Old Soul

Romper: thrifted, Top: Target, Shoes: American Eagle
Sunglasses: Kenneth Cole Reaction, Barrette: H&M

(Click to enlarge photo of book. I ♥ the cover illustration!)

Every two weeks for the last few months I have been renewing The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady from the library. By reading only a few pages at a time, I have prolonged the unparalleled enjoyment that comes each time I open the cover.

In January 1906, Edith Holden began a year long diary chronicling the splendor of the seasons as found in her little corner of the English countryside. The pages are teeming with her own illustrations and paintings as well as endearing poems and verse. Best of all are the acute daily observations that only a charming naturalist such as Miss Holden could make.

Sweet Spring

Spring has been spoiling us recently with higher than average temperatures and summer-like weather. It has been marvelous! I spent the weekend in sundresses letting the breeze touch my bare arms and legs. The delicious heat has spilled over into the beginning of the new week, but will recede tomorrow to let more seasonal temperatures return.

A few days ago, Ana B. from on dressing up gave me this precious award. If you are not already a reader of Ana's blog, I strongly suggest that you pay her a visit. Her posts are sweet and fun, insightful and honest. It is a real pleasure to consider her one of my blogging friends! Thank you, Ana!

Erin, Raquel, and Ambroisine - this one is for you! ♥

Just think lovely wonderful thoughts

"Do you know," Peter asked "why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Dress: thrifted
Tights & shoes: Target
Scarf, ring, & barrette: H&M
Sunglasses: Kenneth Cole Reaction

I have been in somewhat of a fog for the last week. I wish that in reality this "fog" would translate to "Neverland," but alas, it does not. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about the excitement that would come with existing in a Neverland - the quintessential place for those holding onto childhood. As the clarity of the daydream fades, I am reminded that "all children, except one, grow up." And I am not he.

Color vision

Sweater, skirt, & shoes: H&M , Tights: gift

Bracelets: ZuluGrass
(click photos to enlarge)

I am still waiting for flowers and color to liven the landscape. On Tuesday I took matters into my own hands by wearing my floral tights and adding colored accents to my head, wrists, and feet. The ZuluGrass bracelets I am wearing are a product of The Leaky Collection which utilizes natural elements (such as grass and fallen wood) to produce eco-friendly handcrafts. Based in Kenya, the sale of these items helps provide economic opportunity to the local Maasai artisans and their families. Be sure to browse the website and check out all of the beautiful products available. The store locator is also a useful tool for those in the USA to find shops that carry items from the collection.

Thermal Heat

Cardigan & scarf: H&M, Hat: Urban Outfitters
Shirt: a gift, Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: Target

Wool and cotton thermal are still necessities as the Sun continues to climb in latitude. I like to wear layers, so I don't mind much. Soon enough my bare arms will warm with the strengthening rays of sunshine just as my cheeks did today. I can still feel the glow.

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - 1Peter 1: 3-4


♥ Happy Easter ♥
(I wrote a longer Easter post which can be found here)

Changing colors

Dear Afternoon Cup of Coffee,
Thank you for being smooth, flavorful and most importantly, caffeine-enriched. Without you, I would probably still be on the sofa fighting off sleep with a book in my hands. Here you see that I was able to pick myself up and enjoy some time outside. It was mostly overcast, but the air was warm with a pleasant breeze. Your power to stimulate has awakened my senses today and each breath I draw tastes clean and sweet.

Love,
Emily

Games

Today has been a fairly commonplace and ordinary kind of Thursday. After washing up, I combed the tangles out of my hair and moved my part over a bit, giving my forehead a break from the swoosh of bangs that usually drapes across my face. In the wake of this absence my bobby pins and headbands, which usually go to work once said bangs give way to annoyance, are out of commission for the day. I pulled a soft, green t-shirt from my dresser drawer to wear with a pair of faded jeans and a white cardigan. I drank the remainder of the morning coffee still warm in the pot and washed the dishes left in the sink. After a bit, I spent some time on the sofa with a book and then turned my attention to the internet for some job searching.

Now, the television in the background is playing the New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds baseball game. Top of the 5th inning. Game tied at 4. With my ears tuned to the play-by-play, I sit placidly playing a game of solitaire with Peter Rabbit:

Spring setback

Morning breeze so fair
whispering
to the earthen ground
brown and bare,
soft and white -
"patience, patience."