Friday, March 21, 2014

Graphic







     When I was a young girl of 10 years old, my mom painted my room stark white. We decided to pick a bedspread out of the Sear's catalog covered with a watercolor print that resembled a pond. She said I could paint my room however I wanted. Being the careful natured person that I am still today, I proceeded to cover the white walls with bold graphic patterns interspersed with a few animals and figures. It took me about 2 months to finish this project. I grew up on a farm in Iowa and my mom was a teacher where doing something like this was unheard of. I loved it and spent many hours relaxing on my bed gazing at my creation and adjusting all the small details.

     I give my parents a lot of credit for giving the confidence to be creative, really fearless in some ways.  I think it is this positive memory that drives my love of all thinks graphic. Seeing bold stripes and strong motifs delights my eye and inspires a feeling of confidence. When clothes have a graphic boldness, you just can't be shy!

links--plane pretty--not dead yet style--monday bloom--mix it mondays--mingle monday--style elixer--what i wore wednesday--the pleated poppy--three-fer thursday--tres-chic fashion thursday--look what I got--passion 4 fashion--fashion item friday

jacket--bcbg (here)     skirt--bcbg (here) (here)     clutch--bcbg (here)     shoes--bcbg generation     tights--dkny








66 comments:

  1. Insanely perfect!!! Yep, I'm kinda speechless!

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  2. Wow, this look is just too gorgeous. FABULOUS.

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  3. Very cool jacket, and I love the juxtaposition with the painting! How fun to be able to paint your own walls as a child. I did that in an apartment I had. I'm not sure if I'd have the patience to do it now, but that would be cool.

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  4. I love your story. Growing up on a farm in Iowa sound like something out of the movie STATE FAIR. What a wonderful childhood and a great memory. I also love your jacket, so one of a kind. You look terrific in it!
    Suzanne
    www.chapter-two.net

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  5. I love your story. It sounds like you have wonderful parents who helped foster your creativity. That jacket is amazing. And the complete outfit is breathtaking. Anne you have the gorgeous cool blonde (Grace Kelly) beauty and black is definitely your friend.

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    1. Thanks Deborah. I understood how you described your feelings about black in the interview you just did. There's a mystery and elegance about it that speaks to me also and probably always will. My mom has been gone for five years now and I often think of her. She was incredible in so many ways especially in supporting me.

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  6. Perfection Ann. Love this outfit. I've said it before. Your closet is one I would love to raid!

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    1. Thanks Sylvia. I feel the same about your choices!

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  7. I love your style Ann, it's simple, elegant and classy but the edge you give it with the splash of graphic patterns or bold colours is one of its kind!! I love all of your fashion forward outfits! Keep it up :) hugs, Beata xxx

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  8. Good for your parents...they did a good job and I love your creativity! This is another excellent look...love the jacket! Have a great weekend, Ann!

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  9. Your lovely story really shows how early your artistic nature showed itself. I agree that you look like Grace Kelly but modern with a large dash of edginess.

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    1. Thanks Rebecca, hope it's warming up in NYC. Still way to cold here in MN. I can't wait for some spring weather!

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  10. What a nice story, Ann. I completely love this look! The contrast is superb and your shoes are extremely flattering and chic. You look sophisticated and edgy.
    Xo
    Carelia
    MySmallWardrobe.com

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  11. You look beautifully chic in this outfit. The little pops of colour of the blue on the shoes and the yellow on the ends of the clutch add a little pizazz ;)

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  12. Your story touched me to tears, Ann. I shared it with Justin. Apparently, it is something his mom did with her room and the basement of the house where she grew up. To me, it is also unheard of. Your mom was incredibly wise. I would love to see your room! It must be an amazing feeling to live in your own creation as a 10 year old person! I know how it feels, but I only first felt it as a grown up, when my talented brother sent me his illustrations to my story. It is an experience like nothing else, maybe only comparable to seeing your child for the first time. It is breathtaking.
    Your look here is breathtaking. I love every single detail about it. The background is so perfect for it! Will you tell us about it too?
    You are a very beautiful woman, and a very beautiful person, in every way!

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    1. Thank you Natalia for your touching comments. It's still cold here in MN and we purchased a flash so our pictures indoors could have better lighting. The area of Minneapolis where my studio is part of the arts district. This area is an industrial and warehouse neighbor where many buildings are getting renovated into places that a cool and hip. The artwork is a piece in the public space of this complex. A couple of post back, the one with the word "city", is in the same building. It's a great renovation with several more places to take pictures.

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  13. Wow this look is great - the graphic is exactly the right dose of pattern, the zipper detail is also very special. And the temptation to buy your skirt is really big :-)
    But today most of all I guess your story - it's interesting to hear about your childhood and whats the reason for your pattern-love. And it's great what you say about your parents, they doing something right and this is the most important thing of all.
    Also I think you have great shots today - wonderful smile.
    Have a nice weekend, dear Ann - Conny

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  14. What a lovely story about yout childhood. Your parents did everything right and gives you so a lot of credit to be creative. This is such a great gift.
    Your outfit has the perfect dose of pattern, i really like the two tone shoes, And you have today a very special smile, you look beautyful.
    Have a great weekend, Cla
    http://glamupyourlifestyle.blogspot.com/

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  15. Beautiful! Really special combination of patterns.

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  16. I know I've said this before, but now this one is my favourite so far. You look gorgeous in black!
    Love it.
    Di
    xoxo

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  17. What a wonderful story from your childhood, Ann! And what a wonderful jacket. This black and yellow combinations is very striking and very beautiful. And today you seem to look into the camera quite effortless and naturally. Very beautiful photos, Ann!

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  18. The jacket is to die for, dear Ann, and the pop of blue just perfection.
    Have a fantastic Sunday, dear friend
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  19. I LOVE this look. Are you at the Walker art gallery? The jacket and bag go really well together, and the blue shoes are unexpected and lovely.

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    1. It looks like the Walker Art Center but it's a new renovation in Northeast. I've been to events at the Walker, what a wonderful building and museum. Thanks for commenting.

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  20. Ann - this is such a great story to share! I love that your parents encouraged creativity. You look gorgeous as always and I love that the pattern of your jacket is very similar to the pattern to the print on display.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  21. I understand completely why your eyes are so shiny and you look so pleased. This jacket is stunning. But with the clutch and shoes it is perfect. And it makes you look very good (important thing! We must never forget that).
    When I tried the link to the jacket (for obvious reasons... like.. it might look nice on me too hahaha) I got an error. No idea whether that is temporarily or not.
    Greetje

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    1. Thanks Greetje for letting me know about the link. I just tried it and it's working so I don't know. Glad you liked this post. We have been using a flash and it adds a certain sparkle to the pictures especially indoors. Plus I do really like this outfit, it's truly me through and through.

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  22. You look fabulous, I love the outfit! The shoes are gorgeous!

    www.hungrycaramella.blogspot.com

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  23. What a beautiful mix of pattern and color, Ann - and some pretty fantastic shoes as well! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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  24. As usual, the outfit is lovely!! That is a fabulous & inspiring story and what amazing parents. I truly hope that I'm doing the same with my children! While they can't draw on the walls, they create daily - we do talk about how they have opportunities to pursue their dreams in art, graphic design, theater, etc. Chloe designed our website (a virtual wall, if you will) and does so for others now. And now she's looking at schools with art programs. I never knew careers that were "fun" existed!!
    xo ~kim (and chloe)

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  25. So different than the orthodox Asian parenting I grew up with! My children are lucky I am NOT at all like my parents, lol! Seriously sounds like you had a full childhood of self expression and freedom in a lot of things :) As for the outfit, again, you nailed it! Like Patti, I love the shoes too!

    Mrs Jack Of All Trades
    http://www.mjoat.com/

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  26. This jacket is great!
    You look perfect!

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  27. Ann you are so elegant, and the queen of outerwear. Oh to take a tour of your closet...it would be amazing - simply amazing. You look excellent!

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  28. Graphics done right. LOVE this look, especially the pop of blue in the shoes. Gorgeous!

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  29. Great outfit! Like the choice of colors, especially the blue of the shoes. I see that there is a little blue in the jacket, too. The handbag, awesome!

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  30. And that was surely a great artistic work! The opportunity of painting your room, for a talented personality as you are...I can imagine your satisfation, when you looket at your picture!!
    And your artistic side is visible also in your choices of style! Very beautiful post, very beautiful you!!

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  31. Clever parents to let your talent shine. Your creativity shines in this outfit too, great jacket and the blue in your shoes, very elegant.

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  32. And ...is this your own art studio, as well? Great jacket! It is fun to analyze our past 'forming and molding' moments. It is funny, I give my Mom credit for my 'thrift' ways, but at the time I was very annoyed that she shopped, thrift; embarrassed about it even. Once I gave away a dress and a girl in my grade that was tiny was wearing it to school one day. I stormed to my Mom and declared my embarrassment and she said, "well aren't you glad you gave that dress, so she could have it?" MAN ...she was always right!!!!

    Thanks Ann for being at Fashion item Friday! I sooooooo appreciate it. I do!

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  33. I love your jackets! I also love your collection of clutches, I need to go back through your posts to see where you got some of them, they along with your outfits are very artisitic. I do love your style and you always look so polished.

    jess www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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  34. LOVE this look! I seriously thought that was a Peter Pilotto jacket!

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  35. Visiting from Sunday Style!
    Love this striking look! The cobalt shoes are amazing!
    Http://morepiecesofme.com

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  36. Great outfit! Great shoes! Great photo with a beautiful background! Love it all!

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  37. Couldn't agree more with your story, I'm a true believer in teaching and allowing children to color (hopefully outside the lines) and do it as often as they please. I'm grateful your parents taught this also so we can enjoy some of this amazing talent. Great way of showing off those amazing shoes again, and that printed jacket, wow!

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  38. You look radiantly happy in these photos! Which makes the graphics shine.

    I love the story that you tell about your childhood. Your parents were wise in giving you the freedom to be creative. No wonder you are the talented artist that we see today.

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  39. Ann you have got the most wonderful clutches! And your style mix is amazing and simply inspiring. I would paint my room as well..in blue;-) Thats why your shoes are my personal fave! Sabina OceanblueStyle

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  40. so pretty!!! I really like the jacket with bag combo!!!

    kisses

    MYEMPTYBAG
    INSTAGRAM
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    <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/myemptybag/

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  41. Love the pops of color. So chic.

    Have a great week!

    -Jenny
    http://www.babblingsofamommy.com/2014/03/spring-favorites-12-spring-items-i-need.html

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  42. Wonderful proposal, charming look. The jacket is a real cutie. And the combination of black with lovely blue shoes is wonderful. The clutch is fantastic, a little gem. Fantastic post.

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  43. I thought I left a note the first time I was here, but it seems I didn't! Now I need to make sure I tell you how unendingly cool this outfit is, and what a super look you make it with your styling. And wearing it your own cool self!
    So nice to have parental support for your art! My mother was a painter as well, and when I showed any interest she made sure I had the opportunity to study with her teacher when I was still a little girl. I'll always be grateful for that. But later in life, she developed some mental health issues due to a brain tumor, and she grew jealous and resentful of any work I did, especially my formal education (which she would have loved to have had and would have made good use of.) Although this period was hard, I never forgot her original support, and that means everything now that she's gone. Parents are such an important influence!

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  44. This look is fabulous on you, Ann and it fits you like a glove!

    Annette | Lady of Style

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  45. What a gorgeous look. I love everything about this outfit. That's such a fun, unique and creative place for photos too.

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  46. What a beautiful jacket!

    http://kacieskloset.blogspot.com/

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  47. you look perfect!!
    have a lovely night :)

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  48. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. I'm so happy for you! This is wonderful news. You are teaching me so much because I really don't know much about breast cancer. Yes a hard mountain to climb for you dear. I'm so glad the type you have is curable. You are an amazing lady!

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  50. Amazing look!!!
    Would you like to follow each other?! Let me know!!
    xoxo

    http://estilohedonico.blogspot.pt/

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  51. Gorgeous jacket and ensemble :) I love it.

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  52. You are the queen of graphic prints and that jacket is killer...love it!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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