Shades of Avonlea

Thursday, July 16, 2015


Willows whiten, aspens shiver.
     The sunbeam showers break and quiver
     In the stream that runneth ever
     By the island in the river
       Flowing down to Camelot.
     There she weaves by night and day
      A magic web with colors gay.
      She has heard a whisper say,
      A curse is on her if she stay
      To look down on Camelot.

     - The Lady of Shallot -

"Would you please call me Cordelia?" No..... not really "My name is Anne, with an 'e'." :) I couldn't resist. Those are classic lines.
As an avid Anne of Green Gables fan I have always been inspired by Anne's short recitings of Tennyson's Lady of Shallot. Therefore naturally when I found a book of Tennyson's poems at Goodwill (along with...ehem....17 other books I snagged...I might be a little obsessed) but needless to say I was over the moon :) There is something about the melodious words of poetry that flow over the pages like the words of an old song, taking one into a different world. And of course if we are on the topic of reciting Tennyson I can't help but recall the all to well known scene when Gilbert recues Anne after Diana's skiff sunk and was holding onto the piling for dear life (we all know Gilbert rescued her even if Anne denies it). 
Ever since taking these pictures Sunday I had been dying to write this post. Not that it si anything special but everything about this post simply exudes all the Shades of Avonlea. If Anne were to live in the 21st century I am sure that she would choose to wear a dress such as this...elaborate pattered stripes, scalloped front panel, light blue buttons, Boat hats, brown heels, and of course a book of Tennyson! Just the typical Anne of Green Gables modern rendition. I made this dress earlier in the summer and I must say I am loving it even more after these pictures. I wanted a 1940's styled sun dress so with a few alterations to a pattern I had lying around, this is what was created. 
Dress: Made//Belt: Thrifted//Hat: Forever21//Shoes: Goodwill (American Eagle)
Of course, my backyard was not the ideal picture spot. I was planning on going to the train tracks or to a lovely "Avonlea Like" lane, but alas the backyard had to do. Even if the backyard wasn't my first choice it didn't turn out to bad....after all Anne and Marilla had a wonderful garden at Green Gables. 
Okay, so as much as I LOVE to read and am obsessed with books (I seriously bought 19 just last week) I have never been one to read much of the classics. Probably due to the fact that I don't have as much time to read many books but I honestly would love to become more versed in the classics. Tennyson's poems for one are absolutely inspiring and profound but there are so many other great classics. I actually picked up a beautiful 1927 version of Ivanhoe at the same time I picked up Tennyson...truly lovely copy. Maybe one day I will make a dent in the classics and broaden my horizons :) 
Even if these heels are held together with gorilla glue and nails they are still a new favorite pair of shoes!

"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."
Until next week dear lovely readers!

Have you ever read any Tennyson?

Are you an Anne fan?

Have you read many classics?

P.S. Don't forget to catch this weeks post over on STANDOTgirlTM Here!









Independence Day

Thursday, July 9, 2015


O say can you see,
by the dawn's early light,
what so proudly we hailed
at the twilight's last gleaming,
whose broad stripes and bright stars,
through the perilous fight,
o'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there.
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave?

O thus be it ever,
when freemen shall stand
between their loved homes
and the war's desolation!
Bles't with victory and peace,
may the heaven-rescued land
praise the Power that hath made
and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must,
when our cause it is just,
and this be our motto,
"In God we trust."
And the star-spangled banner
in triumph shall wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave!

Frances Scott Key, 1814

___________________________________________________

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA (or rather a little late Happy Birthday)!!! Better Late than never with a 4th of July post:) I hope that all of you had a fabulous 4th!!! I can't help but reflect back on all that took place for our country to gain it's independence....the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom will be forever remembered. 

Well, how did you spend the 4th? I spent Independence day baking and decorating for a party, snapping a few pictures, watching fire crackers in the street, and visiting with friends.  

Blouse: Minnie Muse (Men's Re-Fashioned shirt);
Shorts: Garage Sale (Re-Fashioned);
Necklace: Wallmart
During a quick break in the midst of our party plans I managed to escape and snap a few pictures of my ensemble. I am definitely one of those people who LOVES to get dressed up in Red, White, and Blue for the 4th. This years  ensemble was particularly patriotic in every way:) I had picked up these red shorts at a garage sale a few years back and decided to re-fashion them by adding a couple rows of eyelet lace for cuteness and length (tall girl problems). They turned out fabulous and were so fun to wear. I had originally planned to wear an embroidered white tank top with the shorts but ended up with this light blue and whit stripped re-fashioned men's shirt that I tied in the front. Of course the only thing left was a necklace and this three strand blue bead necklace did the trick. 



Oh, and lets not forget about Patriotic nails!!! By all means lets gather up our nail polish the night before and paint our nails like the American flag. Thus is the tradition in our house (my brother was even known to have painted toes when he was younger, hehe). 



Yes, I cut my hair even shorter (though I cannot really tell). However, when curled I look like Shirley Temple (who I always aspired to be with sponge rollers when I was younger) and thus I donned 50's curls on the 4th. Such fun to have bouncy curls over your head and a ribbon in your hair:)






Do I seem like a big 4th of July fan??? Maybe? But honestly I am a fan of most any holiday and use all as an excuse to decorate and throw a party (thanks to my inner party planner). Of course the 4th is extra special because it is "All American" and no other country has 4th of July.
Thanks to my Best Friend Libby we had plenty of hands on deck Saturday morning into the afternoon baking, cleaning, decorating, organizing, etc. for the party at 6:00. And what is more fun than having your best friend over to help with party plans:)
And of course your sister and her friend are recruited to help with the party also. Thus making for a day of giggles, pictures, homemaking skills, and memories. 
Lemon Lime Punch from The Pioneer Woman 
Madison, Moriah, Asten, Elizabeth
The 4th of July is all about family, friends, and fellowship. I am so blessed to call these girls friends. We laugh together, cry together, get mad at people together, freak out together, and do life together. Life wouldn't be the same without them. We are all different in our own ways and each one of us adds something to the group
 (which we dubbed "The Posse").

Of course what are group pictures without a laughing snapshot (planned or not planned)!!



EPIC FAIL!!! Have you tried to do a sparkler writing picture? Well.....lets just say it is harder than it looks and Um....I need a bit more practice but still somewhat cool/blurry pictures all the same, LOL :)
Yet, what would the 4th be without the "All American" hot dog, Homemade hand spun Vanilla Ice cream, Lemonade or red, white, and blue cupcakes? When night comes suddenly you hold burning sticks which sparkle like fairy glitter and watch as burning paper tubes send colorful explosions into the night sky ???? Boys suddenly become pyromaniacs, loose Black Kats might get accidentally tossed your way and miniature battles explode in the center of the street. Smoke fills the air, fire burn in front of your face and you better extinguish sparks lest you start a fire. Yet these are the traditions of the 4th (for me at least) and I wouldn't have it any other way. 




"Here's to celebrating our freedom and remembering our history!"

God Bless America!


Did you do anything fun on the 4th?

Do you have any 4th of July traditions?


P.S. Don't forget to stop on over to STANDOUTgirlTM and catch this weeks post Here











Lately.......

Tuesday, July 7, 2015



Dreaming of England and traveling there one day
Moving back to College for July(Below)
Reading The New Lady in Waiting (FABULOUS book!!!)
Watching Foyles War, BBC Robin Hood, and any other British TV series or movie
Drinking Coffee....lots of it & Tea at night:)
Creating elegant painted wall art
Sewing dresses from my large store of fabric
Wearing lots of dresses that I have made this summer & Lipstick
Writing my thoughts from devotions
Listening to 1950's retro music and "Cripple Me" by Elenowen
Loving Rimmel London Kate Lasting Lipstick 05 Rossetto 
Wishing I had a British accent 
Planning a bridal shower and new blog posts
Thinking about life and everything that is going on
Cutting my hair, just a few inches shorter :)
Curling my hair with sponge rollers
Painting my nails Red 620 "Roulette Rush" from Revlon Color Stay Gel EnvyTM
Writing bits and pieces for my book "A Girls Story"
Buying books most likely 
Throwing a 4th of July Party

What have you been up to Lately??

Seaside Travel Traipsing

Thursday, July 2, 2015



Sunglasses: Forever21; Necklace: Icings (borrowed from sister)

Ahoy and Aloha dear readers! (just a little bit of beachy lingo) I must say it seems like it has been far to long since I posted an actual outfit post (I think I get withdrawls if its to long?). Anyhow, today's post is all about this past weekends trip my family and I took to Galveston, which is the closest beach near us whose ocean is the Gulf of Mexico. While these trips typically consist of entire days spent at the beach. this particular trip was a little more low key. However, Saturday was the real fun as Me, my Mom, and my Sister headed downtown for a quick tour of the Bishops Mansion (an old stately home) and some shopping (its a beach tradition). 
Ever since I can remember going shopping downtown Galveston has always been a treat. From the old and beautiful buildings, unique shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, fellow beach goers, the bay with ships, and the history of the town nothing is more exciting. While I will admit I am not much of a beach fan (as in getting in the water) I do so enjoy the atmosphere of the beach. Oh....and can I just have a beautiful beach house please!!!! Seriously though, the houses weather they are near the beach or downtown are simply stunning (totally gush worthy). And of course as a blogger you must always scope out perfect picture spots and boy was the sidewalk I found Peerrrfffeeeccccttttt!!!


Blouse: Minnie Muse; Shorts: Thrifted (vintage); Shoes: Salt Water Sandals (ModCloth)
The Mornings getting ready went down like this:
My Sister: "That is what you are wearing?"
Me: "YES"
Mom: "That shirt doesn't even match those shorts!"
Me: "Um, yes it does (in my mind)."
Mom: "Ok (there is no talking her out of this)."
Me: "Besides, I really want to wear this top and these shorts are the only ones that are high wasted enough and they are my favorite!!"
Mom: Just stares and nods
My Sister: Looks at me with her all to common face when I am finished getting dressed, which says 
"You are so weird! You know that don't you?"
Me: "I know....I am weird" (and smile mischievously)

There is peek into my life....hehe! Okay, but seriously I didn't care if the shirt matched the shorts or not. When you have two pieces that you are simply dying to wear you might as well wear them together! After all you are going shopping (an excuse to dress different) and you are at the beach on vacation (another reason to be creative and have fun). To top it off you MUST wear a hat! I have never been much into hats but I can tell you this summer I have turned over a new leaf in the area of wearing hats. I personally think the hat made this outfit...besides it helped me look like a traveler/tourist. 
Hat: Forever21
I have been looking for a pair of 1940's styled shades for the summer and finally found the perfect pair at Forever 21. Aren't they just fabulous!!! I can't wait to wear them with more 40's looks:)


Remember the "gush worthy" houses??? Do you....do you??? This is one of the many stunningly perfect homes that I want to live in, or just look inside of. It is just simply magical and makes me want to have tea parties and drink tea in the garden from fine china and make lemonade and wear big hats. 

Zinias....LOVE them!!!

The Infamous LaKing's which is our seaside tradition! Let me just say that nothing beats the homemade old fashioned ice cream at this place! When you step through the doors you are transported back in time where the workers wear white shirts and cute old fashioned paper hats and serve you heavenly ice cream or make you a malt or box up homemade chocolates or throw freshly pulled taffy at you. This is the experience and the stop to make! LaKing's has been around forever and my family has made it a priority to stop and get ice cream ever since I can remember. 
I would have loved to take pictures of the inside, for that is where all the magic happens, we unfortunately went on a Saturday and the place was jam packed. Otherwise I would have taken a few snapshots at the old metal tables with wire backed chairs and shown you the old wood and marble interior. 


Me, my Sister, and my Brother's favorite ice cream flavor is their "Coffee Chip" (pictures above). It is HEAVEN on a spoon:) And would you believe it that the ice cream in the picture is 1 scoop!! Yes, they serve it right!
Pardon my blurry hands as my sister captures me eating my ice cream:)
When its Texas seaside heat your ice cream melts fast!

While the trip was shorter than most it didn't keep me from making memories, spending time with family, and enjoying all that I love aboutseaside travel traipsing. 
Do you like the seaside? 

What beach is near you?

What is your favorite thing to do at the beach?

Have you ever worn pieces that don't match? :)

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