Snapshots of Summer

Camera: Nikon FM 10
Film: Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400
Click photos for an enlarged view

Drifting

Yesterday I watched Wendy and Lucy, one of last year's indie gems starring Michelle Williams. I read a review online describing the lack of emotion in the film which left me quite puzzled as I found the film to be emotionally explosive. I thought of it as a more subtle brand of emotion - quiet and reposed rather than loud and boisterous.

Williams plays a drifter named Wendy on a journey from Indiana to Alaska to find work. The film focuses on her relationship with her dog, Lucy, and the people she encounters in small-town Oregon where her car breaks down. With the burden of her financial situation weighing on her shoulders, Wendy makes a series of decisions that shape the time spent in a locale that should have been long gone in her rear-view mirror.

Have you seen this film? Care to share your thoughts?
Image source.

Parcel Post

A couple of months ago Raquel and I decided to do a package swap. One day last week I found the package she sent tucked into my post office box. Here is what arrived for me after a transatlantic journey from Portugal to the United States:

Two postcards from Raquel's trip to Barcelona, Spain earlier this year.

The cutest little handmade polka dot bow pin (also from Barcelona).

A bar of delightfully scented soap hand-decorated by Raquel's aunt.

A card holder made by a friend of Raquel's. Yes, it's made from coffee bags! How neat is that?!

A lovely green stone necklace from southern Portugal.

Thank you again for such a wonderful array of gifts, Raquel! :)

Green love

Cardigan: Target, Tank top: F21, Shorts: self made from a pair of Levi's, Sunglasses: Macy's, Shoes: Zara, Swan necklace: Much Love

These self made cut-off shorts have been a staple in my wardrobe this summer. Paired with a tank top and an airy, open weave cardigan I've been good to go. This basic black, white, and denim combination serves as the perfect canvas for a wash of colorful accessories. I cannot get enough of these perforated green flats from Zara (I hit shoe gold at Zara in Boston last month!). In addition, my go-to necklace of choice these last few weeks has been this green swan pendant I purchased from Much Love's Esty shop. After seeing the necklace on her blog, I knew I had to have one! Look at how sweetly Anna wraps her shop items in sheet music! She also included a lovely yellow flower pin with my purchase that I cannot wait to work into some outfits. Be sure to check out Much Love's Etsy -- everything is currently 25% off! Go treat yourself! :)

Saturday Morning Cup of Coffee

This morning I am sipping my coffee from this delightful mug featuring the cover of the February 20, 1926 edition of The Saturday Evening Post. The title of the illustration is "Cup of Coffee" and was done by Scottish born magazine illustrator Penrhyn Stanlaws. I acquired this newly favorite mug of mine from a small department store's Summer blow-out sale. I can't remember exactly what I paid, but it wasn't much more than $1.00

Below are a few of my favorite illustrations Penrhyn Stanlaws contributed to The Saturday Evening Post during the 1920s and 1930s. Images are sourced here.

Cup of Coffee February 20, 1926 | Cup of Coffee March 24, 1928

Purple Posey May 22, 1926 | Pink Rose Bouquet June 18, 1927

Snowball Fight February 18, 1928 | Girl and Water Lilies September 7, 1935

Air Mail

So many lovely things have come my way via air mail these last few weeks. Wouldn't it figure that I am camera-less and could not document their arrival as it happened. Ah, such is life sometimes. I could argue that it's partially my own fault as I've actually been able to afford buying a new camera for a while now, but have spent my extra money on other random goodies. I've never blown an entire paycheck on one thing before, but I think in a few weeks I'll do just that and buy myself a nice, new digital point-and-shoot. Until then, I will have some pictures to share thanks to my sister letting me borrow her camera. Thank you, sister! ♥

The first bubble-wrapped surprise to arrive was my Pay it Forward gift from Anna at Much Love.

A nice letter written on the sweetest stationary ever!

An adorable necklace with charms of some of my favorite things!

Straying from the project's hand-made stipulation just a wee bit, Anna thoughtfully included coins from Australia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia for my coin collection!

How cute is this?! A drawing of me from a photo I shared in this post.

Thank you again, Anna! Your amazing creativity absolutely astounds me! I love everything to pieces :)

Layers for Autumn

Autumn-inspired blog posts and wish lists have begun surfacing from those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. With only a little over a month until my favorite season returns, I couldn't help but share some of the things I'll be wearing and searching for as the leaves begin to fall.

Anticipating Autumn by TranquilEmily featuring J Crew

Anticipating Autumn 2 by TranquilEmily featuring American Eagle Outfitters

What is your favorite season to dress for?

"There are things that drift away like our endless numbered days"

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the nice comments left about my photographs in my two previous posts (and the post here as well). I enjoyed taking them and it's fun sharing them with a wider audience than just the people I encounter on a daily basis. At the same time that I had my vacation film developed I also took in a few rolls of mystery film that had been forgotten about. After picking them up from the developing center I was quite amused with what I found. There were some photos I didn't even remember taking which made the experience all the more pleasantly surprising. I'll be sure to share some of them in the near future.

Other than the recent posts with my vacation photos most of my update ideas have required the use of a digital camera - something of which I do not own. The display screen on mine broke last summer and since then I've been using a digital camera belonging to a family member. Their camera is currently being borrowed, so that accounts for the slow down in my posting. Hopefully I'll be able to share everything that's been put on hold sometime soon.

Now, I figured this was the perfect opportunity to complete an award/tag passed along to me by milk at 2 Percent. Thank you again for the tag, milk :)


10 Honest Things About Myself

1. I often become paranoid when I have to set my alarm clock. Even after making sure it is set before I turn my light out for the night, I'll turn my light back on to double (or sometimes even triple) check.
2. I like more vegetables than fruits. People are usually shocked by this and then inquire by running down a list of their favorite fruits to which I politely reply "No, I don't like that one either."
3. No matter what, I have to have a well-stocked tea supply at home. 4 - 5 varieties is my minimum.
   
4. Sometimes I watch films with the English subtitles on. I know it sounds silly, but it helps when the dialogue is spoken in an accent or if the characters talk too quickly.
5. In theory I like to be neat and tidy, but I am a total pack-rat, so most of the time I find myself in the midst of organized chaos.
   
6. Driving at night makes me uneasy. As does driving in any combination of rain, fog, wind, snow, ice, etc.
7. When I was younger I would spend hours poring over atlases and encyclopedias. I like maps and information.
8. I enjoy being in the company of others, but I also have no problem doing things, such as shopping and going to movies, by myself. Sometimes I even prefer it.
9. Two of my favorite musical scores are those from Tuck Everlasting and Sense and Sensibility. I can easily listen to them for hours on end.
10. As odd as it may sound, I like when a song moves me to tears. Sometimes listening just isn't enough... I need to feel it to fully enjoy it. Notable examples: "Moving Pictures Silent Films" by Great Lake Swimmers, "Passing Afternoon" and "The Trapeze Swinger" by Iron and Wine.

I've seen this tag make it's rounds in the past and cannot remember who's received it and who hasn't. So, please consider yourself awarded if you haven't already and would like to be. This one's for you!

Trip Photos Part 2

Look! A little bird.

Here are some of the photos I snapped in Boston a couple weeks ago. My intent was to focus mainly on shapes, textures, and other attention grabbing subjects (like the small, winged creature I befriended for a brief moment). Most photos were taken on-the-go with little time to set up the shots. I've shared my favorites.

Setting: Newbury Street, Boston
Camera: Nikon FM 10
Film: Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400
Click photos for an enlarged view

Trip Photos Part 1

Setting: Plymouth, Massachusetts

Subject: Mayflower II and seagulls

Camera: Nikon FM 10

Film: Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400

Click photos for an enlarged view. I'm still working on compiling the photos I took in Boston. Be on the look-out for those later this week.