kept her warm and safe and dry

song of the day: 'same auld lang syne' by dan fogelberg

the weather took a turn for the freezing. my poor little hands hurt by the time i got back in the car after taking pictures. but it is almost december and i should just expect the temperatures to hover around 30 degrees. still no matter what, it's hard to deal with!

i love this church building. it's just so quaint and charming with it's gothic arches and stained glass. back in college i went to a service here and the inside of the church is just as pretty. it reminds me, though, that we just don't put as much creativity into our buildings anymore. most new churches, stores, and restaurants are in lifeless shells with the emphasis being on 'bigger is better.' it's so sad. especially when there are really neat old buildings that sit empty and decaying, but because it costs a bit more to get an old place up to code, people shy away from it. but it does make me thankful for the people around here, and around the country, that care for the history of a place and want to restore it. and this church is still in use and every sunday folks come through these doors and i bet they are very happy to have such a lovely place to worship.

details:

sleeveless sweater-vintage

plaid shirt-vintage

jeans-urban outfitters

shoes-eastland, thrifted

coat-charlotte russe, from my sis-in-law

some kind of lonely clown

song of the day: 'rainy days and mondays' by the carpenters

wow, i feel like i've been away from the blog for a super long time. i've missed you guys! in a way it's been nice, but yesterday i started getting the shakes from withdrawal. i trust everyone had a great weekend and are totally excited that it's monday!! yeah, exactly. it's raining so that tells you how awesome today is shaping up to be for me. just so you know, i'm not one of those who likes the rain. i wish it could be sunny and warm every single day. alas, it cannot be so.

but, i've been spending as much time as possible getting into the holiday spirit by watching christmas movies and have even done some baking. i cut out some paper snowflakes to put on our tree and made advent bags so that each night we can open it up and get a little treat. i know, cute huh. i don't go over the top with decorating like i used to. i used to put some manner of garland or sprig of something on every surface in the house. we would always get a fresh tree and i'd color coordinate the ornaments with the wrapping paper. now, i basically just put up stockings and string lights on the lime tree since we have to bring it in because of the cold. i do want desperately to string a ton of paper chains from the ceiling ala 'elf' but we have exposed beams that are about 12 feet high so it would be pretty hard and use a ton of paper. do you guys decorate a lot? it would be fun to see everybody's holiday finery (hint hint. post photos please!).

and in case you didn't check it out before, last friday i posted a list of favorite etsy shops. i know a lot of them are having sales and specials. please consider shopping handmade and vintage this year and especially on this cyber monday!

details:

pants-thrifted

sweater-vintage

loafers-dexter, thrifted

bag-d&b, thrifted

rain coat-from a friend who brought it into my shop, yes i stole it :)

black friday

did you guys have a fabulous thanksgiving? i did. on wednesday afternoon, we drove the hour and a half to my parents house so we could spend some extra time with them. their house is out in the sticks in the middle of 50 acres so i have no phone service and no internet connection. just pure country goodness. it's pretty nice.

but i began my turkey day with a nice and frigid 6 mile run then some coffee and cranberry walnut pumpkin bread (i must share this recipe with you guys, it's soooo good). and as soon as the rest of the family got there, we were rushing around trying to get everything ready for lunch. i realized how hard it is to coordinate the timing of different side dishes. my sister and i were in charge of the food, and it is a tough job. we almost forgot to make the rolls, and then ended up cooking them a bit too long and some things made it to the table on a paper plate. but the food was good and we all had a great time visiting. plus, the patriots won. that always makes for a good day.

and that brings me to today and the busiest shopping day of the year. now, i avoid black friday shopping at all costs, but that doesn't mean i won't be browsing etsy for cool gifts and great sales. i just wanted to share with you guys some of my very favorite shops :)

little ocean annie: super cute vintage clothes at very good prices. plus she's having a sale!

clydes rebirth: ah-may-zing handmade jewelry. every piece is unique and lovingly handcrafted by the lovely merl.

mo vintage: clyde's vintage sister. this shop has some of the coolest dresses ever!

archives: beautiful vintage clothes and accessories. and a leather skirt that i'm currently loving!

kellyshoestrings: everything in here has such a great easy southern california feel. and lots of sale items.

yarn over movement: these knits are just deliciously warm and cozy. i have one of the circle scarves and i love it like my own child (not really but close). and there's a black friday sale today only!!!

laura lombardi jewelry: gorgeous handmade jewelry. her stuff is just simply elegant.

felix and jayne: the cutest handmade clutches and headbands ever. i sell her stuff in my shop and everyone just loves it. check it out!

nobletown vintage: very cool jewelry. i really love the fishspine earrings!

lamixx: i love this clothing line. just very well designed and simple pieces that are classic and cool. and free holiday shipping!

sally jane vintage: probably the most lady like shop out there. i just love the pieces that she has put together. great vintage.

toil and trouble: beautiful handknits. i sell her stuff in my shop and i've been able to see her wares up close and personal. and i love it all!

upside of wonder: she's a fellow amanda, so she's cool just for that. but her vintage shop has some of the cutest dresses in it. she has a great eye and great prices too!

thief and bandit: awesome handmade accessories! and there's a black friday special going on through the 30th. so go check it out!

amandromeda: haha! had to add myself on here. i'm doing a 25% off from now til tuesday. just use the code THANKFUL at checkout!

and remember to support your local shops today!!!

catch a magic moment

song of the day: 'right now' by van halen

i know! i'm totally wearing leggings as pants! but whatever, it was comfortable. mondays are my lounge days, and i put this on after my long run to go to the store real quick and pick up the kiddo from school. i mostly wanted to show off my 'new' eastland boots that i got last week. i had some similar to these back in middle school. i think it's funny how i have completely reverted back to how i dressed when i was in 6th grade. not terribly fashion forward, but i'm just loving it! makes me feel young again.

and i started the pledge link list over in the sidebar. these are the blogs who have already put the badge up, if i missed you, please let me know! i don't want to leave anyone out.

now i will be out of town for the holiday but will be back on friday because i have a special post planned for that day. i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving, and for those of you who don't celebrate, i would just ask that you'd take time to be thankful anyway :) be safe everybody!

and this is a banner from elsie at a beautiful mess. please consider buying local on black friday! it really does make a difference :)

details:

vest-vintage

tee-american apparel

leggings-walmart

socks-urban outfitters

shoes-thrifted, eastland

guest blogging

song of the day: 'thank u' by alanis morissette

happy monday! i am super excited to be guest blogging for the wonderful lisa. i just included a smattering of pics here so if you want to see more and read more, head on over to archives and read my post there. i talk about being thankful and what not. you know, cuz it's that time of year!!! have a lovely day :)

my life is so complete

song of the day: 'you rock my world' by michael jackson

i have just been overwhelmed by you guys lately and your comments and support both of me and the christmas pledge. i'm just so excited :)

and thanks for all the hair advice. i may even just talk with my stylist about what product she would recommend. she's pretty cool and i doubt she's be offended by my telling her to her face that i need to go a cheaper route.

k, so my poncho is a good story. not really but i'm gonna tell it anyway. i was at my favorite thrift store last week i think and saw it in the bedding section. i thought, 'hey, i need a blanket to keep on the sofa so i won't freeze this winter.' i picked it up and unfolded it to find the price tag. $4 on half-price sale, so that meant $2! SOLD. upon further inspection, i saw it was actually a poncho. eureka! a cute plaid snuggie! even better. i could walk around the house and still stay warm. this was brilliant. i got it home and got cozy with it that night. found out it was waaayyy too itchy for snuggling with. sad face. then i had to decide what i was gonna do with it. then, the light went on and i realized that i hadn't cut any clothing in a very long time, or at least a few days, so yesterday morning, i took the scissors to it and this is what you get! my stars i love this thing now. as long as i wear long sleeves under it, it's perfect. and yesterday was frigid. and by frigid i mean the high was 48 and was maybe that temp for all of 5 minutes and cloudy. and this is one outfit i felt very well suited me.

this is another brooch from matt's grandma. i have a third but it really looks like a silver christmas wreath and i don't know what i think about that.

and speaking of matt, please be thinking of him today. he's going to undergo a procedure this afternoon of a delicate nature. suffice it to say, he'll be laying on the sofa all weekend with a bag of frozen peas :)

details:

poncho-thrifted

dress-thrifted

accessories-vintage

go granny

song of the day: 'the little old lady from pasadena' by the beach boys

you guys were soooooo awesome yesterday! you made me feel a ton better. i mean, i know we all have doubts and confidence issues at some point, but it's like when you're in the middle of it, you think you're all alone and no one else feels that way. it's nice to just have that support :)

so yesterday, i went for a more ladylike look. or maybe more old lady look? i don't know, but i was blog reading before i got dressed yesterday and was inspired a bit by orchid grey. her fur collar is amazing and i loved how she put vintage brooches on it. i decided to use the one given me by matt's grandma. i just love this brooch! it's so pretty, and definitely granny chic.

and i wore my new (read used from ebay) kork-ease sandals. they are the most comfortable shoes ever to be formed by the hands of men. and as a marathon runner nearing the end of 4 months of training, i know comfort! i may need to get other styles and colors of these babies.

and i'm afraid that my roots are starting to show. ugh. that's why i have always been reluctant to color my hair. but, i'm addicted and want to go redder!! so now i'm left with the decision of going it alone with a box or throwing down more money to have my stylist do it. i'm terrified of coloring my own hair, but totally not wanting to spend a load on getting it done in the salon. what to do???? thoughts? advice? any words of wisdom is welcome :)

and yesterday, some fab ladies were tweeting about my pledge!!! that made me smile :) and merl of clyde's rebirth is going to join too! i WILL get the side bar list going, promise.

details:

sweater-banana republic

skirt-urban outfitters

sandals-kork ease, ebay

vintage accessories

don't go trying some new fashion

song of the day: 'just the way you are' by billy joel

i wasn't going to post these pictures. i liked the outfit, felt very comfortable, the mirror assured me i looked good, then i loaded the photos on to the computer and i got a totally different feeling about it. i don't know if i just didn't capture it correctly or if the angles were wrong or what. but i just don't love it. then this morning, i was reading kendi everyday and she talked about the discrepancy between what you see in the mirror and what your camera reveals. then you start to doubt yourself and think ugly thoughts about how you look. but that she made a commitment to posting every day and to show who she really is, and not just the polished and perfect version of herself. so after reading her post, i looked through my pictures again. i still don't love them and can pick out numerous flaws, but i don't want to be so wrapped up in that. i've been thinking so much lately about inner beauty and getting beyond what is just seen on the outside, and i don't want to just write those words and not believe them. i mean, i could still inspire someone else. plus, all day long i felt great so i need to just not be so self-conscious. hello! i take pictures of myself and post them on the internet! if i wasn't too self-conscious before, there's no reason to start now. so here it is, the not-so-awesome me, but me nonetheless.

and another big fat thanks to those who've made the pledge! and to a new pledger, lauren of sparrow & urchin (oh my and she's super cute and uber talented, check her out!). i will get around to making a special list over in my side bar with the names of the ladies who are participating. plus, lauren had a great idea about featuring handmade and vintage etsy shops or otherwise to get people headed in the right direction. so with that in mind, if you have a shop, would you mind sending me your link? some of you i already know have an etsy but there may be some of you out there that i'm not super familiar with and i want you to be featured as well.

details:

blouse-thrifted, ann taylor

cardigan-thrifted, ann klein

scarf-vintage

jeans-vintage, ebay

shoes-vintage, zodiak

and the winner is.....

the winner of the giveaway is lucy of dear fish!!!!!! yay!!!

so the offerings for the giveaway are a vintage clutch bag that looks black but is really a very dark navy and a set of 4 handmade christmas cards. lucy, i hope you love these and that the cards can get you started on your gift giving this year :)

thanks to you ladies who have joined me in the pledge. i think it's pretty cool. and even if you didn't join us in time for the giveaway, i hope that you'll consider making the pledge this year anyway. for no other reason than it makes finding presents for family a lot more fun. it's the thrill of the hunt, right?

nothin' lasts forever

song of the day: 'november rain' by guns n' roses

k, so i am obvs super obsessed with this headband. i wear it all the time. it works to corral my hair when it's a bit unruly. and with the drizzly rain out, my hair can go ca-razy.

this blazer was part of a suit that i had in my shop (and in my etsy store). someone bought it and then once she received it, realized it didn't quite fit so she asked to send it back. since i have a secret love for the blazer, i said sure. now it's mine :)

i plan to do the drawing for the giveaway this afternoon. i just want to post the list first to see if i maybe missed someone. here's who i have participating so far in the christmas pledge:

archives

modest typewriter vintage

a simple life

snappy Q

toil & trouble

dear fish

belove it or believe it

if i missed you, please let me know in the next couple hours!! i will announce the winner soon and post what you've won. i think you'll like!

details:

dress-h&m

blazer-vintage

socks-i don't know

loafers-dexter, thrifted

she comes down from yellow mountain

song of the day: 'wildfire' by michael martin murphey

i had such a fun weekend! had a great day at my shop on saturday, tons of people and good sales. then we went to tulsa to visit friends and eat delicious chili. while we were over there, i found out that one of my bestest friends is pregnant! we've already started talking about names and planning a baby shower. she's going to be a wonderful mommy. and she admittedly stalks my blog so i know she'll read this. Congrats Stacy and David!!!!!

and yesterday was spent relaxing. i took a wee nap and watched my new england patriots clobber the pittsburgh steelers. it was a great game. it was sad though because i had to watch most of it by myself. matt had to get up at 3:30 this morning for work! he went to bed with the chickens and i stayed up and watched the game, cheered by myself, and shopped on etsy (made a plaid poncho purchase and am super pumped to get it in the mail).

and today is the last day to enter the pledge giveaway!!! if you haven't put the button on your blog (and you want to, i mean, no pressure or anything) then get it done today and i'll put you in on the giveaway drawing. i've already started a list of those of you who have chosen to pledge. i'm so excited about it, you guys! i love seeing my button on your blog but even more proud that you are choosing to do this with me. i know that some of you have talked about buying locally too and i think that totally works along side of this pledge. so do it today and let me know!!! i want to list you all in a post :)

i don't know what it is, but especially since the weather turned cooler, i've been craving a different style. more back to my preppy roots. i think these boots kinda lend themselves to a more equestrian/polished look. and since i wear them basically every day........ but i just love this scarf that i picked up at my favorite thrift store. it has little jockey laden horses on it. plus it helped to keep my neck warm while taking these pictures. it was a bit colder this morning than i had thought. my fingers were a bit chilled by the end. and since i'm the best mom on the block, sent my child to school only wearing a longsleeve shirt and no jacket. soooo awesome of me, no?

and now, i'm off to run. only three more weeks until my race!!!!

details:

sweater-vintage, thrifted

khaki trench shirt-vintage, little ocean annie

leggings-walmart

boots-vintage, ebay

scarf-thrifted