I think we are constantly learning new things about ourselves. One my most recent work trip, I became acutely aware of yet another quirky Kara-ism. My very favorite (and perhaps odd) thing to do upon arriving at a conference is to check into my hotel and then completely check out. I put up the Do Not Disturb sign, order room service and spend the evening completely alone. Although other friends are filtering into the city and starting to gather the masses, instead I watch terrible tv and turn down all offers to head out to dinner or drinks. I lock myself away – kind of like an athlete before a big event. Like I need my evening of solitude to prepare for the onslaught of social and mental tidal waves to come… And it works for me.
If you’ve never been to a conference before, it’s basically a bit science binge fest. At shark conferences, all we talk about are sharks. How much we love sharks. How cool sharks are. How cool our shark research is. How cool we are because we study sharks. To an outsider, I guarantee we are intolerable. You think we’d get bored of this after just one day. Au contraire. I’m of the belief that we need to hop on our shark happy train, ride all the way to Science Nerdliness Town in order to get it out of our systems, before the train takes us back the real world and we start to store away the shark love for another year. This latest meeting was more behavior focused, but you get the general idea. Nerd. Overload.
I‘m sure all conferences are the same. Geology conference-goers talk about how cool rocks are. Astro-physics conference-goers talk about how cool space is (and probably how they all wanted to be astronauts but really stare at totally COOL equations all day). We all need these events to rekindle the romance that we have with the field we love so much, so we can burst forth back in the lab upon our arrival with renewed energy.
I’m bursting forth back into my normal daily routine with this dress. THIS DRESS. As many of you might have noticed gamboling around the web the last few months, Pinup Girl clothing released their stunning Mary Blair collection. Mary Blair was an artist who was very well known for the art and animation she created for Walt Disney (you can read all about the magic of Mary Blair – the worlds she created were truly dazzling). Pinup Girl Clothing was able to license some of her amazing mid-century designs from the Mary Blair Estate, which is how this whimsical border print is now upon my person.
This particular design spoke to me immediately – it’s quite possibly the happiest print I’ve ever seen. Sunshine yellow with a joyful train whistling off to it’s destination to Happy Ville. I thought she went perfectly with these shoes, which make my feet the happiest they’ve been in a long time and were simply made for frolicking. I saw them on many-a-blogging-foot the past few months and heard rave reviews. I’d been looking for a cute new pair of black flats and gave them a try. Oh. My. God. My feet have never met such bliss upon first wear ever. Seriously. They speak to the ballerina in me but also tame the evil-nature of my feet that are known to sprout blisters the moment they even clap eyes on a new pair of shoes. I’ve worn these constantly since their arrival and almost want to buy a backup pair, because I’m definitely going to wear them out.
So, it’s safe to say I’m one happy gal today, frocked in the happiest dress and the comfiest shoes and off to conquer the world. Or, you know, science.
Where’s your personal Happy Train taking you today?
xoxo
{By the way, have you entered my GreaterGoodsVintage giveaway yet?? Tomorrow is the last day out to win a $100 GC and win a donation to your favorite charity! Full details in how to enter can be found here.}
Outfit Details:
Mary Blair Train Border Print Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing
Cardigan: Off Broadway Vintage (similar modern or vintage here, here & here)
Bag: Mo-Mo’s Vintage (similar modern or vintage here & here)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
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