Here + Now

I wore this last week (or so) when we had a springy spell.  Leaving the house sans tights was lovely, though a little chilly still.  It seems nothing is consistent of late and though there are pros and cons to that, I'm okay with it.  Spring aside, there's such a feeling of anticipation in my bones the past few weeks. I know I have choices to make, and not so much a matter of if, but when.  

I am learning that the best answer to that (for me) is often now.  Sigh. 

Knowing that is not always helpful.

Details

{jacket} - Michael Kors, gift

{dress} - vintage 60's, for sale here

{sandals} - Seychelles via ModCloth

Royal + Suede

I was so busy this past weekend that the start of this week has been slower than usual. I attended one of the baby shower's being thrown for my sister-in-law, went to a friend's housewarming/birthday party, my roommate's dance show, and another friend's musical.  It was a wonderful weekend, but when Sunday night came, I was done.  I have thankfully bounced back (I literally did nothing on Monday) and spend a lot of the day yesterday painting.

 I recently designed the invitations for the baby shower/tea my Mom is throwing for my sister-in-law (since one apparently will not suffice), and I was thrilled with how they turned out!  Here's a (fuzzy) snippet of part of the invitation, I'd post the original, but don't want to bother editing out names and addresses.  Goodness, maybe I am still tired from the weekend.

After making and being so happy with the invitations, I've been really inspired to design more elements for paper goods!  Isn't it funny how action instills confidence?  Yesterday I completed a lily of the valley header to potentially use for stationary or another invite.  Only time will tell, but I'm trying to stick with it and see where it takes me!

Details

{sweater} - Kohl's

{suede skirt} - vintage 40's, thrifted

{tights} - ModCloth

{shoes} - Chelsea Crew

{necklace} - gift from Dad

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

Automobiles

I received this wonderful vintage 50's automobile print skirt as a Christmas gift (I'll admit, it's one I specifically asked for) and I'm so thrilled with it!  Not only is the print wonderful and the color versatile, but it's actually very warm in the cold weather.

It's quite strange that Christmas is over, and 2014 is quickly approaching but I'm actually pretty excited about it!  If I've learned anything in the past couple of years, it's that life only becomes more interesting as time goes.  I don't generally put much stock in New Year's resolutions but I actually think I might lay some down this year, out of anticipation for what lies ahead.  Goodness, there is so much already!  I'm starting the shoemaking apprenticeship in January, going to be an Aunt in June, and hoping to be certified to teach and facilitate the Enneagram by this time next year.  Truly, what excites me even more than those things are the details God has yet to reveal!  Years ago I never would have felt that way about the unknown, it's funny how things change. :)

Details

{sweater} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{leather jacket} - gift, Michael Kors

{skirt} - vintage 50's, gift via Kitty Girl Vintage

{tights} - ModCloth

{boots} - Fiorentini & Baker

{necklace} - Mata Traders

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. :)

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

{sweater} - Obey

{tights} - Target

{shoes} - handmade by me

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

Day off Casual

I don't think I ever used to get tired of "dressing up" but now that I work in an office and it's a requirement, my days off look a little more casual than they used to.  I think this also may in part be becuase I can't wear my more casual dresses to work, so I end up wearing them on my days off.  This can be a problem, but I digress.  This outfit is from my day off on Thursday.

Somehow, I've never blogged about these shoes that I made in the fall.  Yeah, I made them.  I have long been interested in leatherworking, grew up making leather bracelets and key chains at summer camp and for a few years have been searching for a way to learn the craft of shoemaking.  At first I tried to become an apprentice to a local cobbler, a 80-some year old man who has been making and mending shoes since stepping off the boat from Greece as a child.  That did not work out (there's a great story there though), but I ended up finding a little place in Ravenswood called The Chicago School of Shoemaking.  I took a two day intensive class, and walked away holding these puppies that I cut, stitched and made by hand.  That was my first exposure to actual shoemaking, and this summer I'm going to attempt to make my second pair (of my own pattern this time)!

And woah, I'm not wearing any vintage in this outfit-- it does happen every now and then! :)