Road Trip: Part II Exploring Charleston

All and all, Charleston is a pretty sweet town. I love that it's a city, but it feels more like a town (complete with adorable vintage architecture).  The people are as sweet as the tea, and the weather is beautiful (says the girl who loves humid balmy weather).  Here are some of my favorite moments from the week!

This was the best panini I've had-- I hesitate to say ever (that's a long time), but certainly for a great, long while.  It was zucchini, mozzarella and I think pistachios.  They also had an awesome array of teas and coffee, yum.  If in Charleston, you must go to the Persimmon Cafe!

My first touch of the sea on the east coast, oh the constant strong, salty breeze-- probably my favorite part. What can I say, my Mom is adorable. Literally everyone's first description of her is "cute".  It's true. :)

The dearest boy there is. :)

The Charleston Museum (which apparently was the first museum in these here United States) was very cool, covering military, social, natural, medical and many other facets of the history of Charleston (and in many ways, of our country).  This was even more interesting and reflective for me, because my Irish ancestors immigrated to Charleston in 1641-- so much of what I saw at the museum made my imagining of their lives more real.

Like always though, my favorite section was natural history-- they actually had a ton on prehistoric remains found in South Carolina (including the largest Pterodactyl, which they had on display!) which made yours truly giddy. I have always loved dinosaurs. :)

Charleston, farewell for now, but I'll be back.

Lately - July Fade

Lately, I've been finding more vintage stock, when I still have stuff to list from Spring-- yikes!

One of my most recent finds is this amazing and demure 40's gown, coming to the shop soon!

I've been under the weather, and found that drinking hot tea in the summer is just weird.

Lately, there's been a lot of baby holding in my family-- Gunnar is already a month old! Here he is with my Mom (Grandma!).

I'm drawing nearer to cranking out my own pair of shoes at my apprenticeship-- these are a pair I'm assisting with while I learn.

I've been beyond blessed by this dear friend and her willingness to adventure and dream.

I've been trying to hold on to summer, while most seem to be rushing toward fall.

Cranberry Tart(an)

This skirt makes me feel my heritage (but puppy fur loves it).  

Mom is moved and settled, I officially have a new sister-in-law, I'm going to be the proud Aunt of a little boy (just found out the gender yesterday!) and I am now actually an apprentice shoemaker!

These are the current joys in my life though the seas have otherwise become stormy of late.  God is still good (always, He is) and has been teaching, molding and building me to be who He designed me to be.  Lately, my main comfort and prompt has been from Proverbs 4:25-27 which is an encouragement to keep my eyes straight ahead, to not be distracted from what is right in front of me.  Personally, that's a huge reminder to get out of my head, and to allow my concerns and cares to rest in the hands of my Creator.  We fret and try to control our existence, but all God ever calls us to deal with is the present.

Easier said than done, certainly.  Good thing I serve a God who has lavished grace on me!

-----

Details

{skirt} - vintage 70's, inherited

{thermal} - Free People

{hoodie} - ModCloth

{necklace} - gift from Dad

{tights} - ModCloth

{oxfords} - Julianne Hough

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

Silver + Gold

Oh, what a weekend!  The past two days have been packed full of people I love!  I throughly enjoyed it, but my introverted self is pretty tuckered out at this point.  Saturday morning I got to meet with three of my dearest friends for our bi-weekly small group at one of my favorite local coffee shops.  That meeting every other Saturday is something I always look forward to, it's such a great source of community and mutual acceptance, laughter and accountability.  Lovlier lady friends I could not ask for. :)

Saturday afternoon, I attended a wedding and spent the evening catching up with some dear old friends.  My two best childhood friends, their families and other old neighbors.  Stories were told, photographs shown and life stories updated.  Haha, my Saturday reminds me of a song we used to sing in Girlscouts (yes, I was one): "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold".  True words.

And of course, today was Mother's Day, which I had the opportunity to spend with my Mom!   This morning, we headed to the city for brunch at The Publican-- partially because of the great food, and partially to visit my brother who works across the street at PQM.  Afterwards, we headed to one of our favorite local antique markets and spent the afternoon browsing.  I have the most wonderful Mother, I truly don't know where I'd be without her loving, selfless, patient presence in my life.  Don't get me wrong, we have our ups and downs.  We are both flawed people, and very different individuals but I respect and love her with all my heart.

Happy Mother's Day!

{Skirt} - Vintage 40's, thrifted
{Blouse} - ? From high school
{Cardigan} - Vintage 50's, thrifted
{Tights} - Target
{Oxfords} - Zappos
{Necklace} - Seven Finches