the latchkey kid

A Good Ol' "Fashioned" Update

This will be an update AND a fashion post, get it? ;)

Where did we leave off? Oh, my 10,000th day ... haha ... yea, well let's just say many a thing has changed since I discussed how to celebrate that milestone.

A trip was declared DOA almost as soon as that post went live. However, I thought a trip to a local vineyard might be lovely. Well, everyone I have mentioned this idea to has either declined due to work or lack of interest. 

I shrug my shoulders with this one, kids. I'm not sure what's going to happen.

 

The bigger thing in my life is the departure of my sisters. Mary Ellyn will be moving to Montana next week for (as of now) temporary botany work --- yep, she wears her smarty pants! As you read in the parenthesis, it's labeled a temp position now, but it could very well turn into a full-time job. Until we hear differently, it's a 5-6 months gig. We are all so proud of her cojones and abilities, of course. If you feel like putting out some good vibes into the world, think of her during the cross-country trek. 

Emily got a job in Nashville, and she leaves at the beginning of June. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm sad or if I will cry, and to that I say yes (but it really hasn't hit me yet) and no. I hate when my eyes leak. I'm so proud of her too! They are both so lucky to find jobs relating to their studies just mere months after graduating. My other sister Hayley and I haven't been as lucky, even though Hayley is very much making her way there. 

After the excitement settled on my shoulders, the air cleared and I realized I'm the only one left. Out of five, I'm the only daughter left in this town.  I felt sufficiently sorry for myself for weeks, I'm embarrassed to admit. Feeling sorry for myself turned into a mini-depression. I tried to not mention it to anyone, though there might have been a comment or two that slipped through. The typical "where is my life going" "how did I turn out to be such a failure" and a litany of other self-hating thoughts followed me everywhere. Let me tell you, I couldn't swat those gnats away.

Certainly, I have a better mindset about it than 2-3 weeks ago, but I'm still struggling with my current status. It's imperative that everyone knows I'm not trying to begrudge my sisters' individual successes, no, not ever. Again, I'm super proud, but I will really miss them --- I felt the need to be honest about what was bogging down my mind, and it's a big part of why I haven't been posting.

Beyond all of that Sad-Sack Sandyisms, I changed my hair and I love it. I'm so thankful that one of the stylists at the spa is so willing to work with my day dreams. Kelly, she is the best. No question.

I've been listening to the new Arctic Monkeys, old mixes, and the Dum Dum Girls.

Work is ehhh, but when is it not? haha. I know it could me a million times worse, so I hope with that statement included in my post, it will ward off any bad juju. Please universe, don't rain down on me! ;)

I'm still much funnier here and you can see more of my daily life here.

Last, but not least, I finally started Twin Peaks. It's been years in the making, but I've completed season one and now I'm one episode into season two. How the identification of the killer hasn't been spoiled for me is an internet miracle. I have had to bypass a few things, but it's not been difficult to keep a secret exposed 20+ years under wraps.  

So, here's to spring, May, and blue hair.

P.S. The Ginge is getting so good at capturing me in a photograph/I'm feeling a little more comfortable with not having control of the camera. Let's all give the man a round of applause for dealing with my neurosis. 

Currently.

 

Currently:

Wearing: loads of black. Please sir, can I have some more?

Watching: "TNG," "Parenthood," "Girls," and revisting a few of my film favorites.

Reading: I'm about to start "Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted ... " by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. I've really been into non-fiction, lately.

Listening to: this song over and over.

Learning: I dealt with my first "trolling" situation online, yesterday. It was via a work giveaway I hosted, and other than the low-grade anxiety I felt for about 10 hours, I think the worst has passed. I think I would've handled one thing differently, but otherwise, I stand by my reaction to the instigation. My goal today was simply this: move on from yesterday. I learned a few things from this incident, that's for sure.

Missing: any desire to exercise (despite a heightened sense of body insecurity), consistent warm weather (not summer hot, people!), and photography. The photos from above were from this past Tuesday, and it had been months since I really thought out a concept and executed it.

I guess I missed blogging, too?

Excited about: I'm hoping to do something new and fun on my 10,000th day (May 17th!), spring weather, seeing some family over the Easter holiday, my sister Emily's birthday & her new job in Nashville (serious proud sister moment here), in fact I'm also super excited for my other sister Mary Ellyn's job prospects in the botany field (I want her on my "end of the world" team, fo sho), and I'm always excited when the Ginge brings home Dr. Enufs & Dunkin on Saturdays.

 

I promise not to be away so long, the next time. 

 

 

 

One Last Post in 2013

I got busy living and working, and this blog was left in the dust.

Currently, I'm supervising laundry, folding and placing dresses in their right place, and sipping on water.

Recently my skin has become better than it has been in years. I believe it's a result of this particular cocktail: loads of water + moisturizing ( a lot!) + proactive. The last incredient could be replaced for many of you, but for me it's working.

I've had many photography projects associated with work. It's taken my camera to both the familiar and unfamiliar. The bridal ad I shot was fun. The stylized shoot required me to set the stage for someone to dream of what their special day might look like. The process was slow, which I liked. I was in charge, nothing was rushed. Our work Christmas party was the night before, so most of us were little snails moving sluggishly at first, so needless to say, the pace was preferable.

My sisters Emily and Mary Ellyn graduated from college a few weeks ago. I always use their achievements as mile markers. We are all adults now. My 27th birthday a week later had me recreating my 7th birthday, but while the festivities were light hearted I carried with me a sense of finality. My feelings weren't sad, actually. I'm looking forward to this phase. I accept the challenges associated with being in charge of my own happiness, financial gain, the like. I did so in a way like I never had before. Screw the quarter life crisis. So Life, challenged accepted! I'm ready for adventures and the bills. I also acknowledge that most of the goals I had for 2013 didn't pan out, and that's OK. I actually hadn't revisited them until today, so I suppose they weren't all that important. 

Above are two shots from kick.snare.crash's band practice. Now that free time has landed in my lap, it's time to finish up their set (sorry guys!). Good thing you didn't need these until January.

Here's to the new year. Welcome 2014.

A Glimpse Into the Street/Oliver Wedding

The last wedding I shot took place on September 28 at a Storybrook Farm B&B, and it was a good day. I couldn't have asked for a better time. Here are a few shots that I particularly enjoyed.

I send out many thanks to Ashlee for choosing me to shoot her wedding. It was an honor, truly.

Once again, I must thank my sister Emily for her amazing work as my second shooter that day.

Happy Sunday/December 1st, everyone!

That Time We Looked Like Big Dorks (Taking Outfit Photos)

I really enjoyed my work outfit today, so I sent the Ginge a text that read: "Are you going to be home after I leave work? You are! Guess who gets to help take outfit photos?!?"

He loves being married to me.

Also, don't let him fool you: he asked to be photographed. He just loves his CM Punk shirt so much. Anyways, I'm positive our neighbors think we are weirdos, whenever we take photos near the street. I have a feeling most of them don't know what the term blog even means, let alone, why I would blog about anything, really.

Can we talk about how much the Ginge looks like Jay from "Hocus Pocus" in this ensemble?

So much, right? Anyways, this might blow your mind, but the original incarnation of this outfit was even MORE fall than the one below. Just take a moment to close your eyes (are they closed? close them) and imagine the beautiful image of me wearing the representation of fall on my body ... ok, this might be getting weird ... So yea, just scroll on down.

I need to talk about how much I love these pants. My wardrobe wish would be to own multiple pairs, so that I could wear them all the time. They fit just right, they are comfy as a snuggie, and they are black: one of my favorite colors. To accurately portray my love, please watch the clip of TJ (from "Gilmore Girls") talking about tights. 

  

I am very passtionate about these pants.

Beyond this mindblowing post about outfits, I'm gearing up for a loooong work week. If anyone feels compelled to send me wine, I will make sure you know where I live. ;)

Happy Tuesday night, everyone!