“there are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
– c.s. lewis
Saturday DO
DO: write something.
I didn’t always want to be a writer. First it was an astronaut, then archeologist, and then about a hundred other things. But I started keeping a journal in middle school and I never stopped – I have boxes of them stored away, a somewhat haunting record of everything I’ve been through.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to seriously consider writing as a profession, and it was something Charles Bukowski wrote that actually had a huge impact on me. In “Tales of Ordinary Madness,” he wrote that you don’t choose to be a writer, it chooses you. As simple as that may sound, it rang so true… all my life I had been compelled to put my thoughts down on paper and subconsciously I was drawn to it as a profession. It wasn’t a decision that I made, it was a natural evolution that led me to where I am today.
Everyday life tends to create clutter in my head, hundreds of thoughts and emotions swirling around, bumping into each other and the only way to clear my head is put them down on paper. Try it today and see if it works for you too – write something. It doesn’t have to be long, it can be about anything you want – it can even be something you just made up. Write it down – put it on paper, and see how it makes you feel.
“If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you’ll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.”
– Charles Bukowski
Office Space
No, there is not something wrong with my camera…that is pink string hanging in our lobby as part of a little installation we are doing! I love the concept:
DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO
Each employee will attach an item to one of the strings that represents what they love most about their job or what motivates them most about their job. We’ve just started attaching our objects, it’s so fun to see what people choose!
The object I hung was thank you card from one of our blog readers – every once in a while I get a card or package in the mail and it always makes my day to hear that something I wrote on the blog inspired you or made you feel good. So thank you guys!
And now I have to introduce you to this little cutie pie, Carter – he belongs to a fp girl’s roommate and I’m smitten with him! I love how puppies tire themselves out and crash, they’re so cute when they’re sleepy :)
Fall Fashion Trends: Monochromatic Color Palette
After the light and dreamy summer fabrics in pastels and muted shades, the colors of fall always seem so rich and bold. This year is certainly no exception, but we’re taking it a step further: make a fashion statement this fall by stepping out in head-to-toe emerald, mustard, maroon, cerulean, or whatever color you are feeling that day. Wearing one color from head to toe is daring – chances are you will be noticed as you walk down the street, but when it’s done well it’s perfectly chic and fashionable. Break up a monochromatic ensemble with a little dash of black or beige to lessen the dramatic look or go all out and make that fashion statement. Here’s a look at some of our favorite shades of color to wear from head-to-toe this fall!
shop seafoam and emerald shades of color.
shop mustard and camel shades of color.
shop blush and rust shades of color.
shop all shades of color.
Stay tuned for a post showing how we’d wear monochromatic outfits this fall – and tell us, what do you think of this trend? Would you wear it?
monday quote
second image via.
Inspiration from artist Jason Fiske
Weekend Getaways: Road Tripping
Do you ever have that feeling that you’re stuck in a rut? You find yourself following a routine and it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture when you’re hung up on monotonous little details. Sometimes removing yourself from normality is all it takes to clear your head and gain a new perspective. I dealt with this a few years ago and in order to snap myself out of it I packed up my car and set out on a road trip with my good friend. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done – the freedom of the open road and not knowing where our next stop would be, the excitement of discovering a new place and the utter sense of joy that came with just driving with the windows rolled down and music turned up.
While a road trip across the country may not be entirely practical, you can still take a road trip to someplace nearby. Pack your bags and take off, without a known destination. When you can’t drive any further, stop and camp out for the night or find a hotel room and see what you discover about whatever place you’re in…you’ll probably discover something new about yourself while you’re at it.
Here are some of the photos from my trip…the camera I took them with may have been disposable, but the memories definitely are not.
Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town
It’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost
Anywhere in the USA
Free People Instagram Fun
details
free people boys
pretty dresses
models off duty
Some Free People instagram fun to start your day :) Happy Friday!
Behind the Scenes: August in Venice
Here is the last batch of behind the scenes photos from our August catalog shoot in Venice with Guy Aroch! Featuring models Marloes Horst and Darla Baker, and members of the fp crew :)
Behind the Scenes photos by Thomas Northcut.
Office Space
Guess who graced us with his presence today?! Fritz!
He was feeling camera shy…
…until he got a treat.
Lou is getting so big!
Mr. Pig’s face kills me.
Dillinger stretching out.
cool desk space.
Inspiration: Architecture in Venice
When I was reading the Guide to Venice that our producer put together, I was surprised when she said Venice is a city known for its decay – I’ve never been there and am not very familiar with it, but from what I’ve seen it looks beautiful and far from decay. But it’s true, and the same aquatic setting that also makes Venice so scenic puts its gorgeous architecture at greater risk of decay. In some ways this also adds an element of dramatic beauty and heightens the mystique of the city. In the behind the scenes photos from our shoot, Thomas Northcut also captured the dark beauty of the architecture in Venice…these photos take my breath away.
San Francisco Photo Diary
“Take another little piece of my heart…”
San Francisco is the only other city I’ve lived in besides Philadelphia. A few years ago I drove across the country with a friend and when I got to San Fran I fell in love with it and decided I wasn’t leaving. The vibe of the city is unlike anywhere else – a unique blend of creativity, individuality and a bit of artistic madness. It always brings to mind the Jack Kerouac quote:
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”
There’s a reason he, too, was drawn to the musical beat of San Fran.
The city is alive with music, all hours of the day and night – when I lived there it wasn’t, “what are we doing tonight?” it was “what show are we going to tonight?” It’s a place where you never feel lonely, because even if you are alone you’ll always meet someone on the street or in the park or on the barstool next to you with a smile and a friendly ear. And it’s a city where no matter how big it is, or even if you’re at a festival with thousands of people, you can still run into an old friend.
Philly is my home but I will always love the city by the bay.
