Camel City Style: Part I

Over the past few months, I've had the privilege to work with Camel City Covet, a local ONLINE boutique here in the good ol' Camel City! (That means all of you out-of-towners who read this li'l blog can order anything you see.) It wasn't long before I asked the owner, S, if I could borrow a piece from the Covet's closet to style in three unique ways for the blog. Though this sort of entry might seem out of left field to some of you, HEY! It's not. This blog won a styling contest... remember? ;)

This first look is Camel City Business Casual. Enjoy!

Bra: Victoria's Secret // Top: Camel City Covet // Blazer: H&M // Jeans: Old Navy // Bracelet: Etsy

Number 17

17. Do some photoshoots (at least one!) with a professional photographer.

About a month out from my 26th birthday, I didn't expect to have a full gonna from my 26 for 26 list scratched off. I expected to have a tally of days up with the sun and perhaps a few leads on some of my other goals, but to believe I'd have one done, finished, TOTALLY FINITO... would be unrealistic. I had to be willing to put time into the process before getting actual results, else I would be swimming in constant disappointment my gonnas weren't happening fast enough, or worse, at all.

But I think something inside of me knew being so realistic would hinder me this time around. 26 Gonnas for 26 is about reaching for something more and going bigger than I have in any year before. And like that tried and true line, you have to do something you've never done before to get something you've never had. And you know what the something I'd never done before was? Opening my eyes. Being receptive. Appreciating what I had at my fingertips...

Literally.

When scrolling through Instagram as usual, I stumbled across a new local shop. I loved everything about it instantly, so I did what we all do in the age of the follow: followed. Less than a week later, I answered the simple modeling call they put out on their IG account. Sam, the owner, invited me right over for a fitting. Instead of questioning everything the way I always do, I just dove in. And you know what? It felt so comfortable and right.

In what feels like a whirlwind of only seconds, I was meeting up with a group of wonderful models and photographers to do the most epic and exciting guerilla photoshoot for Camel City Covet. Everyone was so open and kind, and it really allowed for the most palpable storm of creativity I have ever felt. It was nothing short of inspiring.

photo by Drake Avenue Photography

photo by Jeremy Maynard

photo by Drake Avenue Photography

photo by Skyler Brown

photo by Drake Avenue Photography

Though tired from a twelve-hour day, I was deliriously happy post-photoshoot. I felt invigorated by the creativity I had been a part of that day, and was pumped to have made a great handful of new friends. Most of all, I was wiser. In less than a day, I had learned how bold and brave you have to be in order to make some of your dreams a reality. I had learned that even though sometimes you're out of practice and even though it won't be perfect, it's essential to take a first step. I had learned that sometimes, you just have to jump right in... even if you're jumping into a freezing cold pool.

And you know what else? It was really, really fun.

photo by Drake Avenue Photography

photo by Drake Avenue Photography

All photos seen here are property of their respective photographers. They're all incredibly talented, awesome, and kind people, so please don't be crappy and take their work without asking. You can check out their stellar work on the sites I linked below each photo.

If you see any clothes you like, order online from Camel City Covet!

I WON?!?!?!

Do y'all remember this post?

... I'll give you a minute ...

Well, lo and behold, my look (and therefore this blog) was one of the winners of Kate Walsh and Bloglovin's Boyfriend Look contest. I'm stoked to be getting her Boyfriend perfume, but more stoked to have a great woman of substance like Kate select my look AND give the blog a little free publicity in the process.

Check out the scent and Kate's site.

Oh, and if you're new here, check out my blog... and tell Kate I said thanks for being one f'awesome, beautiful lady! ;)

xx,

Rachel

The Boyfriend

If I had a million dollars, no student debt, and all the time in the world, I'd spend all my time being a fashionista. But not that high-pitched, pretentious kind of fashionista. That "I wish there were a better word for someone who loves fashion other than fashionista" kind of ... fashionista.

Dammit.

Whatever the name for it, this look's inspired by the men and the ladies!

The Boyfriend by ranoel featuring short jackets

Club l
$28 - nelly.com

Karen Millen short jacket
karenmillen.com

Current/Elliott destructed jeans
shopzoeonline.com

Zign loafer shoes
$93 - zalando.co.uk

Marc by Marc Jacobs white face watch
$285 - asos.com

Finn pink gold ring
ylang23.com

Boyfriend fragrance
sephora.com

Buy the fragrance Boyfriend at Sephora!

Catching Up With March

The thought of not having a single post for the month of March sent me into a tiny panic, especially considering that my my two-year blogiversary was on the 15th of this month. Yay, go me, wish I could have given it a big how-de-do like last year! But I guess two years isn't as exciting in blog anniversaries as it is in relationships, sobriety achievements, or employment security, at least not when you haven't been able to blog much, if any, lately.

Right now, I'm working on a huge field study for one of my classes on my Spring Break. Did I mention that Spring Break in grad school is kind of a joke? Thus far, I've done three classroom observations, caught up on housework, helped J move, and worked on the four papers I have due shortly after returning to class next week. I've been daydreaming about warm beaches and fruity drinks a lot, but it's not the same as the real deal.

Oh, did I mention I moved earlier this month myself? S and I got kicked out of our old house by the aforementioned banshee of a roommate for various reasons, including but not limited to a coffee maker. It was an added stress to us in every way to have to relocate, but now that we have our own cute, little cottage without drama and with plenty of working appliances, we're much happier. Even my dog is palpably more happy.

I have so much to say, but the inability to remember it. The only thing fueling my exhausted brain these days is coffee, so instead, enjoy these things I've been into lately:

Yeah, but what about the 89 OTHER body types? God, fashion designers, you stress me out.

The overwhelmingly positive response from most of the country concerning gay marriage rights.

Actresses Without Teeth, in one of those "This is so horrifying, it's uncomfortably funny" kinds of ways.

All the Game of Thrones press leading up to the third season premiere. TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LOVE YOU, TOMORROW. YOU'RE ONLY A DAY AWAYYYYYY.










Seeing Sara Bareilles in May, and seeing John Mayer in September. (His tickets aren't on sale yet, but I'm trying to have some positive self-fulfilling prophecy go on here...)