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| top: thrifted | shorts: cut offs, originally old navy | tights: target | shoes: target | belt: thrifted |
We've been having the kind of weather that makes you happy to be alive. The mornings are crisp enough to warrant a sweatshirt and the afternoon melts into a sunshine-y haze of warmth and you want to spend every waking minute outside. Lately, I've been taking lots of walks around the neighborhood to take advantage of the weather (above photos taken on said walks) and it's making me miss Europe. I miss how walking and bicycling is the main transportation, unlike way-too-car-oriented-America. It's hard to walk or bike anyway here without people giving you pitying glances, like "Oh, she doesn't have a car! Or she must be having car trouble! So terrible!" Regardless, I've been making an effort to greet people that I pass when walking. It's not that I try to be arrogant, but sometimes I get lost in my own little world and avoid meeting the eye of the man working in his yard as I walk past to avoid awkwardness. Instead, I've been trying hard to wave a little and be the first to say a friendly hello. You'd be amazed at how much better it makes you feel when you acknowledge you're not the only person on the planet.
In honor of this, I say we start a revolution. Start walking or bicycling more, even if it's just around your neighborhood, to remind both yourself and others that a car is not the only way to get around. Be the first to say hi. Keep a smile on your face. Let's bring back the yesteryears.
Things to be happy about, edition nine:
walks around the neighborhood and walking in general | eating pickles straight from the jar with my brother while sitting on a bench (long story) | tights, especially polka dot ones, with shorts | an organized desk and organized notes | the fact that I have a future to plan for | curtains that catch on a breeze | dreaming in german | september in general
What are some things you're happy about?
That's one thing I do love about Europe, saying hello to people all the time, even if you don't know them! I never knew a "bonjour" or a "greuzi" could make me so happy!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, love all of these! Especially the one of your sister and the one after that!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy about being able to assist a photographer at a wedding this weekend!
what a cute outfit girl! :) And I love tights also.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit is super cute! I'm excited for cooler weather, and being the photography columnist for my online school magazine!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice to receive a smile from a stranger on a walk or run? It always makes my day a thousand times better and gives me strength to keep going.
ReplyDeleteCars have taken over North America, and I say we're all a bit too obsessed with the cozy comfort of our vehicles. I feel like everyone needs to go for a walk or hop on a bike to take a breather.
The BEST of luck with your revolution. I think that idea is genious!! I'm from Germany and while I think that riding by car is very convenient, I try to walk and bycicle as often and as much as I can. I just think about nature and environment and also the little exercise is a huge plus, too.
ReplyDeleteXO. Nadine
these sun-kissed pictures have me in a swoon. (quite literally.)
ReplyDeleteyou are darling.
ReplyDeletelove the ''shadow-y'' looking pictures- lovely. I love how you put, ''yesteryears'' I so wish we could just ''go'' on a bike ride or walk,unfortunatley we live on a road, where it is not very safe at all. thanks so much for the inspiration though. :)
ReplyDeletei totally agree with you. i'd take a bike ride over a car ride anyday. my guy and i went trail biking a few weeks back and it was just plain fun. walking on my highway though, prolly isn't such a good idea haha c; i do try to walk at friends' houses in neighborhoods. its the best feeling to get fresh air and use those legs!
ReplyDeleteyour outfit is adorable. i may have to try and rock the tights with shorts too, you pull it off so so so well, carlotta. x
p.s. i sent your letter yesterday. its ridiculously late. but i'm trying to get back on board with my writing from now on. promise.
I love this. ANd I totally agree! It's hard, because my house is too far away from anything to walk or bike there without it being a serious trip. But to greet people instead of just walking by, love it. :) Love the outfit too!
ReplyDeletesuper cute outfit, and gorgeous shots of your neighborhood. walks around the block are the best - i can't wait for autumn to hit us here in arizona. xo
ReplyDeleteI would miss bicycling so much if I wasn't able to! I live in the Netherlands and I use my bike almost everyday. It's also something I'm happy about, just cycling in the soft autumn sun with a little breeze in my hair.. And I think your idea about waving and saying hello is just awesome, people should do that so much more! I live in a small village so I'm used to greet people, but when I'm in a city I always notice some detachment between people which is quite sad actually.
ReplyDeletePS. I love your pictures, especially the 3rd and 4th.
I love this post! I like walking and running, but unfortunatly it is way to hot to be doing either right now. Once it cools down I will definetly be walking more. :)
ReplyDeletePS. You always have the cutest outfits! :)
Yes :)
ReplyDeletethe fourth and fifth photos make me happy. just saying.
ReplyDeletei think cloudy mornings is something to be happy about. i don't know. i just like those better.
ohmygoodness, I *love* the one of MeMe lying on the ground. And I need to start shopping at target for my tights - you always have the cutest ones. :)
ReplyDeleteWe've been having the same sort of weather! Loverly, no?
no. way. you eat pickles straight out of the jar too? My family thinks I'm crazy, but they're the best that way. :)
xoxo//bree
Amen, Carlotta. I'm bringin' back the bike. =) And those tights? So, so darling.
ReplyDeletei love your outfit pictures! so lovely. ♥ and i can relate to pretty much every single one of your things to be happy about. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you weave your thoughts together, carlotta. and yes, I've been trying to make an effort lately to smile or give a quick hello to strangers. I've found that it brightens my day just as much as theirs :)
ReplyDeletexo.
the weather here has been just as lovely. i'm seriously loving it. your outfit is so cute, by the way!
ReplyDeletei really love this series you're doing. it's a good idea to find everyday things to be happy about. (:
I love this! I would love to walk or bike more, but sadly, in Chicago, that'd be kind of difficult.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been happy about the gorgeous autumn weather.
Beautiful lighting in these photos. And I absolutely love the outfit!
ReplyDeleteBiking revolution? That's genius.
ReplyDeleteHahaha I think it's funny how where you're from you have to start a revolution.. Around here it's RARE for someone NOT to smile and greet the person walking..
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about the whoe greeting people thing too! I say we do it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/HannahEverly
you always have such beautiful pictures and you're beautiful yourself.
ReplyDeleteI always make sure I say hello in passing, even if its little old ladies in the grocery stores.
Amen to that, sis! I try to bike to school whenever I can. One route goes through the park, and it's really tempting to blow off school and spend all day people-watching, but yeah. It beats the bus any day.
ReplyDeletedreaming in German- let's just stop there. seriously. now I wonder why I chose to learn Spanish... Also, your tights are fantastic. Sometimes I wonder if I should take the plunge and look all "hypster" and just ignore the stares I know I'll receive because that's just not the normal look around here. then again, when have I worried about that. Mh. Last, but not least, I'll happily join your revolution.
ReplyDeleteSo true it definitely makes you feel good to acknowledge a passerby! I've been thinking I need to take my bike out of the garage and since this weather is so gorgeous I need to really get to that. Love these pictures and your words as always!
ReplyDeletei'm happy for you being happy at the moment! you're gorgeous and the photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteoh, and i'm also happy because september is my favourite month, especially on account of it being my birthday last week! :)
I love that light! beautiful photos. I love your biking revolution idea! I have been feeling the same way about how we should have more bikers/walkers here. I wonder if it's easier to do that in the city? I would be biking for 20 minutes, leisurely, to get to where i need to go. Although that would be awesome for my health :) we should do it!
ReplyDeleteGah, yes. One of my favorite things about Europe is all of the walking and bicycling that takes place...it's kinda frustrating that is doesn't happen here. Gorgeous photos, though. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love your shoes - did you get them at Target this year? I should see if they still have some...
I got my shoes last year, but I think I saw some similar ones in there the other day! :)
DeleteIt's so true! I always feel like I'm getting those pitying looks that say "Oh, you poor uncool car-less girl." And I'm working on the friendliness thing too - too often I come across as 'cold' when all I really am is shy.
ReplyDeleteI'm in on the revolution! :) And I am happy about "september in general, " as well. It's my favorite month, along with November. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should live in Chico, California. People walk, bike, skateboard, longboard everywhere!
ReplyDeletewalks have to be my absoloute favorite. our neighborhood has those lovely little convienent sidewalks and is very large too, so there is always somewhere new to meander around at. and walks in the autumn? AH. don't even get me started. they are the best.
ReplyDeletexx.
k
you have a beautiful life =)
ReplyDeletecompletely agree about the whole way-too-car-centered thing. Whenever I go into NYC, I fall in love with all the public transportation and the fact that you can walk wherever. 2nd picture is my favorite. :) So pretty.
ReplyDeleteSooooo true, I so agree :) Oh but I might add - or adapt: dreaming in English ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I agree about greeting people, I always feel so happy when I am out and a neighbor says hello. And about one of your things to be happy about- The fact that you have a future to plan for- oh, I agree so much. My future thrills me. As always, stunning.
ReplyDelete