an almost wordless Wednesday

I feel privileged to live in a place that’s inspiring even when it’s shrouded in fog

Frozen

Dollar Store Sunnies, Lucky Necklace c/o 6pm , Sweater: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Levis, Boots: Target

First off,  Mom if you’re reading this I swear my coat wasn’t off for more than a few minutes; don’t worry. I love you and I’ll call soon!

I took these photos on Monday when it was a bit warmer, aka it was in the low 20’s and it’s scary how warm that felt. This is my “go-to” cold weather outfit, chunky knit sweater, jeans, and boots. It’s as versatile as it is simple and makes layering easy, case and point I had three layers under this sweater. I wanted to evoke a bit of warmth, albeit imagined, with my accessories so I added colorful boots and a mulitstrand necklace.

what are your winter weather dressing secrets?

With a View

Dollar Store Sunnies, Velvet Blazer: Zara, Silk Blouse: Downtown Threads, Skinnies: Gap, Steve Madden Heels

What a view…

Weekend Mindset

Earlier this week when D suggested we go snowshoeing near Mt. Mansfield I quickly agreed. The weather looked beautiful, the mid 30’s feels like Florida after yesterday’s blisteringly cold temps, and I was excited to take pictures after all the snow we’ve had.

I imagined us leisurely tromping about, enjoying the beautiful scenery, possibly sipping off a brandy filled flask… the perfect New England afternoon, straight out of a 1950’s LL Bean ad.

It wasn’t until D mentioned snow pants that I realized I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. D’s idea of snowshoeing required a lot less Americana and a lot more activity. The leisurely stroll on groomed trails I’d imagined were replaced with talks of back country, snowshoe hiking. An activity that would most definitely require snow pants, sweating, and granola bars. Clearly I’m in over my head but I’m optimistic and still plan on packing the flask.

How is your weekend shaping up?

photo source (top) (bottom)

a winter refresh

I hope your holidays were warm and wonderful and of course Happy New Year. I got my Christmas wish a few days after Christmas when I returned to Burlington to find almost eighteen inches of snow. Something about a fresh, untouched blanket of snow makes everything look renewed, bright, optimistic even, and there is no better time for optimism than the start of a New Year. Here’s to hoping your New Year is off to a bright and beautiful start.

post office holiday party security camera footage, yes.

Mayhem and hilarity ensue when an employee tries to retrieve his bike from work after the company holiday party. Kudos to management, humiliation via social media is a much more creative response than firing him, and the editing is fabulous.

Do you have an embarrassing holiday office party story?

Holiday Traditions

This weekend was all about celebrating and sharing holiday traditions. Saturday afternoon D’s Grandmother, Ingrid, gave me a one on one lesson in the art of making kringle, a traditional Norwegian pastry filled with almonds. Not only is kringle one of D’s favorite parts of the holiday but it’s a long standing family tradition on his side.

It was an amazing experience to watch and work with Ingrid in the kitchen. I learned so much watching her work.

It was even more exciting when Ingrid declared my first batch of kringle a success and tasked me with bringing the kringle to the family’s Christmas Eve party. Needless to say D will be enjoying more than a few pieces of kringle between now and then. I plan on making at least two more trial batches.

After my kringle lesson D and I headed to our friends house to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with traditional fare and lots of laughter. It was the first Hanukkah celebration for the majority of the guests and it was fun to learn new traditions together.

Here I am showing off my first batch of kringle with my friend Rebecca, the Hanukkah hostess with the mostest!

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I’m anti wind and rain

Knit Hat: UO, Trench: handmade by D’s grandmother for his mother, Sweater: Bass, Knit Dress: Paris, Leopard Ring: Charlotte Russe, Boots: Florence

Yesterday the weather got the best of me. I stepped outside and it started to rain. Now I don’t mind the rain so much it was the accompanying winds that really got me. I was that person on Main St flaying and fighting with their inside out umbrella. The fact that I was in a classic trench made it all the more comical and somewhat fitting.  All I was missing was a newspaper and a run in my nonexistent pantyhose.

How do you dress for wind and rain?

over the rainbow in a canoe

We got into the canoe and it started to sprinkle. After battling the current we ducked into a calm inlet for lunch and it started really raining. Around the time the thunder starting rumbling we decided to call it a day. Disappointed and damp we headed back and on the way we were treated to one of the most beautiful and brightest rainbows I’ve ever seen, making it all the more worth the struggle.

A Mustard Moment

Jacket: made by D’s grandmother when she was my age, Scarf: ship gift shop, Mustard Corduroys: Target, Boots: Italy

Summer was over in the blink of an eye, I sneezed and September was gone, and now I’m staring mid October in the face wondering where the heck fall went. I’ve never been busier both professionally and with my passion project (the little slice of the internet you’re reading now) and it feels great. But… (you could sense the ‘but’ coming couldn’t you) sometimes it feels even better to unplug, stop, and enjoy a beautiful Burlington sunset.

how do you find balance in your busy life?