the fleeting days of autumn

I've come to dread the chirp-chirp of my alarm in the morning. It's all too cheery for a time when my eyes are still droopy and the sky still inky black. It takes me awhile to muster up the courage to crawl from the billowy folds of the blankets, the pleasant weight that never fails to lull me into slumber. I've even taken to setting my alarm ten minutes earlier, knowing full well that I'm not going to get out of bed when it actually goes off. Once my feet hit the floor, I know that the day has started and there's no crawling back into bed, hence my trying to prolong the inevitable.

Nevertheless, the days have been passing quickly, settled into a regular routine of work and school. I've been making a conscious effort to spend time under the vast blue sky every day, a vain attempt to seize each sliver of the fleeting autumnal hours (how can it be that tomorrow is November?). Hours that consist of piles of leaves, the ones that have already drifted lazily from their perch on the tree, lots of socks (my feet are perpetually cold), plaid flannel shirts, sunshine-y, cool weather, hot apple cider, mustard yellow anything, planning for and anticipating the upcoming holidays, and just plain living.

It's evening as I write this now. The fairy lights are still twinkling from the patio umbrella, decorated with tissue paper pompoms and chinese paper lanterns. The embers of the bonfire are still glowing, chairs arranged in a half-circle around it, and the remnants of s'mores and homemade pretzels and memories of a good time linger, a feeling that's almost tangible. I'm curled up into my favorite easy chair, the one with the fluffy sheepskin and overly plush back. The last guests from our party just trickled out the door -- I'm not a huge fan of the holiday known as Halloween, but this little (what has become annual) get-together is one of my favorite parts of October.  It's nights like these, reflecting after a party, that make me so very thankful for friends.

sweater: thrifted / jeans: american eagle / boots: my mom's / belt: forever 21 / scarf: my grandfather's

Tomorrow is November. October is a time of full blown fall, but by the time this next month rolls around, it's more of a blustery, wintry feeling. Yes, I'm sad to see October go, but I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and the Christmas season (because let's face it, the weeks before Christmas are just as good, if not almost better, as the day itself).

Life. I like it.

How have you been spending your days lately?

ps guest posting over at beauty like a kaleidoscope today -- come say hi!

everyday moments: a collaboration

Yesterday was not my day. I got frustrated, raised my voice a little louder than I should have, my makeup was smudged from tears by the end of the day, and I just was not a real fan of life. In those moments, it's so easy to succumb to emotions, to speak and act without thinking, to want to give up on life. Honestly, all I wanted to do yesterday was crawl in a little hole, cry in misery, and not talk to anyone for five years.

As I was editing these photos for today, I realized why I'm so enamored with the little moments. Because bad days are going to happen. They're inevitable. But in every bad day, there are always good moments. Yesterday it was the walk around the neighborhood I took with MeMe. We skipped and laughed and ran in the rain. That fresh air and alone time with my sister made everything a little brighter. And I think if I hadn't had a bad day, that time with MeMe wouldn't have stood out so much. But yesterday, it did -- even though it was wet and cold, the sun was shining in my heart.

And family? Thanks for putting up with me even when I'm not a very nice person. I love you so much.

So these are the everyday moments from October. Another month gone, another set of photos documenting life. Any favorites?
Also, be sure to check out Ellie's photos that will be up soon! (read the story behind everyday moments)

xo

ps a few advertising spots for november are still open! email me for deets if you're interested.

on inspiration.

It's a fickle thing, inspiration. It comes and goes in waves, some big and towering, some small but still powerful, some just ripples on the breeze. Inspiration cannot be sought -- it just comes. And when it does come, you'd better grab it and hang on for the ride.

Getting started is the hardest. There's this place of too little and too much -- and, especially in writing, when I'm determined to keep it short and sweet, I find myself with triple the amount I'd originally been shooting for. But on the other hand, that's not always a bad thing. What starts with one sentence seems to weave itself, growing and expanding on its own and leaving me with a piece of art in the end.

One of the questions I'm asked more frequently is how to create and maintain inspiration. I'm hesitant to rattle off a list of tips because that would make me sound like I know what I'm doing, when more often than not, I really don't. It's hard to make yourself inspired, but there are a few things I've found help me on my way.

>>browse the prettiest blogs/websites you know
>>take a break from all electronics, lay on the grass and watch the clouds. 
>>take pictures
>>look at all the things around you and write sentences in your head, describing them as accurately and prettily as you know
>>think. daydream. get lost in your own thoughts.
>>bake something
>>change your environment and go on an adventure
>>read a book
>>listen to music
>>and finally, have an open mind.

I think you'll find that inspiration comes when you're least expecting it.

What are some of your tips when you want to feel inspired?

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I'm pleased to announce that Red Currant (read the story behind the store and how I'm affiliated) has a new item -- Coral, a colorful poncho perfect for fall.

view it

Also, I'm now accepting November sponsors -- email me for more information!

Happy Wednesday!

xo

shrouded in a cloak of mist

I slipped from the warm cocoon of my blankets and soft pillow. My feet touched the icy floor and a shiver ran through my body; I reached for my favorite sweatshirt. I headed downstairs and looked outside.

 Fog blanketed the grass, a heavy grey coat. I opened the door and stood there, drinking it all in. And then I stepped into the misty wonderland, feeling wonderfully small and lost, shrouded in clouds.

The world was quiet, save for the twittering of the birds far in the trees; the sky was a slight peachy color in the east; a sort of battle between sun and fog. Dew sparkled in the soft light, on the mums and crimson leaves and clothespins on the laundry line. And I photographed. I sighed inwardly and the soft clickclick of my shutter replied.

A sense of fernweh, wanderlust, came over me, wishing and longing and dreaming for the unknown. What exactly it was that I yearned for, I'm not sure. I think it's more the experiences of the journey that I crave instead of going to one specific place or experiencing one specific thing. I suppose I'm just I'm a traveling soul at heart.

The fog does these kind of things to you. And I love it. Anyone want to send some of their extra fog over to Oklahoma? Because we don't get it nearly often enough.



What do you favor -- clear, sunny days, or misty wonderlands?

liking at the moment

I have a lot of favorites. Lots and lots of favorites. And sometimes, it seems as favorite is a bit overused, just like the term love. So, to avoid using the words favorite or love -- because those are passing and can change easily, here are some things that I really like at the moment.

fall. Oh hey, you know, just the thing that pretty much every blogger is talking (or shall I say writing?) about these days. But that's okay, I love it anyway. Especially since it gives me a justified reason to have my space heater on at all times. It's a little silly to have it on in summer, I know, but I can't help always feeling cold.

new shoes. Courteousy of a sweet older lady at church. They're perfect.

haircuts. This afternoon I headed for the salon. My favorite part? Having my hair washed. Pure bliss. (is that creepy?) I was long overdue for this cut -- it's a bit shorter than I would've liked it, but after playing with it and styling it different ways, it's growing on me. Thoughts?

And yes, I changed my shirt in between photos. It's how I roll.

sunrise drives. When the sun comes creeping up from behind the horizon, spilling the first rays of light over the landscape, that's where I want to be.

mini-sized outfit shoots. I seriously don't think there's anything more adorable than tiny sized fashion shoots. Most adorable thing ever. And as for Lilly...well, she likes it too ;)

iced coffee. Because I'm all for drinking cold drinks when it's frosty outside and warm drinks when it's sweltering outside. It's all about the opposites, baby. But in all seriousness, I've found myself making iced coffee nearly every afternoon. It's just that delicious -- and easy. Want to make one of your own?

You'll need approximately one cup cold brewed coffee, 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk, ice cubes, sugar to taste, and ice cream. I like to put in my ice cubes in first, pour in the coffee, add the milk and sugar, then the ice cream. Mmm.

What are some things you've been really liking lately?

xoxo