A Quiet New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve isn't really a big thing for me. I am not one for dressing up and going out to parties. Although, if the right opportunity were to present itself I am sure I would take advantage of it. When all is said and done, I am a rather low-key kind of person. I spent much of today lounging around and reading and will most likely continue these activities until 2009 is ushered in at the stroke of midnight.

Shirt: Target

Scarf: gift, Forever 21
Pants: Ralph Lauren, via Macy's
Shoes: Target

I think it's time to soothe away 2008's rough edges with a cup of tea.

Happy New Year!

Songbird

I have spent some time over the last few days watching old musicals featuring the ever so lovely Jane Powell.

The above images are from 1951's Royal Wedding in which Jane stars opposite Fred Astaire. If one can have fun while watching a movie, I surely did while watching this!

I first became an admirer of Jane one weekend afternoon as a teenager flipping lazily through the television channels. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was airing on Turner Classic Movies and from then on I had an all-time favorite movie. I found Jane's voice to be exceptionally beautiful; so strong and powerful, yet warm and soft.

Today I watched Delightfully Dangerous, one of Jane's earliest films. She was just 15 when it came out in 1945 and my, it was really one of the sweetest things I have ever seen! A few clips can be found here if you are interested. I must also note that I was completely captivated with the '40s fashion. I like being, if only temporarily, transported to previous eras through film.

Photo source

Meltdown

The temperature soared past 50 degrees today causing most of our snow to melt away. In fact, the temperature began to rise last night allowing me to leave my bedroom window open a crack while I slept. The fresh, crisp breeze was very refreshing, but wintertime reality will creep back in tomorrow and most likely stay for the next 3 to 4 months.

I even frolicked a bit outside sans jacket and in my new little shoes!

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, Skirt: Gap, Tortoise shell bangles: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: H&M

Perfect Sweetness

I purchased this fun & festive little ring a few years ago from Papyrus. Pulling it out of my jewelry box each year around Christmas time makes me feel so warm and cheery with thoughts of wonderful seasonal splendor.

The last few days have been a happy blur of memories. Moments of perfect sweetness have been meshed together as little remembrances to be replayed in my mind over and over again. One in particular is dancing to "Take On Me" by a-Ha with my five-year-old cousin complete with giggles and smiles a-plenty.

Merry Christmas!

(This sweet little image was found on a Google Image Search for "Vintage Christmas Card")

A Nurse, a Philosopher, and a Geographer Walk Into a Coffee Shop...

Despite my lame attempt at a post title today, I did enjoy a nice evening at a local coffee shop with some friends. Sarah (the-nurse-to-be) and I both go to school in the same city, but found it hard to plan visits this past semester amidst our busy schedules. Phil (our philosopher) is home from grad school in Texas for a few weeks, so our little trio was able to get together for warm beverages and good laughs.

One also laughs when they employ their younger brother in place of the self-timer to take the day's photographs :)

Cardigan and skirt: Target, Belt: Anthropologie, Tights: Marshall's, Shoes: Steve Madden

Oh the weather outside is frightful,

but the fire is so delightful.

Today is just the kind of day to enjoy inside by the fire with a book. The wind is blowing the last three days worth of snow around creating a chill that you would feel deep down in your bones. I am hesitant to look and see what the thermometer reads.

Turtleneck: Delia's, Sweater & skirt: H&M, Brooch: gift, Tights & shoes: Target

I have since devoured the homemade toffee pictured above. I could easily eat my weight in this stuff. Thankfully, we only make it at this time of year ;)

Cheery Little Somethings

I mentioned the other day that I recently received some lousy news. Last month I picked up a seasonal job at a little shop knowing full well that seasonal positions are temporary, but I guess I was under the impression that they last at least until after the holiday shopping/returning rush is over. Mine, however, did not and today I went in for my last shift. Job hunting (sooner than expected) is such a pain in the neck, but I will remain positive.

I posted a little while back that I cannot stop listening to Basia Bulat. Well, I still can't! The video for her song "In The Night" always brings a smile to my face (and I definitely need one today!). I love its simplicity, charm, and ensemble of characters. The embedding feature for the video is disabled, but do check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWJxTWQHH6s
I love the giggles at the end!

Other cheery little somethings that will brighten my spirits today are baking homemade goodies and watching movies with my mother. With that said, I must be off! I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Picture Perfect

The photo that now graces the top of my blog page is from a scrapbook my great-grandmother compiled in 1909. However, the identity of the lady in the photo may be a secret lost to time. Could it be my great-grandmother? Perhaps. Sadly, I do not remember ever looking at this particular scrapbook while my grandmother (who most likely would know the answer) was still alive. I am going to ask my aunt about it the next time I see her and see if she can solve the mystery. Regardless if I ever learn who this is, I feel that this photograph will always tug at my heart strings a little and whisk me away to a beautiful place nestled in history.

Retail Therapy

Today brought my last final exam of the Fall semester. I am so glad to have everything finished! The exams I had this week were a little on the tough side (Geographic Information Systems and Political Geography!) and while I have the feeling I didn't do as well on them as I had hoped, I don't think they will be detrimental to my final grades.

As a present to myself for all the hard work and studying I did this semester, I stopped by H&M this afternoon and purchased this little beauty of a cardigan. It was on sale for $10 and I also justified the purchase as a pick-me-up for some lousy news I received this week.

Pretty!

A Day For Favorites

Cardigan: H&M, Shirt: J.Crew, Belt: Anthropologie, Skirt: Gap, Shoes: Target

Each separate item I am wearing is a favorite from my wardrobe, but I never thought of wearing them all together until today. I found this to be a little strange especially since nothing is particularly new, but that is the beauty of versatile clothing - it is always reliable and there is always a new way to wear it. I'm almost certain that this will be the outfit I'll wear on Christmas Day. Now I'm making myself laugh - I'm planning what to wear 10 days from now, but have no idea about tomorrow ;)
Don't you think the bows on the Christmas tree behind me are the sweetest little things? I went to visit my sister this afternoon and decided her decor would be the backdrop for today's photo.

I also thought I'd share a glimpse at today's sunset:

Winter Wonderland

A significant ice storm passed through the region over night and into the morning. The world looks beautiful encased under all the ice, but driving this morning proved to be quite difficult. I encountered detour after detour on my way to campus for an exam. Trees and power lines were down, ponds and streams had flooded. There were several occurrences when I didn't really know where I was! There are many back-roads around here and I traveled a few that were new to me. Whilst driving along these routes I was able to glimpse many beautiful, old Colonial-style homes. I do not know a lot when it comes to building and construction, but I am definitely a fan of Colonial architecture (specifically that of the New England, Dutch, Georgian, and Colonial Revival type). Homes in this style look so cozy and welcoming and are very aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion. Here is a small photo gallery of varying Colonial-style homes with a brief corresponding history.

A List and Thoughts From the Heart

Classes officially ended yesterday, but exams still need to be taken and I currently find myself in the midst of writing a paper. Said paper is resting right now while I sort my thoughts and plan the remainder of what I need to write. The task is not overbearing and only requires me to write a minimum of 1,500 words. I am already nearing the 900 word mark. I would like to finish tonight, but will also save tomorrow evening should I need it. I'm trying to stay focused and disciplined as my wandering mind is half in winter break mode already.

Speaking of winter break, I've compiled a small list of books I would like to read during this much anticipated time of rest and relaxation:

• I Am England by Patricia Wright (Highly recommended by my grandmother)
• Chronicles of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery (Tales and short stories by the author of my beloved Anne of Green Gables series. I cannot help but love them. Their charm and innocence always brings a smile to my face and I find them to be a pleasant diversion to the mess that life can sometimes bring.)
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Howards End by E. M. Forster

I do not find my list to be too daunting, although it may become so if I decide to add to it! The last book on the list, Howards End is a recent addition from the past week or so. I borrowed the film adaptation from the library and decided after watching that I must read the novel. The film on all accounts was superb. I cannot think of a better way to describe it. It won three of the nine Oscars it was nominated for in 1992 including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Emma Thompson), Best Art Direction-Set Direction and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. The film was also nominated in the Best Costume Design category, but did not win. While watching I found myself nearly drooling over the beauty and elegance of the Edwardian era costumes. I have always admired fashion from this era, but now I feel my adoration stems from the fact that this is what my great-grandmother wore when she was roughly my age. Although I never got the chance to meet her, I tend to feel a sweet and comforting relationship with her through the photographs I've seen and the stories from my grandmother and mother. Both my grandmother and mother have told me time and again how well she and I would have gotten along. My grandmother was even so generous as to give me a brooch and a handbag both belonging to great-grandmother. Although not Edwardian, they are certainly small treasures that I hold dear to my heart.

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright

These are some ornaments my mother and I made recently. After seeing them on display while out shopping one day she came home with little stars, little bells, a bundle of raffia, and a plan to recreate them. They are currently hanging from a small tree with white lights atop my Mum's dresser. In addition to our "big" tree, we also put up one or two small trees here & there. In fact, there was one year when every room in the house had a tree in it!


Ever since we purchased these little reindeer they have been some of my favorite decorations. I just find them to be so sweet. Mum actually didn't have them out yet, so I had to rummage through a box of decorations out in the garage so they could make their appearance.

And here I am today:Cardigan: H&M
Scarf: Marshall's
Corduroys: thrifted, J.Crew

The corduroys I am wearing are one of my favorite thrift store purchases. The color is what initially drew me to them. They appear to be almost a rusty-burgundy. The color reminds me of Tuscany. Rich, earthy, beautiful. Aside from that, they fit perfectly. I was almost certain when I pulled them off the rack that there would be a problem with the the size. To my surprise, the inside tag read "petite." Oh happy day!

Here is the scarf detail.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I like to start thinking about all things Christmas right after Thanksgiving. Decorations seem to pop up earlier and earlier each year in the stores and on peoples' lawns, but I'm content with waiting until the end of November. I even wait until about this time to begin listening to Christmas songs and carols. Ooh, how I love Christmas carols. For me, the essence and impact of the carols increases with each day until Christmas finally arrives. I love the imagery and thoughts that they provoke, reminding and reaffirming the glory and majesty of Christ the King!

Last year I purchased Sufjan Steven's Christmas compilation, Songs for Christmas. I'm a big fan of Sufjan's creativity and the wonders he works through his music. Banjos! Oboes! Glockenspiels! Definitely give some of his renditions a listen this Christmas season if you haven't already.

(Photo from Amazon.com)