Dream Wardrobe Guest Post - Marisa Violeta

Hello dear Madeline’s followers! This is Marisa from Green Grass Black Clouds and I’m here to tell you a little bit of what my dream wardrobe would be like!




















When Madeline asked me this, both of us thought immediately the same thing: peter pan
collars! Yes, I have a little (maybe big) obsession with shirts, blouses and dresses that are adorned with those pretty collars. In fact, 95% of my clothes have collars and you know what? I think I don’t want to stop! I love the feminine feeling about that! This shirt I’m wearing I bought for less than 1€ at a thrift store and it has a darling collar with some sweet flowers on it. I just couldn’t say no to that beauty!




















Another thing that I’m obsessed with is the color mint! I’m not a trend follower but I need to admit that I really like this one. It’s perfect for spring and it’s also very delicate and almost ethereal. I bought this skirt about two weeks ago and I already used it a thousand times. Right now I would love to see my wardrobe full of clothes with the color mint, it’s too flawless!









































I just like everything that is feminine and a bit preppy inspired. My dream wardrobe would be something worthy of a 60s french movie with a lot of dresses, lovely flats and a few berets!




















Thank you once again for this lovely opportunity Madeline!

Marisa Violeta

Dream Wardrobe Guest Post - Carina

Hello dear Madline Quaint followers!

I'm Carina of Bad Taste Toast and today I'm helping out with a guest post while Madline is (hopefully) enjoying herself on her little holiday.

So, following her last post, Madline asked me what my dream outfit or wardrobe would look like. Tough question, overkill of ideas in my head... I would love to have a huge walk-in closet full of florals, plaid, polkadots... full of colours and cute prints! But I didn't have any idea of how to put all this into one post.

So I remembered a set of outfit wishlists I created some time ago, picked one of them and tried to restyle it with the pieces I own.

This is the outfit (the mentioned wishlist post can be found here):

// 1. H&M blazer // 2. cuteMonstR t-shirt // 3.Casio watch // 4. Pimkie skirt // 5. Accessorize tights // 6. Rut M. FL. scarf // 7. Eden shoes // 8. Modcloth bag //

This is one of the many many outfits I dream of (and although it says "fabulous fall" it also worked in spring). Now about the restyled look:

key piece is the cute skirt that I was able to snatch in the last Pimkie sale. It is the only item of the wishlist I actually bought, so for all the other puzzle pieces I needed replacements. Neither do I own a red blazer, nor do I have a black and white shirt with a slogan on it, so I had to go for a simple striped shirt and the red cardigan. I admit the cardi is not as chic as the blazer, but for the recent crisp spring days it's better because it's a bit warmer.

Next step: golden Casio watch - check. I don't have exactly the same, but a similar one. Next: patterned tights - I replaced the leopard with floral ornaments, and a black scarf - check, got one.

Last but not least the shoes and bag: I have a plain black vintage satchel instead of the b/w Modcloth version, and concerning the shoes I used my deep red wedges as a replacement for the black ones from the wishlist.

Et voilà: a slightly different version of the outfit I wished for had already been in my closet for months, just waiting to be discovered.

// cardigan: H&M // shirt: H&M // skirt: Pimkie // scarf: Gina Tricot // necklace: Accessorize // watch: Casio // bag: Vintage via Ebay // tights: Primark // shoes: no name via Ebay // ring: six //

All photos were taken by my lovely boyfriend Patrick during a walk through the little forest nearby where we live. It was sunny but cold spring weather and the wind was blowing through the trees and over the water surface - ah, nice weather to take a walk.

To be honest I felt a little overdressed for the forest in the wedges, but at the same time I felt great in this whole outfit, so I secretly smiled over the stares I got from joggers and promenaders haha. I also have to admit I carried around a warmer jacket in case I would feel cold or uncomfortable - but I did not. ;)

One of my dream outfits on a dream afternoon with the boyfriend, ha could there be anything better?

How do you like the restyled look?

Wishing you a fantastic day everyone!

And thanks again to Madeline for having me as a guest blogger! :)

 

Dream Wardrobe Guest Post - Nikki

Hi everyone! My name is Nikki, I'm the hostess of The Ginger Diaries and I'm filling in for Madeline today! When Madeline asked me to write about my dream clothes I immediately knew I wanted to write about this dress. I got it a couple of years ago at Zara and it's been a favorite ever since. It's white, non-see through, has lace detailing around the neckline and has the perfect length. A great number in my book! But how was I going to style it? Normally, I only wear it on warmer days and with a thin belt to create a nice waist. On this day however, it was cool and windy. So I hit the internet for some fresh inspiration and stumbled across this pin:

Source: p-e-a-s-o-u-p.tumblr.com via Nikki on Pinterest

I knew I had all the ingredients to make this look work: A turqoise gemstone necklace, a feather scarf, blush pink cardy and the perfect white dress. In the end I opted for my long, black cardigan instead because it's a little warmer to wear. I am so happy with the result that I'll be repeating this outfit all summer long!

Zara dress & cardigan, H&M flats, SIX necklace, drugstore scarf

Thank you so much for having me Madeline!

Hope you are having a wonderful vacation! 

Nikki

Redheads Unite - The Ginger Diaries Guest Post

I'm guestposting over at The Ginger Diaries, Nikki's lovely blog, while she's enjoying her holiday - unfortunately not in New York, as she had planned. However, Paris seems like a wonderful destination too! Head over there if you'r interested in this strange jacket I'm wearing... And bon voyage, Nikki!

P.S.: Last chance to enter my giveaway, Lovely Readers! Have a go, you still have a day! :)

Illustrated Shoot - A Violet Reaction Guest Post

Look at all the violets! Lovely Leanna's blog, The Violet Reaction inspired them to spring up all around me and make my outfit significantly more interesting. :) Have a look at the full guest post at her blog!

Oh, and remember, my giveaway is still open!

Be Inspired! - By Sarah from Just Take a Bow

Hello there, readers of Madeline Quaint! I'm Sarah and some of you may know me from over at Just Take a Bow. To help fill her blog with interesting (hopefully) content while she is busy with real life, Madeline asked me to talk about a picture that inspires me and then to briefly explain why. I'm not so good at following directions, though, and will write this post loosey-goosey almost-rule-breaking style.

Why?

Because I'm obsessed with the collective works of an artist named Darren Waterston. He is from California (he's practically local for me!) and I first stumbled across his work at the Portland Art Museum (which IS local). Curious after that, I had to check out more and I'm so glad I did.




Red Cloud, The Flowering, 2007
I'm drawn to the abstract (duh), but also simultaneous edge and soft present in the works. I think this aesthetic bleeds over into much of my life, to be honest.




Apocalypse, 2007
If I told you these are the only pieces I love, then I'd be a liar, guys. You should check out his online portfolio or just simply google his name (Darren Waterston) because it is easy to get lost in the work. Especially the walk-through pieces he's done, such as one in San Jose, California.




St. Clair, 2008
I find this art particularly inspiring because each piece is kind of like a mini adventure as you try to feel what Waterston was hoping for us to feel. This kind of long quote from Peter Clothier aptly captures the experience of the art:

"Seductively, they open up their dizzying spaciousness without the reassurance of a horizon line, nor even the orientation that might be offered by defined spatial relationships between the objects that mysteriously inhabit them. Forms and images seem to be given a necessary place, but neither their relative scale nor their metaphorical association permits us to tell ourselves a story that would fully explain their presence here. These are unexplored territories, whose indigenous life forms are at once as foreign and familiar as the images in a dream. To experience them we have to take a lot on faith: we must take the risk of adventuring without map or compass."

(Psst... I added the emphasis.)




Night-in-Gal, 2001; Reverberations, 2008
In short, I think what inspires me most about this artist is the idea of the journey in each piece, plus the ruthless combination of color and monochromatic palettes. It frequently feels like he has created a natural scene but the landscape itself is almost supernatural. And, obviously, I'm obsessed with the work.

I hope you liked what you saw. I seriously encourage you go to check out his site because there are TONS of amazing things to look at.







Thank you Sarah for this amazing guest post, I've never heard of Darren Waterston before, but I'm definitely looking into his work after I return from England! Absolutely beautiful!  What do you think? :)

Be Inspired! - By Pau from Titine and Totoche

Hi all, I'm still on holiday, but don't despair, I've asked some of my favourite blogger-friends to fill in for me! I loved reading about Pau's sources of inspiration, I hope you find them just as uplifting that I did! Hop over to their blog to read more about Venezuelan life and subtle and fun style! 

Hello! My sister and I blog over at Titine & Totoche, though she’s more behind the scenes. We’re from Venezuela and we love fashion, food, nature, travelling, cats and music. :)
When Madeline asked me to guest post on her blog, I was so happy and slightly nervous because the task included finding inspiring pictures. I always see pictures around the internet or in books that I like or make me think about other things, but inspiring? I really had to think about what inspires me, and because of it, this was an excellent mental exercise.

Source: http://bit.ly/pH1V23

What inspires me: 1500 musicians (choir & orchestra) playing together

The Orquesta Juvenil Simón Bolívar and its director Gustavo Dudamel are currently a source of
great pride in Venezuela. In a politically divided country, through their amazing music they’ve been able to bring us together and get lots of recognition abroad. This picture then, symbolizes the importance of music; it also reflects hard work and dedication.

Picture by Titine and Totoche

What inspires me: Books/ Stories/ Novels

Through books we learn about new places and life lessons, historical events and imaginary ones too, we bond with characters and travel through time. I’ve never ever cried watching a movie, but I’ve cried reading books.

Source: http://bit.ly/rqTw6Q

What inspires me: Music, love, song and dance

This is one of my favorite movies. The song, the dance, the reason why he’s actually dancing and the rain/ splashing action are absolutely fantastic.

Source: http://bit.ly/q59wUX

What inspires me: A mountain range that hugs my city

My city is located in a valley, surrounded by the most beautiful mountain range El Ávila. It’s visible from the east to west of the city, and it’s a symbol of cultural identity. Its greatness and changing colors make me instantly happy and calm. The first picture is a painting by Manuel Cabré who throughout his career only painted the Ávila.

Thank you so much Madeline!! :)

You're very welcome Pau, thank you! :)

Be Inspired! - By Waves from No Signposts in the Sea

Dear Readers, at the moment I'm on my way to England for a much anticipated holiday, yay!

So instead of me, some of my favourite blogger-friends will feature on my blog. I asked them to choose a picture - any picture - that inspires them, and explain why or how.

I'm so proud to present the picture that Waves from No Signposts in the Sea chose as her inspiration, and the brilliant piece of writing she sent me. I'll definitely re-read it many times, and I recommend everyone to read her blog too - she inspires me to think out of the box when it comes to blogging, to write more and write better, to step over the consumerist side of fashion blogging and let my creativity lead.

It is the custom in some parts of western Finland to let an old house rot while the new generation builds a new one on the same lot. It is a bizarre sight: huge, wooden mammoths of houses barely standing in tatters, while a newly constructed building towers beside it, full of life. You wonder why the people didn't just fix up the old house, but for whatever reason this is the way it has been done for generations. I guess no one really questions the logic, apart from outsiders like myself.

Two years ago I got to visit one of these old, abandoned houses. It hadn't been lived in in decades, but it still stood there courageously, next to a huge lake, its outside paint worn out completely, its rooms filled with the strange smell of rotting wood and mold. Musty wallpaper leapt off the walls in shreds. Swallows had found their way in and built a nest in the kitchen. The wood-burning stove lay there rusted, and a selection of round, metal-rimmed eyeglasses hung off the wall, gathering dust. I took a lot of pictures of the house that day. For you, I chose one of ceiling paint chipping down. I am drawn to things old, broken, textured, lost.
Many people find images of abandonment heart-breaking. There is something gut-wrenching about the visible evidence of no one caring. And yet there is beauty in decay - be it in a wrinkly, toothless smile of a 100-year-old, in wilting flowers, a road with potholes, the punches we take, the sadness we encounter in life through loss and carelessness. There is beauty where it doesn't even exist. One of the most inspiring experiences in human life is the inevitability of heartbreak.

Around the World Girls - Art Nouveau Weekend in Budapest

Have you ever considered visiting Budapest? Maybe you've even been before? Maybe you're planning a weekend there, but you're not sure what to see?

I'm so excited to announce a guest post I wrote and photographed for Ruth's blog, Flossy Blossom.
She has a great feature called Around the World Girls, where bloggers from all around the world introduce their country or city. I saw Titine and Totoche's Venezuela post and immediately got inspired to do a Budapest one.

I decided that it would be futile to try and feature every cool Budapest thing, (obviously there are too many of them :) so I chose a focus - Art Nouveau. This way I can show you some of my favourite places and also provide a whole weekend's entertainment for those who really plan to visit for a weekend. :)

Some places I included are the Museum of Applied Art...

Ruin pubs...

And my favourite, the Gellért Baths...

Visit Ruth's blog for more pictures and Art Nouveau things to do in Budapest!

Would you like to introduce your city too? Don't hesitate to contact her!

Thank you Ruth, for featuring my post. :)

(Ruin pub picture source)