i'm still here

Happy New Year, all! Yes, I am alive - just enjoying some R&R with the family. I'm getting into the swing of things again (there's nothing like cleaning out the studio to get one's jive on), so I should be up in full posting mode again soon. But before the madness begins, sit back with me and enjoy the serenity of these pictures.

tricks 'n' treats

Thanks everyone for sweet comments on my latest dress. I'm working on another one, so unless I get derailed you can expect more soon!

I always find it interesting and oftentimes revealing to look at my Flickr favorites and recognize the common strains of inspiration. Right now, I'm being inspired by: soft, filtered light, the natural world of leaves, flowers, butterflies and moths, muted autumnal colors (duh), and simple cotton dresses (double duh). Other inspirations:

• The layered looks of flour clothing's fall/winter collection. Honestly, I want to dress this way. I especially love her incorporation of vintage fabrics, several of which look like they could have come from my grandmother's attic!
• Spreading a little serendipity. Although I honestly hope none of them read "Your romantic life will soon take a turn for the better." I've received that one WAY too often lately (and been disappointed). (via)
• I love many things about Martha's work, but I especially love the way she records her processes and inspirations. Looking at these images challenges me to be more bold, to get my ideas down in pen and ink (or needle and thread!).
• Mmm. Autumn seems the perfect season for soups, and this butternut squash recipe has definitely made it to the "must-try" list.

How about you? What are your current strains of inspiration (visual or otherwise)?

home again, home again, jiggety-jig

Phew! What a whirlwind weekend! It was very fun, however, with the exception of breaking my heels on the dance floor of the wedding reception. Seeing people and places I haven't seen in 10-15 years definitely made up for it.

And when I got home, I was greeted with the news that I had won a giveaway from the lovely Elegant Musings! I'm simply ecstatic. I'm a huge fan of Casey's work, and I've been inspired by her enthusiasm as her business takes wing. And speaking of inspiration . . .

• AdoreVintage.com's fashion editorial reads like an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel (only pleasanter)
• silverware that makes for a fascinating dinner conversation
• I'm not a huge stuffies fan, but knitted tree bark? is pretty much awesome
• enjoying the Irish landscape, free from disruption
• lovely, sun-kissed photography

things are looking up

Although I've been AWOL for some time, it isn't entirely my fault. For the past week, I've been playing mommy to a beautiful 14-month-old little girl. The family for which I babysit went to DisneyWorld and, understandably, left the baby behind.

Things I'm glad to be done with from the week:

• Receiving suspicious glances and intrusive questions every time we left the house
• Being asked by a woman in the grocery store to join her mommy-baby workout group
• Watching TiVo-ed episodes of "What Not to Wear" (a show with which I have quite the love-hate relationship) during naptime
• Being bitten by a small homo sapiens for the first time since I was 6

What I'll miss from the week:

• Getting that adorable, sleep-eyed smile everytime I went ot pick her up out of her crib, and the soft droning chorus of da-da-da-da-da (the only syllable she can pronounce with any coherence or fluency) following me wherever I went

*sigh* It was a good week.