Shear Floral & Spring Rain

My mom and I have an issue with clothing in that we prefer a roomy fit. for example if I am shopping for clothing and a large fits well but up is available up to a size XXXL I will either leave with a XL or XXL. I do this for a variety of reasons but mainly for those times when I feel bloated my closet full of apparel still fits comfortably. I also noticed when I size up my clothes tend to last longer because the item can't shrink smaller than my size. My mom is the same way and practically prefers that her clothes hardly even touch her body. I am not picking on her by any means partly because I am the same way. Saying that I like my clothes to fit loosely is an understatement, I don't pay attention to jean size I just usually buy the pair that I can pull on over my thighs with out unzipping. Although I am a big believer in sizing up I should admit it is not always a wonderful idea. My mom bought this shirt and of course opted to buy a size bigger than she felt she needed but didn't notice that the next bigger size had considerably longer length. I've been told that the first time she wore the shirt a few of her friends commented that it's length may not  have been a good pairing with her dress slacks. those comments naturally led to her giving me the shirt which happens all the time and I love it. I mean my mom is one stylish lady and happened to pass on her good taste to me. If you can't tell we are BFFL. I ain't ashamed. Moral of the story is to never let your mother donate any clothes before you have had a chance to wear it.

Outfit Details 

Top worn as tunic // Ross

Leggings // Walmart 

Boots // Ross 

Belt // Modcloth

Necklace // Charlotte Russe

P.s. These photos were taken on the first day of spring during a rain storm! It has already RAINED during Spring in this desert! How glorious.

Cemeteries

My favorite thing about cemeteries is that they never change. I mean more people may have been buried since the last time I visited but the premise of a cemetery will forever be the same a beautiful place to lay our loved and most cherished individual's physical bodies to rest. No matter what stage or seasson of my life I am currently in whenever I walk into a cemetery I am overwhelmed with a sence of emotional and spiritual clarity. I love cemeteries even more so in the fall. Enjoy your Friday, I might spend some of mine at a cemetery. Maybe you should think about taking a trip to a cemetery... I highly recommended 'em.

Paisley & Gravestones

It has been awhile since I had any time to spend in the cemetery, that is most likely because I took this semester off of school which means I no longer live with in walking distance. Sergio and I got an unexpected day off of work so I requested that we head to the cemetery immediately. Not really. I did ask but I wasn't dramatic. Of course Sergio said he would go to the cemetery with me because he is the best Sergio also said yes to taking a few photos for me because I can't take my own anymore as a result of my digital cameras all being very busted. It is sort of fun to take pictures with my point and shoot because it has no view finder and the back screen is shattered. I never know what photo will turn out and what photo will be a flop. I get a lot of flops but not always. In these photos I am hanging out around my favorite part of the cemetery which is a beautiful family plot owned by the Miller's surrounded by a gorgeous 14 inch wrought iron fence. It has the most charm out of the whole cemetery... in my humble opinion.  I always spend the most time on the benches there. I don't  know if that is disrespectful but I don't believe I am being disrespectful because the benches are not grave markers but rather normal park benches. I like to think that at least one of the Millers appreciates that I am sitting with them. Any one know about cemetery bench etiquette? Maybe I should look it up. Other than that.... this is on average how I look while I am dialing at work. Pretty snappy hey? I know. Also, don't judge me for wearing jeans on a day other than Friday.

 Outfit Details 

Boots // Chinese Laundry via Ross 

Jeans // Levi's 

Polka Dot Tank // Kohls 

Corduroy Paisley Blazer // Auntie Cath's closet 

Necklace // My Mom from when she was young 

Purse // Bay fest vendor purchase

Lava Cemetery

I've mentioned in many posts that I have a special affinity for cemeteries. I am not sure how people feel about this knowledge once they've learned it but it is, in my opinion, an essential part of who I am as a person. I am not ashamed of my fascination, reverence and respect for cemeteries as they are the final resting place of our earthly bodies. I've never set foot in a cemetery that didn't have some intriguing headstone or hidden gem, it's just a matter of slowing down and taking the time to look. A couple weeks ago my mother and I had stayed over night in Lava, Idaho. Before we decided to start trekking back to Utah we inquired as to where the nearest cemetery was, found it and explored. It was really fun to be able to share the experience of visiting a new cemetery for the first time with the person who taught me to love Cemeteries. Although I think our friends and their children now think we are two odd ducks. The cemetery turned out to be tiny but interesting, quality not quantity right? I actually think I found more exciting grave makers and headstones in an hour at the Lava Cemetery than I did in four hours at Mount Olivet.

I've included the highlights after the jump. My absolute favorite thing I saw at the cemetery has to be the three, that I spotted,  handmade headstones and grave markers. Although I am sure the families wished they could have done more to memorialize their family members life I think the handmade markers tell a much more interesting narrative. I also spotted the most intact Lamb marker ever.. well at least since I've started visiting cemeteries. It is beautiful and takes the cake. I hope you enjoy.

Mount Olivet Cemetery

Sergio and I gallivanted around SLC during our spring break to blow through some birthday money and take a little day trip, the first place we stoped  at was Mount Olivet Cemetery which is located directly across the street from the U's football stadium. (Have I mentioned how much I adore cemeteries? I think I may have but only a couple times over the past year) We spent over 2 hours looking at each grave stone and the statues even spotted a deer! (can you spot it ?) I recently heard that in the late 1800's and early 1900's people would go to cemeteries to look at the art much like a museum and it was not uncommon for entire families to picnic in the cemetery or visit for the sake of enjoyment. Sounds like my kinda family outing! Check out more pictures from our adventure after the jump.

Pepperoni Power

Have I mentioned yet that I love the cemetery that is on my campus?! When ever Sergio and I are in the mood for a little adventure we frolic around and search for a new gem such as the oldest birth date, unusual saying or impressive carving. On this particular occasion I was  pretty bummed to find out that the maintenance crew had mowed and mulched all the gorgeous leaves. Dang it!  In other news as Sergio and I where walking back to our dorm rooms we over heard a little boy getting out of school scream 'Pepperoni Power!' we both thought it was hilarious.
p.s. Notice my fab bouffantesque bun? Its actually just my bedhead pinned strategically around my head.

Outfit Details

Boots // Nana's old boots
Nylons // Joe Boxer Sweater Tights from Kmart
Skirt // Old Navy Clearance for .95 cents
Sweater // Unknown brand from Ross
Turtleneck // Tjmaxx
Ring // My brother found at his work

RIP

It's no secret I love cemeteries, I get it from my Momma. I'd rather walk through a cemetery than thrift or paint. So as I was trying to plan some 'spooky' posts for this week I decided I would share two photographs I stole from a friend over 5 years ago. His family is from Alabama, a state I've never been too, and while he was there he took some photos in the cemetery. I love these images! I saw them and told him I was going to take them. I don't think he believed me but I tucked the photos into my purse and have treasured them ever since. It's not as apparent in the scanned versions of the photos as it is in person but many of the headstones feature a stylised skull with wings on either side an iconic spooky staple that I have yet to see in person. I don't hang out with Dan, the photographer, anymore but every year around Halloween I think about him and these lovely images.

Frolicking

I choose to wear this outfit last Monday when Sergio and I had every intention of hiking into the Logan canyon and having a magical little 4 year anniversary photo shoot. So we walked to the ranger station and found out that walking trail we wanted to explore needed to be accessed by another canyon and it was a 20 mile round trip hike...not really what we had in mind. We wound up doing what any sensable 20-something couple would do... had an adventure in the cemetary. Back to  my oufit: sometime when I am dressing for intended activities I wonder would my favorite blogger wear to hike or do real life non-blogging things? For some reason my default 'doing stuff' outfit is a pair of jeggings, a super loose top and my fringe boots... not too stylish or photogenic but very functional. I need to learn how to blend style and function into my outfits like Tieka does. If you have any suggestions let a home girl know please! I am lost lately as to what I should wear. It seems like lately I either look way fabulous or frumpy and I either feel fabulous or way frumpy.

Outfit Details

Plaid shirt // Unknown Gifted from aunt
Long sleeve shirt // So... Gifted from my Nana
Jeans // Wallflower 5 dollars from Shopko
Boots // Minnetonka

Cemeteries & Fringe

I spent the entire afternoon frolicking around in the cemetery that is connected to campus. The weather was ideal which means damp and rainy with dark clouds. I wandered aimlessly around the rows of headstones making mental notes of the oldest ones spotted was 1808 which happens to 80 years older than USU. When I stepped through the gates of the cemetery it felt like I was walking into a Fall wonder land because no place else on campus has changing or even falling leaves for that matter. My afternoon in the cemetery has left my face pleasantly wind burnt and my mood lightened. Nothing, that I can think of at the moment, makes me happier than getting lost in the environment of a rustic cemetery except maybe getting lost in one with my mom. My mother taught me to adore and enjoy cemeteries so much so that they now feel like a playground because I am always running this and that way to check out what ever headstone catches my eye like finding a buried treasure. I get a little high when I find a stunning floral carving or something I've never seen before. I am so glad I spent a couple (much needed) outside by myself. Hands down today was the best day of Fall yet.

Outfit Details 

 Sweater // Old Navy 

Linen Top // Kohls 

Jeans // Mudd brand from Kohls 

Boots // Minnetonka

Necklace // Gift from my Nana