My Week According to Instagram

This week has been a hot one for sure.  Thankfully my mum carried down my two window AC units and put them in for me.  Or else I would be completely wilted.

It's so hard to believe that in one week, even less than one week, WWII Weekend will finally be here.  In case you haven't noticed by the amount I've talked about this- I'm really excited!  My outfits are all planned out all the way down to the accessories and now all I need to do is play the waiting game until Friday.

1-2. Last Sunday's outfit.

3-4. Photoshoot after church.

5. First time shooting a rifle. 75 yards and a bulls-eye, not too bad...

6. My great-grandfather, Norman Perley Knowlton, WWI.

7. My grandfather, Warren R. Beitler, WWII.

8. My great-uncle, Adrien 'Bud' Hilmer Knowlton, WWII.

9. My patriotic outfit for Memorial Day.

10. And the details of said outfit.

11. Fred K. Johnson, 1941.

12. Harry Bickford, 1917 or 1918.

13. Fire pit and s'mores, the perfect way to end Memorial Day.

14. Norman Perley Knowlton, WWI.

15. My great-grandmother, Winifred Coffin (nee Johnson) Knowlton.

16. Wednesday's outfit mixed florals.

17. Details of my outfit from Wednesday.

18. Ginger Rogers was this week's Style Crush.

19. Major hair envy over Rita Hayworth's luscious locks.

20. Vintage black one piece swimsuit.

21. Shared this outfit post via Instagram.

22. Thursday's outfit, apricot wiggle dress.

23. My attempt at re-creating Rita's hair.

24. UK Being Human v US Being Human, UK wins for sure.

25. Vintage nurse's uniform.

26. Vintage green and white one piece swim suit, bullet bra built in!

27. Boho-chic for Friday's outfit.

28. Shared this post on Instagram.

29. Had a dream of Jay Baruchel as a sailor. That's a good dream.

30. Happy Birthday, Marilyn! (1 June 1926)

31. Saturday's feathery outfit.

32. Rita hair turned out better the second time around.

33. The pretty roses in my garden.

34. Since I can't be at Comic Con right now, watching Fanboys will have to do.

Another reason I'm excited for next weekend, besides the obvious, is that my cousin Kathy and her husband Mark are coming down for a wee visit.  And when I say wee, I mean wee.  They are arriving Friday afternoon, going to WWII Saturday, and then heading back to Maine Sunday.  Talk about quite a ride for just a short period of time!  Either way, I'm happy to see her again.

Apparently my sleeping mind is as excited as my waking conscious for WWII Weekend, because Friday night I had a dream about Jay Baruchel in a sailor uniform.  He did play one briefly in Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian so that's where the image came from.  But why it sprung into my unconscious mind, I don't know.  It's certainly got me on a Jay kick though.  I had to watch Fanboys because I'm bummed about missing Comic Con in Philly (Norman Reedus is there!) and then I watched Tropic Thunder.  Jay is just so adorkable.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

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.

Travel Diary: Castle Tucker, Wiscasset

Warning: This post may be a wee bit photo heavy.  Moving on...

The day started with a trip down to Boothbay Harbor town.  This area is definitely the more so touristy area with all of the shops and whatnot, but it's still pretty.  If you couldn't tell by the name, the harbor is right there so it is quite the sight.  Of course after only going into one shop, it started to rain heavily.  Thankfully I came prepared...

We had lunch in one of the many restaurants and waited for the rain to ease up.  We walked about town for a bit more and then made our way back to the boat house.  In doing so, we had to pass through mo ghrá, Wiscasset.

There's another gorgeous building there by the name of Castle Tucker.  The house was built in 1807 and was in need of repair when the Tucker family purchased it in 1858.  They updated it in the Victorian style which was the highest taste.  Because of change in finances at the end of the nineteenth century, the Tucker family had to take boarders in the summer.  Due to limited finances, most of the inside remains the same as it did then.

Mum and I also toured this building when we were in town last year.  It was another stunning property and I loved seeing all of the Victorian accents inside.  One of my favorite pieces had to be the big, beautiful range they had in the kitchen.  I don't know what it is about old ranges, but I am drawn to them.  They are just so lovely.

Outfit Details:

vintage dress, vintage jumper, headscarf, belt {thrifted}

wedge sandals {payless}

cameo bracelet {Mess Of A Dreamer Design}

earrings {claire's}

white sapphire ring {kay jewelers}

1920s engagement ring {great-grandmother's}

umbrella {target}

I don't know what it is about this dress.  It's super simple but I absolutely love it.  The pleating and the pockets in the front are just too sweet.  Adding a regular scarf as a bowed headband just gave the outfit the perfect accent of color.  I'm sad that this season is almost over, that I won't get to wear it again.  Perhaps I can layer it up in the transition into autumn.

We ended up nearly getting chased away by the rain again by the end of the shoot.  They sky was threatening us with it's thunder for the last five minutes or so of photographing.  But thankfully, it held off just long enough for me to have a seat at the darling table set outside.  Wouldn't it be the perfect spot for a cuppa?

Want to see what photos didn't make the cut?  Head over to Facebook to view the extras.

Travel Diary: Wiscasset, Maine

Wiscasset is one of my favorite places in Maine.  It's got gorgeous old buildings everywhere, cute shops, and the best handmade ice cream made by Lear's.  These photos were taken at the Nickels-Sortwell House, built in 1807 by Captain William Nickels who was a ship owner and trader.  During financial hardship in 1807, thanks to Jefferson's Embargo, the town of Wiscasset went into an economic decline.  The house was sold in 1814 and was used as a hotel for many years.  Eventually in 1899, the house was bought by Alvin Sortwell.  The family restored the house over many years and now it's open to tours.

Last year my mum and I did the tour inside of it.  It was really fun to see all of the beautiful architecture insides and the amazing furniture.  It was also neat to hear the history about the house.  We didn't do any historical tours this visit.  But it was too stunning to not use it as a backdrop for a photoshoot.  I love old buildings and Maine is a hotbed for them.  I don't think there was a town we drove through where I didn't fall absolutely in love with at least one home.

This is the sunken garden located across the street from the Nickels-Sortwell House.  The garden is located where the Hilton House was, but it burned down in 1903.  The Sortwell family purchased the lot.  What used to be the cellar was then turned into a sunken garden.  It is now open to public use.  It's quite fun to explore.  Because of it being lower, it's almost as if you were in a secret garden...well, except the traffic coming from Main Street.

This last image was taken at a building that was once called The Ledges: Black Hawk Tavern.  It was once a restaurant, but now it's up for sale.  I have been lusting after this building since I first saw it last year.  The poor beauty needs some TLC.  It's still a stunning property regardless.

  Outfit Details:

top, skirt, belt, handbag {thrifted}

wedge sandals {payless}

euro coin bracelet {handmade for Mess Of A Dreamer Design}

necklace {handmade}

earrings {Claire's}

Want to see what photos didn't make the cut?  Head over to Facebook to see the extras.