Saved by the Bells

I was debating in my head yesterday: have I started dressing boring? Predictable? Or just minimal (a definite 'trend' across all social media lifestyles, amirite) ? It's so strange looking back on the past four years and seeing my style change. Before I definitely felt like I needed to be a little more 'loud' to make a statement. Nowadays, I am so comfortable in my regular black skinny jeans and a pair of boots and a t-shirt. But I still love going out on limbs. And I have the desire to so more than just that. I used to thrift all the time. I used to alter clothes and make things weird. After I started working for the Urban Outfitters Surplus some years ago (and later corporate, etc), I found that it was so easy to just buy from them. The discount was cool and accessible, but there's a certain tinge of crappiness I feel when I go through my closet and realize that a huge chunk of my wardrobe is this low-quality fast fashion stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I love a quick stop at Forever 21 or whatever. I have plenty of $5 items from the Urban Outfitters Surplus. It's hard to pass that stuff up sometimes. But damn if it all starts to look the same after a while.

And then I continued to think on the subject — what the fuck do I actually talk about on Mini Penny anymore? The weather? Hah. No, seriously, it's a bad habit of mine. I realize I never really talk about what I do — and to be honest, I'm not sure my day-to-day life of hanging out with my "boyfriend" (for lack of better terms) and his cat are even interesting. Is my calligraphy practice interesting? My obsession with The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt? I mean, I don't even want to delve into what I do at the tattoo shop for a myriad of reasons — I don't think it's very interesting, it sounds pretentious, and I don't really think it's fair to tell stories of third parties who have absolutely no impact on Mini Penny, etc.

But damn. What makes me Jessie Barber these days? I guess all of these things — the calendar planning, the fact that I really do dig my job at the tattoo shop, the borderline secret relationship I have been in for a while. I am so many leaps and bounds away from who I was in my journey to the corporate world, but in many ways still the same. I want more hours in my days, I want to make more things, I want to improve photos, and I want to dress fun (whether that's 'minimal' or otherwise).

As a person who digs on all of the nerdy analytical side of doing this thing, I can see what you guys click on and what you like — but numbers aren't personal. What do you all like to read? Or are you in it for the photos? Do you prefer to Pin stuff and get out of the blogosphere? Or do you want to interact more? Honestly, I love talking to you all in comments and emails. And I always want to encourage open conversation on all platforms!

With all that being said, things are forever changing in my personal life. And in my public life. I'm still into the downfall of the 'festival lookbook' and the rise of you doing whatever the hell you want to do to be you. But hey, Minis, let's chat more. Because I want to share and I want to make sure that I'm sending a message and not becoming a meteorologist.

On Sunday, Boy and I went out and did some outside-y things. We stopped by the UO Surplus (the irony) and they had these bell bottoms. See, there's this local motorcycle/clothing boutique near Boy's place that had these velvet bell bottoms. They were so killer — but I couldn't take the plunge on the price tag in case I wasn't in love with them. The Surplus, however, had these for ten bucks.

Dumb me didn't buy them, though. I didn't feel like waiting in line for the fitting rooms and I didn't want to chance getting them and them maybe fitting me all goofy. But I couldn't stop thinking about them. Thursday after work, I wanted to treat myself and decided to go back — unfortunately they only had one Large in stock. Still, I was a woman obsessed. I bought them anyway and once I got home, took them in and hemmed them just a bit so they would fit. Boom. I'm in love.

I really thought that these pants were, like, my new favorite thing. But I posted a photo of me wearing them on Facebook and all these dudes I know started shitting on them. So you know what my new favorite thing is? How much guys hate them. Because, yo, if they're uncomfortable because I'm wearing something that isn't latte-mom-yoga-pants, then they can eat me. Nothing gives me more pleasure than doing whatever the hell I want.

Guys, they're just pants.

Vintage vest, Thrifted (similar)
Layered tank, c/o Jenabelle (similar)
Flares, UO Surplus (similar)
Everwell Boots, Jeffrey Campbell (similar)
Moonbeam Necklace, c/o Miriam Designs
Whistle Necklace, Etsy (similar)

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