Red Orage Roses

Winter at work is cold, and boring. And cold. Layers are important, so is sanity. If the only pleasure I can accomplish for myself throughout the day is wearing a twirly dress and consequently twirling all day then so be it. Being fairly exposed all day means layers, layers, layers! Some things I can't escape despite 'dressing warm,' like wind burn on my face and knotted hair at the end of the day. I know sometimes I look completely ridiculous with 3 jackets, scarf, hat and bags. Probably like a crazy lady. I accept it.

This outfit feels more like October with the deep reds, orange, brown and black but I actually like the jumble of colors. I suppose this outfit came together, considering how many layers are here - boots with wool socks, Underarmer leggings, pants, thermal, tank, long sleeve shirt, dress, sweater, coat and hat. Not pictured is the additional 'real' jacket that goes on top of it all - puffy to say the least and my apologies to anyone who tries to sit next to me on the bus, ha! Warmth definitely beats out 'fashion' and it really becomes about how much I can put on that even remotely goes well. Most days it's just sweatshirts over sweatshirts but my own lack of imagination makes me feel even frumpier so I attempt to make the outfit fun or bright or something not so boring. I've rekindled a love for dresses as they are wonderfully efficient, adding both a top and bottom layer.

The orange and brown sweater above was another recent thrift that I'm enjoying. Coozzzyy! I've definitely been adding sweaters to my collection. I have a TON of baggy sweatshirts but with their hoods and bulk, its actually hard to fit under layers and since I usually wear 2 jackets at work...sweaters are the way to go.

When I bought this necklace originally I had hopped to put some pressed mushrooms inside its locket space. Alas, mushrooms weren't really available in my area but now that I'm in the PNW I really hope to get some in there! 

Milkmaid Dress

I learned that the new backyard is ever so slightly sloped, so I'm always leaning slightly upward. Target had a bunch of really amazing summer dresses this season and I had my eye on a few. By the time they went on sale, this was one of the only styles left and while I like it, I don't know that I love it. I love the upper portion, grey lace and eye hooks with the sweet floral pattern but I really dislike the band of hot pink around the bottom and the 'segments' of the dress. What is that all about?! Why not just make the dress, why break it into three sections and add that weird pink stripe? I don't know but what I did discover is that the strange segmenty things are super swishy! Perfect for twirling!

For some reason I have dubbed this dress, the Milkmaid Dress. Not even sure why. My hair has gone beyond in terms of fading, I just haven't had time to re-do it so hopefully I'll find the time soon. Almost all the blue is gone and just kinda looks like sickly chlorinated hair or something. Maybe it will turn green and then I'll have a new color! I keep dreaming of chopping it short and dying all my hair but then I remember how nice it actually is having it down in the winter for some extra warmth!

Speaking of warmth, these boots are sure keeping me warm! I should look into waterproofing them so I can wear them on rainy days as well.

Roses in Fall

I love moving and becoming acquainted with a new area and the intimate relationship that is formed from exploring your new neighborhood. I find it's best as a slow process, often in short bursts, only taken in one direction at a time. One hour here, a few there - today we will walk only North and find out what lies there! Shortcuts here, hidden stairs there, everyday something new to add onto the mental map of my new neighborhood. On one such recent exploration we discovered that we are super close to the zoo! And, the Zoo has an incredible Rose Garden, totally free! 

 
I never plan on going to a rose garden, but somehow I always find a way there. I don't particularly like roses, they're difficult to grow and way to expensive. But I'm always surprised at how much I enjoy walking through them. Somehow all the roses, all together, they just take over your senses and everything just sort of becomes lovely. I'm always blown away by the variety and the colors, I feel like I see a new one each time. It's as if breathing in the perfumed halos surrounding each bush temporarily get you rosey high.

The most exciting part of this walk was the discovery of the Sensory Garden! Each plant had a unique characteristic  to convey through one of your senes. We stopped at each plant, sniffing, feeling, or marveling. The educational walkthrough is fascinating, bringing a huge variety of sensory flora with labels like 'textural interest.'

I'm definitely so glad to have found both gardens! Since they are so close I'm excited to visit often and watch the fall changes in the garden and along the walk. Fall is really when I like to walk with no purpose. I get giddy over each changing tree and each unique leaf changing in its own pattern, I have to stop and examine each leaf, see it veins, colors etc. Although it lasted hardly a few hours I felt happy to celebrate the fact that I'm learning to relax and and really appreciate the small moments. Cheesy Sunset Story in 1 Run-on: Walking along the top of a hill, the sun was setting, casting amazing sun love glow (yea thats a real time of day) and the clouds were still dark and heavy, waiting, but earlier rain had cleared the air and across the gleaming canal is a hillside speckled with houses and bursts of fall, yellow, orange, red, gold coming to a point at Salmon Bay, beyond is the Sound and beyond that, the sharp Olympic range swallowing the sun. It was just like, yea, I think I'll just stand here a minute.    

Something About Stripes and Florals

I'm really loving my new job because for the first time in a looong time I can actually wear whatever I want to work. Working in food there are definitely things you do not wear to work, or at least I didn't considering the shenanigans that befell my 'normal' workday.

I'm also really enjoying drawing inspiration and energy from work - it's definitely helped me be a little more outgoing and relaxed and in turn I'm having tons of fun just being silly and free with my wardrobe. Recently my personal goal has been to not wear my one pair of jeans. My hagard, torn, perma-dirty MoWo jeans that lived just as much as I did this summer. But I have to face the facts, they are getting pretty sad. Also, have you ever experienced your jeans deteriorating on the inside thighs, just under the crotch region? Friction they say. Chub rub I say. That's when I know it's time to retire my pair. 

Shoes, leggings and tank top - all from Target. Dress - thrifted. Cardigan - CottonOn. This necklace is probably my 'signature piece' haha, since I wear it all the time, but it does literally symbolize my last name. The charms were a gift from my Dad ages ago and I accidentally broke the chain while hiking on the trip. Not wanting to lose the charms I attached them to the other necklace I was wearing and liked it so much that I never 'fixed' either necklace. The pearly string necklace was a handmade gift from my, sort of, great Aunt. 

The new apartment is pretty dismal save for the surviving plants, the trunks, a few books and the laundry baskets filled with miscellany. It's not easy to decorate with camping stuff seeing as a tarp on the walls or floor may give off the wrong idea. So, I just had to buy this lil mini rug at the dollar store so we could have something bright and happy. Hopefully soon we'll go get our stuff in storage and this little place will be filled to the brim with all my junk and happy things. Dear bed, I miss you. I think of you often. Like when I'm going to bed. Without you. Fondly, Me.