Buds + Blessings

The past few weeks have been quite a blur pet/house sitting, working and brainstorming remotely with the usual sprinkle of self discovery-- because it's never done, I suppose.  

In just a couple of short weeks I am making a big, funny, cool, ludicrous change: I'm opening a retail space.  Saying that is getting easier, but still feels crazy and impossible, yet God dropped the means squarely into my lap.  Not only will my little boutique offer hand-curated vintage clothing, but over time I'll be offering handmade, fair trade and US made vintage inspired (and otherwise awesome) clothing and accessories as well! 

I'm realizing that these types of random opportunities, simply ought not be questioned. :) So with the newly budding spring, I'm quite prepared to let things happen and see where they go.  So so many things are on the horizon, and while I'm not sure how this little boutique of mine fits in with any of them, I have peace.  Today is only that, and tomorrow will worry about its self.

Details

{dress} - ModCloth

{tights} - Target

{sweater} - Urban Outfitters

{jacket} - gift, Michael Kors

{boots} - Mel via ModCloth

{scarf} - ?

{twenty seven}

Life has felt so vivid and real lately. Maybe it's having three different birthday celebrations spread over one week, or perhaps it's the recent progress and clarity of vision I've experienced in the last couple of weeks.  Things are moving, sliding into place, and it is good. God, you are always so, so good.

When I use the words above to describe my recent life, I do not mean easy or simple or obvious.  I mean full of energy, action and life, which often means things are even more uncertain or risky. I've realized that's almost required for success and fullness of life, to step out in the line of fire.

I've been doing a good deal of that recently, so on Wednesday when I turned 27, I took to one of my favorite forested spots for a reminder of God's bigness-- that when I step into the line of fire, it's in his arms and not on my own merit (thank goodness).  Is there really anything like nature to put the size of our Creator into perspective?

{details}

Dress - handmade by Alfie Ruth

Lace Top - Everly via Modcloth

Necklace - handmade by Seven Finches

Sandals - Seychelles via Modcloth

Spring

Because, as usual, it's been too long. :)

And more adventures to come, that I can always be sure of.

I read a simple expression just now that dissolved the smidgen of tension that I unknowingly had between my shoulders: "Let things happen". Isn't is funny (and whenever I say that, I really mean peculiar) that such few words could make such sense, and remind me of the faithful, freedom-giving ways of God?

So often I think we are (or at least I am) afraid to take risks, and just engage with what comes our way. There's this expectation our society has that we need to be safe and responsible to our means, but I'm now reminded that I'm actually responsible to God's means-- what he can provide from me, not what I can provide for me! 

Living our lives like our own means determine what is possible, is a shortsighted power trip. Not only is it giving ourselves way too much credit (and responsibility), it allows us only to be, do, or become what is within our human scope of reason.

Not me, friends. I would so much rather stand up in the power and ability of my Maker, surrendering self sufficiency, but also embracing the resources of the creator of the universe. 

I'm sure I'll need to return to this post in the coming months and years, to be reminded of this-- but I suppose that's exactly why I write.

The Whimsical Pig

This past weekend, I went on a family jaunt to a little town outside of Akron, Ohio to visit my sister-in-law's family-- this is the first of two posts I'll do on the subject.  Little did I know when we left Saturday morning, what natural beauty and unique charm the weekend would hold.  I got my first hint a few minutes from the B+B we would be staying at, when we drove through this.

I'm such a sucker for tree-lined roads, but especially ones like this that feel like tree tunnels.  Just around the corner, we arrived at our home-base for the weekend: The Whimsical Pig Bed and Breakfast, aka the sweetest, most awesome lodging ever.  At least for yours truly, that is.

I wish I'd taken better pictures of the full exterior of this restored vintage farmhouse.  The gardens were so beautiful, complete with lounge chairs next to a rocky stream and koi pond.  Three sweet farm cats lazily strolled the paths and prowled through the flowers. My favorite of them was a big tom cat named Thunder who is what I like to call, a John Wayne style cat-- stoic but a sweetheart at the core.

Inside the house were even more surprises, beautifully restored with glistening wood floors and full of vintage details and decor.  I'm pretty sure I did a double take, and definitely wondered what the odds were of finding such a place in the area we were visiting-- not to mention later finding out that this had been a last minute selection on the part of my SIL's family, who had no concept of the affinity for history that my family and I have!  It felt like such a wink from God, and indeed it was.  I was so busy taking everything in that I didn't take pictures of everything that I wish I had, but here are some glimpses. Not to mention, the spectacular breakfasts: the oatmeal cremebrule and baked honey grapefruit were my favorites!

One thing I so wish I'd gotten a picture of more than anything else is the awesome couple who own The Whimsical Pig! Sue and Ron were the most welcoming and genuine hosts who not only made our stay wonderful with their attention to detail, but were such a blessing to talk with and get to know.

I may be back at the Whimsical Pig before too long. :)

twenty.six

Today I turned twenty six.

Among other things, my Mom and Dad accompanied me on a pre-lunch walk around my favorite wooded area, Reed Turner Woodlands (yes, the very same from this wintery post).  It was such a warm and glorious day and as always, this place left me nostalgic about my childhood and the "nature heritage" my family has instilled in me from a young age.  I cannot describe the wistful way I feel when drinking in and walking among wild and natural beauty such as this.  I almost feel a part of it.

Twenty six feels less exciting than twenty five did for me, but in some ways I'm more blessed now than I was then.  I have closer friendships now, more knowledge and ideas in my head (and more insatiable curiosity with them).  I know the coming year will grow and bless me in new ways--  I'll become a first time Aunt (in just a matter of weeks!), I will continue to learn leatherwork and shoe making, among other things.  I'll keep on finding treasures of old and growing into the woman God creatively designed me me to be.  Blessed indeed!

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Details

{dress} - vintage 1940's, birthday gift from Mom

{tank} - Forever XI (for serious)

{necklace} - a fishing lure I found

{belt} - J. Crew

{sandals} - Sam Edleman via Nordstrom

{ring} - vintage 70's, inherited

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