Mix-N-Match

"Violets are humble, and determinedly everywhere. I always find them in bloom, it seems, when ever I need them."

Now Wearing:

• Hounds tooth fedora, thrifted (Goodwill, Modesto)
• Old Navy B/W striped jersey-knit top, thrifted (Buy-Rite, Modesto)
• Polka dot scoop (maternity) t-shirt, Target
• L.e.i. shorts, faded rinse, thrifted (Thrift Town)
• Black tights, Target
• Black leather skimmers, Target

Three birthdays ago, around this time, my boyfriend asked me what my favorite flower was. Without hesitation I answered: "Gardenias." He didn't seem to like this answer, and asked me again. I thought a bit.  Violets.  Violets are humble, and determinedly everywhere. I always find them in bloom, it seems, when ever I need them.

One year, years ago, I made my mother a birthday cake. My home-made chocolate frosting tasted great, but looked a bit rustic. So I went out to my backyard and harvested the feral spearmint and wild violets, which were conveniently in bloom. Placing the fragrant mint leaves around the plate, and  covering the cake with the flowers made the cake extra-special. It looked amazing and tasted divine.

So I said, "Violets." Didn't think anything more about it, until the dear showed up on my doorstep with a big pot of the common houseplant, the African violets, and presented them to me. He thought that African violets were my favorite plants. They aren't. Eventually they died, and the next year, dear ol' D gave me a white antiqued planter full of Impatiens, which threw me a bit, until I saw the marker that described the color of  blooms as "Violet."

Recently, I stepped out into D's backyard to soak up some sun. And what did I see getting ready to bloom along the fence? For starters, a big gardenia bush. AND a cluster of real violets. Large ones too, with big heart-shaped leaves the size of baby hands, and flowers interspersed among weedy clover. There were  also teeny-tiny wild violets growing there too, slowly colonizing the underbelly of every tree, bush and bamboo. "These," I showed him with glee, "are my favorite flowers". Humble, low-maintenance and wonderful.  Quietly edible. I wonder if he'll get it right this year.

Well, what he did get right this year, was my fun Modesto get-away with him, and I can't thank him enough for all his year-round thoughtfulness. So I suppose I don't need any flowers. But I did manage to snap a few shots of them today, along with my outfit post. The theme is mix-n-match, so maybe it all makes sense.

I'm wearing some of my favorite prints all mixed up together: hounds tooth, stripes and polka dots. The hat and top are recent acquisitions from the Modesto trip. The hat was a steal for $1.50 at one of the Goodwill shops we visited. The Old Navy top was a deal at Buy-Rite for $2.99. I actually have one very similar to it, only in grey and white, but I like this one better. I just happened to have the polka-dot t-shirt in my overnight bag, because you can pretty much wear dots with anything these days. The tights are dotty too, with a d.i.y. hole pattern that echos the polka.

And there you have it. My birthday is today, and I turn 45.  

                                                                                                                      - Bella Q