Welcome!

I've spent most of my weekend around the house cleaning, rearranging my room, getting caught up on unfinished projects, etc., so I thought that an around the house shoot would be fitting.  I'm currently living with my parents, so all of the lovely furniture you see here is theirs.  My parents are a big fan of arts & crafts style furniture, and my father, a school administrator/woodworker, made many of the pieces in our house, such as the shelf, hutch, and bench featured above.

I was told today at church that my outfit is very fitting of a librarian, and I can't help but agree. I fell in love with this plaid wool skirt a year ago and purchased it when it went on sale, but today is the first time I've worn it! For some reason I've just had the most difficult time styling it, but after playing around for a bit this morning I think I came up with something that works. 

Photos by Mom.

Blouse: Thrifted
Sweater Guard: Buttons & Bows consignment shop
Skirt: Gap 
Tights: Target
Loafers: Thrifted
Watch: Timex

So Much for 50 Degrees

Today was freezing again, but the more I think about it, the more okay with it I am.  I was going through my closet this morning and realized that there are still quite a few wintery pieces I would like to feature on my blog before springtime, so I can bear the cold until I've gotten a chance to share them.

This fur hat and collar belonged to my grandmother.  I have so many pieces of clothing and jewelry that had belonged to my grandmothers, and I am so happy to be able to wear and cherish items that had been important to them.  My mom's mom loved fur, as you can probably tell from this post and from this previous post.

I'm ecstatic about this little carpet bag I found at Buttons & Bows earlier this week.  I'm not usually a big fan of carpet bags, but this one caught my eye with its bright colors and adorable shape, and when I found out it was 20% off of seven bucks I couldn't say no!

Photos by Mom.

Vintage Fur Hat and Collar: Belonged to my grandmother

Pea Coat: Thrifted

Short-sleeved sweater blouse: Banana Republic from high school

Wool skirt: Buttons & Bows consignment shop

Black tights: Express

Shoes: Nine West

Carpet Bag: Buttons & Bows consignment shop

Think Pink

Believe it or not, it actually reached 50 degrees her today, as is evidenced by the thawing snow in my photos.  I'm not optimistic that spring is here to stay, but I'll take a day off of winter! It was so refreshing to feel almost comfortable while taking photos outside without a jacket instead of shivering the whole time.

Today's outfit is centered around this magnifying glass necklace that once belonged to my grandma.  I was admiring Sasha O's looks on Lookbook when I noticed her necklace and remembered that I have one just like it! I can't believe I had forgotten about it.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of it. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Photos by Mom.

Bowler Hat: Thrifted

Handmade sweater: Found in my basement.

Shorts: Gap.

Polka Dot Tights: Gap

Ankle Boots: Thrifted

90's Leather Coach bag: Ebay

Magnifying Glass Necklace: Used to belong to my grandmother

Knockoff Chanel Bracelet: Antique store

Personalized Stationery

If there's one thing that I think every lady needs, it's personalized stationery.  Sending letters is so personal, so romantic, and so reminiscent of the past!  When Dan and I first started dating, he and an art major friend made me this stationery so that we could write back and forth.  Even though my address on the bottom of each page has changed, I still LOVE it!

Do any of you still write letters? 

Spring Things

I'm starting to get very impatient for spring here.  It's sunny and there is a bird chirping outside my window, yet when I glance outside everything still looks like the arctic tundra.  In my impatience I figure that if I can't wear the new spring things I've been finding in the thrift stores, I can at least show you! I can't wait to wear all of these pretty dresses, although I'm thinking I can get away with wearing the last one anytime with tights and a jacket or cardigan.  It is supposed to be 51 degrees here tomorrow, after all!

I was so excited to find these little white tassel loafers in my size and in such great tradition, taboot! The pin, however, is my favorite find so far.  I got it yesterday at a place nearby called Buttons and Bows, which is chock-full of vintage clothing and accessories as well as tons of other odds and ends! It'll be perfect pinned to my spring cardigans or trench coat! Wishing you warm weather!

Around My Room

Dan took these pictures from around my bedroom on Saturday will I was dawdling and taking entirely too long to get ready for our Pittsburgh trip (or so it seemed to him.) After taking a peek at these, I'm thinking I should make a habit of running late to see what kinds of photos I can get out of him while he's waiting!

And now, a brief summary of each photo:

1. A gift from Claire (yes, food glamorizer girl).  I told you she gives great gifts!

2. A dried bouquet of yellow roses that Dan got me somewhere along the way.  Is it bad that I can't remember why? My best guess is from when I found out I landed my first librarian gig this summer.

3. A hat box from my Great Aunt Ruth full of old fur hats makes a lovely wall decoration.

4. A gift from a past teacher.

5. The top of my dresser.

6. As you can see, my scarf collection has gotten so large that it now needs its own coat rack, which works very well for scarf storage, I might add.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone is making the most of this - one of the several holidays that serves as an excuse to eat obscene amounts of chocolate and sweets and treat yourself to something nice! I know I am!

This is actually yesterday's church outfit, but I thought I'd save the photos for today since it also doubled as my Valentine's Day lunch outfit yesterday.  Dan and I went to Bob Evans! (Classy, I know, but they have the best biscuits and it just seemed like the right place to go after church.  We fit right in with the Senior Special crowd.) Sadly, Dan is currently back at school slaving away at his studies and attending classes.  The good news is my parents and I will be enjoying a lovely steak dinner tonight, and I can't think of a better way to spend my Danless V-Day.

Photos by Dan.

Black bowler hat: Thrifted

Red & pink rose scarf: Thrifted

Black t-shirt dress: Gap (from my college days)

Grey cardigan: Liz Claiborne

Black belt: Thrifted

90's leather Coach bag: Ebay

Grey leggings: Banana Republic (Christmas gift)

Black ankle boots: Thrifted