Sweets and treats

With the impending Academy Awards soon to be upon us, I decided to pass along a few awards that I've received recently. Before I do so, I want to acknowledge my choice for Best Actress In A Leading Role: the underdog, Melissa Leo for her superb performance in Frozen River. I first mentioned it here and still feel strongly about the film, not only because it has local and regional ties, but because after watching it it is truly one of those films where you step back and think, "wow," and can honestly sense the heart and hard work that went into creating it. Good luck, Ms. Leo!

Now, for the awards I have to pass along:

Sweet and stylish Ariella gave me the Your Blog is Fabulous award. Thank you, Ariella!


I am passing this award on to Dearilou and The Cherry Blog.










On the subject of fabulous, the always lovely Sam at Daily Fashion Boost awarded me another Your Blog is Fabulous award. Thank you, Sam!


I am passing this award on to tis serendipity and Plain Jayne.










The next award was passed on to me by the adorable and ever-gracious Ana B. Thank you, Ana!


I am passing this award on to A Book Of Blair and Amelia.

Happy Heart

(Please excuse the ridiculous sign behind me. My brother is a funny guy.)

Dress: thrifted
Cardigan: little girls' department at Target
Tortoise shell bangles: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Target

I like fun, pretty cardigans!

I hope your day is sweet! ♥

Let's get together and talk about the modern age

An old friend accompanied me yesterday while I was out and about running errands. Rilo Kiley's second full-length album, The Execution of All Things, (released in 2002) has been one of my favorites for the better part of this decade. Every time I listen to it the songs are just as fresh and exciting as when I first listened to them years ago. While I've enjoyed all of Rilo Kiley's releases throughout the years, this remains the one I return to the most with its cheerful melodies and brilliant vocals provided by Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett.

With that said, one of my missions yesterday while I was out was to buy a box of chamomile tea. My supply had been depleted and I had a $1-off coupon for the Celestial Seasonings brand. In addition to having a coupon, this particular brand was on sale at the market - yay! Whilst scanning the shelves for my selection, I came across this box o' tea:

Honey vanilla chamomile?! I was tempted to purchase it and see what my taste buds would think of such a flavor fusion, but instead stuck with my original plan of action. Has anyone ever tried this particular product? Any thoughts on it? I may venture to try it one day as it seems tastefully pleasing.

(Photo sources: Amazon.com, RiloKiley.com, and CelestialSeasonings.com respectively)

I need to renew my passport

Lately I have been immersed in BBC mini-series. Last week it was The Buccaneers, this week it is Wives and Daughters. Not only do I find the story lines refreshing, but they help take my mind away from other matters; I'm not so sure if that is a good thing or not right now, but that just happens to be the way it is. I get so swept away by the idyllic scenery and find myself yearning for the day that I can take a tour of England. Life has become somewhat drowsy for me as of late and I long for a new experience to rouse my senses and heighten my liveliness.

One place in particular that I would like to visit is Efford House near Plymouth, Devon. Used during the filming of Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility, it is another cottage similar to the one of my dreams.

(Photo credits)

The cottage is one of seven properties on the Flete Estate in South Devon. The most charming photo gallery can be found here. If you do decide to check the links, do not be fooled by the page error - just use the navigation bar at the top :)

Where do you dream of visiting?

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.

The Right Tights

I came across these beauties while browsing at UrbanOutfitters.com
♥

I love their whimsical array of dancing color and feisty floral wonderment!

It would be appropriate to wear them here, would it not? Yes, yes!
This cozy little structure is akin to the cottage of my dreams.

(Photo courtesy of WikiMedia)

No cottage is complete without a garden.
If I could live in a Claude Monet painting, this would be the one -
The Artist's Garden at Giverny.

(Photo courtesy of WikiMedia)

Goodbye January

I am glad to see January go, as it wasn't exactly the greatest of months for me.

On the 11th, our beloved family dog passed away. She lived a good, long life and would have been 15 this year, which is common of her breed's lifespan (Border Collie/Shetland Sheep Dog mix). The house feels terribly empty without her presence and sweet temperament.


Fast forward a little to about mid-month. It was then that I had to fax my university a semester withdrawal form letting them know I would not be attending the classes I had signed up for. Sigh. I'm just another citizen of the world feeling the recession blues. My plan is to return to university in August, but the fact that I am not there now has me bummed. I'm trying to remain positive by telling myself that this is just a little "hiccup," but sometimes that is easier said than done.

Song for the moment: "Chin Up, Cheer Up" by Ryan Adams

With all this extra time I now find myself with, I have outlined a few things to help fill the hours:

• Enjoy vast amounts of literature
• Start painting again (I've missed this and it might just become therapeutic)
• Volunteer somewhere

I'm off now to make a toast to February with a freshly brewed cup of Lady Grey.