After childbirth, cancer, and plenty of cookies, I moved my favorite clothes from my closet to storage, lest I look at them in longing, and feel like eating even more cookies after trying to squeeze myself into an old pair of shorts. It was sad. And it was taking its toll. But, guys…! I’m finally starting to feel like my old self again, and even fitting into my old shorts! Shopping my own closet is the best feeling. Donning these old shorts not only gives me something “new” to wear this Summer, but a little extra dose of confidence! Here’s to eating just one cookie, and fitting into that old dress hanging in the back of the closet!

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

shorts: Fletcher by Lyell at UO (3 years ago) | shirt: vintage | hat: vintage
shoes: TJ Maxx (Nine West) | purse: coming soon to Fine & Dandy Vintage
scarf: thrifted | jacket: thrifted | brooches: thrifted
photos by Phil

It’s always amazing how picking up some paint and a pen can clear my head. But the problem is, I never seem to be able to clear the table long enough to spread out my endless supplies and really delve into an art journal. It always seems like such a big under-taking, though getting back into the habit of journaling has been on my to-do list for an embarrassingly long time. The last time I really worked on a book was in 2011, and while I’ve dabbled since then, nothing compares to opening up a composition book and filling it with bits and pieces of paper and thoughts.

My scrapbooking friend Vanessa came to visit for a long weekend, and since she brought along her supplies, I felt encouraged to embrace the creative mess and begin an art journal. I’m really excited about keeping up with a book where I can record the little details of my life, from mundane things like shopping lists and frequent dinners to personal thoughts about being a mother and dealing with cancer. I enjoy the creative outlet of putting together little messy spreads with magazine clippings, Instagram snaps, and whatever else I feel like adding to the mix. Nothing about this book will be complicated or intimidating for me- at least, that’s my goal. I’ll just be adding to it whatever strikes me as important at the time. It’ll be fun to see how this book fills out as the year goes on!

When my computer died, I spent some time delving into my old external harddrives, an experience which I quickly discovered is not unlike browsing old family photo albums. I had photos backed up from 2007, and some from even earlier. What particularly kept my interest were the photos from the days when Phil and I lived with my brother. Yep, the three of us shared a tiny roof of an old Ohio bungalow, and even better than the excitement of renovating the house was the fact that we all actually got along really well. It was lots of fun! For the most part. As much as people joked about it, I don’t think our two years together in this house would be exciting enough for a sit-com, but who knows? Maybe someday I’ll turn it into a novel!

Right now Phil and I live in a small ranch, and have been working on making changes as our budget allows. (Check out some photos of our living room here and dining room here.) Probably the last room we’ll really touch is our bedroom. It’s pretty awful right now. We actually have sheets tacked up over our windows! It’s difficult to remember what it was like having a pretty bedroom all those years ago, but I’m so glad I stumbled on the photos! It’s great inspiration to make a few easy changes to the bedroom we have now. After all, when you’re a married lady, you definitely shouldn’t neglect the bedroom, eh?