Monday, December 29, 2014

New Year, New Style

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2014 brought some wild changes into my life, especially over the last seven months, and with the obvious upheavals (moving, new jobs, new city) come the not so obvious ones. A smaller place means a smaller closet, and a busier schedule means not as much time to get ready in the morning. Since we moved, I've been slowly but surely cleaning out my closet, sorting through the detritus, trying to find what I truly feel comfortable in. Bags and bags have been taken to Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange, cherished pieces that I've just needed a break from have been packed into storage. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and assess.

With a new year, I'm looking forward to further streamlining things. Not changing my style drastically, but making small changes here and there to make my mornings and workday easier. I spend a fair amount of time at work taking photos, and I hate to feel encumbered. While I'm still drawn to the eccentric, for practicality's sake a good pair of jeans, ankle boots, and sneakers have become essential. The trend towards these solid, basic pieces is awesome in my book. I'll take a pair of sneakers over heels every day of the week.

It's my high school uniform, all grown up. Let's hear it for comfort and mobility.


Saturday, December 27, 2014

Here & There 12.27

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Can you believe it's the last weekend of 2013...2014 (whoops)? The years go by faster and faster these days and it blows my mind to think about how much has changed in 365 days. I'm spending this weekend thinking back, taking stock, and making plans. I have a lot on my list for 2015, do you?

This vintage dress would be perfect for New Year's Eve.

Love this vintage camel overcoat - plus, it's 25% off!

Super cozy chakra leggings for some new years yoga :)

The perfect December outfit - plaid, denim, & sequins!

Such a gorgeous, statement-making necklace.

The perfect Chelsea boot.

My favorite, most obsessed over jacket is on sale!

Loved this post of Jen's.

New year, new style: Loving these sneakers, this dress, this pretty mini, and this sleep set. Do you have as much trouble finding cute-but-not-cheesy pajamas as I do?

Whoa - this face map tells you why you're breaking out and it makes so much sense.

How to care for introverts - YES.

Take an extra 40% off sale items at J.Crew! Loving these boots, these sneakers, and this jacket.

Books to read.

Such a gorgeous bra - perfect for flat-chested ladies (like me)

Are you home for the holidays? 30 movies to watch with relatives. My mom and I watched Jurassic Park and The Lost World.

Made me laugh - the best cities for millennials.

One hell of a NYE necklace!

Asos is having a mega sale! Really digging this cute coat.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Currently...

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Sitting in my favorite coffee shop in New Hampshire with sun streaming through the windows. The rain finally cleared up and although it's warm for December 26th, it's gorgeous and I'm happy.

Listening to three dramatic college girls talk loudly and dramatically about college, anxiety medication, and missing the free Smashmouth show that happened at their school. I now know way more than is appropriate for a stranger to know about their lives.

Thankful for the fact that I am not in college.

Thinking about how much can change in just a year - today, in about an hour, Chris's mother closes on her new restaurant. Exactly one year ago, we were sorting through the rubble of her home, which burned down in the early hours of December 26th. I haven't been the best at updating everyone, but after a fairly rough year for her and Chris's brother, it's exciting to see this new chapter developing,

Excited about using our new snowshoes! We received two pairs from my mom for Christmas, and I can't wait to get up to the Poconos to do some exploring. Fingers crossed Pennsylvania gets some snow soon.

Feeling relaxed and on my own time, it's amazing how much your internal clock changes when the typical distractions of life are lessened.

Looking forward to seeing all our old friends tomorrow. We've had a party every year since high school, so... since 2001? 2002?

Reading all the old books at my mom's house, and while it's a good one, I do not recommend In Cold Blood while you're staying in the middle of nowhere.

Hoping you all had a great holiday, whatever it may be, and wishing you a happy new year.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

North

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The heady spice of wood smoke… the first beacon of home welcoming me North. In my home state of Maine, the scent of burning wood permeates every activity from late-September through ’till March or April (and in some years… early May). Even now, the odd whiff mysteriously drifting through the air in Philly has the power to instantly transport me. It punctuates the air in fall and winter, mixing with the icy stillness of an impending snowstorm, enveloping me like a security blanket. I never expected to be so tied to where I grew up, tied to the woods. For so long, I resisted. But no longer can I deny the softness that befalls my shoulders, the lack of tension that typically knits my brow… symptoms of stress leaving my body as I leave the city behind. That exciting, busy city life and all its secret stress — the kind you don’t even realize you’re burdened with – growing smaller in my rear view mirror as I navigate towards the place I will always consider my true home.

It’s been three years since I traveled to that little home in the woods for Thanksgiving, having lived too far away to make the trip while residing in Pittsburgh, and the time away was welcomed with open arms. From expressway to highway, highway to state road, and finally to the long and winding dirt track that leads to the home I grew up in. No cell phone service, no internet. No neighbors for miles. And snow in the forecast. For my busy, always working mind, it was the kind of forced quietude that I needed. A time to step away from the noise of the world, reset, and find some inspiration for inspiration’s sake. Like clockwork, not long after my crack-of-dawn arrival the snow began to fly and in a few short hours the wild land outside was blanketed in sixteen inches of perfect, pristine snow. Winter in Maine is a reminder to slow down, take your time. The roads may be treacherous, but there’s a warmth that awaits at the end of the drive.
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**This post was originally published here as part of my full time work
*** It's a BB gun

What I'm wearing: Free People sweater, necklace, and sunglasses, J.Crew jacket (similar on sale).

Thursday, December 11, 2014

The Last of Fall

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Throwing it waaaay back to September... whoops. Chris and I had hit up the Franklin Flea market when it was held at the Navy Yard, and took the opportunity afterwards to poke around the older buildings that haven't yet been refurbished. I picked this skirt up over the summer at another flea market and I'm a little bit obsessed. For someone who all of a sudden finds themselves in jeans more often than not, a gorgeous, floaty skirt is pretty much the best.

Get the look: Tee: UO // Skirt: Vintage // Bag: Vintage via Omnia Vintage (c/o) // Bracelets: Studebaker Metals // Boots: Samantha Pleet for Wolverine 1k

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Pine Street at Dusk

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Strolling down beautiful Pine Street at dusk, dreaming of living in one of the cute townhouses... a pretty solid end to a pretty solid weekend. Happy December, friends. It may be almost winter, but Philly is clinging to fall temperatures like nobody's business.

Get the look: J.Crew coat (similar) // Vintage denim jacket (similar) // J.Brand jeans (similar) // Converse high tops // The Seams Designs Beanie (c/o)