She's Clean Out-of-Sight

Striped shirt: Target * Cardigan: thrifted in Austin, TX * Skirt: thrifted * Tights: We Love Colors (charcoal) * Flats: Target * Belt: thrifted

Do you guys know Caitlin? I think she's adorable. And wise. Someone so adorable shouldn't be allowed to be so wise. She's also got quite the style, and I must admit that I snagged the inspiration for this outfit right from an outfit she wore awhile ago. I changed up the color palette and patterns in the shirt and cardigan, but I think it's fair to say that I can't really take credit for this one. So brava, Caitlin, brava.

Also, funny story. If I take pictures during the work week, I usually do so after I get home from work. My first instinct is to change into pajamas, but if I can resist, I grab my tripod and camera and set up shop in our sizeable courtyard. I was doing that on this particular day, when I saw a second tripod out in the courtyard, and spotted what was surely a blogger scampering away from her self-timer. Lo and behold, it was Emily (for those of you new to Between Laundry Days or the very forgetful, Emily and I are roommates, so it wasn't like a totally weird blogging stalker moment), who'd had the same idea when she had gotten home. We happily set aside our tripod and snapped each others pictures. It's been such a busy year for us both that we haven't always had the chance to take advantage of the benefits of living with another blogger, so it was a fun little moment together.

Also, and because my brain has shut itself off from all higher functions, let's talk about the weather. Looks like it'll hit 70 this weekend, which makes my cold heart thaw just a bit. I'm already brainstorming what delightful warm-weather outfits and activities I can partake in during those two glorious days. (And thank goodness, again, for the longer days. Check out the lovely sunshine and long shadows in those pictures! And that was at 6:00!) I'll actually be staying in Chicago this weekend, since there are a couple of work-related things I need to take care of, and I'm kind of excited to enjoy the city on its first summery weekend. Chicago is a wonderful, magical place when it's warm out, and I fully intend to get in on that magic.

In closing (seriously, sometimes I feel like these posts just ramble on and on, and need a concluding paragraph or something), life is pretty good today, albeit incredibly busy and not remotely free from some serious stress and anxiety about the next few months. I'm sure I'll be able to keep my head above water for all of it, and it's reassuring to know that I'll at least have long, warm days to look forward to as everything gets sorted out.

Title song: Carole King, "Some Kind of Wonderful" (I'm listening to Girls Like Us on CD during my weekend drives, and because of it I've gotten totally hooked to listening to Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon songs.)

My Kind of Trees

Sweater: Old Navy * Skirt: American Apparel * Cardigan: Forever 21 * Navy scarf: Forever 21 * Gray scarf: c/o Affordable Scarves * Tights: Target * Socks: Target * Boots: Steve Madden

Welcome to the wonderful world of let's-go-on-a-walk-through-the-woods-but-I-forgot-to-pack-jeans-so-I'm-going-to-just-throw-shit-on-until-I-run-out-of-clothes-okay-let's-go. This outfit makes me laugh just looking at it. I actually like how it ended up, but it was so impractical for a woodland stroll, and so indicative of my ill-conceived weekend packing.

It is finally - dare I even say it? - warming up in the Midwest this week. It's still overcast and damp, but that's just the nature of spring here. But the temps are slowly rising, and I feel like I'm getting tangibly close to the days when I won't have to plan my outfits around what color tights are clean (and let's be clear about this - I've worn these brown tights too many days without washing them, and yet they still get worn, so it's not like I'm all that choosy about clean tights). Anyway, poor sartorial hygiene aside (and for a blog about laundry! Shame!), I'm really looking forward to simple summer outfits. Dress. Shoes. Go. Not this layering-up-of-every-item-in-my-suitcase business (man, what is it with me and hyphens today?).

There aren't a lot of coniferous trees in this part of the Midwest, and I think the lack of perpetual green is part of what makes winter in Chicago so rough for me. I'm used to the cold and the snow, but I'm also used to looking outside and seeing deep evergreens, unquestionably alive, and protecting everything else through the rough winter months. So this particular woodland walk was a bit cathartic for me, a reminder that not everything has been dead or hibernating for these past five months. I wanted to stay there on that path, breathing in the warm comfort of pine trees, forever.

Title song: They Might Be Giants, "C is for Conifers"

It Feels Like Years

Dress: Forever 21 * Sweater: thrifted * Boots: Frye * Tights: Target * Earrings: self-made * Bangle: H&M * Lipstick: Neutrogena MoistureShine in Pomegranate

I felt like a walking Nautica ad in this outfit, in the best possible way. Preppy nautical at its best, with a kick of country from the Fryes. This outfit ended up coming together pretty randomly and unexpectedly. The sweater was much more fitted in my mind when I picked it to pair with this dress. I had imagined a sort of fitted cropped sweater-dress layering situation, but when I put it all on I realized it was much looser than I'd remembered. But I ended up loving the result, much more than what my mind's outfit had been. I love the way the shorter hemline and tall sleek boots compliment the excessive fabric in the dress and sweater. I'm glad I was wrong, and extra glad I gave it a chance anyway. I felt right classy in this get-up (though by the end of the day I had managed to spill ketchup all over both my sweater and dress, which is decidedly un-classy).

Also, thank you all for your kind comments and birthday wishes for my dad on yesterday's post. Those kinds of posts are my favorites to write; the ones where I can sit down, free of distractions and stresses, and really reflect on something that is so important to me. My work schedule recently has been such that I haven't had much of a spare moment for awhile, so it was nice to spend a devoted hour or two thinking about my dad and my family. I should make time for that more often.

Speaking of being busy, it doesn't look like the pace of my life will be slowing down any time soon. We've arrived in the manic, get-more-behind-by-the-end-of-each-day, busy period at work, and I'm lucky if I feel like I've accomplished much of anything by 5 o'clock. Happily, though, the days are getting longer and the mercury is slowly but surely rising in this part of the country, and it couldn't be happening soon enough. It's been a long cold lonely winter, as they say, and I'm ready for the green togetherness of spring.

Title song: The Beatles, "Here Comes the Sun"

I'm a Lot Like You

Blouse: vintage * Cardigan: Forever 21 * Pants: Old Navy * Scarf: gift * Necklace: Etsy * Earrings: self-made * Boots: Steve Madden * Belt: thrifted

Today is my dad's birthday. I am in no way exaggerating when I say that my dad is the coolest. One part Richard Feynman (with the coif of Albert Einstein), one part Neil Young, and all parts awesome. Some people spend their lives trying to live up to their parents, and they do it out of spite, or jealousy, or some weird oedipal competition. I have, and will, spend my life trying to live up to my dad, and I do it because I genuinely think he is an incredible person. If I end up being half of the person that either of my parents are, I will have accomplished more in my life than I could hope to do. Apart and together, they are my role models, my vision for the life I want to have, my yardstick for what kind of person I am now and what kind of parent I hope to be someday.

My family has always been super tight. The four of us are a unit, a perfect combination of personalities, opinions, and knowledge. My favorite memories of growing up are our nightly dinners. We would sit around the table every night, even through my sister and my years in high school, and share our thoughts about the day, the world, and the future. I remember having dinners that lasted hours, and conversations that left us laughing, reconsidering, learning, occasionally crying, and always connecting. I know my family. I know how they think, what they love, where their minds are when they're daydreaming, and what they want and hope and plan. I love that after years of living apart, I still feel as connected to them as I did all those years when I would come downstairs for dinner. They are my world.

So, happy birthday, Dad. You are, unequivocally, the best father I could have ever had. You have taught me more than anyone else. Until a probably embarrassing age, I thought you knew everything, and I'm still convinced that you will know the answer to any question I could have. You taught me how to think, and how to reason. You taught me how to appreciate music, and how to strum a few chords on the guitar. But mostly, you taught me what it means to love people unconditionally, and to be a part of a family that has been the basis for all the good things in my life. I love you very much.

Title song: Neil Young, "Old Man"

Leaving things in Atlanta ( part deux )

"No Insurance"-  Left in a mall today in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, GA. 12:15 a.m. April 3rd.

"Atlanta Peach"- Left standing near Peachtree Street, near the Fox Theater. 11 p.m. April 3rd. 

Leaving Bent Objects behind

Regular visitors to Bent Objects know that I sometimes leave things behind when I travel. Look through the blog and you'll see things left around different U.S. states and in Europe. What happens to them, the mystery of it, is why I do it, I guess. Most probably end up in the trash for all I know. These two artists were left at Atlanta's High Museum of Art.

Pick Your Path and I'll Pray

Navy shirt: Old Navy * Sweater-coat: thrifted * Pants: H&M, thrifted * Boots: thrifted * Necklace: gift from Gina

Let's keep this short.

Brief thoughts.

Sweater-coat.

Awesome.

Color = harvest gold wonderfulness.

Cozy, gold, comfort.

Perfect for the busiest of weeks.

Friday.

Finally.

Off to a particularly rough start.

But I'm hitting the road this afternoon.

Noon couldn't come soon enough.

TGIF.

Oh, and...

Sweater-coat.

(Emily calls it a "swoat"...spread it like wildfire, people.)

Title song: Fleetwood Mac, "Gold Dust Woman"