Archives for October 2014

Style

Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014

Good Bones // Lauren Winter Fall/Winter '14

Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014Lauren Winter Fall/Winter 2014photography by Jon Duenas

This is my favorite lookbook in a long time, for Lauren Winter’s Fall/Winter 2014 collection. She just gets better and better. These pieces have an edge and elegance to them that’s so appealing to me. And that Joni Dress would be perfect for the fall wedding I’m going to. This is definitely one I’ll keep coming back to for inspiration.

Art + Design

New Work

collage by Gabi Hutchison

Good Bones // New Work

I finally pulled out my collage supplies to work on some new pieces. It’s been nearly a year since I made anything, and that’s far too long. Part of the problem is that I don’t have a dedicated space to work anymore and no accessible storage for my supplies. That’ll all be fixed when we move into the new house, thankfully. My creative side has definitely suffered in the past few years and I’m hoping to encourage myself to find inspiration and be productive again. I can be a creature of not-so-good habits, whether it’s not creating at all for long periods of time, or getting stuck in a rut where everything I do looks the same. It’s my goal to break those tendencies next year. It’ll help to get out and search for interesting books, images, and patterns again. I recently found an intriguing book of wallpaper samples in the trash, filled with patterns and colors I wouldn’t have been interested in before. But all the possibilities, the new territory, it excites me now. It’ll be a good challenge to figure out how to use them.

The above book, like many vintage covers, speaks to me. It’s so eerie, a little off. The patterns and colors, muted and dark with that bizarre red thrown in, work perfectly together, and I find myself repeating similar groupings in my own work. Here are a few new things. These scans aren’t great but they’ll do.

Collage by Gabi HutchisonCollage by Gabi Hutchison

Life

Read, Watch, Listen

Good Bones // Read, Watch, Listen

Good Bones // Read, Watch, Listen

Despite the uncertainty and fear I’m feeling, I try to keep looking and moving forward–not to pretend everything is fine when it isn’t but at least attempt to do the things I enjoy even if I don’t always want to. This is what I’ve been occupying my time with:

read // I finally finished The Secret History by Donna Tartt and was so disturbed by the self-involved and corrupt characters (don’t get me wrong, the book was very well written, but I found myself wondering why I was suffering through more than 500 pages of such horrible and unredeemable people) that I needed a change. I asked David for a book recommendation and he came up with A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. A good fantasy series is just the kind of distraction I need right now, and so far I love it.

watch // Recently I binge-watched the British series Broadchurch after finding out the US was releasing a version of the show called Gracepoint. Lucky for me, both star David Tennant, my favorite actor in all the land (clearly I need to keep better tabs on his work because Broadchurch is from last year). Never have I seen someone portray despair and brokenness so well. Broadchurch gave me chills and moved me to tears every single episode. I’m hesitant to put this in the category of “things I enjoy” simply because the plot was so gruesome and heartbreaking, but it was a very well done show and I guess we all make that distinction. In many ways it explores the same type of darkness as The Secret History, all the sorrow and evil and shame people hide. But I felt both horror and compassion for the characters of Broadchurch, something I didn’t feel while reading the book. Though still ugly, the view of humanity seemed more realistic. I’m curious to see how the US version compares. No matter how good it is, nothing can top David Tennant’s native Scottish accent.

listen // I came across the band Cookies by way of Kate Miss and their album has been on repeat since then. An album either has to get me dancing or make me feel feelings, even better if it’s both. The album isn’t what I normally go for, but I found myself feeling better as I listened and, admittedly, danced with my dogs. I’m hardly ever intrigued by new music and don’t have the patience to go looking (I’m content listening to the same handful of bands and singers, mostly from before I was born, or movie scores) so it’s nice to find something that’s not hard to like.

Instagram

  • These lilac pillow slips were my last purchase of 2019 before starting 6 months (at least) of no spending (wardrobe + household decor). I hope to better understand my spending patterns/triggers and find healthier, less expensive ways to manage negative emotions. Committing to it wasn’t easy which makes me all the more glad I did. Thank you to @insearchofcozy_ for being my inspiration and giving me the push I needed to start!
  • Last weekend I popped into a couple of my favorite Cincinnati shops, including @fernshopcincinnati where some of my original collages are for sale amongst stunning plants and the best ceramics. If you’re in the area, stop by and see Megan’s gorgeous shop for yourself! She’s been a supporter of my work for years and I’m so grateful. Also grateful that my little sister moved to Cincinnati for college almost 14 years ago and never left so I get to keep visiting 🤗🤎✨
  • Had a slow, ordinary, wonderful, much needed vacation where I barely took any photos. Missing family but happy to be home ✨
  • A few days after Apollo died, I opened a package from @charlotteswans and inside was a portrait she had drawn of him. Immediately I began sobbing, missing my sweet boy, but also so grateful to see his face which she captured perfectly and beautifully. My husband and I got it framed as our Christmas present to ourselves. It’s a gift we will always cherish. Thank you, my dear Charlotte.
  • Yesterday I posted this photo in stories but deleted it shortly after because I was embarrassed. I look angry but in truth this is my face at rest, albeit tired. Most days I look at my post-menopausal face and body and don’t recognize them, but in this moment the anger, sadness, and loathing I normally experience (which is a complicated topic) was more subdued. I liked the picture so I’m not sure I know how to articulate why posting it felt so unacceptable. Here it is again, acting as a reminder to just post the damn thing. Lately the need to be more open about menopause, something I’ve shared with very, very few people, is one I’ve felt strongly. I don’t know exactly what that looks like in such a public space, but I think it’s worth exploring.

Follow Along

Latest Posts