I’ve been having a rough week full of too much work and not enough sleep… How better to lift my spirits than a Saturday morning workout and a few GORGEOUS spring flowers from Trader Joe’s in Royal Oak.
Category: Style & Stuff I Love
Big Sky Over Woodward Ave.
The sky this morning was a perfect.
I was delighted to have this slowly evolving and brightening sunrise as my view as I made my way down Woodward from Royal Oak to Downtown Detroit this morning. Last year walking to class in Ann Arbor I marveled at how brilliant and close the sky would seem. Particularly in winter, the sky just looks closer here… like we’re looking out into space from a front row seat.
I couldn’t help but think that maybe this was a little reminder to me to see the beauty here in Michigan even when I miss home… and that there is plenty to appreciate and look forward to in unexpected places. Just to top it off, I was greeted by an equally gorgeous ride home.
California dreaming
I love many things about my new home state of Michigan – weekends on the lakes, fall colors, snowy winters, light traffic, affordable homes, the bluest sky and fluffiest clouds, the art deco architecture, the music history, the sports (go University of Michigan Wolverines! Sugar Bowl Champions 2012!!) … I can keep on going.
Despite the many things that brought (and have kept) me here in the fine mitten state, I’ve recently found myself mourning the separation of my life and identity from my home state of California.
In a particularly rough moment of longing for “home” today, I decided to make a list of the things I miss most about the sunshine state if my youth. I admit most of these things aren’t exclusive to California (and most can be found/done here in Michigan). Anyways, back to the bittersweetness of memories…
Things I miss about California:
Golden sunshine
Orange sunsets mingled with pinks and purples
Mountains
Rivers
Rocky river banks
Beaches
Smiles
Parks
Burritos
Trees
Abundant Avocados
Camping
Friends
Bonfires
Dog parks
Family
Salty air
Foggy nights and mornings
Dry heat
Farms
Biking year round
Brunching on patios
The sierra foothills
The stinky smell of eucalyptus
Mission style architecture
Salads
Driving with the windows down.
With that out of my system for now, I can focus on enjoying my new home here in Michigan and all of the good times and fun things I’ve discovered so far… and those I have yet to experience. Sometimes it is just nice to reminisce and let myself be a little homesick.
Love,
Sarah
Farewell to Fall
Marc Jacobs chiffon top
$228 – theoutnet.com
$228 – theoutnet.com
Chunky cardigan
$125 – mrporter.com
$125 – mrporter.com
H&M flap jeans
£30 – hm.com
£30 – hm.com
Boots
$50 – payless.com
$50 – payless.com
Jigsaw hammered jewelry
£39 – jigsaw-online.com
£39 – jigsaw-online.com
Jasper Johns, Flag 1954
$199 – roomandboard.com
$199 – roomandboard.com
Glitter iPhone case
$25 – jcrew.com
$25 – jcrew.com
Fall Sundays
Here’s a little something for your sunday listening pleasure (and a reminder of what will come next):
There’s just something about Sundays. The at home time, trips to the coffee shop, big brunches, long walks …endless loads of laundry to be done…
And what’s better then just any old Sunday you ask? A beautiful, crisp and colorful Sunday in the fall.
The leaves are falling outside, it’s definitely sweater weather now. Whether the plans are to stay cozy inside, or bundle up and head out, everything just seems a little more warm and fuzzy. So far this fall I’ve made two trips to the Franklin Cider Mill, and of course there are always plenty of football games to watch (Thank you Lions).
One of the most beautiful things about fall in Michigan is that the sky is so brilliantly blue much of the time, even as the trees start to take on deep reds and yellows. It’s breathtaking.
So grab your cocoa, break out your fuzzy slippers, and lets have a toast to one of the most fabulous days of the week and the prettiest season. Cheers!
For the Walls
My new wall art is here! I came home from Zumba this morning to a package leaning on my front door. I’d been looking for art to remind me of home for a while and I actually found this artist on Pinterest last week. It’s available from Fleet Street Scandal for $30. I was happily surprised that the print (signed by the artist) looks even more awesome in person!
Along with the poster of the paper cutting Nu Bleu 4 by Henri Matisse that I bought from Z Gallerie with my birthday money, our house is bound to start coming together soon (once I get ’em on the wall and a frame for the SF print).
Leon & Lulu
The first time I noticed this cute little storefront I had a feeling it was my kind of place, so I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to pull over and take a look inside. I am so glad I did.
This place has so much character and so many interesting/cool/cute/creative pieces of furniture/accessories/lamps/gadgets, not to mention it is housed in what used to be a the Ambassador roller rink.
It’s awesome the way the owners have left elements of the old rink throughout the store. One of the shopkeepers told me that they left the original flooring in and the roller hockey score board still hangs over the door to the stock room.
As a severe Pinterest addict, I couldn’t help thinking “ooooh, I’d so love to pin that!” the whole time I was in the store. If my phone hadn’t been dying I would have taken so many more pictures just to remember what I want to save my money to go back and buy! Alas, I was able to take a few.
This lamp, made from a large glass jug was awesome. I want this in a bedroom with distressed white painted wood furniture…
I keep picturing this chair in a walk-in closet in a cool loft apartment. It’s a little funky. I like it.
I want this square clock in my kitchen (well, in my imaginary perfect kitchen). It’s hard to see the whole face of the clock, but the overall look was very cool. I love the shape of the hands.
And once again, we have the purple faux velvet furniture that I am so partial to. I’m so tempted to go back and try to bargain (even on sale it’s about $1500.00 and let’s be honest, I need a car more). But hey, a gurl can dream..
The crowning jewel of my little adventure at Leon & Lulu’s? These adorable ceramic white doves. I brought home three (two large and one small) to hang somewhere in the Beau and my bedroom. I love them! Someday if I’m designing a nursery I want to hang a whole fleet of these babies above the crib and/or changing table.
Santa Fe Sunday – Summer Western Style
Strapless summer dress
24 – m-butterfly.co.uk
24 – m-butterfly.co.uk
Old Navy short boots
$40 – oldnavy.gap.com
$40 – oldnavy.gap.com
Kenneth Cole turquoise jewelry
$38 – macys.com
$38 – macys.com
Madewell panama hat
$58 – madewell.com
$58 – madewell.com
Gucci sunglasses
250 – flannelsfashion.com
250 – flannelsfashion.com
OK, I’ll admit this outfit doesn’t have any actual connection to Santa Fe… other then the unbelievable sense of dry western heat it invokes for me. I don’t have too much of a problem with the white winters here in Michigan (except for when they drag out into spring), but the humidity is harder to adjust to (and dress for).
I think I could take on the heat at least long enough to go pick up something cold from Sbucks in this outfit. I love the turquoise bracelet with the panama hat, and the flora print of the dress is so feminine. I haven’t busted out my cowboy boots at all this year (seems less of a natural choice here then it did back out west).
Of course, to top of this relatively inexpensive set, I’m loving those Gucci glasses. This fit is making me want to road trip. Preferably somewhere less like a steam bath then this muggy weather. Until then, …
Happy Friday!
Happy Weekend!
The weekend is finally here and I can’t wait to make my first full scale excursion into the Ann Arbor Art Fair tomorrow. In the mean time, big news on the job search front: I’ve been asked to submit an application for a full time project manager position at one of my current post-grad school internships! YAY! Fingers are crossed, the application is in and let’s hope for the best.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Ready, set, blog? Yeah…Blog.
Hi world! (Or just me)
I’m a chronic social media-poster, link sharing, blog loving young adult…. but the young part is starting to get de-emphasized. I thought it would be fun to write about my transition from ye old mighty youth into my adult life, and post it all on the interwebs. Cause that seemed like a good idea.
Things this blog might be about:
- Sharing things I love in a place where my Facebook friends won’t hide me for over-posting
- The challenges, lessons, and successes that arrise in transitioning from a stellar student to a ‘qualified professional’. Buahahahaha.
- Moving in with my beau and putting together the home we will love.
- Public health, wellness, health communications… it’s what I do.
- Learning how to cook something other then gluten-free rice pasta.
- Music. There most definitely will be music.
- Getting to know Michigan and missing Northern California.
- Pretty much anything.
Perhaps I’ll even find my voice and figure out a bit more about what I’d like this life to be in the process.
What better way to kick things off than with a good song?
Ready Set Sarah 