Cest la vie - Arrivederci Frost

So many things happening right now.  I'm going to take this moment to blather about my life.

I'm leaving the Twin Cities.  I've called this place my home for the last seven years.  It's strange how I always told myself I could never love another place, yet here I am, getting ready to move back to Madison; my hometown, childhood play place and the last place I ever thought I'd want to live again.  Don't get me wrong, Madison has its beauty... but I thought I'd grown out of it.  I'm getting all sentimental.  Every time I go back to Madison I become nostalgic, yet this time, this move... it's a new chapter.

John is moving with me and my reasons are more intense than saving money.  I need to reconnect with my roots, this move will be good for me.  For us.

This probably isn't making much sense, and to be 100% honest, I'm O.K. with that.  I'm opening the box that has held it all in the back of my mind these past few weeks and it's all rushing out, getting lost in translation.  Maybe that's a good thing?  Maybe you don't really need to know exactly how much I mull things over (to the point of nonsense).

Whatever.  On top of all my reasons for moving back, a new can of worms, so to speak, has spilt over as well.  I'm leaving a job that has been my life for the past year and a half.  Boo hoo, you say?  Boo hoo, I say!  Seriously.  I found this job and so many things about it intolerable, but with a definitive date of unemployment, I'm beginning to realize what I loved about this job, who and what I'm going to miss... and it's astonishing.   This job has aged me, like a nice French Bordeaux or some cheese.

I worked 60 hours last week, and if it wasn't for my aching legs (and feet), I'd be there tonight, too.

Sigh.  If only I knew French, I could better exaggerate my feelings.  Cest la vie.

Better late than never

Sorry for the delay in posting.  You know how life can get in the way sometimes...

Now, onto the good stuff.

The only thing I don't like about this outfit, is how pale I am.

The top is actually a dress, but it's very short so I used a different skirt to create a longer look.  I really like the combo of patterns.  What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:
Top: lent to me by a friend
Skirt: thrifted
Belt: lent to me by the same friend
Shoes: Target
Purse: vendor in Africa
Bracelet: thrifted


I prefer to keep things simple.  I own a boat-full of accessories but I rarely take the time to integrate them in my outfits.  A new years resolution for the past couple years, actually.  Come to think of it, I'm going to start making new years listless pledges instead, because resolutions only last for the month of January.  Then they become half-hearted, then they become obsolete.  If you make them lackluster from the start, then you won't really be breaking them later and who knows, maybe you'll be more inclined to keep them up if it's not something you must be resolute about!

Anyway....

hiking, naturally

This photo shoot was spontaneous but the walk was premeditated. 

I don't know why, but the urge to dance like an Egyptian usually trumps any 'normal' poses at least once through out these shoots.

My eye catches shape and color.  Were I a photographer, my portfolio would probably contain a similar photo to this.  Reflection in the windows, stark rust against a wall of sandy hues; not to mention the historic edge.

When I bought this cardigan, I was not considering anything else in my wardrobe.  Believe it.

This architecturally sound bridge is also aesthetically pleasing. 

Wind is much easier tolerated with short hair.

 Nothing but a thin sole between me and mother nature.

A favorite skyline from afar.

What I'm Wearing:

Cardigan: Modcloth

T-shirt: 3-pack from Target or stolen from my brothers closet...or both ;)

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Target

Nautica

I wish I was telling you that in this outfit, I went on a nice cruise in a yacht, ate fresh seafood and sunbathed in the middle of vast ocean air; however, aside from the Mississippi River, I didn't see any water while wearing these stripes.

I did, nevertheless, spend the afternoon at an art fair, indulging myself in fried pickles and walking tacos, unlimited root beer and vintage jewelry.

Believe it or not, but these shoes are comfortable.  

Nothing like a simple outfit to make you feel great inside and out.

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: H&M - I went through a stripes faze, my closet can vouch for me.
Pants: H&M.  Don't you just love customer service that tells you there's a $10 jean sale...as you're handing them your card for the $30 pair?  Oooo, nothing boils my noodle faster.
Shoes: hand me downs.  Just a tad too big, but still comfortable.
Purse: thrifted

Grandpa Ito

My Grandpa Vicente Herrera -Valle.  

Born in Apulco, Jalisco, Mexico in 1930, he was a loving father and grandfather.  

He was also an accomplished painter, sculptor and carpenter.  While living in Mexico, he had his own carpentry shop and since moving to the States, he made many a side table and frame to beautify not only his own home, but mine and my aunts and uncles as well. 

I remember as a child, playing in his garage turned workshop, using his wooden sculptures to hide behind, and asking him to use those skills to build us a tree house...which he did.

More recently, my mother began buying him chili plants.  He would go through them so quickly, eating the chili's like candy.  

When we were kids, my sister and I challenged our younger brother to eat a jalapeno from grandpa's bowl.  He did, and he got so angry at us when we gave him a glass of water to wash it down with.

I remember my Grandpa as a cultured, serious man with a stern demeanor, but I'm learning now that he had a great sense of humor.  Something that is very apparent in pictures and stories shared - and it makes me wish I'd paid more attention.  We called him Ito, short for abuelito...probably his idea, come to think of it.

My grandpa Vicent Herrera-Valle, passed away one week before father's day at 81 years old, but our memories will keep him with us forever.  

R.I.P
April 1930-June 2011

Do the Fandango

John and I took a walk to downtown St.P for lunch and it was pretty much required that I wear the Iron and Wine tee I bought at the show.  Not only is it made from pre-washed, oh-so-soft cotton, but it has a sweet picture on it.

 Burning forests, huge peacocks, and perfect colors.  I'm just now realizing how many orange hued items I own.  I think I go on kicks when I shop, like, I'll go crazy for stripes, then natural tones, black and green.  Those four categories basically sum up my closet.

 I love these shoes!  They're super versatile and comfy.  Not to mention they don't give me blisters! (knock on wood...)

 "Get some detail. Detail."  Boob shot.  Boys... ;)

The following munchkins are the new additions to the apartment; because cats are part of your home decor, obvs.

Apple

Anette

Or, 'Adorable Cuteness Maximus' and 'Adorable Cuteness x 2'

So, anyway...

What I'm Wearing:
Cardigan: Thrifted So finely knit that it snags on all things jagged.
Jeans: Old Navy, I think.  My clothes are old!
Shoes: Payless
Purse: Garage sale!  Fiddy cents.

John pointed out that I'd forgotten to put earrings in...not gonna lie, I felt naked for a few minutes.  But I'm getting over things quickly these days.

Toods!

Iron and Wine!

So, I got to see one of my favorite bands last night in downtown Minneapolis.  I'm so glad I was on top of tickets this time!  Usually I don't realize they're here until it's already sold out.

It was super nice out during the day, so I opted for shorts (these are pretty much as short as I'll go) and a tank.

Funny story about my top.  I accidentally put it on backwards, but liked how it looked and so I made it work.  A little strange, but it also covered the scratches from my new kittens.  Apparently, they don't like being held when it's 100 degrees out. Who knew?

To keep it PG, I wore a strapless, elastic bra under the awkward razor back-turned-front.  I'm definitely going to wear this again.

Even though it was a folk concert, I still added a little metal to the mix because I'm badass, and I need to portray that all the time.  Obvs.  No, this necklace-turned-bracelet just works with my grape tomato earrings so why not.

Anywho, the gentle daytime breeze became a harsh nighttime hair tangling tragedy, and I was wishing I'd worn pants after the concert, but again.  OH well.  This is Minnesota and I should be used to the fickle weather by now.

What I'm Wearing:

Top: Old Navy

Shorts: Unfortunately, I did not make these myself.  They are Refuge brand, probably gotten at Target.

Shoes: Another hand me down!  I love being one of five kids :)

Earrings: SERRV - a wonderful handcrafting gift shop with various locations around the country.  I happened to get these particular earrings in Madison but they were made in Kenya.

Purse:  $.50 at a garage sale in Uptown.

Happy Wednesday!