On the Cusp

These colors remind me so of autumn.  Rusty browns that the leaves will soon begin to take on, and the pale gray blue of the sky.  I quite love this dress but the color and print don't photograph very well (it's a light periwinkle with white botanical print), but you can see it in the detail shots.  Fall is, and is not quite here.  This week I bundled up far too much a couple of times, which is a common problem I encounter in these transitional seasons.

For now, I am thankful for the warm spell and wearing the colors of autumn slightly before creation does. :)

A tiny PS, I just recently started a Lookbook and will have a button up on the right for it soon. Until then, you can find me here.

Details

{dress} - vintage 70's, thrifted

{sweater} - obey

{tights} - ModCloth

{shoes} - vintage 70's, thrifted

{belt} - vintage 40's, thrifted

{necklace} - handmade by seven finches

Ginger + Star Anise Tea

Because I'm still recovering from bonchitis, I thought I'd share a delicious and beneficial tea recipe I happened upon.  It's great for any sort of upper respiratory sickness, but I could see it as a great Autumn tea as well-- it's a little spicy and goes great with honey!

The best thing about this tea is that it's so easy to make-- in fact, it may not actually be "tea" at all, as there are no tea leaves involved (Shhhh, It's fine). You're only ingredients are:

• Ginger root - natural inflammation soother
• Star anise (found in the spice section) - natural expectorate
• Honey

Directions: Boil a regular sized pot of water, eventually bringing it back to a simmer. Cut the ginger in chunks (skin on), and add to the simmering pot along with a couple star anise. I used about 7 golf ball sized chunks of ginger, and two star anise.  Let the pot simmer for 20 minutes, add two teaspoons of honey and serve!

See?  I told you it was simple!  I kept most of my batch in the fridge and just heated it up as needed,  I would say an average size pan makes 3-4 servings.

Happy tea sipping!

Sumac + Understanding

 

The recent snow has put a bit of Holiday Spirit in my step, but leading up to Thanksgiving I'm not as excited as I would hope to be.  I love my family but often feel that they don't understand me, or even desire to.  I want to be myself around them, but I've learned over time that many of my personality traits are not desirable in my family culture.  That's painful, but I am trying to keep perspective.  I often feel left out, dismissed, written off, or inconsequential.  That doesn't mean those things are true.

Today I will try to approach my family with a clear head, allow the Holy Spirit to guide my steps, show me what is true, and how I can understand them.  I know someone (?) wise said that to be understood, we must first seek to understand.

Today will be a day of prayer and seeking to understand.

Details

{dress} - Modcloth

{shirt} - T.J. Maxx

{tights} - Target

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{mittens} - ?

{necklace} - Mata Traders

Floating

My recent reality feels a bit disjointed and frustrating and I know exactly why: I've had no structure of late.  I've learned in the past few years that some sort of framework (though not instinctual to me at all) is required for my haphazard creativity to ever become something outside of my brain.  What that's literally meant for me is that I've needed a structured, scheduled part-time job to pair with the madness that are my artistic pursuits.  Right now I'm in the market for such, but just haven't felt altogether gung-ho about any of the options.  

A large theme in my current season of life has been floating, something I've become so good at the last few months, but am now struggling to maintain.  Laying on my back in still-seeming water, not swimming or fighting the current.  Just floating, confident in the direction the water will take me and reacting to events or changes only as they occur.  No pre-conceived notions or expectations, just experience.  

Details

{Dress} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{Cardigan} - H&M back in the day

{Tights} - T.J. Maxx

{Boots} - Steve Madden

{Necklace} - Gift from Dad

Settling In

I have been moved into my new abode for two weeks this coming Monday and it is good.  

This charming little place quite literally dropped into my lap-- like so many great, God-ordained things of late.  The bride of the recent wedding I worked on is actually the person I am subletting from.  It's funny, when I first expressed interest in the place I wasn't even actively looking to move, and knew nothing about the apartment-- except that I liked the location.  In the moment I even felt a little crazy-- haha, even people who love me thought I was a bit crazy.

But here I am, and I can feel God growing me through it already.  That's honestly not really been a good feeling either.  I've felt Spiritually attacked this week quite a bit, self doubt around why I made this move, realization of how much easier life would be if I hadn't. 

That's exactly the point though: the easy road never results in growth or depth. Thought part of me wishes my self development were over already, I fully realize how sad it would be for my human potential to cease at 25.  

Heck no, onward to more growth-- even if that makes me uncomfortable.

Last White Door

This is the last post I'll be making from this now familiar white door. 

Oh what a humble surprise it was when I first started shooting here-- it bored me to death, but shocked me by becoming more charming by the day.  The first day the vine bloomed I think I did a double take.  Quite funny really, this dull and dirty doorstep becoming lovely and special over time.  It feels so kindred to my story.

Well played God, I see what you did there.

For the record, my new home has a green door. :)

-----

{dress} - vintage 70's, Mother's

{sweater} - Obey

{tights} - Target

{shoes} - handmade by me

{necklace} - Mata Traders
{umbrella} - vintage, thrifted

Rust + Mint

My recent season of newness, color and growth is about to transition yet again.  It's a good thing I'm comfortable with change!

Specifically, my internship with the wonderful people at Mata Traders is about to come to an end-- so bittersweet, that.  In the three short months that I've been there, I have seen and learned so many new things, and proven my own capability (to myself) in more than one area. It's also been so cool getting to know the individuals whom I've worked alongside, the entire team at Mata is comprised of kind-hearted, fun and genuine people.

I'm also moving in...less than a week! It's not very far away, but I'm so excited because the apartment is in a tiny green Victorian house, very close to friends, the train and one of my favorite coffee shops.  Cheers to that!

{dress} - Mata Traders

{rust sweater} - Obey

{mint coat} - J.Crew

{knit tights} - Target

{boots} - Steve Madden

{necklace} -  Seven Finches

Blessed + Worn

Well, it has been a good long while since I've sat down an written!  Much has happened (as life does), and I'm so excited about Fall this year.  I've been working on several projects, and have had great opportunities to collaborate with others lately.  I've been working as a vintage consultant/stylist on a 20's themed wedding, and recently launched a personal project on the Enneagram.  Between the two of those, trying to find time to paint (I actually sold an iPhone case to an apparent Lumberjack lover!), managing my shop, and finishing up my internship with the wonderful folks at Mata Traders, I'm a bit tuckered out.  But the good kind of tired-- that makes me realized how much God has blessed me in this season, putting my hands to specific work and filling my life with all sorts of people.  I'm also moving in November to an apartment in a tiny green Victorian, and I'm thrilled!  More on that later.

In other news, I just purchased some new leather!  Though I've neglected them, the shoe dreams are not dead-- I may need to wait until I have more free time to start working on the next pair though.  I've been wearing my first pair a lot.  I wore them on long walks this summer, to estate sales and coffee shops, and I've been commuting, and tromping on leaves in them of late.  It makes me so happy to see these shoes do what they are meant to!  I'll never forget the first time I wore them to a forest preserve, my Mom was shocked that I would risk dirt or damage to them.  While they were crafted by hand, they were meant to walk dusty paths and dewy grass and be worn.  

And they are weathering quite sweetly, I dare say.

{peplum} - Modcloth
{corduroys} - Khols
{bracelet} - gift
{ring} - Mother's, vintage
{belt} - Mother's, vintage
{shoes} - handmade by me
{whistle necklace} - this shop

Inspiration: A Touch of Autumn

Arriving home from my week away, I've realized a bit begrudgingly that my mind has started to drift towards Autumn. It's funny that only a few weeks ago a friend bubbled to me about Fall and how ready for it she was, and I couldn't agree. Usually Summer is a season I cling to, until the last fireflies are gone and the air chills. Even as the leaves begin to turn each year, I grasp at the neon sunsets and balmy breezes. 

But today I tried sweater tights on just to see how they felt again. Weird. 

These are some Autumnal things that have me anticipating the coming season lately:

This sweater pattern in every color.  Now if only I could knit more than just a scarf...

This girl's plum-ish locks.

Teagan White and her heart warming artwork (as usual).

The thought of a train journey with one of these.

Though I'll return to Summer for the moment, August already has me adding Fall-ish touches to what I wear and do.  I drank a hot latte this morning and wore my handmade leather booties. That reminds me of this post a couple years ago, mostly summer with a cozy autumnal touch.

Is Fall inspiring you yet?