Peachy

Peachy

Thursday, July 23, 2015

This post is just "Peachy"! Aside from the fact that it contains peach soda (though it may be Mexican Peach soda which really tastes like Orange Cream) it is filled with pops of color, quilts, floral shorts, polaroid cameras and typewriters. The ultimate summer getaway would consist of these things:) Even if I only take these things out for a photo shoot it is all still for the fun, so here are some cheerful and colorful pictures to brighten your day. 

Shirt: Thrifted//Shorts: Made//Belt: Thrifted//Shoes: Dillards
//Quilt: Made//Typewriter: Grandmas//

Sunglasses: Gift//Necklace:Thrifted//Earrings: DIY//Scarf: Garage Sale

I admit that this summer, or more so this month has been extremely busy! Not so much in the fact that I have been going non stop, but rather that summer school has consumed my life. However, my Textiles class has been very interesting. I must admit that I am becoming a "Fabric Nerd" as my teacher calls herself! No joke......the weekend after my first week of classes I went shopping with my sister and she probably thought I was a total lunatic fanning through the clothes, reading the labels, and jumping up and down when I found something of a treasure! I am so conscious of different types of fibers and fabrics now.....but then again this is not to bad of a thing for someone who so loves vintage:) 

Okay, so for a little DIY (there are actually two in this post) here are some earrings that I recently made. I found a number of swoon worthy buttons at my Grandma's house in her sewing stash and I immidiately thought.....1950's earrings:) And that is what I made. They turned out quite nicely and were the perfect addition to this ensemble. 

Oh, lets talk about cameras!!! Polaroids to be exact. I can't believe I have not brought this beauty out on the blog yet, but I guess that is due to the fact of its being tucked away in my camera bag. However, isn't it charming! This Instax Fujifilm Polaroid was my birthday present last year (side note: tell your sister what you want for your birthday and she will tell your mom...hehe) and it is so fun to use, though I don't use it hardly enough. Now that I look at this post I realize that I plumb forgot to include a Polaroid picture....but I guess that will have to wait until next time. 

Last but not least....When you are done drinking your Peachy soda you can use the left over bottle as a vase for flowers in your room (even if they are fake). Ta Da....DIY vase (with Mexican writing). 

Well, that is all for today. The pictures speak for themselves and I hope they cheered you up today. 

Until next time lovely readers. 

Do you like peach soda?

Do you own a Polaroid camera?

What do you think of these two DIY's?

Shades of Avonlea

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

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