a moment for silly things

Favorite look of the day: fabulous red shoes take a cute outfit from chic and comfy to fabulous! I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to recreate this. Possibly tomorrow.

Ever feel like you need to try really really hard to feel fabulous? I've been stepping it up a notch this week, actually wearing heels to work (shocking, I know). I have to admit to being quite lax in my style when winter rolls around for its 8-10 month visit. It's time for fabulous coats and scarves, beautiful sweaters, and pretty layers. As you may imagine, there are a few things about the Northwest that make wearing heels a bit tricky in winter:

• It rains a lot
• Our driveway is on the other side of the garden
• It is cold
• It rains a lot

This winter has actually been drier than normal, which is fantastic and allows for more freedom of footwear. When we first moved to Seattle, I realized my collection of shoes was almost exclusively cloth or sandal of some sort. No rugged rain-proof shoes, no snow boots, nothing that could withstand water. That has changed, and now it's a battle to try and wear the pretty ones I so delight prancing around in.

My February resolution: Wear as many pretty shoes as possible (and bright red lipstick at least once).

I'd like to add that I do have loftier goals in my life, but sometimes it's the little ones that make the bigger ones possible. It's hard with all the busy that takes up our time, to take a moment for silly things that do nothing more than bring us brief, happy moments. I like to look down and see bright red shoes on my feet. I also like to recycle and replace the tops of neighbors' trash cans that have blown off in the wind.

photo courtesy of pinterest

creative universe

I came across these photos of fashion designer Erin Fetherston's lovely New York apartment, and her description on Vogue.com of the design and moving-in process:

After living in Paris for five years, "Erin Fetherston moved to New York in 2007 and immediately launched the search for a new space that possessed the same old-world charm as her apartment in France. After looking for more than a year ("It was so much harder than I had expected," she says), she finally found the perfect spot: a recently converted loft in Tribeca with high ceilings and massive windows that overlook the Hudson River. She took to the task of decorating immediately - a process greatly slowed by the fact that is took several months for her beloved antique and vintage furniture to make the slow boat trip across the ocean.

..."I see it as a reflection of my creative universe," she says. "It's romantic and chic, but clean and modern."

I love the thought of living in a space that is "a reflection of my creative universe." And, I'd like to request a closet like hers. If possible, filled with her clothing because it looks amazing and I want to run my fingers over the piles of silk and ribbons and finery.

In other news, our hunt for a new home has begun. We have loads of time, but I can't help getting excited and it's a task not to get attached to places just from seeing the outside. Who knows what's inside and what adventures we'll have as we create our own creative universe within?

One last quote from the designer: "I like everything to be a little magical, a little whimsical."

(And so do I.)

- photos by Claiborne Swanson Frank via Vogue

love monster

Someone dear to me (who sends random, delightful things my way) sent this picture. I opened a message at lunch (mid-bite, because I was sadly sitting in front of my computer while I ate). She said, "Why does this make me think of you? Strange.... but it does."

And I almost choked.

Because it makes me think of me, too.

I can't stop looking at it. It's like a perfect portrait. Obviously representational and not realist, but I love it and I am giggling a little bit at the outright excitement and over-the-top loving that this little love monster is emanating. Plus, I have a lot of teeth.

tattoo girls

A part of me really likes tattoos, tough girls, motorcycles, wild "punk" hair; girls with a little edge. I delight in characters like Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapachi & Rooney Mara) in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', with her jet-black hair and her tough walk. I like a little wild, a touch of tough, a fighter who won't back down, and the mystery of a woman who doesn't just talk to anybody about anything.

Other parts of me are a bit more old fashioned; such as my face, my hair, my utter lack of tattoos, and the fact that I can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. And I do. I like sharing tidbits, and getting small insights to other people's lives.

I am always on the verge of shaving the side of my head and getting a tattoo. But in 34 years, I've only ever cut my hair super short once (it was more pixie than punk) and I *gasp* pierced my nose. Not exactly your super rebel. Just when I feel on the verge of getting a black mohawk or a tattoo of a dragonfly on my wrist, I see a girl in a pretty dress with her hair in long waves. And I change my mind (and put on some heels).

So my question for today, is: In these very modern times when women are working full time and having kids, when we expect the door held open but we don't get married "just" to secure our financial futures (we can secure our own mortgage, thanks...)

Does it matter if we're a little torn between tough and traditional?

And what is the difference, anyway?

Photos courtesy wmagazine

Ng

It's an anagram for Nanogram, and a Cantonese word that means....?

Due to a very interesting turn of events, I can't look this lovely word up on Wikipedia. But I find it lovely and thought I'd share it all the same.

If you don't know about the internet Blackout, you should look it up. I can't tell which side I'm on, which means I should read more about it. We in the United States are able (as many people are not) to voice our opinions about our laws and lawmakers. It's pretty special. And it's not often that our voices rise up together, showing that we really do care.

And now I'm going to make a big cup of hot cocoa and watch a silly television show while I wait for more snow to fall. Our world is white and cold, crunchy and delightful. We only get one or two days of this each year, and I am soaking it up.

I'll leave you with a few photos from A.T.S., who has liked me a lot for a long time, and loved me a lot for quite a while. (That's pretty special, too.)

sky promises

It is supposed to snow today, or tonight, or possibly tomorrow. Or so they tell me. We've had a few flurries here and there, the road is icy, but I'm not seeing much snow activity and that seems... Well, a bit unacceptable.

I'm not asking for Minnesota snow drifts or an Antarctic freeze. I would just like to humbly request that we get at least one snow day (or a snow week, that's really up to the snowmakers; I won't judge). I'd like to open all the shades, and drink a cup of hot chocolate whilst watching the snow come down. I'd take the Pup out romping, and hold my hands out to watch the snowflakes gather.

There's a book I'm reading which refers to studies about people and their behavior and how they're not as likely to watch a big soccer or other sports game after the fact, because the outcome has already been decided. We inherently feel a sense of control over the world and the things in it (like whether it will snow) and feel that by our rowdy cheering, or by closing our eyes and wishing really hard... We can affect the outcome.

I'm all for it, really.

And so I am now sitting at my desk (at work, yes) and closing my eyes every few minutes and hoping, urging, willing, and wishing really hard...

For snow.

Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of snow.

PS If it doesn't snow, I will be forced to transmogrify you and all of your non-snowmaking friends.

*google snow + forest for the photo

don't test me

I am not, by nature or by persuasion, a bad person. I still feel guilty for the two 50¢ pieces I stole when I was a teenager, and for lying to my mother when she asked me how much toilet paper I was using (she was trying to teach us to be sparing and not wasteful). I told her three squares, but I had really used five. I was 14.

Since my teens, I have felt pride in my work ethic and my honor system. White fibs aside, ("I'm sorry, I missed your call even though the phone was in my pocket") I like to be straight with people; I don't lie, cheat or steal. And I am sensitive. I may or may not cry when I get too hungry, or when someone says something really sweet, or when someone is a little bit mean to me.

If you're a person who applies "badness" to people, don't test my reflexes. I've learned that you can usually tell a lot about people by the way they anticipate others or what they expect from others. I am quick to judge when I feel uneasy with someone, and that feeling is often (although not always) proven true. Which makes the following statement feel mean and honest at the same time: If you make me nervous to be around, and I feel like I should watch what I say and keep most of myself to myself when I'm around you....

Our time together will be limited.

I cherish my friendships, and while I fault myself and some of my dear ones for being literally ridiculous in our supportiveness ("You acted crazy and he didn't like it? Bastard!") knowing they know me, and that they understand what motivates my actions is comforting. I don't worry (too often) that I've been misunderstood or misread.

Of course, when I say something idiotic I may stay up all night worrying about it and later have a very awkward conversation trying to explain myself. This happens from time to time; I never said I'm free from foot-in-mouth disease.

A rather genius Garden Shed via Wolf Eyebrows

not but good

I am not feeling the thrill of being back at work after my vacation. I think it may have something to do with my hours suddenly being restricted (you mean I can't just walk to breakfast and take a leisurely day reading my book and wading in the water on a perfect white sand beach!?). It may also be that vacation triggers my creative mind to bubble with ideas, my life comes into focus, and I have this feeling there are other things that need doing.

I suppose I can still fit work into my schedule, but I'll need to rearrange a few things at home and get my fingers busy working on something beautiful. There are dresses that need designing, projects that need creating, and thank you cards that need writing for all of the wonderful gifts I received over the holidays.

I (this entire post is about me, I hope you don't mind) feel very special for all kinds of reasons. One of which is waking up to someone who says (while practically still asleep) "You are beautiful and amazing and I love you."

Today may not be the best work day ever, but my day got off to a perfect start. Although I groan and grumble, it's not so bad (and really it's pretty good).

Photos via my new luxury item, on a street somewhere in Puerto Rico.

nothing like it

A sneak peek from the wedding! After two years of planning (well, one since they decided where to wed), a whirlwind week of preparations, a day of stunning beauty and lovely moments...

The adorable couple had their moment. It was fun, sweet, funny, memorable, and just about perfect. Even with the tropical monsoon flash-rain at the reception, and the officiant dropping out at the last minute (special thanks to the boyfriend of the author for stepping in and saving the day), the violin played, the vows were made, and their marriage has commenced.

I can't wait to show you more photos! The flowers, the special details that the bride and groom picked (and shipped across the country), the people (you'd be amazed at how big a party 22 people can throw!).

All followed with a week in the Caribbean on a boat or a beach. It was an amazing holiday.

Happy New Year, may it be the best year yet.

Photos courtesy of Bethany Rose Photography