Alright people, the Spring is finally (almost) upon us, and it is almost warm enough to begin work on the outside of the house (so long as it doesnt snow again). And so, I have dubbed this summer in anticipation, 2013 THE YEAR OF THE EXTERIOR. We plan to install a brick patio for lounging (complete with string lights!), build some landscaping beds and plant a ton of plants (around the entire property, as we have almost none. You may remember the crazy invasive vines and fallen tree we had to excavate late summer last year). We also need to reseed the grass, spruce up/paint/organize the shed, and possibly install a new wood privacy fence, something like this (I havent gotten a quote yet, so that could be a next year project... but I am crossing my fingers that we can make it happen!)

In doing some prep-work and research for the projects, I have found THIS PLANT. A gorgeous antique climbing rose plant called Ramblin' Red, which I would like to use in the backyard, against the back fence, which would also climb over the right side of the shed. Wouldnt that look incredible!?! Supposedly it spreads quickly and is pretty hardy (which is required, due to my black thumb and complete lack of gardening experience). Well, first things first, of course.

We plan to procure tons of sand and vintage cobblestone street bricks soon, and will dig out the lawn to install the brick patio. Also, our local compost site has free mulch and sometimes black dirt! Then we can begin thinking about a fence, painting, and planting. I am hoping to find plants for free on Craigslist and Freecycle to get us going this year. Although, if you know any other good leads for free/cheap plants, it would be most appreciated! I am looking for hydrangeas, herbs, low ground-cover type plants, and possibly some small perrenials and shrubbery.

Here is my ideal patio/garden space (photo of Veronika's backyard via Tick Tock Vintage), with the lights, bricks, wood fence and fluffy hydrangea bushes. CANT WAIT.

And this is allll before I've even thought about patio furniture (Well, I've thought about it of course), but I dont know how I'm going to afford it. I'd like some teak furniture that ages to a nice silvery-wood color over time and requires virtually no maintenance. BUT, you know.. spendy. The set below is from Room and Board, and the table alone is $999. Ikea has some nice things too for cheaper. But it's still higher than I'd ideally spend this summer. Craigslist trolling will continue, forever and always.

More soon!

You guys! Madewell is having a 20% off sale this morning, and I am doing everything in my power not to hit "add to cart" on everything!! Seriously, I've loved Madewell for some time now, but only own a gold bangle from them (given to me by my lovely and thoughtful husband!). Here are the top 5 things I wish I could buy for spring! (That is, if it ever decides to change seasons around here... Notice a theme? White!!)

clockwise from top left: skinny skinny ankle jean in mapview!  /the transport tote / two-tone sweater /  the linen tee in ink print / the Chelsea boot in black leather

Today, a gloomy and perfectly repulsive snowy day, called for another photobooth remix. See how I'm doing them more often now? Here's to hoping they don't begin to replace my usual outfit photos (because we all know what a slippery slope that could become)...

beanie: Target
frames: Warby Parker, Huxley
blouse: H&M
jacket: Polo Ralph Lauren, thrifted
gold bangle: Madewell, gift from Husband
jeans: random brand, found on the free shelf!
booties: Seychelles, from DSW

On a more positive note, my best buddy Emma and I were finally able to shoot her upcoming zine collaboration yesterday, and I am just too excited to get the film back! We also took nice digitals as a fall back, of course, but film is where it's at (at least for this girl). It was sleeting and cold and I had a hard time working with the cameras in plastic bags, but everything went very smoothly, especially Emma's expert styling, AND the husband made us hot cocoa when we were all done (thanks baby!).

Cant wait to show you the results! In the meantime, hop over to Emma's blog for a little peek at her exciting project!

I came across the work of this photographer Dayanita Singh recently, and I'm feeling really inspired by her work. I love the way she fills the frame (square format frame!) and the way she achieves such a lush, dense black and white quality.

It gets me thinking about two things: one, how I will go about photographing in Istanbul this summer. I know that I'll need something compact and light-weight if we're to be traipsing up and down steep, cobblestone streets all day long, and through dense, urban areas where pick-pocketing and purse-snatching is somewhat common. Although I'm tempted to take along my Rollei square format that I used in Hawaii and loved so much. I will also need to use a fast film speed most of the time (if not all of the time) I am there so that I can photograph in low-light situations at night and in the mosques. And two, a project I'm about to embark on that I wont be able to talk about quite yet, just because it hasnt fully materialized in my brain. But, suffice it to say that it involves significant past memories and explores how we remember imagery (at least, how I remember imagery) from moments in our past. Stay tuned on that one...

Good morning, Monday! I think it might be time for another gif remix. Yep...

It is spring break this week and all of the students (and a bunch of staff, too) are outta here. It's a ghost town, so I figured I'd hope down the block and treat myself to a nice Mata Hari from Spyhouse. However, even though I knew it was going to be a chilly 25 degrees this morning, no one told me that it was only going to feel like 9!! Yikes, almost froze my ankles off just now (since you know, I decided it was time to whip out the flats/no socks combo. MIGHT have been a little premature on that one.)

ps: cant wait to get a hair trim this afternoon. I've been growing it out a bit shaggier, but DANG my hair is long!