Busy Waiting

Do you ever feel like there are a million things happening at once, and at the same time the opposite?  That's my life of late.  I've actually had a good deal of work to occupy my time, both commissioned and personal.  I've been designing the header and logo for another blog, a wedding invitation, and I completed a (relatively simple) leather project that's totally opened my eyes to the possibilities there!  Now I just need to get the sewing machine in my apartment working! I've been pushing my comfort with my recent art work (I seem to do the best work on the fly, and with complete abandon)-- pictured above is just a tiny corner of a mixed media piece I've been experimenting with.  The gist is something like laying on your back and deciding what clouds look like. :)

This skirt has become my favorite and I've worn it a lot lately in case it's too heavy to wear in the summer months.  I love the way it looks with all warm hues, I did a post pairing it with lavender a bit ago and I love it equally with blush.

Back to my busy waiting.

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Details

{cashmere sweater} - vintage 50's, thifted

{skirt} - Rock Steady, via Modcloth

{tights} - via ModCloth

{oxfords} - Call It Spring, via Zappos

{necklace} - vintage 40's, thrifted

Erin Go Bragh!

Erin Go Bragh is the declaration, Ireland forever.  I've been surprised in recent years that most people don't know the phrase anymore, much less the meaning.  I'll chalk my own knowledge up to the blood in my veins, a large fraction of which hails from the northern part of the emerald isle. My name was intentionally chosen to represent that blood, as well as the blood shed by my ancestors to ensure their own survival and freedom-- and mine.

My ancestry is something that I've researched deeply, hold dearly and think of often.  Oh, the people that came before me.  I tend to use St. Patrick's each year as a day of reflection on Irish History (both in Ireland and America) and the Irish family members on both sides of my family.  I have long wanted to learn Gaelic so I can pass it down to my children one day, and each year on 3/17 I'm reminded that I haven't done it yet!

Fun fact about my Irish heritage, I likely have Norse (Viking) blood intermixed because of where my family hails from-- County Armagh, which is ironically also where St. Patrick set up his principal church (the monastery of which was eventually raided by my Viking ancestors).

I'm not totally certain how I feel about Pat yet, the guy said that only people educated at his church could spread the gospel. *sniff*  Sounds pretty legalistic to me!

Why and how do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Slàinte!

Details

{dress} - vintage 40's, thrifted

{cardigan} - J.Crew

{tights} - ModCloth

{necklace} - vintage 40's, Grandmother's

{oxfords} - Julianne Hough for Sole Society

{bracelet} - gift from Dad

One At A Time

It always amazes me that the addition of one new clothing item can expand the potential of my existing wardrobe ten times over.  I've long been pretty discerning about any purchase of clothing, thinking it through, looking at comparable items, etc.  This is in part due to tight purse strings, and part to my overly specific taste.  Either way, I've found that purchasing only one item at a time can have it's merits!

One new color or texture at a time opens my eyes to closet combinations I would have otherwise not seen, and challenges me to wear the new item lots of different ways. That's totally the case with this dark mossy hued skirt that I purchased in December.  I have easily worn it at least 5 different ways so far, and it's addition has brought some of my older clothing pieces back to life!  Seriously, this lavender blouse is from High School and I've only worn it in adulthood one way before this. Not only has this skirt revealed new color pairings, but also has allowed me to play with texture and print too!  I would have at first thought the lace, sugar skull detail to be too busy to pair with anything but simple staples-- boy was I wrong!

Here's to the beauty of one thing at a time.

details

{blouse} - ? High School remnant

{striped tank} - T.J. Maxx

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{skirt} - Rock Steady, ModCloth

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Steve Madden, Nordstrom

{necklace} - gift, My Selvaged Life

2014 + Winter White

Welcome twenty-fourteen, you look swell!  I've had a couple rough days this week so the weather these past couple of days has felt like a hug from God.  I thought the first day of this year, full of beautiful snow, was quite perfect for donning winter white and wrapping myself in my surroundings.

I've met two South American foreign exchange students in the last year, and both reacted to snow with a wonder I find strangely absent from most of us local folks.  I don't think I could ever see or walk into falling snow without awe and a surge in my gut.  Like sunsets, waterfalls, thunder storms and many natural wonders, it's impossible to document with justice. Perhaps that's why I love it so-- that it's a thing of feeling, not seeing.

I forgot to mention in the last post, I got bangs a couple of weeks ago!  I know, weird.  I'm already planning to grow them out because frankly, they are too high maintenance for yours truly.  Enjoying them while they last!

Happy New Year!

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Details

{dress} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, gift

{coat} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{tights} - ModCloth, gift

{necklace} - handmade, gift

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{gloves} - vintage 40's, thrifted

Windows

This morning I spent such a peaceful time painting in the study, it's fast become one of my favorite spots in the apartment because it has loads of natural light.  The bay windows look out on the little town I live in, which at first felt like living in a fish bowl.  This morning though, I've realized that it's actually a snow globe,  at least for the winter anyway.  Because I'm on the upper floor it's the perfect spot to watch the snow come down, as it did this morning.

There's something about falling snow that beckons the watcher out into it's swirling midst, so after painting I took Chico for a jaunt around the block.  Poor guy, about halfway through he turned around (usually he refuses to go backwards!) and started sprinting back towards home!  He gets cold paws pretty easily, truly I need to find him some booties or something. Bless his heart but I don't think I'll ever get used to being a small dog owner!

I even pulled out snow boots for the first time today!

Details

{cashmere cardigan} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{skirt} - vintage 80's, thrifted

{tights} - Target

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{locket necklace} - vintage, Grandmother's

Lace, Batik + Henna

I've realized lately, that this bracelet literally goes w/ everything I own.

I love mixing print and texture like this.  I wore this outfit to work on Friday, the dress came in the mail on Thursday and I just couldn't wait to take it for a spin (literally)!  I love the colors and the fact that it's handmade, cotton, full-skirted and also a great deal!  The fit was a bit off for me (I'll need to take in the waist and bust), but wearing a belt and a top underneath helped for the time being.

Another thing I received in the mail on Thursday is the henna I ordered to complete the tattoo I wanted (it's on my list of summer goals)! At first I thought I would do a sleeve of sorts, but because I work in an office I decided to go for the slightly more conspicuous ankle/calf piece.  Besides, it will be much easier for me to see and complete myself than my arm would've been.  This is something I've wanted to do for awhile, so I'm pretty stoked!  I may get a legit tattoo one day, but in the mean time I find henna to be a great alternative, and way to explore what I may eventually want in ink.  I'm not sure exactly what it will look like yet, I'm working on some rough doodles for now.  I do want to have it finished (on my skin) by the end of the month though, so I better get to work brainstorming!

{Batik Dress} - handmade, Alfie Ruth

{Lace Top} - ModCloth

{Belt} - vintage, thrifted

{Shoes} - Seychelles

{Bracelet} - gift