This past weekend, I time-traveled to the 1800s. Just south of Jonesboro, Arkansas is a recreated nineteenth century town called the Parker Homestead. Every October, the Parker family opens the Homestead to the public to showcase their collection of restored buildings and artifacts from long ago as part of the Parker Homestead Pioneer Festival. All throughout the year, the Homestead hosts school groups, weddings and events, but it's during this harvest festival that the Homestead really comes alive.

There are countless old tractors, from Farmalls to John Deere, surrounding the Homestead. Chickens roam freely among the festival goers, sometimes even running into the cabins for a quick look around. (I'm absolutely terrified of birds, but these fluffy babies didn't scare me one bit as they pecked at the ground for spilled corn!) Speaking of corn, visitors can even try their hand at milling corn and pick up a bag of freshly ground cornmeal to take home! Wagon rides, volunteers in period clothing, sideshow illusionists, and the smell of bubbling sorghum and popping kettle corn all add to the experience.

Here are some of the awesome sights I saw:

If you'd like to go back in time to the "good ol' days," check out the Parker Homestead Festival this Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or Sunday, October 16 from noon-5 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, and children 6 and younger get in free.

Outfit details: Livy Lu "Arkansas Native" tee-shirt and Thread Supply flannel (both from The Refinery), Old Navy jeans, Minnetonka moccasins, Modcloth "Since You Been Hexagon" earrings in rose gold

Freebie Fun Fact: Arkansas is the diamond state. Crater of Diamonds State Park, located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas is home to the world's only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public. Arkansas is also the first place outside South Africa where diamonds were found at their original volcanic source! Isn't that fancy?

Welcome to my blog, where I'll show you what inspires my art! First up...FASHION!

I've always loved fashion...almost as much as I love art! I remember as a little girl, I'd fill my sketchbooks with all these wild and crazy outfits I could only dream of wearing. Dresses with 30 rows of ruffles... skirts made of rainbows and glitter... shoes with butterflies on the toes... bows as big as my head... my imagination went on and on!

Now, my outfits inspire my drawings. Fashion is art in itself, after all!

Check out this fun dress from Modcloth. I just love the bright blocks of color, and the way it makes me feel like a retro superstar! I paired it with my trusty cat eye sunglasses, Noonday Collection jewelry and a color-blocked tote that echoes the design of the dress.

In fact, I love this dress so much that when it went live on Modcloth, I had to draw myself in it before I ordered it. This is how I envisioned myself styling it before it even arrived on my doorstep! Apart from the lack of black knee high boots, (writes "black-knee-high-suede boots" on wishlist) I think I've got the look down!

Something else I like to do is take photos of my art with whatever pieces inspire it. It's cool to see what all planning and elements go into a piece!

Until next time, stay colorful and inspired, my friends!

Outfit details: Mod Squad Goals A-Line Dress, Triple the Charm Bag in Cognac, On Second Trot Flat in Sunshine (all from Modcloth) Sea Stone Earrings and Golden Bough Necklace from Noonday Collection