milkmaid braids

outfit: gifted // the shopaholic, earrings: chelsea girl designs on etsy,
sunglasses (remixed): ruche

Happy Friday, friendlies!

I'm incredibly excited for this weekend. My husband and I have planned an extravagant camping trip. I haven't been camping since I was a kid! Turns out most people hate camping (cue shocked exhales and shouts), which I find a crying shame. We had hoped to go gallivanting through the woods and around the lake with a fun group of people, but it has dwindled down to just us and my little brother. I'm actually fine with that, though. We bought a hippie canvas hammock and I plan on logging many hours in it with a good book in hand. 

On Tuesday I caught a glimpse of a milkmaid braid tutorial over at The Clothes Horse, so I decided to add that to this week's to-do list (also on my to-do list: find friends who like camping). 

I've always wanted to be more creative with my hair. In fact, for my birthday in October I was thinking about doing a "26 before 27" list (a list of 26 things I want to do over the next year, before I turn 27), and one of the things on that list is to learn how to french braid my own hair. 

I have yet to master the perfect ponytail, too. I'm lacking in the hair skill department. Maybe I should just take a class. Do they have hair handling classes?

Anyway. I washed my hair on Wednesday morning, and while it was still wet, I simply divided my hair into pigtails and pulled them across the top of my head. It was so much easier than I thought it would be! I was really excited. Such a quick and easy hairstyle for the week. I got a lot of compliments at work.

The only down side?

I was also asked to yodel, and called Bertha. One lady at work gasped because she thought I had chopped all my hair off. 

So, the jury's still out on this one. 

I personally love this style. Which is probably all that really matters. One of my favorite bloggers, Mara of M Loves M, wears her hair like this a lot, and every time I see styles like it I get all misty-eyed and jealous, and find myself wishing I could accomplish cute up-dos like that. Well, I have tried and conquered, so I'll keep trying my hand at new hairstyles!

Meanwhile, I'll be shamelessly milkmaiding it. 

foggy friday

I've always been a true introvert at heart.
I learned somewhere along the line that to be an introvert is all about how you charge your batteries.
Extroverts are re-charged by people - going to a party lifts them up and gives them wings for hours and hours.
Introverts may still love parties, but when they get home, they crawl into the fetal position and shut out the world for 3-5 days in order to recover.
That's me.

I love people. I always have, and most likely always will.
I love my friends and I absolutely love planning things and going out and doing weekend trips and having get-togethers. I love girl time, I love holiday parties. But there's definitely an inner balance, a delicate one, that requires me to incorporate my "alone time" into my regular schedule.

I went to Japan with a group in college, and I remember going off into the corner with another introverted guy, and we'd just say to the others, "It's introvert time."
And we'd literally just go into the corner, and sit, staring into the space, saying nothing for as long as possible. We were practically comatose. It was weird but we both really needed it.

Dress: Zulily, Sweater: Target, Tights: Target, 
Scarf: Gifted via World Market (shop!), Jewelry: Fossil

My amazing husband is such an extrovert, and he has enlivened my life in every possible way. He makes me so much braver than I ever could be alone. I'm so thankful for him.
This weekend he'll be gone for a law-school related getaway (a mediation tournament), so I'll be left to my own devices. While I used to cherish these moments by myself, I'm starting to realize how long it's been since I've had true alone time. Recharging my batteries nowadays usually involves my husband and I having a quiet night in, reading or watching TV and whatnot.
I'm suddenly feeling a bit unnerved, and I'm already wondering what in the world I'm going to do once I get off work and go back to my empty apartment.
But then I already know the answer. Pajamas. TV. Candy. Bubblebath.
It won't be so bad.

Me and my introverted self are going to have a date this weekend. Get reacquainted.
Hopefully I'll be motivated enough to get some cleaning done, and to utilize my husband's away time well.
But seeing as I've just finished Downton Abbey, this foggy Friday may just be spent drowning my sorrows in sweets and comedy shows to relieve the depression. :)

What are your plans? Also, what are your thoughts on the bright tights?
Not quite as daring as the pink tights but still pretty exciting. Buddy the Elf would be proud.

Happy Friday, all :)

new hair + parisian flair

It was almost warm enough yesterday to go without a coat in the early evening. Almost. 
Today, it is a boiling 66 degrees and I'm already planning on getting a snow cone after work!
I can't wait to soak up the warmth of the afternoon.

Cardigan: J. Crew, Scarf: Gifted/World Market (shop), Dress: Ruche (similar, similar)
Jeans: Forever 21 (shop), Boots: Urbanog (similar, similar), Headband: J. Crew

I did it.

I cut my hair!

I talked about it earlier (last week), and managed to get to the salon for a fresh bob.

It's not super short, which I'm happy about! But even so, my husband cringed a little at the first cut.

Men do love long hair!

For the first time, I went for the a-line lob look. Unfortunately, I made that bangs-cutting mistake earlier this year, so they're still growing out and get in the way of a true, straight a-line cut.

To me, this outfit speaks volumes in favor of travel. 
I think Melina from The Caffeinated Closet has been a subtle influence to that effect!
I'm dreaming of Paris often these days, hoping we can make a trip there soon.
I think my subconscious was working toward a Paris-worthy outfit yesterday, with the classic stripes and layers.

Short dresses make for great layering tools in cold weather.
This dress served as a very comfortable tunic yesterday, layered over jeans, combat boots and a scarf and cardigan!

This spot on the hill is a pretty incredible view of Lynchburg.
I got a bit distracted from picture-taking as lights started to twinkle in the early evening light, lit from all the houses and businesses sprawled out below.

 Without the layers, the dress is soft and sweet, little fabric-twist bows on each shoulder.

Warm weather will definitely be welcome!

Can't wait for that snow cone in an hour or two. :)

Enjoy your Tuesday, too!
Cait