one closet, one year!

I was getting dressed for a friend's birthday party and I didn't know what I was going to put on my body. I looked in my closet and it seemed empty, unpromising. I've had these moments before; everything was old, ill-fitting, or blah. I thought to myself, "Ugh! I have NOTHING to wear!" Then I began rifling through my closet and saw a forgotten shirt I loved and many more, and I realized I was crazy. I had plenty to wear, and plenty to choose from. My closet was FULL of treasures! At that moment I decided I would take a year to explore my closet and to add NOTHING new to my wardrobe.

I would create a NEW outfit for each day in order to maximize my wardrobe and shake up my style.

Basically, I would try to "snap out" of my fashion rut, and appreciate what I have.

It was my New Years' project:
One Closet, One Year.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Throwin' In The Towel!

The last couple of times I've come to New York, I've had the same feeling: Bittersweet melancholy. And I don't mean melancholy as in "depressed", but rather melancholy as in "soberly thoughtful and pensive". Two of the people I was going to see had to cancel, so I decided it would be nice to go to Brooklyn to see my old stomping grounds. I don't know if nice is the right word. More like thought provoking...

Now, I had gone to bed at 4 a.m., so naturally, I rose at noon. It took awhile for me to get out of the house, and as I was walking to the train, it dawned on me that my top priority should be getting HaHa to some place with water. That was in the plan yesterday, but she feel asleep in the stroller before it could happen. I knew that Prospect Park would have water, and it was just blocks away from my old apartment, so it was perfect.

I got off at Union Street and headed to the park. Along the way I passed familiar and unfamiliar things and I was both happy and sad when I saw my ex-boyfriend's schizophrenic brother on a stoop. He looked the same, and he behaved the same, and this was all at once comforting and upsetting. Nearly ten years had passed since I'd left, and here he still was, smoking cigarettes on a stoop, and asking for food. At the same time, he helps neighbors out and everyone knows him, and he is a sweet guy. He let me and HaHa in the house to see "Grandma". It was extremely emotional and sweet. She is 97, and she is amazing! I am in awe of her generous spirit and sharp mind. She said that she feels well except for her knee, which started to bother her after my ex's dog, which she helped take care of, died. She makes 97 look very appealing, and I hope that I can age like her. She even cooks for the family still. Amazing! She had made escarole and beans and squash for dinner. She's Italian to the core!

Lest I write a small novel here, I will have to save part two of my bittersweet melancholy story for tomorrow. HaHa just put herself to sleep at 1:00 a.m. Heaven help me! The girl appears to be a night owl like her parents! Tonight, I will do everything I can to be in bed by 2:15 a.m.!

Outfit:

Shirt: Hand me down from cousin. Torrid.

Skirt: Thrift store. This skirt is definitely old, and I love it so! The color can't be beat!

Shoes: zoe & zac. I only brought these and my fit flops.

On Union street we passed this stroller which must have been a memorial to a child who died. A reminder to appreciate all my blessings.

HaHa enjoyed playing with other children for the first time in days. She really made a lot of friends. Young and old. She waled around the park saying "Hi!" to everyone. She's been doing that on the Subway too!

5 comments:

  1. Sweet NY and sweet Haha. I think we have an extrovert on our hands.

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  2. You look like you are ready for summer fun. Lovely. I was driving down 26th Street today and was mesmerized by an amazing spirit - which turned out to be the smiling face of your son, Leo. He was standing on a street corner with Charlie and Taylor.

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  3. I am so happy to hear that he was smiling!!! Now I can really relax knowing that he's okay!

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  4. Ahhh NY. It's weird but it's always bittersweet in some form or fashion.

    The part about your ex's brother is heartbreaking. That 10 years later, he's still in the same place amazes me and yet, I'm happy that nothing extremely tragic has happened to him and that Grandma can still cook...at 97 no less! My Grandmother couldn't anymore and it broke her heart, daily.

    So you are right to count your blessings (the stroller picture has me crying at work) and know that the part of you that is in NY, will always be there but "home" calls for you to keep creating new adventures, new stories and new memories.

    Love you.

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  5. Thank you Freshmaker! You always have words of kindness and wisdom to share! Love you right back!!! xoxo

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