Instagreat.

As a loyal iPhone owner I am, by obligation, also an Instagram addict. As a blogger, it makes absolute sense to document my life in pictures and the filters are just a plus. Take a look at some of my recent snaps...

If you have Instagram check me out at taryn_brooke! I love checking out other people's photos so leave your username in the comments and I'll take a look. :) 

Thursday ♥'s

Ahh summer is (almost) officially here! We've had an exceptionally long and drawn out dreary spring, so the warmer temps and clear blue skies are extremely welcome. This is my first summer since I was 3 without a full time figure skating training schedule which is bittersweet. However, I am as eager as ever to easy summer style and beauty, these blogs have some amazing examples of that. 

How gorgeous is that wall...and her outfit?? via Late Afternoon.

Lovely lace shorts found at greer.

Fieldguided has it right when it comes to summer beauty, simple and pretty.

The 01 Blog has all the adorable looks from Shipley & Halmos SS11.

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A great big thank you to Marissa from What Makes Me Happy for giving me this award!



Let's see now I am supposed to share 7 facts about myself.

1. I skipped 8th grade and graduated high school a year early (which allowed me to take this last year off of school, I will be returning this fall)
2. At 5'8.5 I am still the shortest person in my family. My sister is 6' tall!
3. This summer I am going to New York to attend the Rockettes summer intensive.
4. When my mom was pregnant with me doctors told her there was only a 5% chance of me actually surviving.
5. I obsessively multitask. I'm always doing more than one thing at a time.
6. Purple is my favorite color at the moment.
7. I seriously love to travel. I love discovering new places both near and far to home.

Thursday ♥'s (and personal musings)

You can never have enough rings...Oversized Shades & a Cup of Coffee seems to agree with me.

I have a serious affinity for personalized jewelry and this piece is perfect, via ellevictoire.

Cheetah is the New Black has a collage of perfect picks for summer.

La Ville Inconnue never ceased to amaze me with her wonderful vintage style.

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ahhh Weird webcam picture I know, but I felt the need to include a thinking photo with this thinking post...anyways...

(I may or may not have been at work while taking this)

I'm in one of those unfortunate, inevitable, absolutely wretched writer's block slumps.

All I can help thinking is why do I blog? There isn't much that makes my blog different from other fashion blogs as much as I wish there was. Developing a voice and a persona is not an easy task and something I'm definitely working on, but at times it just feels so overwhelming. Then again is that something I should even have to try at? 

All I know is that it is time for me to change things up a tad. 

When I feel stuck in a rut I just remind myself 

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different result."

(Totally thought this was an Einstein quote but apparently its Ben Franklin)

So here's to shaking things up a bit and becoming more inspired again! I've found I find the most joy in what I do when it comes from the heart and I don't try to be something I'm not. 

Seems pretty simple right? 

If you've made it to the end of this I commend you!
What do you when you feel like you are in a blogging rut? Heck what do you do when you are in a LIFE rut?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

Everything in it's place.

Yesterday, the Theodora Girls and our adopted TV girl, Heather, got together for an organization extravaganza! Our work and store room had gotten a bit out of control to say the least and we were quickly running out of space for all the new beautiful pieces. With some perseverance and some good music to listen to we were able to completely empty the space of anything un-Theadora Vintage related. From there we divided the pieces among the two racks, one for currently listed items and another for our new items. All in all, now we have an amazing new space to use and bring the store new and exciting things. :)

Boris the cat.

 

Keep an eye out for new uploads coming in the next couple of days! 

I'm alive!

Seriously, I did not mean to fall off the face of the earth, it just sort of happened. :/
A mix of extremely hectic scheduling and lack of inspiration made it really easy for me to get out of the habit and that just makes me sad, because in all reality I love my little piece of the internet. :)

Anyhow, here are so photos I took during a collage making session a few weeks ago. I decorated a notebook to write down ideas for posts and to help me blog more (HAH) and I was quite happy with the results. I have a good 50+ magazines sitting in my room to go through right now, all the way back to American Vogue from March of 08. Whoopsie!







It is amazing how a new day and a new outlook can make things seem different and exciting all over again. :)

Velvet

(Dress: H&M, Hat: Urban Outfitters, Tights: CVS, Shoes: thrifted, Bracelet: grandpa's, Ring: Flea Market)

Last Saturday I went out with some friends for dinner to celebrate my 18th birthday. Despite pouring rain I wanted to wear my recently thrifted heels and new hat. Both survived the raindrops and puddles and came out unscathed. We rounded off the fun night to see the movie Black Swan which truly blew me away. It was properly dark and creepy, I left the theater with a headache from focusing so hard on what was real and what wasn't. Lesson learned, high platforms are a good replacement for rain boots. :)

Shazaaam

New layout. Again, I know. I can't seem to stick with one, but for now I REALLY like how this has turned out. So bear with me in my schizophrenic re-organizing.

Anywho, check out the guest post I recently did over at my BFF Alyssa's blog The Vixen Mix. :)
Tomorrow I will be spending the day helping to trim the tree, put up more holiday lights, and putting the finishing touches on the first part of my Holiday gift guide.

OH, and lastly
I'm back on tumblr!
I started in summer 09 and then stopped to focus on this, but now I'm using it again.
It's full of my favorite inspiration photos and a bit more personal/informal glimpse of my thoughts, life, and ideas.
If you have a tumblr, leave it in the comments!
I'll check it out and most likely follow you :)

???

These last few days I've been feeling a bit uninspired when it comes to blog content. My life is moving 100 miles an hour in all different directions which I keep meaning to share but feel sort of odd as I've always considered this a strictly "fashion/style" themed blog. But then again it is my blog so I guess I can do whatever the heck I want.

Secondly, am I the only person who feels like its necessary to shop 24/7 to be a good blogger? Not that I wouldn't MIND that ability, but I in no way have the funds necessary to be constantly adding to my wardrobe. These limitations push me to try more creative combination with the clothes I already have, but it feels like I'm breaking some secret blogger law when I repeat an item or two in an outfit post. It's like peer pressure the spend every dime I have on something new just so I can blog about it. In reality, I am most inspired by those who are able to take old pieces from their closet and give them new life or alter a thrift store find to fit their current style.

Now, with a clear conscience and an open mind I shall go forth and blog about what I want to. Sometimes you just need to let it all out in order to move forward.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Please validate this mini rant with your own opinion in the comments!

Urban Fusion!

This past Thursday, Sasha (of Black n Gold a la Mode) and I got to host our first pop up store event for Theodora Vintage at Saddleback College's Urban Fusion event. We were definitely excited and nervous not knowing what to expect, but it ended up being a seriously fun experience. Getting to actually interact with our customers was the best part because they share the same passion for vintage fashions as we do! Hopefully we will be doing some more events like this in the near future, and I would love for anyone in the area to stop by!

Opening Doors

Top: Vintage, Belt: F21, Shorts: Vintage Levi's, Tights: Target, Boots: Vintage Justin's

Literally and metaphorically speaking, its been an interesting last few months full of doors opening and closing. Life is about to change as I know it, which is scary always, even if the change is most likely for the better. It's been a lot to balance and figure out but I'm feeling optimistic.

end philosophical ramblings.

P.S. Meet my new puppy! His name is Freddy and we rescued him. We think he is a St. Bernard/Great Dane/Boxer mix.

Red

Forever 21 top, Urban Outfitters glasses, Forever 21 belt, Vintage Lee cut-offs, Forever 21 shoes

Last week I got my hair done for the first time in awhile and decided to go more red. It was kind of a last minute idea but I love the way it turned out! I'm definitely not one of those people who get's attached to a hairstyle. Instead, every few months or so I get antsy and have to try something new.

These photos are from last Friday...today has actually been much less glamorous. I got all four of my wisdom teeth out today, so I am confined to the couch and an all liquid diet for the next few days. Should lead to some extensive blog reading and online shopping, so feel free to leave links to your all time favorite blogs (other than your own, I'll check that out too ;) and online stores so I can stay entertained!

Room to grow

The time has finally come for me to move from my tiny closet sized bedroom into my sister's bigger bedroom. It is the first time since I was born that I've been able to completely redecorate a room of my own from start to finish. It's a slow-going process as she moves out, but its given me plenty of time to assemble my inspiration. So far, the room has been painted all white with gold molding and a gold and crystal light fixture. There is still some painting to be done but in the coming weeks I'll be able to move in furniture and finally get to settle in and style the space.

all images via tumblr