pluie

Today it was pouring rain. Despite the fact that those rain clouds engaged in what some might call dreary weather, 60 degrees and raining is by far my favorite climate. Rain is refreshing, not a downer, the ultimate cleanser, really. I know I'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to nature but I swear my mental capacity (and just general capacity to get crap done) soars when it rains. Energizing I tell you. Anyways, I'm in the midst of final exams week woo woo so basically I'm having a fantastic time. I hope your week is more fun and spontaneous and magical than mine will be. Don't forget to enjoy the rain and follow my instagram (@shmurphs) and this blog on bloglovin' since you love me yes right of course. 

ps-there is something wrong with the quality of the pictures but I can't figure out how to fix it for the life of me so just IMAGINE VIBRANT COLORS.

habitat

At my school, the kids who take photography class have to do a project every year requiring them to photograph a person in their natural habitat or surroundings. Despite the fact that I normally find school art projects rather draining and creativity-zapping (aka there are only so many times you can draw a still life comprised of dusty metal objects) I've always thought that it would be an interesting idea for a personal project outside of school, since I don't take photography (I take drawing and painting and videography). There may be more of these to come, there may not, but to put it simply, this is yours truly in one of my habitats. I have many. 

hom(i)e(s)

For me, there is almost nothing so terrifying as publishing work on the internet. I don't care what it is, a photo, poem, drawing, blog post... as soon as I press the send or publish button I experience a moment of sheer panic realizing that, yes, people will actually be reading and seeing and thinking about something that is a product of my mind. Weird. 

Anyways, I've been thinking about showing some more of my own artwork and poetry on here but I'm worried about a.) copyright issues and b.) general feedback. Of course, nice notes and even some constructive criticism make my day, but I'm sure we all know that some people get a little funky on the internet. In the end though, I most likely will just suck it up and publish. 

Relating to the above photos and the title. This is me at home, homies. I've nothing more to say about that. 

waiting

Waiting for summer, France, free days...and also for drivers ed.

things

Some of my summer things. 

Also letting everyone know that I'm going to be going to France this summer, spending 3 weeks in Paris and then 2 weeks in the South. So if anyone has any suggestions of things to see or do...let me know!

ph.credit//me

tilda

Snap of Tilda Swinton (and my sun thirsty legs) from W Magazine. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about the editorial as a whole really appealed to me. Picture a massive glass of iced matcha green tea next to me and you have what my Sunday looked like...minus the hours of studying for my AP European History exam on Wednesday...

perception

Yesterday as I sat with my mom over a bowl of mint chip ice cream (I know, exciting) I wondered aloud whether I should cut my overalls into shorteralls or not.

I was met with the quiet utterance of snort plus "jees".

What did I expect? Mom, if your reading this, I don't mean this in an angsty way at all. More, it just furthers my trust in the fact that the divide between the way we perceive what we put on our bodies is vast and the resulting chasm between the two sides is almost impassable, depending on how set in the "traditional ways" a person is. 

I'm using overalls as an example just because they spurred this thought but also because they are almost universally thought of as farm attire. For hicks and rednecks only. Epitome of the American midwest before farming became industrialized, and garb of choice for people who I picture wearing John Deere baseball caps upwards of 50 named Herman. 

Now, the picture I probably just painted in your mind is what (we'll call them "person A") thinks. On the near, more common side of the chasm. Person B however, is represented by this photograph: 

Still western inspired, but modern and cool. I'd like to think this woman's name is Lily or Bambi or Stella and that her flat is decorated with succulents and she keeps her clothing on a floating rack by season. And so we have the split between fashion and non-fashion people. I think, realistically, it's important to have people on both sides of the crack. They each need each other, the people who are willing to look ridiculous to the others, and the ones who are willing to make others feel ridiculous. It's all balance really, since there will always be people who cannot comprehend fashion as an art.

I assure you however, that for me, it always will be. 

ph//tumblr