The Darkening Sky

I had one more post about winter in me, and then-! Summer comes! Over a foot of snow on the ground, and the temperature hits almost 80 degrees.

...What?

We had some incredible record breaking days in Upper Michigan, and it's still far warmer than it has any right to be. The this is, where I live, spring doesn't come until May. At least.

Ever.

I don't know what this weather means (except probably that global warming is something no one should be arguing about) but I do know that rain has been on the air for over a week. And yet, it still won't rain. With buds coming up all over the place, we need it. People have been praying for it. And the sky keeps taking on the color that means rain is immanent, and yet, it doesn't come.

With water on the mind, I threw this outfit together. I might have been looking for an excuse to show you these shoes that I found hiding in a thrift store. I think they're awesome. Especially with this skirt that I found, the same day, at a different store! They might have been destined to come home with me. I'd like to think so. It's the little things.

 

Outfit Details:

Plaid Button Up: Thrifted

Belt: Ruche

Velvet Skirt: Vintage

Tights: Target

Shoes: Vintage

Equal Parts Day and Night

A lesser-known fact about me is that I follow a Pagan faith. It's not something I usually advertise, but there are a few times a year where I get to relish in my Pagandom. The equinoxes are some of those times.

Everything around me is waking up and coming back to life. The completely random 80 degree weather is helping with that, I have no doubt. It felt so good to drag Alex to the hardware store and buy all the things I needed to create a garden on our balcony. He may not be thrilled now, but just wait until I bring him a cup of tea that's home-grown!

The other wonderful thing about today was the fulfilling of a long standing tradition. As far back as I can remember, I have been making boats out of tree bark and odds and ends. I always get so excited, wondering what adventures they'll have without me when I set them free. Did you do anything like that as a child? I simply can never stop.

Outfit Details:

Pentagram Necklace: A treasure from a craft show

Spring Green Dress: Ruche

Belt: Thrifted

Shoes: Target

When I Said, "A Foot of Snow..."

I actually meant a foot of snow. And then it snowed some more. And in these pictures, it's still snowing. Lucky me! Oh well. As long as this is winter's last blast and soon I'll have flowers on my hands, I'm okay with this. I mean, if I have to be. At least I know that this year's flowers are sleeping beneath a beautiful, warm blanket until spring.  

Today's shots made me shake my head. I was outside for at least half an hour, and took shots with this lovely coat, and then, because I liked what was underneath it, took a number of shots with it off as well. I thought I had uploaded everything to my computer, so deleted them off the camera, and alas! When I went to crop and edit, I discovered that half the files were corrupt.

Ah well. This is my life.

I picked this coat up at a thrift store in town, and I have to say, I love the wartime feel to it. Wearing it makes me want to pin my hair up, draw lines on the back of my legs instead of wearing tights, and pray for the boys to come home. If only it had pockets! Because of this little detail, I'll be selling it when my shop opens up. I just don't function well without pockets.

Especially when I'm silly enough to go outside without gloves. Oh self. Will you never learn?

Outfit details:

Navy Inspired Coat: Vintage

Mustard Sweater: Target

Heather Skirt: Vintage

Tights: Christmas Gift

Shoes: Target

Nerd Swag

 
I used to be a Theatre major, and now, as an English major, it makes sense that some of my favorite parts of my studies would carry over. I am not ashamed to admit that I adore the works of Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare so much that I want to get a goldfish and name it Ophelia (joke in poor taste, but it's true.). Because of this love, I get excited in classes whenever my man Billy is on the syllabus. And it annoys me to no end when instead of reading the play, others use Sparknotes or Cliff's Notes. I can't even tell you. There are no words. That's why I had to treat myself to this hilarious totefor my birthday. I don't know how well you can see it, but the picture is Shakes ripping a Cliff's Notes in half. As well I think he would, were he alive today.

I nerded it up for this bag arriving today. My outfit falls along the lines of preppy geek. Said image is helped by this vintage argyle sweater, which Alex so thoughtfully put in the dryer one day and now it would fit a ten year old. Sigh, oh well. At least I still found a way to wear it. It's still probably going to end up in my shop when I opened it though. It's a turtleneck, and turtlenecks frighten me.

Ah, well. Back to the happy nerd day. I will be spending the rest of today in my glasses curled up with my homework, lamenting the fact that I don't have suspenders.

Outfit details

Argyle Sweater: Vintage (thrifted)

White Button Down Top: Thrifted

Skinny Jeans: No idea.

Brown Oxfords: Target

Read the Whole Book Tote: Shirt.woot.com

The Gray Days of Winter

It seems that everywhere but where I live, winter took a vacation this year. In the wilds of the Great Michigan North, that's just not the case. Though you can't see it in these pictures, there's still inches of snow on the ground. And perhaps you can't tell from the way I huddle into myself, but it's a very cold, overcast day. Everyone else seems to be making their way towards spring though, so in my jealousy, I put on a very not weather appropriate dress and jacket. I can't help it. The gray days of winter are the worst. I tried so hard, but I just couldn't put down my warm and cozy scarf once I took my coat off. Taking my own pictures means a lot of running back and forth, and even that wasn't enough to keep me warm. At least the scarf is one of my favorites.

Outfit Details:

Coat: Vintage (Thrifted)

Teal Scarf: Thrifted

Polka Dot Dress: Ruche

Belt: Ruche

Argyle Tights: A Christmas gift, but I assume Target

Faux Pearl Necklace: Target

Suede Heels: Vintage Michael Kors (Thrifted - an awesome find, I can't wait to showcase them better!)

A Business Trip

Last week I ended up having to train in Marquette, MI for my new job. It was a very...hot and cold experience, if I may. While the weather was so beautiful I just about cried (high 80's? In October? Only in Michigan...), there were some things about the trip that left something to be desired. I'll keep the complaining to a minimum, because it was mostly a little bit of homesickness for my boy and my kittens. But, the training itself was terrible, and I lived for the moments I could be exploring the town instead. It's actually a city, complete with my shame of a shopping addiction: Target. The only one in the U.P., actually. My life is so hard. The city is the largest in the U.P., and one of the oldest in Michigan, and as such has a fun cultural atmosphere. Complete with one of the largest college campuses in the state, it's still a mining town, and the ore boats that dock daily are gigantic. I couldn't stay away from the water, and got my fair share of hypothermia dipping my feet in the beautiful blue waters of Lake Superior, the deepest freshwater lake on Earth. I love this lake, and miss it very greatly when I'm away from it, so pardon all the pictures of the water. Next time I'm there I'll be sure to take more pictures of the downtown area. It's a beautiful town with great architecture and some wonderful secondhand and consignment shops. I picked up some great finds! I'll be sure to show them to you as soon as the weather cools off. It seems the season has gone in reverse and back to summer. I'm not complaining, Indian Summer is truly the best.

Also, if you're ever in Marquette, make sure you stop by The Wild Rover for some truly great Irish food. Your taste buds will thank you for the Boxty, the Bangers and Champ, and the Guinness Beef Stew. But stay away from Casa Calabria if you're thinking Italian; it was a fancy place in '83 when it was built but the only thing ever updated was the price for truly mediocre food. It was outrageously expensive, loud, dark, and just... ugh.

I took what felt like a million photos; please enjoy! Especially look at the Stadium Dome. The people working on (or rappelling down it?!?) are so tiny!.