Sunshine Daisy

I thrifted this dress and hat a week or two ago and I love them to pieces! I've been wanting a sunflower dress really badly ever since I sold this one that was a bit too big for me last year. The bathroom in my grandparent's house has always been decorated with a sunflower theme, and (though I know this probably sounds really weird) I've had some really good memories in there. And this dress reminds me of those memories and just kind of makes me happy in general. AND I got my first piece from Jewelmint at around the same time as well! I've wanted a poison ring for years, and I had a coupon code to get this one for $8.99 when it would usually be $30, so I was pretty psyched.

So I'm already slacking on my "blog several times a week" goal, but I think it's justified by the fact that 1) I lost a very dear friend a week ago yesterday and 2) I've actually been working hard in school. Mostly in my Junior and Sophomore years, but really all through high school, I've gotten some pretty cringe-worthy grades. It's not that I wasn't able to do the work, but I always either let other things get in the way or procrastinated like nobody's business to the point where it was less procrastination and more just not handing my work in until grades were about to come out and I was having a breakdown in front of my teacher trying to figure out how to pass the class. It was terrible. But this year I've gotten all As and Bs (with the exception of a high C in my AP Lit. class) so far, and I'm really proud of myself. I've been getting all of my homework done on time, and I just feel so relieved not to be in that terrible rut anymore. I feel like I can breathe.

I am, however, still struggling to be happy with the outfit pictures I take. I've realized lately that I'm just not very good at self portraits. But I intend to work on that (and yes, that's on my list of goals). If anyone has any tips, I would appreciate them so, so, so much!

It's almost the weekend!!! I am so ready.

Outfit Details:

Dress - Thrifted ($5)

Sweater - Coat Closet

Bowler Hat - Thrifted ($5)

Wedges - Payless

Belt - Stolen from another dress.

Borgia Ring - Jewelmint

One of the best friends I've ever had passed away yesterday. 

As far as we can tell, he went peacefully. He was getting close to thirty years old, and he had had problems chewing normal food for a year or two. A few days ago when I went to go feed him in the morning, he was laying down and wouldn't get up or eat much at all (which was very out of character for him), but after a few hours he recovered quite a bit and stayed fairly well for about a day. When I went to feed him day before yesterday, he was walking extremely slow with his head down. He just wasn't himself. That night, I let him out of the corral and he walked across the bridge toward the treees and fields. Yesterday morning I found him laying in the willows, and he was already gone.  

We buried him on the rise of a hill close to where he died in a place where the morning light hits beautifully. We had a small service for him there with a few of the people who knew and loved him best, and when we left, we left a candle burning through the night. Now he'll rest in the place that he spent most of his life; a place that he loved. 

He touched so many lives with his special soul. Especially mine. I've always had trouble making truly good friends. Once I think I make them, they always seem to go for one reason or another. But not my Littles. He was the calmest, silliest, most trustworthy horse I've ever known, and he was one of the most constant things in my life. No matter what, he was always there, and it's just so hard to know that he can't be anymore. Littles was one of the best, most accepting, understanding friends that I could ever ask for and I'll miss him more than I can find the words to say.

Wherever you are, Littles, I hope you're free. I hope you have space to run, and laze about, and eat to your heart's content. Just know that you were and are loved more than I can express. Thank you for all you did and were while you were here. 

I could never, never forget you. And I never will.

I love you, Littles.

A Beautiful Surprise

 

About a week ago, I received this absolutely beautiful package from New Zealand in the mail. I don't know how many of you knew about the blogger secret Santa that Laura put together, but it turns out that Emma of the lovely online shop Emma Makes drew my name! You can see just how beautifully she wrapped everything and how much thought and care was put into this package. I was completely blown away by her generosity. 

I have yet to try the face wash (I'm waiting until I run out of my current one), but Josh and I ate about half of the chocolate bar yesterday, and I wrote my list of goals for 2012 in the "hopes and dreams" notebook (more on that to come). And I was so ridiculously excited when I saw that she had sent an issue of Frankie! I had heard about it and really wanted to read it, but I didn't think that I would ever get the chance. But thanks to Emma, now I can! I'm reading it quite slowly so I can savor it, but it fits my tastes exactly. God, I wish they sold it in the states!

If you happen to be reading this Emma, thank you so SO very much! I love everything that you sent me, but the thought and care you put into it means even more. Merry very late Christmas!

Did any of you participate in the secret Santa? How did it go? :)

New Year's Day

Well...it's 2012. Happy New Year!

This is the year I graduate! It's a bit hard to imagine all the changes that will take place in the months to come, but even though change is a bit hard for me, I know that good things will come, and I'm pretty excited.

I woke up this morning feeling really good about the coming year. I know that there are a lot of things that I definitely can and would like to work on, so I wrote down some goals that I feel are very do-able (30-some of them) for myself to start working on. In my last post I mentioned that I missed dressing more creatively, so that was one of the first things I thought of while writing my list. I feel like I've got a pretty good start on it already!

I thrifted this skirt a couple of days ago for $8, only to find out later that it's by Vivienne Tam. So I imagine that it was quite pricey to begin with! The pattern and material are so unique, and I really love the shape of it as well! I've also been wanting a detatched collar (do they have an actual name?) for a while now, so I finally just cut this one off of a blouse that I never really wore, and I love it! It adds so much to just about anything, and it was super easy to do, too!

I hope you all had fun last night! Have you made any goals for yourselves for the new year?

Here's to all that's to come!

Outfit Details:

Calvin Klein Blazer - Thrifted ($10)

Elk Dress (worn as top) - H&M ($13)

Vivienne Tam Skirt - Thrifted ($8)

Collar - DIY from a thrifted blouse ($0.50)

Belt - Thrifted ($0.75)

Boots - Thrifted ($4)

Socks - Walmart

Hat - Forever 21 ($4)