Snow Days and General Laze

Outfit details: Scarf - unknown, Sweater - Urban Outfitters, Maxi Skirt - Nordstrom
Hello my dears!

My goodness, this past weekend turned out to be a long one! In addition to Monday's holiday, we've also added two more "snow days" to the mix, making it seem like Christmas break all over again! This past weekend was quiet in that I was snowed in, and therefore not able to do my usual weekend venturing about, but was quite nice nevertheless.
I was able to squeeze in breakfast with my brother at the local bakery before the snow came, and have been living a hermit lifestyle ever since. I listened to this man and these ladies while studying, enjoyed beginning this book, drank more french press than I care to admit, and squealed for joy when these lovely shoes arrived on my doorstep (despite the snow!).
I hope you're staying warm and cozy, wherever you are! And if you're wondering, there's nothing quite as comfy, or warm (for the indoors, that is) than a maxi skirt and some wool knee-high socks! I would highly recommend it :)





(These photos brought to you by my new iPhone, also a part of my long weekend, but before the snow :) )

Adoringly,
Yours

Sunday Musings: Of Snow and the General Cold

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

Hello, darlings!

Buuur! My, but it's chilly these days! We have smatterings of snow all around Seattle, and, while it is beautiful, it makes me long for the warm, summery days of August all the more. Don't get me wrong, I love nothing more than an oversized sweater, cup of coffee, and fireplace to sit beside but, as Camus said, there is in all of us an invincible summer that is constantly beckoning, or so it seems.
I have recently taken to exploring the "winterized" versions of some of my favorite activities: bundling up for the year-round farmer's markets (as seen in previous post), and also enjoying indoor (yes, indoor) picnics. I am also planning a future trip to a conservatory to get my garden-strolling fix in as well. While it doesn't seem quite the same without the warmth of the sun and the freshly mowed grass, I have found it does have it's own charm - and by charm I mean coziness.

So, what are some unusual ways that you are enjoying these first winter months? I'd love to know :)

Adoringly,
Yours

You Don't Know My Mind: Musical Wednesday

Happy mid-week, dears!

My first introduction to the phenomenal Hugh Laurie came unintentionally many, many years ago as I watched him play one of the bumbling villains in the 1996 version of 101 Dalmatians. I have since come to respect and enjoy his acting skills through his early staring role in the British series, Jeeves & Wooster, and the more recent, cynical Dr. Gregory House on the widely popular TV show, House (Phew, talk about having a wide range of acting skills!). Most recently, however, I have been enjoying him as a musician - yes, a musician. Here’s why.

His new(ish) record, Let Them Talk, showcases Bluesy tunes, some of which are well-known to the world of Blues, others perhaps slightly less familiar. But familiar or not, the album is full of both foot-stompingly good tracks and those that make you want to don a red dress and sway listlessly around a smoky, Mississippi bar as the flies buzz by (sorry to my gentlemen readers if the latter scenario doesn’t apply to you). Yet what really struck me about Mr. Laurie making a record, most especially considering the genre, was the juxtaposition of a well-to-do, white, British gentleman singing the Blues – and how incredibly well he does so. (In fact, is it just me, or does he channel some Chris Martin vocals here and there?)

Any which way, I would encourage you to give it a listen this week as you go about your days – heed the album booklet, as he addresses the aforementioned twist on the Blues… in fact, it’s this booklet that got me hooked before even giving it a listen. He’s quite a witty writer to boot, which is always appreciated. He seems to snuff out any would-be skeptic’s criticisms for being a “poser” by opening with the following:

“I was not born in Alabama in the 1890’s. You may as well know this now. I’ve never eaten grits… No gypsy woman attended my birth and there’s no hellhound on my trail, as far as I’m aware. Let this record show that I am a white, middle-class Englishman, openly trespassing on the music and myth of the American south.”

His enthusiasm for this particular genre of music is unmistakable, and makes for a darn good listen. Enjoy!

Adoringly,

Yours

Sunday at the Farmer's Market(s)

Hello! And how are you, my dears?

The weekend days can be fleeting, at best, for most of us. For me, "the weekend" actually consists of half of Sunday, due to my waitressing weekend work schedule. This being the case, I try to set out every Sunday to squeeze as much weekend as I can into one afternoon. It's usually hectic, whirlwindish, and utterly delightful. I was fortunate enough to have my beautiful friend, C, join me this past Sunday, as we sauntered through the Ballard and Fremont year-round farmer's markets! We were met with enticing smells, Seattle's always-present street musicians, and organic vegetables. Oh, the organic vegetables. C even purchased some muesli, which she hasn't had since our days spent in England! Cheers to that!






Lovely C: not sure on the outfit details
Outfit details: Sweater/boots/leggings - target, scarf - gifted,
bag - Trader Joes, Dress - let's call it vintage, because I can't remember ;)


Don't get me wrong, I love spending time in the heart of Seattle, but it always seems that some of the more charming, quirky areas lay hidden in the neighboring cities. Ballard's main street has no shortage of bricks, cozy cafe's, and is the home to our beloved Tractor Tavern! After shopping the market, C and I ate at this darling place before heading off to Fremont!

Fremont is near and dear to my heart, and is probably one of the most relaxed, yet vibrant places around! I frequent the Flying Apron often (hop on in next time you're there, their gluton free baked goods will blow your taste bud's sophisticated minds!). C and I went for something a tad less healthy (see chocolate cake slice pictured above) from here, and, believe you me, their frosting is absolute perfection!

So how about you, my dear? Where are your favorite farmer's markets and/or cities?

Adoringly,
Yours

Wanderlust

Wan.der.lust
noun
a strong desire to travel: a man consumed by wanderlust.

Hello my dears!

I don't know about you, but I experience wanderlust like a weak immune system experiences the common cold - it seem relentless! Since I am a college student, and therefore not able to travel nearly as much as I would like, I've decided to take advantage of what surrounds me presently. I plan to travel more in the future, but right now I'm enjoying playing tourist around my own beautiful city, Seattle. I hope to start posting life reflections (such as this, maybe more in depth? More art related, for sure) on Sunday nights, and then report to you on Mondays about my Sunday adventures and activities about town. Thank you for walking beside me through this, my darling readers! I do so enjoy your company.

Adoringly,
Yours

p.s. I came across these three young gents (pictured above) on my last visit up to Vancouver this past summer. Their accents were rather difficult to pinpoint - I think I settled on Norwegian. Aren't they the essence of wanderlust with their backpacks, market sandwiches, and bare feet? I had to snap a picture. Love.

Of Monsters & Men, and Musical Wednesdays

Happy mid-week, darlings!

I hereby declare that Wednesdays shall be music sharing days. After all, who couldn't use a mid-week song to liven up the work/school days?

So, I was feeling like Iceland may have been neglected by me as far as the music scene is concerned as of late... lots of great sounds have been emanating from the likes of Australia recently (or perhaps for quite some time now, but I'm just lagging in catching up...), but I was thinking about the beautiful land of Ice and how very much I adore the mesmerizingly ethereal sounds of Sigur Ros... after some snooping, here we have it! One of the most promising (to me, at least) up-and-coming groups, their tumbler (which can be seen here) describes them as "...An amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs." You had me at "amiable."

So, I would strongly encourage you, if you feel so inclined, to give them a listen as you journey through the quagmire of your week.

(Pssst! Their song "Little Talks" can be downloaded for free on iTunes this week, and sounds remarkably like an Edward Sharpe & The Magnectic Zeroes branch off. Mad bonus points for the whimsical album art as well, naturally. Love.)

Adoringly,
Yours

Shh! Beware, the doldrums of January!

"Even the grief he could have borne was left behind in the country of illusion, of youth, of the richness of life, where his winter dreams had flourished." Fitzgerald's Winter Dreams

Welcome to January, dears!


January is upon us, and I always tend to struggle with the sadness of the after-Christmas bleakness and the general grey, doldrums that organically seem to come with January.

That being said, it appears that January senses my general distaste for it, and has started off with a much appreciated, sunny disposition thus far... cheers to that!

May I suggest you bundle up, find a cozy spot and read F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, Winter Dreams? It's breathtaking. And heartbreaking. A wonderful January's read. But please, don't read aloud, for things all around you and I are going into hibernation.

Adoringly,
Yours

Welcome, 2012!

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us"
- E.M. Forster

Welcome to a fresh new year, my darlings!

I hope last night was an evening filled with sparkles, parties, and maybe even a midnight kiss, just for so!
I had to work, but was able to spend the last two hours of 2011 with my jeggings, a dear friend, and a glass of Prosecco... It was a wonderful, quiet way to ring in the new year. I'm a fan.

I have been giving new year's resolutions a great amount of thought lately, and have since concluded that they are quite a bunch of bunk. Truly. That isn't to say they aren't always a good thing, just perhaps not my thing. Instead of making a bunch of goals and promises to myself that I may not keep, I've decided to do the following: drink more coffee, breath deeper, and accept what comes my way. While 2011 wasn't necessarily a major year for me, looking back I can see what a major stepping stone it was for things to come in 2012. I'm so very excited to see what this new year brings, and hopefully you can follow along on this journey with me :)

Blessings on this new year!
Adoringly,
Yours