This is always the part of the semester where the exhaustion kicks in and you start counting down to fall break, visions of sloth-like movie watching and catching up on sewing projects dancing in my head. However, given this is no normal semester, I pretty much started the academic year already exhausted and, with fall break cancelled, there is no end in sight. The sloth-like movie watching and sewing, however, I still hope to fit in….
Even though I feel pulled in a million directions and am more stressed and busy than I ever was during a normal, in-person workday (somehow), I simultaneously feel like there is nothing to take a break from. There’s an endless stretch of similarity, clattering away on my computer in the dining room, logging in to my zillionth Zoom meeting, slipping on my ballet flats for our daily walk around the neighborhood. And so the conveyor belt moves forward, with few things to punctuate change.
I for one am desperate for a break in the monotony. A change or a breakthrough that will allow us to throw open the door and feel free to once again explore the great wide world beyond.
What IS breaking the monotony (somewhat) is the sewing projects I seem to be tackling with feverish enthusiasm. I can see similar frenzied creation in my fellow vintage and sewing lovers. More than ever, I think supporting small business and buying from our fellow creatives is at the top of my To Do list.
This beauty of a tromp l’oeil adorned quilted skirt was handmade awhile back from the proprietress of Bubblegum Vintage. As can happen when one languishes around during a pandemic drinking too much wine and eating too many pita chips, she needed a small waist adjustment. And so, she sat in my sewing pile for far too long. But, because the silver lining of isolation is slowly making my way through that pile, I was finally able to give her the attention she deserves and take her for a spin around the neighborhood.
Needless to say, while the conveyor belt keeps on pulling us forward and the days keep on blending into the next, beauties like this remind me there are still moments that pierce through the monotony. Pieces that still make my heart sing. Art that tucks in and wraps itself around my heart, to remind me that we will one day join the world again.
It hit me on Wednesday that at this exact time four years ago, Mr. Dressed and I were packing up and preparing to leave our beloved Perth behind. Surrounded by boxes and suitcases, lists and farewell parties. All of my vintage was packed and on a shipping container. The pets had already started their own journey and we were in the frenzied final stages of cleaning the rental and sitting on our suitcases to get them to close. It’s crazy to think that it’s been four whole years since that move. But, hitting our four year anniversary here is particularly poignant for me.
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you’ll know I’ve packed up and made a LOT of moves in my life. It seems I’ve lived in four year increments so far, moving from Boston to New Zealand to San Diego to Australia…and finally here to North Carolina. And it hit me as I was working away on a lecture yesterday, emailing students and setting up meetings. I’m not surrounded by boxes. Or lists in preparation of our next move. According to my historical Kara-clock, this momentous 4 Year Mark here would be around the time when I would stand up, stretch, and say, “Okay, time to wrap it up and move on!” But, we have no desire to move. Because we are already home.
So, maybe there is something to be said for monotony after all. For constancy. For being home...
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Sweater: Review (similar)
Skirt: Made by Bubblegum Vintage (similar modern and vintage here, here & here)
Necklace: ASOS (similar)
Sunglasses: Amazon
Handbag: Guess, sold out (similar)
Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear
Lip Color: Dior Rouge 634
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.