Charity shopping (thrift shopping) madness!

I've not been feeling great lately and something that I have done a lot of is watching YouTube videos. I watch YouTube videos daily anyway of different YouTubers that I subscribe to but I recently stumbled across The Fashion Citizen again and, although we don't have any kind of Goodwill or another huge thrift store in England, I have been so keen to go charity shopping. Retail therapy is the best kind of therapy, especially when you're getting a bargain! 

You are going to have to keep a very open mind on what you see in this haul. On reflection, the clothing seems a little out there but, I think I can justify it all and with different outfits it won't look as mad as it seems (I may even post the clothes worn with an outfit if anyone would want to see that.)

This first thing I got was this coat (the first image shows more of a true colour). When I saw it in the shop I loved the pattern but noticed the hideous band/belt around it and thought I'd better leave it. My mum picked it up after me and was saying it looked good and noticed the band around the middle could easily come off (we think someone may have added it themselves). It was a bit big on me but at £5.99 for a really decent quality coat I was sure I would be able to make a few adjustments to make it suit me! (Pictures of the change will hopefully follow in another blog.

This coat you may question. The lining (shown on the collar) is hideous, the red and green is garish, and on top of that it's cord, but I kind of fell in love with it. It seems huge but when I tried it on it didn't seem that bad and I'm actually really happy with it. It will be worn a lot and I will make it look fabulous. Haha.

Here is a simple long top. It's very easy to see-through so I am sure to be layering it up. My mum found it and I really liked it. It's a crochet design with little beads threaded through it (I tried to show them close up but they're really hard to see). I will get so much wear out of this, especially in the summer.

The pattern on this dress caught my eye, along with the neckline. I am planning on shortening the dress as I will more likely wear it like that. Plus it was only £1! Bargain.

This dress is made out of such a gorgeous velvet fabric with some lace detailing around the neckline. My mum picked this one out for me and she also offered to pay for it which was very nice of her (thanks mum).

Here's another slightly outrageous item but I'm pretty sure that when I layer it up with some simple clothes it will make it look a little less over the top. My mum reckons I should change the buttons, I'll just wait and see if I can be bothered! Otherwise I will just have to make them work.

This belt is just something I spotted which, because of the different plaited colours, will add to any boring outfit. I know I will wear it a lot so I thought it was one not to miss.

Finally a few small pieces of jewellery that I gathered. The simple wooden necklace is great to add to an outfit, the yellow flowers are really cute and the bracelet was just something a little different that caught my eye.

I'm excited to wear all my new clothes and adjust a few, which I may post about on here.

Bye for now! x

The motivation is here! Where's the ability?

Things are not going well. I have all the motivation at the moment to create some art, all the ideas whizzing around my head at 100mph ready to just be put onto paper/canvas/whatever, but it's just not happening.

Why is it that I have the most fantastic idea in my head but I just can't produce that idea in 'real life'? It's as if the message sent from my brain to my hands just isn't all there and I produce something unexpected, and not something good.

The above is an example of something that isn't wrong but also isn't right. Everything I'm producing isn't wrong but also isn't right. It's good enough to sit in the back of a cupboard but not good enough to show anyone.

Am I feeling to much pressure?

Whatever it is, I'm really doubting my abilities and it's not a great feeling.

I think my brain just thinks I'm amazing but the truth is a little more of an average result.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

I need some help!

Bye for now! x

The problems of being an artist - #1

Yes, this may actually end up becoming a series as I can already think of a few and that's just what is at the top of my head, without any deep thought...

Problem number 1, mess. See image below.

I would apologise for the mess but, if you notice what is actually out of place in the image and is causing a mess, you will notice it is mainly art equipment. As an artist, and I am unsure whether other artists will agree with me on this one, I have two contradicting minds. One wants to have a lovely tidy place to live with no mess. The other would like to express itself and produce art and, whilst in the middle of the production of said art, would like to leave it everywhere so it is easy to come back and pick up where I left off at any moment. This is why all artists should have a studio. It's just a lot easier said than done.

I just wonder how many other artists agree with this?

You'll hear of more problems to come, I am sure...

Bye for now! x

One feeling explained

'My current life feeling' was going to be the title but now I realise that is too vague as I could actually write a book on that.

I was thinking about where 'home' is. (Where the heart is, I know.)

I don't believe I have had a home for a few years. I currently live in a flat and, to me, that is not a home as it is rented and it has an end period of time when I have to leave, making me unable to settle and rest.

I see myself and my belongings as hovering above the ground. This is just my mental image and feeling so it is a hard one to translate into words to make anyone else understand, but if you follow what I'm saying then, well done. I picture an image of myself and everything that I personally own floating just off the ground, perhaps a foot high. All of my 'things' are scattered around at the flat, my mum's and my dad's. If they were together in one place where I am too, and somewhere preferably permanent so there is no feeling of being unable to relax, then that would be home.

The floating feeling is so that I can hover and wait before the next movement. If I allow myself to relax I won't want to move, even if I know I have to.

Soon I would like to feel safe and in a home.

I hope this doesn't make too little sense. I am hoping to create a piece of artwork on it soon which may demonstrate the feelings in a clearer way.

Bye for now!
xx