Falling Forward

Fall is creeping up slowly, and if I had it my way it'd be here already and going strong in preparation for Winter. Fall/Autumn is great because the trees turn orange, the weather changes, the air is filled with the scent of pies- just kidding, I live in SoCal where trees are evergreen and the weather is pretty much always averaging in the 80's and the p-word in the air is pollution. (I love you SoCal, but I'm a Winter girl, and that's just not in your vocabulary.) But that's okay! A girl can dream and still enjoy "Autumn," a thing that we may only notice because clothing stores are changing up what's on their racks.

So far my only plans for Autumn is relaxing at home (kind of...). While many of my friends are on their way back to college, many on the chilly East Coast, I'll be crafting in my studio ideally with my record player on full blast and incense burning in every room of the house. I'll try to catch up on some recommended Netflix indulgences on lazy days, probably redecorate my Christmas-light lit room another hundred times, and take some more classes (ceramics, weaving, and welding are currently on my list). 

I've also taken on a new internship for a Music Supervision company (with my dad, hi dad) so I can learn the ropes for when I join the big guys in other parts of the music industry. This job, although proving difficult at times, runs through my blood and I feel so motivated to be working. 

While what I do may seem all fun and games, constant creating and trying to make some kind of living off of it is really hard. (Captain Obvious?) But that's okay, because I love it. I've tried so many things in my life, who knows how long this will last, but any job that brings me joy is one I'm going to work hard to keep and become great at.

New crafts are on my mind. I've taken up weaving, which has been tricky but entertaining, and jewelry making, which is costly but really creative. Sometimes I need a break from painting to do something more pre-planned and mindless, and it helps me achieve the balance of relaxation while still being productive. You can find my jewelry, and in a few weeks also weavings and artwork, here:

www.etsy.com/shop/CassidyBlissVintage

With new art sales I'm preparing my savings account for what winter will bring, which hopefully will be some traveling so I can put my big vintage coats to use and maybe even see some snow! Until then I'll have to stick with my knee socks and vintage kimonos in this confusing California weather. 

If you're wondering where to shop, Forever21 is my go-to store. H&M has nice items depending on the season, Love Story for the occasional boho-glam item, Brandy Melville for cardigans and loose dresses (nothing else fits?), and maaaybe I'll do a quick look in American Apparel and Urban Outfitters, but not likely due to price- I'm on a budget! 

In Forever21 you're paying for what you get, but they have really good designs if you are willing to dig for an hour, and pieces will last long if you just take care of it.

My favorite vintage stores are Iguana Vintage, American Vintage, and Jet Rag. Goodwill is also a go-to store if you're willing to dig for a while, but it's usually worth it, and way cheaper.

One great thing about Autumn in SoCal is that the change in the weather is a relief more than anything. I can wear that beautiful Summery dress that has been sitting in my closet all Summer because it was slightly too thick to wear in heat of this Summer. It's the perfect mid-point where the days are still warm, but the nights are just right no matter if you are bundled up or forgot your sweater at home.

It's a good time to experiment with things such as the long sleeve dress, without having to wear layers of tights underneath. Socks, shawls, cardigans, polyester fabric- this is their time to shine.

I plan on cooking. A lot. I've been collecting recipes for months (as shown in a recent blog post) and have tried my hand at a few recipes, but I think it's time to actually dive into cooking as a true hobby. If I'm ever going to fend for myself, I need to know how to not burn broccoli. Not to mention I want to be as healthy as I can be, and cooking from scratch is going to ensure that more than pre-prepared freezer meals.

Healthy treats are on my list of what to make as well. My body has been very strict in letting me know that order-in pizza and sugary baked goods are the last thing I should be eating. Plus, it's so much more enjoyable and filling to eat say, a zucchini/carrot cake topped with fruit, rather than a store bought cupcake with refined sugar in every cell of it. Many vegan recipes opt for healthier ingredients as well, making the road to health and happiness much easier.

Going back to nature in what we eat is important. Eating foods with as little unrecognizable ingredients as possible allows for a healthier and more active life. So to go hand in hand with that, I also hope to be adventurous and active in these upcoming months as well. 

Maybe not so large scale, but enough to balance my homebody-ness out. Taking advantage of the somewhat cooler weather, hikes will be beautiful and pleasant, camping on the beach would be dreamy, and road trips to different cities is always a necessity for inspiration. A few picnics wouldn't hurt either.

Whatever this Fall brings, I'm going to infuse it with nature, nurture, good food and good times. Cheers to constant inspiration.

Fall Themed Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

Shepherd's Pie

Growing up this was one of my favorite meals, because it's comfort food and the idea of mixing so many kinds of food together in layers was really fascinating for a child. Here are two recipes my now-vegetarian family can enjoy.

Vegan Recipe

Vegetarian Recipe

Butternut Squash Soup

Squash may not be for everybody, but I personally love it. According to the blog I got the recipe from, even butternut squash hating husbands like this soup, so I think this one is a good call. 

Recipe

Substitutes for Veg/Vegan:

Half&Half --> almost 1 cup Soy Milk + 3 tbs Vegan Butter whisked together

Chicken Stock --> Vegetable Broth

Butter --> Vegan Butter (I use Earth Balance)

Butternut Squash Risotto

The only risotto I've ever had has been with cheese and mushrooms (and I don't usually like mushrooms), so I've been on the hunt for a risotto mixed with something else- and since I love butternut squash and it's very Fall-themed, why not!

Recipe (Vegetarian)

Maple Baked Beans

I always trust ohsheglows.com to give me healthy vegan substitutes for the food I love. Maple beans sound even better than normal baked beans and I can't wait to make a ton of this.

Recipe

(ohsheglows is one of my favorite health/vegan recipe blogs/instagrams!)

Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf ("Vegan Meatloaf")

Another recipe from ohsheglows, meatloaf is another comfort food that can be replaced by lentils.

Recipe

Vegan & Gluten Free Carrot Cake

I don't know why I've been craving carrot cake lately, but maybe I'm just being drawn to all things orange now that the leaves are changing. What better way to eat your treats (without the dreaded stomach ache after) than vegan & gluten free?

Recipe

Apple Cider Floats

This is just a great party drink, because cider is so traditional, and making it a float is not only delicious but also way more fun.

Recipe

To make vegan, replace the ice cream with vegan ice cream, such as all-coconut ice cream. Most large chain supermarkets should have something available, just make sure to read all of the ingredients!

Chai Tea

This is one of my all time favorite drinks. Not being able to drink coffee, this is my go-to drink when I go out to coffee shops or want something with more of a kick than normal tea. There are many ways to make it, and there are powders and tea bags you can buy at stores, but here are two simple recipes if you want to make your own.

Recipe 1

Recipe 2

Happy Fall!

Early Fall Blog Inspiration

mindtricks-.tumblr.com

Forts & Camping in the Backyard

I'm not sure how I skipped over this event, but I just found these photos from a few months ago and realized it was time to share them!

Hailee and I had been coming across a lot of photos of outdoor forts draped with beautiful Indian tapestries, and decided we should try our hands at one! We also felt it was time to go camping, back yard style.

When we ran out of the tapestries (most of which I got in Santa Barbara), we found some lace from the 70's and used those. And of course, we had string lights.

We hung rope from the trees and an old bed frame that I had in the yard, and used an old ladder as a fourth support, giving it some life with our newly potted succulents.

And, as every hipster gathering must have, we set up my record player on a little side table to play music as we drifted away under the stars. Dreamy, I know.

And just for the record (I swear I didn't plan that pun), the album Blue Mist by Sam (the man) Taylor & His Orchestra might be one of my favorite albums ever, and to think I found it in the $2 section at Amoeba.

If you've ever gone camping, you know that the morning dew isn't awesome, so to solve the dilemma of our blankets getting soaked we hid a tarp under our quilts and pillows.

As the sun began to set Ryan had gotten off work and stopped by to put his Eagle Scout training to use and build us our little bonfire, which was a hit later on in the night when people came for s'mores.

Hailee's boyfriend Luke drove a few hours down to us, and him and Ryan traded off serenading us.

Here is Luke's bandcamp (Flvke), and here is the facebook page for the band Ryan and I are in (Casual).

A special thanks to my darling Hailee for documenting the night!

I must say, although the ground is no Tempurpedic, there is something very cleansing about waking up with fresh air and in nature, even if it is just in your back yard.

Photoshoot: Bailey Clark with photographer Matt Grashaw

A few weeks ago I got the great opportunity to do a photoshoot with some wonderful people, Bailey Clark and Matt Grashaw. 

Matt, who I met through my boyfriend, is a beautiful photographer who specializes in wedding and family portraits and has a wonderfully clean product. We wanted to do a fun shoot that was 'bohemian' themed, with a Free People kind of lookbook in mind. 

Bailey, a good friend of mine from high school photography and art classes, was known for her incredible modeling skills and ease in front of the camera, and was a perfect fit for our vision.

I really wanted to give this shoot an ethereal look, combining natural lens flares with loosely photoshopped backgrounds that accentuated the emotions of the picture and the 'freeness' of this bohemia we were creating.

For most of the shoot Matt was the photographer and Bailey was the model, with the exception of a few photos and poses by me. My job was to create a concept and style the model and scenes.

We went to a few different locations, starting in a woodsy area where the ground was covered in leaves and the trees were twisted and there was a tire swing hung. She wore a vintage grey tshirt with a vintage red knee length cotton skirt, accented by brown boots, diamond and turquoise necklaces, and some tibetan bracelets and rings.

The next location was just across the road at an old town train station. Although no longer a stop for running trains any more, it had all of the charm.

I had recently found an old suitcase at my favorite antiques store Fishy Finds, and we used that as a prop. I styled her in a Victorian sheer white cropped blouse, a beaded vest I found at the Lennon Closet in Ojai, some cut offs, knee high boots, and my handmade jewelry.

Matt had the next location in mind, which was a 'river' of sorts in a park a few cities away.

We ended up finding an incredible spot underneath a bridge that had graffiti that reflected into the water and, my favorite prop of all, an old trash bin that had been vandalized on and thrown into the mud.

So, of course, we pulled it out further and had Bailey pose on it. The colors were fantastic.

I definitely had some fun with the editing. I didn't want it taken too seriously- it's supposed to be a world of its own, and I wanted it to be beautiful but almost scrap-booked together. 

Leather shorts, a floral shawl, and a Forever21 "Wild Love" tank added to the grunge-y city feel of the space we found, almost apocalyptic in a way.

Bailey was a trooper for trudging into the murky water and even laying on that mysterious can.

The last location we went to was Paramount Ranch, an old cowboy town off of Kanan Road. The buildings were an awesome mixture of old wood, dust, lace curtains, and faded paint.

I may post some more pictures later, but for now these are my favorites from the shoot. 

I am looking forward to being home again and planning more photoshoots like this!