Cheeky

I just got off of the phone with Allen, and so I am in a super good mood (if you couldn't tell by the photos). This week has been going by so quickly since I've been busy studying my fanny off for finals tomorrow. I had 3 week Summer courses, and I'm actually a little sad they are ending already, I really enjoyed them. I am exhausted, but I am feel very darling in this completely thrifted and vintage outfit. The top is one of my favorite finds honestly. I love the jean material and vertical stripes. I would wear it everyday if I didn't want to wear it out. I've been wearing these sandals a lot this week, because they are so darn comfortable, and as I said before, my others were chewed up by a certain pup who I won't name (He knows who he is). I was afraid they were too strappy before, but now that they are broken in they are heavenly. Ok now lets talk about these red shorts. I had high waist red jean shorts last summer, but they are far too large for me now, and I was SUPER excited to find these on the Goodwill rack. This outfit is just super comfortable and makes me feel like dancing around. 

 Till next time,
Jess

New Listings!

1970's High Waist Electric Blue Skirt with Buttons<-Click here!

1980s Blue Wrap Dress with Pockets Large<-Click here!

1980s Polka Dot Button Up Shirt with Lace Sleeves Size M/L<-Click here

1980s Black High Waist Jean Cut-Off Shorts Small<-Click

Cockatiel Sings My Neighbor Totoro

I just had to share with you this little gem I found. I have a huge, goofy smile on my face every time I watch it. It's a beautiful little cockatiel singing the theme to My Neighbor Totoro.

Keepin' Busy

 I got this dress at Goodwill, because I loved the color, the cutouts, and the buttons on the back. It was extremely too large and fit me like a Mumu, and we all know just how flattering those are. I had the idea of making it a separate top and skirt, because I think it looks adorable together and makes for great outfits separately as I've shown below. All I did was cut it in half, fold the ends, and sew it leaving enough room to push the elastic through using a safety pin. Pushing the safety pin through is a relaxing process for me and rather fun (this is a lie, I find it annoying, and I just pretend it's my favorite thing in the world so I can trick myself into thinking I'm having the best time ever).

  Anyways, it's a quick and easy process of altering a dress that may not fit quite right. I think it has this nice vintage Latina flare, and I've been really into midriff shirts lately ever since I fell in love with high waist bottoms. I did get worried that I may now have too many crop tops, but then I told myself that was silly, and our summers are so hot that I'll be glad for my overzealous sewing of midriff shirts.

I visited Allen again last weekend in Cullman, and it was not as eventful, but there were so many disasters (i.e. the dog chewing to bits my favorite sandals). I have to say that I love that no matter what happens, Allen and I just laugh at it together and end up closer at the end of the day. We had to leave a lot earlier than I originally thought, and I swear what happened when we were leaving was just like a movie and just like us. We both said our goodbyes and drove off in our separate ways. I ended up turning around, and I'm not really sure why, but I felt like it was something I should do. As I was driving back to the house, I saw Allen driving up to it as well. I laughed and rolled down the window and he said, "So you turned around too?" We then talked for a good bit (more like 4 hours. I cried for 2 of them like a huge baby! Thanks again love for putting up with that.) in a parking lot and then actually left. He made me that necklace in the above photo out of a guitar string, and it's now my favorite piece of jewelry. It's my reminder that he's thinking about me as well while he's away.

Till next time,

Jess

Ave Maria Grotto

Last weekend when I visited Allen in Cullman, Alabama, he ended up taking me to the Ave Maria Grotto. It is located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, the only Benedictine monastery of men in the state of Alabama founded in 1891. You would never think that something so magnificent would be tucked away in a place I had never heard of before. The Grotto consists of a landscaped hillside of 125 small stone and cement structures, the handiwork of Brother Joseph Zoetl a monk of the Abbey for almost 70 years. Brother took time to construct some miniature buildings using stone, concrete, and unwanted donated materials such as broken plates, costume jewelry, ceramic tile, beads, marbles, seashells, etc. Each structure is based on his work from extensive readings of history and the Bible. Of all the factual replicas constructed, he had seen only about six: those in his home town of Landshut, Bavaria and those at St. Bernard Abbey. All other were constructed from photographs or from printed descriptions.

This little organ was my favorite along with the dragon who lives underneath!

Can you spot the leaning tower of Pisa in the above picture?

In the picture below is the actual Ave Maria Grotto itself. Grotto is Italian for cave and this one stands 27 feet high, 27 feet wide, and 27 feet deep. Brother Joseph built the altar using bits of crushed glass, stone and cement. He also made the stalactites which hang from the ceiling.

How adorable is that chipmunk crossing?!

 I'm on my way to Cullman again today, and I'm excited to see what adventures we get into this time!

Till next time,

Jess