happy birthday, moron

My little brother, Kyle, is 20 years old today. WHAT. It's weird being just that much older than your sibling that you're able to vividly remember their entire life. It seems like just yesterday that he was sitting in a high chair with food all over his face, so it's just super weird that he's 20 already. Still with food all over his face.

We've ended up being ridiculously opposite in almost every way imaginable but somehow we're still really close. He's like my honorary big brother, he's always looking out for me and trying to protect me whenever he can. Despite the arguments that ensue over what music to play in the car, we're great road trip buddies and just in the last year we've been to almost every state on the east coast (and Canada!) I say it all the time, but I am SO lucky to be so close to my family, and Kyle is no exception. Even though he can annoy the heck out of me and has obsessions with things I can't wrap my head around (I'll NEVER understand his fascination with freight trains. ever.) I am super lucky to have him for a brother and even luckier to have him for a friend.

happy birthday daddie

Today is my dad's 60th birthday! I don't want to get too mushy*, but my dad really means the world to me and not a day goes by that I don't think to myself how lucky I am to have hit the parent jackpot. We talk constantly and conversations with my dad are never boring. I usually drop by his office to complain about how much I have to do and how I'm never going to get it all done, and then end up hanging around for two hours talking about hypothetical solutions to world issues or the possible consequences of traveling back in time.

This is a man who sat me down in front of the tv when I was barely three years old to watch Nelson Mandela's release from prison, and explained to me the significance of the event. In the car on the way home from elementary school he would use stop lights as an opportunity to demonstrate, with pieces of fruit, the way the solar system worked. Growing up he constantly encouraged me to be intellectually curious, aware of current events, and conscious of history, and to this day I think our conversations are what keep me on my toes. He challenges my opinions even when he agrees with them, not just to play devils advocate but to spark more debate about the topic at hand.

He is thoughtful, kind, generous, big-hearted, incredibly smart, and he has fantastic taste in music, movies and books. He's dealt with some hardship and failures over the years but he remains remarkably optimistic and idealistic. He is a hard worker and, despite major bumps along the road, has managed to own his own business for over 30 years. He never fails to cheer me up when I'm blue, and -- possibly aware of my fragile ego or maybe just blinded by fatherly pride -- I can't remember one instance in which he ever did anything less than gush over anything I painted or drew. And when my world shattered in February when Hypatia passed away, he sat with me night after night helping me to work through my grief. He's the most patient, level-headed and decent person I know, and no matter what happens in my life, one constant will always be having an incredibly amazing father.

Obviously -- if you couldn't tell-- I think my dad is pretty awesome. I am SO thankful that we are such good friends and that he's given me so many amazing memories over the years. Here's to many more :)



*well, that worked well. oops ;p

lost and found memories

We've had undeveloped disposable cameras and rolls of film laying around the house for as long as I can remember... some in junk drawers, some on shelves in the laundry room, some under the bed. Most of them expired 10+ years ago and might be completely useless now, but I'm finally going to find out! I was originally going to get them all developed at once, but after searching tirelessly for a very cheap way to develop disposable cameras (to no avail) I decided I'm going to start getting one developed per week. I actually like this way better! It will be something really nice to look forward to each weekend. I've heard of people getting old film developed and just having minor aging issues so I'm hoping I have the same luck!

I'm really excited to hopefully discover some lost memories! I'll post about my progress here if I find any photographic treasures. Who knows how many forgotten places, friends and adventures are waiting to be rediscovered! :)

at the last minute

Me and my dad always go out shopping at the last minute on Christmas Eve. We've been doing it since I was little, usually walking out the door of the last store right as the manager is coming over the loudspeaker to announce that they're closed. It's such a fun tradition for us, even though it can be kind of stressful to hunt down those last minute gifts! I usually do a good deal of my shopping online but my dad does almost all of his on this one trip. This year we were pretty successful, finding some really perfect presents for my mom and managing to find dark green hand towels (the one item on her wishlist this year) at K-Mart after looking unsuccessfully for that specific color at what must have been 10 other stores first!

I really loved how my outfit looked with my coat but didn't get a picture of it at home, so here's a silly mirror picture I took at Kohls.. Actually, it probably makes me completely uncool for admitting this, but I rather like mirror pictures. I feel less stupid taking them, rather than posing like an idiot in my bedroom with the self timer ;p And I get to include my Hello Kitty iphone case, so there's that too..

ps. While I'm admitting things I shouldn't .. I don't think I've actually answered my blog/personal emails in over a month. yikes. I was in Disney, then I was really sick, then I had my Christmas rush in my etsy store and then, well, Christmas. I'm preparing on tackling them little by little over the next couple of weeks though. I'm just enjoying a bit of time off with my family this week and then I'll get to it. Sorry if you've been waiting on a response from me! I hope you understand :)

dress - c/o emerging thoughts | coat - f21 | scalloped collar shirt - asos | tights - target

shoes - payless | purse - modcloth | hat - absolutely no idea

merry christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I think my favorite part of this season is enjoying the traditions that we've had since me and my brother were kids. We wake up super early to open presents and eat breakfast (croissants, every year!) then head over to my grandmom's for brunch, and then it's back home for dinner! Last year me and my brother started a new tradition of watching all of the christmas episodes of The Office before going to sleep on Christmas night, too. Also Chloe -- my antisocial cat -- joins us for opening presents on Christmas morning every year without fail. It's because she likes all the wrapping paper but we kid ourselves into thinking it's her gift to us ;) I look forward to it so much though!!

Me and my dad went out for some last-minute shopping this weekend and I found these cute little paper houses at Home Goods (my first time in there, by the way, and it's amazing!!) I had been looking for similar ones at Target (they were on the website and said "not sold online" but NO stores near me had them) but I like these a lot better, plus the whole set (including the little snowmen) was only $12. It was looking sort of plain, so I did a quick backdrop painting, inspired by this vintage greeting card (thanks for the link Casey!!) I'm going to be so sad when it's time to take all my Christmas decorations down next week! My room was starting to feel so festive!

Well I still have some presents to wrap (I'm writing this on Christmas Eve and scheduling it.. sneaky! ;D) and hot chocolate waiting for me, and I have my own little tradition of watching the "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" episode of The X-Files.  I hope everyone is having a wonderfully merry day! :)

ps. I'm having a one day 25% off sale in my etsy shop if you have some new Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket ;)

fast motion

I am so, so thankful to have a successful small business (knock on wood!) but O.M.G. am I worn out from the Christmas rush! My brother hasn't helped me as much this year as he used to, and I'm not quite comfortable hiring someone to help me pack orders in my bedroom lol. So I've been making, printing, packing, shipping and emailing from morning until the wee small hours. I actually feel guilty going to sleep each night because there's so much left to be done. And we still haven't even baked cookies or written out Christmas cards yet. As grateful as I am, I'm really looking forward to putting my shop on vacation next week and enjoying some calm days with my family :)

dress - c/o le bomb shop | sweater - forever 21 | shoes - modcloth

my vest bet

This is the last picture I'm posting with my regular pink hair. I had to touch up my roots and thought I'd try something a little different by using a darker shade of blonde as my base, so the pink would be toned down. The blonde came out A LOT darker than I anticipated so it's looking a little odd, but I think you can still *kind of* see that it's pink. Anyway, I'll post photos later in the week.

My mom got this vest on her honeymoon in Paris in 1976, and it's one of my most treasured possessions. Unfortunately she's one of those people who empties their closet constantly and this seems to be one of the only vintage pieces she kept. It's a shame too because she had killer style when she was young! I always kid my dad about it, because in photos from the 70's he's bedecked in bell bottoms, half-open floral print shirts with huge collars and a gold chain while my mom has on something classic and timeless. My brother and I have officially ruled that he's never allowed to ever judge any of our fashion decisions, or else we'll whip out the incriminating 70's pictures ;D

Dress - h&m | Vest - from my mom | Shoes - urbanog
Necklace - c/o Creature Comfort

it's still me

Last week as part of my grandmom's birthday celebrations we went to Grounds for Sculpture. It's a natural park/sculpture garden, and it's absolutely beautiful! The last time we were there I was about 10 years old and admission was still free (the fact that they charge now is probably why we haven't been back in so long lol) The highlights for me were the gorgeous gardens (some of them felt positively Alice-in-Wonderland-esque!) and the life-size sculptures of impressionist paintings by J. Seward Johnson (who also founded the park). It was like stepping into a Renoir!

It was sweltering hot, so I had my bangs pinned back and took this rare opportunity to wear shorts (although I still wore tights, but they had a really loose weave so it made me feel more covered-up without being overheated.) I didn't feel like me, I'm so used to wearing dresses lol! But it was a nice change for a day ;)






Me and my grandmom pretending to have a dinner party... it's actually a sculpture! Even the tablecloth is made of bronze (something I forgot momentarily and banged my knee! oops)

Shirt - f21 | Shorts - emerging thoughts | Shoes - Dorothy Perkins
Bag - modcloth | headband and belt - f21 | tights - target | sunglasses - asos

snapshots from a lovely day

Saturday was so lovely, I thought it deserved another post. These are just some of the photos we snapped during our evening by the ocean. I especially love the one with my mom, brother and Grandmom walking Abbey Road style along the shore... they had no idea I was taking pictures but sometimes that makes for the best ones, don't you think? :)







ps. Aren't trees with twinkle lights are one of the best things ever? They make my heart go all a-flutter!

perfection

dress - modcloth
sunglasses - fred flare

Saturday night I surprised my family with a mini trip to the beach. We've had a stressful year so far, and I think some time near the ocean was definitely what we needed! It was SO relaxing, and the weather was perfect. When I was younger I never really cared for the shore, but I think it's because we always went in the afternoon when the sun was scorching and the air was really thick. On Saturday we didn't even leave the house until around 5pm, and by the time we arrived it had cooled down and the sun was starting to say goodbye for the day. The sky was a mix of pastel blues and pinks, and the ocean was calm and quiet. It was perfection.

I'm thinking of making it a weekend tradition. It's only Tuesday and I'm already aching to go back at the end of the week...

buzz buzz buzz

dress - modcloth
collar - luminia
cardigan & yellow belt - f21
black belt - old navy
shoes - urbanog

I find it funny that I almost always feel inclined to pair black and white with yellow considering these two facts -- I am deathly afraid of bees, and I spent four miserable years of high school at a place where the school mascot was a hornet.

Anyway! My little brother is turning 18 years old today! It's weird that I can remember the day he was born, when he was a tiny wrinkly little human, and now he's all grown up! About a foot taller than me, about to graduate from college (he went early) and driving on his own. It's surreal! On his 13th birthday we volunteered at the animal shelter, and that's the day I met Hypatia! I didn't actually bring her home until the 19th so I consider that her official anniversary and I'll do a special fifth anniversary post for her on Saturday! :)

a photo an hour

At the end of April I took pictures for my first photo-an-hour post... here they are!



10am: the view when I open my eyes every morning ♥



11am: packing some flapper doodle orders!



12pm: Communiversity street fair in Princeton! I used to exhibit my art here, but the last 2 years I've just gone as a visitor and I've enjoyed it so much!



1pm: Kyle thought it would be fun to take a picture of my tiger ring (c/o modcloth) in front of the Princeton Tigers at Nassau Hall! (ps. I dyed the tips of my hair pink... I think it looks really cool in the milkmaid braids!)



2pm: Goofing around while taking outfit pictures! I'll post the outfit tomorrow :)



3pm: Lunch at Zorba's Grill. Not the best photo, but it was so yummy! I got hummus with pita bread, and spanakopita.



4pm: Wandering around Princeton. This is the window to a landmark Princeton restaurant that recently closed :( When you peek inside the windows you can see they gutted the whole building, only the facade is still standing.



5pm: Buying some used books at the Princeton library (I also picked some up for The Book Fair that I'll be listing later today!)



6pm: Sitting/standing around eating ice cream from The Bent Spoon



7pm: I came home to find some goodies waiting for me on the porch! yay!



8pm: I spent way too much time playing dress up with said goodies...



9pm: We were all too lazy to cook so my dad went out and got Panera for dinner. I could live on their tomato soup! My local restaurant is opening a drive-thru, so now that I won't have to physically go in the store I really might be living on it soon.



10pm: X-Files time!



11pm: Back to bed to read for a little bit and relax with my kitties before getting some shut-eye :)