A Garland Day

I am a fan of the Selkie Community.  After belonging to so many fashion based groups over the years and seeing the nasty way people in the groups tear each other down over every little thing, I can honestly say that, for the most part, Selkie fans aren't like that.  They're seriously some of the nicest people and worth being a part of the community.  As far as shopping goes, I have backed off from the brand, but, no, I haven't been able to fully walk away.  I should note here that after looking at my finances throughout the year, I can honestly say that without my Selkie purchases, my bank account would be in much better shape.  

I no longer participate in spending frenzy of the drops, no longer spend so much time pining and saving and searching.  Every now and then I have a dress that I love enough to purchase, but for the most part, I have enjoyed not obsessing so much.  I regretted not getting this Garland print day dress when it originally dropped and signed up to be notified of a restock.  Fortunately, one (and only one) restocked during the last sale and in my size and for 60% off!  So, I felt like I couldn't say no, and I'm not sorry because it is truly a lovely print in one of my most favorite styles.

There are some things I love about Selkie; there are some things I don't, but the very best thing of all, truly is my fellow selks.

Outfit Info:  Selkie Garland Day dress, Qupid Heels

Conservatory Dreams

My favorite thing about the design of eras past is the perfect marriage of form and function.  There was no detail too small or item too common place that it could not be beautified.  Even ash boxes and door latches were covered in flowers, vines, or leaves.  Everything was a fully functional work of art.  As long as I can remember I have wanted to live in a Victorian home filled with details, magic, and whimsy.  Since that's not to be, I wil just have to transform my humble surroundings into as beautiful a space as possible.  

Thankfully Mr. Bleu is very much on board with my dreams and for the past five years or more we have been gathering materials to build a greenhouse.  I asked Mr. Bleu that our greenhouse be more than just a plant-shed, but that it be closer to a Victorian style conservatory where plants are grown for use of course, but also arranged to be aesthetically pleasing. 

Last summer we actively began to build by gathering large stones from around our property and arranging them for a foundation.  Then we cut down trees and Mr. B worked them into timbers and timber framed the whole structure.  Next we tore down a porch at the back of the house and re-used the flooring and ceiling beams.  The large modern windows were free although they nearly cost us a hernia opperation as they are impossibly heavy and we carried each one away from the previous owner, loaded them into the truck, unloaded them, and carried them over to the greehouse.  

The lattice square windows are antique and I purchased them.  The front door, smaller windows, and the pine plank walls were salvaged from my grandparents' house which is about to be torn down.  That salvage job took me three months and was very emotional, but worth the physical and emotional demand.  The walls were then covered with tar paper and wood paneling covered in book pages which you may recall as the backdrop from some of my photos in  years past.  The rug and all of the furniture has been thrifted locally, most of it painted by me to match, and I made the cushion and pillow covers.

Quality greenhouse kits (i.e. made with wood, not just plastic sheeting stretched over a PVC pipe frame) are around $3,000 and much smaller in square footage than this space.  I would generously guesstimate that this greenhouse, even including decorations cost about $1,000.  As most of the cost was spread out over the course of several years, it feels like it was much less. 

So often in life, what we achieve never quite matches our dreams or lives up to our expectations. It's incredibly encouraging when something actually works out according to plans.  This space is everything I hoped it would be and I can't wait to get the sprouting trays in here so we can get some seeds going.   I haven't moved the plants in yet, it's still quite summery outside even if it is October, but that's the last and final step.  For a complete tour of the greenhouse, scroll down to my YouTube Video.

Shopping Info:  Asbury Patchwork Dress from Selkie.

Here is a photo of the greenhouse taken at the beginning of summer 2024 so you can see the bare bones.  The next photo is of the door before I painted it.  For a video tour, click on the YouTube video at the bottom.

Tea with Gustavia

 "I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.” ~Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo by Guillermo Kahlo (father), 1932.

    This post will be a little random, but I have several things on my mind and I don't feel much like splitting them up into separate posts.  I came across this quote by Frida Kahlo and loved it immediately. I've always been an outsider and never really sure why.  I'm very thankful for all the strange people in my life.  Whenever I meet a fellow weirdo, it's like a homecoming.  I don't even mind if we're not weird in the same way, if we agree on absolutely nothing; I don't need my friends to be just like me in order to fall hopelessly in love with everything about them.  In fact, I rather value the people in my life who are not like me so long as they challenge me to be better, do more, try new things. 

 

    Today's dress is the Gustavia dress by Anthropologie that I featured in the summer.  I decided to tea-dye this dress to make something a little more suitable for autumn and the result is ever so lovely.  No one was available to help me take some photos today, but the leaves are just moments away from falling off the trees, so I felt I couldn't wait.  So the vibe is a little different in these photos; that's what happens when I'm left to my own devices.

True Vintage Style

As much as I love vintage styles, I don't own very many true vintage pieces that are in wearable condition.  This pretty little green dress however, is in nearly perfect shape and it seemed to work so well with the early autumn hues that I thought I would bring it out for this post.  It has a beautiful built-in crinoline and the fabric is so classic 1960s.  I love everything about it.

Outfit Info:  True Vintage Dress, Shoes by Bettie Page, Coat from Retro Stage, Gloves are vintage

A Fall Break

"If you want to see how much power something has over you, try fasting from it."  @the_fit_farmacy

I've been on a journey to find balance in the things I enjoy in life because unfortunately, balance isn't in my nature.  I'm an all or nothing kind of personality and sometimes that kind of commitment has proven invaluable.  But more often than not, it's more beneficial to find balance and moderation in all things.  The best way for me to tell if I'm over-doing it on something is to try giving it up for a while.  For example, last week I ran out of coffee.  Now, I only drink decaf, so I'm not hooked on the caffeine, but I soon found out, that that morning cup of joe with cinnamon and oat milk is part of a relaxing ritual that starts my day off right.  Without it, I was antsy and downright grumpy for the first few days.  Until then, I felt like my coffee time was take it or leave it.  The coffee arrived after one week without and I decided to keep my break going.  

At first I couldn't go a single day without shopping.  Then it was a single week.  Now, I have been able to go several weeks at a time without shopping or buying and I regularly limit my shopping time to only in the evening and only certain days of the week.  I was really feeling like I needed a reset, so I decided  to take some time away from shopping.  I've been wearing my fall capsule wardrobe and seriously loving this system.  So, I decided to keep that going too.  I am currently working on a 6 week shopping fast, and to be perfectly candid, it hasn't been a cake walk and I have slipped up twice.  I'm trying to create new habits and this pathway in my brain is so well worn, it's been tough to create a new one.  While I could focus on those few failings, I'd rather celebrate the fact that I'm doing so much better this time around than I have before.  The key to most success in this life is to just keep showing up.

I'm not opposed to shopping; I'm not even opposed to a little shopping therapy from time to time.  I just want all things to be in their proper balanced place and I think I'm getting closer than I ever have been before.

 

Outfit Info:  Emily and Fin Leaves Dress is old/thrifted.  YeMak cardigan in Honey, Fenella Shoes from Lucca Vudor   Get 15% off with code GESAJZJWKE

Autumn Arrives Again

Well, well, the Hallow's Eve is here at last.  It always seems like fall will never get here and then one day it does.  In this part of the world we typically have one week of pretty colors and then it's all dead and drab until April.  Maybe that's why I let my wardrobe do so much of the heavy lifting when it comes to the colors in my life.  This beautiful dress was one of my very last Collectif purchases and absolutely perfect for the season.  I have been wearing it weekly while waiting for the leaves to turn for autumn and it has become an instant favorite.  I'm actually kind of glad the fall took its time arriving this year; we had a very big outdoor project that we needed to get done and the weather stayed warm and dry for the whole time, which helped out tremendously.  Now that the foundation is poured, I'm hoping we can get to work on a big remodel that we're doing to our home.  More on that in later posts.  For now, let's just enjoy the fall colors.

Outfit Info:  Necklace is vintage Avon, Dress is from Collectif, Sweater is from YeMak, shoes are by Charlie Stone.