to kill a mockingbird luncheon.

hello!

today was an amazing day! why is that, you ask? (in fact, even if you don't ask.) today i went to a to kill a mockingbird essay luncheon at the university of alabama. the winners from each school went, and although i did not win statewide, what a great experience! during the luncheon i got to sit with rick bragg, who was our speaker. he won a pulitzer prize in 1996.

i sat with a PULITZER PRIZE WINNER. (also got a picture with him & an autograph. :D)

i also sat with the founding dean of UA's honors college and his wife, the professor of photography, and another essay writer and her mother. oh, and my mom was there, too. :P it was absolutely amazing! we talked about creativity and writing (duh). the dean's wife was a very artsy person (she teaches art somewhere in tuscaloosa, i believe) and we spoke about band and choir.

what i took away mostly from this, though, was how stimulating it was, writing wise. i haven't written much in a few years, though in junior high i wrote nearly every day. i must say, i miss it. hearing rick bragg talk about writing, the poignancy of his words, the want vs need of writing to an author/poet/playwright... it was beautifully inspiring. and when he spoke about to kill a mockingbird, and the tiny woman who wrote it, it was just... awesome.

right after the luncheon i made mom take me to barnes and noble so i could buy one of his books. i'll let you know how it is when i finish a separate peace.

this post is not just about me bumbling about that amazing experience... it's also about the outfit i wore! what else do you people come here for, anyway? :P

this is the complete outfit, outerwear & all. cream leather jacket is... i'm not sure about the label, but it bought it at belk's. floral skirt is from charlotte russe -- i bought it around a year ago and it's been one of the best purchases. black tights are generic. purple shoes are from... goody's, i believe. bought them ages ago. zippered black bag is converse's one star line at target.

this is what it looks like without the jacket and bag. cardigan is alloy (and ridiculously comfy). green and lace camisole underneath is american eagle, circa 2005-ish. yeah, it's old.



shameless picture whore, i am.
it's blurry, but i really really like this pic. even if i kinda look like a stoner in it.



bracelets close up! i'm sure you've seen these before, but i forget easily. silver bangle was a gift, as well as black geometric bracelet and faux-pearl costume bracelet. rhinestone & burnished silver bracelet is from new york & company.



zipper bag close up! i actually bought this an hour before the luncheon. i'm in complete love with it! it's so badass. and i'm obsessed with zippers + leather (lookalikes). it's perfect!



later in the evening, i decided to go see my dad. this is how i casualized & warmed up my look. it was rather chilly! loose knit beanie is from forever 21, purple sneakers are converse's one star. i bought these today as well! :)



close up of the hat. i bought this on a band trip last year. also another very nice purchase.

so, darlings, tell me! have you ever had an experience such as this? have you ever read anything by rick bragg? or to kill a mockingbird? (i pray you've read the latter.)
... or you can tell me anything else. :D

with love!
rachel. <3