Yesteryear Revival

Archive for January 2012

30 January 2012

Hang On To Each Other

Obviously things haven't settled down too much around here, and that's why it's been so quiet. I'm attempting to stay positive with this post though, so here goes. This past weekend the mister and I got away for a bit. It was much needed. I had a ton of unfinished homework when we left Friday afternoon, homework I knew was due Sunday by midnight, but I managed to get in that car anyhow. I'm so glad I did too. A change of scenery and a little spontaneity did the trick. We went to Chicago to see Tanner & Amanda (& Stella!). We ate so much delicious food, consumed too many drinks, public transited all over, shopped, explored and just so happened to catch a Thee Silver Mt. Zion show! Umm, have you heard of this band? I really hope so, but if not, immediately commence your google, youtube or whatnot search. I can probably hook you up with some links, too :) Not only was the show beyond amazing, but the fact that us seeing this show so last minute came to pass, well that was pretty amazing as well. Literally just two weeks ago I remembered how much I love this band, and I'd been listening to them nonstop ever since. And then it just so happened that they were playing a show the same exact weekend we were in Chicago?! We bought our tickets 30 minutes before sales ended, just hours before the show. I'd call that fate, and I was ecstatic, to say the least. Not to mention the fact that I couldn't imagine seeing this band with anyone but Aaron, Tanner & Amanda. It was perfect. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that they played my favorite song as the encore? And it lasted like 12 minutes. Yeah, perfection. The whole weekend was pretty great really. We got Sprinkles and Magnolia Bakery while we were there, too. T & A definitely know how to entertain. Thanks again, <3 you guys, come visit us soon!

Here's a little taste...

4 comments

17 January 2012

Scatterbrain

Disclaimer: This post is more than likely going to turn into an incoherent, rambling mess. Wine has been consumed, and you've been warned.

Blogging friends! I miss you. I miss my blog. Graduate school started last week, and I am officially going crazy! I have too much on my plate and the semester has just begun. I don't know how people do it. Juggling all these things at once. Especially those with kids, multiple jobs, any sort of social life. I guess it's a matter of being organized, efficient, and motivated? Yes, that is a question, not a statement. I'm generally perplexed as to how people do it. Here's the deal- I've only been out of school for a little over 3 years, I have no children, I work part-time, I don't have many friends (Wow, I sound like a loser, hah). Seems like a pretty ideal situation for someone starting back to school, right? Not too many attachments or engagements. But I'm still going crazy! What is wrong with me? Here's how I'm justifying this ridiculousness- for the past three years I've been a free bird, so to speak. I've had no significant obligations or attachments, just simple part-time jobs that didn't require too much extra of me. That's it. The problem with this is that I've gotten lazy. I do what I want, when I want. I thrift every day of the week if I feel like it. I drink wine every night if I feel like it. I blog when I feel like it. I read when I feel like it. But things are changing, and I think it's going to be good for me. Things are required of me now. In order to succeed, I'm going to have to exert some effort. Turns out group work is a huge component of this program, so I'm not only held accountable for myself, but also for my group. This is quite different than what I'm used to. I'm excited. Anxious, not eager. And nervous. I guess it makes sense that I'm freaking out about all of this because of my lack of obligation at this time. Maybe that's the key to juggling a busy life successfully...you simply don't have enough time to think about the craziness, you just do it. Phew. I've talked myself in circles to the point of thinking I've actually figured everything out. I guess it's time to call it a night, huh. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. I hope to be back to normal posting of thrift finds, outfits and whatnot soon. <3

5 comments

05 January 2012

Down By the Water

While I was home over the holidays I had the pleasure of hanging with a family friend who also happens to be an amazing photographer.

(He took our engagement pictures way back when)

Turns out he had just recently purchased a new camera and wanted to take it out for a test run.

Can you believe these pictures were taken in the middle of December?! No snow. No coat. Perfection.

I am pretty thrilled with how the pictures turned out. Other than my doofy expressions and slightly awkward poses, they look fantastic. I'd say that camera's a keeper ;)

Now if only I could get him to take all the pictures for my blog. A girl can dream, right?

You can check out more of this work here and here.

Thanks again Niall!

P.S. Back in high school when the mister and I were first dating we used to take pictures down by this river. It's a special place always near and dear to my heart.

P.P.S. It was tough picking my favorite shots, so I'm sure I'll be sharing a few more soon.

16 comments

01 January 2012

Welcoming 2012

It’s interesting waking up on New Year’s Day in a non-hungover state.

Instead of moaning and groaning things like “oh lord my head hurts” and “please don’t let me vomit all over myself” I had time to think about what this new year means, or better yet, what the new year brings.

I know what you’re thinking…this girl must be an alcoholic if that’s what she woke up thinking, but no, I’m not. I may have had one too many glasses of wine this past year, but that no longer matters and you’ll soon learn why.

With the passing of 2011, I am releasing myself from caring about all the things that I didn't accomplish this past year as opposed to listing my resolutions for the new year. I've decided to take a different approach this time around as it seems the second I say I’m going to do something, it never gets done. So here goes.

It no longer matters that I went to bed grumpy last night and didn’t bother staying up until midnight to ring in the new year as the majority of my generation traditionally does.

It also no longer matters that I didn’t file my 2010 taxes until October of 2011.

It no longer matters that I forgot to send birthday cards and well wishes to way too many people this past year.

It no longer matters that I only went to the gym a handful of times, yet paid for a yearlong membership.

It no longer matters that I may have had one too many ~~glasses~~ bottles of wine and passed out only to wake up in a state of utter agony the next day having forgotten everything.

It no longer matters that I thrifted a shit ton of vintage goods for a shop that I never ended up opening.

It no longer matters that I missed a doctor’s appointment, never called or rescheduled, and never went back.

It no longer matters that I never found the perfect shade of lipstick for my coloring despite the many tubes purchased.

It no longer matters that I didn’t make it home for important matters such as birthdays, high school graduations and funerals.

It no longer matters that I didn't respond to thousands of texts, messages or emails in a timely manner by any standards.

And it no longer matters that I apparently spent all year long worrying about these things, rather than getting them done.

These things no longer matter because it’s a new year.

Contrary to what it may seem, this isn’t about focusing on the negative, it’s about recognizing, letting go and moving forward.

Like I said, I’m taking a new approach this year, so I didn’t particularly set any resolutions because of the fear that setting them would ultimately crush them. However, looking back on my list, it is clear the ways in which I can improve. I am hoping that by working on all these little things, it will accumulate to a better me in 2012.

Here's to a happy and healthy new year! <3

P.S. It’s interesting that after almost a month of not blogging, not feeling like I had anything to say, yet feeling like something was missing, this all comes pouring out the morning of new year’s day. It's just what I needed. I'm ready for a new year of blogging.
P.P.S. Props to anyone who actually read this all the way through :)