My life lately

After the absolute madness of fall, it almost feels nice to sink into the sleepy winter routine this year. I normally hate winter, but I'm feeling okay with it for now. It helps that I'm taking a two month break from school! Yet another perk to online college, I get to pick my vacations. I've just been soaking up the relaxation time and I've been horrendously lazy. I have gotten a few fun projects done, and I actually am quite proud of myself for having my Christmas shopping list down to a science. It's like I'm a grown up or something.
Aside from work, I've just been reading, listening to music and getting creative. I finished three or four books last month, including Matched by Ally Condie. I don't think I'd rank it among my personal favorites but the story line is definitely gripping. I was on the edge of my seat the first two books feverishly flipping pages to see what happens.
I'm also totally and completely enamored with Lorde lately. Her music is fantastic, I love how pared down it is, how she creates amazing sound with just a few instruments or just swelling vocals of herself recorded at different harmonies to create a chorus of voices. It's all I can listen to for the past two months. Bravado and Buzzcut Season are my faaavorites right now, I can't get over how much I love this girl's music. And she's only 17! That blows my mind, but I'm gonna stop fangirling now and just post some pictures, okay? Okay.

Oh, also I have had a few new fun changes this month. I finally re-entered the age of the smartphone (my old one got eyebrow raises from the bestbuy employees when I traded it in, it's that old) and I have begun the process of turning my hair bright red, but it's kinda burgundy right now and downright impossible to capture accurately in a photo. Boooo. So without further adieu, my month in pictures:

The hairrr. I used Manic Panic vampire red over medium brown hair, this is what happens in case you were wondering. Did I mention it looks stellar in the sun? It turns bright ruby red and I wish it did that always. Maybe next month.

The dress I'm working on, the top lace is refashioned from what once was a super matronly dress that I found at Salvation Army.

And here we have another handmade skirt of mine. I was feeling very inspired by the long skirts and dresses worn and designed by Ulyana Sergeenko. She is loveliness. (Note to self, gathering, not pleats next time.)

This is my gloriously witchy looking collaged journal. I love it soooo.

My two lovely vintage finds at various shops around Concord. The first is a post card from the Concord State hospital (AKA the asylum). I used to live across the street from it and I used to just stare at the empty windows with my morning coffee in hand trying to imagine life inside those walls. It's no longer in use as a hospital, most of the wings are locked off except for the main building which is offices nowadays. Also, a lovely copy of Romeo and Juliet featuring cover art from the 1960's movie!

My obligatory fall apple picking adventure.

I'm so sad that fall is almost officially gone. Only 21 days more of technical "fall" and then we are totally and undeniably in winter. At least I have an electric fireplace and by boyfriend and cat for snuggle buddies.