Here’s a peak at my work-in-progress workspace. I’m trying to accommodate my eclectic, slightly scatter-brained, out-of-sight-out-of-mind style of working and creating.

It’s rather a mess at the moment, as you can see. I got the chairs and table on Craigslist last week. The red paint on them is terribly flaky, but it gives them character so for the time being it’s staying. The white shelf was on clearance at World Market, which is also where I found this delicious wrapping paper:

It’s so warm and autumn-y I had to put it up on the wall. Who knows how long it will stay there. I’ll try to post photos later when this space has tidied up and solidified a bit.

Happy 10.10.10!

Today has been a normal, frustrating day–a day in which I bounded out of bed, full of hope and expectation and half-articulated plans, and have instead spent most of the day puttering around the house starting things and not finishing them.

It began when I decided to photograph an outfit I had been excited about assembling. Frustrated that I couldn’t quickly find the items of clothing I was looking for in my closet, I started throwing piles of clothes on my bed in preparation to give them a much needed going-through.

Suddenly, I realized I really ought to eat breakfast. I began to do just that, and then got distracted by reading blogs (this and this are my two current favorites). All too quickly, I was distracted from this in turn by a couple of thank you notes which could not be put off (I am still very successfully putting off many more), and then from the thank you notes by finally attempting to take the photos I began the day thinking about.

Gil helped me take them, and I think they turned out quite well–though they certainly have a touch of the Mope which descended on me as the afternoon got grayer and grayer and my to do list remained stubbornly un-done.

I also spent copious amounts of time scouring Craigslist and a local recycling center for Finds–I have dreams for my little creative work/bill paying corner, and I need to find the right table/shelving to make these dreams a reality. But those dreams, like my clothes sorting project, my dirty dishes, and my thank you notes, will just have to wait, because now it’s time for us to go have dinner with my parents, and then the day will have drawn to a close.

I am thankful that each day does not have to be the be-all, end-all paragon of productivity. I am glad to remember that it is okay to have days like this–life is a process, and a journey, and the world will not crumble because I spent time moping or dreaming that I could have spent Doing. All the same, I hope that tomorrow I will pick myself up and finish a bit more of what I start.

When you are my brain, and you are (supposed to be) writing, you…

… take pictures of the books you should be looking through…

… find yourself captivated by every person you see, every blog you surf to, and how the light plays off of everything around you (including your feet by your window)…

… and you chase wispy ideas around and around until they either hide forever in your nooks and crannies or manage to find their way onto the page.

And, in the meantime, you apply yourself to every possible project that is not the one you must turn in. (Poems? Written. Websites? Designed. Wedding details? Attended to. Room? Organized—and then unorganized again. Emails? Responded to—mostly.)

Sound familiar? Please tell me I am not the only one who operates this way.

And now… back to the attempt. Wish me luck, and determination.

After class today, one of my newly-married best girlfriends and I went to the home of another newly-married best girlfriend and read there for the afternoon. I took a few photos in and around her darling house.

I thought that I would only do one fall fashion post, but then I walked into my room after class, took one look at its (relative) state of cleanliness, and decided today would be a good day to share a few photos of its decor.

And while I was at it, I snapped a few mirror photos of a much more typical every-day fall getup for me:

Soft black turtleneck sweater: thrifted from Goodwill or St. Vinny’s or Value Village ages ago. Still so soft. Still a standby.

Embossed leather belt: Originally from Gap, purchased at the Clothes Horse, a local second-hand store. Another fave.

My most favoritest jeans in the whole world: Indigo wash Curvy jeans from Gap, purchased new earlier this summer for $8. Yes, you read that right; this was one of the most triumphant moments of my shopping career. These jeans almost never leave my person. I think I will have a period of mourning when they finally wear out.

Dansko clogs: Found at Buffalo exchange about two years ago. More standard fall attire.

(Bonus: Check out my Kierkegaard, Harry Potter, and comic strip collections on the bookshelf behind me.)

Words of wisdom from the top of my mirror, plus a few of my necklaces and belts:

Dirty dishes on my bookshelf, with a blurry view of my desk and dresser behind (I did say ‘relative’ cleanliness):

Another bookshelf shot, with a few newly-acquired food/cook books (plus one book and two movies borrowed from my parents):

The end of my bed / my window / the gray Eugene outdoors:

The head of my bed / my hanging basket contraption / one afternoon’s crafty outlet (a.k.a. my photo board):

A closer look:

For those curious, this was accomplished with a roll of gift wrap from World Market, some packaging twine, a pack of tiny clothes pins, and Command Adhesive decorator clips. (Which, incidentally, have made most of the decorations in this rented room possible. Thank you, Command Adhesive!)

And, finally, one more fall fashion statement; this one from 19 years ago, no doubt courtesy of my mother:

I keep this on my wall to remind me to still be this excited about things like leaf piles. Here’s hoping you can catch some of that two-year-old excitement as well.