automatic nostalgia.

Hello everyone! I'm sorry that it's been so long since I've had a chance to write.  I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seats anxiously awaiting an entry about scarves or boots or some other accessory in detail with collages, however I write today with another topic in mind.

Last night I went to this party and took absolutely no digital photos. It was strange, because that's very unlike me.  I am the one who is attached to my camera, the one making everyone take forced group shots before we leave for an event, the one uploading pictures the next day to my computer and shortly after that to facebook.  That's just always been me, and people come to expect it.

A problem: my camera is dying.  After dropping it over a year ago (almost fatally) it has steadily been decreasing in reliability.  Although it usually still works, the pictures are not as good quality as they used to be, and the battery life is long gone - even with two, fully charged batteries, my camera decides to take several pictures then courteously remind me to "change battery pack" if I would like to continue to use it.  So yesterday when I was getting ready to go out, I requested that my friend Lauren bring her camera since I wasn't bringing mine.  She responded to me via text "WHY NOT" and I was suddenly unnecessarily angry that my camera decided to quit on me.  I do have other cameras, that's not the issue.  The issue is, none of them are so tiny and trusty, and ready to party.  And none of them offer to take instant frames of ironic nostalgia that the subjects of these photos cluster around and "ooh" and "ahh" at together, fondly remembering what it was like 30 seconds ago.

some instant nostalgia on new years eve.

I've taken to using these other cameras quite often since my original digital camera has deteriorated.  I have upgraded to a 35mm digital camera (not ideal for full on dance parties) and I also have a polaroid camera, two lomographic cameras (the action sampler takes 4 shots in one second and puts them all on one frame when developed, while the fisheye just provides an effect I enjoy) and a disposable camera lying around somewhere.  Out of the non-digital cameras, I use my polaroid most often.  In fact, I pulled out my polaroid camera before we left for the party and snapped the one and only picture of the evening.   And the events of last night made me consider something.  Digital photography provides that automatic nostalgia I mentioned, but so do polaroids.  Part of the reason I love them is for the aesthetic value that they bring - that moment captured onto one, neat little picture framed in white with room for a caption if necessary - but they also provide instant nostalgia.  We watch them develop before our eyes and still "ooh" and "ahh" at the memory we just made.

summer '09 in tolo, greece

It's an odd feeling, nostalgia at something that has just happened.  I've thought about it before, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable.  It makes me wonder why we feel that it's so necessary to be nostalgic.  I often look back at pictures and revisit those memories, but there is something to say about the fact that we can do that immediately.  Frustratingly enough, it makes me live in the moment even less and doesn't really provide a lasting memory when the memory is the act of taking the picture itself.

My new year's resolution, or one of them anyway, is to live more in the moment.  I am trying to move past the urge to partake in the automatic nostalgia of photographing everything and every event I attend.  sitting back and looking with our eyes instead of through a lens allows for a refreshing perspective and a little dose of reality my life has been missing.  I still love the aesthetic value of a photograph - whether that be the crisp clarity my 35mm provides, the distorted edges of the fisheye image, or the one and only slice of polaroid magic - but I have also realized that it can be much more fulfilling to put down the camera, back away from the lens, and return to the experience.

ocean city, nj

What have you done recently that has been an experience?  I have some suggestions.  And there are no cameras allowed:

• Try a new restaurant! In Philadelphia right now, restaurant week is happening.  All next week there are discounts and deals, and if you go with the right people you are guaranteed good conversation, a great meal, and a new memory.  Two restaurants I've been eyeing up are Estia and The Melting Pot.
• Walk around magic garden! If you're unfamiliar, this outdoor work of art on South Street is amazing and unforgettable.  I admit, I've taken lots of pictures while exploring this mosaic masterpiece, but try to just explore and take it all in.  (Although it's a bit cold, the weather forecast looks promising for Monday!)
• Do a little wardrobe update.  I know I'm guilty of indulging my shopaholic tendencies by buying needlessly at times, but last weekend I decided that instead of getting a new coat I would pick out some buttons to spice up my old one instead.  I bought metal buttons with lions heads carved onto them, and I can't wait to replace all of the buttons on my coat!  Perhaps a weekend project.

So try something new.  And tell me about it!  I hope you make a memory.
Molly

absolutely tight-obsessed.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about fashion, and the way that styles fade in and out and sometimes reappear.  I think it's funny to think about the fashions that we wore in elementary school - you can't help but smile at the funny outfits your parents put you in, or that you picked out yourself.  When I was little, I wore a lot of my mom's hand-sewn dresses... which inevitably led to wearing tights.  I had a few standard pairs: cream, white, and light pink.  But I soon got tired of wearing dresses and tights, and completely rebelled.  When I was in elementary school I hated jeans, and would often just wear stirrup leggings and a big t-shirt.  It's kind of cute looking back, but also kind of horrible. I've always been stubborn, and I guess my mom figured putting up a fight wouldn't end up working anyway, so she let me parade around in some pretty horrible outfits.

My point though, is that these days I've been returning to a lot of those styles that I wore back in my early years.  Dresses and tights in particular.  I really have never been a "girly-girl" but, lately I can't help myself! Any time I see tights in a store I practically drool. It's not even as if I wear them that often, but I am trying to build up my wardrobe and be able to wear them more frequently.

I love the patterns and colors I've been noticing lately...

I recently bought two new pairs: (1) These look navy, but are actually black. I love the basket-weave texture! Plus, they're super cheap - check them out at Target!  Pictured in (2) are Hue tights I found at Anthropologie.  These opaque turquoise ones were my first buy but I am desperate for all of the colors now.  They are really good quality, and super comfortable.

There are so many other styles out there right now though:

(1) and (4) are both by American Apparel - I'm obsessed with the color combinations of these swirly tights. Pictured are the "navy/pink" and "black/snorkel" combos. So cute.  (2) and (3) are both tights by Tabio.  I haven't yet tried to order anything, but this British website has so many options to choose from.  Their patterned tights are my favorites, especially (3) with the little hearts.

And a few more that I'm dying to buy include...

(1) and (3) are both from Anthropologie.  Their online store is great for looking at the patterns. Especially in the case of (3) - The stitching on these is gorrrgeous!  And lastly, (2) are another pair by Hue.  I love the iridescent look these have - they call it "luster."

So as you can see, I am tight-obsessed. And with good reason! Not only are tights a great alternative to jeans, with a dress and boots they are perfect in the winter-time.  I always feel a little dressed up and extra-special wearing them. And not only that, but a little nostalgic for those days when I wore nothing but tights and dresses and played make-believe all day long.

I stumbled upon these sites, but if you have a favorite source for tights please let me know!  For now I'll be daydreaming about these.

Molly

repeat the sounding joy!

I figured now is just as good as any time to start a blog, something I've been meaning to do for awhile.  It is Christmas Eve, or technically it is Christmas Day as of an hour ago.  I find that the holidays always make me think a little bit more about my life.  Surrounded by family, not distracted by school-work, and bundled up indoors - all of that makes me go a little crazy after a day or two.  There is something about Christmas that makes me endlessly reflective and joyful.  Which I love.  I find celebrating the end of the year to be completely therapeutic; without the reflection I think moving on to the new year would be much more difficult.

last winter, view from my dorm room.

So in that spirit, I wanted to briefly introduce myself and get started on this blog once and for all:

On paper: I am Molly, a 20-year-old college student.  I go to Villanova University, right outside of Philadelphia.  I am a communication student, currently concentrating on media studies and minoring in Peace & Justice Studies.  I also work and have a show at our university radio station.

Beyond that: I love music and discovering a new favorite song.  I am a media junkie.  I love photography and experimenting with my many cameras.  What I want to do with my life changes every day, but I have some ideas.  I am a romantic, and I can't help but think about my life like a movie - sometimes this can be fun, sometimes it's distracting.

this summer in Santorini, Greece

I'm not quite sure where I'll be going with this, but the plan is to write about music, film, art, culture, with some life adventures thrown in. I'll be giving you my perspective on it all but I would love to hear what you think too - I dubbed this blog (thanks DCFC) "different names for the same thing" - I love comparing perspectives.  For now, go bundle up and watch your favorite holiday movie. I'll be writing again soon!