Make Time for the Things You Love

It briefly crossed my mind to just hang onto this post with this cute heart wiggle dress until Valentine's day, but I couldn't.  This dress is just too pretty not to share.  But, just because I'm posting well before Valentine's day doesn't mean we can't talk about love, right?

What kinds of things do you love to do?  Has it been a while since you've been able to get out and do them thanks to the lengthy shut down which is still going on in some places? 

I think we all need hobbies.  We all need something to look forward to, a way to blow off steam.  There were a couple of months when we couldn't get out much to take photos.  I resorted to building my little afternoon spot in the yard, not just for photos, but just so I could have an escape.

You know my mantra about balance and moderation to all things.  So, as much as I think we need to deal with life's problems and demands, I also think it is a healthy mind and soul that have that place of respite.  

Whether it's the mental escape of watching your favorite movie or the physical escape of heading to the golf course, the cafe, or into the woods and the early morning city streets like me to take a few photos.  I love going out and taking the photos just as much as I do sitting down to edit them and the sense of accomplishment as I sit back to admire the finished product.  I need this to keep me sane--sometimes it's the only thing that does.

Did you know there are people in the world who don't really have hobbies?  I hear it all the time.  When asked what's going on with them they respond: "Work, eat, sleep, repeat."  Oh, dear.

If that sentiment rings a little too familiar for you, I really want to encourage you to find something you enjoy and look forward to and them carve out a little time in your schedule each week or even just each month to do this thing you enjoy.

All work and more work is work, work, work.  Leave some time for play.  Make space in your schedule to do something you love.  Better yet, do something you enjoy with someone you love.  If you will, you'll see such great results in your life, your attitudes, and your relationships.

Shopping Info:  Pinup Couture Veronica Dress, Heart Purse from Shein

This Side of the Fence

There's an old saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.

At this time of year that seems especially true.  The loveliest blossoms always seem to be on the other side of someone's fence preventing me from getting close to them.

I think I must be part honeybee or hummingbird because I've always been drawn to flowers of any kind.  I don't need to pick them, I just need to be near them.

Today I was positively tickled pink to find this gorgeous tree with no fence around it.  This is an old home site and the beautiful century old house was still standing when I was a little girl.

Now, all that's left is a little stone gate and these magnolia trees that were planted with care by someone who, like me, wants to fill the world and their own lives with as much beauty as possible.

Shopping info:The Army Green Raileen Dress from StopStaring.com, Heels from ModCloth

Back To School Days

I can't believe that summer is over already.  I always get those butterflies in my stomach at this time of year even though my own school days were long ago.  Not that summer ending is a sad time exactly, it's just a time when that wild freedom of summer has to be folded up neatly for another year and the routines and busy schedules come off the shelf again.   

But, there's a lot to love about back to school.  Like fresh clean notebooks, and seeing old friends again and meeting new ones and of course, the time honored tradition of bringing an apple to put on the teacher's desk.  I happen to know just the spot to pick a few fresh apples in honor of the first day of school. 

 This morning a gentle thunder storm rolled through just as the sun was beginning to rise.  I wrapped up in my Cozy Up Open Front Knit Cardigan and decided to go outside to enjoy my morning tea while listening to thunder and watching the rain roll down.  

As the the heavy drops turned to a light mist, I decided it would be the perfect day to inspect the apple orchard and see how the apples are coming along.  

While most apples are ready to harvest in fall, this particular variety is ready now, in late summer.  The skin is so dark red it's almost purple at times and they're sweet and tart and make the most amazing dried apples ever.

The stillness of the orchard and the way the rain has cooled the air, made me glad I brought along my soft white cardigan from Blooming Jelly to keep me cozy while I pick.  There's just enough of a chill in the air that I want to wrap up  until the sun starts breaking through the clouds.  The sun hits the rain drops clinging to the apples, leaves and grass, lighting up the field in a crystal glow.

The apples are crisp and crunchy and I make sure to pick enough to take home to slice up and pack into lunches and maybe even make a pie to have warm and gooey and waiting at the end of the day and a few extras of course to send to school with my daughters so they can carry on the tradition and put apples on the desks of all their favorite teachers this year.

Before I know it, it's time to gather up my bounty, load all my delicious apples into my basket and walk home.  The clouds are clearing away and the sun has fully risen into the sky.  The day is beginning, school is beginning.  There's so much to do, so many busy days ahead.  

The lazy days of summer are over and gone, but there are still many weeks of still mornings out picking apples just like this morning left in the season before the weather turns cold.   And as always, I intend to make the most and the very best out of each day and each passing season.

Shopping Info: COZY UP OPEN-FRONT CABLE KNIT CARDIGAN from Blooming Jelly, Unique-Vintage dress by Glamour Bunny

Retrolicious

There's no denying it--Retrolicious makes cute clothes!

Shopping Info:  Retrolicious Dress and Cool Wear Kicks from ThredUp, Betsey Johnson bag from Amazon.

Mad Men Style

I can't believe I missed out on the whole Janie Bryant for Unique Vintage collection!  I don't know how it passed me by, but somehow it did.  Janie Bryant has worked as a costume designer for Mad Men, so we already know she's got style.  And UV always has cute stuff, but this match was positively made in heaven.

You know when you see the perfect dress, there's no second guess, no maybe-maybe not.  You just add it to your cart and buy it right then.  Oh, if only that had happened this time.  As I mentioned, I missed out on the whole collection.  So, when I finally did see it there was one romper in size Small, one in XL, and one skirt in XL.  I bought the romper in Small and then put in some darts in the back and took up the straps to make it fit.  

Then I waited and watched, hoping that after Christmas, someone would return a skirt in a smaller size.  No one did, however, and since there was only one skirt left in any size, I bought the XL and then proceeded to alter it as well.  When it comes to skirts there really isn't much difference in altering a Medium or and XL, the finished product is usually going to look the same--at least when I do it.  

I'm pleased with how the set has turned out as far as the fit, but I have to say I am incredibly disappointed by the design flaws and the poor quality.  It's a romper with a skirt over it.  Do you know what that means?  A trip to the loo means completely disrobing! It's either madness or some serious oversight. Not to mention that as lovely as this set is, the fabric is thin and none of it is lined.  When one pays $100 for a skirt, it should be lined!

Worth it?  Not worth it?  This one is kind of a draw.  I think I would have regretted not owning this dress, I only wish Unique Vintage would try a little harder to put out quality pieces if they're going to charge so much.  Less emphasis on unique, more emphasis on well made, maybe.  

Walking on the Moon

    It's cold.  The hard frozen, bleakest cold of the year.  And I just haven't found the desire to go out in it to attempt some outfit photos.  On one particular day, a terrible storm blew through and left us with ice, snow and school and work cancellations galore.  I enjoyed cooking a hot stew and sitting by the fire playing Uno with my family, but as far as going outside has been concerned, I'm not the least bit tempted.  
    The good news about all this staying indoors is that the sewing bug has returned and I've been busy creating new dresses and trying new patterns.  I did tiptoe out for a few moments to snap some pics of my latest creation.  It's a new pattern but still in my beloved vintage style.  This Butterick Retro pattern is super easy and had some great detail variations such as adding a v cut to the neckline and attached bows to the front and back.  The only trick was that I chose a printed fabric before reading the pattern and then discovered that for this pattern I had to cut two front pieces instead of one piece on a fold, so there is a seam running down the front, if I had cut one piece on a fold, the print would have been completely sideways as opposed to slightly sideways as you can see on the skirt.  I don't mind it really, but for those of you who are sticklers for the rules, maybe go with a solid color or a floral print for this pattern.  

 Dear Stella Love You To The Moon Sky Scenic Navy Fabric, Retro Butterick Pattern B5748, Charter School Cardi and heels from ModCloth

Ethereal Woodland

I'm amazed at how much color there still is in the woods at this time of year.  The reds and golds are gone but in the right light, the deep rust colors of the dogwoods set against the odd cedar tree here and there still picks up quite well on camera.  I'm in the woods today to debut my latest purchase from Collectif.  I first became a fan of Collectif from their collaboration with ModCloth, but I love their solo work as well.  For my purchase I chose this Ethereal Woodland print dress because I think the colors with just the right mix of pink and blue with tan and rust will look just as lovely in springtime as in autumn.

Shopping Info:  Ethereal Woodland Dress from Collectif, Fool Me Once Pyrite Bracelet from LilyBoutique, Charter School Cardi and Heels from ModCloth