Welkom to Holland (Michigan)

Yesterday Jon and I went on a family trip to Holland, Mi for the Tulip Festival! It was a first for the both of us. It's something that I had always wanted to do, but it just never worked out before. We were so lucky that we both ended up getting the day off! (We both have crazy schedules, so it's not usually easy to plan things.)













I was a bit nervous because there was nothing but storms predicted for the day, but we got really lucky because it was clear skies and sunshine the whole day! Not to mention I didn't have to wear tights! 80 degrees! I was born in August, so I guess it's only natural that I love the heat. I cannot even begin to express how thrilled I am that it's finally warm outside! This summer is going to be full of so many fun adventures!





For those of you who aren't familiar with Michigan, Holland is on the other (west) side of the state. Okay, so hold up your hand (with your thumb facing to the right). Take your other hand and point just a bit under your thumb - that's where I live. Now trace a line all the way to the other side (and slightly up) - that's where we went. Got it? Good. Haha, I love being able to use my hand for geography lessons.





The Tulip Festival is on Windmill Island. It's such an adorable place! They have every type of tulip that you could possibly imagine, they have a giant windmill (that still works and is used to make flour), and they have little dutch stores selling things from imported candy to wooden shoes.







Haha, Jon's feet are too big!



We went on a tour of the windmill which is named, "De Zwann". Awesome, I know. It was the last windmill to leave the Netherlands. The Dutch government ended up putting a ban on the sale of their windmills because of the extensive damage they incurred during WWII. So we're pretty lucky to have an authentic Dutch windmill!















These are actually used for making flour, not causing people bodily harm. I know, they had me fooled too. ;)



Here's the miller making flour. I like that she looks sort of ghost-like:







After we toured the windmill we walked around the Dutch trade tents and strolled through the tulip gardens. The tulips were in full bloom and unbelievably gorgeous! There were so many different types and they were all so unique. I really liked the deep violet ones and the orange and pink ones (I thought they looked like they were glowing from the inside).















My niece, Stella (who is 18 months old and already a major fashonista) had a blast! She liked all of the different colors, got to ride the carasole (with original wooden horses) twice and freaked out when she saw they had animals (chickens, roosters, and a peacock). She is so adorable. I took 200 pictures over the course of the day and about 150 of them were of her, haha.









I've been able to brush up on Photoshop, so that's what I used to edit these. I may play around a little bit more, but for the most part I think this will be the new look of my photographs. I think they turned out well, what do you guys think? I should have a new blog layout up soon also! Lauren (sparrowandurcin) has been working on my layout, so I'm really excited about that!


The Breakdown:

Outfit:
Pink Skirt: The Gap, Thrifted
White Romper: Victoria's Secret
Lace Jacket: Old Navy, Thrifted
Wedges: Steve Madden, Thrifted

Accessories:
Pearl Bracelet: Thrifted
Floral Bracelet: Gift
Bow Ring: Target, Sale
Earrings: Target



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Road Trip: Holland, Mi!

Jon and I are going with his family on a trip to Holland, Mi for the tulip festival. I've always wanted to go ever since I was little, so I'm super excited! However with leaving tonight and my dad going to the hospital yesterday I haven't had a chance to get anything together for Vintage Wednesday this week. (Although the map of Michigan above is vintage and so is the suitcase, so it kind of counts, right?) It is suppose to storm tomorrow, but it looks like there's going to be a few hours where the storm breaks during the afternoon. Oh I really hope it works out!





The Breakdown:

Outfit:
Dress: Kimchi Blue, Urban Outfitters, Sale
Grey Tights (layered under patterned tights): Thrifted
Blue Patterned Tights: H&M
Wedges: Steve Madden, Thrifted




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I've Been Thinking a lot Today...

Oh wow, what a busy weekend it has been! I mentioned Friday already where Jon and I celebrated an early Mother's Day for my step-mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother-in-law.

Saturday I had to work at 6, but I decided to leave early for work so I could walk around downtown Royal Oak a bit.







The Salvation Army that I sometimes go to was remodeled as a thrift "boutique" that's now called, "Sally's on 4th". They were having their opening day, so I decided to check it out. I went in the store telling myself that I wasn't going to buy anything. Ha!

I ended up walking out with these sandals:





These candle holders:





And this bag:





I do have it all justified in my mind though...here it goes...the sandals are perfect for summer, will go with many different outfits, are wedges so they won't hurt my back and legs, and since they are Steve Madden I know they are good quality and should last for quite some time.

The candle holders I bought to replace an amazing set that I had gotten from Anthropologie that the cats broke. I bought them from their "antiques" section and when I went back to see if they had more the girls were so nice and looked through all of their inventory in their back room, but it was to no avail. They were all gone. The thing that was unique about them was that the speckle design was done on the inside. It made really interesting patterns on the outside which made the candle light dance around my room so beautifully. It's been about 3 years since the cats broke them and I've been trying to replace them ever since. The ones I had were pewter, but I like the new bronze ones just as much! I will have to be sure to keep them away from the cats!

I got the wooden bag to hold my camera when I do outfit shots at locations other then my house. It really doesn't have much of a background story other than the fact that I think it's awesome.

See, you would have bought these items too! I know I'm not alone here!

There was one thing at the store that killed me not to get (and is still haunting me because it's still in the window!) - a feathered cape like this one:



It's displayed on a dress, so I'm not sure if it's a separate piece or not. From what I could tell it looks like it is though. I didn't want to ask because I knew I'd be too tempted to buy it. I have to be good and save my money so Jon and I can move out to California. Also, since we're going to most likely be living in a studio apartment I'm going to have to get rid of a ton of my clothing! So accumulating new stuff that I'm not going to wear often isn't a great idea. Not to mention the whole cruelty aspect of the feathers. Even though it's second hand I would still feel a little guilty about wearing it. *Sigh*








After the thrift store I went to Bean and Leaf, a local coffee shop in Royal Oak. I sat on the outdoor patio and did some people watching. Everyone was out and about just soaking in the afternoon sun. Unfortunately I only had a little bit of time left before I had to get to work.







I also had to work on Sunday, so Jon and I picked up my mom and met up with my sister and nephew for a Mother's Day breakfast. We went to The Breakfast Club which is the cutest little breakfast nook in Madison Heights. Their specialty Mother's Day french toast was absolutely divine. There was one slice of creme brulee toast and one slice of oven baked toast with raspberry sauce. Oh...my...goodness...it was amazing!!! We sat outside to eat and took in the light breeze. My mom seemed to really enjoy herself, so that's good.





Afterwards Jon drove me to work, but since he needed the car to drive my mom home and get himself to work I was stuck at work until midnight. It worked out though because I was able to watch "Of Gods and Men" and "In a Better World;" two movies that I really wanted to see. They were both great!





So all in all it was an incredible weekend. It was also a bit thought-provoking and philosophical for me too. I think my black outfit fits with the tone of where my mind has been this weekend. While I was sitting at the coffee shop on Saturday I started thinking about what I was doing at that same time 10 years ago. I would have still been in high school, finishing up my junior year. Then I started thinking about where I would be 10 ten years from that moment. Would I have been through graduate school? Will I be teaching art? Or will I be working for a projection company like Strong or Christie? Or maybe working on feature films as an art director? Will Jon and I have our film business up and running? Will we be living on the west coast? The east coast? Midwest? Abroad? Will we have children? Will my grandmothers both still be alive? Will I still be in touch with old friends? Will I have made new friends that I'll always wonder how I ever managed to live without? Will our cats be dead or just elderly and blind? Will we have successfully saved Panthro from becoming diabetic?

So much can happen in 10 years. Right now I feel like I'm standing on a turning point just waiting for fate to push me in the right direction...














The Breakdown:

Outift:
Grey Tee: Work Shirt (printed on AA t-shirt)
Blazer: Thrifted
Skirt: Apt. 9
Tights: Target
Shoes: Target

Accessories:
Purse: Thrifted
Bracelet: Gift
Collar: Golden Fur Vintage, won in giveaway


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