Monday, March 23, 2015

march update






Just thought I'd give a little update since it's been about two months since I've last posted. My boyfriend Matt and I recently stumbled back upon lookbook.nu, then consequently creeped on all of my old outfit photos. Yikes. And it just got me thinking about my own evolution as a person and how I was completely different back then, and how happy I am to be the person that I am today.

These photos are from a recent assignment for my photo iii class, which you can read about on my photo website here. The pink hair will probably stay for a while. I am really enjoying it a lot and I feel it really suits me for this time in my life.

In about five weeks, I'll be done with my junior year of college. I'm signed up for all of my senior classes (except for printmaking, which I'm trying to fit into my schedule), to include my Senior Thesis for both my Art degree and my Writing degree (which will culminate with a writing portfolio + an art exhibition!). I'm also really excited for two philosophy classes that I get to take (one about Agrarian philosophy and another about Religion and Reason). I also get to take a Shakespeare class and a poetry writing class. It's all really exciting and at the same time a little sad because it will be my last year and then, 1. I have to become a real adult, and 2. I don't get to learn anything new (I mean, formally. And at this point in my life I don't think graduate school will be feasible). But, life goes on and I finally feel ready to handle it.

In about five weeks, I will also be flying outside of the country to spend a month in New Zealand/Fiji. It has been a dream of mine for the past eight years to go to New Zealand, and I can hardly believe that I'm going to get to go in a mere forty three days. It's going to take a lot of effort to not fill my suitcase with only long, fancy dresses for photo shoots, haha.

I've also been really pushing shooting weddings this summer, if you haven't already noticed by my facebook page. So if you need a wedding photographer, I'm here! And I'm willing to travel! My calender is already filling up with weddings and I am very grateful for all of my wonderful clients.

My roommates and I are also purchasing an off-campus home together and living here in Oregon over the summer. When I was little, I was always scared to death of being the oldest child because I would have to experience all these big milestones first and wouldn't have anyone to look up to, but now that I'm here, it's not bad at all. And when I was little, I was afraid that I wouldn't remember the things I thought of as a kid when I "grew up". Lemonade Lauren would be very pleased with who she became, and I feel so much more connected to her now, than to older Lauren when I was younger (funny how time works that way).

So there's a little haphazard update for you written at two am (don't worry, I'm on spring break so I'm getting lots of sleep!). Life is just really wonderful, and I am trying not to take any breath for granted. I feel incredibly blessed with this quiet life I have, and I am learning to be more comfortable with who I am and at the same time push myself just a little bit beyond that which I think I'm capable. I am content and ever pushing forward.

Monday, January 26, 2015

changing tides





Wait, is this really an outfit post? Sorry, don't get too used to it. I felt very out of my element taking non-creative photos of myself in a somewhat busy part of campus (and all the smiling photos ended up being out of focus, haha). But I had a sudden burst of wanting to document my outfit, mostly out of the fact that my style has changed a bit from quitting personal style blogging and I want at least one representation of that change.

I wear these shoes/pants/jacket almost constantly, and really should invest in pieces similar to them. The necklace is a gift from Matt's mom for my twenty-first birthday, which I love. I've been pretty drawn to the minimalist, Portland-hipster fashion that everyone's doing, but I think it looks really clean and professional and adult-like, which is something I'm trying to do (except for my pink-ish hair, haha) with my appearance. In a perfect world, I think I would have a completely monochromatic wardrobe, which might sound crazy to 2012-2013 Lauren, but it's true. And honestly, I think it allows for a lot of creativity. Maybe not in constructing my outfits, but definitely in wearing pieces that are art in and of themselves. I should say though that I'm kind of speaking from a what-if standpoint, since I don't actually have that many pieces that are unique and can stand on their own. But at this point in my life it's not really a priority to actually change my wardrobe--I've only consolidated and put some things in storage and sometimes borrow appropriate clothes from my roommates. Give it a few years though and I will have the most glorious black and white wardrobe ever. ;)

But anyways, if you really want to keep up with my life, it's best to follow me on instagram for mostly personal things, and my facebook page for mostly professional things, though I do have a couple other social media platforms (like twitter, august, ello, etc. Yeah, I'm crazy).

Hope you have a very wonderful day!


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

21;

21;

Today is my twenty first birthday and I don't have much to say. Twenty was the first year not being a teenager, and even though twenty one is supposed to be a huge marker, I don't think the change has been as significant as twenty was.

I'm not sure where I'm going, not sure of anything, and a bit unsure if I'll ever know. For now I'm just trekking by, thinking a lot, making art, thinking of what I might want to spend my life doing, what would make me feel most fulfilled. Usually I have these accompanying paragraphs written out days or weeks in advance, but I didn't really know what to say to reflect on this day. I do know that my twentieth year was a very wonderful one, and I'm worried that twenty one will be filled with the adult things that I've been dreading.

I just don't want to make the wrong decisions and mess up my life. At the same time though, I should stop taking things so seriously.

Regardless, today I am happy.

Turning twenty // Turing nineteen // Turning eighteen // Turning seventeen

Thursday, January 8, 2015

my favorite photos from 2014

always gold

I recently shared some of my favorite images that I made from 2014 over on my photo blog. I'd love for you to check it out here, since I don't really post my work on here any more. Thank you guys so much for all your support! You're the best.