Monday, December 6, 2010

Patterns of a Free Bird

It never fails.  Bad days make me rail against any kind of conformity, system, rules and the like.  The past couple weeks have been littered with chaotic days, and any rest I try to get on the weekend seems to be sapped by the craziest, constant irritations:
  • The lady down the block who never looks after her cat so it finds its way to my house to harass the daylights out of my two who hiss and screech at full pitch waking me (and every other neighbor within a 10 block radius) out of a dead sleep.  Or just plain going off in the middle of a client call. snap
  • Dust bunnies emerging seconds after I vacuum.
  • Never-ending piles of laundry and paper to be put away.
  • One loan bruised apple at the bottom of the crisper just as I'm craving an apple.
  • Getting into the car to discover next to no gas as I'm running late. (ahem chef)
  • My favorite fresh baked Christmas cookies hitting the floor less than an hour after being pulled from the oven.
Suddenly I want to wear fringe, fringe and more fringe, sheer printed fabrics over loose knit beaded tanks, and the widest widelegs you ever did see.  I think about tossing it all to the wind to live in an old, reconditioned VW bus, calling my aunt to see if she has any old furs lying about to send me as I wander up and down the west coast and warmer parts of the country trying to run away and leave it all behind.  

Inevitably I end up looking at pictures like these - which in their fabulosity only fuel the already blazing fire.  Those cookies on the floor were the final straw.

(image via the pulp girls)
in my mind i'm living in this fantastically refurbished bus.
nothing cost more than $10 and was found at flea markets throughout my travels.
(image via bohemian punk)
i'm decked out in prints and shaggy fabrics.
my jewelry collection is spilling over with eclectic finds 
that cost less than $5 each and my collection of sunglasses?
unparalleled.
(image via bohemian punk 
along the way i meet a fellow sojourner who strums her guitar out the back of
my van as i look off into the distance adorned in my aunt's fur coat.
she mailed it to a random p.o. box because i'm on the lam 
and the world is my address.
(image via bohemian punk)
if anyone stirs up trouble i haul it to my brother's place and steal his
motorbike like the time in junior high.  (only this time i don't crash and
get reamed out.  instead i ride off in my denim fringy jacket and beat down 
cowboy boots...or this would work, too.  espesh the jewelry.  and the hat. and the bike).
the open road is my partner in crime.
(image via the pulp girls)
it could only get better if that was a cat instead of a dog.
speechless

How is it that pictures can so perfectly express/satisfy the angst of the soul??  Like every.single.thing. in the new Free People catalogue.  Have you seen yet?? Today I was transfixed.  If Santa brought only one gift for me...I would hope it would be from there.  Santa?  You reading?

59 comments:

Stacey said...

I really hate those type of days when it seems like a domino effect took place because everything seems to fall apart! Your story was a great reprieve from a sordid and cold Monday:-).

Dawn said...

Ahhh ....I hear ya.
Let's hop on that bike and forget screeching cats, dropped cookies, and empty gas tanks.
I'm there.
Love your posts.
What stories...and they sound so similar to mine.
How is it you manage to tell yours with such flair?
:)))
Thank you:)

ejb said...

Oh the cookies! I've had a similar day as well (must be a Monday thing...). I am loving the archery picture from the pulp girls...amazing! Hope you have a great day tomorrow :)

TheChambrayCountess said...

I totally hear you! I had that type of day today! Arg! I will join you in your opulent afghan van (which would also make a great band name...just sayin'). I love the Raquel Zimmerman photo and had that on my inspiration wall for quite some time.
Today my therapy was Christmas decorations + chai latte, and taking the time to enjoy both :)
Hope tomorrow is better!

Claire Kiefer said...

Gorgeous. This is my fave:
http://www.freepeople.com/clothes-new-clothes/isle-of-skye-cape/

I like it almost as much as I like that lush, patterned apartment. Van?? :)

this free bird said...

Claire!! that cape is RIDIC!! girl look closely - i do believe that's the interior of a van of some sort...check out the window placement and slope of the ceiling. i'm moving in there immediately. goodbye cruel world of adult responsibilities!! they can suck it!!

annelise said...

I have frequent fantasies about running away in a hippie bus. Today, I dealt with those fantasies by drinking vodka and midori at 4.30pm on a Tuesday.

Hope your week getters better, lady. xx

S.I.F. said...

Ugggg! Can I join you on that bus please? Sounds fabulous...

Josie said...

Ohhhhh, Carrie, it's going to be okay! Now, granted, your dream sounds like my worst nightmare (I don't think they do Starbucks in VW buses, but if they do, you could maybe persuade me to come) but there is always the temptation to escape it all, no? And these photos are GORGEOUS!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

jemina said...

Hi babe, like Josie said, it's going to be OK, and OH MY! Free People really hits the nail this time, LOVE everything in the pics :)

XOXO
J

Anonymous said...

ahaha, I know what!! We have such an old VW bus (T1, it´s amazing, beautiful baby blue, you gonna love it :-P) parked down there in Mexico. I´m gonna fly over, pic you up and then... ugh.. dunno..we leave the cat behind us hehe, do YOU play guitar??! But what do we do when hungry?

No, there is no Starbuck but Nespresso:D

xxx
M.

Anonymous said...

The holiday craziness. It has to let up soon or i'm finding new cocktails. I guess that option isnt so bad...

Jenni Austria Germany said...

yes, i would like 100000000 dollars to spend only on the free people catalogue.

Kendall said...

there is a free people 5 blocks away from where i live....so dangerous. xoxo kendall

Diana Mieczan said...

Yup...I know the feeling...I feel the same..There is always so much to do around the Holidays:)
Kisses, darling
Hope you will have a lovely day
Muah

Alleen said...

Great post...I certainly have day(s) like these! Although, I am ready to head to the beach and live in a hut! Hope your week is a good one! xo

ps I made the peppermint bark...yummy!!!!

Chas said...

Wow, awesome photos! I love the last one! I hope you have a good day today Carrie!

Unknown said...

cute post! - if only dust bunnies, no gas in the car, and cats were my biggest concersns - *sigh* .... but there's always WAY worse .. gotta stay in postive girl .. negative energy sucks!

*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~

Courtney Erin said...

I sort of want to throw my hands up in the air and run away to become a hippy too. You make it sound like a good choice.

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

P.S. Boo to irresponsible animal owners too!

Anonymous said...

You are a riot. Wonder if you could get your own reality show? hmmm... I will have to check out the new Free People catalog.. ours didn't come yet. I asked Logan what she wants for Christmas and she said, "Free People.. size small." xo

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

I'm pretty sure dust bunnies are my sworn enemy.

Jessica said...

I hate hate days like that! How nice would it be sometimes to just escape to a place like you described? Just away from everything. I can't imagine! I haven't seen the new Free People catalog yet, but I'm hoping mine comes soon! And hopefully Santa has read this post :) xo

hip hip gin gin said...

I'm so with you. I don't know what it is lately, but just the other night I declared to the husband that I'd like to toss the laptop out the window, unplug everything else and just hole up in a little seaside cottage with candles for light completely cut off from the rest of the world.

It doesn't help matters any when a convict runs away from the local courthouse and the cops and helicopters circle my neighborhood for an hour only to find him in the bushes like 100 yards away from my house. True story, happened yesterday, good times. And don't even start me on the laundry.

Nikki said...

Definitely have days like this....often. Hope some online window shopping helps!
These pics are amazing.
xx
Nikki

Closet Fashionista said...

Ick...I hate bad days...I had one yesterday...though not nearly as bad as yours seem to be :/
Love all those photos, I would love to live like that too XD
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Kristen said...

what.a.day.

glad the photos and free people catlouge helped! love the bohemian punk!

Valerie said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT THE COOKIES!!!!!!!! That's one of the saddest stories I've heard in a while. I'm always paranoid I'm going to bake something amazing and then drop it on the floor. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I need more fur in my life. These pictures make it all clear.

xo
Valerie

Louise (Fifth Sparrow) said...

Yeah, the cookies were definitely the last straw! Sorry your days (weeks) have been draining, but this running away and being all chic and boho plan sounds awesome. Can I join? I have a cat I can bring along too! xx

p.s France was unbelievable... but sadly no Parisian Princes were eligible! Shoot. ;)

Jude said...

Argh, I totally hear you on the irritations all building up to one ginormous psychic screech (what is that saying, about a thousand paper cuts adding up...?) I was very happy to see this lovely post playing it all out...and in such a creative way (I went through such a Free People phase, and I think they still speak to me more so than, say, amazing Anthropologie)!

Laura said...

Aw sorry for the frustrating day! I feel you on that one. I stayed up until 2 am last night making sugar cookies for my office, decorated and all, and then left them at home! Keep on imagining though!!

Discovery Street said...

ohhhhh...how i miss our VW bus....

PursuitOfLLT said...

not. the. cookies.

that happened to me last year with a turtle cheesecake i spent so MUCH DAMN time on. I cried. Seriously. Then I whimpered as I cleaned it up for the next 30 minutes....you know, because it was all over the cabinets, under the dishwasher. It was a true FML moment.

I always fantasize about winning the lottery and just taking off. Completely disappearing from all things reality. One can dream.

Anonymous said...

hello carrie..awesome.. do follow me back..just love to make friend with everyone..thanks..

Courtney Erin said...

I'm an Edmontonian too -- born there are went to uni there too!

FRANKIE HEARTS FASHION said...

Yes, these days come around far too often! That's where indulging in the wine and chocolate help!!

P.S. The Free people catalog is off the chain!!!! No wonder you were mesmerized by it. xo

Secondhand Stella said...

Oooo, I need to see the new catalog!

Jamie said...

That Free People catalog IS bananas!! I want EVERYTHING in it!!

http://www.glamlatte.com

Amber said...

that is a crapster couple of weeks. I am having the same problem with dust bunnies, they need to be destroyed

Alicia Lund said...

Ah... there's a Free People down the street from me as I type this... so tempting to run!

Marie a la Mode said...

Yeah, the Free People catalog is AMAZEBALLS!

Anonymous said...

Dog for me.
I often think about selling everything and moving to some small town where nobody knows me. Having a small house, walking to my meaningless job and living a very boring life. Except for my thrifting expeditions. Then when I get tired of that town I will find another one and start all over.

Annie said...

hahaha Carrie.. this has to be one of my fav posts of yours yet. I can so feel your pain, but of course you manage to convey it in the most humorous way. You're good :) Well I hope the rest of your day goes much smoother and maybe make some more cookies later and have chef pick up some fresh apples? xo

Unknown said...

Ur kidding me .. Heart just sank .. An associate of mine, his daughter tried last week .. Thankfully failed!! So now I'm in crisis mode with her and helping the parents get through this ... I unfortunately have personal experience with this matter :-( .... Stay strong love!!!

Ashleigh said...

Pretty much died over everything in Free People! The no gas issue happened to me on our first zero degree morning, just great. Sigh.

PhotoPuddle said...

I'm just jealous because I never get a craving for an apple it's usually chocolate or cookies!

k said...

Carrieeeee I hope you smile today! For reals. And you have crazy neighbors. period. so funny to reada bout though!!! :)

RedPoppy said...

I loved reading this post!! haha love the part about living in the bus. xoxoxox

A Crimson Kiss said...

Oh, how I adore you. I think that if you ran off to live on the lam in a divine, free love inspired bus, I would insist you make a visit to the free loviest town of all!

And that last shot, with the amazing hats and the bows and arrows? Please sign me up for that. I'll go where ever that afternoon is offered!

this free bird said...

mmmkay? you and me both! it is entirely swoony

kendall k. said...

you are amazing, period. xo

E said...

I think I would like that divine interior of that bus in my life!

Lori said...

You HAVE to tell the cookie story ~ what teh hell happened there??!!

Jess said...

I LOVE Free People right now!! And if Santa is reading your blog, can you tell him to get me something too?!

Anna Walker said...

I love that first picture!
It sort of reminds me of a hippie "Moulin Rouge"
&
I hope you have better days soon! :)

http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

Daniela said...

love the look where she's on the bike
great pictures!

STYLE'N said...

Ah one (or two) of those kind of weeks ha? hopefully this week is getting better! So I have not seen the catalog yet but when I went to the RTW spring/summer Fashion Overview Friday night it was all about fringe, color, wide pants , 70's, and the sheer fabrics.

Marcie said...

So sorry for the bad fortune, but they way you put it is so entertaining! I hear you on those damn dust bunnies! They are the WORST! Love the bohemian photos you picked. I love that style.

xo M

LyddieGal said...

Sometimes I think it would be so wonderful to just grab a bag and leave it all. So romantic. No ties or rules or stress, just endless possibility.

I wonder how long I'd last and how close to reality the free people catalog could ever be...

Kara Endres said...

How cool would it be to have a little hideout in an old bus like that?? I like your rebellious bohemian fantasy.

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