A favorite view

Cardigan: Land's End Canvas, Brooch: flea market, Dress: Target, Shoes: Aldo

This view from out beyond our house has always been a favorite of mine. I love how dusky the mountains look in the distance and the smattering of trees stretching toward the horizon. The sunrises over this little spot are especially beautiful. It's always a treat to see them.

Tea for thought

"Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future."  -Thich Nat Hahn

Camera: Nikon FM 10
Film: Kodak Ultramax 400

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

I indulged a bit today and bought this Edwardian era blouse (although I really shouldn't have - what with trying to save money and all that) at an area antique mall. I just couldn't leave this beauty behind - again. I passed on it back in the spring for several practical and silly reasons, but told myself if it was still available on my next visit (I only go two or three times a year) I'd buy it. Well, it's easy to see from these photos that it was still there and that I did in fact bring it home. Hurray! It's in remarkably good condition considering its age. I have noticed only one or two spots, one or two holes and only one of its shell buttons is broken (don't worry about the grass and the concrete you see in the second photo. The blouse was photographed from the safety of my lap). I'm going to be a little dramatic now and say that its loveliness breaks my heart just a bit. I wish it was practical to have a wardrobe full of wearable antique elegance. Just look at that windowpane cotton and eyelet trim. Sigh.

On getting kittens to sit still and pose for pictures

Earlier this week my brother brought home a pair of kittens. Kittens! Needless to say, I've been extra jubilant since their arrival. A few years ago we endured the Tragic Cat Affair of 2006 (and 2007)* and afterward dad said no more cats. He seemed pretty serious even though I knew he'd cave eventually. And this past Tuesday was the day. Before I went to bed that night, he nonchalantly asked "have you talked to your brother today?" "No, why?" "He's brought home some kittens." KITTENS! I love the little critters, can you tell? So, obviously, I had to stay up until he came home with them (he and his girlfriend had taken them to her house for a while). They took charge and named them right off, which I found only fair because I've named plenty a-cat in my day. The little darlings are Callie (short for Calico) and Molly. I've already taken to calling them Callie Cat and Miss Molly.

Callie:

Molly:

*The Tragic Cat Affair of 2006 (and 2007) was as follows: first we lost my sweet baby Dinah who had just given birth to a litter of kittens. She went out one night and never came back. Although we tried caring for the babies, they did not survive. Not long after, the cat-love-of-my-life, Chloe (a big, overweight grey fluffball), went out one night and never returned. Dad thinks it likely that a fisher got them. Then in 2007, it got a little worse. Both my uncle's cat and my brother's cat met the same fate. I told you it was tragic.

I still think on it at times and am overcome by a fresh wave of sadness. These new little rascals have sure won us over, though. Love them. ♥

Frock on!

If you read the blog Much Love you'll have noticed that Anna is participating in Frocktober. She has pledged to wear a dress every day during the month of October to raise funds for ovarian cancer research. While Frocktober is based in Australia, a handful of bloggers from all over the globe have come together (albeit virtually) to share their favorite frocks in support of Anna's endeavor. If you have a moment, do check out Friends for Frocktober!

Cardigan and dress: thrifted, Rings: H&M, Loafers: Bass

So this is your favorite frock, you ask? Yep. I wear it all the time be it spring, summer, autumn or winter. The brown floral print is extremely versatile and the dress itself is very comfortable (except for when it gets all static-y and bunched up at the waist, like it did the day I took these photos. Gah!). My mom actually got it for me at a thrift store some 6 or 7 years ago now, so I can't really take the credit for finding it. Thanks Mom, it was definitely a few dollars well spent.

Mum's the word

This outfit came together in my mind, last week or so, while we were stuck in a stretch of cold, rainy days. We've been precipitation-free for a few days now, but the thing is I really wanted to wear these wedges one last time sans tights. That meant waiting and hoping that even though it's October the temperatures would comply with my sartorial whims. And comply they did. I took full advantage of today's climbing temperatures and disregarded stockings of any kind.

This dress used to be my mother's and was among a few items (mostly maxi skirts; exhibit a and exhibit b) that she handed down to me a few years back. Oddly enough, I have no recollection of her wearing these and only remember seeing them in her closet. For whatever reason, when I think back to my childhood she is forever wearing a khaki maxi skirt with either a fuchsia t-shirt or a dark green silk button-down. The brain is a strange, strange thing.

Cardigan: Land's End Canvas, Dress: hand-me-down, Belt: thrifted
Locket: childhood gift, T-strap wedges: Target

Adventures with Diana Mini

Last month, I spent Labor Day weekend with my dear friend Erin (formerly of the blog Ip & Audrey, she now uses Tumblr to post bits about writing and journalism). I brought my Diana Mini along for the ride this time. Here's a looksie into what we saw and did:

On Saturday, we took the T into Cambridge to stroll around and stop into stores we couldn't afford (think: Anthropologie and the Japanese import store selling Totoro things). We also savored our first pumpkin spice lattes of the season at Peet's. So good. In fact, it was the best I've had. A scrumptious Indian dinner followed. Samosas and dosas and Aloo Patter, oh my! Silly me forgot to adjust the settings on my the camera while down in the Harvard Square T station. These were the only salvageable pictures.

Sunday afternoon we skipped over to Ikea just for the fun of it. I had never been, so there was lots of oohing and ahhing on my part. Having lunch there was a must. After sitting down with my plate of Swedish meatballs, I pulled out Diana Mini ready to document the experience. The woman sitting at the next table eyed me suspiciously, thus increasing my nerves and decreasing my ability to center the shot. "Why yes, strange woman, I AM taking a photo of my food with a toy camera. What of it?"

Monday morning, before Erin headed into work and before I hit the road, we took a little walk (it's tradition) along the waterfront in downtown Plymouth. If you look closely in the right photo above you can see the masts of the Mayflower II. I climbed aboard the replica ship as a little girl, but haven't been on it during any of my last seven visits to Plymouth. Maybe next time!

Camera: Diana Mini
Film: Fujifilm 200

Smaller images were shared for the purpose of posting them side-by-side (hopefully they appear that way on your screens!). Larger versions of these photos can be seen by visiting my Flickr.