Life Lately: Photos, Thoughts and Links
Happy Friday everyone! I can’t believe we are already more than halfway through the first month of 2018. Just thought I’d share a bit of a peek into what I’ve been doing lately, and some links to interesting things I’ve seen around the internet.
- After too many days of freezing cold weather, hence why my last blog post was photographed indoors, it has finally warmed up! The past few days have been just above and below zero degrees, which was such a nice change. It was so nice to go outside! Also, my phone is now not dying every time I go out (it would get too cold, just from being in my purse, and then die)
- I’ve been working on some artwork pieces, and preparing for another art show coming up in February. Some of it will be a repeat of what I had in my November show at the library, but it’s in a different town, so that’s OK.
- After much too long (I bought the book in 2015, started reading it in 2016 and then put it aside after a few chapters) I have picked up Little Dorrit again, by Charles Dickens. I’m about halfway through- and I’m actually really enjoying it this time around! Dickens is my nemesis, as his stories are so good, but I find them difficult to get into. Do you enjoy reading Dickens? Have you read Little Dorrit, or watched the miniseries? The reason I started reading it in the first place is because I saw the trailer for the movie. . . but I can’t watch the movie until I’ve read the book. (That’s a self imposed rule. I don’t know why I can’t- I just can’t).
- Fashion Revolution released their second zine Loved Clothes Last, and it is a really good one. They have a digital copy you can page through here, with lots of tips on making your clothes last, statistics about the fashion industry waste cycle (and secondhand industry) and how to make positive fashion choices. In my opinion, this zine is way better than their first one, as it just has a lot more practical information and is more in depth. Definitely worth the time to read it!
- I went to the thrift store this week for the first time this month/year. It was so good to just dig around and find some treasures, one of which was a bag of vintage thread spools. I’ve added them to my collection, and now have them displayed in an apothecary jar on top of my bookshelf. Do you like vintage wooden spools? They are so much prettier than the plastic ones we have nowadays!
- I’ve been doing better with my style resolution of “dressing up” even on stay-at-home days. There is something about putting on an outfit (not just clothes, but an outfit) and doing your hair and makeup, that makes your day so much more productive!
- Speaking of my style resolutions (one of which was creating a more mix-and-matchable wardrobe), Suzanne Carillo recently posted about creating “style equations” with items in your closet. This is what I am talking about! Her post features some gorgeous mix-and-match outfits, so definitely go over and take a look.
- I’ve added a new piece to my shop, “The Peacock” (you might have seen it in my post last week). This is a watercolour and ink illustration which is available as either a print, or as greeting cards.
- I’ve been watching the show Jeeves and Wooster again (I watched it a few years ago). Not only is it hilarious (seriously one of my favourite shows) but the costumes are also superb! If you can, watch this show!
- Emileigh of Flashback Summer just posted one of her latest sewing projects, a pair of overalls with an ingenious hidden detail. You’ll have to hop over to her post to see it, if you haven’t already.
So, that’s a bit of what I have been up to lately, and I think that’s all I have to share for now. I hope you have/ had a lovely and relaxing Friday (depending on which time zone you’re in!) and I hope you have a great weekend too!
January 19, 2018 @ 10:33 am
I just gave an owl necklace very much like yours to my neighbor. I got it from a stash of vintage jewelry from an aunt who passed away in about 1990, and whose stuff sat in my mother-in-law’s garage until I rescued it last year. Being a child of the 50s, I loved the stuff from the 20s, 30s, and 40s, the things I associate with my grandmother, but I didn’t like the huge scale of the 70s things, and so I gave that owl to my neighbor (who is a very petite and stylish 40 year old) for a joke. But she loved it and put it on, and it did look great on her! Maybe things just need to skip a few generations to look like they belong on their new owner. 🙂
January 19, 2018 @ 10:42 am
Owl necklaces did seem to be really popular in the 70’s didn’t they? My sister has a couple, and even though mine is not actually vintage, it always looks a little bit “flower child” to me.
That’s so wonderful that you were able to rescue some of that jewelry from the garage- what a treasure!
And, I think you are correct about things needing to skip a generation or two. If you saw it the first time around, you probably aren’t going to want it the second time around! (I feel that way about stuff from the 90’s being now classed as “vintage”- no thank-you-I saw it the first time!) For another example, think about wedding dresses- hardly anyone wants to wear their Mother’s dress, but lots of people want to wear their Grandmother’s dress. There’s been enough time for the trends to cycle, so it makes it “cool” again. Fashion can be rather fickle can’t it? 😉
January 19, 2018 @ 8:37 pm
Your photographs are paintings are gorgeous. Every time I see you watercolours I think I need to sit down and paint. Creating brings such meditative joy.
I sometimes pick up wooden spools. They are so much prettier and often I find the thread is better than what I buy now.
Thanks for the link love : )
Have a great weekend!
January 23, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
Thanks so much Suzanne. Yes- definitely sit down and paint! It is such a joy, and I don’t make as much time for it as I should either!
You are most welcome for the link- your post was so great I definitely needed to share it!