I Want To Go To There

I want this. Badly. It's way cooler than an iPad, I suppose because it's so simple. I wish they were ready for pre-order, cause I'd buy one immediately.

I can imagine taking this to church to sermon notes, and it working so much better than trying to type the notes into my iPhone. Or using it at work to write down the information of people that call, then downloading it and emailing messages to my coworkers. Oh the possibilities!

Check it out on the NoteSlate website.

Six inches deep in mud...

There are certain things in my wardrobe that I absolutely love. Some of them were Christmas presents, some were a steal of a deal, and others were absolutely free. The best things in my wardrobe were found merely by coincidence, and I love having so many staple pieces that I can throw on in five minutes and still look wonderful.

Bass Weejuns

My love affair with loafers has been a very short albeit passionate one. I bought a very cheap pair with a rubber sole (pahtooe!) from Target back in early November, and quickly decided I needed a nice pair on my Christmas list. I looked all over for the perfect pair, and ultimately left the final decision up to my mother; with one stipulation: I needed leather soles. I know rubber is less slippery, and I fully expect to slide all over the place in these new shoes, but the scuffs that accumulated on my cheap shoes were too much to handle. I'm in love with my Weejuns, as soon as I get them broken in (the best part) they'll be the perfect shoes. 

The $5 Pendleton Coat

I always find the best deals when I'm not shopping for anything in particular. This coat is a testament to that fact. I found it at a Goodwill store in Lake City, Florida. At the time, I had never heard of Pendleton coats. All I did was pick up a coat to casually inspect, and it turns out it was a super schmancy one. Who knew? This was probably a $200+ coat originally, and I paid $5. I think I love it even more just because it was such a great deal. It has no damage or holes and it's navy, which is my favorite color for a coat. High fives all around!

Does my coat being made in Portland make it extra hipster? I submit that it does.

My Father's Hamilton Watch

I just got back into watches a few months ago. For about...hmm...all my life I have never been able to stand having something on my wrist. Even though I tried to wear watches growing up, it never lasted. But at some point I decided I needed a gold watch with a black strap and after extensive research I settled upon a men's Timex Easy Reader. I received the watch and realized it had one flaw: the second-hand ticks extremely loud. I can't stand the sound of ticking. Call me Captain Hook, if you wish, but it's just plain annoying. I complained in the car to my parents one evening and my dad casually mentioned he had a couple of old watches I may be interested in. Later that night he brought out this beauty. He's had it for probably close to 30 years, and the best part? It doesn't tick. Plus it was free. I'll probably keep it forever as a family heirloom, or until my dad asks for it back. 

Fun fact: Even though I'm right handed I wear my watch on my right hand. I think I got confused looking at my father's left-handed watch wearing and never could seem to get used to the opposite. 

I also wanted to point out I love ordering Short drinks at Starbucks. I can't get over how adorable their tiny cups are. And since I can never finish a Tall beverage (I can hardly finish a Short), it adds greatly to my happiness of not being wasteful. 

Terse Thoughts

Are you insecure? When walking through the mall do you get uncomfortable when other people look at you?

Wear red lipstick. You'll get over that real quickly.

I started wearing red lipstick a couple of weeks ago and have since noticed I've been getting a lot more looks from people than before. At least I know the reason for their looks and don't have to worry if I have a booger hanging out of my nose.

Oh I wish...

With the Christmas season swiftly coming to an end...in twenty minutes...I thought it best to try and fit one more blog post before I leave for holiday this week. Yes, I know it's been a while since my last post, I have given myself leeway to post whenever the opportunity presents itself. I may be sporadic at times, but I'll still be here.

My family opens all of their presents on Christmas Eve, and after all of the presents were opened and the Christmas wishes fulfilled, I began thinking of how awesome Christmas would be if there were no restrictions to what you could get. A completely selfish and budget-free Christmas list. As if an unknown benefactor suddenly decided he/she wanted to make this Christmas the best one you've ever had.

I had lots of fun assembling this list. I gave myself no budget limitations, but only chose pieces that I have
1. Had my eye on for a while, but haven't wanted to purchase just yet.
2. Have been oogling over for years, but can't afford.
3. Would love to have, but would never pay that much money for.

1. Wacom Intuos Wireless Tablet - I've been wanting to invest in a pen tablet for a couple of years now, but never did because I was still saving up for my dream computer, which I now have. Will this tablet be in my future? Possibly.
2. Raynor Ergohuman Leather Chair - This chair is at the top of my list. Not only is virtually every aspect of the chair adjustable, but it looks like it would actually be comfortable to sit in for hours on end. I am desperately in need of a chair like this at the moment.
3. Billingham 555 Shoulder Bag - With the ability to hold three SLR cameras and multiple lenses and accessories, the fabulous black and brown color scheme isn't the only reason why this bag made the list.
4. Nikon 24mm f/1.4 Lens - This lens is the cream of the crop and #1 on my list of lenses that I want.
5. Nikon 1 V1 Camera - This camera is relatively new, I don't even know if it's a great system that has all of the kinks worked out yet, but I want it. There's something about having a compact camera with the same familiar feeling of looking through the viewfinder and being able to focus a lens that is so attractive.
6. Nikon D3s Camera -  This camera is a hoss. It's huge. It's heavy. I want it. And have wanted it ever since I discovered DSLR cameras.

1. Ethan Allen Bryant Leather Chair - Not only does this have a great modern look with some classic elements, it looks super comfy.
2. Sailing on a Ship -  Anyone who has gone shopping with me probably knows of my current obsession to find a fabulously huge painting of a ship. I do not know where this desire came from, but it is one I have yet to fulfill. I look for ships at every thrift shop and antique store. I've come close, but no cigar.
3. Kitamura Cabinet, Anthropologie - Let's be honest, I could probably go to Anthropologie on any given day and find twenty things that I want to buy, but this cabinet is something I took one look at and fell in love. With it's stunning brass detail, it could stand by itself in a room without any help from accessories.
4. Brass Sailboat Figurines, High Street Market - I stumbled upon this little Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago and was instantly enamored. So much so that I even purchased a beautiful pair of brass partridges for my sister for Christmas. These sailboats simply fulfill my love for all things nautical.
5. Coralie Bed, Anthropologie - I've been looking at bed frames in hopes that I will one day be freed from my tiny bedroom and twin bed and can buy a big bed and a glorious bed frame. I love the gray color and ornate details. It has an understated grandeur.

1. Gold Silk Shirt Dress, Liberty - I'm in love with this dress. It's the kind of thing you could just throw on, be comfortable and not be worried about immodesty or a copious amount of accessories. The dress speaks for itself. 

2. Acne Tri-Knitted Top - This shirt speaks to every comfy bone in my body. Throw on a good pair of jeans and some brown oxfords and you're good to go. 

3. Poppy Print Shirt, Liberty - I have a new love for floral print button down shirts, and this one is just absolutely fabulous. 

4. Navy Silk Farmdress, Liberty - This dress speaks to the Grandma-in-training within me. It may scream Martha Kent to some of you, nevertheless it's exactly what I look for in a dress. 

5. A.P.C. Pullover in Grey - There are certain brands of clothing that I just can't afford, but love anyway. This sweater, made of cashmere, is on my "I want to go to there" list. 

6. A.P.C. Boyfriend Shirt -  A comfy cotton button-up perfect for throwing on and heading out the door in five minutes. 

1. Steve Madden Intyce Boot - I'm pretty much a fan of any black boots with gold details. I didn't have to think twice about these because of they're wonderful simplicity.
2. Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Bag - Proenza Schouler bags are ridiculously pricey, but I'm a sucker for a well-made leather bag.
3. Cole Haan Deana Moccassins - I'm a sucker for a shoe with braided leather. I'm also a sucker for loafers. Enough said.
4. Stuart Weitzman Upbeat Two-Tone Riding Boots - I've been wanting a pair of these boots for a very long time. I love combining black and brown, and these boots are the perfect way to tie those two together. Also, they're reminiscent of some riding boots Mr. Darcy wears in the 2005 reincarnation of Pride and Prejudice, which is where I think I first spotted their beauty.
5. Rose Cut Grey Diamond, Kate Szabone Jewellery - If you're looking for some unique and absolutely gorgeous jewelry, look no further than this little Etsy shop. I'm in love with this grey diamond ring, and now I just need a man to give it to me :]

Lastly...

A Subaru Forester - This is my current dream car. I call it my "Colorado Car" because it will come in handy for my eventual move to the glorious land. One day...I'll have one...

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

What Beautiful Strands You Have

I officially have a hair crush. The kind where you decide in a moment you love everything about that person's follicles. I don't normally get it when people say they envy other women's hair, probably because I'm okay with my hair, but as of a few days ago, I began a new hair goal: I want hair like Christine Easton.

If you don't know who Christine Easton is, don't fret, she's a fictional character from the 1966 film "Walk, Don't Run" also featuring Carey Grant and Jim Hutton.

The film is set in Tokyo during a housing shortage of the 1964 Summer Olympics where Sir William Rutland (Carey Grant) and Steve Davis (Jim Hutton) both arrive two days early and need a place to stay. They both end up renting a half of the spare room in the apartment of Christine Easton (Samantha Eggar). I suggest watching the movie to discover the outcome. It's extremely clever, full of excellent surprises and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Not only do I love the fashion of the times, I truly wish I could live in her apartment. It's so simple, though small, but the minimalism that comes with Japanese architecture is so appealing to me.

But I digress, back to the real reason we're here: I love Christine Easton's hair.

This is the first time the audience is introduced to Ms. Easton, she has just arrived home, and her hair is pulled back in a rather large bun. Reason #1 I love this look: it's extremely close to how I already wear my hair. A few adjustments and this look is complete.

This is the moment in the movie when I realized I needed to have hair like this. It's a gorgeous color of red, and it's so simple. I will also use this opportunity to state I love Jim Hutton in this movie. He's this tall, gangling man that is slightly disagreeable but you can't help but love him by the end.

Again you can see the huge bun Ms. Easton is styling. And shout-out to her friend, Aiko, for almost stealing the shot with her fabulous suit...which I want.

Here you can kind of make out her hair, but really I just think it was a sweet moment and had to share. Everyone around them is dancing their native dance (they're all Olympians from around the world), there is russian music being played, and over in the corner Chris and Steve are slow dancing. She was gorgeous, and even with no shoes on, she's still standing as if she were wearing them.

Here, they are at the games looking for Steve, not knowing what event he is in. Although I don't know where I would even find one, I would wear a hat like this.

Did I mention Steve's event is Speed Walking? Oh...must have slipped my mind.

I probably have another year before my hair will get this long. And I'm still waiting on my bangs to grow out, but you better believe when they do, I'm dying my hair red and wearing it like this all the time.

This is my attempt at Christine Easton hair for the moment. I really love wearing my hair like this. It's a far cry from the over-complicated hairstyles I have had in the past. Maybe one day I'll share those with you...maybe.

I hope you all are not too stressed gearing up for Christmas, with all the shopping and merriment and what not! I leave you with my absolutely favorite (and possibly only favorite) Christmas tune. Take it away, boys!

The Gladys Project

Hello again! 

Let's begin. 

I wanted to share a project today that I am in the beginning stages of and I am very excited about! This project came about last August, when my grandmother, Gladys Zink, passed away. Her death wasn't necessarily a shock, she was old, and had a couple of episodes that she just couldn't come back from. Although it was sad, and she is definitely missed, she also inspired me to start doing so many things I had been putting off for so long (i.e. bake an apple pie from scratch). Although pie is delicious, the main takeaway was this: She liked taking fun photos. 

I always knew my grandmother was a fun person. Let's be honest, she was probably the best grandmother out there. Not only did she love the Lord, and have a sense of humor, but she genuinely cared about all of us enough to always be honest to us. That's real love, y'all. But I only ever knew her as a grandmother. Yeah, I had maybe heard a couple of stories from her about when she was growing up (in West Virginia during the depression), but I had never heard the stories of when she was a single lady on the prowl. Or stories from when my dad was growing up. All of these stories, and fabulous photos surfaced at Gladys' memorial service. (There was much crying, but a lot of it stemmed from laughter)

The day before her memorial, at the viewing (which are always awkward BTW) I got to see so many photos of this beautiful, strong, bold, young lady who was in love with her man and her Jesus. Most of the photos I had never seen, and they were wonderful. I probably saw the slideshow of her photos three times straight through when it hit me: She was awesome. These pictures were awesome. I take pictures. She has lots of beautiful granddaughters. Why don't we recreate some of them?

Since that epiphanic moment, I have been scheming in my head, thinking of how to get it done. I know I want the new photos to stay as close to the originals as I can. For me, this requires some ingenuity to take the photo in the proper location, and having the right techniques to edit them in the antique style. I also want to find clothes & hats that are similar to what Gladys was wearing in the picture. Most of these details will take me a while to work out. For now, I've settled for test shoots. 

Over Thanksgiving, part of my family came over to our house and I took pictures of my Aunt Abby (Gladys youngest daughter) and her family. While I had a camera in my hands, I grabbed my cousin, Jessica, and tried out my first shot. 

Here is the original picture of Gladys, standing in front of a tree, hiking her skirt up to her knees. 

This is honestly one of my favorite photos of her. I don't know where they were, why she was standing up against a tree, or why she felt the need to hike her skirt up, nevertheless I love every aspect of it. 

With Jessica's photo, I placed her in front of our old oak tree in our backyard. Luckily, she showed up wearing a dress with fringe on the bottom (she didn't know I would be doing this that day), and her signature cowboy boots just add a bit of her personality to the shot. 

What do you think? We want to try again and style Jess's hair up, and find a slightly longer dress so you don't see as much of her leg. 

I'm really happy with the results, especially the Marilyn Monroe vibe in her face. 

Next, I will be attempting this photo using me as the model: 

I love the  the three leaf-clover broach she is wearing & the lovely look on her face. After this photo was taken she probably stood up and made a fart noise then blamed it on the photographer, that was her just her style. 

Thanks for coming. Thanks for reading. I'd love some feedback; if you've got anything to say, please leave a comment!