secondskin's blog

All I really want to do right now is read ‘Grounding Myself Philosophically,’ a chapter in The Scholar Warrior by Deng Ming . Dao, about taoism and the natural life cycles. Taoists have a very grounded, peaceful, present and accepting perception of life and death and move gracefully between its cycles. Is anyone else familiar with the I Ching or Taoism? Philosophy is a topic of tremendous interest to me. I have often thought of starting a blog or club dedicated to philosophical discussion. I have a great capacity to discuss topics like this dispassionately, with a rational, calm, and non judgmental demeanor. If this seems interesting to anyone else let me know. I would NOT want it to become a soapbox station where we stubbornly scream about our personal opinions with closed hearts and heads, but a place to have non judgmental discussions anonymously about existential things. A safe place. More of a questioning forum full of things to think about, feel about, and decide for ones self if it makes sense. These probably already exist. I don’t have to be the one to start this, so if you know of one please give me the link. I would love to join a discussion. I guess I do have a lot to say right now.

Firstly, I had no idea it was super bowl Sunday until like three days ago, secondly, I asked my husband five minutes ago what the teams were, and thirdly I just happen to be wearing blue and white which my husband tells me are the Colt’s colors, SO Go Colts!! Its always nice to get together with people and eat during the game though. It looks like I am bare legged here but these are actually like a sheer mustard tight.

My Coat is the really exciting thing here! It is a 1945 Eisenhower cut military jacket that I got at this great military memorabilia shop, Westwall Militaria, near my town! The guy that runs it, Gary Cain, KNOWS everything about anything historically military wise, like how Hugo Boss actually designed the military uniforms for the Nazis and all sorts of random, super interesting facts! He has tons of really cool leather goods, canvas totes, coats, jackets, pictures, pins, buttons, weapons!! I mean EVERYTHING! I basically went in there, told him the shape and size and era of jacket I was looking for (there was one from South Africa that I was interested in but cost more than $500 because of its rarity), and wrote my request in a book. He goes to all of these trade shows and events and kept his eye out for me until he found this beauty (like 3 weeks later) and he only charged me $20! He said that hundreds of thousands of these were made so there are quite a few out there.

I have had this suspender bodysuit for a very long time and have been wanting to wear it, but wasn’t really sure how. I guess just basic black works, but it kinda makes me feel like a mime or something! Jeans look weird, I thing a full black skirt would be cute. . . I don’t know. Maybe it is not as great as I think it is. You know how it is when your gut tells you that something is good, but you just don’t know any practical applications for it. Perhaps this bodysuit will just be paired with bright tights someday and a belt for a play session and that will be it. If anyone has any suggestions or examples for making this work right let me know. If it sucks, no sweat.

I hope you have a very lovely weekend!

So, about this outfit. I am wearing another playsuit from Target that my Son actually coaxed me into buying! He is dangerous to shop with! And I really wanted to wear this little vintage hat from the collection, but I couldn’t find any pins this morning and it keeps falling off! Oh well! I was probably trying to wear it wrong anyway!

A Discussion that took place in my email last night right before I went to bed:

“Hi!
I discovered your blog today and fell in love with your [entire] wardrobe and your inspiring photos and styling. Which leads me to my dilemma: I recently purchased a pair of Steve Madden Frenchh Engineer boots on sale.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3016793
In Cognac.

BUT I have half a mind to return them because I have no idea how to pair them! I bought them because I’ve lusted over the idea of durable flat leather boots but I have no idea how to pair them. Please let me know if you have any ideas! Thank you!!!

Verdant boot-aficionado
Alison"
“Allison,

Hmmm. Lemme see if I can cook something up for you. I have a pair of mid height frye moto boots that have a similar feel to these, more squared toe, but same chunky feel. I have hardly worn them since I have actually had trouble styling them as well! It is so sweet that you have faith in me though! I will try a few things and get back to you! Perhaps with some pictures even. In the mean time, my inclination would be a floral playsuit, dark tights in gray maybe, and a layer of to the knee socks bunched down so they are just peeking over the boot, a warm, oversized cardigan over the playsuit and a brown scarf belted at the waist under a braided leather belt. I Think you just helped me pick out my outfit for tomorrow! I will try to get it posted before I am out the door at 8:00 tomorrow! Hope it helps and thanks so much for finding me!

Christina Marie"

I love the color of these tights though and can’t really go about in a crazy blue hat and a bathing suit, so I toned it down with this mixed animal print dress I hemmed last weekend. It is DEFINITELY from the 80s and had HUGE shoulder pads (which I cannot rock no matter how cool they get again) and a below the knee length. I think It is WAY more wearable at this length and with this woven belt.