Mint & lace.

Hi, doves! Yep, I'm back with more mint. This is just a simple outfit from this past weekend. I've basically been wearing some version of this outfit pretty frequently the past few weeks. It definitely strikes a good balance between warm and cool for this wonky weather we're having. Also, I'm thrilled that the trees in the yard are almost full because my lighting is back! Hurrah! Seriously, it's awesome.

(All old - ModCloth cardigan, Jack by BB Dakota top, Tulle shorts, Aerosoles wedges)

Hope you're all having a great week!

Cosmomint...

... Nothing like making up a word for the sake of a post title! I swear I tried to come up with something clever... Alas...

So, this is an outfit from this past weekend. It was on and off sunny and cloudy, hot and cold all day long, so long sleeves and a short skirt seemed like a good option. I've officially made the switch to bare legs (hurrah for me, not so much for every one else, I think)! Also, these photos were my third and final attempt of the afternoon, and the lighting was not what I'd hoped for. It was half bright sun and half cloudy, then totally cloudy, then blaring sun, etc. But that's what I get for trying to cram photos in right before heading to dinner (at this point I was also fed up with fussing with my sweater, so please excuse the wrinkles). Regardless, I don't dislike them! And I did love this outfit. So that's something.

(ModCloth sweater (old)/skirt/heels (old), BB Dakota collared top underneath)

(I'm actually quite fond of this photo despite the odd shadows.)

I've had a super busy week, and I'm also battling an extremely stubborn case of eczema on my hands and arms (my arch nemesis for the past five years largely due to stress... Does this count as TMI?) which has put a bit of a damper on my "Yay! Warm weather!" attitude. But! I will be back to twice a week posts next week.

Late, late, late!

Hi, doves! I didn't intend to post this so late in the week nor so late at night. Alas, here we are. (Okay, look, I fell down the rabbit hole that is the strange and somewhat magical land of YouTube beauty vloggers... I... I don't know how it happened... Yes, I do. xoVain started it with this post. Three days later, I managed to crawl back out. Whew!)

This isn't exactly a springy (or super interesting) outfit, but we've had some chillier days still when it's not, you know, eighty plus degrees! It's been a lot of back and forth, like a mix of April and June, really. And honestly, I love that about spring. One day it's deathly hot and sunny, and the next day it's chilly, pouring rain, and windy. I took my mum shopping for flowers and then helped her plant some on Monday (our Mum's Day tradition), and I realized I am absolutely not prepared for summer weather yet. So, I'll take this finicky spring weather a bit longer!

I had to grab this top on sale back when I bought the dress from this post (and it's still on sale!). In retrospect, I might have gone one size up, but now that warmer weather is upon us I'm liking the cropped fit. This whole outfit was the result of a stormy day when I knew I just wanted to be comfortable.

(asos sweater, ModCloth dress from this post, Target tights, ModCloth heels (old))

I'm really hoping to get back to a more reliable posting schedule next week. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

I was looking at the black and white world...

Hi there, doves! Just popping in with an outfit I threw together over the weekend.  Hurrah for pattern mixing! I love the look of simple black and white outfits, but I also love a good pattern mix. This is what I wore to brunch and then the bookstore on Sunday... I'm running out of both Stephen King and Cormac McCarthy novels to read, and it's making me a bit panicky. Not that I'll ever run out of King as long as he keeps writing, but still. What do you do when you've finally read everything by your favourite authors?! Who am I kidding. I have an untouched stack of books to dive into at all times. Lately I've been thinking of getting back into my beloved short stories. I think that will be a summer goal of mine! I miss reading my favourite lit journals. They're such a fantastic way to find new writers to read!

 (F21 cardigan and skirt (both old), Threadless tee, ModCloth tights and heels)

I hope you're all having a great week!

Oh PS! I keep forgetting I created a FB page for the blog. So if you prefer to follow along that way, you can now like my page. Woo!

Title from "Black and White World" by Elvis Costello.

Waiting for the trees to fill themselves in...

Hi, doves! I don't know about you, but I'm relieved that tomorrow is May. April has been so raw and cold, and it just felt all wrong. I'm beyond ready for the renewal of spring. This relentless winter has extended its reach far enough! ... Ahem... I suppose I'm not waiting very patiently at this point. Ah well.

  (Vintage cardigan, ModCloth dress (old), Target tights, vintage belt, same shoes)

Thank you to everyone for all your support! I'm slowly catching up on my blog reading and getting back into the swing of things.

I look at myself but it's so chancy; I see things that I don't fancy...

I haven't got much to say today. I've got to admit I've been in a bit of a funk the past couple days. There was a hummingbird out back today, though! But it didn't want any of my flowers and so flew away.


(Cardigan from my aunt, Ruche dress, ModCloth heels)

I just noticed how strange the sleeves look. I had to roll them up to get my allergy shots this afternoon and I guess they stayed... bunchy? Whoops!



I've had this little green cardigan for so long I'm not sure I'll ever be able to give it up. I love the wee flowers.



This dress feels a smidge big even with the belt but it's too pretty not to wear!

The good thing about today is that tomorrow is Thursday, and Thursday is nearly Friday... So it's practically the weekend again, right??

Well, I hope every one is having a good week!


Title from "Talking in the Dark" by Elvis Costello.

I don't want to be an ant, you know?

It was eighty-six degrees today. EIGHTY-SIX. And humid as hell. This obviously required a light, comfortable outfit for work.


(ModCloth top and skirt, TJ Maxx heels)

When I got home I took these photos and then threw on a tee and shorts (see below). I sat outside and watched the wrens bop and flit and hop around before going in to make myself a drink (Gin and tonic today. I'm not a huge fan of gin but it can be refreshing at times).



Tomorrow's weather looks like more of the same, and I have one question... Why am I not going to the beach?! Ugh. Responsibilities.


(Shirt from Etsy, F21 shorts)

Yep, more birds!





The title of this post is from my favourite part of the movie Waking Life. I haven't seen this movie in a few years, and it's on the television right now (...with commercials. This is NOT a movie that should be cut up with commercials). The scene with this particular quote is pretty much how I feel about my life. I never want to be an ant. I don't want to look like every one else, act like every one else, have a mindless job, or have a life where my interaction with people is superficial at best. That scares the hell out of me. I think going back to school is going to help remedy the mindless job bit. Otherwise, I'd say I'm doing all right in my own way. There are things I would have done differently, would not have done at all, and should have done that I didn't but at least I can learn from those things. Anyway, I think I'm just happy to be reminded of my own ideals now and then. It's so incredibly easy to get bogged down by the rubbish that it's necessary to take a minute and remember who you are and what's important to you... I feel like I should thank Waking Life for being on at the precise moment I needed it. Good timing.

If you read all of that or even if you didn't, here, have a photo of me being a weirdo.



Yay!

The thrushes' bleating battle with the wrens disrupts my reverie again...

Well, another weekend has gone by, and I've had a busy few days!

Thursday evening we went to see Elvis Costello at the Tower Theatre! The traffic was rather hideous and stressful but the show was so much fun! He's absolutely incredible.

Friday we went to brunch and took a drive around the wildlife refuge. We had sun showers all day here so it was quite lovely. And so many baby birds!... Why, yes, this post does have a bit of a theme...

Saturday I dug up three wheel barrows full of day lilies that no longer bloom. How's that for fun? Then went to a barbecue at a friend's house where I learned how to play croquet. I wasn't too bad once I got the swing of it (womp womp)! We also played bean bag toss at which I don't think I'll ever be any good. It was a perfect day for an outdoor shindig.

Yesterday I just sort of bummed around and looked into schools. I've slooowly been talking myself into going back for graphic design. It's so intimidating! I've requested information from two school so far. We'll see!

We had a huge thunderstorm this morning but I managed to grab some photos once it cleared.


(Target cardigan and tights, Ruche dress and heels)

I'm none too happy that I've had to wear tights the past couple days. How easy it is to forget that the warm weather is just getting started!



I must say it's quite fitting that I'm putting together this post right now. The rain must have brought out all sorts of bugs and such because the mama and papa wrens that nest in the porch rafters keep flitting in and out (and occasionally pausing to perch above my head and yell at me) to feed their babies. And just a bit ago a blue jay took a bath in one of the gutters.



Well, this has been your bird appreciation blog for the day (I am the dictioncanary, after all); hope you enjoyed it!

PS I'm probably going to start redesigning the blog soon. This means I'm going to be playing with it a lot so please bear with me! I promise I'll try not to be too annoying about it.


Title from "June Hymn" by the Decemberists.

We were both hitchhikers but you had your ears tuned to the roar...

Did you all have a good weekend? I was expecting terrible weather but it turned out to be a lovely few days. I went to the May Fest down the road both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday was hot and humid but definitely the nicer day. Saturday evening I went to a graduation party for one of my best friends. And Sunday evening the boyfriend and I went to dinner and a movie.


(J. Crew floppy hat, ModCloth top, Tulle shorts, ModCloth Heels)



I'm in love with my new floppy hat! It's going to be glued to my head all summer.



These photos are from last week and, admittedly, a bit deceiving. It wasn't nearly as warm and summery as it looks! But I think these are some of my favourite photos yet.



All right, I'm keeping it short and sweet tonight, folks! I hope everybody's week is going well!

Edit:I should give credit where credit's due. Ed, one of my absolute best friends, found the hat for me while we were in J. Crew a couple weeks ago. I was on the hunt but he spotted it! Good eye, Edsel, dear.


Title from "For You" by Bruce Springsteen.

Weeds spark through dark green enough to be blue...

It's getting rather overgrown back in my favourite spot. We'll mow the path soon but for now it's a bit of a jungle.


(Express (I think) Cardigan, Ruche Top, Forever21 Shorts, UO Flats)

I love wearing this outfit. I have a different version of it for every kind of weather. I wore the cool-weather version (black shorts, black tights, and black heels) for both my birthday last year and for beer fest this year.



This time I wore it to my aunt's house for beers, snacks, and playing with the pups in the backyard.



My hair decided to be stick straight yesterday. At the moment it's so wavy it's bordering on curly in places. Sometimes one half of my head will be wavy and the other straight. It does what it wants.



(Why do I keep locking my knees like that?? Yuck. My knees and elbows are double jointed; they do some pretty unattractive things at times.)


So who's ready for bare feet in the grass and swimming??? I know I am.


Title from "Side with the Seeds" by Wilco.

Stormy, luminous spring evening...

I watched the storm brewing as I drove into work this morning. By the time I walked in it had started spitting and just two minutes later it was pouring. Since I don't have windows at work I like to play music that (I feel) fits stormy days and imagine I'm out playing in the rain or still laying in bed instead of sitting in an underground office. Amanda Shires' new album "Carrying Lightning" was absolutely perfect today. (If you happen to have a thing for fiddle playing girls with beautifully unique voices and a way with words and somehow you haven't heard her yet, get on it!)


(ModCloth Top, Tulle Skirt, TJ Maxx Heels)

I'd wanted this high waisted lace skirt for ages but made myself wait for it to go on sale. It's lovely! The top gets extremely wrinkled in a matter of seconds. No matter what. That's all right, though. I love the colour and the details.



I might look a bit angry but I'm not! I've got a wicked case of bitchface a lot of the time but I'm trying to work on that. When I took these I'd just gotten home from having four (FOUR!) allergy shots and felt like a total space case (... which is quite evident in the first photo. I wish I knew what I was doing there).



I've had a long day and there just wasn't enough coffee in the world could wake me up. I could go for a wee bit o' whiskey before bed. I hope you're all having a good week!

We can ramble hand in hand across the grasses of our land...

It was eighty-five degrees yesterday! Unfortunately I spent half of it at work followed by a good two hours at the allergist. But I did get to go for a nice walk down to the lake and spend a little bit of time outdoors.


(TJ Maxx top, Ruche dress as a skirt, belt, and heels)

I needed to change into something light and airy when I got home and this is what I came up with. Super comfy and cool. Also, the debut of my pale legs (apologies)! It was just entirely too hot for any kind of legwear.



This is the belt that came with the dress. It's huge! But it works very well for disguising dresses worn as skirts.



I hardly ever (evereverever) wear my hair in a ponytail but there was really no choice today. Perhaps I'll attempt to put my hair up more. I never have any patience and wind up taking it down after five seconds... But I'll try.



These are the same heels from my last post. Yes, I love them but to be completely honest I'm drooling over all the adorable wedges I'm seeing everywhere right now. I'm just itching for the weather to warm up for good!

This evening we're going to see Jason Isbell play in Philly! It should be a great show. And even though I do have to work tomorrow it'll be a nice way to start the weekend early.

Title is from "Hesitating Beauty" by Woody Guthrie (Wilco wrote the music and recorded it for the Mermaid Avenue album with Billy Bragg).

Sugar, even odd smiles are in this season...

All right, Tuesday shmuesday. Let's talk about the weekend, shall we? Who needs this weekday rubbish, anyway?

Friday night we went out to dinner with a bunch of friends. Saturday was a wickedly stormy day. Hail, rain, wind, downed trees, firetrucks screaming down the street, sirens wailing. Despite the weather I went to lunch and then watched Bridges of Madison County (bawled) with a friend. Okay, look, I tried to keep it together, I did. I made it to the very last scene and just lost it. I cry at movies and, well, it's Bridges of Madison County! Beautiful movie. Saturday night was beer, friends, and This is Spinal Tap for the millionth time (never gets old!). It turned out to be a lovely day even if the weather did give it a bit of an ominous undertone.

Sunday I brought coffee to the boyfriend at work and had lunch with him. When he got home we went out to dinner again for a friend's birthday.


(Forever21 cardigan, ModCloth t-shirt, Ruche shorts & heels, Target tights)

This is a perfectly comfortable and fuss-free weekend outfit. I layered a couple pairs of stockings because it's still a wee bit chilly out there.



I seem to be developing a habit of pairing this cardigan with pink. And I like it! I've had this sweet t-shirt from ModCloth for some time now and have styled it various ways but this is my favourite thus far. It makes for a perfect summer tee as it's quite light and cool.



Okay, so these shoes are not very practical for weekend errands and outings but they sure are cute! I traded them in for flats when going, well, pretty much anywhere. (Yep, I'm guilty of purchasing these shoes in black, too.)



The hyacinths and daffodils are in bloom right now. I even saw a tulip about to bloom! Thank goodness for spring!


Title from "Que Suerte!" by Cap'n Jazz.