imperfect perfection

Back in my pre-fashion blogging days, I used to scroll through my favorite bloggers' Instagram feeds and wonder just how they always looked so perfect and put together all the time. How were they walking so effortlessly in five-inch heels? How did her hair have zero flyaways? How is she wearing a mini skirt in below-zero temperatures? It just completely baffled me. Then, once I decided to pursue my blog and taking #ootd photos became a part of my life, I came to an important realization: more often than not, social media is your highlight reel -- not your blooper reel. Naturally, we're more likely to share a seemingly flawless version of ourselves as opposed to the (more realistic) flawfilled version of ourselves (hey Beyoncé, write a song about that!).

And there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, we all do it. But I think it's important to keep everything in perspective. For every gorgeous, perfectly styled, jealousy-inducing photo that your favorite bloggers share, there were probably definitely at least a dozen or so photos that didn't make the cut.

Take, for example, the following images from a shoot I did last week. It was a beautiful spring day, and I was excited to take some photos near the Missouri River at the Nebraska-Iowa border. There was a subtle breeze, but nothing unbearable. Then, without warning, that quiet breeze turned into a roaring wind. All of a sudden, my hair was everywhere in a completely wild and uncontrollable state. The wind blew against my maxi skirt so intensely that I looked like I was wearing harem pants. My oversized white tee kept falling off my shoulders. My confidence plummeted and I was ready to call this shoot a lost cause.

And I almost did.

But then as I was skimming through the photos on my computer -- adamant that I would delete all of them -- I kept thinking about this idea of perfection and why we all pursue it so relentlessly. What is "perfect" anyway? Well, for one, it's a highly subjective concept. Your idea of perfect and my idea of perfect are probably more different than they are alike. So, in a sense, no matter how perfect I view something -- say, this photo or that photo -- someone else may view it as not-quite-perfect or completely imperfect.

What I'm getting at is this: don't let the pursuit of perfection hinder your pursuit of true artistry and creativity.

So, in that spirit, let's get to the good stuff, shall we?

I've recently teamed up with Triple Thread OC as a brand rep. They're a mobile clothing business that offers 50-70% off retail value. Their aesthetic is girly and laid-back, with touches of that bohemian, SoCal vibe. I'm really excited to be wearing more Triple Thread apparel in the upcoming spring and summer months! For this outfit, I paired this super comfy white T-shirt with a dark gray maxi skirt for a quintessential "lazy Sunday" look that's still polished. This Ash & Willow gold cuff bracelet with crystal embellishments adds an unexpected element of glamour to this otherwise casual ensemble. Springy sandals keep the overall vibe relaxed and approachable.

T-shirt: Triple Thread (c/o)

Skirt: Triple Thread (c/o)

Bracelet: Ash & Willow (c/o)

Sandals: Charlotte Russe (similar)

Sunglasses: Komono (similar)