If You Give A Girl A Scarf...

Today my scarf and fur wrap arrived from Stephanie.  I considered for about two seconds waiting until G got home to open the box (he was already on his way) but then thought, "Are you crazy girl? Open that thing already!"  Ahhhh.

First, Stephanie always does things so nicely.  The black fox fur collar was wrapped in this beautiful peachy pink tissue paper and tied with this cotton ribbon that I just have to find out where she gets it.  I opened that first.  The fur was thick and soft and I kind of, might have, maybe shot dirty looks at what this week is sunny skies and warmer weather.  Enough that I've been burning up all day!  So the collar will have to wait until we get another cold snap.

I set that aside and opened a bubble package that held a black and white scarf from Ann Taylor Loft that I had asked Stephanie about (it had been in a photo).  She said she had planned to donate it, and would just throw it into my box.  I love the size and crinkly-ness of it....perfect to tie around a ponytail or my handbag.  With this was the boxed set of knotting cards, showcasing different ways to try and wear it, as well as the little catalog from that year showing the patterns.  I'll have to work on learning some fun ways.

Then I reached in and pulled out the scarf box.  I carefully opened it and then opened up the tissue paper and there she was.  *sigh*  Beautiful.  Super soft.  I decided to tie her in a simple knot around my neck.  It was simple and I didn't have to fuss with it all night. 

It has made me realize that it's time to begin replacing items in my closet.  I love black shirts but many of them need to be replaced (they're getting old and worn out or simply too big).  I told G it was like, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie....He's going to ask for a glass of milk."  Except he got this girl her scarf and now she needs new shirts.  I usually refuse to buy anything that won't work with my current wardrobe, but it would have worked, had the shirts been better off.  So I'll be slowly hunting down some simple good quality black tees. 

Instead I chose to throw on my LOFT dark jeans with some black flats, my Vivian Tam tank with the chain neckline, my Tahari black tux jacket, and the new scarf.  Off for coffee and to pick up a piece of artwork from Anthropologie.  We've been eyeing it for a while, it's a print of a miniature dachshund, and this is the second time we had them pull it from the back for us.  The manager graciously offered us 20% off since it had been there a while, and we decided to go ahead and bring it home.  But it's returnable and I'm holding onto it, because I've contacted the artist (she's in England) about possibly finding an original, or having an original painted.  But if that's not possible the print is fantastic and we love it. 

So it was a wonderful day, and these next couple of weeks are promising to be busy, bustling and bursting with happiness!

Staycation Break

So, while I take a mini break from my staycation (G is unloading and reloading the dishwasher), I thought I would post real quick about how it's going.  Thursday pate and wine was amazing, but we were so tired neither one of us remembers going to bed.  We were there and then we woke up (really early, we fell asleep by maybe 9:30).  Which was nice, and very well needed as neither one of us had slept well last week.  


Friday was spent being lazy, reading, heading to Indian for lunch (we closed them down after having been there 2 1/2 hrs).  For dinner we had leftover veggie soup with bread.....and wine of course.  Woke up early today to head to the market where we picked up more broccoli, sugar snap peas (most of which we devoured immediately), garlic, red potatoes, peppers, romaine, and radishes.  Headed to coffee afterwards and enjoyed flipping through my new Vogue (the one with Marion Cotillard on the cover).  Then dropped off the veggies and headed out to the library.  


On route to the American Visionary Art Museum we stopped off in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, picked up The Washington Post, and stopped at a Bistro for lunch.  Three hours later, completely sated we headed to the car, only to stop at a park bench to sit and read more of the paper.  Finally we headed to the museum where it was firmly decided in my mind that most modern art just isn't for me.  Walked along the water, took in some sun, then headed home to finish off some wine.  


Dinner was simple.  After spending the evening consuming nearly all the peas, plus going on a nearly mile and a half run, we were hungry, but wanting something simple.  French bread, goat's cheese, caramelized onions and a tiny bit of fresh time made a delicious meal.  I also made tomorrow's lunch and dinner, but you will just have to wait and see what that is!


Now we're sipping on watermelon coolers (watermelon, lime juice, crushed ice).  Perfect in this hot weather.  Staycation has been an amazing success so far, and we're only halfway through!  

Staycation

G has a 4 day weekend!  We thought about going away for the weekend, taking off with the puppies to a bed and breakfast and escaping the whole holiday weekend.  But then I suggested us saving our money (we're wanting to rent this place for a week or so next Spring in Paris) and having a staycation instead.  Where we stay in, stay local, and enjoy the gorgeous weather.  Last night we jumpstarted it with pate and prosecco at one of our favorite haunts.  Then home, where we quickly fell asleep, with me waking up at 5 this morning.  Crazy, right?

We're going out today to work out, eat, and then it's back home for some canoodling and perhaps G will finally get to watch Slum Dog Millionaire (I saw it over a year ago).  We're also planning to hit up a modern art museum.  (and come to think of it I have a piece of my own to finish for the house....)  

Tomorrow is a free day, we'll be headed to the farmer's market and a local cafe for coffee, of course, but then it's home to relax.  Sunday we have a very early breakfast/brunch at a neighborhood diner I heard about from the girl's at the bookclub and then yesterday got an e-mail about from a brunching friend.  Fate?  I think so!

What I can assure you we will not be doing this weekend?  Fireworks.  The crazy crowds are just not my thing.  There's just something about any environment where parents let their children run around like they had no home training that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  So, adult activities it is!

*As for the lack of photos lately, iPhoto is acting wonky, or the browsers are.  We're figuring it out.*

The National Gallery

As you can see, I was taken by the ladies today.  Even in the last one with Jesus and John the Baptist, the woman's detailing is what I was interested in.  This last painting was my favorite from the day, by Renoir.  I was shocked, since while I like his paintings enough, they don't generally capture my interest. This I want to replicate and put in my living room art wall.  

Brief Respite

Today is dull and pale compared to this weekend, though I am grateful for the respite from the rain.  We're expecting more on Thursday and Friday, which while it does not please me, it changed the forecast for this weekend to sunny.  And I'm in the beginning of The Swan Thieves, so I've asked G to go to D.C. to the National Gallery to see the Leda painting.  The sun will make for a nice trip, but strangely I was looking forward to a little rain as I spent time in the museum.  I am a romantic and the idea of a grey day brightened by my love of art entices me.  It has me longing for the painting by Monet that so captured me in Cambridge.  


I spent this morning at the diner where G and I are known well enough that I can get my own coffee from behind the counter.  The waitress I most often converse with is young, (22, which makes G laugh when I call her young, since I'm only a few years older, but some days I feel ancient), but never knew my name, and today when another called me by name she mistook it for Katie.  I didn't bother correcting her in the 2 hours that I was there.  Strange, and perhaps a bit awkward, but there were so many other people and I feared embarrassing her.  I am sure I will correct her later, or another waitress will.  It doesn't bother me in the least, as Katie is what my younger brother called me when he was younger and couldn't pronounce my name, and it was a common mistake in college.  To be truthful, I am not a fan of my name, have even debated changing it, but don't bother as I don't attach too much to my name.  I've always been quite odd about it, planning to act and publish under different names.  Maybe it's a way of allowing myself a freedom within those things.


I feel as if on a precipice.  G says that one thing he loves about me more than so many other things is that I am absolutely a mess when it comes to what I want to do with my life.  Because there are so many things.  He understands that even in these moments where my emotions perplex him.  We are both lovers of education, and both aspire to collect degrees.  But lately I feel these itches.  I want to pick up my charcoals and paints, my fingers resting lightly as I relearn something which used to come so naturally to me.  I want to type up the novels (several lately) that introduce themselves to myself in my head, but fear I will never be eloquent enough in the wording to do them justice.  I want to splurge on a new violin and make the music fly like lightning from the tips of my fingers.  


Fear is a powerful thing, keeping so many people like myself from leaping off the cliff for fear of the abyss.  I too often can get lost in myself, and I am afraid that if I leap I might risk this life I have built for myself.  That fear then manifests itself in frustration.  Irritation.  Irrational really, for G has always been my biggest supporter.  But I think in some ways I have held myself back for fear of my fire burning up our life.  But it's left neither of us happy.  We've both been fearful.  


I sat today reading my novel, itching for a canvas, or even a museum to explore.  Some get bored by the endlessness of art museums, choosing to pick a gallery and explore something they feel safe within.  I prefer to dance throughout the galleries, getting lost, letting it overwhelm me.  It calms me in a way that I have never quite been able to explain.  And I go within myself, but never feel alone.  I am with the art, and more often than not it explodes with emotions I have yet to learn how to express in life, though my fingers know the way.  

On The Bright Side

So, after the last couple of posts I felt drained, and let's face it, I needed to recuperate.  In the middle of all this my Grandmama has been recently diagnosed with a form of Parkinson's.  Her response?  "At 82 years old it's about damn time something was wrong with me!"  I love her more than pretty much anyone (sorry G) and am constantly amazed by her.  She was admitted to the hospital yesterday for some testing, but I'm optimistic that they will find a medicine to make her better (they apparently have a billion different ones they can try).  So I slept a lot, was all around lazy, and then thought, "What the hell am I doing?"  I needed a mini pity party and now I've steeled myself for the fight of my life.  


I put on my grown-up hat and decided to stay positive.  G bought me my flowers for March, a pot of yellow tulips that just make me smile when I see them.  And the best part is they should re-bloom next year!  (along with the hyacinth he got me for February).  

Today I got dressed up for coffee, taking a bit of time to choose my outfit.  I even curled my hair because G loves it wavy or curled.  

Boots:  Kenneth Cole

Tights:  Ann Klein I think, from TJMax

Dress:  Old Navy

Cardigan:  Ann Taylor Loft (thrifted, more on that later!)

Headband:  Ann Taylor Loft

Puppy:  Audrey who is in desperate need of a trip to the groomer!

And after we hit up a nearby thrift store and I found a framed print by Tarkay.  He's a living artist who I fell in love with on our honeymoon.  I love how vibrant the colors are in his work.  You can't beat my $5 deal.  We've been able to buy frames and artwork (including a few paintings) for very cheap by checking frequently at the thrift stores we love.  

This blog is about the chic life I try and live, and so even in the middle of what feels like my world falling down around me I am going to persevere and live it up.  Being chic means keeping your head held high even as you walk through hell......in an amazing pair of shoes of course!