- F L E X I B I L I T Y -

Just Another Day
by Cait Reynolds

That alarm sounds off and I make coffee
my boyfriend leaves for work and I get back in bed
but not before reading news headlines and, with trepidation, getting on Twitter
then Instagram, then emails, then back to IG, then I pick out one in an extensive lineup of podcasts

hopefully one of them will make me laugh
Sometimes I’ll fall back asleep, but the sun is shining a bit earlier in the mornings and sleeping in seems less appealing
I make a small breakfast and drink a cup of coffee, then I do the dishes
to feel more productive I go on my daily five mile run
I take a shower afterwards and spend time on my homework, though the only class I’m connecting with is the one that only requires that I journal my thoughts and feelings about assigned poems
It’s difficult to stay focused these days
With all of this free time that doesn’t feel free my mind wanders aggressively
I think about my friends and how I miss them
I wonder if my boyfriend is sick of seeing me everyday
I worry that my sister will be asked to work in a crisis area because she is graduating from med school next month
sometimes I feel angry, frustrated, a flood of anxiety rushes through me
I read more news articles
and then I see one that makes me smile
BRITNEY SPEARS CALLS FOR WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION, GENERAL STRIKE ON INSTAGRAM

Britney cares
and we owe her an apology
we were not kind to her
this child that was groomed and sexualized as a teenager
why was a sixteen year old saying “Hit me baby, one more time?”
Britney knows what a shelter in place order feels like
but not because of a pandemic, but because of a controlling father
My routine has not changed since I’ve written this
the sun is shining a little brighter and more crocuses have bloomed
and we have an advocate in
Comrade Spears

A D A P T I N G 

Move With Me.

A Tale of Two Mayflies 

Noelle Flaherty

Blue-winged, olive Mayflies dancing in invisible, vertical columns. 

Lifting & diving. 

Crashing back into the placental surface that separates their origin and their becoming. 

A yo-yo on a string, winding up toward the stratus-cumulus vapor and swinging low into the shadows of sublime encapsulation. 

Emergence. 

Arched Mayfly back, swayed to the wild art of her own rebellion. 

This moment is everything that moves her and sounds the drum of her primal-scream. 

She will throw herself into the hell-flames of the sunstar before she permits complacency to creep up behind her and ask her for measured decency. 

“Give me change!” 

“Give me chaos!”  

“Give me pandemonium!” 

Emergence. 

A pleading of the shell & husk left behind on the familiar graveyard that adorns the River’s floor. 

A sprinkling to the Queen of Slumber.  

A petition, asking to regress back into the barrenness of formation. 

A sweet-on-the-tongue nostalgia for genesis and synthesis. 

“Give me hush.” 

“Give me serenity.”

“Give me ease.” 

The scepter, crown & kingdom belong to the Mayfly who sees that both dances are consecrated by the River’s sacrosanct soul. 

They belong to the one who is willing to insolently posture herself in covenant with the fickle calling of wind to iridescent wing. 

“Move with me” 

She whispers through her dance. 

I oblige. 

E V O L V I N G 

For much of my life, I felt like I was standing in a doorway waiting to open the door and go out. I felt like there was something more that I could or should be doing. But I didn’t know what it was. I think many of us feel this way because we are always searching for meaning in life and for our purpose or destiny.
This search takes us through jobs, marriages, relationships, study and many, many wrong turns and course corrections. This search can be disheartening and frustrating. Something happens, however, when we shift our perspective to one of appreciative inquiry. When we change the outlook from one of ‘why isn’t this working’ to one of ‘what might I become’.

The first example is the perspective of brokenness. The second is a perspective of possibility! For years, I felt my purpose was some goal I needed to achieve whether that be a career or a relationship. I was always chasing the end game often missing the opportunity right in front of me. I wish I could say I was alone in this, but frankly, this drive to our created or expected destiny creates
on-going stress for many people.

Will they ever arrive at the destiny destination? Will their purpose
ever become clear?
I heard something years ago which had I taken it to heart could have saved me a multitude of heartache and pain. That something is that our destiny isn’t something to arrive at, but something we are. Our purpose/destiny is to be our true authentic selves in every moment of every day. When I am living
in my authentic being, my purpose unfolds naturally. On some days, my purpose is nothing more than to be joyful when many around me are not. My joy lifts their moods and without much thought, I am fulfilling my purpose.

Other days, my purpose was to support my mother as she struggled through the infirmities of old age. My presence and assistance reassured her and thus I fulfilled my purpose at that moment.

Our purpose is who we are not what we do. When we are being true to who we are, what we do will unfold naturally, adding value to all who we come in contact with. It really is that simple. Each one of us is here on this planet because we are needed. Each one of us is unique and necessary. Relax into the essence of who you are with all that makes you uniquely you and know that you are adding value just by being alive and engaged in your world.

Kari Romeo

I M P R O V I S I N G 

Getting Dressed With Nowhere To Go

Last week, I looked at my stack of jeans and cringed. I sifted through all of my favorite dresses with a sigh. On mornings when I can’t decide what to wear, my go-to is usually a vintage printed dress and sneakers. It instantly makes me feel like myself and somewhat put together. However, looking down at my unshaven legs, I just can’t find myself putting on my favorite outfit. In the first few days of social distancing, it was very hard for me to get dressed. With an emotional connection to fashion, I usually get dressed based on how I am feeling. With feelings of uncertainty and uneasiness, I reached for my small stack of sweatpants to comfort me. After I wore all my sweatpants and procrastinated on laundry, I moved to leggings. At this time, I was losing motivation to get anything done and I was itching to wear all the pretty things in my closet that aren’t getting any attention. I started slowly by wearing leggings with cool jackets and adding big earrings with my sweatshirts. I took sportswear styling tips from my favorite menswear brand Aimé Leon Doré. I started to get excited about getting dressed finding that little additions everyday made a huge difference on my mood and motivation even if I was still wearing leggings. 

My social distancing days have been spent in the basement of Marmalade. There we have a sewing studio, a photography room, a tea pot, a TV, a comfy couch, and an abundance of snacks. I argue that the stay-at-home orders can include your second home if you follow all guidelines. I am very fortunate to have a comforting space to go to during this time. A space supplied with magazines that I can tear out pages to put up on the wall, as well as a big couch where I can rest and thumb through Instagram. Lately, I’ve found inspiration by remaining curious. Idly flipping through my old fashion books, listening to podcasts on fashion history, and searching Pinterest for outfits ideas. With a little extra time on my hands, I allowed myself to rest, think, and be flexible with what I wear and what is to come. 

The past week has been a phase of experimentation for me. Exploring new ideas of sustainable fashion, I’ve been reworking old clothing into fresh designs for Marmalade Underground. Rather than creating waste with unwanted clothing, I want to see how I can work with what I have to make items that are exciting to wear. I’m also trying out new ways to style leggings and sweatshirts in a world where it does not make sense right now to pull out a full-on look. I like the idea of contrasting comfortable items with pretty details like a lace-trimmed blouse or a rhinestone necklace. Maybe this can be outfit planning for the post-quarantine time when I’m not feeling so great but I want my outfit to comfort and uplift me. And in the spirit of getting dressed when you have nowhere to go, here are a few key Spring 2020 fashion items that will get me excited about dressing for myself:  

Graphic vintage crewneck sweatshirt or tee shirt: Sometimes a soft, worn-in tee or sweatshirt is the ultimate comfort device. Wear this with an elastic waistband skirt or with bike shorts or leggings à la Princess Diana. 

White blouse: I have a growing collection of white blouses, vintage and new. It is the ultimate classic item that has been interpreted in countless ways. If you are more of a minimalist, wear a basic but sleek button-up, and if you are more feminine, search for one with a tie neck or a touch of lace. Wear these with jeans for an effortlessly chic look or have the collar peeking out from a crewneck sweatshirt. 

PJ-inspired items: This trend ranges from slips to matching short sets to flowing robe-like jackets. Wear a lacy camisole with gym shorts and a jean jacket for your morning coffee run or throw a long kimono over leggings and a tee. 

Big scrunchies and bucket hats: When you don’t feel like doing your hair, which is often for me, tie your hair up with a printed scrunchie (google how to make your own!) or just cover it up with a trendy bucket hat. 

Pearl necklace: A once old-fashioned jewelry item is now experiencing a fresh comeback (for men and women!). Skip wearing it with something nice and just wear it with something casual like a t-shirt. It’s a small outfit booster that makes me smile and feel a little more cool. 

Kasey 

Kasey is a stylist in New York City and a buyer for Marie's Boutique, Marmalade, and Marmalade Underground. With a life-long love of fashion, she has big city dreams, but will always stay connected to her hometown of Coeur d'Alene. You can find her on instagram as @kaseyandherklothes.

The obstacle is the path. 

Proverb

C R E A T I N G