RIP Monkeycat

Since Monkeycat has been such an active part of my blog photos over the past year and a half, I thought you guys should know that she died on Friday afternoon. I was composing an outfit post for the blog when Jake came running in the door to tell me that he found her lying in the middle of the road, just three doors down from our house. . .

We were heartbroken.

She was my very first cat and our first animal together, and boy were we in love. We treated her like the queen of our castle, reciting chants to Louie about how "Monketcat reigned supreme", just so he would know that she was in charge. She had the most personality I've ever seen in a pet, and she was the happiest part of our everyday lives, which is literally no exaggeration. We simply adored her. Getting on with life now that she's gone is tough. I sobbed when I first heard the news, but now the tears are limited to the random times of the day that I know she would've loved. We're trying to keep busy just to keep her off our minds, but sometimes it's difficult. I'm grateful to have so many pictures to remember her by. I'm sure we'll get another cat soon, but knowing that we'll never be able to find the exact same quirks in another pet again is what hurts my heart most right now. Hopefully time will ease our pain soon enough.

For now this post and this post and this post and this post and this post are helping me remember some of the good times we had together. But isn't it crazy what an impact our pets have on our lives?

Family Portrait

 

I know I mentioned my new puppy on Instagram , Facebook, and Twitter last week, but I think I forgot to say anything about him here. Jake and I had been talking about getting a puppy for a while, and when we finally found what we wanted in the local paper, he bought it for me for my birthday. It's a Puggle and he name is Louie, which probably has more to do with Louie C.K. than any other Louie out there (though Huey, Dewey, and Louie were discussed). Anyway, here's the family photo I took for a guest blog post I did for Julie over at Orchid Grey. Come visit me there if you'd like to see a few more photos!

Christmas 2010

This Christmas was one of the best I can remember in recent years. I'm coming to terms with the fact that it will never be as magical as it was when I was a kid – Santa and elves, Barbie's and bikes – but that doesn't mean that it can't be any good. I plan to show you some of my favorite gifts later, but for now, here are some of the people that made my Christmas extra special.

Meet Rylee! She was born on Christmas Eve Eve (two days before the big day!) to my little sister Jessica and her husband, Sean. It's their first baby, my first niece (I've already got a handful of nephews!), and she couldn't have arrived at a better time. It was so special to have her out of Jessica's tummy for Christmas! Look at those chubby cheeks.

My dad made a pretty convincing Santa, too! He was in his costume for a while, and when he finally changed and came back as 'Pop', my nephew Ethan said "Pop, you just missed Santa!". It was so adorable.

Christmas parties! There's nothing like being around a ton of friends during the holidays. We sat around trying to remember all the lyrics to our favorite Christmas songs as Phillip strummed along on his guitar – we only had to use google once!

Jake doesn't care much about Christmas, but he knows how much I love it and how much it reminds me of my childhood. A week before Christmas he surprised me by taking me to Home Depot to pick out a Christmas tree! It was incomparable to picking out and cutting down your own tree, but it was convenient and sooo last minute. I'm just glad we got one before it was too late!

 I had to work Christmas Eve, but a bunch of friends came over when I got off. We watched Home Alone (my favorite) and baked sugar cookies! My sister and I exchanged all of our gifts, and we all rung in the holiday together. It was special, especially since Jake had already left for his parents house in Hot Springs.

How was your Christmas? Tell me all about it!

Inspired by Dad in the 70's: Military Woman

Vintage Hat: Thrift $1
Shirt: Thrift $3
Harmonica Necklace: Modcloth $16
Vintage WWII Riding Pants: Estate Sale $2
Espadrilles: Salvation Army $6

I finally found the time to take those daddy-inspired photos I casually spoke about on father's day. I figured since I did a post for mama I had to do one for papa too! I'm sure dad had some better looks to get inspired by in the 70's, but I've been hanging on to these pants for months now and thought this would be a very appropriate time to wear them. I wanted to see if I could turn dad's tough military look into something wearable for a lady.

I wish I knew more about dad's time in the military, but unfortunately I don't know much. I know he was a dog trainer in the Air Force for a while and that he lived in Thailand and Guam while he was in the service, but that's about it. I'm not exactly sure what he did or what he saw while he was living in either of these places.

We always liked to say that dad had nine lives because of all the careers he's had. The military history came before I was born, and by the time I got here, he was a motorcycle cop in Mobile, Alabama. When I turned a year old we moved from Alabama to Ft. Worth, Texas so he could get his masters in religion at the baptist seminary, and after that he went back to school to become a social worker. He's been a therapist ever since, but I do remember times when he thought about going back to law school. I think all in all he spent twelve years in college. He liked his studies I guess!

I rounded up all the things I could find for a military inspired outfit, and this is what I came up with. The WWII riding pants were an extraordinary estate sale find marked at 90% off. The man was so desperate to get rid of his stuff that he only wanted $2 for them.  You don't come across those everyday (and in such great shape), so I snatched them up without even thinking twice. The military shirt pin is from a camo hat I purchased at Urban Outfitters back in 2006, and the aviators were leftover from a party I threw back in my early days of college. The National Geographic magazine might seem a little out of place, but it's such a great reference for all the great sights and cultures of the world that I decided to include it (since dad did get to travel). I've never actually gotten to leave the country, so instead I rely on my National Geographics to show me the sights. This one is from 1969, and although the cover photo is just an eagle attacking a lady, I'm sure there's something about the war in there too.

Inspired By Mama

Today's inspiration came from my Mama's style in the 70's. I pulled this photo out for my mother's day post, and one of my buddies and blog readers, Amanda, from Dishevelled Stars recommended I do my own version of it.

"I can't get over how much you and your mom look alike! And those combat boots with a white dress are rockin - you should totally do a mirrored outfit and post the pictures side by side ."

So, I took her advice, and here are the results.

I got a little cut on my knuckle just before taking these photos, and I didn't want any blood to get on my white dress, so pardon the band-aid.



I think Mom told me she used to have a phone like this when she was a teenager, so I thought it would be cute to include it in the photos.



I'm finding out that Monkey really likes indoor shoots. I think she enjoys being in front of the warm light, so she kind of took over at one point.

Since I'm a horrible daughter and forgot to do a Father's Day post (and here I am doing another post for Mom), I'm going to do an outfit in honor of Dad's style in the 70's too. I've already got the whole thing styled and ready, just gotta find the time to shoot it.

Petal Hat: Alabama Thrift Store $3

White Lace Slip: Goodwill $3

White Muslin Slip: Estate Sale $1

Nude Slip: Estate Sale $1

Boots: Modcloth $ 55

Vintage Phone: Alabama Thrift Store $15

Monkey Cat: Rescued from the streets, Priceless

red bowler & photos of my honey

Thanks for all the advice on the header yesterday. In the end I decided to go with the illustration and the original background I put up last week. A lot of you have asked if I drew this girl or not, and as much as I am not an artist, I actually did draw this when I was bored to tears in one of my classes last semester. The original purpose was for my business cards, and since the card was going to say photographer/vintage seller/stylist, I wanted to incorporate those things
into one graphic. I guess it's sort of obvious, but just in case you didn't figure it out the girl in the drawing is supposed to be me.

I still haven't printed the cards though. Any recommendations on where I should do that? Online or local? In the coming weeks I'd like to fill my sidebar with different drawings too. I've got a few ready to go, but I've still got to work on a few more.

In other news, I thrifted a red bowler hat on Friday! I love bowlers and statement hats (if you could call it that), and I love what the vibrant red color did for an otherwise all black outfit.

Dress: Banana Republic via Saver's $13
Shoes: Rue 21 $30
Red Bowler: Thrift $3

These were actually taken on my anniversary which means I've got the photos of me and Jake edited too! It was the first time using my white backdrop, and it's obvious I got lazy with steaming out the wrinkles. To add to that mess, one of my light bulbs blew out as soon as I got the whole scene set and ready. So obviously the quality of the photos isn't great, but you get the picture; we're goofy.

Jake was a pain in the ass while we were trying to take these. He gets really really weird when the cameras on him and he doesn't know what to do; hence, the insanely retarded photos. He has already let me know that we will not be doing this again, but at least I have these funny photos to hang on to.

Two years and counting, home is whenver I'm with you.

Yesterday was mine and Jake's 2nd Anniversary.

We're hardly romantic and could care less about formal celebrations, and we actually forgot it was our big day until I remember it was the 5th and we had to pay rent! I told him all I wanted was for him to get in a couple photos with me. He did it, and it was a nightmare, the last time I'll ever make him get his picture taken. The photos are cute though. I don't have them edited yet, but in honor of the big day I wanted to repost something I posted back in October when my blog still a baby.

In October I made a trip to see my family in Alabama. This is what I posted when I got back:

My honey.

He loves me, he gets me, he inspires me. For my vacation to Alabama he burned me a few mp3's and told me not to listen to a particular track until my trip home to Arkansas. When I tried to listen it didn't work so I had to watch the video when I got home (if you want to be happy for the rest of the day, I advise watching the video too).

I'm from Alabama. He's from Arkansas. It's perfect.

"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
from the Mondo Boys mixtape "Weird Summer"

Okay, okay, so I traded the video he showed me out with the David Letterman performance, but it's just so great to watch them live. They make me happy, and I think I'm obsessed with both the lead singers. I nearly tear up every time I listen to this song. I can't wait to see them at Bonnaroo!!!

Do you have a song with your honey?

my memorial day in a country place.

I know I'm a little late on my Memorial Day postings, but I've just now found the time to sort through my photos. I really didn't have any grand plans for the weekend, and Jake had to work on Monday so I was stuck at home doing the normal internet stuff. Luckily, mom called pretty late in the morning to let me know that they were throwing together a BBQ for that afternoon. I was happy to have some sort of Memorial Day festivities to take part in!

I took Monkey for the long, curvy car ride out to my parents out, and since I've never owned a cat before I had no idea she would get so car sick. Like, REALLY REALLY sick, pooping and puking in the backseat of my car. It was a disaster, poor baby. She was really good when we got to my parents though. It was the first time ever to have my two favorite pets together, but there was no way I could capture the moment. Monkey feels the need to hiss at any other animal nearby, so I left her out of the pictures. This is my baby, Dakota. I've had him since I was thirteen, I think.

After stuffing my belly, I went out to the yard to get some pictures. I love all the random kids toys thrown about their country yard and all the little sun spots that peek through the forest wall beside them.

Blouse: Ebay $5
Skirt: AA $40
Hat: Thrift $3
Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target
Canvas Backpack: Baggu $28

I was so incredibly hot after the photos that I couldn't resist a dip in the pool. It was a great excuse to wear my new/old suit too! Mom took the camera from me for a little bit and got some ultra goofy photos of me while I was swimming, but I kept it pretty sane and only posted one of the silly shots.




It was a good family day. :)

Also, the Moonshine Hill giveaway was supposed to end today, but I'm going to throw in a bonus day for you all to enter. I'm ending it tomorrow though, so if you want to win that cute buggy shirt get your entry in now!

The other reasons why I love Mom.

I guess I'm sorta partial on this issue, but I have to declare:
I think my mom is the best lady in the world.

She's the first person I call when something happens in my life, however miraculous or tragic it may be, and at the heart of it all, she's one of the very best friends I have around. So besides all the obvious reasons that I love her so much, here's a few other reasons why I think she's a fantastic lady.


For seeming like someone I would've loved to be friends with back in 1961.

For wearing gnarly combat boots with her white summer dresses.

For other obvious style choices and for keeping up with pictures like these.


For always putting up with my sassy attitude...


...and with all us needy children. You and dad have installed such great family values into our lives. You've given more than you've ever received, and you've taught us all compassion and kindness. I still think your a crazy for adopting five children after you already had four of you own, but I can't imagine life being any different now. Thanks for all that you've done and know that we will love you til the end of time. (No nursing homes, we promise!)

Dad, Jon, Mom, Traci, Grady, Wendi, Mary, Jessie, Kristi, Starr, C.J. & Dakota. Oh, and we can't forget Barney!

Back with the Shop Dixi giveaway winner later this evening.