Thursday, August 13, 2015

Cinderelly Dressed In Jelly

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______I woke up this morning and decided I was going to sandwich the two most unlikely pieces together: the most smaaaaaahhhhhhshing neon pink jelly shoes and a confectionary-worthy blue dress. If you don't question the combination, is it even fashion? Boom shakalaka.

______I must shamefully admit that these are the third pair of jelly shoes I've purchased this summer. They were on sale. Don't judge me. Like Twinkies and the Neopets account you'll never be able to delete since you forgot your password, jellified plastic is forever. Jellified plastic is never a bad decision. Unless you're throwing it in an ocean. Then whales eat it, whales fail to digest it, and whales frickin' die. Not cool, man. Not cool.

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______One of my best friends lives in North Carolina and besides texting, we tend to video chat back and forth via extreme, Olympic-worthy Snapchatting. She'll send a stack of videos and I'll reply with my own stack, and usually we'll end up sending so many selfie videos that our conversations run tangent to the initial topic. She may send an inquiry about my most recent thoughts on the current state of the millennial generation, but due to delivery delays, could receive as an apparent reply, a video of me vividly describing a strange blonde bird outside that looks like Donald Trump's hair.

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______One thing that came up in a recent discussion was how we both aren't entirely satisfied with where we are after graduation.

______She confessed that she was envious how I was able to produce art on my fellowship and didn't have the pressure to get a job immediately after graduating; I confessed that I was envious of how she was already financially stable living on her own like a fully functioning adult, free to travel wherever she wanted. We both shifted guiltily, knowing it's selfish to think this way, knowing there are others who have it harder than us and have it much worse. But this is the way we both are: ambitious, desiring to be independent, and with minds that are constantly on the move, like recently hatched baby turtles who hurl themselves into the relentless ocean and expect not to drown.

______We both kind of laughed at the absurdity of desiring each other's successes instead of enjoying our own.

______Sure, she feels like her job is repetitive and knows it won't be her lifelong career, but she's climbing an uphill track and doing extremely well for being out of college for just three months. For that, I am proud of her. And sure, I might be as close to a career as a tomato is to be being a pineapple, but the fellowship I'm on gave me a year to produce work and acquire as much knowledge as possible through the workshops for which I was given funds. In addition, living at home with my parents who I get along with means I don't have to pay for rent or groceries. My friend and I both successful in our own ways, and we've simply failed to come to terms with that since we're too busy focusing on the future instead of the now. And that needs to change.

______Tell me one thing you really, truly appreciate in your life right now. Go!

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Dress: KnowStyle (very similar)
Jelly shoes: Juju (similar)
Ring: graduation gift from dad, local jewelers
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Earrings: Charming Charlie

19 comments:

ANDYSTYLE said...

So SO CUTE :)))

http://sbr-fashion-fashion.blogspot.com/

jess said...

I really like that dress on you. I'm really grateful that I have supportive parents that I can work with.

Frannie Pantz said...

Oh so many things to appreciate in my life--I try to remember it daily. I have the health of my children for which I never take for granted, the love of my husband even when I am the worst and endless wardrobe possibilities thanks to my shopping compulsion and hoarding tendencies. LOL I love your jellies. I have always thought they were cute but maybe at 33 I might be too old for them (says the girl who wears ballerina skirts and band tees on the reg . . . ). I do love yours and the smashing with the pretty blue dress! I am also too old I think for Snapchat because I am always asking my 14 year old, in a granny-esque voice, "how does this confangled thing work?"

Sampada said...

One thing I truly appreciate in my life is the immediate access to luxury amenities that I have. Even though I'm not stinking rich by American standards, what I am able to access is still amazing and I constantly have to remind myself to not take such things for granted.
On a lighter note, LOVE the "unexpected" pairing in your outfit here. It reminds me of a candy shop--the jelly shoes like gummy snacks and the super pretty dress like sweet tarts...soo cute.
Lovely, well-written post :)

sampzandsuch.blogspot.com

LyddieGal said...

Love that you are enjoying your jelly shoes and your year on your fellowship. I'm sure you will find your way to your career eventually, and I'm glad you are happy to be able to be home.
Chic on the Cheap

xoxo, K said...

I love unexpected combinations... and that ring!

Life is too short not to have fun when you get dressed in the morning :)

Nami said...

YOU!

Lostvestige said...

I ADORE jelly shoes! I am feeling a bit lost in my career, but I try to remember everything that I have accomplished so far, and remember that I have plenty of time to figure things out and complete my goals :D

Lily Fang said...

Aw, Ali! This is a beautiful post. I think it's such a blessing to have a friend with whom you can be so real (and to whom you can send piles of ridiculous snaps haha). Being just a few years behind you, I can see how much pressure there is to integrate immediately into the adult world. There's plenty of time for that though, and I'm so incredibly proud and excited for you that you get to spend another year pursuing exactly what you love.

As for your outfit, I'm loving the pink and dust blue color combination--your jewelry is so dainty, and those shoes pack a roaring punch.

Sending you much love and wishes for a wonderful weekend!

imperfect idealist

The Dragonfruit said...

Okay, before we get into the typical Linda chatter, I just gotta say that last photo of you in Ali-Princess-Mode while rocking the raddest pair of jelly shoes blew me away. GIRL CRUSH FO SHO! <3 <3 <3
Now, on to the actual content of this post hehe.
I'm extremely grateful for my current job right now. Yup, my dead-beat job as a barista has been such a wonderful experience for me. While it's not gonna be something I'll do forever, it's introduced me to some wonderful people and even led to my first, paid graphic design jobs.
I hear you on what you and your friend are struggling with though. It's hard to see the positives in our own situations when we can only focus on others and their situations. But hey! You're both aware of the irony at least :b
I think you've got an amazing setup Ali, what with free rent/food (SO JEALOUS CUZ SUMMER'S OVER AND THAT'S ENDING FOR ME, WAAAAAA) and a fellowship allowing you to practice your art.
Keep it up! I'll always be rooting for you :D

The Dragonfruit Diaries
Check out my YouTube channel too!

Kristian said...

I think there's this false myth that we are fed that as soon as we graduate college, we find the perfect job we love and jump right on in. And that really not accurate. Which, you know, sucks, as a place to be in, but at the same time, almost everyone else has been in that spot- and they didn't stay there and you won't either. It is a process of paying dues and having experiences that ready you for you future endeavors-even when it doesn't seem like the experience will lead to something at all (no kidding, really random events in my 20s post-college lea to my dream job and to my husband and I never, ever would have predicted either of those things happening as a result of those events.) It is really good through that you both have a friend you can confide in and be real with.

Also, on a more sartorial note, I love how you take things I'd never in a million years think could go together and make them rock! This is a fun combo.

Kristian said...

I think there's this false myth that we are fed that as soon as we graduate college, we find the perfect job we love and jump right on in. And that really not accurate. Which, you know, sucks, as a place to be in, but at the same time, almost everyone else has been in that spot- and they didn't stay there and you won't either. It is a process of paying dues and having experiences that ready you for you future endeavors-even when it doesn't seem like the experience will lead to something at all (no kidding, really random events in my 20s post-college lea to my dream job and to my husband and I never, ever would have predicted either of those things happening as a result of those events.) It is really good through that you both have a friend you can confide in and be real with.

Also, on a more sartorial note, I love how you take things I'd never in a million years think could go together and make them rock! This is a fun combo.

Jeans and a Teacup said...

Love shoes are really fun! I like this unlikely combination!
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup

Chelsea Finn said...

Um hello! This is so gorgeous! I love unexpected combos, they are always my favorite. And you're right! Success comes in so many different ways, it can be easy to forget that. One thing I appreciate right now is that I'm super stoked that me and my boyfriend just moved in together downtown now that I just graduated!

Unknown said...

Those shoes are super cool!!

STYLE WITHOUT LIMITS

CoastWithMe said...

Hi Ali! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! This post is so relatable! I found the months after I completed undergrad to be the hardest. You can't help but worry about the future and hope that you'll find the right job and move out of your parents home sooner than later. But, I assure you, you will. You are a really bright and talented individual and everything will work out! Enjoy the present in the meantime! :) P.S. Cute outfit too!

E said...

Oh I love the pretty bright colors in this look - you look like a princess! And that little ring is soooo cute!

District of Chic

Jodie said...

You look amazing! I love your dress you look like a Disney princess on her day off :)
I feel like its normal to be envious of others in their life- especially after graduating. I've always been about my career and having fun, where my sister has always been about a family. She admits she is envious of my experiences and I'm a little jealous that shes a home owner, married and financially stable.
I think everyone feels like the grass is greener on the other side at some point in their lives, but in my heart my sisters life isn't for me.

Caramella said...

You look so pretty, that color is lovely on you!