My Collections: Pocket Mirrors

Although not one of my more extensive collections, the amount of pocket mirrors I have is a bit excessive given how little I use them. I never wear makeup (I'm actually super envious of people that can do their makeup, I'm just really bad at it). I like to think that I'm not particularly narcissistic. I don't even enjoy looking in the mirror. The true appeal of these mirrors, to me, is the back of them. They're laid out on my shelf as decorations. That's not to say that I shame self confidence, and that we shouldn't be proud to look in the mirror and appreciate our own beauty, but I feel like ignoring the artistry of mirrors is pretty one-sided (pun intended). 

My Collections: Badges

My badge collection is quite extensive and scattered. I am not even sure if this is all of them -- I'm constantly finding badges in corners of my room, in drawers, or on the floor. Despite how that sounds, I really do treasure my badge collection and try to take care of all of them (though a few have tragically gone through the wash and emerged not quite the same). I started collecting badges when I was about 12 or so, and having material objects that explicitly stated your interests/hobbies was all the rage, not only that but brandishing these trivial objects constituted an identity. I latched on to anything that could differentiate me from my peers and assert my individuality; having plenty of Hello Kitty pins to sprinkle on my backpack seemed like the most convenient means through which I could establish myself as a cultured creative. I've learned to rely on my thoughts, my actions, and my words to convey who I am rather than substituting items for a personality, but I still have a soft spot for badges. What can I say? They're just fun! And there's really no harm in using them to supplement your personality, as affirmation for an already fully formed identity.

Unfortunately, I've had these for so long that it'd be impossible for me to track down where I got them all from.

These are my favorites in my collection. The center one is from Belgium, the one to the right is a Life Aquatic pin that did not fair to well in the wash. The ones at the top and bottom are from The Black Apple.

Funnily enough, this collection is sort of an accurate archive of my past selves -- or at least an accurate catalog of the foundations of my identity. I think to an extent I believe that materialism can lead to authenticity. 

My Collections: Cat-Related Postcards

Hope you had a great Easter. Although Easter is obviously bunny-dominated holiday, I associate it with any cute and fluffy animal. Therefore, I am using this as an excuse to launch a new segment on this here blog where I share some of my favorite collections. I am a borderline hoarder, so there will be a lot to share. I'm starting with my collection of cat-related postcards:

Top Left - Topaz by Kira Imai, purchased at Epcot, Top Right - Unknown Artist, purchased at a thrift store, Bottom - by Severine Pineaux, gift from France

I have always been absolutely infatuated with cats. It amazes me how they can be so graceful and so apathetic. I naturally gravitate towards cat-related clothing, artwork, etc. It's no wonder that most of my postcard collection consists of cat-related imagery.

Top - Design by Roger la Borde. Bottom - Found Image, purchased in SF

Top Left - "Au pays de merveilles" by Lucie Brunelliere, purchased in France. Top Right - "Gabrielle Arnault" by Louis-Leopold Boilly, purchased in France. Bottom - by Severine Pineaux, purchased in France.

I love postcards -- my collection is quite vast as I've been gathering them since I was little. It's a way of collecting my favorite pieces of art without having to pay the price of a poster (or having to make space for a poster). There's something ephemeral about postcards-- they seem so impermanent even compared with a greeting card. I'm drawn to short-lasting things with little commitment.

Both by Severine Pineaux, both purchased in France

Top - "Chaperlipopette" by Amandine Piu, purchased in France. Bottom Left - Found Image, purchased in SF.
Bottom Right - From Hello Blythe by Gina Garan, purchased in SF

Some of these feature cats more obviously than others, but in the interest of full disclosure, I included all of them. In any event, there it is. All cat-related postcards I own.