Nights in White Satin

I went to Scarlet's Piedmont Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday and had so much fun. Instead of your tradition classical stuff (which I can also dig), they rocked out with classic rock tunes from the Beatles, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Moody Blues, etc. And by rocked out I mean they played with a rock band. So.Much.Fun.

Search for Stars Hollow: Ellicott City

Navigating the curving road into the Patapsco Valley, I couldn't help but notice the houses getting older, the architecture more distinct. Finally forced to stop at the Main Street intersection at the bottom of the hill, the quaint downtown took my breath away. I discovered Ellicott City, located outside of Baltimore, only through work, but after driving down Main, I fell a little bit in love. By the time I crossed the Patapsco River and noticed the swiftly moving, rocky water I knew this town had the potential to be something special.

















(Photo by: daveb_md)

This enclave of Ellicott City embraces its history, honoring the B & O Railroad and Ellicott's Mills for their role in founding and growing the city. Modern day Ellicott is peppered with restaurants, antique shops, a wine bar, local brewery and historical tours. Like any good Stars Hollow wannabe, it also has its share of festivals, ranging from the Fall Arts Festival to the Chesapeake Shakespeare Festival. There is even a cast of enthusiastic residents ready to envelope you into the fold.


















(Photo by: citron_smurf)

Unfortunately, the quaint village I consider Ellicott City is surrounded by Ellicott City proper with all the modern conveniences provided by urban sprawl. Once you escape the valley, you are affronted with any number of big box stores, chain restaurants, and McMansions. Don't get me wrong. I tend to take advantage of these conveniences as much as the next girl. I live in the suburbs of DC. My Stars Hollow...it's the mythical unicorn I seek, and I have every right to continue my quest for that perfect, magical combination.
























Still, don't turn your back on Ellicott City. Head to the Spring Wine Festival, wander the ruins of the haunted Patapsco Female Institute and don't leave without sticking your toes in the Patapsco.

I might be addicted to decades past

I have a minor obsession with thrift stores. I think it's a combination of the potential for really inexpensive stuff, the thrill of the hunt, and the fact that I believe it's just smarter to reuse old things (if possible and particularly when they are made well). That said, I try to keep myself in check because I live in a little studio apartment, and I, in no way, ever want to be one of those hoarders. I'm lucky because most of the stuff that I find that is reasonably priced and simply amazing is in Texas. A new sofa won't fit on a plane, so it makes for the perfect gut check.

A couple of weeks ago I found some chairs I couldn't walk away from. I scored three mid-century Danish modern chairs for a total of $4.69. I'm I pretty sure they are truly mid-century and not reproductions based on the way they are constructed. Couldn't tell you for sure and don't really care. Last week I reupholstered the seats of two of the chairs and couldn't be more pleased with the results. I wish I had taken a before picture, but the fruits of my labor are below.

Feeling unfinished

Do you have those projects that you start but can never seem to get around to actually finishing? I do. I've had this train set for about 3-4 years now. They were giving it away at the bookstore where I used to moonlight, and I took it home with grand ideas of turning it into a magical forest train set (or something equally fanciful). However, life gets in the way. Other ideas get in the way, and things just get left unfinished. Here's to Thursday and the hope that I can at least ensure nothing is left unfinished on the work front.

In the dark

I engaged in a little experiment this past weekend. As I'm hoping most of you know, Saturday evening was Earth Hour, and since last year it was so easy, I wanted to push myself to do something a little harder. Electricity is something we tend to take for granted because it's just always there. I wondered what my life would be like with rolling blackouts or EMP (a good book, btw, even if Gingrich did recommend it). Declaring it Earth "Weekend", I decided to find out (sort of). I flipped all the breakers to off when I got home Friday night and left them that way the entire weekend.

















Was I successful? Yes...at least in the sense that I didn't cheat. Once those breakers were flipped, I didn't turn them back on. Actually, I forgot to turn them back on as I left this morning, so technically I'm still participating ;-)

Candlelight provided light to read and write by. Natural sunlight during the day afforded me the ability to wash my dishes by hand, rip apart a couple of chairs I want to redo, and read without fear of straining my eyes.















However, if I'm honest with myself (and with you), I will readily admit that I, in no way, know what it's like to live without electricity. While I reveled in the stillness of an apartment without TV or music and embraced a "come what may" attitude about my hair sans flat iron, I could still escape to a world that was very much wired and alive. I stole away to the apartment business center for wifi and an outlet to charge my phone. I went to the movies and to Steven's concert and out to dinner (try cooking without electricity). I was never truly inconvenienced in the way I would be if our resources ever ran out.
























*all images from WeHeartIt.

Sprung

I make it a habit not to talk about work on here, but this week I just can't resist. Tuesday was honestly such a lovely day that I just wanted to run around shouting it from the rooftops. Sure there were the standard meetings to be had that didn't accomplish as much as they should. It's the after that's the good stuff though.

There was a need. To find vernal pools.* Or rather to document their existence and determine whether or not the project we are working on will impact them. Note: evidently vernal pools are pretty important.


















Faced with a choice between traveling back to the office and burying my head in the computer (which, don't get me wrong, I also sort of love) or hiking along the river on a day where the sun is bright and it's a balmy 65 guess which one I chose. I chose the path to education. To seeing what a vernal pool was first hand. To getting up close and personal with a big spring storm's impact on a river.























At one point I was mid-calf in mud and fearful of losing a boot. This was followed by a stint sliding down a muddy slope while trying to climb up. At the end of the day I headed back to Virginia caked in mud, and that's when it hit me. I couldn't be happier.



















*The creative license I have taken with standard grammar rules is on purpose.

Austin Kleon...

...is someone whose work you should get to know.
www.austinkleon.com/blog

--notmiranda

Sharing is caring

Every now and then I fall down the blog wormhole and fall for new blogs and lives that inspire and motivate me. I share these folks periodically with friends but thought I'd share a few of my new finds with all of you.

Allister Ann

Adorable. Creative. Inspiring. I also like the fact that I get to hear great new music. Watch the video from her Portland birthday adventure. Doesn't it make you want to be her friend, too? I found this lovely video on her blog.



What I Wore

I'm not a huge fashion nut and certainly don't take that great of care with my own wardrobe. That said, I think I've been pretty upfront about the fact that I like pretty things. In my opinion, this girl wears some pretty things. I'm a fan of the way she puts things together and her use of vintage pieces.























lizzy-writes

I am now kind of obsessed with the way she strings words together. She requires no photos. Her words are enough.

And then I fell in love...

...with a camera. My mom bought me a Diana for Christmas. Simple, lo-fi, takes 120 film and leaves you wondering what you'll get. I was immediately intrigued by the ability to control how long the shutter stays open (and, yes, I realize fancy cameras do that, but I don't have one of those) and the ability to double expose. I felt a little bit powerful and full of creative license.

Then I got that first roll developed and fell in love.






































































The rest are on my flickr.

Collecting stories

Terra's recent post about one of her favorite found photos both blew me away and also reminded me of a story I've been wanting to tell. Isn't lovely to be able to peek into their world for just a bit?
















When I was home for Christmas, my mom and I were wandering this cramped antique mall in downtown San Angelo when I stumbled across a lovely bureau. Inside the top drawer were hundreds of old black and white photographs and vintage hankies. Now I've had a fascination with old, found photos since I first discovered the collage work of artist Lisa Congdon.























So I began pulling out the photos and sorting through all of the stories and treasures fit into that now tiny drawer. To be honest, I was sort of lost in my own world when I looked up and noticed my mom was tearing up. "It's so sad," she said. She couldn't believe that so many personal photos were just available for anyone to just buy. In her eyes, these were people's lives that were discarded by uncaring family after they had passed on. She sincerely looked at me and said "you and Charlie better not get rid of our photos like this after we die." I laughed and shook my head at her, pledging never to rid myself of family photos. I told her that that might have been the fate of the photos in that drawer. Imagine that I follow through on my threats to never have children. If I were to die before my brother, all of my worldy possessions would probably be sold off in an estate sale of some kind. I told her that you never know...all of those family photos might end up in a dusty old suitcase at a flea market some day.

That's what I love about those old photos though. When I pick them up and select ones to purchase, I feel like I'm holding so much history in my hands. These were people that were loved and lived and probably overcame great obstacles. Or maybe they danced at grand balls or went on summer picnics with their beaus like in the photo above. I feel like just by looking through the photos or selecting a few to take home I'm doing my part to keep them alive...to share in their history just a little bit (even if it's just one that I made up).

Btw, Elizabeth, you won :-) I'll email you for a reminder about your address.

Looking for a good home

So I've been making so many things for Style School (more than I need) and have decided that some of these things need a good home. Plus, everyone else seems to do giveaways, so who am I to argue with tradition. If you can give this lovely* a good home, just leave a comment, and I'll use some kind of random number generator to choose someone**.



















*It has a button closure.
**Unless it's just Scarlet, then I'll just give it to her. :-)

Dreaming of easter eggs and flip flops

I love winter. I truly do. This winter has been particularly special because I feel like I've finally been able to experience it the way it should be experienced...among mounds and mounds of glorious, white fluffy snow. It is official. This winter is the snowiest in DC's history, and as a native Texan, I'm loving it. Layers of socks and shirts and scarves. Perfect knitting and crafty project weather.

Despite my love, I have a confession to make. I've started dreaming of slightly warmer temperatures that allow me to wear floaty dresses, feel a nice breeze on my legs and slide back into my familiar flip flops.
























I want to plan a massive adult easter egg hunt and invite everyone I know (and even those I don't).
































I want to plan picnics and ride my bike again...

...and once again go to outdoor movies.

I think that by the beginning of March I will be ready to embrace* spring.

*Also, I am a hypocrite. You should fully expect me to complain of allergies and hating the heat. Just so you know.
**All images courtesy of We Heart It (self-flagellation has begun for being unable to find the original source).

What goes around comes around

For almost a year now I've been a member of a local D.C. giving circle. What is a giving circle? According to Wikipedia, "giving circles are a form of philanthropy consisting of groups of individuals who pool their funds and other resources to donate to their communities and seek to increase their awareness and engagement in the process of giving." Two of my work peeps, Jamie and Katie, read about another local giving circle and were just audacious enough to think that it was something they could do. After a few lunchtime conversations, Revolve was born. I love that they were gutsy enough to try this and that they were kind enough to think of me.

Why should you care? Good question! We're nearing our big check writing party, and I almost forgot one of my duties. Recruiting friends! Who am I to deprive you from the opportunity to become a Friend of Revolve? Let me tell you a little bit about the two charities that rose to the top of our list. Last week they joined our meeting, and I can tell you that both of these organizations are run by people who have dedicated their lives to helping kids.

For Love of Children (FLOC)
FLOC's "mission is to provide young children and high-risk youth with the resources to achieve educational and personal success through a continuum of educational services that prepares them to become confident, life-long learners and contributing members of their communities." Through a combination of tutoring, leadship building and scholarship, they give kids the chance to succeed later in life. Personally, one of the things that struck me most about FLOC was the fact that, while the focus and goal of FLOC is getting students into post-secondary education, they won't shove a square peg into a round hole. The executive director told the story of a kid who really wanted to enroll in HVAC training, and it helped him do so. I can appreciate that.

A Space of Her Own (SOHO)
SOHO is an art-based program that serves pre-teen girls by providing yearlong mentoring through engagement in creative art activities and meaningful community service projects. The program focuses on fifth grade girls and also provides them with weekly "life skills" training and a good, healthy meal. You guys know the arts and crafts part gets to me; however, it was hearing the personal stories from the director and staff that really got me most. These girls bond and trust the staff and their mentors, and often the work they end up doing ends up helping the entire family or getting the girl out of a dangerous situation. Much like Trading Spaces or any other HGTV show, the pay off in the end for these girls is a complete room makeover...a space of her own in which to do homework, journal, or just be.

So....do a little browsing...a little thinking and consider becoming a Friend of Revolve!

Reconnecting

I feel like I have so much going on lately and so many balls in the air that I've let some of my favorite pastimes slip. One of my goals (I have tons) for the new year is to get back into reading. Believe it or not, working part-time in a bookstore all those years* actually sort of killed the reader in me. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon two online reading challenges that were right up my alley.

After all of my talk of Nancy Drew, I had already decided I wanted to read the books again. It was fortuitous that one of my favorite twitters, Maud Newton, posted a link to the Nancy Drew Challenge. One year to reread all of the original Nancy Drew books. I'm in. I hope. Haha. Such a great idea by Deborah at Books, Movies, and Chinese Food.

The second online venture I'm hitching my wagon to is the Slow Readers Book Club started by Diana at our.city.lights. In an ode to the Slow Movement, she calls on everyone participating to kick back and actually enjoy the books we're reading instead of finishing just to rush on to the next book. Bring it on. I'm a huge fan of the Slow Movement (despite the fact that I can't seem to actually implement it in my life).

Anyway, here's to a year of reading!

*Did I mention I finally quit? Woohoo!

Finding my style

This past week was my first week of Style School. For some reason this feels like a big confession, and I'm not sure why. :-) Click on the link if you want to learn more about it. All I can say is that I'm having so much fun and love the self exploration aspect of it. One of the ongoing projects throughout the class is to keep a style binder* of everything I find that inspires me creatively in my crafting, home, life and wardrobe.

One of the introductory questions about my style icons really stumped me. I immediately texted Scarlet to see if she had style icons because, to be quite frank, I was coming up blank. Sure, lots of people inspire me, but to raise someone to the level of icon status seems like it should come with its own set of special criteria. Anyway, I was puttering around my apartment one evening, and it hit me. Spies...and detectives. I love the whole detective look! I'm looking at you, Nancy Drew**. Here is a girl who can solve crimes all while cloaked in cutest retro skirts and other outfits. I wouldn't go so far as to limit my style influences so narrowly, but there's something that clicks here.






























































































A little modern day Nancy Drew...


























*I actually think this is the hardest project. I've never been one for actually clipping or printing things.
**And Velma and Jennifer Garner in Alias and...

Movies that make me zha zha zhu

Do you have those movies that, when you watch them, you can feel your blood start to race and your toes start to tingle? Where you're loving the movie but are so excited you kind of want to stop and go do something? These are some of those movies for me (no particular order). For different reasons, they inspire and motivate me.

Where the Wild Things Are























I know it's new, but I can't rave enough about this movie. It was beautiful and tender and a creative wet dream. It made me want to make and build and PLAY. So glad for the kid in all of us.

Stranger Than Fiction

In addition to providing me with a quirky storyline, the use of graphics and text, particularly at the beginning of the movie, is delightful. The simple, almost monochrome color pallet even manages satisfy color-hungry me. Throw in an anarchist bakery owner and overarching themes of getting out there and living life, and I was hooked.

Amelie























Who doesn't love Amelie? I almost didn't put on my list because I didn't want to be cliche, but good lord you can't leave it off. It's a lovely story wrapped in a feast for your eyes. And, hello, it co-stars a photobooth!

Waitress























Honestly, I can't put my finger on why I find this movie inspiring. Maybe it's the diner, waitress uniforms and the pies.

(I'm not a movie critic, so my descriptions are about to increase in lameness.)

Julie & Julia























Follow your passions. For me, this movie was funny and uplifting...a story about perseverance. It also made me miss Paris in a big way.

Frida


















Julie Taymor (who directed it) is, in my lowly opinion, a visual genius. And, while Frida Kahlo herself was a bit of a loaded gun, the movie is full of passion, flair and amazing use of color (can you tell I really like color?).

500 Days of Summer























Zooey Deschanel and her style are reasons enough. That aside, the use of illustration, interesting shots (pinhole effect when she's riding her bike), and the soundtrack rocked.

Movies that I haven't seen yet but am fully anticipating will give me that same zha zha zhu: Handmade Nation, Beautiful Losers, and Herb and Dorothy.

I bet some of you are shocked there are no dance movies on here. :-)

Modern day hair dilemma

A girl could write about worse crises, but why? Right now what I'm concerned with is my obsession with bangs. I've been wanting to cut my hair and add bangs for months but keep talking myself out of it. I just know it's going to make my round head look even rounder. Still, I obsess. I want bangs like the ones below.

Source: here, here, here, here and here

Creating Christmas Memories

Christmas this year has been special. Sometimes difficult, but special nonetheless. It's the first Christmas without my grandmother, the linchpin in all things Christmas, so I made it my job to ensure we've spent the holiday season being busy Christmas elves. I've been so perky about Christmas that I think I might be vying for the position of Mrs. Claus. We've baked, cut out paper snowflakes, and, yes, we even made elf hats for our Christmas photos. The photo below is from our attempt at a family portrait. As you can see, all we got was the top of Charlie's elf hat. This picture makes me laugh so hard a cry.

a little letter you might not want to read

Dear People in Charge of Healthcare:

The system is broken and allowing extremists to peddle broad generalizations and scare tactics only shines a brighter spotlight on why accomplishing something meaningful is near impossible. My grandmother spent 20 months in a nursing home. When she was 4 months in, her insurance coverage ran out. Conveniently, this was right when we could start to see rehab working. My family was faced with bringing my grandmother home (even though she was not well enough to be there) where she would have to be alone 5 or 6 hours a day (my family can't afford not to work) or paying an exorbitant monthly rate for her to stay. Because there was no way they could afford to pay for the nursing home out of pocket, there really was no choice until Medicaid stepped in. Medicaid allowed my grandmother to remain in the nursing home and receive around the clock care, vitally important to someone whose health saw more peaks and valleys than a rollercoaster. While Medicaid would not pay for any rehabilitation so that she could walk again, the nursing home provided some basic therapy anyway. It was about more than walking. It was about regaining her dignity and never giving up. After my grandmother died, I learned about a new reality of our healthcare system. Medicaid sent my family a letter expressing sympathy for our loss, while in the next breath informing us that they would like to try to collect on the money they spent trying to keep her alive. Please let them know about any property she owns because they will need to sell it to recoup their losses. What? She died, so she wasn't worth the investment? Do they think we suddenly hit a windfall with her passing and are in a position to now pay tens of thousands of dollars? She had no life insurance. No job. No car in her own name. Her name is on the house she shared with my grandfather. Basically where it's falling out is that, because my grandfather is still alive and living in the house they owned, they probably won't try to take it. It's like one of two potential "outs" they give you. I'm guessing they won't hear officially for another month or so. Evidently this is standard practice with Medicaid, but to me it feels like a slap in the face. A system like this doesn't need fixing?

Sincerely,

Ms. Radical

Of unicorns, beer, and other mythical creatures

The holidays aren’t usually the time of year for goodbyes. It’s usually the one time of year I can almost guarantee that I get to see people I love. The past two weekends, however, have been spent saying farewell to one of my besties as she prepares to move to Heidelberg. One thing we manage to do well is to celebrate.



















While everyone else stormed Old Navy at 3am and tried to avoid getting trampled at Wal-Mart, we headed to West Virginia on Black Friday for dinner at the Bavarian Inn and sprinkled a little Christmas magic on a cabin in Harper’s Ferry. The photo below isn’t our cabin, but it’s pretty damn close. Paper chains, twinkle lights, and a real Christmas tree in a cabin with my closest friends. Spiked cider, a holiday playlist, and strolling down memory lane made it complete. (We all wait in anticipation for Terra’s pictures!)
























This past Friday we headed into Old Town Alexandria for a more traditional round of goodbyes over drinks at Pat Troy’s (who, btw, have a unicorn in their sign!). Mixing old friends and new, we took over the back of the bar and invited our friends Bacardi, Juengling, Harp and Smithwick to join us. This time around memories were shared through our favorite drinks. Remember those $5 Jaeger Bombs in Fredericksburg? Guess we’d better do one since you’re leaving. Remember Steven and Allie racing to finish Irish Car Bombs at Ravena’s? Guess you’d better do one since you’re leaving. Before long everything became a memory to be celebrated, and everyone had a new nickname. Whereas Harper’s Ferry was sentimental and intimate, Pat Troy’s was silly and joyous.

























We had a great run in Virginia, Delegge. Can’t wait to visit and add some European road trips and shenanigans to the list.

Source:

1. texasbell01 2. platinumblondelife 3. martin_kalfatovic

Daily inspiration

Things keeping me inspired today:

Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Fashioning Felt Exhibit

Design for the Other 90%