Capricorn season: doing tangible stuff

I was not in the mood to organise anything this week, so at first thought I would skip this week’s challenge. But then I re-read Rita’s email, and read something about doing tangible stuff and putting things into practice. So this is my left-down contribution!

Slide 1. Being intentional about getting dressed, and attempting to style something. The top is a thrifted tunic, a linen/rayon blend, recently brought. It was warm beige, and I put it in a dusky pink dye bath, so that it is more pink but with a warm foundation to the colour. I love the result. 😍 It’s sized up slightly, and I was originally going to alter it. But for now I think I’ll leave it. The daytime look is what I’m wearing everyday at the moment. I’m still on summer leave from work. Emotionally, I feel a need for coziness and some envelopment, but still be free to move, and cool and comfortable, given the weather. The night time look is the same tunic, with a kimono style wrap, my linen pants and the wooden boho-style clogs that I brought at a vintage market. I added my usual earrings but then also a necklace, though I rarely wear things around my neck. I also used a smaller cosmetic-type bag as a matching clutch, which I’ve never tried before. I didn’t add a detailed photo of this, but it’s what I’m holding in my hand. We were just going out for an early, casual dinner and I felt put together enough for the occasion. I was glad I made the effort but compared to what I’ve been wearing during the day, it felt like a lot!😮‍💨

Slide 2. An outing to a local vintage market, spending time with my daughter and her partner. It was situated in a coastal tourist town during peak summer holidays, and billed as a special event so both large and super busy! The amount of stall holders was overwhelming. 😳 It turns out that vintage encompasses a lot of different eras and styles, that I could appreciate without needing to buy, such as the pink mules featured in my photo collage. ☺️ There were also a lot of more trendy and expensive vintage style brands that were not in my vintage market budget! I did end up buying wooden boho-style clogs, a couple of tops and a lovers oracle card deck, for the artful illustrations.

Slide 3. A solo outing to the local botanic gardens. This is to put into action my intention to go on more ‘wildflower blooming’ dates, modelled on the artist dates, from ‘The Artists’s Way’ book. I love going out by myself, when there are no expectations about the activity or event, but it’s not easy to actually leave the house. I’m always glad when I’ve made the effort! During my walk, I came across a bed full of dying flowers that turned out to be from a lacebark tree, native to New South Wales and Queensland. I was immediately in love with the shades of pink amongst the soft browns of decomposing flowers and leaves, and the visual texture of the scene. It felt like a ‘wildflower blooming at the end of its season’ moment. So I sat down on the path by the garden bed, and experienced the blooms plopping down around me as I photographed and filmed the scene. It was such a moving and pleasurable experience, even as mosquitos were feasting on my bare feet where I’d forgotten to apply repellant!

So these are three specific things I did to make something tangible, but in a way that supported the emotional needs of my internal landscape. I hope it inspires you to interpret this week’s challenge your own way. 🤗