The woods are never solitary

Cardigan and dress: Target, Sunglasses: Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx, Shoes: H&M

The obvious choice of cardigan to wear with this dress was white or mint, but since it's still technically winter I thought another round of wearing more earthy colors was in order, hence this soft, coppery-rust beauty. I could have easily gotten away with wearing sandals today too (it's so warm and mild!), but these smokey grey/stone brown flats are rather perfect with everything. Sadly, though, I don't think I had owned them for a full 24 hours before tripping on cobblestones and scuffing the toes. Bah! Erin suggested fixing them with nail polish and voila! Not great, but not as bad as they were either.

So, this dress was another one of my I-can't-leave-Target-without-buying-more-than-I-went-in-for purchases. I am famous for those. There I was heading toward the health & beauty and grocery sections when passing the young girls department my peripheral vision beheld this fine navy eyelet piece. I gasped, my eyes got wide, and I snapped the largest size up as fast as humanly possible. Some of my favorite cardigans have come from the girls department at Target (oddly enough, or maybe not, at springtime too...), so it's no wonder that eventually I'd encounter a dress I couldn't resist.

Eyelet is one of those fabrics I have always loved. There was a specific period during my growing-up years where I had a hard time embracing my love for stereotypical girly things. I'd collect little bits of eyelet for projects I'd never undertake or envision myself in eyelet-detailed blouses, but hid behind excessively wide-leg denim and band/skater t-shirts. I think a dress like this would have broken me out of that shell! Any awkward phases of your own to recount? Let's hear!

Baker's dozen

7am: Early morning sustenance. Or, placating my stomach until meeting a friend out for breakfast.



8am: Getting ready. Adding woolen layers for warmth and a bauble for fun.



9am: Heading out to warm up my car.



10am: A big diner breakfast.



11am: Killin' germs.



12pm: Taking a walk in the state park.



1pm: Driving home.



2pm: Rolling pennies.



3pm: Curled up to read.



4pm: I got up for a few minutes and upon returning found my seat had been stolen by a cat.



5pm: Sliced mushrooms to go with dinner.



6pm: Relaxing with tea and a crossword puzzle.



7pm: Cleaning up.

A bit of then, a bit of now

Camera: Kodak VR35 K40
Film: Kodak Ultramax 400

Here are a few of the latest photographs I had developed. Some are from this past autumn while some are from this past month. A roll of film can hold so much time (and conversely, so little).

Out of practice

Vintage cardigan: thrifted, Blouse: Jason Wu for Target
Ring: hand-me-down, Shorts: H&M, Shoes: Steve Madden

I realized today that I hadn't set up the ol' tripod for an outfit shoot since December. "Might as well document this one," I thought. I'm not sure how much I like it, though. I think it looked better in my head than in reality, or, maybe it's just that it's rather spring-y and it's not quite spring yet...

Speaking of spring, I have a feeling that this blouse will be my go-to item when the temperatures start to climb. I was pleasantly surprised to get my little mitts on it as I had waited about four days to scope out the Jason Wu for Target collection in person. I wasn't expecting much to be left by the time I got there, but I still was holding on to some hope because the Target I frequent is out of the way and in a nearly run down shopping mall. Hope prevailed.

Shorter locks and Snow

There is a rare sight outside today: snow. It won't stay for long, as has been the case this winter, but I am resolved to revel in its prettiness while it lasts. Oh, and early last week I visited my favorite salon out-Albany-way and had my tresses trimmed. After sporting a side braid for most of January it was time for something new. I'm loving the fun that comes with a fresh haircut, but I know one of these days I'll absentmindedly reach back to braid it and won't find much to work with.

What else is new? Just the usual cycle of working, reading (The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Remains of the Day), and watching TV on DVD (mostly Downton Abbey and The Vicar of Dibley). I did take the train to Boston this past weekend to visit with my dear friend Erin. We had a marvelous time adventuring along both the south and north shores, namely shopping in Braintree and wandering around Salem (on quite possibly the coldest day this winter thus far, mind you). I did not, however, capture any of these moments on camera which was rather uncharacteristic of me, I know. It is good to note, though, that photographs aren't always necessary to remind us of the fun we have.

P.S. I am aware that all of my entertainment choices of late are of the British variety. Sometimes that just happens.

Lately

1. I recently discovered another stash of well preserved family treasures including photographs, postcards and letters my great-grandfather wrote home to his sisters and sweetheart during World War I. I have delighted at this glimpse into my family's history and sorely wish I had taken a greater interest in it all while my grandmother was still alive. When I think about the conversations we could have had I can't quite tell if it makes me happy or sad. I end up resolving my feelings by knowing that she would have eagerly shared her wealth of memories and that, ultimately, is a comfort.
   
2. The majority of my January weekends have been spent making homemade soups and stews - the best winter meal, if you ask me. Pictured above is my second batch of mushroom barely stew. It's hearty, fragrant, savory (and flavored with thyme and cumin - mm!) and, most importantly, easy to make.
   
3. Maple sugar hard candies. Enough said.

Wallet-friendly Wednesday

It's been quite a long time since I shared a Wallet-friendly Wednesday post (or any type of regularly featured post, for that matter). On and off throughout 2009 and 2010 I would chronicle my Wednesday Salvation Army thrift store hauls (Wednesday being half price day). Even though I fell out of doing this, today's loot was too good not to share!

I was feeling good about today's thrift trip even before setting foot in the store, but really couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this green wool blazer. And in my size, too! I almost bought one from L.L.Bean last week, but didn't want to part with so many pennies. This one only set me back $2.50. Pictured next to it is the newest addition to my cardigan family: a slightly over-sized, tweedy merino-cashmere blended, elbow-patched specimen of coziness! I happily forked over a few dollars for it.

My dad has a nice collection of both blue and clear glass bottles and while he usually just finds them (in the ground, in old houses, at the dump, etc), I don't mind spending a little bit when I come across nice ones such as this. For 20 cents, I'll probably use it as a vase. What about those porcelain puppies, you ask?

One is a pencil holder and the other a pencil sharpener! 98 cents for the pair. I know, it takes a moment for the awesomeness to sink in.