Lilac Garden

I think I mentioned in my last post that I going to Spokane with some of my friends. While we were there, we went to these great lilac gardens, which apparently lilacs are a Spokane thing? It was actually the Lilac Festival or Lilac Days or some such thing while we were there and we watched part of the parade, but mainly we just enjoyed wandering around the fragrant plants after visiting a rather delightful bakery.

sunrainsunrainsun

I love how weird our weather can be here in the NW, especially in those sort of transitional seasons, like spring or fall. The other day it just could NOT decide if it wanted to be sunny or rainy, like all day. One minute it would be all rainy and the next the sun would come out. Considering there was quite a lot of overlap, I was kind of hoping to see a rainbow but no such luck. Instead, I wore my sunglasses while carrying my cute clear umbrella. It seemed so wrong, but both were necessary during my lunch.

chambray shirt - gap, skirt - thrifted, tights - nordstrom, shoes - steve madden, sunglasses - topshop (london), bubble umbrella - ebay

glitter nails and spring time looks

skirt - thrifted, tee & tights - target, purse - asos, moccasins - minnetonka, sunglasses - topshop (london)

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have some nice weather! I've been wearing short sleeves, sunglasses, and driving with my windows down and it makes me delightfully happy. I haven't done bare legs, since that always makes me coldest, but it's coming. Sandals too! I even spotted a flower chain some happy person had hung out by the trail behind work.

I know I've talked about both this purse and my awesome blanket skirt before, but seriously, new favorite and old favorite items right here in one picture! When I bought this weird round clutch type bag, I thought it would probably be more of an evening/going out sort of thing. But I've been pleasantly surprised with how well it works in everyday sort of outfits. I think it adds a funky, bohemian sort of vibe.

After I wore that ombre manicure for a few days, I threw a coat of pink glitter polish over the top. It toned down the ombre effect a bit, making it a little less noticeable. But it's so fun and also hides any mistakes! My nails were not completely smooth and the fade effect was not perfect but the glitter disguises that completely. I love the option of changing the look of my nails without completely redoing them. Wear the regular ombre manicure (or whatever other style) for a few days and when you start to get bored, add some glitter! So fun.

spring, at last

dress - thrifted, floral headpiece - handmade, tights - target, boots - thrifted

Spring may be here finally but it's still rather shy. I took these on the first day of spring, after some freak snow that morning melted off. It was a beautiful day, but still so cold! Since then, I've had a few brief glimpses of spring: days warm enough to eat lunch outside, well bundled of course, a light rain that smelled of spring, a few days a wore a sweater instead of a heavy coat and didn't regret it, and a couple glorious sunny days. But this has all been interspersed with pouring rain, heavy winds, and even still some minor snow and occasionally hail.

This lovely floral crown was made for me by my . . . aunt's danish sister-in-law? I think that's right. It was for my aunt's wedding years ago, and she made them for all the girl cousins. It's rather snug (maybe I had a smaller head then?) and can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, but you know how I love thematic dressing. I just couldn't resist it for spring! 

Finally I will leave you with some goofy pictures of me jumping and twirling. I for once wasn't trying to snap pictures in the minute and a half before I had to leave for work, so I was able to play around and get something good. Jumping pictures are, like, really hard you guys! I had to delete probably twenty bad ones.

   

the happiness of a sunny day in winter

Last week was absolutely fucking gorgeous. Even the afternoon I spent trudging from one end of town to the other, getting my car and computer fixed and running other errands was delightful, despite the fact I arrived at work smelling less than lovely. I've forgotten how beautiful a sunny day is. I dug out my favorite sunglasses I bought at Topshop in London, ate lunch outside and didn't totally freeze, and have taken a walk with Justina before or after work almost every single day. The light has a different quality and I feel like it's spring, even though that's no where close yet. But cheers and yay-ness for the return of outdoor lunches and long walks by the river!