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Corks + Caftans

The lean years. The fat years.

July 13, 2011 10 Comments

[Zee porch: T by Alexander Wang t-shirt + Made with Love necklace + Joie boots + TR cut offs. Told you: it’s all faded shirts/cutoffs for me right now.]

Today, this is a game-changer:

And if you can, as you start out, what could be lean years, or could be fat years… I very often watch a lot of young people sort of meander around, without any idea about why they’re doing what they’re doing. I mean, to want—and to be ambitious—and to want to be successful—is not enough. That’s just desire. To know what you want, to understand why you’re doing it, to dedicate every breath in your body to achieve, if you feel you have something to give—if you feel that your particular talent is worth developing, is worth caring for? Then there’s nothing you can’t achieve. – Kevin Spacey

I’m covered in goosebumps after watching this video, found via Richie Design, who always seems to single out those gems on the web that restore my faith in humanity.

Without going into much detail, I needed to hear what he had to say, in this instant. Needed to hear it.

Where are you right now? The lean years? The fat years? Would you know you were in the fat years, even if you were? Are you wise enough to call your lean years fat years?

I’m all over the map with this one. Rob and I have taken to calling it the panic of knowledge curve. One moment you feel like you understand what you’re doing, the next moment brings the shock of perceived inadequacy.

Life was not designed to be a breeze, as much as I like to think it is. Internalizing these realizations and keeping your chin up, I’m convinced, is the key. Doing the best you can.

So while I bemoaned my semi-disastrous laundry experience yesterday, I got a perspective-soaked note from my mom: the true tackler of stressful moves. My dad’s work brought her here from Florida—with a slew of horrifying wrong turns (some, literal)—and then back to Florida, an inconceivable turn of events, given she’d come to love this place as much as I always have. But I forget how much I already knew coming here, and could infinitely appreciate her bullet list of New Richmonder errs:

1. Driving the wrong way on Cary Street.

2. Cat mauled in first week…

3. … and unable to find vet.

4. No. Central. Air.

7. Realizing too late that you DO NOT wear shorts and T-shirt or bathing suit cover-up to Ukrops…EVER. No excuses. You will ALWAYS see someone you know and did not particularly want to see.

8. I missed the sign-up for Cotillion? Baseball? She can’t wear Jellies to St. Catherine’s? Or culottes? [I remember that day at school in 2nd grade. The same day someone called me a ‘yankee’.]

9. My kids need “fall” clothes? I need fall clothes?

With that… I take things in stride.

And not just ‘moving’ things. Life things. Big things.

I make every breath count.

-Carey

 

Filed Under: Threads Tagged With: Citrine by the Stones jewelry, featured, inspiration, Joie boots, Kevin Spacey, outfit post, Richmond VA

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Comments

  1. Margie C says

    July 13, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    What’s lean and what’s fat? Money? Love? Ambition? Career? It depends on what you cherish. Right now, money lean, career looking more fat than lean, ambition- lean, family love fatter than I’ve ever dreamed….. I’d call this a fat year.

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    July 13, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    There is so much truth in this – to not desire and murkily wish, but to unquestionably know and confidently believe in your craft/purpose – these future goals to be felt as already achieved. To shake off all the seriousness sometimes also. And then I throw my hands in the air and say ‘but i don’t know my definite goal – i have so many and most seem not definite at all’. I relate to so much of your writing – it is beautiful in all of its happiness and pondering and honesty. My fingers are crossed for your dream job.

    Reply
  3. mary faith says

    July 13, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    well. you could always ask that magic 8 ball pillow for advice. … 🙂

    Reply
  4. Carrie says

    July 13, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    This is such a great one. What I once considered the ‘fat’ I’m now more inclined to look at as ‘lean’. It all depends on where you are in your life, and discovering what is of true value to you. I guess it varies person to person, but where money/career used to be the be all end all I’m not feeling that way anymore. At some point you realize it’s all chasing after the wind. Now don’t get me wrong–enough to live and enjoy life is where we’re at, but beyond that? Not as high a prize anymore.

    This past few months has been a return to self, re-examination of values, wtf are we doing series of moments.

    Long live cutoffs. And damn you with those legs gf–looking good.

    xo

    Reply
  5. Jessica says

    July 14, 2011 at 12:46 am

    Ain’t it crazy that #7 is a little bit void. Coming back to Martin’s instead of Ukrop’s is so jarring

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    July 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    love this post, i can totally relate

    Reply
  7. Mel says

    July 14, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    I lived five blocks from where you do now (we moved to Northside) and I miss the neighborhood so much. Pizza from 8 1/2, fancy drinks from Strawberry St. Market, beers at Joe’s ($2 happy hour), walking around taking pictures! Enjoy all of it. I think the first week after you move is so magical and exciting.

    Reply
  8. mickie says

    July 14, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    you are definitely in the lean years…you look hot! 😉
    xoxo

    Reply
  9. Elle sees says

    July 18, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    Flirty and sexy. Like it.

    Reply
  10. Ebony Bolt says

    August 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Nice outfit and I love your boots.

    Reply

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Forward Observer for the Donut Squad. I write and drink things in Richmond, VA

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