Time Traveling Sweater

Recently my mama was rummaging through some boxes in our basement, and she came across this gorgeous, extremely comfortable knit sweater from the 1980s. She also found an adorable sleep set with little butterflies on it, which she also bequeathed to me. So dainty. My mama is always shocked and thrilled when I tell her I want to wear something old of hers. 

I just love seeing her my age wearing something and then getting to see myself looking like her twin. It really does feel like time traveling. It blows my mind.

Isn't she beautiful? I'm told I look just like her ;)

What I'm wearing:

Sweater//Vintage 1980s

Jeans//ModCloth

Purple shoes//Vintage, Thrifted

Headband//ModCloth

Turquoise ring//Antique

Silver rope ring//Charlotte Russe

Earrings//??? Can't recall.

Linked up at Spunky Chateau

Elle Boit Du Lavabo

I am such a germophobe, yet somehow this habit of hers doesn't bother me. Sometimes she sits in the bath tub too. I thought cats were supposed to be irked by water?

Cats are amusing little creatures.

Also! Be sure to stop by Amber Blue Bird! The Quirky Poet is sponsoring her blog and there will be a giveaway soon! And who can say they don't like free stuff?

"Press An Ear Against Its Hive"

"Introduction to Poetry"

by Billy Collins

from his collection Sailing Alone Around the Room

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

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In many of the creative writing classes I've taken, I've had to submit original work for critique, which I enjoy quite a bit. It's always interesting to see how people interpret my work. I'd never say that they interpret it incorrectly because the beauty of art is there isn't just one right answer. But individuals interpret pieces differently.

Often I write poetry without any certain direction or meaning; sometimes I don't quite know what a piece of mine means until it's overwith and it's been exposed to the reasoning of others. Words aren't always what give the poem meaning; the readers do.

When reading poetry, people become frustrated, thinking they aren't "getting it." It's really not so complicated as it seems. Turn off your analytical left brain for a minute. Though you may not discover the author's true purpose, you'll discover your own. There's not one right answer, so you can't get it wrong.

"There Was Something of the Dandy About Him"

Recently I read a short story titled “Paul’s Case,” and I just adore the way Willa Cather uses fashion to symbolize the character’s overall contempt for the societal norms of his time. Paul wears a red carnation in his button hole and dresses totally opposite of his collegiate peers. I like Paul. He’s sassy and dramatic. And this makes me wonder...If I were a character and my clothing served a symbolic purpose, what would it say about me?

*cheesy smile*

Lately my fashion choices have been questionable. My colors never match anymore. But who says you can’t wear maroon and orange together? (Probably anyone who has ever learned the color wheel.) 

Perhaps it means I’ve become a bit like Paul: contemptuous of normalcy --- and doing laundry so I have clean clothes that match.

Outfit Details:

Necklace//Antique

T-Shirt, Jean Skirt, and Rings//Charlotte Russe

Sweater//Vintage

Shoes//Vintage St. Johns Bay

Tights//Target (They were $5 and are the most comfortable pair of tights I own. You need to get some.)

Linked up with EverybodyEverywear

Autumn Adventures

Mid-October Josh and I ventured to Galena, IL to take in the shops and local scenery. Galena really is one of the few beautiful places in northern Illinois. I despise the Midwest. But Galena was rather pleasant. I enjoyed the little shops. I found one called Sushi which was a boutique that carried eclectic and bohemian styles. I would have gotten this lovely little owl purse if it had not been $140. Eek! I cannot justify spending that much money on a handbag. 

As promised, here are some snapshots of our escapade...bear in mind, I tend to notice awkward things even more so than the apparently beautiful ones. Also, you should know that I named the box elder bug Larry...I love all box elder bugs.

Then last weekend, I went to the apple orchard with my family. Going to the orchard and inhaling apple donuts is my favorite part of fall (well, besides Thanksgiving). Inside one of the barns there is a little shop where you may buy miscellaneous apple things and decor, and I found some adorable aprons here. If you've never been to an orchard, I would definitely say you need to make that your new fall tradition.

And to conclude the lovely month of October, I carved a pumpkin for the very first time. Well, Josh did most of the work, but I got to touch the pumpkin guts and create the design. I named her Penelope...Penelope the Punkin Owl.

Unfortunately Penelope's life was short...the squirrels in the neighborhood assumed she was a food offering. 

Looking forward to November and Thanksgiving...I love all occasions that involve consuming outrageous quantities of casserole and pie.

What's your favorite fall tradition?

Two Leaves and a Bud

Isn't this dainty little tea cup the cutest? Recently I discovered the most delightful cup of herbal tea from Two Leaves and a Bud tea company. I have only so far tried their peppermint, but they have a plethora of flavors. All the ingredients are organic, and the leaves have a truly pure fragrance before and after steeping. I love it! I want to try them all.


What hot beverage do you enjoy in the autumn and winter?