Back in the saddle, or something like that

Since in the past this has been a sometimes-personal-style-blog, I thought I'd give the ol' self-timed outfit shoot thing another go. I'll admit that it felt a little odd running back and forth from the camera again after not having done it for about 5 months. On the other hand, I did seem to enjoy it (in a loose sense of the word) and was pleased that it didn't take me too long to get a few decent photos.

Right. So, this ensemble is a variation on my go-to summer outfit theme: a nice shirt/blouse paired with shorts. For whatever reason I couldn't be bothered with skirts or even the simplest of sundresses much this summer. Or, at least not more than once or twice a week, if that. They just seemed too fussy (which is odd, I know, especially since many consider them fuss-free!). Maybe it's because I wish that spring would run into autumn bypassing sticky-humid-summer all together. Alas, I dream in layers ;)

Big City Afternoon

Last Wednesday, my friend Erin and I spent a long, but fun-filled day in New York City. I took the train downstate the day prior to meet up with her and from there we embarked on our adventure.

Light fixture in Grand Central Terminal
 

We didn't journey to the city to sight-see (though we did a little, of course. It's inevitable!) or to shop (again, inevitable, especially if one counts window shopping), but rather to see the Broadway production of Once.

Having been fans of the film for quite a few years now, we were eager to see how the story would be adapted for the stage. The production was still filled with the beautiful, raw, and honest songs fans of the film know and love (and also included a few new ones). I felt the writer did a fine job at re-telling the story and enhancing the plot with scenes and dialogue the film only leaves to imagination. We left the theater wishing we could see it again!

Clearly, I was entranced by light fixtures that day! The interior of this particular theater was really lovely.

After Broadway, our excursion also included a little meandering through Central Park and a stop at Ladurée on Madison Avenue for some scrumptious macarons.

L- R: vanilla, dark chocolate, lemon, and salted caramel. 

Consumed quickly and therefore not photographed: rose, violet, and coffee ;)

At dusk, we said our goodbyes to the city, caught a train that would take us to the family home we were staying in, and sleepily chatted while munching on veggie wraps and samosas.

Some time ago...

These few photos are from the last roll of film I took this past spring. Spring almost feels like a lifetime ago now. I haven't been taking many photos since. The rolls of film I started earlier this summer have been languishing in their cameras waiting to be used. I know that one of these days I'll want to work on them again. Until then, it's all snow and frost, quiet and thaw.

Camera: Nikon FM 10
Film: Fujifilm 200

I've been under the ground eating prayers from this old book I found

Earlier this month the opportunity came along for me to see my favorite band, Great Lake Swimmers, practically in my own backyard. I had waited seven years for such an opportunity (even though they tour North America frequently, I can be lazy when it comes to road-tripping for concerts). With a heart full of anticipation, I invited my sister to come along and we headed down into a neighboring county for the show.

The band played at a great venue in Hudson, NY called Club Helsinki. I couldn't imagine a better or more intimate venue in which to hear them. We ordered tea and wine and listened to 2 1/2 hours of some of the best music on earth (I am not exaggerating). I was pleased to hear songs, 21 in all, from all five of their albums. We were even treated to a few cover songs (a la Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, among others). One word completely sums up my feelings for the night: perfect.

Photos by my sister

Lavandula angustifolia

Last weekend my friend, E, and I made a return visit to the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival (last year's post can be seen here). We had such a nice time at the 2011 festival that we decided then and there to visit again. The drive from our little area of New York to the town the festival is in takes about 3.5 hours, but it's barely noticeable with all the pretty farmland and countryside to look at. Interstate-90 even runs along the Erie Canal for a while and we amused ourselves trying to recall the Erie Canal song we learned way back in grade school (we laughed more than we sang!).

Hat: Target, Sunglasses: TJ Maxx, Cardigan: H&M, Dress: J.Crew outlet 

Unfortunately, we've been experiencing really high temperatures (think 90F and above) lately with little-to-no rain, so the otherwise lovely lawns and pastures at the farm were dull and brown this year. And in my adamant refusal to use sunblock anywhere other than on my legs, I walked around nearly all day in long sleeves. I did bring a short sleeved tie-front blousey-thing to wear, in intervals, when the heat got unbearable and am pleased to say I made it through the day without getting sunburned (or a farmer's tan).

 

I picked another bundle of Royal Velvet culinary lavender to bring home along with a few other small purchases: soaps, a tote bag, honey, and lavender fudge sauce. One of the food vendors this year was selling lavender ice cream, so naturally I had to get some of that as well. It was delicious! Now, from food to funny: while I was sitting in the grass picking my lavender two different people approached me to take my photo. I found it rather amusing as one tried twice to get my attention before I realized what was happening while the other didn't. I just happened to look up and there her lens was staring me down. I have yet to come across any of these other photos on the internet - haha!

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly

 

Bluebird of happiness

It wasn't my intention to stop blogging so abruptly, but as eluded to in my last post the life I knew up until this past spring changed in an instant. I couldn't think much further beyond meeting my basic needs, hence hitting the pause button on this little space of mine. In the days and weeks that followed I was deeply touched by the messages I received via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and even regular mail expressing concern when the reason behind my hasty departure wasn't even known. Your kindness helped to lift my heart and for that I genuinely thank you and yet wonder if those two simple words are really enough to express the gratitude I feel.

I have taken the last few weeks to get to know myself again. I am slowly finding joy and comfort in my own interests and hobbies. It feels strange to even think that the life I led before a certain day in April no longer exists. It has become part of my past and now I have to use all that it holds to guide my future.

All of this has been to preface the following, and it isn't easy for me to say by any means: for the last 2 months+ I have been grieving the loss of someone I love dearly and deeply. I am grieving the loss of someone I never thought I'd have to grieve over so early in our lives. I am learning that my grief will be a lifelong process, that even though I will always feel an emptiness, my life will begin to work around it and regain a sense of peace.

Despite my sadness, the summer holds many promises of fun that I can happily say I am looking forward to: day trips and long weekends with friends, baseball games and free plays in the park, the new Batman movie, lots and lots of ice cream, family time, kayaking, flea markets, parties, concerts, etc.

Thank you for sticking around to read this. I hope to resume blogging here at Resplendent Tranquility soon.

Until then,
Emily

I have been struggling over whether to write this post or not; struggling with what I would and wouldn't say. All I can muster is this: at the end of April my life changed drastically. It changed forever. My family and I are slowly coming to grips with reality. We are trying to seek a new normal. For me, updating my blog will not be a part of that process. At least not right away. I do think that I will still read blogs and comment from time to time, so I won't be gone completely. To readers old and new, thank you for being a part of this with me. Take care.