Top: Ruche Across the Prairie Peasant Top
Sweater: Old Navy
Jeggings: Hue
Boots: Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots
Ring: Lucky Brand
"Cause you're on my mind all the time." - Tegan and Sarah
Well, hello there! Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. I've been too busy rearranging the furniture in my living room every night. I think I can speak for Jerry when I say that this is no easy task given that I have a piano in my living room that weighs like 15 tons. You see, my OCD has been in full effect this week, and no matter how we arranged the living room, I just wasn't satisfied with it. I've spent my days obsessing over different furniture configurations in my mind and my nights trying them out in real life. Now that I have tried all possible configurations and settled on one, I'm obsessing over pillows for the new couch. Yes, pillows. This is what my life has been reduced to.
It's pretty ironic that one of the movies Jerry and I watched this week was Fight Club. I saw it when it first came out, but I didn't remember much about it because I got bored about halfway through with all the dudes fighting. It's one of Jerry's favorite movies, so he suggested I give it another try. I was struck by how much the main character's life in the beginning of the movie reminded me of my own life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not staying awake for days at a time or crashing the local group therapy meetings. However, I can relate to working at an unfulfilling job and spending money on lots of "stuff" in order to express who I am as a person. I love this line from the movie: "The things you used to own, now they own you." This is exactly the way I feel sometimes.
I was joking around with Jerry that maybe I need to start beating the shit out of some girls to cure my OCD. Since that's not an option, I think I'll just work on trying to simplify my life. First, I'm going to keep reminding myself that I don't need over half the things I think I need. Next, I'm going to focus on doing some DIY projects around the house (that don't involve moving furniture) instead of buying new things. Lastly, I'm going to spend less time obsessing about things that don't matter in the grand scheme of things and more time hanging out with my loved ones. However, before I do any of this I'm going to buy some damn pillows. I know...I know...but I've found some that are pretty fabulous...
Repeat after me:
“You are not your job, you're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis. Oh, and you are not your pillows."
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Do you think it would help to direct your energy elsewhere - not a fight club, haha, but maybe working out would help. I know it helps me calm down and get out all my anger and frustrations. I'm also just generally much happier if I can work out, thanks to the endorphines. Gyms usually have classes you can take - anything from kickboxing to spinning to bootcamp. Just a thought :) It'd give you something to focus on that isn't material-driven, if that makes sense!
ReplyDeleteOh the top from Ruche!!! I am so glad you brought it back! Now I need to wear mine (and hope nobody suggests I've got a bun in the oven like they did last time I wore it!). You look gorgeous in these pictures!
ReplyDelete(Love the quote at the end!)
I CAN RELATE!! i have simplified my life over the last year and it feels so good. my OCD is much more under control. but i also started working out regularly which gives me more clarity throughout the day and keeps me from making those impulsive decisions (buys) that make it flare even more. i think you are lovely. and the way you express your inner-most thoughts are very helpful for me. so thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou just broke the first rule of Fight Club: You do NOT talk about FIght Club!!! ;) Great movie. Great outfit-love the purples. I completely obsess over furniture/decorating stuff too. I think in another life or some parallel universe I was an interior designer. Perhaps I missed my calling...? Good luck with the arranging, DIY'ing, and pillow-ing. Thanks for a thoughtful post!
ReplyDeleteMy father has this saying "In a hundred years it won't matter." That sort of keeps it in perspective!
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in your photos and your outfit is great. I really love your scarf too...did you knit it yourself? I'm working on simplifying my life as well in an effort to stop shopping. It's pretty tough, but as long as I'm busy with other things such as work, traveling, running, then I'm not obsessed with shopping. Love the quote too. Now I'm dying to know more about these pillows :)
ReplyDeleteMoody Girl
I love this outfit on you Bonnie, and the photos/location are terrific for it. You don't need all the stuff you buy. I googled your top because I thought it looked great on you and noticed you got it in 2010. See? just recycle all those clothes. I actually think this is one of the best looks you've worn recently. So go shop that closet.
ReplyDeleteI do like clothes but fortunately I'm super duper frugal and also very picky so I can talk myself out of buying anything. And I always buy clothes on sale because I can always find anything I want on sale so why waste the cash. Other than clothes, I'm kinda weird in that I hate stuff. It bogs me down and clutters my life. I feel so free without stuff, and I love getting rid of what little stuff I have. It's liberating.
Oh, Lucy, I wish I could be more like you. My first problem is that I'm lazy, so buying new things is much easier than trying to put things together that are already in my closet. I'm also very impatient, so I have a hard time waiting for something to go on sale before I get it. I envy your freedom from stuff. It's a challenge for me to be frugal, because I have to fight my nature, but I'm going to work on myself going forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nope, no knitting here. The scarf is from Anthro. I forgot to put a link to it in the post. I'm going to correct that now. You're right, we have to focus our energy and creativity into other areas of our lives to get our minds off of shopping. I'm going to start doing yoga again and taking the dogs for daily walks now that the days are getting longer. Now, about those pillows...They are from Pottery Barn. Here's a link: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/emma-medallion-embroidered-pillow-covers/?pkey=cdecorative-throws-pillows&cm_src=decorative-throws-pillows%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-
ReplyDeleteBut Bonnie, you are obviously a creative person. I can tell that by your posts. So why not use that creativity to mix and match the clothes you already have? Challenge yourself creatively to come up with different outfits with the clothes you have. It's actually pretty cool when it works out. I start with one item in my closet, and literally scan the whole closet to see what would work with it. Try to think outside the box (ie. maybe use a dress as a skirt by pairing it with a cute top or sweater). I bet you'll surprise yourself with what you can come up with.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually an extremely impatient person also, but I guess my cheapness wins out. I use to always buy clothes at full price but with the internet and knowing how to stalk sales, I always buy on sale now. I hate the thought of spending $600 on some boots that I can later buy at $200.
I suspect that some of your shopping comes from a need to "fill yourself up".... by that I mean, to fill a void or an emptiness inside you. It's an escape. You think it will make yourself feel better, and maybe it does but only for a very short time. I say this because it can be for me, and I see alot of similarities between us. If you addressed what's making you feel empty or the reason why you need an escape, I suspect your shopping would go down.
They just get better and better...this outfit is perfect, as is the photography. The setting is gorgeous - Anthro needs to hire you for product shots. Thanks for sharing these :o)
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