DAILY RITUALS

Outfit Details: Peasant Blouse...Vintage(from my trip to OR), Skirt...Madewell (for only 20 bucks!!), Socks...Target, Shoes...Thrifted, Liberty of London Scarf...Thrifted


Its been a tough start to the year, my health has been not up to snuff and I'm starting to think that there might be something going on under the surface. I finally made myself a doctor's appointment to get a check up. I have a sneaking suspicion that my health woes are connected to me being too stressed out and generally unhappy. The other night, I had a break through of sorts, I made a list of daily rituals that I wanted to live everyday by and since have been implementing it as a type of mantra of how I want my day to go. Its been very helpful with my stress management. I thought I would share it with you all!

DAILY RITUALS

LOVE with all your heart

EAT healthy food and take the time to ENJOY it

TAKE at least 20 mins to WRITE down thoughts and ideas

GO outside and BREATHE

STRETCH the body and mind

SING along to a good song

HAVE a good conversation

SLEEP a good sleep

SMILE 

REMEMBER that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

I just really wanted to let you all know that I really appreciated your well wishes. This year so far, although we are only six days in,  has been great, I've been really trying to maintain a positive attitude which has been helping me tremendously. It scares me a little bit that I'm not sure what is in store for this year, but I am definitely down for an adventure!

Outfit Details: Blazer... Vintage Pendleton, Sheer Blouse... Grandmother's, High-waisted Jeans...BDG, 5'0 Clock Tea Havana Glasses... Bonlook, Loafers...Bass

When it snows, it blizzards.

I'm sure as most of you know the Northeast of the United States was hit by a freak blizzard a couple weekends ago. These photos were taken a few hours before the storm hit and Jeramy and I got stuck in my car on a huge hill and we were stranded there for over 3 hours. A trip home that usually takes a little over an hour took us five. Scariest drive of my life. To add insult to injury, not only did we end up loosing power for the better half of the week, Halloween was postponed due to fallen trees and downed power lines, and Jeramy's father has been in the ICU fighting to wake up from emergency brain surgery and now pneumonia. I ask that you may all take a moment and send positive thoughts and prayers his way so that he get better as soon as possible. We're hanging in there though...So do you like my jeans? Yeah I'm in love. Cranberry is so my new favorite color.

Outfit Details: Fisherman Sweater...Thrifted, Cranberry Skinny Jeans...BDG, Chelsea Boots...ASOS

under a rock

Yes, its true. I'm coming back to the blogging world. I have a macbook in the mail on its way to me to replace my Vaio whose hard drive crashed and forced me off the internet for awhile. Honestly though, it has been very necessary as life has been quite draining the last year or so. I've been needing time to refocus my energies into things that I love rather than get caught up in the fact that I am not happy with my situation currently in life.
We just got back from Portland, OR which was quite the refreshing vacation (more to come on that later)and I've been taking more time to work on myself and to be okay with where I am. I found a really great quote that really rung true in a book I got in Powell's Bookstore out in Oregon (most amazing bookstore in the world? I think so. The place takes up an entire block and I legit got lost in there.
Okay, so back to that quote, it goes as follows

" We must bloom where we are planted."
-The Sound of Paper, by Julia Cameron

I'd been having a hard time accepting my situation in life and have come to terms that no matter, where I am or what I am doing with my life, I must flourish and live life to the most. No more pity parties for this chick.
Not going to lie, this comeback will be slow. I'm still working on taking photos and figuring out exactly how I want this blog to be, but I wanted to pop in and let everyone know where I'm at and to prove that I have not disappeared off the side of this planet!

Lounging about...well not exactly

Hi all! Just popping in to say a little thanks for your support while I take a little time for myself to figure out a few things. Its been busy around here,but I managed a little photo shoot with the cutest dress I thrifted on a recent excursion to Buffalo Exchange in Boston. I've been working my tail off at my day job and my weekends have been stuffed with numerous activities such as painting Jeramy's house,numerous parties and get-togethers, going to shows, and trying to squeeze in some "me" time by taking day trips around the area to go swimming, get some ice cream, and to enjoy the great outdoors. There is plenty more lined up too. We're going to see Bon Iver in concert this weekend, maybe go camping in Maine or the White Mountains with my Sister, and then Jeramy and I are flying out to Portland, OR for nine days to go to the NW Music Fest the first week in September, which has me uber-pumped!If you're out that way and want to meet up, let me know!

Oh and my computer has a hardrive error, so I'm in the works to be getting a new computer which will probably extend my hiatus out until I can afford a new one.Unfortunately that will not be until after my Portland trip, so I won't be around these parts too much :( Thanks again for all your kind words of encouragement and I promise to be back soon! xoxo!

Happenings

Hi! Fun things going on lately! Trips to Keene,NH, Northampton, MA, and Peterborough, NH have yielded many exciting adventures for Jeramy and I. We saw two shows (William Fitzsimmons at the Starving Artist and Kaki King at The Iron Horse). Side note, we got to meet William, epic beard and all, who upon introducing himself asked Jeramy and I if we had met him before! Obviously we had never met, but yeah I felt cool...perhaps he is a Rosemud Follower. Ha! Jeramy snagged me his signed set list too (p.s. read Jeramy's Blog Timbre Leaf if you were interested in hearing more about the show. You can listen to some of William's tracks there too.) We ate lots of yummy food including falafel and smoked turkey sandwiches with gouda cheese, apples, and walnuts (not in the same sitting to make things clear). There has been plenty of vegging out involved too. We watched The Graduate on Netflix as well as many Dr. Who episodes( Jeramy is succeeding in passing on his obsession with the British Sci Fi show onto me). I finally did my taxes and happily found out that I'm getting a healthy chunk of money back (maybe, just maybe I'll  buy a super fancy camera with my refund...?) . And of course, to top off all this 'fun'ness  we partook in probably my most favorite pastime--- we  perused countless vintage and antique stores where I bought two new pretty springtime frocks. Hooray.

It sure has been a good time and with spring on its way (Yes, I actually spotted a few bulbs sprouting out of the ground proof that my snow shoveling days are numbered...who am I kidding, I don't shovel snow. I leave that to my Dad!) yeah uh so where was I? Oh yes, I do have some fun Boston excursions lined up, hopefully I'll have more to share coming soon!

The air hung like angel dust around you

Hello all, I apologize for my lack of internet presence the past few weeks, and I really have no excuse except for sheer laziness. I've been keeping busy working, going to Boston, hiking, eating delicious foods, drinking my new favorite drink: Mate, and discovering some great new music. I've really been having a lot of fun!
I have some posts lined up over the next few days and hopefully I can get some momentum going from here on out and perhaps even update my etsy shop for the holiday season!

Yeah. So how's it been going with you guys?!

I took this photo a few weeks ago and really liked my outfit, but the other photos came out crummy. This is all that remains...

Under Pressure

I'm feeling like lately I have been more present on this blog, but not really.My mind has been completely elsewhere. The last month has been hard on me, no, post-graduation( so like the past year and a half) has been hard on me and I have been feeling immense pressure to "figure it all out" or have some "direction". Everybody has such high expectations for me and I feel like I will never be able to attain them. I'm a stubborn person and when people close to me, who care and sincerely have my best interest at heart push me towards something, I freeze up and don't budge. I suppose I need to just tune everybody out and focus on what I need and want out of life. I'm sick of living my life solely to please others and in return do not take care of myself and my needs.I'm not exactly sure where all of that rambling leaves me, but yeah I guess I just had to put it out there.Thanks for bearing with me.

Onto what I'm wearing. I picked up this gorgeous paisley dress at the Salvation Army awhile back and love it's crimson color. Plus paisley is like one of my fave prints ever.

Oh and you really must watch this video, besides the fact it is one of my favoritest songs in the entire world and has freaking Kermit the Frog puppets lipsynching to Queen's Under Pressure, it is truly inspiring and heartfelt video about homelessness.

Turn and face the strain

I've been up and down the last few weeks in my blogging due to the fact that my life has been a roller coaster of sorts. The sudden transition to fall has been a transitional period in my personal life as well. Ethan and I have decided to go our separate ways and I have moved back home to New Hampshire to live with my family. I have been commuting an hour everyday to work infinite doubles waitressing everyday and frankly I have been far too exhausted to involve myself in the blogging world. With my poison ivy waning and being transferred to a restaurant closer to me (and potentially working less hours), I am making a promise to myself and to my amazing and supportive readers that I will be focusing a lot more energies into my blog and my Etsy store because it is truly something that I love to do and I have sincerely missed being involved. I'm not exactly sure what tomorrow will bring, but I'm positive that with hard work and dedication, good things will come my way.
Thanks to you all for reading and understanding.I couldn't do it all without you.

Outfit details: All thrifted

A New Leaf

Hi my dears. A lot has changed in the last few days and I am scrambling to get what is left of my life back in order. Summer is still in full swing (heatwave here in New England), but I cannot help dreaming of cooler temps and for the beautiful leaves to start changing colors. Autumn has always been my favorite season and I am very excited (and terrified) to start anew.

A few months back in April I made a mysterious trip to NYC and had to keep my intentions secret. I can now share that I was actually auditioning for the second time for America's Next Top Model. This was a closed casting call and I actually made it really far (to the step before you actually get onto the program). It was very exciting as I have always wanted to be a model and thought I had a fair shot at it. Unfortunately I never heard back from ANTM or Tyra. I'm really glad I have this blog though. I get to live out my fantasy of being a model while also being the photographer, stylist, and manager. I want so passionately to be a model and know that if given the opportunity to move to LA or NYC I could do it, but feel held back by money and responsibilities here in New England. I have always secretly held some desire for someone to discover me by means of this blog and whisk me away from the mundane life of a college grad with a BA in Spanish waitressing at Ruby Tuesday's. But alas is not the case. I've successfully wasted enough time just hoping for some big break and have not actively pursued anything and it has begun to affect my relationships and more importantly my passion for achieving my dreams.This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE.
This coming fall, not only will the leaves change, but my attitude towards life will change too. As my favorite literary heroine Anne Shirley states in Anne of the Island "It is not what the world holds for you, it is what you bring to it". From here on out, I'm done wallowing in the past and and starting a new chapter where my dreams will come true.

photo credit B. Woodward 2008

"Do what we can, summer will have its flies."

(Title quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Sorry for not being around lately, the computer got a virus and it just got fixed. I'm actually glad it broke at this time because I really needed a break from the internet, albeit not having internet was very frustrating at times since I'm usually on it all the time. I concluded that as of late, I've become obsessed with how many followers I had or if my photo made it on the featured page of Weardrobe. And let me tell you it is literally exhausting. Its like a popularity contest you can never win. There is always someone out there better than you, who takes better photos than you, who is prettier and more stylish than you, and by golly I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!!

This blog started out as a way for me to express myself, when I find myself living in uninspired suburbia. I love more than anything the blogging community and really appreciate all of you who do follow me and leave me such nice comments. Those kind words get me through the day and keep me going. So thank you, the least I can owe you is my real self and stop worrying about being the best.

That being said, Ethan took this picture for me yesterday when we went for a walk around the neighborhood. I had my heart set on taking a photo in front of this old house I had seen a few days ago with an unkempt lawn all overgrown with grass and dandelions. Sadly, they had recently mowed their lawn. Bummer dude. It has been sweltering here in Massachusetts with highs in the 90's and I can't help myself from wearing cutoffs again. They are definitely my go to for this summer.

Outfit Details: Tee...Forever21, Cutoffs...DIY, Espadrilles...Thrifted, Purse...recycled oilcloth from a shop in Brattleboro, VT (I forget where), Sunglasses...Vintage from Fabulous Fanny's in East Village, NYC

Lethargic Bliss

I'm not sure what has gotten into me,but I am feeling rather anti-blogging right now. I'm starting to feel uninspired or stuck finding places to take photos. I've always felt that the scenery in my photos has always surpassed the quality of what I am wearing and now that I am having a more difficult time finding places to take photos, I think my clothes are just not enough to carry me along. Whatever, I digress.

Ugh and oh photobucket decided to be a giant D-bag and say I used up all my bandwidth so some of my posts are messed up. Grrr I'm too lazy to even fix it at this point.

I found this little secluded park bench overgrown with buttercups and grass. It seemed all forgotten on the brim of the forest. After my photo shoot was over, I basked in the sun and read my book a little. I've got nothing planned for this weekend as I am working both Saturday and Sunday. I hope you all enjoy your weekends!

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Outfit details:Sunglasses....borrowed from my Etsy, Striped Tee....Thrifted Gap, Cutoffs...DIY, Thatched Oxfords...Thrifted, Purse...Levi's

To a deluxe apartment in the sky.

Hi, hi! First post from the apartment, with a new camera (very early birthday present from Ethan) and the movers are coming today to bring the rest of the furniture which has been in storage. Things are starting to change very quickly, my seasonal job as a receptionist for a tax firm ended on April 15th and I am now seeking employment. I thinking that in between jobs, I am going to work on getting my blog visually where I want it and even maybe finally starting up my own Etsy Shop. I see so many opportunities in my future, it is quite overwhelming, but I finally have some sense of what direction I want my life to be going in and I'm very content.

Outfit Details: Felt Hat...Target, Blouse...Thrifted, Skinny Jeans...American Eagle Outfitters, Granny Boots...Thrifted, Canary Yellow Jewel Ring & String of pearls...from the Ethan's Grammy's costume jewelry stash (thanks to Sue!)

Okay, enough blogging and back to unpacking! I need to get those picture frames off the floor!

Jay Leno's Day Off.

I never thought that I would resort to wearing denim on denim, but as I have seen it being pulled off so well by lovely ladies like Stephanie Renee from dores, I had to give it a try. I used to make fun of people for it, calling their ensemble 'joufits'(jean outfits). Never say never, I suppose. I thrifted the denim oxford for really cheap, but its a tad too big for me.

Outfit Details: Denim Oxford...Salvation Army, Jeans...AE, Oxfords...Savers...Duffel Coat... Thrifed Men's watch: UO

Also, while I'm on a rambling roll, how come I seem to look so mad in my photos? Makes sense why I get complete strangers on the street telling me to smile(which I hate, by the way). I'm not unhappy, I guess I'm just not a smiley kind of person? If I look this mad on an average day, imagine what I'm like on a mad day. I would not want to cross paths with me. Death glares galore.
Needless to say, today will not be an unhappy day. Why you may ask?

Ethan and I are going to what may be the coolest place ever... The Hebert Candy Mansion. A CANDY MANSION for crying out loud! A mansion full of candy? How could today not rule!