gift bags and such

My hand painted gift bags are back for 2011!




I won't be making a whole lot of them this year, but I wanted to offer a few at least. I adore creative gift wrapping, and people always seem to appreciate something a little special. You can check them out in my Shertown Studios etsy shop. Email me at shertownstudios [at] gmail [dot] com for any special requests. :)

outfit: black friday

Most people I know avoid malls like the plague on Black Friday. Corban and I relish in the hustle and bustle, and consider it the best people-watching day of the year. We look at the big Christmas tree, sip seasonal coffees, and take a moment to enjoy each other's company. It's simple, but one of my favorite traditions.







I had Corban snap some outfit photos while we were on the roof of the parking garage after the people-watching/shopping extravaganza. I dressed comfy and light for the occasion...it gets hot with all those people running around, plus I need mobility to avoid getting smashed by all those baby strollers. You can even see me doing my post-shopping stretches. :)







This sweater is my new favorite object of all time. It is ridiculously comfy and baggy, but somehow doesn't look like pajamas. I think.

Taking the afternoon to be frivolous this Black Friday was a really wonderful start to the Christmas season, and, after all the late nights and weekends that Corban has been working, a much-needed afternoon for the two of us to just laugh, talk, unwind, and be together.

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Thanksgiving! Our time with family was amazing, I'll be sure to share some photos soon. xoxo

breathe me

...
Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe
Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me
...
- Sia

happy thanksgiving!

We hope your plates are filled with stuffing and your heart is stuffed with thanks! A wonderful holiday to you all...

xo Chelle

outfit: legging love

Hey, look! I'm not wearing jeans! I'm wearing leggings, which are basically the socially acceptable equivalent of pj's. I haven't worn leggings since I was in fourth grade, but it seems that nine-year-old me had it right. Tonight, I'm gonna throw on some heels with these bad boys and call it "dressy." So versatile.

In addition to trying new trousers, this little photoshoot was also my first time to use a tripod. It was super awkward, but only one person saw me, so I'd definitely call it a win. :)

the fashion police

"I think clothing and home decor are important, and I think some people feel silly admitting this. What we wear and how we decorate our surroundings affects our moods and influences how others view us. Through these mediums of fashion and decor, we can silently express ourselves and honor our nostalgia."
- Indiana Adams of Adored Austin

I usually feel silly about my preoccupation with how I look, especially when I am particularly proud of an outfit. After all, I didn't really accomplish anything, I just feel good about how I look that day. It seems ludicrous how much my appearance can affect my mood. However, I can't ignore the fact that it is important to me.

One of the great defining characteristics of human beings is that we are self-aware - we are conscious of our individuality and have a strong desire to express it. As individuals, we want to show all the other human beings that we are unique and separate from them. Fashion can help us do that. Yet, we are often ashamed of it. Perhaps it is the overt self-centeredness of worrying over one's attire or the sheer impracticality of it all (a la, "There are starving children in Africa and here I am genuinely concerned about what I'm going to wear today.") However, while maintaining a healthy perspective is important, nothing is gained by ridiculing our interests or pretending that looks aren't important to our society.

How we look lets others know how they can relate to us. It's not by chance that people who dress alike tend to group together. Our interests and priorities are reflected in how we choose to present ourselves, so that other people can tell at a glance whether or not basic priorities are shared. Our attire is a bright, shining beacon letting other people know who we are in relation to who they are. Even people who scoff at the world of fashion are making a statement about themselves through their dress. Those who intentionally dress in such a way to communicate how little they care about their appearance set up anyone who does care as incompatible. So, the conscious rejection of fashion is still a fashion choice. Obviously, looks are equally as important for them as for people who wear Gucci. One does not have to buy haut couture to express something very important about themselves through their fashion choices.

So, while our fashion choices do set us apart as individuals, they also give us a feeling of community and belongingness. As social creatures in a very social society, wouldn't it be easier to just accept and embrace the role that fashion plays in our interactions instead of feeling selfish and ashamed? For myself, creating outfit posts for this blog has given me a reason to dress up and feel good about myself. Dressing a certain way gives me more social confidence to meet and connect with new people. It has been a positive force in my life, and although I feel a little silly about it sometimes, a good thing is still a good thing.

So, bring on the frivolity of fashion! What about you? What role has fashion played in your life?

stuff i did this weekend

1. Wrote A Grocery List


Sounds thrilling, I know. Since I am a little anxious about a couple new Thanksgiving recipes I'm trying, I went into hyper-organized mode and made a gigantic shopping list. Don't mess with me when I'm making a shopping list...this is serious business.

2. Snuggled With The Moose


This one is self-explainatory. Who wouldn't want to cuddle with that adorable face?

3. Went Out With The Girls




There was wine and it was fabulous.

4. Had Coffee With The Best



I wish I could get a thousand more hours with Ashley before her family moves all the way to PA...I am going to sorely miss that beautiful face. :(

5. Made Delicious Cookies



Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies, to be exact. One batch is going to my work, the other to Corban's work. And, yes, they are as amazing as they look. ;)

6. Took Pictures!


My new tripod came in the mail last week, and I made a total fool out of myself trying to figure out how to work it. It was the most fun.

Oh, the thrilling life I lead! This was one of the busiest weekends I've had in a while, and one of the most enjoyable. Now I am laid up with a bit of a cold, but I am determined to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday thoroughly before I move on to Christmas. Good days are ahead...

xo

sidewalk flowers

Walking to class this week, the wind has grown steadily colder and sharper, and the the world has felt cloudy and drear. Mornings have gotten my down, but this little cluster of flowers growing out of concrete and trash has not yet failed to put a smile on my face and make the world seem just a little brighter.

accomplishment

It's amazing the things you can learn from complete strangers. My yoga instructor said this at the end of practice a few days ago, and it struck a nerve so hard I'm amazed that the other students couldn't hear it ringing.

This has been an interesting year for me. I have focused more on being healthy physically and mentally....really just being a better version of myself. It's been difficult, but I felt like I was making great progress at the beginning of the year. However, for the past few months, I've felt restrained somehow. Don't get me wrong, I know I am worlds healthier than I was even a year ago, but I've still felt extremely limited, like I've hit a wall.

Then I went to yoga the other day. I started this year assuming that by clearly defining my goals, I would magically become the type of person who had the ability to accomplish those goals. I would automatically develop confidence and independence. I would feel like a grown-up! But now, I realize that the real change I needed was to focus on who I was becoming, not what I was accomplishing. If I could change myself, then I would automatically change what I was capable of.

Fear has kept me from many things that I have wanted. I've accepted mediocre jobs and avoided setting lofty goals because I never thought I was good enough. But, I'm thinking now that maybe "good enough" isn't an inherent trait. Maybe the people who are good enough are simply the people who worked hard and had the balls to go after what they wanted....

which is such a liberating thought, I can barely stand it. :)

outfit: soccer mom moment

I may be ambivalent about having children, but I still believe that every woman is entitled to a soccer mom moment every now and then...







All I need are a scrunchie and a minivan. :)

harley just wanted to drop in and say...

everyone is baby crazy

Seriously, it seems like everyone is procreating these days...like bunnies! Just about every other day, a blogger or friend/family member announces the big news.

Corban's cousin Lisa
My old friend Crystal
Our friend's Mickey and Jen
Sydney of The Day Book
Danielle of Sometimes Sweet
Katie of Skunkboy Creatures
Ashley of Where My Heart Resides
Sam of Young People in Love
Holly of Create Loves
Indiana of Adored Austin

That's a lot of new mamas, just in the past twelve months! It makes me wonder...why don't I feel as eager to jump on the baby wagon?



So many women just know that they want to be mothers. How do they come to have such assurance!? I can't even decide whether or not I like sushi, let alone whether or not I want to create and care for another human being! A person can decide to stop being married or even to remove that hideous mistake of a tattoo, but being a parent is for life. A big part of me likes the idea of having a bigger family...creating new life with the man I love, all that sappy jazz. Then, another big part of me really, really likes my life the way it is and doesn't want it to change. (and then, of course, there's all of me that is super scared of the enormity of such a commitment!)



I also believe very strongly that there are some people who would not be as happy with children as they would without. There's nothing wrong with this. Not everyone is cut out to be an astronaut or a performance artist. Some people are good at math but only feel happy when playing baseball. We all have our different strengths and need different things to be fulfilled, and while being a parent could certainly be the greatest love a person has ever know, it may not be best for that person as an individual.

So, I guess the big question is: how do you discover without a doubt that you want and are supposed to be a parent?

The mister and I are pretty far from answering this question, but we are still reasonably young...there's some time left before the clock stops ticking. We'll see where life takes us. :)

(P.S. - After I wrote this, my husband shared with me the sweetest and funniest article on parenthood written by Jeff Atwood of Coding Horror. It definitely put one more check in the Pro Baby column.)

hawaii farmer's market

Time for my very last Hawaii post (I can hear your sighs of relief)! I've saved my favorite for last...

There is nothing greater than a good farmer's market, which is just what we found while trinket shopping in Kona. The fruit was amazing - fresh, colorful, and, best of all, surprisingly inexpensive! There were also rows and rows of local craftsmen and artisans selling stunning art and jewelry. I was surprised to find such a bounty of quality products in the middle of what seemed to be a tacky tourist trap.

Until next time, Hawaii...