Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Flamingo Pink

Flamingo

______I used to think that I was going to never enjoy going to the college I'm attending, being as large as it is.  I was afraid of becoming just another face that wandered aimlessly amongst the student body like a zombie with its soul zapped out, or like a piece of toast that lacks a hearty slathering of peanut butter, and is thus like every other piece of toast.  I was also afraid of not being able to make that lovely little connection with my teachers, one thing which is pretty important to my wellbeing.

______Thankfully, I am glad to say that hasn't been the case.

Flamingo2Flamingo3Flamingo7Flamingo4

______If I didn't have a place among the Art Department right now, I'd be one sad little squid--more specifically, if I didn't have kind words from the art teachers and the head of the Art Department herself, I'd probably not feel at ease being an Art major.  I'd have probably gone onto something more "practical" like advertising or business, and then have ended up miserable among a rigid grey mass of Nike shorts and sorority T-shirts.  But the head of the department knows me personally, and even teachers whose classes I've never taken recognize me.

______Just the other day during my Art Scholarship Exhibition, a teacher who I never had came up to me and said, "I really like your stuff.  I wanted to put all of it up in the exhibition, but that wouldn't have been fair."  I beamed, and thanked him.  That really meant a lot.  I knew who he was and his name, but wasn't expecting for him to know mine.  He called me on the phone once to ask a question about one of the pieces he was hanging in the exhibition, but we had never met face to face.  The fact that he could link art to a name to a face felt pretty excellent--more excellent than the feeling you get when you successfully pass a police car at night when one of your headlights is out.

______As my parents and I left the exhibition, the head apparently took my mom to the side and whispered  "We really like her," pointing at me eagerly.  At last year's exhibition, she specifically told me, "You've found your niche!" I take the things that teachers say to heart, and never forget them.  Even the little things.  I remember them all (clearly, since I've quoted three things so far).

Flamingo10Flamingo8
Flamingo12
Flamingo11

______I'm pretty sure if I had gone on to another major, none of the aforementioned would have been applied to whatever major I decided to choose.  It's like I've still got the benefits of going to a large school (lower cost, academic scholarships, a large campus with lots of amenities, such as a gigantor Starbucks) and a tiny one (knowing your teachers more personally, having classes around the same area).  Who would have guessed that was possible at the world's largest football school?

______Not I, says the fly.

Flamingo1

Dress: Cynthia Rowley (via TJ Maxx)
Anchor belt: via Lotus Botique
Heels: Jeffrey Campbell
Necklace: necklace world lol jk Charming Charlie
Earrings: c/o Jojo Loves You
Whale bracelet: vintage

50 comments:

Vett Vandiver said...

that dress is perfect!!

Katherine said...

Do you go to University of Alabama or Auburn or something?! The only reason I know these is HEart of Dixie. Which you are now Lemon Breeland in my head for some reason. Like a super artsy awesome version of her. I hope you watch or have seen like an episode of the show so I'm not crazy, but I do love it.

Anyhow - sounds like you are quite the attention gettter! That kind of praise is awesome. You can actually do a lot with an art degree - I wish I had those skills to be an illustrator or something.

This dress is stunnninnngggg on you. And those heels!! I want them. They are so neat. You have the best photography ever - your college must be beautiful where ever it is. I went to school in an abstract Easter Egg ( see here : http://justurbanism.com/2008/10/08/eisenmans_daap_building_requires_45_million_f/ ) (designed by someone famous who I believe wanted every student who went through the school to curse his name). My college hired a lot of famous architects to do each building - so our campus is full of crazy neat buildings ( http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/vontz/ ) - the design building wasn't one of them. ANYHOW I'm saying I'm jealous of these adorable corners you always find for photos. Makes me want to visit a college and take photos.

LyddieGal said...

That is so wonderful - I'm glad you've found the perfect place and clearly have some great teachers who really want to see you succeed. Congrats!!

Love this look too, that dress is the perfect shade of pink!

Ivana Split said...

I think teaching is as much a calling as a profession. A good teacher will always bring out the best of his student. I'm really happy that you have found your place. Studying Art is never an easy decision I presume. Most of the time people are telling you to pick something more practical. However, if everyone picks practical what this world will be like? Boring, boring, boring...


On the other hand, this outfit is all but boring. It's really nice and spring appropriate and really very cute.

Katie Aman said...

I just love the way you write. Your quirky sayings always put a smile on my face ("not I, says the fly")! I am glad that you're getting recognition on your work from professors. They can see how talented you are and that's why you stand out from the crowd! Those are some lovely compliments they've given you, and certainly well deserved :) This pink dress is a stunner on you! What a nice, bright shade that just brightens you right up. I always love your detail shots as well-they are definitely the best I've seen. Those earrings are wow!

Katherine said...

Heart of Dixie is on hulu! Watch it!!!!!

Also - your home area is beautiful. I feel like whenever I take any photos near my apartment I look like I'm in crappy farm apartments. HA!

Unknown said...

very nice

fashionpassionomg.blogspot.com

Cece Coffeshop said...

You are like a fairy! You're so beautiful with that dress.
I'm so happy to read that you are wonderful in your major. You are really a true artist. Your photography and painting are flawless, it's obvious that the teachers are going to know you ;D

The Braided Bandit said...

You look amazing in pink and those patterned heels are dreamy! That is awesome that you are doing so well at school, do you ever share your work on here? I will have to do some browsing (*cough* stalking). I had the same feeling within my major and went to a really big school too!
Have a wonderful day!
xo Hannah

thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

you look gorgeous in the hot pink dress! xoxo

www.roxysun.com

Unknown said...

great color. pink is always awesome. :D

E said...

Great professors make all the difference. I remember I thought about transferring to a different school in my first year, but good professors and better friends swayed me, and I'm so glad I stayed where I was.

Oh and can we talk about the shoes??! It's like they were made to be worn with something bright like that beautiful dress!

Unknown said...

Great dress!! I love finding awesome pieces from Tj maxx too.

http://heydahye.blogspot.com/

Francesca said...

I'm glad you are having such a good time ad feel comforatable! It's great that your professors are encouraging too! :)

I love your dress, you look so pretty! I also love all of your jewelry, it looks so nice!

mochaccinoland said...

u look super gorgeous! fuschia brings out the best of your fair skin. and congratulation on your academic success. u are really talented :)

xoxo
mochaccinoland.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy you've found your niche. Not only are you an amazing artist, you are also wildly witty and stunningly stylish. Basically you are amazing.

Hope the end of your semester is not too stressful!

Dressed With Soul said...

Hi dear, thank you very much for this interesting story - and no, I had never ever expected that this could be possible on that kind of school! But I´m sure you´re a great talent - your perfect outfit confirms me in my opinion <3

And many thanks you for your funny and nice comment on my blog: I checked immediately your blog with the result: I like it!

I would like to follow you on gfc and/or bloglovin. It´ll be great if you come return to my blog to follow me – then I will follow you immediately back.

xxx
Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de

Boheme.Fille said...

Since I saw some of your art I'm sure those teachers are so darn right! You indeed are extremely talented!
And besides being extremely talented you're extremely chic too! :) I just love the dress and shoes!

Jessi said...

That dress! You look so gorgeous and radiant in this color, I love it! ANd that anchor belt is darling! Oh, and I can't forget the shoes, they're awesome :)
You're so lucky to have found your path in life already! ANd you are super talented, I agree with your teachers. Your work always amazes me!
Jessi
haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

Sybil said...

fantastic styling in this outfit!!! i love the jewelry and i love how you paired pink with the black and white heels!!! super chic, dear!!

Click me for my NEW BLOG

Ashley said...

You have just intensified my search for the perfect hot pink dress. This dress is so gorgeous on you Ali. The color is absolutely stunning and I love the fun heels you paired it with. I am so happy for you and your success at school. Girl, your work is AMAZING, you deserve it :)

xo Ashley

DC in STYLE said...

You look stunning! And I'm so glad that everything goes smooth at the college! Your art is incredible, would love to see more of your artwork here!!!!!!!!
http://dcinstyle.com/

The Dragonfruit said...

"We really like her"
Haha, who wouldn't!? ;)
Aww, this is just so awesome to hear Ali, and I say this so often, but I'm just so proud of you and your artistic talents. Its going to take you far girl, I promise you. Just don't forget your lil blogging pal over in Idaho when you get famous, k?
I am loving this flamingo pink dress on you Ali, babe status right there! Plus, some fun, zebra like heels? :D You know I'm crushing on them!

Trendy Teal

joy said...

That's amazing! I'm soooooo glad to hear that the teachers all know you because you super duper deserve the recognition. And i'm also super glad to hear that you got both the benefits from a large college and a small college. I am so so so so happy for you and this post made me smile :D

And Ali, that dress is so bright and pretty. And I love that anchor belt whenever I see it, it adds the perfect amount of nautical to any outfit. Looks wonderful:)

Keit said...

It's always great when people acknowledge your hard work and even better, they like it! So I'm very happy you've found your way through college ^_^ And you should be praised, because from what I've seen from your work, its impressive!
And as always, PINK!!!!!!!!!!! This dress rocks on so many levels :D

ChocolateFashionCoffee said...

such an amazing look, dear! thank you for your comment! love your blog :) following you now :)




http://chocolatefashioncoffee.blogspot.ro/

Kati said...

This dress is so absolutely pretty on you, the colour is just perfect with your hair!

Have a good day,
-Kati

jess said...

That dress is a great color on you. I'm glad you are feeling supported at your college.

Selvaggia Capizzi said...

that dress is perfection and I am totally in love with the shoes!!
Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
Facebook
Bloglovin'

Tanja S. said...

You chose such a great location! Also, I love your heels, looks amazing :)

Sam said...

Hi Ali, how have yo been? Pink is your color, this dress looks sensational on you, and love the styling of the snazzy printed heel. Thats some amazing praise you got, so proud for you! keep it up hun!

Londyn said...

OMG! LOVE!! so pretty

miasmode said...

Awesome dress and I love the necklace too. So beautiful <3

xx

roxanne dupuis said...

Thanks for your comment!! I actually totally agree, I don't have the guts to dress up in lolita really, but I love the style of it and try to use pieces in more retro ways, I guess?

Your blog is totally precious and I think we should be friends too!

Dressed With Soul said...

Many thanks for following, dear and your really nice comment <3

It´s a pleasure for me that I already followed you back on gfc <3

xx from Bavaria, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de

Unknown said...

that dress is adorable! love the photos!
Emma xx
http://iemmafashion.com/

Sam said...

All the best for college hun! I appreciate your lovely words, have a wonderful and warm weekend!

Kim Nguyen said...

That shade of pink is gorgeous on you! Thanks for sharing!

I'm loving your blog and your photos! They're all super cute... Would you like to follow each other? Let me know so I can follow you back, dear!

-Kim
www.KimKardashnguyen.com

Unknown said...

I'm almost always in a sea of nike shorts and gigantic sorority t-shirts too! Why must they dress so badly??! It's gotten a little bit better here since I started school, but there are still far too many leggings as pants. For real.
Annnyway, I'm glad you're having a good experience at college. I don't think the large school vs. small school thing is as much of a big deal as everyone makes it out to be when you're deciding where to go.
And this pink dress is such a gorgeous bright color! I love the patterned shoes paired with it.

Sabrina said...

You look absolutely stunning! That pink is a beautiful colour on you and I love how you paired it with the chunky jewellery and the printed heels. Simply amazing!

Sincerely,
Sabrina

Nita Kim said...

This is such an amazing look and you are gorgeous! The printed heels and statement jewelry are such nice details to the outfit.
I, too, was afraid that I wasn't going to like the university I'm currently attending, but I'm glad we both are happy with our choices.

Nita
travelinginflats.blogspot.com

Sakuranko said...

Really beautiful dress, I love the color pink, beautiful shoes. You´re looks like a top model.

xoxo

megcasson said...

that dress is beautiful!

www.kindoflovely.com

anoddgirl said...

your dress is so gorgeous!
i love your belt
xx
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au

Midwest Muse said...

This outfit is incredible. This dress is stunning on you and those shoes really make the look.

I'm so glad you found your place in college, it would be a long hard ride if you hadn't.

agasuitcase said...

So pretty, love your shoes
Kisses
Aga

New post: How to wear asymmmetrical dress!
Follow me at Bloglovin!
www.agasuitcase.com

Victoria | Oh So Pretty said...

Hi Ali! LOVE your little pink dress! It is so pretty, and the color is beautiful on you! I am so glad you have found your niche and your happy place at school. Congratulations on your recognition at the Art Exhibition! That is so amazing and exciting! I am sure you are just beaming!

I have always wanted to go into art/graphic design, but chose something else. It makes me sad at times, but I am happy to have a blog where I can design and express myself creatively.

I hope you had wonderful weekend!

xoxo

c said...

your dress is soo pretty!

<3

Nanthini said...

Love your sense of style, always! <3

Agnes W said...

Nice dress, that is a lovely colour, and beautiful necklace!

http://infinitehouseofillusions.blogspot.com/