Hiding in Hedgerows

This hedge outside of our apartment gets me right in the feels every day. I brush my hands over the top and I am transported to rural England, a place I have never been but have longed for as far back as I can remember. There's something very "Secret Garden" about it. Something reminiscent of Watership Down. I met eyes with a cottontail and was tempted to ask him if Fiver was nearby, if Blackberry was doing well.

Instead, I'm trapped here in the Yoop, stealing moments of shade and yearning for the English Countryside, a better camera, and the ability to capture colors the way they really are. The sun is harsh on delicate things even in the shade.

If I can't share my reality, can it even be called real? I think I'd rather close my eyes and dream of England than contemplate philosophy at this hour. And wish that I could find a way to upload photos and edit them so that they aren't so washed out. Any advice? Anyone?

Outfit Details:

Yellow/Pastel Plaid Shirt: Vintage

Belt: Stolen from ASOS Dress

Shorts: Kohl's 

Earring: FrockStock

Sandals: (I give up. I just don't know.)

Heat Spell

It appears that 90 degrees is my breaking point. 90 degrees is where my brain melts and all I want to do is lie on the ground and admit defeat. The thermometer crept above that 90 degree mark before I even made it out of bed today. I knew before I even opening my eyes that the entire day was going to be a constant battle against the heat.

So Alex and I went swimming. We went out for dinner. And when the time came to take pictures, I headed straight for the shade. Though the stand of trees in only a small belt next to the pond, once you enter the inside of their borders, you've entered a different world. Even here, I couldn't hide from the sun.

Nor could I wear the shoes I attempted to wear the rest of the day. I just received these hand-painted beauties in the mail, and put them on immediately. However, my previous blisters weren't approving of the choice. I had to show you anyway. I just love the little birds!

What I could do, though, was catch a glimpse of the house Alex and I are soon going to live in across the water. Yes! We bought a house! I'll be sharing more pictures and details soon. Even if no one is reading these words but me, one day I'll be able to look back on these days as a huge turning point in my life.

Homeowners... I can't imagine.

Outfit Details:

Blue Top: thirifted

Blue Skirt: Thrifted

Belt: Thrifted

Handpainted Wedges: eBay

A Sample in Snow

For some reason, I just started to get my hopes up that spring was just around the corner. Of course, in true Michigan spirit, the weather then turned back to normal Michigan constant snow. That didn't deter me from braving the elements and taking outfit shots today though! (Well, almost. But we'll call it a victory.) I actually enjoy snowfalls like this, so soft and pretty. Picturesque, even. But don't tell anyone. My winter-hating reputation might be ruined.

Moving past talk of the weather, today was an experiment in a color I detest. Notice the pink shirt? Maybe it's my skin tone, but I think I look terrible in the color pink. Of course, that could just be my subconscious talking after I spent 15 years hating the color and all that it stood for for women. I was probably the loudest 5 year old feminist you never heard of. Oh well. I'm trying to make amends. It's not that bad a color, really. Some of my favorite flowers can be pink.

Also present is a Michigan winter hat! I'm thinking I'm going to do a post in the next few days wearing all the ones I have. If you live in the north, you'll understand how important ugly winter hats are. If you don't live in the north, you might never understand. 

Outfit Details:

Winter Hat: Inherited from Alex's mother

Scarf: Thrifted

Ivory Cardigan: Vanity (clearance racks will be the end of me)

Pink Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft (thrifted)

Skinny Jeans: Honestly I couldn't tell you. 

Boots: Xhileration (thrifted)

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!.