Wistful Victorian?

Why do I call my blog, & myself a "Wistful Victorian"? There are so many reasons.

The biggest reason I feel is that, in today's day & age, manners are being thrown out the window- so is our societies moral compass. I pride myself on learning something new everyday, and trying to be the best I can be each day. Not only for myself but for the people around me. Do not get me wrong, I am by no means a push over nor do I care completely what others think of me, I just feel that what you put out into the world is a signal for how others should treat you. 

I am polite & diplomatic because that is how I want to be treated. I dress modestly because I want people to get to know me before passing judgement. I do not stare rudely at others, and dressing modestly also helps me because it signals to others that they should not stare rudely at me and invites less lascivious comments directed towards me. 

In the Victorian Era, modesty and manners were of great importance in daily life. I feel we could, in our world now, do with a revival of these morals.

Besides me holding modesty & manners in such a high regard, I also love the opulence and the way Victorians approached their world with curiosity & the willingness to learn. I love learning, and I truly believe you learn something new each day. Wether it be something in school, or something as simple as finding a new food you enjoy. 

I felt the need to write this because with the recent Easter season, and me working in retail, I have experienced the extent to which our society deems horrid behavior acceptable. It is relieving to write this down and get my opinion out there. 

Macklemore Thriftshop Challenge

I took the challenge!
What you do is:
1) post a picture of yourself outside a thriftshop with $20. I did not do this because I used my card- & I didn't want to be flashing it around, BUT I did only spend $20.
2) take a picture of a lyric in the song. I took a picture of myself in a "Big ass coat, from that thriftshop down the road"
3) post what you got for your $20!
It was so much fun!!!
Details of the outfit I shopped in:
Sweater: Goodwill
Scarf: Christmas gift
Jeans: Kohl's sale
Boots: Plato's Closet

I got two tee shirts, the grey one & a mint one not shown, a lace button up, a slouchy tee with mesh cutout parts- so cool! & a long sleeve tee. The fur coat was huge, heavy & rather scary.

February Wish List

I've noticed that all my favorite blogs create wish lists, I am horrible at creating wish lists. My Ma has to basically threaten me to make a Christmas list each year.
For some reason I'm just not into having stuff, I love clothing, but then I go through it and donate bags & bags to charity. I like things I can use, and things that have sentimental value more than specific items.
So, here is my first go at a wish list!! May be unconventional but it's 100% me thats for sure.
- I would like one of those old war jackets that are in Antique shops, the ones with all the medals still on them- from some family that has all passed on and there is this awesome coat left. I don't really know if I would wear it, or could since it's so old it may be too fragile but the look of them is so cool & the way soldiers protect us I fully respect so I would love to own one of these coats.

-Also, I really love funky towels and home items. I have no home of my own yet but I want to start a hope chest. I  think it would be fun to look in it and see all the cute things I've collected for my future home. It has always been my dream to own my own house, a Queen Anne Victorian specifically. My style is interesting, I love traditional things but generally the more fun & unusual items catch my eye. Here are some things I think are adorable!

  

So there you go, there is my wish list. Not exactly like everyone else's but hey, neither am I!

Wiring my canvases

Okay, so if you are going to be in any art show- you need a wire on the back of your canvas.
You may have not been taught this in school- as I was not- but it's important to do- preferably BEFORE you have made your art.
I've gotten help from a gallery owner in my town about wiring & such it was a very nice thing for her to do.
It makes it easier for potential future owners of your work to be able to hang the piece in their home.
It's hard to do until you get the hang of it but it's essential if you are going to be showing & selling your work.
You need screw eyes, wire, wire cutters & something to get the holes started on the back of your canvas.
And, remember to test your wiring to make sure your painting will stay on the wall- not on the floor!!!!
Good luck!!
- Lauren

Some new works, done & in progress.

Can't stop listening!

Part one

So, for 4 months I've been working each day in my latest painting, this morning I finally got the first part done!
The canvas is about as tall as me & about a foot & a half wide.
I'm so happy!

Inspiration

Tuesday Tunes Day, on Wednesday

I had such a bad sinus headache yesterday I forgot to post the Tuesday Tunes Day, so I'm doing it today on Wednesday.

Ryan Adams: Halloween Head

Ryan Adams: New York, New York

Ryan Adams: Lucky Now

Ryan Adams: Chains of Love

Ryan Adams: Answering Bell

Artist I Enjoy:: Peony Yip

http://www.flickr.com/people/weirdsimplicity/
http://thewhitedeers.tumblr.com/

 

All artwork in this post by Peony Yip.

Mushroom prints & my best friend:: a day in the life

I found some mushrooms in my yard & printed them,& then said good morning to my best buddy.

Smoothie

Lately I've been into making smoothies with hemp powder, & I must say they've been turning out good, especially my last one.
I used:
2 bananas
8 strawberries
A few big scoops of vanilla Greek yogurt
About a half a cup of rice milk
2 spoonfuls of hemp powder.

I'm trying to freeze some as I write this to see if it will make some healthy yummy ice cream!

I'm a vegetarian & love eating healthy so when I discovered hemp powder I was all over that shit. I've been eating it everyday. It gives smoothies a weird color & a kind of not terribly smooth texture but it's very tasty!! So you get over all that weirdness in about .1 seconds after trying it.

Hope my ice cream turns out

Update: 7/28/12 my ice cream idea did not turn out, it was actually rather strange looking.

Collector: mushrooms

I found this man in my backyard!