Sunday, September 30, 2012

My Week According to Instagram

Wow, time flies...  So this past week was the Emmy's.  I didn't get to watch it since I had to work, but that didn't stop me from admiring the fashion!  There were some really stunning dresses there, below I document some of my favourites.

It was a bit of another tough week.  Yesterday was a week since we had to put Harley down.  Then I found out my cat, Midnight, has cancer.  The 26th was the 21st anniversary of my grandmother passing.  I went to visit her on Friday when I had off which was very emotional, but I felt like I needed to do that.

I do have some things to look forward to this coming week.  I'm taking a trip to NYC tomorrow.  Then, this weekend I have some family coming down from Maine for a visit.  We will be going to the Renaissance Faire around here.  It's really swell.  Sort of raunchy, lude humor, but still a blast.

1. Holding Harley's paw
2. Emmy time! Here are my favourite dresses: Kat Denning
3. Ginnifer Goodwin
4. Tina Fey

5. Zooey Deschanel
6. Kelly Osbourne
7. Sarah Hyland
8. January Jones and Jessica Pare

9. Christina Hendricks
10. Whitney Port
11. Michelle Dockery
12. My kitty, Midnight

13. My grandmother's necklace from the 1940's
14. My grandmother wearing said necklace
15. My grandparents shortly after they were wed
16. A Renaissance painting

17. Friday photoshoot
18. Fall weather at last!
19. Visiting my grandmother's grave
20. Smudger after a bath


21. Handmade velvet pouch
22. Watching Mad Men and girl crushing

How was your weekend?  Anything interesting happen?


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Black and White and Red All Over

I have so pretty exciting news...  But I'm going to wait to share it so as not to jinx anything.  This news came just at the right time because I've been kind of down lately.  It's just been emotionally draining around these parts the past week.  Then money has been a bit tight due to extra bills so I've just been stressed out.  So, I could definitely do with a little ray of sunshine about now.












Outfit Details:
vintage dress, vintage shoes, vintage handbag, belt {thrifted}
earrings {avon}
Claddagh ring {gifted}
vintage necklace, vintage bracelets {from my paternal grandmother}

Since I had off today, I drove the hour or so to Allentown to visit my grandmother's grave.  That was crazy.  There was horrible traffic and then I ended up missing my turn and got going the wrong way.  So a drive that should take a little over an hour took about two and a half hours.  Ridiculous.

Some family is coming down to visit next weekend and we are going to the Renaissance Faire.  That's always really fun.  I was originally going to rent a costume but then my mum found a nice one at Salvation Army.  It is really pretty but had a few mild stains and tears, but that's easily fixable.  Then I got a child's black velvet dress which I turned into a drawstring pouch to accompany my outfit.  It should be a grand time.  I'm looking forward to it.

Do you have a place like the Renaissance Faire that you like to dress up and visit?








Want to see what photos didn't make it onto the blog?  Head over to my Facebook for a gander.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

21 Years But Still in My Heart and Mind

21 years ago today, I lost my grandmother Charlotte Arlene (nee Leh) Beitler to ovarian cancer.  It's hard to believe that much time has passed...  The irony of September being ovarian cancer awareness month is not lost on me.

It makes me really sad because since I was only five at the time, I don't remember much about her.  But what I do remember is that she was a very warm, loving person.  I vaguely remember going to her house in Allentown for visits.  Mum tells me she was so thrilled to have a granddaughter, as I have to older brothers. 

At the time, when I was younger, and my father gave me her jewelry, I didn't really think that much of it.  Now that I am older, I appreciate it so much more.  It feels like it's my only link to her because I really don't remember being with her that much.  I feel as if I have a piece of her with me then.  I am also grateful that I have her trunk that Dad refinished for my sixteenth birthday.  I didn't really think anything of it at the time, but now it's a treasured collection along with her jewelry.  I only wish I could have had some of her clothes, especially her dress from her Honeymoon photo.

My grammy and me when I was 4 months old.



















Tea time!  Is that an old Pepsi bottle?


Welcome home me!  With my mum, grandma, and older brothers.
We always lump our birthdays together.  Like my pink cast?
Always smiling.

Santa himself would be jealous of her festive red bow.

Time for presents!  And where did Cabbage Patch kids go?

Both my grandmothers, both gone now.

Happily rocking away.
Joint birthday for myself and my brother.
My mum and dad at their wedding with their mums.
My dad and grandma at their house in New York.

My dad as a wee lad with my grandma.

I love this coat!

Her hair and jewelry always looked so nice.

My grandma and grandpa Warren after they were just married.  I would kill for that outfit.  They were such a gorgeous couple.

Charlotte Arlene (nee Leh) Beitler
01 August 1922 - 26 September 1991

I have no grandparents left, which is more than a little sad for me.  I never even got to know either of my grandfathers at all, for they were gone before I was even born.  I definitely envy my older brothers, since they remember more about Grandma Beitler than I do.  My oldest brother even remembers her mother, our great-grandmother!  It does make me happy that my nephew has such a wonderful, caring grandmother in my mum.  Every child needs one.

The photo of me with the cast is hard for me to look at.  I didn't notice this before when I was younger, but I can tell now that she must have been pretty sick when it was taken.  I look close to five, if not already five, in that photo.  Her face was gaunt and she just didn't look well.  I hope she didn't suffer.  She was such an amazing woman, she didn't deserve that.  She should have been able to see her grandchildren grow and get married and have their own babies.

It's never easy as we get older, and our loved ones get older as well.  It makes me scared for my parents.  I want them to be alive to see me get married and have children.  It's definitely been a hard week for me.  First our beloved golden passed away on Saturday; yesterday I found out my very first pet, Midnight, has cancer; and today is the 21 anniversary of my loving grandmother passing.  One day at a time, I suppose...  I will always think of my grandma when I wear the jewelry (I have that heart pendant from above!) she left me with a big smile on my face and warmth in my heart.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

A Halo for Harley

As many of you may know by now, we lost our beloved Golden Retriever, Harley, on Saturday.  For more about what happened, read this post.

Harley was one of a kind, which I'm sure you could say about all pets.  He was loving, loyal, unselfish, generous, just the best companion anyone could have ever asked for.  Even though he was truly my mum's dog, he and I still had a special bond.  He was my ginger twin.  When I still lived at home, he would come into my bedroom for comfort during thunderstorms.  From now on, every time there is a storm, it will make me think of him and how he would seek comfort with me.

It's never easy to lose a loved one.  Someone who has been there and has seen you at your best and worst and loved you no matter what.  It's going to be a hard road ahead, trying to get over this horrible bump in the path.  Harley may be gone physically, but he will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts.  It makes me nervous for the future, all of our pets are getting older...

Relaxing after a swim in his younger days.

Mum and her best friend.
Treat time!
Tasha and Harley, friends until the end.  It's sad they are both gone.

Harley and Cocoa.  She was my baby, but she passed away last year.

Tucker and Harley.  Best buds and brothers.  Tucker is lost without him.

Time to go for a hike with Mummy!

But where are you going to sit...?

Enjoying a bone.

In his element.  Harley loved nature.

Who could resist that face?

Doggy sitting and giving treats.

Now this is my kind of afternoon...

I love you!

Man, I could get used to this Christmas thing...
Taking my ginger twin for a walk.
Hanging out with Tucker.

Surrounded by love on his last day.
Cuddling with Harley.
Thirsty?

I will miss that chubby paw.

Mummy's boy until the end.

The best companion.

Harley Davidson
16 February 2001 - 22 September 2012

I will miss your beautiful eyes.  I will miss your kisses.  I will miss your hugs.  I will miss celebrating our birthdays together.  I will miss seeing you tear open presents.  I will miss your bark.  I will miss your unselfishness.  I will miss your loyalty.  I will miss your silent comfort.  I will miss your companionship.  I will miss your unconditional love.  I will miss you.