Christina of Tide & Bloom – Page 6

defying job titles

I sat down this morning knowing that I wanted to write a blog post, but I wasn’t quite sure what the topic would be. I think that pretty much sums up my entire life – that I’m never really functioning under a single purpose, but rather, many at any given time. This time last year I was excited by the thought that I could use holiday markets as a way to figure out my ultimate goal, figure out how I was going to make my design creations an independent business. In my head I was thinking that I would finally receive THE answer – and that the year following would be THE year it all happens.

This holiday season, I feel very differently. I’m not quite sure when my perspective shifted or what caused it, but I think I’m starting to realize that putting all my eggs into one basket is never going to be the end goal for me. Sure, if I ended up just designing products and painting all day every day, I would definitely be a happy camper. But this is the year that I’ve begun to realize what I would lose if I made that become my whole world.

coffee with chelsey dellinger

Hello friends and followers, welcome to that time of year. The days are getting shorter and time is precious; I work full-time as a retail manager in addition to doing this little thing people called being an “artist”. What’s most important to be at this point in the year is keeping myself rested, motivated, and moving forward… however slow that may be.

And one thing I do not sacrifice, rather I actually put more time into, is connecting IRL to the people in my life. I’ve spent lots of time talking over coffees and connecting with colleagues and new friends. One new friend I’m especially grateful for meeting is Chelsey Dellinger. She’s an up and coming ATL photographer who, like me, is just trying to figure out her place in this town. She and I chatted over coffee and I had the distinct pleasure of having my photo taken by her. What a treat!

For more photos, head on over to Chelsey’s website!

sweater / anthropologie
jeans / banana republic
handbag / neva opet
sunglasses / urban outfitters
lip color / “lost” by colorpop
shoes / free people

my routine breakdown

Hi. Have you met me? If you have, then you know that I go through a mental/creative breakdown about once a quarter… lbh, maybe more like once every two months. I’ve gone through it so many times that I know it’s all part of the process, but it still doesn’t make it hurt any less. It still burns my eyes and my heart gets real heavy, wondering “what is the true purpose of it all”?

The questions I have are questions I’m sure every creative has. Does it matter? Am I just part of a makers-gonna-make fad? Why am I doing this? I’m young and free so maybe I need to spend my time living life and being outdoors instead of twiddling around on the computer color correcting a piece for the tenth time. How long does it take before I feel like what I do is actually inspiring change or making any real impact in the world?

tiny dancer

I wasn’t sure what else to title this post because every time I put on this cardigan, I think of Penny Lane from Almost Famous. “… and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends”.

the new basics

If you’re into fashion at all, then you know that everything that was once out is now in again. With that said, all your favorite “basics” are getting a retro makeover to take it over the top. The silhouettes and materials are getting deliciously indulgent and the normal rules need not apply anymore. I officially own at least 3 velvet pieces. Yes, we’re officially there now.

This outfit is the perfect example of the new throwback basics you didn’t know you needed in your closet: the culotte aka cropped wide-legs and the cropped over-sized sweater.

They can be worn together for a dramatic look or with more tried-and-true silhouettes to take it down a notch for those of you who feel intimidated. I promise you that both of these can actually work for you, depending on how you style them.

The sweater would be perfect for any high-waisted anything. For me, I’m planning on wearing it mainly in the following ways:

with a black pencil skirt for a more conservative feel
with high waisted flares and a rancher hat for another totally 70s vibe
over spring dresses that I want to take into the fall

The possibilities are really endless. For example, I’m sure someone could rock it with a miniskirt and tights but that’s just not my jam.

The culottes! Oh, the culottes.

sunday comfort

Does social media ever make you feel inadequate when you get dressed to go enjoy your day off? Being a “blogger”, I know this feeling all too well. Since I follow so many amazing creatives, I have a bad case of comparison envy and often have to snap myself out of it. It’s never a full picture of reality and it’s often the product of an hour of makeup application and another hour of taking photos just for that one shot.

Anyways all of that is to say, I wanted to show you an outfit that I ACTUALLY wore for an ACTUAL Sunday off in my real life. Our day’s plans consisted of breakfast and strolling around for Sunday In the Park (see previous blog entry) at Oakland Cemetery. More often than not, this how I actually dress for my days of ease and comfort. What you typically see in my outfit posts is how I dress for work and for blog photos. Full disclosure, I work at Anthropologie and so yes, it is by definition my job to dress well.

Everything I’m wearing in these photos are items I got for a steal, that I happened upon due to sheer luck. My hair is second day waves and I couldn’t be bothered to put in contacts or wear any makeup. Luckily there was a slight chill in the air and I was having a pretty good skin day. All I needed was a delicious latte from Octane and I knew my day was gonna be awesome.

octobers in oakland cemetery

there’s a chill in the air

If you were ever in doubt of what your closet might need for fall, it’s almost all here in this outfit. Every single piece of this look can often be found with every other piece I wear. A moto style jacket, a pullover sweater, black stretch denim, and booties. I put them all together to show you that casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy. The neutral palette from head to toe keeps it simple, but chic. I got so many compliments in this outfit, but not like about the actual clothes – all the comments were like “you look really good” or “you look really pretty”. This tells me that I wore the outfit, not the other way around. I’m confident that almost anyone could pull off this look, and in varying tones of fall colors like creamy whites, maroon, forest greens, and navy.

And let me tell you about the non-Anthro accessories which go so well with this look. The sunnies are from Urban Outfitters, and I’ve worn them nonstop all year long. I’ve even bought different colors for different moods! The lovely asymmetrical gemstone threader earrings are made by a dear friend of mine, Stone + Arrow.

sweater / jacket / citizen denim / boots
earrings by stone + arrow

first days of fall

dress / necklace / hat

double zero

When you get to your late 20s (or are in your last year of them), weeknight dinner dates with friends are everything. Everything. There’s nothing like enjoying a lovely cocktail and delicious food with your girl. So when my friend Elizabeth and I do get the chance to meet up, we try to keep it fresh. Last week we tried the newly re-opened Double Zero in Emory Village.

Featuring a diversely Italian American menu, this recently relocated restaurant (formly in Roswell) is a very welcome addition to the Druid Hills/Emory neighborhood. I live in Woodland Hills which is right off of Cheshire Bridge Road and often find myself having to go a little drive south, west, or north for good eats. General Muir is one of my favorite spots close-by and this may become a staple as well. Though slightly pricey for a casual weeknight, my birthday was a good reason to splurge on a good selection of their small but shareable plates.

Seafood and pasta is no question some of my favorite to indulge in. When cooked properly, it’s an indulgence unlike anything else. We started with the clams with toasted bread and I mean, anything with toasted bread has my heart. The perfect plate to go with the refreshing-but-packs-a-punch drinks. We asked our waitress to help us make our choices and we were pretty satisfied with all of them. Elizabeth loved those briny and bright clams, I was surprisingly very much into the arancini and I think both of us needed two more bowls of the tonnarelli pasta.

The portions are definitely shareable and we had enough food, but I just wanted more. How could you not want more? We scraped up every little bit of the pork cheek ragu from the plate pictured above. I will say though the scallops were awesome, it was probably at the bottom for me. Just not worth $15, sorry. I probably would have preferred a second bowl of clams or pasta instead. But now I know!

One thing we did not get to dabble in was the pizza. I’ve seen their pizzas on instagram so my eye is on them next. I’m glad the restaurant is big, open, and uncomplicated. The cocktails were light but strong, clear and fresh. I won’t be coming here often (like as often as I eat on Buford Highwat) but it’ll be perfect for the occasional date night instead of the farther away alternatives. All in all, a great addition to the neighborhood!