A New Adventure: From Bold and Beautiful MCM to a Romantic Bohemian Fairytale

Changing my Aesthetic from MCM to Vintage to Dark Bohemian Fairytale Romance

I realize that I no longer am drawn to the earthy MCM vintage goods and 80’s workwear that I have come to be known for, and that’s perfectly okay. Instead I long to bring Boho Chic and English Storybook Home & Garden together for my vision of a layered Romantic Bohemian Fairytale aesthetic that I so deeply resonate with at my very core of existence.

I’ve spent the last five years populating my Pinterest Boards with a vision of my version of current trends. I would incorporate those collected images and themes into my everyday life with vintage goods always being at the forefront of my curation. Alongside the 80’s workwear fashion and bold MCM home decor Pinterest Boards, I’d also collect and organize alternative images that were not exactly aligned with what I was going along with, nor were they on trend.  These images of dark English gardens and layered bohemian outfits were so beautiful that I didn’t not want to save them for the possible need of them in the future. 

Over time, I found myself going back to revisit the alternative collections of bohemian layers, always drawn by the deep rich hues and textured fabrics.  

I feel more connected to the dark medieval-inspired home and old English garden scenes that transport me back to a memorable scene in a romance fantasy novel, a genre of reading I’ve always enjoyed but only recently revisiting.

From Being Known for Living with Vintage Goods to No Longer Feeling Creativity and Inspiration

In 2021, I attended and sold vintage clothing and home decor at my first market as The Curious Aesthetic: Purveyor of Fine Vintage and Maker of Goods.  When I first started TCA, I curated bold MCM vintage goods that spoke to me, set up a simple booth at a market, and sold my wares. I didn’t anticipate the success that quickly followed.  The best part about doing markets with TCA has always been interacting with you all.  Hearing your stories of cherished items passed down from loved ones and how you’re still using them today supported my beliefs in continuity of items through the decades.  I quickly found myself being referred to as the vintage guru, the person to ask how to clean or repair vintage items without damaging them, and I was always making suggestions on how to style goods for multiple uses.  I badly wanted to share more of how I used and lived with my own collection of vintage and so I started my blog, cassandraelizabethsilva.com in autumn of 2023.  It was to be a space for all things vintage, how to repurpose goods and to learn about materials and care for them.  I even set up an online shop where one could purchase from The Curious Aesthetic directly instead of only being able to purchase goods at in-person markets.  My YouTube channel was created to mirror my blog in many ways, but also to take people with me as I perused thrift stores and estate sales.  It was, after all, a direct response to my most asked question:  “Where do you find all of this?”

Unfortunately, I have been unable to keep up with my blog, my YouTube channel, newsletter, nearly every form of content produced.  I’ve even fallen behind in sourcing goods for markets and my shop.  In trying to keep up with my platforms and inventory, I realized I no longer was creating content that inspired people; I had become just a resource for learning about vintage goods and clothing from specific decades.  I felt like I was someone else and I no longer felt like myself.  My personal style and aesthetic was diluted in the endless posts in the pursuit of new items added to my shop and announcements for when my next market popup would be.  My creativity seemed to have ceased to exist without me realizing it until it was too late.

I’ve found myself feeling less connected to the neutral MCM vintage goods I’ve collected and displayed throughout my home.  I’ve even grown to dread getting dressed for the day because neutral basics no longer make me feel put together.  These items now represent a time in my life where I put my creativity on hold and succumbed to the rat race of running a shop and being known for something that I just no longer resonate with.  

I miss being the artist that I am. 

As an artist, I’m quite sensitive to my environment and what I wear greatly affects me day to day, particularly when I am in a space that does not serve me. 

The truth is: I’m over 35, and I realize at this point in my life I no longer want to chase after trends or withhold from pursuing artistic endeavors.  I’ve been feeling so out of place.  

The Desire and Inspiration for Dark Bohemian Fairytale Romance

I’ve been confiding in the imagery collected on my alternative Pinterest boards to seek artistic replenishment and inspiration.  I find myself continuously drawn to layered outfits in rich jewel tone colors and patterns, collected home decor with a kiss of medieval whimsy, and even the dark romantic English gardens rich with cascading roses that set my heart on fire. It’s within these images that I have found unfiltered joy and the desire to be in those spaces.   

This pure joy has inspired me to change the direction of my presence to reflect my desire to live and share my vision of a Romantic Bohemian Fairytale lifestyle.

A New Direction, A New Adventure

Will there still be vintage in my life? 

Absolutely!  I don’t think I can ever not have vintage in my life-it’s just too unique and special, but I can confirm there will be far less MCM goods and more dark whimsical vintage pieces.  I also will be sharing more of thrifted goods that are not vintage because not everything in my life is vintage. I’m still passionate about buying secondhand, reducing carbon footprint, as well as creative DIY projects to repurpose items so they can still be of use. 

I will also be embracing my love of a layered “look” whether it’s home decor or a good outfit. 

This change in direction may surprise you and it may not be something you are interested in.  And that’s okay.  I will always be grateful for your support and being a part of this journey. 

As someone who truly believes magic isn’t just for storybooks, I’m on a journey to weave Dark Bohemian Fairytale Romance into every aspect of my life, starting right here in my cottage I share with my husband, Max, and our Pomeranians, Aokū (Ow-Koo) and Louie, deep within the suburbs of Chicago. 

Should you be wanting to learn more about how to incorporate a Romantic Bohemian Fairytale aesthetic in your own life, follow along with me.

Adventure awaits us.