Thursday, March 28, 2013

Thrifts and Threads Thursday



(Labels: Shirt- Romeo and Juliet Couture, Skirt- Thrift Shop, Tanktop- Forever 21, Boots- Bakers, Bag- gift, Jewelry- Relative Culture)


So I usually get questions and comments about my clothes and my overall style whenever I am out, which I think has something to do with my obvious "outsider" appearance in the small towns that I find myself drifting to and through. It was suggested that I include some of my own personal style in this blog and after my recent and very surprising addiction to surfing through fashion blogs from around the world, I got a little inspired. 

These fashion bloggers, like so many others before them, demonstrate the deep cultural significance that goes into the formation of style. Style can be found in every culture and it is culture that shapes every style, so I thought I would have a little input as well. Now, I must provide a disclaimer. I do not consider myself much of a fashionista or an extraordinarily knowledgeable source about the world of fashion (though with all this fashion blog surfing, that may be subject to change). However,  I am an expert on my own personal style, and as I have said before, I am most inspired by styles shaped by cultures around the world. So I figured that I would share, seeing as my style is my biggest inspiration when I am in creative mode. 

A large section of my wardrobe was selected from a vast amount of unwanted, unloved, forgotten clothes a.k.a- thrift shops, but if you have any questions about my thrifted items I can provide the label and look into it. I will also provide the labels of thrifted items if they are recognizable brands, as I have done above.

Well if you have any remarks about the outfit, culture's influence on style, or this post in general, feel free to leave a comment. Also, if you know of any good fashion bloggers please let me know in the comment section. That would be amazing! Oh, and in case you were wondering- yes, this is the outfit that I wore today and yes, my current location has not gotten the message that winter is, in fact, over. Well hopefully summer is just around the corner. Can't wait!

With infinite love,
The Frohemian

 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Hello Holi!


Widows in Vrindavan, India celebrating the Holi festival for the first time
Mawa Gujiya


Today marks the last full moon of March 2013 and the first day of a one to forty day long festival of colors, music, colors, food, colors, togetherness, and, you guessed it, COLORS! If that's not reason enough to make you want to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, then I'm guessing you're more of a "black and white" kinda person, but perhaps a little more detail might strike your interest.

Holi is a festival to welcome spring and signify the beginning of harvest season. It holds a religious significance as well such as celebrating the triumph of good over evil and recognizing the Hindu god, Lord Krishna.

Even with Holi’s joyous melodies, delectable treats, and electrifying hues, the aspect that I find to be most magnificent is Holi’s celebration of unity. 

Holi is the one time a year when strictly enforced rules of separation and social systems are a bit more lax. Men and women, boys and girls, rich and poor, young and old, come together in a harmonious celebration complete with smiling faces, full tummies, and color-drenched bodies.

This year’s festival crossed yet another boundary when hundreds of widows gathered in Vrindavan, India and celebrated Holi for the first time! Before this year, widows were not allowed to participate in the festivities but on Sunday, the women danced and celebrated with handfuls of flower petals and basked in all the colors of Holi like everyone else.

Although the most recognized Holi festival is held in Vrindavan, India, the celebration lives up to its barrier-breaking traditions and has been enjoyed by countries all over the world. Places such as Nepal, Pakistan, the UK, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, the US, and Guyana have all been known to celebrate this festival of colors. It was spread across the globe by Hindu migrants but it is celebrated by a variety of people who view the festival as a celebration of love, laughter, unity, and (of course) colors.

Holi is definitely on my list of cultural celebrations that I plan to experience but until I actually make these plans a reality, I will continue to get lost in my daydream of infinite colors and fantastic Holi happiness.


With infinite love,
The Frohemian




(The photos above are from Google)

Sunday, March 17, 2013

The World Looks Quite Green Today

St. Patrick's Day around the world:

Bucharest, Romania
Chicago, USA
Niagra Falls, Canada
Cape Town, South Africa
Pisa, Italy
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Amman, Jordan
Sydney, Australia
Dubai, UAE
Giza, Egypt
London, England
Madrid, Spain
Tokyo, Japan
Dublin, Ireland

It appears that St.Patrick's day has brought together countries and cultures from all over the world in order to celebrate and (more or less) preserve the proud Irish culture. Naturally, Relative Culture had to get in on the Americanized-version of this cultural harmony- just a little. 

(Labels: Shirt- American Apparel, Shoes- Nike, Shorts- H&M, Socks- Victoria Secret, Jewelry- Relative Culture)




Well, if you all are anything like me then you have probably spent years sporting an assortment of seemingly-Irish paraphernalia or avoiding a piercing pinch by wearing green that was found in a pile of "recently rummaged" forgotten garments without really knowing how this celebration came about.
There are plenty of stories surrounding St. Patrick. Some stories involve the kidnapping and multiple enslavements of the Saint, which is said to be true, whereas other stories tell a tale of a man who banished all snakes from Irish lands, which has not quite been proven ;-). However true the tales may be, St.Patrick is best known for being a British Christian missionary and spreading the word of Christ and Catholicism to the people of Ireland. St.Patrick's day is celebrated on the day of his death. 

Well there ya have it! Now, I shall leave you with a Happy St. Patrick's day and an old Irish Proverb:

"Your feet will bring you to where your heart is" 

 With infinite love,
 
The Frohemian

Monday, March 11, 2013

Knock Knock

  Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bali, Indonesia

Provence, France 

Waikato, New Zealand

Venice, Italy

Caracas, Venezuela

 Shanghai, China

New Mexico, USA
  Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia

Sidi bou Said, Tunisia



Doors- I suppose it is safe to say that they appear in every culture in one form or another. Like the images above, doors can be very intriguing but they are also quite limiting. Sometimes, the mystery of what awaits us on the other side can be both alluring and frightening.

In short, I don’t quite know where to begin my journey in search of cultural growth, beauty, and harmony except with the opening of those ever-enticing doors (this blog). What I do know is that I want to use this blog as a way to connect with people from every nation and culture and share my thirst for universal harmony which is reflected in my style, my creations, and all things that inspire me. I hope that you find some inspiration on here as well!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please feel free to leave comments. I will be sure to read all of them. Your participation is key to reaching my ultimate destination ;-)
           
With infinite love,
The Frohemian  





(The photos above are from various Google and Pintrest pages)