelessly throws out the comment, "Are you really wearing that shirt with those boots?"
And my reply is always a peeved, "Yes. Yes, I am."
When faced with these situations I remind myself to reflect on the words of Oscar Wilde: "Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." In my mind, he couldn't be more correct. Fashion is just an extension of one's self-expression. People are beings of emotions, desires, experiences and dreams. We define ourselves (and our emotions, desires, experiences, dreams) through cultural outlets -- food, dance, drawing, and songwriting, to name a few. Many people don't realize that to some fashion is simply an expression of identity.
So this is where the not giving a damn factor comes into play. If you truly use fashion as a method of self-expression, it's important to remain confident in who you are and what message you're conveying to those around you. It's imperative that your fashions serve a purpose. Someone once told me, "You can only break the rules if you know them." You'll undoubtedly fall to all criticism if you don't recognize that you're making a fashion risk while standing assured in the message you're trying to convey. With this in mind, if someone doesn't appreciate how the pattern of your shorts "clashes" with your cardigan, so be it. Everyone has deviating opinions when it comes to artwork. After all, Van Gogh wasn't recognized for his brilliance until many years after his death -- that is if you believe he possessed any brilliance at all.
Here are some examples of rule-breaking outfits that are more or less susceptible to criticism.
This here is Dianna rocking an outfit perfect for a typical Floridian winter day. Some see the combination of dark denim jeans with a light denim button-up as a fashion "no-no." However, Dianna only breaks the rules because she knows them. And may I add that she breaks them effectively.
This was an outfit that I wore a few weeks ago. I can't tell you how many people asked me why I wore a black scarf and boots with a brown leather jacket -- actually I can: three. But the truth is, black and brown can go together if my heart so desires. I'm not sure if anyone appreciated my outfit, but I did, and that's what really matters, right?
At the end of the day this concept applies to businessmen, fashionistas, and politicians alike: If you don't whole-heartedly believe in the ideas you're pitching, no one is going to buy it. Express yourself. Break the rules. Accept criticism. Break more rules. Remain confident in who you are, what you want to say, and don't give a damn.
It seems that at some point throughout life, everyone is faced with the question, "Who inspires you?" -- whether that be by a potential employer, a family member or even yourself.
To some an idol has been identified since day one: "I've watched Oprah every weekday since I was four!" To some inspiration varies depending on the situation: "I want to be Kendall Jenner when I grow up. Did you know her dad was in the Olympics? I would give anything to run as fast as he can." To some (like myself) identifying with others as a living and breathing example has always seemed to reign impossible. Until recently.
I first encountered Lana Del Rey about a year ago. I fell in love with her first single -- a love ballad -- titled "Video Games" released on her sophomore album Born to Die. I possessed an acute knowledge for Lana, her persona or any of her other music, and for some reason was too naive to seek education. It wasn't until this past month when talk of the brilliance exhibited by her most-recent album Paradise had made its way to every social media forum within my possession. Intrigued, I purchased it.
I really felt a connection to the records of this album -- both lyrically and melodically. In this album, Lana writes of pain, of curiosity, of longing, of love, of freedom, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I found it impossible to quarantine my mind from the infectious melodies of "American" and "Blue Velvet" -- songs that document the ordinary intricacies of life that only a brilliant poet could portray so realistically.
Just yesterday I decided to look Lana's name up on YouTube, simply to confirm whether or not she had produced music videos for her singles. I clicked to view the video for a song titled "Ride" on her album Paradise. I expected to watch the usual monotonous, meaningless mess of a music video that most artists these days find compelling to produce. Instead I came across a short film that contained symbolism, purpose, creativity, and overall poetry in the rawest form. I encourage those who appreciate art to watch the link below, as I found it to be utterly compelling.
I think that this music video alone spiked my interest in Lana as both an artist and a person. I began to search for interviews, performances, any and all footage of her that I could get my hands on. The more I encountered her through my computer screen the more I realized she was becoming an inspiration.
In a recent interview Lana stated, "I had a vision of making my life a work of art, and I was looking for people who also felt that way." I suppose it's safe to say that I've always been a visionary. I've always wanted to impact the world on a grand, history-altering scale. I've always wanted to live a life that could serve as an example for generations to come as a life of importance -- of innovation. I've always wanted to make my life into a work of art.After all, what is life undocumented? No one remembers the legacy of the great Abraham Lincoln through word of mouth.
I've decided to build on Lana's philosophy. I will strive to make my life into a work of art. I don't have to leave behind a reservoir of melodies and poems -- but a legacy that is unique to me and the life I am living. And whenever someone asks me who inspires me, I'll know what to say.
As you can see, I just attempted to make that title poetic but came up short.
I'm blunt. Blunt is the opposite of poetic. (I would insert an eye-opening metaphor at this point had I possessed the capability to do so.)
I say things like, "Wow. She looks forty years older than the last time I saw her," and "My science class makes me want to stab myself." And that's just how my brain processes thoughts.
Instead, I could write an eloquent haiku on the topic of how aging occurs to those who least yearn for its consequences. I could compose a brilliantly harmonious melody in which I confess how even though science is the most intriguing of subjects, it unleashes in a me an undeniable urge to inflict pain upon myself and those surrounding me.
I could.
But I can't.
I'm physically unable to think like that.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is one by the great Eleanor Roosevelt:
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
This was one of my favorite quotes -- until I realized that far too often I'm caught within a discussion concerning the latest happenings and who was involved within these occurrences. Far too often does my conversation consist of events and people; therefore, my mind is caught somewhere between small and average. If my mind was to be rated on a scale of one to ten, Eleanor would deem me a three -- which corresponds with the term "unsatisfactory."
But does my inability to produce the art of poetic literature affect my intelligence? Is there some sort of direct correlation between output of articulate rhetoric and greatness achieved in one's life? Is the fact that I used a thesaurus to come up with the phrase "articulate rhetoric" an indication of how small-minded and unintelligent I truly am?
Or does the fact that I'm concerned for my intellect indicate otherwise? Does this mere post qualify as discussing an idea or a thought? Does Eleanor's assertion apply to those who discuss people, events, and ideas?
Maybe I'm intellectual after all. Maybe there's no true measurement of intelligence. Maybe my ineptitude of making words dance off a page has nothing to do with my mental capacity.
Maybe being blunt is a good thing.
Regardless, I'm going to go eat some Zaxby's.
I apologize for wasting your time, you who is probably not actually reading this.
Everyone is aware that college is expensive. Everyone is aware that trees are still -- for some unexplained reason -- unable to produce money. But not everyone is aware of how to cope with or overcome these two truths. College students and politicians alike have not yet mastered the concept of maximizing one's income by reducing unnecessary spending. But all resentment toward the US political agenda aside, I offer one budget-friendly remedy to this inevitable collegiate dilemma -- thrifting.
Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte tastes twice as delicious in my three dollar, leather-accented, acid-washed jean jacket.
Young adults in general simply strive to look good. Many students view their time in college as offering much potential for opportunity. You never know if your future husband awaits you at the bus stop -- if the woman with whom you're making small talk in the grocery store could be your next manager. The bottom line is looking presentable and expressive is constantly imperative for college students. But how can one achieve the status of perpetually fashionable while still maintaining a college budget?
This is where the thrift stores come into play. All you have to do is go online and search for thrift stores in your area. Google and Yelp offer an awesome feature that allows you to access reviews that others have written about the store that you are searching. While searching for thrift stores in my area I came across a store named Outreach Thrift. Reviews of this store consisted of posts like these:
"As good as it gets for thrift stores. Inexpensive, clean." -Shelley M. Gainesville, FL
My good friend, Dianna Ta, rocks the
jean shorts that she cut herself from a
pair of thrifted blue jeans.
"Wow this place is awesome, it is always clean the people are nice and you can always get a good deal!" -Isaac V. Orlando, FL
After seeing these reviews, I knew I had to see what this store had to offer. Since my initial visit to Outreach Thrift I've converted to a firm believer in the age-old expression, "Once you go thrifty, you never go back." (Okay, I made up the phrase, but it was just so applicable.) With my newest economical breakthrough, I have learned that I can live day to day with a unique wardrobe while still being able to afford three meals a day -- maybe even four.
The catch to thrift stores, however, is that they are only as good as their contributors. Their purposes are not to keep up to date with the latest trends and fashions. There are no color-blocking mannequins rocking a high-low skirt and combat boots -- but that does not mean that you can't use what you find to create a trendy outfit or even add a little vintage twist on your everyday apparel.
Some days you may go thrifting and find absolutely nothing that catches your eye as remotely acceptable to wear out in public; on the other hand, some days you may leave with two trash bags full of new (well, slightly used) clothing. Persistence and patience are key; however, in the long run you benefit both economically and fashionably. After all, nothing is more rewarding than being asked, "I love your jacket. Where did you get it?" and being able to answer, "Thrift store! Two bucks!"
Pondering life by Lake Alice, wearing my newest thrift: a lumberjack inspired flannel button-up.
You'd be amazed with the deals you find. High-fashion jackets and pea-coats sell for at least 50 dollars at leading retailers, such as H&M and XXI Forever. Similar styles sell at local thrift stores anywhere from three to twelve dollars. Forget "extreme couponing." Thrift stores offer deals of lifetime without requiring you to cut out of a newspaper for hours on end. Take that, TLC.
I highly recommend visiting at least one of your local thrift stores; you never know what lies there for your discovery. And whether you're a college student on a budget or just trying to live out the broken philosophies of politicians across America, thrifting can definitely benefit you economically -- and even fashionably. But always remember: Once you go thrifty, you never go back. Blue skies, Brett Westmoreland
I first encountered Lana Del Rey about a year ago. I fell in love with her first single -- a love ballad -- titled "Video Games" released on her sophomore album Born to Die. I possessed an acute knowledge for Lana, her persona or any of her other music, and for some reason was too naive to seek education. It wasn't until this past month when talk of the brilliance exhibited by her most-recent album Paradise had made its way to every social media forum within my possession. Intrigued, I purchased it.
