1.3.11

Don't call it fate. . .

 . . . but I have to call it something. Don't worry Merl, it's not what you think. Though it is something significant.  See. . . How do things come together?  Hypothetically speaking, how do significant things happen?  Or really, if we want to go there, how does anything happen for that matter, since perhaps significance is simply perspective. I feel a strong feeling about X therefore it is significant, as opposed to feeling benign about something making it insignificant. Some people call meaningful jaw dropping occurrences fate or destiny. Some people think that things just happen spontaneously and that once in a while amazing things overlap and cross creating good feeling coincidences. Some people feel like everything that happened and ever is going to happen is already written and all we must do is submit to it and accept it, while there are people on the extreme opposite as well who feel that life is chaos with no pointed and defined path.

I don't actually worry too much about these things. I know it seems I talk a lot about cycles and purposes and inner compasses and things like this, but worry or fret are not a part of that thinking. I am one of those people that see miracles everywhere though. Simple and complex. Earthly and Ethereal (not that either of those is more simple or complex than the other).  I can be certain though, that my detour to The Salvation Army last week (with Merl and Paige, where I ran into Terra and purchased both this Skirt and Mint Sweater) was important. I almost didn't go there. I had several shops to choose from and even made a wrong turn, but we stuck to the plan (and happened to find beautiful things for Emily, Zoë and Amanda while we were at it) to start out our girls retreat in Lake Tahoe last weekend. That was a Significant Occurrence. . . SO I will call it. Simple: I found both this skirt and top which are perfect companions and fit like a dream and just happen to be amazing. Complex: We happened to run into my dear friend Terra who lives in Washington actually, but was visiting Reno for just a couple days and only got out for one hour to hit the shop that we happened to go to, but almost didn't.  Hmm. Both felt SO cool.

Then we have this past weekend. Paige wanted to celebrate her birthday this year with a small handful of Women she felt a connection with whom she met through her blog. She loves cabins and snow and snuggling by the fire so she chose Lake Tahoe as the destination. I live nearby and found us a cabin we could all pitch in for and afford. Six women flew into Reno on Thursday from all over the states (and Canada, ey!) then we made our way to our weekend abode. So many stories were shared, so much laughter, cooking and reading and learning and asking and searching and feeling. There was something very cleansing and fortifying about last weekend for me. Vulnerable and Confident at the same time. There were so many complexities and relationships between experiences and pasts, yet I have emerged from the weekend feeling like things are so SO simple. The more I look into others, the more I see myself. I see how I am connected to everyone. If I let myself be. It's so easy to love when you see that depth and realize that that sameness exists. I love these women.

And I see now why this blog has been so important to me and why I can't give it up completely. It may appear to be a style blog, but it is not just that. I may enjoy clothing and connecting found items from random thrift stores, but the real reward for me has been the depth of personal connections it has allowed me to find here on the internet. The outfits I wear are, yes and expression, but really deep down a lure to attract your attention. Much the way a flower grows as it does to attract the bee. The bee sees it, and if it is the bee's "kind" of flower it will land and perhaps did deeper to find the good stuff. The flower will bloom either way and produce as much nectar as it will, but if the bee stops, digs in and finds the nectar, it can take some of the essence of that flower with it and mix and sprinkle it around where ever it goes. We all take the roles of bees and flowers in my opinion. This metaphor can be taken much further, but I don't want to burden you with too much more nectar right now. My final point is that I Believe in Symbiosis. With nature, with the universe, with people (who are in my opinion both). Maybe it's not Fate that brings people together, but it is SO Amazing.

All items thrifted. Though the necklace was a thrift gift from Paige. Thank you.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

you look so adorable i love your bohemian look! i adore the off-the-shoulders top with the long flowing skirt! so so cute!

<3 steffy
steffysprosandcons.blogspot.com

Liv said...

Out of all of that, oddly, the sentence that struck me the most was "If I let myself be." Those moments of seemingly accidental perfection where everything falls into place and seem to suggest the near-magical, where we find ourselves feeling surprisingly harmonious with people, or a place, are too rare because most of the time we're too caught up in the crap. But maybe it's the rarity that makes it seem more magical. Anyway, I'll keep that simple sentence in mind, to remind myself, well, to let myself be!

http://idlefascination.blogspot.com/

Amber said...

Just wanted to drop by and say that I love your style. I definitely believe in the uniformity of humanity. We really are the same essentially. We just get caught up in our own heads sometimes and ego gets in the way.

Also wanted to mention that I'm your neighbor (also from Northern Nevada, Reno specifically). I hope to start a style blog of my own someday! :)

cloé said...

you're gorgeous ! love your style ! :)

Emily said...

You could not have said it any better than this, oh beautiful Christina.
It definitely was some sort of "fate" that brought us together and i believe that it also put Zoe and I on the same flight... and the same seat row!

Hannah | The Outfit Repeater said...

Your deep and insightful thoughts always intrigue me and really make me think. Thank you SO much!

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

the second to last shot of you is so pretty!!
it is good that you won't give up the blog completely even if it appears to be a style blog. It is better to have much more to you than just clothing. that's wonderful!

Open Door Studio said...

I just got home and have been away from my computer all week!! I completely feel the same way, It was such a moment that I shared with you guys thrifting.....just doesn't happen........

Glad you had a wonderful weekend with friends and love your outfit looks so cute!!

The Bohemienne said...

Wonderful post!

And you have such a fab hat collection. :)

http://thebohemienne.wordpress.com/

noel said...

so lovely! love how you balanced out the long skirt with an off the shoulder sweater. perfect! -noel

Unknown said...

eek! so happy you commented me you are one of my fav blogs :)

amanda said...

i thought i had things all sorted out and then i read this and again feel so overwhelmed with the AMAZING. there is just so much that we all learned from each other and could then bring back home and grow from. i do count myself blessed to have spent that weekend with all of you :)

julianne. said...

you are beautiful.
i love everything about this outfit.<3

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

I completely get what you were saying in your comment on my blog about how it looks authentic but modern because of us going back all the time in fashion inspirations. I thank you.

those tricks said...

You look amazing in this outfit.
Tres chic.

Unknown said...

It's called Synchronicity...google it and you will discover a whole new world :)

Camille said...

what an amazing outfit!
your blog is awesome!

sacheebombom.blog.com

Gabriela said...

I prefer to call it kismet =) Beautiful outfit and words, as per usual.

lindsey lowe said...

love this outfit. too cute. the boots make it!

The Decemberist said...

I love that crocheted top! So bohemian, so chic! Love the whole outfit! :)

   ♥ Teresa ♥
- Pretty Dandy -

bad guitar said...

i think that you girls deciding to come together in Tahoe, never having actually met each other, was so modern, so brave, and so cool that i can't stop thinking about it...and i wasn't even there.

i wasn't having the best of weekends myself, but it made me feel so much better to know you six were out there doing something really, really remarkable.

Anonymous said...

the skirt that found you is beautiful. Must confess that I felt a moment of envy when I heard about this weekend...and I found myself wishing, as I rarely do, that I was thirty years younger. 'nuf said.

Rachella - flourishingfit.com said...

You look gorgeous. Love your sunglasses x

merl said...

I was half joking when I mentioned my 'chi' being compromised because of my reluctance to really deal with my break up.. but a part of me, though I don't necessarily consider myself a spiritual person, believes that in blocking myself off from feeling those strong volatile emotions has crippled me in a sense. I don't think as clearly lately and I seem to either be numb or hysterical when dealing with anything emotional. As we were discussing things at the table that Friday afternoon/night I was looking around the table seeing everyone visibly moved by the tales being shared, and it was as if my emotions had been muted. It wasn't until I shared about what I dealt with right before I flew out that the 'walls' came down and released more emotion than was perhaps warranted. Why am I sharing all this on your blog? Because I envy your spirituality [not to be confused with religion] and willingness to open your mind to new ideas and perhaps obscure possibilities. And to put it all out there while your experiencing these things, in such a public forum. You force me to think outside the box, and though your friendship means infinitely more to me than simply that, if that's all I got from you I'd be grateful. I'm not sure how to break down the walls I've erected around my head and heart [even just saying that makes me feel a little silly] but I do know it's frustrating as hell and makes me want to take a sledgehammer to them, even if it means a temporary melt down. Because while I don't believe in fate, I do believe that what doesn't kill us, ultimately makes us stronger. And SO. I can definitely get behind SO.

oomph. said...

the weekend in reno sounded amazing. i love the outfit...fabulous mix of prints and textures. fantabulous finds!

rockoomph.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

You are definitely not 'New ;)
Your wisdom and inner creative geinuiss are totally 'bound' or at one with each other, and I admit, as someone who still feels 'New" (spiritually), I so often struggle with the earthly concepts.........
I so often long for the simplicity of truly SEEING without thinking and you seem to have mastered the concept of worry is a waste and so on.
I must admit, I get envious when i see an enlightened soul as my patience is still growing :)

i also am envious of your images,
though that sounds so petty and stupid, but we have the same cammy and I have been trying to have a simple 'good' shot on auto , for goodness sake, it seems for the 3 years I've had it !
It has actually brought me to tears while trying to pop off a shot that isn't over-exposed or under-exposed !
But, my hubby bought it for me and I can't just chuck an $800 dollar camera , he'd be so hurt!
sorry to ramble,
it's been a while since I popped in :)
Now everybody will know my insanity!
Love as always
Reva

Unknown said...

PS, wold u mind popping over and letting me know why you photograph in the 'long' way vs. the side-way?
does it make for a better image as I have learned that the Rebel is a portrait camera, and doesn't shoot well over 4-5 feet. It is kick-ass at a 4 ft. distance (you really can't screw it up ;) but that only allows for waist ups or sitting shots.
Which I do a lot!
Thanks!
My e-mail is:
retroreva@zoomtown.com
if you get a chance.
if not, no worries :)
Reva

Chicca said...

Love the entire outfit, especially your sweater!!!
http://chiccastyle.blogspot.com/

citizen rosebud said...

Sometimes I don't make the rounds over here to your neck of the woods as often as I'd like- but when I do- I see your signature amazing style. Gah, I need coffeetablebook of your rocking awesomeness. -Bella Q
the Citizen Rosebud

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...