Better Late: FBFF - Dreams

It takes a certain level of aspiration before one can take advantage of opportunities that are clearly offered. --Michael Harrington


I haven't been participating in the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday topics religiously lately.  Honestly, I tend to be forgetful and just haven't been checking out the topics ahead of time.  I was on the road for most of Friday and checked in on a few of my favorite bloggers on my phone and almost fell out of the car when I read the topic. Ok, that's a little dramatic - but the topic really hit close to home - dreams and aspirations.

Now, onto why this topic touched me and a super personal update on my life:

On August 5th, I was let go from my job.  I can say that I definitely experienced (and might still be) going through multiple stages of grief: Shock & Denial, Pain & Guilt, Anger & Bargaining, Depression, and  Acceptance.  While this isn't the death of a friend or family member, it is a loss like I've never experienced before.   I've grown accustomed to getting up and going to work day in and day out - now when I get up, there isn't anywhere to go.  I'm not contributing to my household the way I did previously and this change brings on a financial burden.  How am I going to continue doing a blog called The Clothed Commuter when I'm not getting out of the house on a daily basis?  The blog name feels like a sham right now - am I supposed to change it???

This change is a mixed blessing in so many ways and I think I can really see so many more of the positives in this situation.  As you've noticed from some of my recent posts I can be creative.  I love sewing, creating, designing and turning blah things into great things.  I've never found an 8-5 job that really fosters my creativity and it can feel so suffocating to look at spreadsheets all day long when that is sooo not my passion. 

I'm a firm believer that if you really want something, you should put it out there. Announce it, share it with God, the universe, anyone that will listen. Sometimes you get a responses to those dreams. Sometimes it can be hard to decipher how that response fits in to your aspirations.  I've been talking about wanting more time to focus on all of these creative ideas I have floating around my head.  I've thinking about teaching basic sewing lessons to children and doing some research on how to get that started. 

I never would have quit my job to pursue any of this - way to many scary variables!  At first I felt as if I was shoved out of the door at my job. But I quickly reminded myself that "When one door closes another one opens." And if I don't find another door, who is to stop me from creating one?  I'm taking this time to reflect on what I'm supposed to be doing.  What kind of job or career is going to make me happy and feel fulfilled?  I open to the idea that it may not be in a office, store or business.  My eyes are wide open and I'm really trying to listen to my heart during this time.



Thank you Katy for these FBFF questions.  I'm really enjoyed reading everyone's responses and they are really inspiring me to dig deep and think about what life has in store for me in the next couple of months.



1. Fess up – if you could do anything professionally what would it be?
Design and create children's clothing.


2. What draws you to this? 
Kids have a fantastic sense of whimsy and they are willing to wear some crazy things that adults may not be brave enough wear.  Children love color, patterns and fun designs.  These are all things I love and things that I love to design. 

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal? I started sewing at 11 or 12 and took to it naturally.  I still have a ton to learn but I've always enjoyed buying fun fabric and creating hand-bags, quilts, and accessories.  Over the past 10 years, I've sold hand-bags and a few other things but never really thought about doing much more with it.  Now that I have a little niece, I'm really enjoying looking at her clothing and figuring out how to make similar things for her. And now that I have more free time (upside to being unemployed) I'm thinking of making a serious go of it!


4. What’s holding you back from going all in?
Money I guess, now that time isn't a factor.  Thankfully I'm creating kids clothing from really affordable fabrics and cast-off clothing pieces from family members.  Now I just need to convince a boutique or two of the cuteness of my creations!


5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest… what’s one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?
It feels so great to let you know that I'm taking those steps.  I'm getting up and sewing many days a week.  I'm taking time to sketch out designs.  I'm talking to everyone I know to find out how I can make this work. 



My friend's and family have been so incredibly supportive during this time.  My sister sends me style inspirations for clothing designs regularly.  My cousin is scouring thrift stores for unique things for me to refashion.  My mom and dad have both let me cry on their shoulders.  Countless friends have seen my designs and not only encouraged me in my creativity, but given me thoughts on how to expand and improve my ideas!  Thank you again for your love and support!

With love,
Tiffany

Fancy Fingers: Visual Friend, Beauty, Fashion Friday

As far as fingernails are concerned, I'm usually a fan of muted or neutral colors.  I'm one that gets easily distracted and believe it or not, fancy little fingers can be a distraction for me.  But when I saw this tutorial at SRSLYLIZ, I had to give it a shot. 

Katy at Modly Chic organizes Friend, Beauty Fashion Friday topics for bloggers to share their interests and style.  I was so excited when I saw that today's FBFF topic was creative manicures because, thanks to Liz's tutorial, I have one to show you!


You bet these nails have been distracting this week!  While I was getting a coffee in the drive through the other day, the gal in the window asked me where I got my nails done.  I was so thrilled to tell her that I'd done it myself with nail polish and... a sharpie!

Lately, my favorite nail polish has been Sally Hansen Hard Nails Xtreme Wear - it is super budget friendly (coming in under $3 a pop) and the colors are vibrant!  I used Twisted Pink as the base color and Posh Plum for the spots. 

So what do you think of these fun animal spotted nails? 

And can someone please explain the difference between Leopard and Cheetah spots???

Thank you to Kendra from Thrifty and Shameless for the great topic.  Head over and check out her fantastic manicure that I'm dubbing "The Rainbow Sherbert."  You'll aslo find links to many other bloggers who are participating by showing their fancy fingers.  What are you wearing on your nails this week?

FBFF - Blog Pet Peeves

Pet Peeves... Don't even get me started.  I've got a million!  This week's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday's topic is blog pet peeves.  After almost a year of following numerous blogs, certain things can bug you just a bit and below you will find my top 5.  You can go over to Modly Chic to see the peeves of my fellow bloggers - Thank you Katie for another interesting topic.


Before you read my pet peeves, I'd like to mention that none of these are mean hearted in nature and I'm am probably (definitely) guilty of most of them.


The five things that drive me crazy about blogs that I follow:


1. That darned lace skirt from Target - You all know the one I'm talking about. 

Mainly, this is a jealousy issue on my part.  I hunted this skirt down and brought a large in to the fitting room and it was way too small.  So then I brought in an XL and an XXL and neither one looked good on me.  The skirt keeps showing up and haunting me - it is almost like that super cute, popular girl in highschool who dated the cutest guy, was voted cheer captain, won prom queen, was a candy striper, got perfect grades and never had a bad hair day.  Lace skirt, you peeve me out! 

2. Unexpected, unexplained absences - and who am I to talk? Especially after not blogging for a while!

Some of my favorites have taken a leave of absence and I miss them.  How dare you take time off from blogging?  We are like totally the best of blog friends and you left me hanging.  I didn't get to see what you wore for like three weeks and you didn't comment on my outfits for a while either!  Plus to be honest, I get worried that something happened.

3. The over-achieving over-participator.

There are SO many awesome things to be a part of in the blog world.  Slick and Sultry Saturday, The Every-Color-Of-The-Rainbow Crew, White Out, Black Out, Pants Off, Skirts Only, etc.  It gets a little hard to tell what a blogger is about when everyday is dedicated to someone else's project/cause/theme.  I've taken part in a few (Hello... FBFF, EBEW, 30 for 30) but I think occasionally my blogger friends need to remember to step back and come up with some original ideas.

4. Hug gramur misstaeks and speling arrors - I'm not elaborating on this one.  'Nuff said.

Link

5. I'll follow you if you follow me - Major turn off!

This one just feels so needy and disingenuous.  I follow some bloggers who's style is nothing like mine what-so-ever.  I'll follow you if I'm interested in what you put together.  And I would expect the same in return - if you like what I've got going, then follow me.  I dig your style but that doesn't mean you need to bring a shovel to my party.