She was a January Girl

A collection of pretty garnet things to brighten up this gray winter day.

Click on image for source.

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Today I'm baking buttermilk bread, making mushroom soup, and reading to my heart's content. I'm pretending that the return of school and work are not just around the corner.

What's going on at your place today?

Etsy Love: Lace Details

Outfit details:

Lavender tea shawl--me

Forget Me Not Vintage Lace Necklace--That Old Blue House 2

T-shirt--H&M

Custom Grey and Lace Camille Skirt--Liesl Made

I just had to share two of my favorite Etsy purchases ever, which I happened to wearing on the day of the shawl photo shoot. Both involve lace, but that won't come as a surprise if you've been reading this blog for any amount of time. I seem to get girlier and frillier by the day.  

I bought the lace necklace as a birthday present for myself. Vintage lace is sandwiched between two thin slices of glass; it's a great way to preserve and appreciate something so delicate and fragile. Lisa makes all kinds of necklaces, earrings, and brooches using vintage materials like lace, crazy quilts, and cards. 

Talented Miss Liesl made the skirt--it's a lovely shade of gray that goes with anything. The lace detail makes it just perfect in my mind. This skirt has been my go-to summer attire for neighborhood walks,  flea market jaunts, and day trips to little old towns. Liesl sews beautiful, high-quality clothes, home items, bags, and more.

I hope you'll check out these two wonderful shops! I know you'll find lots to love in both.

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I'd love to hear about your favorite handmade buys. Any favorite online shops I should check out?

School days

Etsy Buy Handmade Here is a collection of things to get me in the mood to go back to school. After three years out in the world, I'm returning to college to pursue my Masters degree in literature. I have all of those same first day of school feelings that I had growing up. I'm nervous and excited, giddy with anticipation and anxiety. I've got my fingers crossed, my pencils sharpened, and my notebook open with crisp, blank pages ready to be filled. I have a feeling today will be a very good day.

Post for me!

The lovely Marjorie, who writes the beautiful blog My Cozy Little Whimsy Nook, hosted a giveaway recently and lucky me, I was a winner! Her drawings are gorgeous, old-fashioned and dreamy. She often takes little excursions into the woods and always invites her readers along. I love the ethereal pictures she takes, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a little fairy town amongst the trees and sunlight.

On Saturday, the package pictured above arrived. I love getting mail, but getting pretty mail is the best. I ripped it open and found some adorable owly stationery accompanied by pretty polka-dotted envelopes (polka dots make me happy!) and the cutest hedgehog bookmark.

I can't wait to send off some letters written on this paper. I know my friends will enjoy getting some pretty mail in their boxes, too.

Thanks Marjorie! You can buy Marjorie's artwork at her Etsy shop, MarmeeCraft.