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Monday, April 8, 2013

Dream in Color

Dream it. Creams and Green make for a Spring Time Fling.
Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. -Kahlil Gibran 

I've been having a lot of colorful dreams lately. In the dream, it feels like real life, but there will come a moment, when I as dreamer, will note that a large bird nesting in the bush on the lawn or a house drinking up rainbows, is NOT something that is normal in one's waking life. Therefore a dream. Pity really, as I love the technicolor aspect of a glorious dream. Dreams unite ideas, real life problems and fancy. Real life inspiration is often the outcome. 


#SHOPSECONDHANDFIRST. 99% Thrifted. 100% Dreamy.

The end of wisdom is to dream high enough to lose the dream in the seeking of it.-William Faulkner

Taking a cue from dream time, I dolled up in an incongruous pairing of a vintage 1960s handmade plaid jacket with a secondhand sourced contemporary silk lined skirt.  The skirt has a print that evokes a hand-painted abstract plaid, and that painted effect inspired me to grab a beat-up (and paint stained) old valise and using it as a handbag. The hat seemed a natural for the jacket, and the shoes, well, they were put on, just because they're dreamy. You'll be getting a glimpse of the shoes on Wednesday. 

Now Wearing:
  • vintage 1960s straw hat, available HERE
  • vintage 1960s plaid jacket, thrifted
  • vintage leather skinny belt, thrifted
  • Banana Republic silk skirt, thrifted
  • vintage valise, listing soon
  • mystery dream shoes, Modcloth
Join the Rosebud community and participate in Wednesday's Shoe Shine event.

GET YOUR SHINE ON. Don't forget that this Wednesday is our first Rosebud community event, Shoe Shine. Show off your favorite kicks on  April 10th.  Link a blog post or even an online picture of you in your favorite shoes, and share with the rest of us. I can't wait to see you all shine!

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Bonus: BLOG LIFE. I had a lot of fun joining Arash and Heather for a Google Hangout discussing Spring Trends. It was cool to see and hear some of my blogger friends, especially when we are half way around the world, dressing it up in different time zones. If you missed it (and you most likely did) and want to check it out, I've post it here. As an aside, it is WEIRD to see yourself on the YouTube! I hope I didn't make too big a fool of myself. But here it is.

Linking up to the mesmerizing Patti for Visible Monday


42 comments:

  1. Tilda E.April 8, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    I love how you wear plaid, Bella!
    Re: the video (where you look really cute, btw, love the dress) I think the big fashion houses are losing their grip on dictating what the trends are. It seems like more people are relating directly to each other (via blogs, etsy, etc) and encouraging each other creatively in fashion, instead of first looking up to the runway. A lot of us have ignored the runway for a long time---now it seems like more people are individualizing. Yay!

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  2. Sara KristiinaApril 8, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    You look great in plaid! i like the jacket a lot :)

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  3. VixApril 8, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Loved the video! So lovely to see you in action, hear your voice and discover you speak as eloquently as you write.
    Once something becomes a trend I'm over it. xxx

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  4. Ulla-MarieApril 8, 2013 at 11:12 AM

    I want to live in that town.

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  5. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    If this is what your dreams are telling you to wear I hope you keep dreaming! Love that jacket and the hat says "Spring is coming"!

    Spashionista (Alicia)

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  6. The Style CroneApril 8, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    Your talent for pattern mixing shines again, and in dreamy living color. The hat crowns the ensemble perfectly!

    Wonderful to see you in person/video, more beautiful and radiant than in photos, if that's possible. Your insights always impress.


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  7. Becky April 8, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    Gorgeous pics and I love this pattern mixing.
    Becky :)

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  8. Caitlin M. Peterson of the (ef)FaceApril 8, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    No-one rocks plaid-on-plaid like Bella Q.! :D

    And that hat is the darlingest little thing....especially on you. It fits you so well!

    xoxox
    theefface.blogspot.com

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  9. Señora AllnutApril 8, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    it's so amazing watching and listening to you!, so interesting talk!
    And you look so fabulous and love so much your plaid and colorful dream!, love your hat, and love your so talented personality!
    besos & plaid forever

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  10. VeshoeviusApril 8, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    I love your plaid mix! The shape of the skirt and coat go so well together. And great hat and briefcase!

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  11. PattiApril 8, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Holy crow, Bella, your patterns have me all ga-ga with happiness today. Love this look, you are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing it with Visible Monday. xooxoxoxo

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  12. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    Keflunking. Love it. Interesting discussion and great to hear your voice, Bella - you are lovely on camera and well-spoken. Though I'm not really a trend follower, I like your idea of the trickle-up effect from the blogosphere and the street. On the shoe font, I haven't worn heels since moving to France (too hard with those cobblestone streets). The ballet flat, along with the huge Celine or other designer handbag worn on the arm (never on the shoulder!) are more quintessential French pieces than trends, though you see both in abundance in the shops. Thanks for a cool post - what are these bloggers' urls, pretty pls? Xoxo

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  13. ZalinaWApril 8, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    You wear the mixed patterns so well. I really like the mix of styles too.

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  14. AngieApril 8, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    You've done it again Bella.One of your most magical outfits.I'm in love with your hat.

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  15. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    This is is amazing styling Bella,
    You can miss with plaid and love the accessories, so brilliant, you will be one my fav friday Ladies!

    Ariane xxxx

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  16. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    This is is amazing styling Bella,
    You can miss with plaid and love the accessories, so brilliant, you will be one my fav friday Ladies!

    Ariane xxxx

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  17. A Matchy Matchy MidlifeApril 8, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Oh that COAT is amazing!!! I love the multi plaid ensem, it wonderful. I admire your sense of style and fun so very much.

    Xo,
    Alyssa

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  18. HelgaApril 8, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    YAY, a video!!! I already knew you were totally fabularse in real life!
    I love LOVE this outfit, darl! Very dreamy, very surreal, and very DIVOON! The pattern clashing is inspiring, and the hat is adorable! XXX

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  19. BerylApril 8, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    How did you find a straw hat in such great shape? It looks like there's never been a drop of rain on it! Perfect. (Too small for my fat head, unfortunately.)

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  20. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 9:26 PM

    Talk about pattern mixing! I love everything about this outfit. I've been dreaming about that adorable hat, it is so one of a kind.

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  21. AnonymousApril 8, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    I love that outfit - it all works really well together! And I like what you did to the photos. It looks straight out of a storybook, something like Bella's Big Adventure, or Bella and her Magic Valise.

    I didn't listen to the whole hangout, but it sounds so interesting and you've got your finger on the pulse.

    Can't wait to go to bed and dream now!

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  22. Please may I?April 9, 2013 at 2:18 AM

    Fabulous plait outfit hun

    x x

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  23. FrocktasiaApril 9, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    Love your outfit and the video is great too...xXx

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  24. The Dainty Dolls HouseApril 9, 2013 at 3:40 AM

    Super tartan, love that :) x

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  25. bluehuewonderlandApril 9, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    I don't think there's enough plaid in the world, I love the combination! You look great and the hat tops it off perfectly.

    Blue Hue Wonderland

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  26. Flora CruftApril 9, 2013 at 6:03 AM

    O wowzers I love how you wear those incredible tartan pieces, and the hat is fabulous! You've made those images so magical with the colour pop backgrounds!

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  27. ShybikerApril 9, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    Whoa! Now that's a lot of color!

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  28. vintage honeybeeApril 9, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    I so wish I could wear hats. This one is adorable.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  29. No Fear of FashionApril 9, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    What fun to hear you talk !!! Really brings you to life (haha... in a matter of speaking).
    You guys were talking about trends and fashion, very interesting. Don't know the first thing about it. I just buy and put on, but I need others to tell me the trends.
    I like your combination. The two different materials and prints go so well together. As if they were designed together. Well done.

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  30. Jean at www.drossintogold.comApril 9, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    Y'know, I was starting to listen to the You Tube chat
    when it died on me. I never heard you!!! My computer is so bootleg. I'll try again later on Joey's. I LOVE DREAMING!! It's utterly fascinating and can be so informative. I love your dream outfit against the dreamy backdrops. A whole 'nother level of artistry. I really, really love it. And you. XXOO

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  31. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 3:28 PM

    that jacket and skirt look amazing together! i adore that belt! x

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  32. Forest City FashionistaApril 9, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    I'm kinda in love with that outfit - you look totally adorable! I'll try and remember to link up a shoe photo tomorrow...

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  33. Crystal Hammon, ABC, MLSApril 9, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    I am in love with dream analysis! I woke up from a dream once and wrote one of the best things I've ever written...it was effortless.

    If you ever want free dream interpretation, call me! I adore dissecting them for meaning! As a poet yourself, I doubt you need that, but it would be highly entertaining for me!
    C...

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  34. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    Where are you going, Bella? If I know anything about you, it has to be toward something.
    You look like a dream vacationer! Love your mixing, of course, and how fine you look in your choices.

    I just posted drawings of my favorite shoes! Oh, no! Perhaps I'll find second favorites for your event!

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  35. AnonymousApril 9, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    I know I already commentedbut I just finished listening to your google chat (which was so much fun). You mentioned that you found it interesting that the younger generation are shopping second hand and 80's trend. You are so right! So many of my high school students shope second hand and find (not because they have to but because they love it). We have an incredible store here called Decades ( which you would love) and the owner told me last week that most of his sales are from 17-25 year olds. Its the #1 place the girls go to buy their prom dresses. Don't you just love it?

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  36. Claire JustineApril 10, 2013 at 5:40 AM

    Great outfit,love your pictures :)

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  37. KathleenApril 10, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    I am absolutely loving this hat!

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  38. Megan GApril 10, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    I usually love vibrant dreams, even the scary ones sometimes. I sometimes write them down somewhere so I can remember them. Our brain processes reality in the most unrealistic ways.

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  39. KristaApril 10, 2013 at 9:59 PM

    These pictures are some of your best! I love how rich the colors are! Your plaids are crazy good and the hat gives you a sweetness.
    Xxoo

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  40. ZickimickiApril 13, 2013 at 12:35 AM

    i love your outfit!
    xxx birgit

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  41. Miss Simmonds SaysApril 14, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    when you got a word in edgeways it was so lovely to hear you. You look really gorgeous in that plaid jacket, did you add the belt? That really gives it something else xx

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  42. MonsterchenApril 14, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    wowzer! i looooooove it! such a beautiful and unique look, and perfection from the cute straw hat to the case!
    wish you a great week!
    lots of love, mary

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You are rad. Thanks for your comment!