Inspiration

So I have one of my favorite photoshoots ever half way done (it's a two day shoot), and I am so anxious to share the pictures with you all. But until I get the rest of the pictures and film, I can't post it because I want to include the video, and I'm going to be editing them in a very special way.

Until then, here's some major inspiration from my Tumblr to hold you over.

love & light

Collage > College

The title seems pretty silly, but I've always heard that a big part of college is networking, and I feel confident that these collages are like magnets to people who see the world how I do.

Between my jewelry, art, and constant traveling to flea markets, I've met some incredible people from all across the country and the world.

Joni Mitchell

I had posted my first few collages of Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, and Lykke Li on my tumblr (mindtricks-.tumblr.com) and somehow one of my favorite brands the2Bandits found the Joni one and posted it on their Instagram. When I saw it I was ecstatic and commented that I had made it, which led them to tagging me in the photo and therefore showing their followers my instagram account linked to my etsy shop.

*Update: Free People recently pinned this image as well on Pintrest! Yay!

Stevie Nicks

I really wanted to focus on my style icons, specifically musicians. I think the cross pollination of expression is what makes the world go round the way it does. Art and style are one in the same.

Lykke Li

I slowly became more and more obsessed with the process. Searching through endless material online was like the parallel to hunting through a thrift store or flea market without having to leave my house! 

Wild Belle

People started to contact me about purchasing these collages, but unfortunately I can't sell the ones of bands and famous people due to the copyright on their portraits, along with the law that states that you can't technically make money off of a famous person's identity.

So I began making collages of myself and my friends, also just for fun. 

Cassidy Bliss Cooper

 Each crystal, cactus, and moon is individually cut out and saved to add to a new collage. 

Ali Torres - Glam Skanks lead singer
Lauren Robuck - Babe Cave creator and style icon

 I am incredibly fortunate to have friends that inspire me daily. I have been watching them grow for years into incredible performers, artists, and creative curators, and make the world around us more beautiful and free.

Lynnzee Fraye - musician

Madison Kaapke - model

Makenzie Kaapke - model

The latest addition to my family, Paprika, is officially the Cassidy Bliss Vintage mascot. 

Unlike my two childhood rabbits, we are training her to be an inside rabbit, so while I create my jewelry and edit photos she is running around my room. 

She is actually sitting next to my feet as we speak.

I am proud to say that her favorite things are among some of mine, including white Christmas lights, vintage shelves that she can climb through, and crystal salt rocks!

Paprika - Cassidy Bliss Vintage mascot

If you would like to commission a collage of you, a friend, couples, or a pet, go to etsy.com/shop/CassidyBlissVintage or click this link to find the post!

love&light

Cassidy Bliss Vintage

Holiday Style

With so many Winter holidays coming up, from Christmas to Hanukkah to New Years Eve, you sometimes have to plan your outfits ahead. 

I too go through the classic struggle of "so many clothes in my closet, yet nothing to wear." So I created a guide to help you clear your mind and get you to your head-turning goals.

Pick a dress: 

Lace, Velvet, Sparkles. Those are the keys to holiday-ready dresses. Golds, silvers, dull blues, deep reds, and black are good go-to colors.

Heels with texture: 

Suede boots (ankle or knee high) are a staple shoe no matter what occasion. It adds nice texture to any outfit without taking away from the statement pieces. 

Small vintage purse:

Unless you're at a family member's house you're probably going to want to keep your purse on you, which means the smaller the better. Something with an over the shoulder strap is preferable so you can dance without worrying about it falling off.

Oversized coat:

Most events during Winter are going to be inside, but that walk from your car to the door should still be fashionably warm. Moto jackets are a great way to toughen up the girly outfit underneath. Oversized felt coats bring an element of classic yet modern comfort. Faux fur is a daring but always exceptional way to add flair to a party dress. 

Statement Jewelry:

Large stone rings, layers of gold and beaded chains, cut metal statement necklaces, and eccentric cuff bracelets are easy and simple ways to finish off an outfit. While I am usually all for wearing excessive jewelry, you're already wearing so many layers to keep warm that one simple statement piece is much more appropriate to keep the balance.

Urban Outfitters 2014

Black & Gold

I feel like the seasons of my life could be simply defined in color schemes.

October and November were heavy with thick knits, white, silver, and all that glitters. December has begun and my heart is shifting its spectrum to black and gold (and still, all that glitters).

I am now officially 19 as of December 3rd, and am in full swing creatively being inspired by these new beginnings.

BVLA at Sacred Tattoo NYC

Jewelry is suddenly a huge part of my life, from designing it and creating it, to finding pieces from around the world to cherish and wear. I've been going through a style evolution, heavily influenced by these color schemes that my heart seems to get so hung up on. It's leading me in a more modern direction, using new kind of chain, metal tubes, and incredible semi-precious stones.

There's something exceptionally calming about doing your work in front of a warm fireplace. It definitely lowers your stress level to see the idea of 'winter comfort' right before your eyes and keeping you cozy as you craft or type or write. 

There are a few things in life I absolutely love. Bunnies, the Netherlands, and sparkly things. Currently I am not in a situation where I can own a bunny, and I am not in the Netherlands, so... you can all guess what my bedroom, art studio, and wardrobe looks like right now (Hint: tinsel was on sale at Joann's).

The 2 Bandits

Every room in my house will have at least one chandelier. I am determined.

Another new (actually, old) hobby I've managed to fit into my life again is fashion design. Perhaps I'll share my sketches on here with you all soon. Until then, I am in some serious need of chiffon, leather, and shiny beads!

Hope everyone is keeping cozy as winter rolls in. Don't forget to take a peek at my Etsy for stocking stuffers and presents, home decor, jewelry, vintage dresses, and super soft handmade scarves! Happy Winter!

Winter White

White is a call into the crisp air for simplicity. The absence of pigment; every color spectrum of light combined. Perhaps darker colors traditionally are worn to keep you warm in the cold as the days grow longer and darken, but there's something about surrounding yourself with snow white sheets and sweaters that has a special kind of coziness about it. There is a serenity in the clarity, after a summer and autumn of ever-changing color. It is a breath of fresh air as you slip into your sheets.

I'm craving chunky knits. It fascinates me, textures and pattern, and I love wrapping myself in these gorgeous delicate works of art. Fall is the perfect time to knit, preparing for the crisp Winter air slowly moving in.

What better way to spend a fall or winter morning than in bed, reading or sketching or even doing work on a laptop? The chill of morning brushing against your cheeks, you wrap yourself in soft neutrals that calm your spirit as you slowly wake.

The day becomes a dream while you swim through knits of wool and cashmere, your creativity sparking in all directions as you sketch in bed. I'm not sure if there is much in the world as pleasant as this. You feel radiant and warm enveloped in the calm of this Winter world you have surrounded yourself with. 

Days like these remind me why I love Winter so much.

All Hallows' Eve

Ghosts and spirits, witches and magic, demons and strange creatures. Halloween opens the door to these things that many people turn a cheek to out of fear or misunderstanding. It poses the frightening question, what is real and what is possible?  

Halloween originated as a way to use "humor and ridicule to confront the power of death." Trick-or-treating originated from the medieval practice of "souling" where the poor would go door to door asking for food in return for prayers for loved ones. Death is confronted and honored through food and gathering in many cultures in different ways, including Mexico's Day of the Dead.

Unfortunately in today's culture it has been skewed to represent an event where many people dress their sexiest in order to find a hot date for the night, completely disregarding the history and meaning of the tradition. But, as times and traditions change, the upside is that Halloween is now a holiday for people to be anything they want to be, especially what may not be appropriate or accepted in daily life. 

And for that reason, along with the deep questioning and oddities involved, I love Halloween. 

It was recently brought to my attention that the tacky decorations are what may turn so many people away from celebrating this holiday (I cringe because those decorations are corporate advertisement and have almost no true relation or authenticity to the spirit of Halloween's origins). So, obsessed with a life of style and being true to authenticity and tradition, I found some hand crafted Etsy items that would be great, spooky decor for this year's All Hallows' Eve.

Vintage photographs have always intrigued me. I think it's a great thing to adorn a wall with for a Halloween celebration. You couldn't Photoshop them (at the time), and digital cameras did not exist- when that shutter opened it captured whatever was in front of it and that was that. There is something amazing about old photographs that have been found that organically included oddities, deformities, ghosts, and other mysteries that to this day may still have no explanation or parallel. 

find here

At summer's end, or Samhain, on October 31st, it was tradition to build large bonfires to ward of bad energies and prepare for harvest feasts. The light and fire of course would attract insects, which in turn would attract their predators (bats) to swarm the air. Not only a strange looking creature of the night, also tied to the theories of vampires, they have been a symbol of Halloween festivities for ages.

find here

find here

Potions of poison, magic, and strange ingredients- apothecary mysteries that hold the juice of life or death. Old apothecary jars are another one of my favorite things. Protected curiosities, due to fragility and poisonous qualities, they are the giant red button that says 'do not push.' With their delicate labels with signs of old age, and their intricately shaped glass blown forms, one sip and you are toying with the hands of death and magic.

find here

Oddities and curiosities are like food for my soul. Nature's creativity has formed so many incredible and strange things, and we match it with our creations of destroyed objects and mysterious items. They are the essence of the soul of Pandora's Box. Creepy and strange and with shades of fleeting mortality, oddities are some of the most intriguing objects and pieces of history in the world.

find here

Spiders are thought to be another creature with connections to the supernatural, often being affiliated with witchcraft. Their web weaving abilities have been said to represent time and fate, two mysteries of human life. Their tendencies to be poisonous also aids itself to be an added fright factor, and it's eight lengthy legs are so thin you'd almost never know if they were right on top of you.

There is a history of people killing black cats around Halloween time due to the animal's affiliation with witchcraft.
Please be nice to all creatures and keep your pets safe!

There are many amazing decorations for this celebration that harness the true spirituality and tradition of All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween. If you take the time to look, you will be able to do great justice to this holiday and tap into the true historic element of this beloved holiday.

Here is a link to a few great short explanations of Halloween symbols, so you can choose your celebratory decor wisely. 

Happy Halloween everybody!