Perched

Since I last mused on the subject it is now officially spring, but here in upstate New York we are still caught in winter's death-grip. Seasonal change is a gradual process, I know, and while those icy fingers are recoiling a bit today they will clamp back down again over the next 48 hours. I suppose it's not so bad considering that I'm still on my last-hurrah-for-houndstooth kick. Speaking of which, this is the third time since Saturday I've worn this outfit. Oh, how I'm going to miss this skirt.

I find that taking my favorite autumn pieces and freshening them up this time of year with whites (like last time) or pastels is a nice little challenge. Mixing my two favorite seasons - ah, nothing better! So, I was poking through some dresser drawers the other day and happened upon this minty-green cardigan I bought at Target ages ago and knew it'd be perfect with this skirt. There are some silly old outfit shots with this little baby hanging around somewhere in my archives. It has served me well and I am looking forward to wearing the heck out of it now that it's resurfaced.

Cardigan (old): Target, Vintage skirt: thrifted, Belt: thrifted
Ring: hand-me-down, Tights: Hue, Bass loafers: gift
Sunglasses (old): Marshall's... I think

If only...

If only I had filed my tax return right away I could have been the delighted owner of the 'Adele' dress by London-based label Darling. I'm telling you, it's the dress that dreams are made of! And unfortunately, that's the only place I'll get to wear it as I don't expect to find any available in my size by the time I'm able to splurge on it.

Dress of My Dreams by TranquilEmily featuring a bow dress

Last hurrah for houndstooth

Spring is inching ever forward. I'm so ready. Buds and blooms have yet to appear on their own, but I just couldn't wait and bought a little potted hyacinth the other day. It smells so good it's almost intoxicating. Okay, maybe I'm a little over-excited!

Even though I am anxious (ANXIOUS!) for warmer weather, I am going to miss my cozy cool weather clothes immensely. I love me some layers and get rather irritated during the summer when it's too hot/humid to wear a cardigan. BUT! There's no need to get worked up over it now as those dreaded days are still some months off. As a farewell to one of my favorite autumn/winter patterns, I've delegated the last few weeks of March as my own personal ''last hurrah for houndstooth.'' The skirt in the pictures below will probably pop up in another outfit post as might another houndstooth garment of mine. Then, sadly, it's banishment to the back of the closet.

Vintage blouse & vintage skirt: thrifted, squirrel buckle: Urban Outfitters (2005)
belt: thrifted, Tights: Hue, Shoes: Aldo

Hats off

Back in December when I did a guest post for Anna of Much Love I mentioned how she and I have been doing monthly film photo swaps. We choose a theme for each month and send each other our interpretations. Our swap themes can be anything and have varied greatly. ''Blue,'' ''flowers,'' ''looking down,'' and ''texture'' have been a few. The swap is a nice source of enjoyment for me and I love catching the first glimpses of Australian stamps poking out of my post office box! And of course, I love the photos. Our little swap is a year old now, so to celebrate here are the latest photos I sent to dear Anna. The theme we selected for February was ''hats.''

Camera: Nikon FM 10
Film: Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400

Little orange feet

In the morning when it's time to dress I have trouble keeping myself from reaching for a cardigan, woolly skirt and a pair of brown tights. Today was no different. My days for dressing in this favored and comfortable manner (second to this) are swiftly drawing to a close. Spring begins this month and with each glance outside I imagine little bits of green poking out through the snow. I mustn't get ahead of myself as it is still very cold out and the ground is coated in the most obnoxious layer of gritty, snowy dirt (or, snirt) and ice. For these very reasons I opted to journey no further than the back porch for my photos today. My attention span was also rather limited which resulted in detail shots only. While my outfit concept may be a little redundant, it's documentation is differing slightly from the norm.

Cardigan and shoes: H&M, Brooch: thrifted
Tights: Hue, Skirt: Tucker for Target

Changing subjects, I've spent the last few evenings immersed in the world of Cranford.

Have you seen it? Or read the books? I had a gift card for Barnes & Noble waiting to be used up, so I put it toward the Cranford and Return to Cranford box set. I have a geek confession to make: I love the opening theme music! I don't know what it is about it, but I could listen to it play on a loop for hours on end. I have another confession to make: Elizabeth Gaskell works adapted to film are among my favorite period dramas, but I have yet to read any of the books that inspired them. Cranford, Wives and Daughters, North and South... I haven't read a word. I'd like to change this and have been meaning to for some time. A copy of Wives and Daughters is even glaring at me from my bookshelf as I type this. If reading didn't make me so darn sleepy I'd easily be able to devour several books a week.

Tell me, what's something that's been adapted to film that you love, but haven't read in book form?

DVD photo credit: Amazon.com