THESE ARE THINGS

I adore these maps by These Are Things. I've split the last eleven years pretty equally between Columbus and Chicago... so clearly I need them both.

Also, the Mr. wanted me to make sure I clarify - we do not own homes in both places {actually, we do not own a home in either} but I lived in Chicago and them moved to Columbus. Just in case you were confused {which I'm sure you weren't}.

{Columbus, Ohio Area Map}

{Chicago, Illinois Area Map}

FOLLOW THE ARROW

Hello, friends. I've missed you. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. 

When my sister and I were little girls, we went arrowhead hunting with my dad. Walking down rows of Amish corn fields and searching for Indian arrowheads amidst the dirt and rocks {of course, not when corn was in season & of course, with permission}. 

I have a slight obsession with arrows. And since I've made the symbol a part of my blog logo, I feel like I need to have a few more in my world...

{1 + 2. House of Harlow rose gold arrow cuffs / 3. slouchy arrow sweatshirt by Two String Jane / 4. Odette arrow ring / 

5. Madewell arrowhead earrings / 6. Erin Wasson arrow necklace / 7. bow and arrow necklace by Datter Industries}

I apologize for being MIA lately. I've previously talked about having something going on in my life; things making it hard to find time {and energy} for this blog here, here and here... Wow, I've talked about it a lot. It's no big mystery and I certainly wasn't trying to make it sound as such. Sometimes I feel like certain things are too personal to share... like there is an imaginary line I am crossing. I've been trying to keep this particular thing a bit closer than others, but I do want to finally share that I am in the process of a career change and job hunt. I'm trying to get things all figured out... actually wishing I had an arrow to point the way right about now.

CAMERA STRAPS

My Dad has a really cool woven camera strap circa the 1970's.  He had a nice camera to go with the strap... one that he took amazing pictures with when my sister and I were little. {Actually, I'm sure he still has the camera, but film is basically extinct}. I was searching for a vintage tapestry camera strap like my Dad's, and I came across these wonderful straps by Capturing Couture. I think I might need one. I definitely think it will help me take better photos... Yep.

  

CURRENTLY COVETING {BRAND LOVE}

I first learned of MiH {Made in Heaven} about three or four years ago when a rep for the line made her way into the boutique. I instantly fell in love with the 70's feel of the denim styles, and there was a peasant blouse I still can't get out of my head.

Cut to 2012 and I'm still pining for a pair of Marrakesh jeans {top right}. I can picture my Mom wearing something very similar... with her long straight blonde hair parted down the middle {which she ironed... with an iron}. I certainly get my hippie spirit from her.

I covet every last piece of their collection - 70's hippie with a modern update. That slouchy blue silk-linen blazer... the star printed blouse... the Aztec cropped jacket... *sigh*
   
   
 

HAPPY WEEKEND, FROM BAILEY

Bailey...

Just checking out a photo of his Mom + Dad.

This week was a long one for me. You?

I didn't sleep well, and the consecutive days of no sleep + stress was not a good one.

I am looking forward to June and what it will be bringing with it...

One thing will hopefully be a return to my normal blogging routine.

The weather is supposed to be gorgeous this weekend!

I am excited for a Saturday off, and much needed quality time with my Mom.

We're off to the Springfield Flea Market... the big extravaganza.

 I hope you all have a happy, wonderful few days!

THIS RAINCOAT

I have a list in my head of certain things I'm always looking for, 

but not really looking.

You know... those things you don't specifically shop for, 

but you always have in the back of your head in case you stumble upon them.

A true raincoat is on that list for me.

One that actually repels the rain, instead of a trench that soaks it up.

I think I had this raincoat when I was little. 

In fact, I think it was these exact colors.

This vintage raincoat could be yours {because it's too small for me},
along with other carefully curated items
at the Portland based online shop, Victory. 

MUSIC MONDAY... ON WEDNESDAY

Today at work a song came on my pandora station... a song that took me back to a very special time and place - July 23, 2011 - our wedding day.

The Mr and I really like Ryan Adams. If you read this blog regularly, you've heard me talk about him before. When my friend, Marni, first introduced me to Ryan Adams in my Chicago days... I have to be honest and say I didn't like him. It wasn't until I started dating my hubby a few years later that my love grew {for both the Mr and Ryan}. I think the first time I listened, I didn't really listen. Does that make sense? Well, I would venture to say I adore his music so much now that I am somewhat personally offended when someone says they don't like him; I have a few friends who would agree with that statement. 

It only made sense for the Mr and I to choose a Ryan Adams song for our first dance as a married couple. You can have a listen via this you tube video. I hope if you haven't heard this song, you like it. And if you don't like, I don't want to know. Just kidding {sort of}.

I would love to hear what you chose for your wedding song... or what song truly moves you and makes you think. What song takes you back to another time and place... a specific moment in your life?

My Mr posted a blog on his page a few days ago. It's a very cool story about a long lost guitar, and you can read it here if you'd like. Have a wonderful day, friends. I'm looking forward to my first Pilates class tonight! I'll let you know how it goes.                  

STYLE MUSE - LILY SCHLOSSER

Meet today's style muse - pretty lady, Lily Schlosser. Lily is originally from Denver, but came to Ohio for college at Denison... and lucky for us - she stayed! Lily is the studio and fashion manager at Lauryn Byrdy Photography {which is right next to the boutique I manage}. Not only are we neighbors at work, but we also live down the street from one another. She is the queen of cool t-shirts, a total sweetheart, and has an adorable blog called Lucky Star. Lucky Star is a personal style blog, as well as the styling and web design portfolio for Lily. The title was derived from her initials and "her passion for seeking out beauty and positivity in everyday life"... words I took from her about page, and words that are oh-so true of Lily Schlosser. LS used to work at the boutique with me, and I'm so glad her career move did not take her far away. It's so nice to still see her smiling face and soak up her positive spirit!

Thank you, Lily, for being a l+r style muse!

And speaking of Lauryn Byrdy Photography, below is a picture of the team at the opening of Lauryn's newest venture, The Nest {nestled between her studio and the boutique where I work}. The grand opening was such a success and I was so happy to be there.

Lauryn has more energy and drive than practically any gal I know. I am endlessly impressed by how much she has accomplished at her age! It makes an older gal {that would be moi} feel like I need to get my booty in gear! Seriously inspiring. I had the pleasure of taking a photography class at her studio a few weeks ago, and it sparked my creative spirit in a way nothing has in awhile. 

What a beautiful bunch of creative and uplifting women!

{left to right}

Amber Lucci - Calvin Klein green dress / Levity orange heels

today's style muse - Lily Schlosser

Lauryn Byrdy - polka dot dress from Thread / Jessica Simpson hot-pink suede pumps

Melissa Wine - H&M dress / nude pumps via DSW

CASE OF THE MONDAYS

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Working Saturday just made mine feel a little too short. I'm assuming you have all seen "Office Space"? It was replaying on Comedy Central all day Saturday, and the Mr and I watched it as we got ready for his semi-formal. Do you remember the scene where everyone is telling him he must have a case of the Mondays? Well, I am feeling a bit like that this morning. I have a case of the Mondays.

Tomorrow I have a Style Muse post for you, but today I just thought I'd share this Instagram photo of the Mr and I from the party {red eyes and all}. You can follow me on Instagram under lovelyandrust.

Sometime soon I'll be able to share a bit about what has been using up my spare time. Thank you for sticking with me, and for your comments! xoxo

LEAN INTO THE WILD

This image is resonating with me. I want to be that girl in the photo. And my Mr would be the one holding the camera. Because of course he would be there, too. In my perfect dream getaway.

Don't you sometimes wish you could just take off? That your material possessions could fit into your car... and you could just travel from place to place finding odd jobs... like gypsies. I have had that thought a million times. 

This morning I felt compelled to find the source of this photo and it links back to this tumblr page. At the top of said tumblr page there are two lines - I'd like to lean into the wild. And tell myself I'm free. 

Don't you love that? Of course I had to know what it was from. A poem? No, a song...

{image source}

There's no stronger wind than the one that blows

Down a lonesome railroad line


No prettier sight than looking back

On a town you left behind
There is nothin' that's as real
As a love that's in my mind


Close your eyes

I'll be here in the morning
Close your eyes
I'll be here for a while


There's lots of things along the road

I'd surely like to see
I'd like to lean into the wild
And tell myself I'm free
But your softest whisper's louder
Than the highways call to me


All the mountains and the rivers

And the valleys can't compare
To your blue lit dancin' eyes
And yellow shining hair
I could never hit the open road
And leave you layin' there


Lay your head back easy, love,

Close your cryin' eyes
I'll be layin' here beside you
When the sun comes on the rise
I'll stay as long as the cuckoo wails
And the lonesome bluejay cries.

by: Townes Van Zandt