Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all!  I hope you had a lovely and safe evening.  I spent it in my pyjamas re-watching Sherlock so it was fresh for series three.  I'm sure many of you thought I fell off the face of the Earth.  According to the blog, I did.  I needed to take a break but it's one of my resolutions to get back into the swing of things.  And if you didn't take notice, these photos are from the summer.  I've got a bit of backlog and it gets dark too early nowadays to take any shots before or after work.

Speaking of resolutions, here's what I have in mind.  But since I'm not that great at keeping them each year, I'm going to think of them more so as goals to aspire toward.

-Get back into blogging and do more photo shoots.  I want to continue my vintage shoots as well as getting into cosplay (though most of them will require finding a local, reliable photographer).

-Try styling my hair in other vintage styles besides just my usual curls.  Since I've started working full time again in the summer, I haven't been doing my usual hot rollers in the morning as it takes too much extra time.  I've now taken to doing pin curls but I usually just finger comb them and leave them be.  I'd like to try incorporating victory rolls and updos into my repertoire.

-Find some people to befriend that share the passion for vintage that will attend events and dress up with me.  (Same with cosplay.)  I see so many other bloggers who have vintage girlfriends and it makes me feel a wee bit sad and lonely that I don't have anyone to share that with.  I've gone to reenactments by myself, which isn't horrible, but it would be so much more fun to go with someone.  I missed out on a lovely sounding New Year's Eve that consisted of a multi-course dinner, champagne toast, and swing band.  I was meant to go with someone who just never bothered to tell me they changed their mind and instead just didn't respond to me.  So I definitely want to try to make some friends who I can go to events like these with.

-Eat healthier.  Yes, this is the result of the vain goal of wanting to lose weight.  But it will also be good for my health in the long haul if I can eat more balanced meals.  I never bother to cook anything proper after work because I'm too tired and lazy.  So I just end up eating something really simple to prepare.  I'm not going to get in a Julia Child mindset or anything, but I would like to start making simple, proper meals.

Outfit Details:

vintage dress, vintage shoes, belt {thrifted}

vintage jewellery {grandmother's}

So there you have it, my goals for 2014.  I'll catch you up on what has been going on in my life in a future post.  What have you been up to?  Any goals for 2014?

My Week According to Instagram

I know, I know, I know...  Where the bloody hell have I been?!  I'm so sorry...  I actually took the time and edited over 100 Instagram photos from the past couple of weeks, put them up here, and wrote the whole blog entry.  Then went I went to post it, I lost everything and was too frustrated to go through all that again.  So I am skipping those two weeks and picking back up on this week.

One thing I must share since I'm not posting those photos is that the guy I met at WWII Weekend and I are no longer seeing each other.  I was really sad at first, but now I've realized it happened for a specific reason.  If I would have never met him, or if he would have never split up with me, then I wouldn't be where I'm at at this moment, nor whom I'm with.  I feel the pain was worth it in the end.

1. Watched On the Town for the first time. Such an entertaining film!

2. Last Sunday's outfit.

3. Monday's mixing of matching florals.

4. Gorgeous gloves I got from the lovely Eccentric Owl. She's such a great penpal!

5. Recruited penpals. I'm bringing handwritten letters back.

6. Cocktails with a friend at a pirate themed pub.

7. "When the Right One Comes Along" from Nashville.

8. In love with Wednesday's outfit. I must wear it again and take outfit photos.

9. Wednesday's hair. I have a bit of a fingerwave somehow happening.

10. One must wear a Captain America plaster when they cut themselves on Fourth of July.

11. A patriotic pinup.

12. My Fourth of July outfit.

13. Friday's outfit. It was too hot to bother with anything too fancy.

14. Oh Benny...

15. Finally watched Mr Selfridge and loved it!

I've had some really busy weeks lately, which has been a wonderful change.  I've been hanging out with lots of different people.  Last weekend I went to Gettysburg for the 150th which was really neat to see.  There are photos on my IG account and there will be a post with photos eventually.

I'm writing this post a day early, because I'll be too busy this weekend to get it out on time and I feel terrible about being so far behind in blogging.  Saturday (aka today as I'm writing this) I went to my brother's house for a cookout with my family and a new fella.  Afterwards he and I will be going to a party at his mate's.

Today I'm going to church with R to hear his band play and then going to the Conrad Weiser Homestead with him whilst he takes pictures.  After that I get to go to Shupp's Grove with a friend from the library I volunteer at.  I've never been there before but apparently I'll love it.  There's all sorts of antiques and vintage clothing and whatnot.  Hmm...me, be interested in that...?  Never...

I'll leave you here for now.  Until next time...Which won't be nearly as long I promise!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Memorial Day Memories

This past weekend was a long weekend for Memorial Day on Monday.  I stayed rather busy but it was good.  On Saturday I watched my nephew.  We played his Wii a bit (with him mostly beating me, at the age of 6!) and even walked down to his local pizza place for lunch.

On Sunday, after church, a friend took me out shooting for the first time.  I got to shoot a couple rifles and a few handguns as well.  It was really fun and I hope I get to go again sometime.  I especially liked shooting the bigger guns since I was much better at them.

On Memorial Day, my mum and I went out and got some flowers for my garden bed.  We got all sorts of lovelies and spent some time planting them.  Afterwards we headed to her house and my stepdad fired up the grill for a yummy cookout.

In the evening, we sat outside by the fire pit and roasted marshmallows for smores.  That was my favourite part.  I hadn't had a smore in the longest time and it was so tasty.  I cannot wait to make some more.

The temperature is really starting to heat up and I've now had to turn on my window AC unit for the first time today.  I guess summer is starting to make itself known a bit.

Outfit Details:

vintage skirt, vintage hat, top, belt {thrifted}

vintage jewellery {Grandmas Ruth and Charlotte}

wedges {eBay}

All this week it's supposed to be really hot and some days reaching past 90F.  So suffice to say I most likely won't be venturing to take outfit photos.  I don't feel like having melting makeup and 80s hair band fluffy hair from the heat and humidity.  Thankfully, I've got a little backlog of photos to post for when I can't make it out.

What do you do when the weather gets in the way?

My Week According to Instagram

Christmas is coming!  And for once, I'm ready early.  My flat is all decorated, the presents are all purchased and wrapped.  This week I helped my Mum get a tree and decorate her house.  Yesterday and today I spent the day wrapping all the gifts.  I made them extra pretty by using ribbons and handmade gift tags available in my Etsy shop.  They really are a special touch to any gift, if I say so myself.

1. Yummy dinner: twice baked potato, chicken Cordon Bleu, and brown sugar carrots.

2. Vintage hand embroidered tea towel.

3.  Letting Instagram followers know about this post.

4. Working on a custom Kindle cover.

5. Finally had the chance to wear the 1940's nurse's cape.

6. Minus the cape: green plaid dress and hat.

7. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters at the Dollar Tree.

8. Pretty in pink.

9. A side view of the hat.

10. Mini Christmas tree and vintage Santa Claus.

11. Watching one of my favorite films, Christmas or not: Love Actually.

12. Smudger after having a bath.

13. Keeping Smudger warm after his bath.

14. Some of the pretty presents I wrapped using these gift tags.

I'm really excited for next weekend because that is when the cookie making will commence.  Today we are coming up with a game plan for exactly what kinds we are going to make.  Mum and I are also enjoying some holiday movies.  We first watched Christmas with the Kranks and are currently enjoying the lovely Celtic Thunder Christmas DVD as I type this post.

What are your plans for the upcoming weeks for celebrating Christmas?

For Those I Am Thankful For

As we all know, this time of year, especially today, is the day to give thanks for everything in our lives that we are grateful for.  I'd like to share with you the things that I am grateful for.  This post is dedicated to those special people in my life that make everything worth while.

I am grateful for my family.  Though some members I don't have as close of a relationship with that I'd like to, I'm still hopeful that one day things may change around.  I am so thankful for the rekindling of relationships that have long gone neglected.  It means the world to me to be reconnected with my family from Maine.  Especially having Kathy and Karen in my life.  They are like the two aunts I never had.  Their contact in my life means so much.

I'm thankful for my friends who are there for me through thick and then.  They understand and accept me just the way I am.  Even though we are growing up and developing our own adult lives, I know who the ones are that will always be a special part of my life (you know who you are, Michelle and Sarah).

Me and Mum at the Renaissance Faire, 2011.

Harry and Ginny. Er...me and Steven.

Shelly and I at a Halloween party.

A rare Christmas where my siblings and I are all together.

Knowlton family reunion. I am so glad I know these people.

My dear Smudger; he is such a great companion.

My brother's wedding in Boston.

My best friends Michelle and Sarah.

I miss the sleepovers and laughs we used to share.

The best hairstylists out there. Erica, Tiff, me, and Amanda.

Karen, Mum, me, and Kathy at the Renaissance Faire this year.

I love these ladies.

My dear nephew Evan and I last Christmas.

Great Uncle Bud, gone but not forgotten.

Grandma Parker, missing you.

Grandma and Grandpa Beitler. I never knew him and I miss her desperately. I am so grateful for the time that I did have with her, even though it was very short.

My mummy and I.

The person in my life whom I am most thankful for is my mummy.  She has always been there for me and supported me through every mad whim.  She's always accepted me for who I am and let me coming into my own person without judgement.  She is my best friend, my mentor, my mother.  I am so grateful for our bond and I couldn't ask for anything more.  She means the world to me. 

What are you thankful for on this wonderful day of family, friends, food, and fun?  I wish you all a wonderful day of thankfulness and celebration.