Finding the Light

 

Winter is a time that, though I struggle to push through the chilling temperatures, I truly do love to explore nature.  I think it can be under-valued in terms of nature's beauty.   On one hand, we can see the barren forests as bleak and lifeless, but I always think it feels a bit eerie and magical when there's a fresh dusting of snow and a thin layer of ice on the ponds.  The tree branches can have really interesting shapes and they all feel a bit haunted — I think there's some intrigue to that!  Not to mention, a lot of the brush has interesting shape and color to it in the winter, making for a monochromatic, subtle wonderland. 

Midwinter Mood

 

In the winter I always find some comfort in shooting a few more series at home, simply because of the cold.   Sometimes I kid myself telling myself that it will take less time this way, but that's hardly ever the case.  For this one I had to shift our Christmas tree to another room and empty out and re-style the shelves, so it probably took longer than if I had gone to the woods!  Regardless, I've wanted to do an indoor shoot with candles for a while, so I'm glad I finally got to it!

A December Hiatus

 

If you're a frequent reader of this blog you may have noticed a wee hiatus that I've taken for the last month and a half.  In one of my last posts I mentioned the ways in which the pandemic has seeped into the crevices of our lives, and the emotional marathon that this whole past year has been.  To be totally truthful I hadn't intended to take a break on here— much less a month+ long hiatus, but here we are.  The holiday season often holds some challenges for me: I have

The Last Vestiges of Fall

The day I shot these images was a bit of an anomaly.  The week before had been a chilly one — the one that broke the will of many a fragile leaf clinging to their spindly branches.  But yet, this week it was warm, sometimes hitting 70+ degrees.  So on the morning that I traipsed out to the forest to find some ruby colored backdrops, I was surprised to discover that the moment had passed.  Autumn had fallen from the trees and littered the ground, leaving the landscape barren and ready to accept winter into its folds. 

But I was lucky enough to discover the last vestiges of fall clinging on for one more number before joining their leafy brethren on the forest floor.  So here's to autumn, may we once more appreciate your beauty before taking the plunge into pine needles and blankets of snow!

Thankfulness and Squash Egg Pie

 

So far this year has been a pretty intense year for the books.  From the virus to wildfires out west, to a major election in the US and more, we've spanned what seems like a decade's worth of major events in the course of nine months.  I don't know what's behind door #10, but I can reflect on what I've been thankful for in this wild new world we're all living in.  

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and his unwavering strength through this troubling time, the laughs we share scrolling through memes on the couch at 1am, and that even though it's been hard to find "fun" things to do during quarantine, that that has been our only real challenge.  I'm thankful for our health and our assuredness in each other to continue taking every precaution we can in this pandemic to keep each other and ourselves safe.  I'm thankful for having an online business that requires very little in person contact save for making trips to the postal service drop off window (and I'm very thankful for our postal service!!!), and I'm very thankful that no one I know personally has had a severe case of the virus, that I know of.  I'm also very thankful for our friends and family who we've been able to keep in touch with despite the distance.  And finally, I've been so thankful for the little things — the pie pumpkins on the windowsill, the quiet stroll through the woods.  And the time to reflect.  

I already worked a great deal from home before the pandemic hit, so the shift into isolation didn't hit all at once for me.  But over the months, and through the marathon and many seasons that this pandemic has been, it's slowly seeped into all the cracks and grooves around me.  The desire so badly to be with other people again, but the overarching duty that sits in my heart that knows it's best for everyone if I just sit tight and hold on.  So I've channelled the energy in other ways — working and coming up with new directions for my little creative hive here, and doing little things like decorating the porch and making a quiche.  

We're headed into some pretty dreary days here in the Midwest — being that it's a region that I've lived in all my life, I am well acquainted with the reality of a Chicago winter.  As much as I'd love to pretend the cold days aren't coming, I know they are.  And I know that these things I'm thankful for I'll need to cling that much closer to to get through the next few months.  But I also know that before long, it will be spring again, and we'll get to see the leafy buds poking out of the dirt, and hear the birds chirping their happy songs.  I long for the first blooms and that first 50 degree day, as we head through some of the last 50 degree days of fall. 

So thank you for reading.

Stay healthy, and stay safe.

Nature's Paint Palette

 

The compendium of colors that adorn the forest in the fall is always a thrilling delight.  A pop of red, a golden plume, and then all at once, an expanse of glowing orange and yellow that stretches on and consumes.  What an inspiring phenomenon.  As L. M. Montgomery wrote, "I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers".

Reds, Yellows and Oranges — Oh My!

One of the things I love the most about fall is the transformative experience we see the forests go through. I love that one week we see a few little pops of yellow and orange here and there, and then BAM! — the next week you are wholly surrounded in a sea of orange and red.  It's like stepping into another world.  I only wish it would last longer than it does!

Tales of the Fantastic Mrs. Fox

Early this fall we had the opportunity to visit the Upper Peninsula again, and part of our adventure included staying in this secluded cabin in the woods, which was situated right alongside a flowing river. It was truly breathtaking and such a nice break from the hustle and bustle of city life.  It felt nice to breathe in all the clear forest air and listen to the wind whistle through the leaves. 

Witchcraft on Samhain

  

This year I've been doing more research into the pagan calendar and it's holidays, which celebrate each of the seasonal equinoxes as well as their midway points — culminating in a way to celebrate each of the seasons and the unique differences and gifts that they bring.  

No holiday on the calendar is more important or valued than Samhain, which is the celebration of the end of harvest.   There are so many ways to celebrate Samhain, such as going on a nature walk to note the changing of the plants through the seasons, adorning your home with pumpkins, acorns and dried leaves, or having a bonfire or feast!

Pumpkin' Picking

 

Few fall activities are as close to my heart as going to the pumpkin patch to go yank a pumpkin straight off the vine.  I love the fields scattered with happy little orange dots — pumpkins a plenty on the horizon!!  One thing I'm learning about entering into my third decade though, is that the simple act of awkwardly pulling a pumpkin off the vine can in fact lead to lower back pain two days later!  Who'd have thought?!?  

Regardless, our trip to the patch was a ball, and I loved seeing all the different types of fun pumpkins!

Cat - O - Lantern

 

My little fall hiatus at the beginning of this month has really been the start of a larger transition I'm slowly making on this blog.  I spent a lot of time during quarantine weighing how I've been spending my time and the ways in which I've been spreading myself too thin.  I've also been thinking about what is important to me, and what might make things a little easier for me.  

For the whole history of this blog, fashion editorial photo stories have always been the part I've been most passionate about.  Yes, I do enjoy a fun food post here and there, and playing around with some themed posts this summer has been fun as well.  But I kind of came to a realization that if I have a certain number of posts a month, things get a little overwhelming and it gets more difficult to deliver quality for my editorial shoots. 

Welcome to Candyland

 

Wouldn't it just be a dream to wander through a land of sweets?  Where candy corns hang off trees, and candy bars are the size of yardsticks? 

If only!

Back to Hogwarts

 

I've always been a Harry Potter fan, though possibly not as thorough of one as some, I can't tell you which obscure details were lost between the books and the movies, and I don't have all of the backstories of each character memorized by heart.  But I do wonder what a butterbeer would be like in real life, and I do wish I could have been sorted into a Hogwarts house in the proper way, sorting hat and all!

But in all likelihood, I believe I would have ended up in Hufflepuff. Hufflepuffs are known for being patient, fair and hardworking.  I feel like it's the least talked about house, so I was excited to style up what I would wear, were I a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts! 

Prim and Primary

Sometimes the things you plan, don't pan out, but something even better finds its way onto your path. 

The morning I shot these, I fully had planned on shooting at a local mansion that is our town's history museum, but as I pulled up, there was an exercise class taking place on the front lawn.  Not wanting to lose the morning light or have to postpone, I headed on to plan B, where some lovely summer grasses and wildflowers were blooming!  This turned out to be perfect, and the yellow blooms contrasted nicely with the pops of blue and red in my sweater!

All this to say, sometimes we end up being forced to choose another path, and sometimes that path ends up being excellent!!

The Orchard Times

 

Recently we took an adventure to our favorite orchard, Apple Holler!

We had the chance to try lots of apple varieties, as well as stock up on cider donuts, apples for baking, and their special proprietary blend of cider!  It's so delicious, and better than any we can find at the grocery for sure!   

Modern Day Snow White

Hello and welcome to this week's mini outfit post, this time a modern take on Snow White.  I loved an idea I saw recently of two sisters making modern day interpretations of Disney Princesses out of vintage clothes.  So since my theme this month is apples, I thought the perfect thing for me to do was make one out of the classic character of Snow White, complete with poison apple!  

While not every piece I chose was vintage, a couple of them were thrifted!  I like to think this snow white is having a carefree summer at the lake with the 7 dwarves, but since that apple has still found a way into her grasp, she might be in for a bit of a nap soon!

A School of Thought

September always seems to bring with it that classic back to school vibe that I not so secretly love.  Plaid is always a favorite of mine, and September lends itself to lots of plaid!  I'm excited to get knee deep in plaid, brown satchel bags and caramel apples, and I'm looking forward to carving some pumpkins as well! 

I am the Lorax, and I Speak for the Trees

Hello friends!

One of my all time favorite Dr. Suess stories is that of The Lorax, which I recently rewatched on Disney+. Then I got to thinking, how I could shoot an interpretation of this story for the blog!   So here you have it: some 5 ft tall truffula trees I constructed from pom poms and pvc pipe, and a girl version of the Lorax herself!  

A Dip in the Lake and Donuts for Breakfast

Our week at the lake brought some much needed peace and quiet, and it is always a little freeing being forced to break away from technology for a spell.  Most of the time we were out of cell reception, allowing us to fully connect with the nature surrounding us and the present moment.  

On the last day I was determined to shoot this little photo story, involving raking a bunch of muck out of the lake, hours blowing up and deflating the pool float, and precariously hanging off the end of the dock while my husband got that main shot — while standing on the other end of the rake!  And yes, I can swim, but the water was full of weeds all around those beautiful little lily pads, so I didn't want to have to fall in to get back!!

Picture Me In the Reeds

Like many others, I've been sinking in deep to the soothing vibes from Taylor Swift's new album, folklore.  I was pretty excited to order the special edition vinyl she released for the first week, and I can't wait until it finally ships out in November!!  Until then, I've been listening to the album on Spotify, and it is A MOOD.  I love it, and I can't help but love the experience of editing to it.  I'm always really passionate about what music sets the right tone while I'm editing shoots — listening to the right music helps solidify the vibe I'm trying to go for for a setting or outfit.  And this shoot is definitely synonymous with the song seven off her new album.  

If you're feeling this little mind field trip with me, give that song a listen while you scroll through this week's fairytale photo story: