But by the time I'd styled it with every cream/ivory top in my collection, I'd talked myself out of the hem and out of possibility of parting with the dress. My favorite mix was a variation on an idea I saw Debbi at She Accessorizes Well try recently. she had a lace top that she paired with a colored top underneath. I recently thrifted this top also by Talbots and it was my surprise favorite of all the combos I tried.
I was worried sick about all the midwest bloggers I follow all day Saturday as tornadoes tore across Kansas. I had Beryl, and Catherine, and Debbi, and Dani on my mind. When I finally went to bed about 2:30 a.m. Saturday evening, Sunday morning, I was somewhat certain we would not be awakened by a tornado siren meaning that we too would have to take shelter. I pray that all are okay.
Some may have noticed that I didn't blog much last week. I visited all the blogs I regularly read and commented, but in spite of having photos to work with, I couldn't think of anything to write. It was a very odd state of affairs. I have been busy with my teaching and I know that my body ached as those with minor arthritis will when weather of the magnitude of Saturday's is impending, but this wordlessness is a strange state of affairs. The pajama party will go on this Friday, but I'm curious if spells of this hit any of my other blogger friends and what you might do to snap yourself out of it.
Find me and the gang at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.
Thanks for worrying - I know we all felt like that. And thank goodness we got through it OK. Love the lace and gingham - if it was blue, I would think of Dorothy in the Wizzard of Oz, another tornado reference.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good at snapping myself out of anything, so I try to go in the opposite direction. I wallow, read junk, eat junk, and play computer games until I can't stand myself, then do it for about 30 minutes more. After that I'm good and motivated for at least 3 months or longer.
Beryl--Well, there were moments we definitely felt like Dorothy this past weekend. I carried all the deck furniture into the house.
DeleteI think I am still wallowing. The last 4 thrifts I've visited, I haven't purchased a thing.
I also hit an abyss this past week or so. I have some posts in draft form, but my challenge remains the photos. I'm not equipped to do it easily by myself, and it's hugely frustrating to rely on someone else, however well intentioned they are. I just didn't feel like asking for their time when I knew I'd be extra critical of the results due to my lack of outfit inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI had to keep reminding myself this is supposed to be FUN! This is not a job per se, and to give myself permission to be below my (self-inposed) standard of frequency and quality of posting.
All that to say, don't worry! It is what it is, we are not machines. Post when you feel like it. We'll still be here. You'll "snap out of it" when you're ready to, no need to force it. You've still got plenty to say, no question. And when you do, I know I'll enjoy what you have to say.
Jean--we need to get you a tripod. I know DH found one for me at a thrift store and it definitely helped with taking photos, although when he takes the photos they are often better in terms of my expression. Often though, my feet or head will be missing.
DeleteIt is fun. I need to make a mantra of that!
Unless you are blogging for a living, you don't need to post every day - you can miss a day or two or three, and we will still read. We all have lives, we all get tired or just might not have anything to say.
ReplyDeleteI think it's like when you are with friends, you don't always have to be chatting, there are moments of comfortable silence. And like friends, if you've been away we will welcome you when you come back.
Narda--I don't think I could blog for a living! I try to post 3 times a week, but last week it was just once.
DeleteI love your notion of comfortable silence!
what a great idea to wear the lace top. it's really beautiful!
ReplyDeletehttp://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
Claire--Debbi gets all the credit for wearing the lace this way. I would not have stumbled on the idea myself.
Deletewell then i will have to check Debbi out! BTW, i don't run with Bucket on my back, I push him in the stroller :)
DeleteI *sometimes* feel like that, usually i just start writing lots of random stuff and eventually something will come out of my mind that is worth keeping.
ReplyDeleteI love the lace top!
Franca--many of my posts are first draft material though I do generally start with an idea. Last week, no ideas...
DeleteBeautiful outfit, such a lovely top!
ReplyDeletewww.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com
Kate--Welcome to Rags! And thank you.
DeleteThose above have said all the things I was thinking. If you don't feel like blogging, for whatever reason, then that's fine and we will be here when you are ready again. I like what Narda said - comfortable silence among friends is a great way to express it.
ReplyDeleteThe lace top is very sweet. I do like the gingham, but I still think I'd be tempted to hike up the hem a little... But the look is pretty, you look rather dreamy gazing off into the distance! xxxx
Curtise--You would have thought that I would have had a mongo post showing off the dress you sent me! I am deeply pondering the right pair of shoes...and the place to wear it.
DeleteI seem to be doing a lot of dreamy, unproductive gazing these days.
I did miss your posts, but figured your were busy. I rarely struggle with words, but I recognise some of my posts are more interesting than others...so perhaps 'good' words are sometimes scarce. I try to be reliable in my posting - more for my own peace of mind than for other reasons - and if I don't have anything I'm interested in saying, I sometimes rely more heavily on photos. Going away from the computer and doing something else creative often rejuvenates me. Time to hit the garden over here!
ReplyDeleteSo glad everyone is safe from the tornadoes...not an aspect of 'home' that I miss in the least.
Shelley--I learn a lot from your posts, even about subjects I thought I already new a bit about. I wonder if I could get away with just posting a pic?
DeleteDH often speaks of building us a concrete round house to avoid the tornado threat...
This is such a soft, feminine look...I love it and your hair looks beautiful. This has been quite the spring for bad weather...I have always hated tornado season...glad you were safe!
ReplyDeletePam--did those Texas storms come close to you? I heard about the truck trailers 100 feet in the air on the radio and thought surely it was some exaggeration, but then I saw footage to prove it. I am a great respecter of tornadoes.
DeleteI am glad you are safe and sound, along with your blogging friends. One of my blogging friends in Texas wrote about how her husband's office was completely obliterated, but fortunately everyone was safe. I cannot even imagine!
ReplyDeleteI love your lace and gingham outfit; tres cute! Yes I often find myself with not much to say. Then it's best to keep quiet! But sometimes, say during a me-made month when I am blogging everyday; I *feel* like I've got nothing to say but I start to type, and then it just starts to flow!
Carolyn--guess I need to start typing! And thank you for the compliment on the outfit.
DeleteI have not tasted sapote fruit either! I heard about the sapote myself for the first time when I looked up the name of the colour of my yarn. It is native to Mexico and central America, so I am surprised it has not made its way into the US much.
DeleteI had a report from my Mom. She slept through it and was thrilled that her basement was dry! It seems after so many years she just doesn't get too excited about bad weather.
ReplyDeleteI think the length is OK. You might not want an entire closet full of dresses/skirts that length, I wouldn't, but some styles lend themselves to a long/full length. I think the appeal of vintage is that sometimes the perfect item is a bit unusual for the current times.
Rose--In retrospect, I don't think we were ever in any danger. BUT, we live on the second story of our home. If we needed to get up in the middle of the night, it meant waking three others and negotiating an outdoor flight of stairs...with the possibility of debris flying around.
DeleteI liked the length again after I tried it on...but I have been on a shortening kick lately.
I'd love to see the dress on its own. Wearing it this way I think you need the length of the skirt to balance the top, a shorter skirt and the top and bottom would be too evenly sized to me... if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Darla--the dress is pintucked across the bodice. And yes, your comment does make sense to me.
DeleteNicely done! I love the idea of a top over a dress and may try that soon. Holding good thoughts for all who live in tornado country.
ReplyDeletedeja pseu--why aren't you packing?! I think this is a first for me--somehow a dress is primarily a dress to me, but I thought this experiment was a success.
DeleteGlad to hear that you were spared the tornado drama. And oh my goodness, I am without words all the time! (Well, at least for my blog). I try not to force it, so I've gone almost as long as 3 weeks without posting. (And once a week is prolific, for me!) Isn't there an adage out there, "always leave them wanting more?" Nothing wrong with that!
ReplyDeleteAnne@FrumpFactor--I probably feel guilty about being wordless because I am such a slave driver with my students! I think I fear these spells, because twice I've taken a break well over a month.
DeleteYes, what Anne said about leaving them wanting more. You have a very devoted following, Terri, and we will wait for your posts -- no pressures! I love this feminine look (biased perhaps b/c it's just what I would like for myself), and your long hair is looking wonderful.
ReplyDeletePatti--thank you for the moral support. I think the flap at Adrienne's blog and your mention about posting less got me thinking about things...in a dangerous way. And thank you for the kind words.
DeleteI'm so glad your ok after the tornado. It must be scary having to live with the threat of being hit by one. Your top is very pretty, and I hope to be able to use this remixing idea, dress as a skirt, soon. It's a really nice look. When you're out of words there are always pictures. They often speak more than words... And I think breaks are OK, just not over a month, then I start getting worried. See you on Friday!
ReplyDeleteKaffesoester--can't wait to see what you come up with on Friday! I often wonder if I could get away with just posting a photo...but my photos alone aren't strong enough, I fear.
DeleteLove the way the lace top looks over the dress, the proportions are just perfect as are the colors. I think lulls happen sometimes and we just have to let them be.
ReplyDeleteMardel--I agree. I have driven myself so hard for so many years that it feels very strange when these spells intrude and my muse does not cooperate.
DeleteSometimes posts flow out of us; other times, we're blocked. Just let it go naturally.
ReplyDeleteAlly--I will take that advice to heart. Are you coming to the pajama party?
DeleteHi Terri!
ReplyDeleteI have heard about the Tornados! Good that everybody is fine
About your writing - knowing about your daily adventures in life is fun enough - I never know what to say frankly. I live a very ordinary 9 to 5 life! Tell you the truth, i concentrate more on my pics and this takes me a while,and for the writing I sometimes get inspired by an event but surely not every day!
So when you do not know what to write just put more fabulous pics of you! Be sure we will enjoy!
Ariane xxxx
Ariane--my life is feeling very ordinary these days. I go to work, come home to the grandson, grade after he is in bed and then get up and do it again. I need to shake up my routine somehow!
DeleteI love the lace top. Such a beautiful piece. I get into a rut a lot. I usually just let it ride itself out and when I feel motivated than I get back to it. I have to remind myself that it is supposed to be just a hobby and not another job.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Julie--I may have to just let this lead me where it will...and it is a hobby.
Deletewriter's block? most definitely. i've come close to just posting photos because of this, lol! i like what you did with the lace top.
ReplyDeletei hope everyone is ok, too.
[oomph.]
oomph--the ironic thing is that I just recently gave a lecture on Writers Block. People in other professions don't get plumbers block or secretary's block...
DeleteSo far, I've heard from most of these bloggers today and we have survived!
Terri, it is so sweet that you were worried about me. It was a very scary night. We prepared the basement and were ready to head that way. Every report we heard sounded like it was heading straight for the center of Wichita. Thank goodness (for us) it changed direction.
ReplyDeleteI love this dress/top combo on you. It is amazing how good lace looks over so many different things.
I have had a hard time here lately due to DH not being able to take pictures and my knee pain. I think that there will always be times that we get uninspired and just need a little break. I have since come up with a couple of ideas for posts that don't require photos. I just wish I had the writing ability of you, Patti, Anne, and Pam. I love just reading your beautifully written posts.
Debbi--It was frustrating not knowing where exactly you lived in Wichita. As a little girl, I lived at 625 Edgemoore and that is about all I know/remember of Wichita!
DeleteI must truly thank you for the lace top idea as I think it worked out great.
I have also heard about the weather warning from here in the UK. In many ways it goes to show how the blogging community makes disasters that once seemed remote to us much closer to home.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress with the pretty top.
Jane--It was pretty impressive. Over 90 tornadoes in my state in one day. And you're right that blogging does make the world seem smaller.
DeleteIt's actually very nice how one gets to know and care about the well-being of people from all over the world, even when it causes us worry. I do like how the internet has made the world very much smaller.
ReplyDeleteI like the pairing of the lace top and the dress! Somehow, I never think of things like that, which is another thing I love about the style blogging community. I get ideas!
Ana--Yes, in the time I've been blogging, I've worried earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand, and flooding in Australia, and riots in the UK and on and one.
DeleteYes, and sometimes the ideas are so simple!
I like it. The length is troubling too... maybe you could take up 2 inches more ?
ReplyDeleteI hope the girls in the tornado affected area are ok. I did not see anything in the news.
Lorena--I may still hem it a bit, but leave it below the knee. Every one does seem to be okay. What would be the natural disaster in your part of the world? Hurricanes?
DeleteI love this look and I will be in PJ's friday night at say 8pm??? Oh and on the cyber bully thing, i've thought about that a lot and i suppose it's as if i just took my child out of school if he/she were bullied. It is a human rights issue, i believe.....
ReplyDeleteAll kids should have the right to just be regular kids. They all love inter-connecting..... Oh, I hope you can see it, Terri. The kids made my heart weep and it made me want to bully the bullies!
Hugs
Reva
Reva--I can see your comparison, but students are required to go to school. They are not required to be online...
DeleteI agree that all kids should have the right to be regular kids! I probably need to see the film.
So true! Luckily I'm not a Mom ;) It would be a tough job and I tend to always root for the underdog. One boy in particular, i could see his declined into pure anger and he seemed to just stop feeling all together. I could see him hurting a classroom full of other kids someday.
DeleteI do hope you can see it and we can compare thoughts :)
Love you, Terri!!!
Reva
The lace top was a beautiful choice! Very soft with the green in the background. I was thinking about you this past weekend and happy to hear that you and your family are safe. I too have times when I don't feel like writing or have the words to express myself. It passes, like most cycles do.
ReplyDeleteJudith--I probably need to do a better job of honoring my emotional and mental state. I think last week I did, but then when I worry about it--I create a bigger problem. It has helped to fess up to it.
DeleteI'm glad you made it through the weekend safely. The bad weather missed us here in KC. I've definitely had times where I feel like I have nothing to write about, and I find that if I give myself a break I feel "normal" again soon.
ReplyDeleteShea--I don't live that far from KC, but we didn't even have the much rain. I suppose it was sort of a let down after all the advance warning.
DeleteTerri, I love this outfit. I don't have any lace tops, but I can see how one would provide lots of opportunities for re-mixing.
ReplyDeleteLynne--I've had lace tops before and they always gave me fits as I never developed a habit of wearing camisoles. This combo solved the see-through problem with the dress and the plain Jane quality of the dress with the lace.
DeleteSo lovely Terri!
ReplyDeleteDelicate and feminine comes to mind...you wear it well!
I'm not much of a writer in the first place so it's always a problem for me.
Hope you have a terrific week!
Jeannie
Jeannie--thank you! Sometimes, I think I just need to take a break to rejuvenate and have good ideas!
DeleteOnce and a while I hit writers block, but then I usually just post a photo or skip a day. I hope that everyone is safe from the storms too- its a scary time of year for tornadoes!
ReplyDeleteMeri--Well, we've gone several days now with no warnings. I'd post photos only if I thought they were strong enough...I'm a better writer than photographer.
DeleteDreamy gazing IS productive on a different level, stilling the soul, settling. Maybe now you don't need words. Why not just a picture? A leaf? A poem? A cloud? A loud scribble? Or nothing at all. Even the pyjama party - of course it would be fun, but it could be any time.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit looks beautiful. I love the optimistic wistfulness (if that makes sense) of you in this shot. Your pairing really works - thanks also to Debbi.
Melanie--daydreaming is important to the creative process, as is having to the time to daydream. I love the idea of a LOUD scribble.
DeleteI also love being inspired by other bloggers!
I am so glad you didn´t part with the dress, because is perfect.
ReplyDeleteXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sacramento--thank you!
DeleteTornados, well t h o s e we fortunately lack.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the " block " you had. It is natural and acceptable. We are not robots ; ).
Your outfit is fragile and girly : ).
Mette--Well, you have your many inches of snow!!
DeleteWhat do you do when you run out of topics to write about? You are correct that I am not a robot.
I might have shortened the dress but the top is great and so much trendy at the moment.Have fun at the pyjama party.
ReplyDeleteAngie--I was just pleased that I finally managed to make a lace top work. I've purchased several at the thrifts...only to later return them, unworn.
DeleteLove your style! maybe we can follow each ohter?:X
ReplyDeleteFashionSpot.ro
Loana-Carment--Welcome to Rags! I will visit your blog soon.
DeleteHi Terri!
ReplyDeleteI have almost completely stopped blogging twice. I've disappeared. Sometimes when I have nothing to say, I just let the photos do the talking or I love to share favorite quotes/poems,etc....
I do believe now, that most blogger's need a break. A Va-ca to 'refreshen' themselves and rest. When I take a hiatus, my blog is the better for it as I usually come back refreshed. I hope that was helpful :)
Hugs
Reva
Reva--I actually think breaks from blogging can be good. Like you, I've taken a couple of breaks and returned, seemingly without missing a beat.
DeleteI love the colour of that dress, and I love it layered with the lace top.
ReplyDeleteStacy--thank you!
DeleteThe lace top over the dress is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAs for the hemming, I say go for it. I was pretty resistant to hemming a lot of my midi dresses for a long time for reasons other than laziness and a lack of sewing skills. I like the ladylike and retro vibe a midi skirt/dress gives. However, even I, with my great height, have to admit that just above the knee is a more flattering length. So, I chopped about 5 and am very happy that I did.
As for the not blogging - I've considered stopping never seriously. Only because I'm grumpy and overworked and wonder if I truly have anything to say. I generally get over it though so I'm afraid I'm not much help here.
Gracey--I may still chop this one. At this point, I have 4 on the chopping block to be done during my semester break.
DeleteI suspect that I am temporarily overworked...but it shall pass.
I am just catching up -- I really hope you didn't suffer any damage.
ReplyDeleteAs for periods of writer's block, I find this happens when I need to change direction.