Hidden in plain sight

Over the weekend my dad pulled out my great-grandmother Elsie's scrapbook. While I had looked through several of Elsie's photo albums before, I'd never seen the impressive collection of life-memorabilia she had put together (apparently it's been on one of the bookshelves all this time). Newspaper clippings, photographs, dance posters, dance cards, marriage announcements, invitations, valentines - it's all in there. The sweetness of everything made my heart swell! I couldn't help but photograph some of my favorite pages and snippets to share. And I'm excited to say (in a sharing things via blogging kind of way) that this post is the perfect prelude to one I plan on putting up later in the week!

E.M.H. Christmas 1908, 25 years old

This is my favorite hodge-podge page.
Notice the sweet little dance card (from 1901) front and center. Aww!

Game/dance (?) card from April 1899

Family portrait, July 4, 1899.
Elsie (I want your boater hat) is seated on the far right.

Should you ask a corset model if
Her figure without it would be good,
She'[s] give a most contemptuous sniff
And answer you: "Of corset would!"

The scrapbook continues with bits and bobs past World War I, but I thought that a good place to conclude. Tell me, is your family in possession of any sweet little treasures?

Magic cape

Capes have been pretty big in blogland for a while now. I thought about actively pursuing one, but that idea eventually fizzled out. I didn't really need one as I have a couple of good capelets (one casual, one dressy) hanging up in my closet. So, I told myself I'd only let myself acquire one if it magically appeared in my presence (without the aide of Etsy or eBay). Magical things can happen in thrift stores, you know. And happen they did! One such thrifting trip from this past autumn resulted in the purchase of not one, but two vintage capes. I was a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of adding both to my wardrobe, so I resolved to gift one to my sister at Christmas. I wrapped up the one I thought she would like best and was excited over it for weeks. She kindly allowed me to share a picture of the one I gave her.

Her's is the most beautiful array of browns and orange while mine is its counterpart in browns and cream. The heft of the knit is perfectly cozy. Once it's on I detest the idea of taking it off, but I just remind myself that the weather will be cold for awhile longer yet.

I essentially have the same outfit going on under the cape as in this post. It's a pretty good basic outfit as far as I'm concerned, so I just go with it. Also, I think it's easier to see in these photos (as opposed to these) that this corduroy skirt is the nicest shade of navy blue. I've been big on navy blue for the past year and have been steadily injecting it into my wardrobe. A few basic shirts and a dress-tunic-blouse thing have also crept in. But, enough about that. Tuesday was a good day for walking around in the snow in a cape, so that's just what I did.

Vintage 1970s cape: thrifted, Shirt: Target, Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: Hue, Moccasins: Minnetonka

Tell me, have you had any recent magical secondhand finds?

In good company

The day these photos were taken was spent in the company of my older sister. We giggled at the wind that sent shivers down our spines with each howling blow and the comical shapes my shadow made against the outdoor brick wall (better seen here). Our visits tend to be few and far between, but she's by far one of my most favorite people to spend time with. Familial bond aside, she's one rad gal. Maybe I'll coax her into making an appearance here on my blog one of these days.

Cardigan & shirt: J.Crew, Hat: H&M (borrowed from my sister. Thanks sweets!), Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: American Eagle Outfitters

On pacts and patience

I made a vow a few months ago that I wouldn't grumble or complain about winter too much this year. I'm happy to report that I stayed true to my word and cannot recollect much recent animosity toward the aforementioned season. Good job, Emily. However, I am rejoicing in the fact that calendar winter is finally (FINALLY) drawing to a close. Just a little over a month and then it will be spring. *Insert enthusiastic exclamation here* Now comes waiting patiently for the temperatures to rise and the snow to melt. In the meantime, another storm is creeping in making me nervous about my drive in to work tomorrow morning. We've been fortunate to miss a few heavy storms this year, but it seems like when it does snow up here it's always in the early morning hours. I think I'll set my alarm a little earlier (yikes) just to be on the safe side...

Anyway, with my brain headed toward a one-track-spring-mindset, I've decided to share a few photos I found on my computer from early last spring (March, I think). I can't wait until the landscape looks like this again with the grass waking up from its winter slumber and the air smelling of new life. Oh, the handsome dude in the one photo with me is my younger brother. He's a goof.

Scarf and skirt: Gap, Jacket: Target, Cameo: $1 Store, Bracelet: Delia's

Sisters taking pictures

I went to visit my beautiful sister this afternoon. Hi Sister! Her apartment is so quaint and cozy. After hugs and greetings, a fun little photo shoot ensued.

^ I edited the lighting further in this photo after uploading it.
I wanted the glow from the lamp to have more precedence over the sunlight coming in through the window.

Shirt with pretty detail: H&M
Cardigan & jeans: Old Navy
Necklace: self made with an antique key
Shoes: Target

I'm winding down after a busy weekend. It is time to crawl under the covers with a book in hand and read until my eyelids succumb to heaviness.

Time travel

Just like the photo in my header, this small collection is from a photo album my great-grandmother put together nearly 100 years ago. The entire album, delicate in condition, is full of gorgeous photos and these are just some of my favorites. I love the rustic charm that greets my senses upon looking at them - making me feel as if I'm having a silent conversation with the photos!

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.

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.