Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Moody Dark and Dreary

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Do you ever just look at a photo of yourself and think, "Jesus I look tired"? OK -- self-pity party over (sorta). Thanks to those that left comments on yesterday's post, sometimes it's comforting just to know we all have our struggles (as much as I wish we didn't). For the time being, I'm not dwelling on things that are still up in the air. I'll deal with them when they need to be dealt with. Monday was a new day, and after spending Sunday flipping my closet from winter to spring/Summer, I actually felt like getting dressed. Like, in a nice way. Even though the weather tried to thwart me. This is big news, as I've mostly been living in baggy jeans and tee shirts for the past week (or possibly longer).

To be honest, spring is the season I find most confounding when it comes to clothing. As soon as winter hints at receding, I want to immediately ditch my boots for sandals and shorts, jump straight into summer. As you may have noticed, I'm a big fan of brass jewelry, and I loved how this vintage harness belt and necklaces from Black Crystals stood out against the dark denim of my dress.

+ Black Crystals is offering 15% off for Orchid Grey readers with the code 'orchidgrey' (how incredible are these earrings?

Wearing: Necklaces c/o Black Crystals // Dress (similar) & belt (similar): Vintage // Boots: Jeffrey Campbell // Jacket c/o Aeropostale (similar)

Monday, April 28, 2014

Disconnect / Reconnect

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Please excuse, but life has been a bit of a shit storm lately. To ... I don't know ... compensate? Deal? Chris and I have been spending as much time as possible outdoors, walking, hiking, exploring. It's just one of those times that feels as if everything in life is piling up all at once, too many options and outcomes lie before us, so the only possible solution is to just go outside and propel ourselves forward. Literally move forward, when figuratively we feel as if we can't. I know this kind of allusion can be irritating in the blogging world, you know, talking about something without actually talking about something. But well, hell, this is how I talk about things in real life (which I'm sure is equally irritating). And real life sorta blows right now. Not looking for pity or solutions. Just maybe commiseration.

We've been exploring the state parks in and around Pittsburgh a lot lately. On this particular day (Easter, actually), we headed out to Raccoon Creek State Park to check out the Wildflower Reserve. It was gorgeous, despite it being a little too early for many wildflowers. We did spy a few, though. Little troopers poking through the leaf-strewn ground and dotting the otherwise beige landscape with hints of color.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Saturday Stroll

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On Saturday afternoon, Chris and I set out on foot for the Strip District to pick up a few necessities for an upcoming work project of mine. Thank goodness we didn't have any more plans that day, because we left at 11:30 a.m. and didn't get back until 6:30 p.m.! After weaving our way through the usual Saturday strip crowds, we made our way up to Lawrenceville for drinks and chips at Cantina with a couple of friends, and then finally made it back home. The weather this past weekend was perfection, I can't say enough how relieved I am that it's finally warm out again. Here's what's been on my mind lately:

+ I've somehow inherited the majority of DIY projects at work. I'm OK with it, and am definitely not complaining about the opportunity to make stuff each week, but I've also been feeling a little sapped of my creative energy. I've been making a huge effort to get out on the weekends to recharge a little and get inspired. All that aside, I'm really excited about this next batch of projects for May. The downside of making so much for work, is that my work on personal projects has been seriously lagging. Along with owing a few people letters, I have a few little things that I've been meaning to make for friends and family that I just can't seem to get around to.

+ Technology has been wearing me out lately. I've been making an effort to step away, but when you're surrounded by it 24/7, you realize just how difficult it actually is to distance yourself from the internet and your phone. I've been acutely aware of how attached I am to my phone, and Instagram especially. It's just always there. Yesterday as I drove to work I was listening to a report on the radio about the effect that tech-obsessed parents have on their young children and it just made me super bummed out. The reporter spoke to one instance where a mother had her phone propped on the stroller between her and her child, and as the child attempted to connect, the mother just watched YouTube videos. I know this isn't indicative of all parents (the report was on a study focused on both sides of the story), and we're not all like that, but I just don't want that to be me. I don't want to be a drone experiencing life from behind a screen, you know?

+ I've really been feeling like a trip north is in order. We're hitting the five month mark, which is about when I go a little stir crazy. I'm missing home and my mom and New England.

+ After a little too much Easter candy over the weekend, I'm really feeling like I need to once again shift my eating and cut out sugar. It makes me feel like crap, but man, I have the worst sweet tooth. This post from Kathleen really resonated with me - unless I have strict parameters (like a Whole 30), I'm terrible with moderation, especially when it comes to chocolate.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Fringe Forever (and Other Bad Puns)

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There's now a running joke between Chris and I about how many fringed suede jackets it is appropriate for one human being to own. Except it's not a joke, I'm of the opinion that I can own as many fringed jackets as I damn well please, and this beauty happens to be my second, and probably not my last. The first, it's older sister if you will, has yet to make it's debut on the blog, but you'll see it soon enough. It too is fringy and perfect.

This is what I wore on our first afternoon in Cleveland, you know, before the temperature dropped and the snow fell. We're back to wintery temperatures, but I'm optimistic. Those three days of perfect weather we had last week instilled a little summer in my heart and I can't wait to once again wear a floaty dress and fringy jacket, and feel the impossibly warm air blowing through my hair. Isn't it kind of amazing, how it can be so cold for so long, and then all of a sudden it's not?

Wearing: Jacket: Vintage from @TheArdantForager (similar)// Dress: MinkPink (similar) // Sunglasses: Estate Sale (similar)// Boots: MTNG c/o Lulu's // Fringe necklace: gift from Moorea // Skull necklace: defunct Etsy // Vintage backpack c/o Omnia Vintage // Horn necklace c/o Seahag & Walrus // Bracelet: Thrifted

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

24 Hours in Cleveland, OH

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This past Friday, Chris and I celebrated our ten year anniversary by getting the heck out of Pittsburgh. We had originally planned a longer weekend trip, but had to reconfigure at the last minute due to some car trouble earlier in the week. No matter, I think we did a pretty good job of making the absolute best of the situation.

Rather than stick to the same old dinner-movie-argument routine typical of anniversaries-past, we decided to skip town for the night, and I think it was exactly what we needed. Chris and I, despite (obviously) loving each other dearly, have a bad habit of getting into arguments over the stupidest things on days that should otherwise be happy (read: anniversaries, and only anniversaries). I think it's the pressure/expectation of doing something SUPER SPECIAL. So, creating some very literal distance from that pressure and having a bunch of new and exciting things at our fingertips was a great way to take the pressure off and just enjoy each others company.

So, off to Cleveland we went! After snagging a great deal on a hotel from Hotwire -- my first experience with the site -- and confirming with a friend that she could feed Zeph, we each packed a bag and crossed our fingers that the car would keep running (it did, what a champ). Here's a play-by-play of where we went and what we did, in case you're ever in the area:

Sweet Lorain
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As soon as we got into the city, I made a beeline for Sweet Lorain, which has become my absolute favorite vintage store ever since my first visit last year. I was especially excited to bring Chris here, since they have a pretty impressive men's section that isn't just shitty 90's tees and Cosby sweaters -- lots of military separates, denim, leather, and classic pieces here. He wasn't disappointed and walked away with a vintage patch for his backpack, and I scored a pair of men's military trousers for $12. The prices here vary, but the selection is so enormous you'll likely find something, and I'm of the opinion that the prices are justified due to the sheer selection, organization, and obvious care devoted to the store. I would live here if I could.

West Side Market
Pittsburgh has the Strip, Seattle has Pike Place, Cleveland has West Side Market. We just did a quick walk-through since it was towards the end of the day and the vendors were shutting down, but if we had the time and a cooler, we would absolutely do some grocery-themed damage here.

Market Garden Brewery
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We stopped in here for a quick beer and a bite to eat before heading over to our hotel. Located right next to West Side Market, Market Garden Brewery is Cleveland's first beer garden. There's an outdoor patio and the beers that we had were great. Good for lunch but a little too casual for dinner.

Double Tree Downtown
We got a good deal on Hotwire, which is how we ended up here. An excellent location if you're planning to visit the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame (we didn't on this trip) as it's right across the street -- you can see the HOF and Lake Eerie from many of the hotel room windows. I appreciated it's proximity to a Starbucks (in the building) the morning after drinking a few too many mai tai's (see below). 

SoHo
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Recommended to us by Erin, we decided on SoHo based on location and the fact that is wasn't packed to the gills with people. The menu also looked great and it's Southern comfort food angle did not disappoint. I had shrimp and grits and Chris got the late-night style chicken and waffles.

Porko Lounge & Tiki Room
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Let's just skip to the chase: Porko Lounge was sort of the highlight of our weekend. Modeled after a vintage tiki bar, Porko's offers traditional-recipe throwback drinks that will annihilate you (I say this as a warning. Let me be crystal clear, that is not why it was a highlight). Take a cab there, we did, thank god. We met up with Erin and a few of her friends and had a great time drinking from ceramic coconuts and chatting up the owners.

Cleveland Museum of Art
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We decided against the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame on this trip, opting instead for a visit to the CMA. It's free, which is great, and well worth your time. We spent a little too much time in the religious art galleries -- there's an impressive collection -- and had to leave before seeing much else, but I'm looking forward to making a second trip sometime soon. The grounds are also gorgeous.

BonBon Pastry & Cafe
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I visited BonBon on my last trip to the city, and I was excited to go back and try the pastries. Everything I've tried off the breakfast menu is delicious and Chris said his sandwich was amazing. SO amazing that neither of us had any room left to try a pastry.

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My second favorite vintage store, Flower Child boasts an incredible selection of vintage home decor and men's and women's clothing.

So yeah, our weekend was basically food and vintage shopping, can it get any better? I love that Cleveland is just a short drive away, a nice change of scenery to what we see day to day.
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Monday, April 14, 2014

Back to Reality

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After a three day weekend, I reluctantly return to real life today. Chris and I celebrated ten years together on Friday by getting the heck out of Dodge (a.k.a. spending the night in Cleveland). I'll be sharing a few photos from our "trip" tomorrow, along with a bunch of recommendations. For the time being, let's all just take a moment to appreciate what a little sun (oh how the weather was glorious!), distance, and vintage shopping can do for a person's well-being. Also, Cleveland, I really like you.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Forest Bound

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Is there anything better than escaping the city in favor of fresh air, trees, and maniacally chirping birds? The short answer is: no.

While I love what I do from 9 to 5 (or, rather 10 to 6), lately, I've felt too much defined by my job. I allow it to exhaust me during the week, and by the time the weekend rolls around, I can't seem to get out of my own way. In order to succeed professionally and remain creative, I have to get out. To live less for sleeping in and lazy Saturdays and more for hitting the road, exploring, and getting those big gulps of fresh air. Chris and I have been making an honest effort to get out of Pittsburgh and into the woods.

This past Sunday, we woke up to blue sky and sun. As much as I wanted to just hit 'snooze' one more time, I dragged us out of bed and we were soon on the road to McConnells Mill State Park for our first hike of the season. While I typically prefer my hikes to be a little more challenging -- I love climbing up and having something to look out on -- this was a great start after a rather dormant winter. Sort of a mini hike. Next up, I'm looking forward to making a trip up to Allegheny National Forest and, eventually, taking a trip down to Asheville, NC. I can't wait to get out and on the road!

I definitely would have been fine wearing jeans, but even for a moderate hike I find them to be too constricting and stiff. Instead, I opt for soft things that I can move in and lots of layers. This tank from Cory Vines is nice and long and light weight, and I love how it allowed my floral bra to peek out. It provided the perfect base layer, and I'll admit to also liking how it matched the frames of the 'Hall' glasses from Warby Parker. Fun workout/weekend gear is where it's at, when I feel good in what I'm wearing, I'm that much more likely to actually get my ass in gear and out the door.

Wearing: Jacket: Obey // Sweatshirt: Forever 21 // Tank c/o Cory Vines // Sport bra c/o Aeropostale // Yoga leggings, sneakers, & long sleeve: TjMaxx // Sunglasses c/o Warby Parker // Hat: Analog

Monday, April 7, 2014

Through Rose-Colored Lenses

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After two days of rain, the sun finally decided to come out and join us. Chris and I celebrated by taking our first hike of the season, and the day couldn't have been better. More pics tomorrow, in the meantime, how was your weekend?

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Spring Roses

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If the point wasn't driven home yesterday, happy April! And happy --  finally -- spring! It was a glorious 70+ degrees yesterday, and I couldn't be more pleased to put away my boots and tights. Especially the tights.

Wearing: Jacket: Thrifted // Top: American Apparel // Jeans: Thrifted Levi's // Shoes: Thrifted Bass // Bracelets: Vintage & thrifted // Necklace: Vintage