The Shedd

{Fan Photo from the Shedd Aquarium Facebook page because my camera battery died beforehand}

On our way back from Wisconsin in December, my mom, sister, and I spent the night in Chicago, trying to catch up the on family/girl-time that we missed while my sister was busy getting an education.  We went to the Shedd Aquarium for the first time since I was a little girl, and they had this incredible jellyfish exhibit.  It was one of the most peaceful exhibits I've ever seen--just low-key music, soft and colorful lighting to highlight the jellyfish, and two of my favorite people in the world.

I hope you all have a weekend like that--low-key, with people you love!

The First Quick Trip

Lake Michigan

Back in December, the week before Christmas, my mom and I drove up to Wisconsin to get my little sister and bring her home.  Every trip to Milwaukee is full of childhood nostalgia for me.  I look at things differently now, though.  I see the road on the way to my grandparents' house for the 

beauty in the countryside as well as for the joy of a visit.  I see the difference between the sky over the lake and the sky over the rolling hills in Kentucky.  The cold air bothers me more now than it did as a little girl, most likely because I'm not wearing a snowsuit.  But what I see most differently is that although I will always say I'm from Wisconsin, Louisville is my home.  I tell people I grew up here, because for the most part, I did--I entered young adulthood here.  

Three Things

Source: vanityfair.com via Katie on Pinterest

I am rather obsessed with Downton Abbey.  It's so good!  Best part?  PBS has the episodes available online right away.  I'm also rather in love with the music...and the characters, and the suspense, and the time period (1912-1918, so far), and the wardrobe, and everything.  It's so emotional to watch, and the most recent episode had the most joyful scenes, in spite of being set during World War I.  Go watch it.  Now.

Source: notyouraverageordinary.com via Katie on Pinterest

Since hearing an interview with Erin Morgenstern on NPR, then reading Brandi's post about The Night Circus a few weeks later, I've been trying to get my hands on a copy.  This week, I stumbled across it at a used bookstore and picked it up immediately.  I've only read a few chapters, but I plan to devote tomorrow to the rest.  It is enchanting thus far.

Source: thefirstlime.com via Katie on Pinterest

My hair is still too short for a lot of these styles (it hits the top of my shoulders), but I've been braiding it almost daily.  As soon as it grows a few more inches, I'll try the fishtail and the five-strand braids.  I'm trying to break out of my ponytail habit, especially because I need to look a bit more professional and a bit less college student nowadays.

Happy Friday

Source: etsy.com via Katie on Pinterest

I keep expecting life to slow down, but I should know better by now.  In the last month, in addition to all the holiday celebrations, I've been to Wisconsin and Florida, experienced forty-degree weather in both, listened to tornado sirens in January for the second time in my life, and already been very-nearly-late to my new job because of closed roads and traffic lights with no power along the way.

Oh, yes, did I tell you I have a job?  One I already like, at that?  After some training, I will officially be a tutor for a really fantastic local organization.

Sometimes when you leave one idea for your future, you step right into the thing that you were supposed to be doing in the first place, and you realize that your dream isn't just for the future, it's for right now.  Sometimes, you are already where you need to be.

Have a lovely weekend!

Navy and ?

          +

I have a question.  If I wear gray pants or tights, usually a medium to charcoal shade, with a navy top or dress, what color sweater do I wear in winter?  I normally reach for my yellow cardigan, but it seems to pastel and Easter-y for January, though the shot of color is rather nice on these bleaker days.

Thoughts?

dress from here (original source unknown, sigh) and tights from there

oops, again

I am a horrible blogger these days.  So many other things are occupying my time--family, friends, books, finding a job--and my time at the computer is seriously reduced.  I miss writing here and have been awful about leaving comments for anyone, but I'm glad to step away from the laptop.  It's healthy.