Happy Holidays!

2014 has been an unexpectedly busy year.  Because of the horrible weather/driving conditions last winter, I decided that seven years was long enough to live 35 miles away from my job, so I bought a house that is a little closer to work, and in a little better condition than my old one.  I made an offer on what I like to pretend is a little farm, but is really just 30 acres with some trees and ponds, a giant garage and a rather small but very nicely constructed house.  I'm still keeping that farming/dog sanctuary dream as my ultimate goal, so it was kind of the perfect fit.  

There are visions of rescue dogs frolicking in the new pond stuck in my head!

Anyway, it only took six months to move all my belongings, and by Thanksgiving I was finally settled in my new abode, complete with Izzy, Emma, Henry, and Ruthie.  No one has run away from home or stopped eating due to homesickness, so I think we're all reasonably happy.  I, however, have come to the realization that I own WAY too much stuff.  I don't remember buying half of it, and probably a good quarter I honestly didn't even know I had until I started unpacking.  I think I could open a thrift store and keep it going for at least a year with just the things I don't want.  Clearly last year's resolution to minimize/simplify my life didn't stick!

Beyond getting used to our lovely new home, I have a new feline member in our little family.  Arthur is a 6 month old stray kitten who was given to me by a church friend just two weeks ago.  He's the sweetest, most personable little cat I've ever met, and I adore him already!  He has renewed my interest in Instagram, since I felt the urge to share the delight of Arthur with a larger audience.  In other words, my family and coworkers were getting a little tired of looking at cell phone photos of the poor cat, so I have been forced to seek affirmation of Arthur's exceptional cuteness elsewhere.

Seriously, #bestcatever. Like, really.

Now that I'm all settled in a new house that is significantly closer to my job, I'll have lots more opportunity for all my favorite things.  I'm so looking forward to crafts, cooking, gardening, and hiking with the dogs, as well as exploring my new city!  I'm actually decorating my house this year, inside and out, and throwing a Frozen-themed New Year's Eve bash for my family and friends.  And with all the time I'm saving because I've cut my commute from 34 miles to 13, maybe I'll even have time to remember to share Arthur pictures on the blog!

Happy Christmas and a joyful New Year to all!

Who Are You On Doctor Who?

I was pleasantly surprised by my result after taking the "Which Doctor Who Character Are You?" quiz:

Which 'Doctor Who' Character Are You?

More on Doctor Who.Created by BuddyTV

Now if only I could get my hair to look like hers, my life would be pretty much perfect.

The Day of the Doctor

I know it's probably because my two favorite Doctors will be together in one fab episode, but I'm getting a little excited about the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who!

I would throw a party, but Whovians seem to be few and far between up here in central New York.  I'm pretty sure I was born on the wrong continent!

Doc Brown vs Doctor Who. Epic Rap Battles of History Season 2.

Put on your Easter Bonnet!

I had some fun with my Easter Sunday wardrobe this year, so I thought I'd share.  I kind of have a thing for hats, and was so excited when I found this fascinator on eBay:

Normally I spread my crafty wings and make my own Easter bonnet out of various materials.  But after last year's Peeps in Easter Grass millinery confection, I thought maybe I would delve a little further into the world of hats and purchase a legit chapeau made by someone with experience.

Hats aren't really a popular accessory these days, at least in the United States.  It makes finding anything beyond a simple straw hat or fedora rather difficult.  And I wanted a real hat, like the Brits would wear. 

British women seem to have a hat for every occasion, and I'm always jealous of their style and flair.  I don't know why American women don't strive for a little more class, but I think it probably has something to do with Kim Kardashian and her "trampy hooker" style being featured on the cover of every magazine.

Anyhow, as with any item I can't find locally, I plugged my request into Google, and found my fabulous fascinator.  I feel like British royalty in it, which was exactly what I was looking for.  I wanted a look that said "Kate Middleton".

If I'm ever on Project Runway (unlikely, as I'm not the most skilled seamstress, but a girl can dream) I'm totally naming Kate Middleton as my style icon.  I just love her.  She dresses so elegantly and age-appropriate, but still looks adorable and young and fresh.  And I love that she wears clothing more than once.  I wish that more girls would try to emulate her style instead of the tacky, over-priced, disposable looks that are so trendy right now.

I decided to pair my gray hat with a frothy little dress that had some gray bits in the fabric.  Despite Tim Gunn's hatred of "matchy-matchy", I just can't help myself: my OCD requires that articles of clothing are color coordinated.  I probably would have chosen sheer stockings and sandals for my look, but Upstate New York is a bit nippy even at the end of March, and I have eczema that requires hiding, so I went with gray tights and found some cute flats that wouldn't make my twisted ankle any worse.  Finally, I dug around my jewelry armoire and found some cute enamel earrings and a pearly bracelet.

I think it's pretty cute.  I won't be winning any style awards for my look, but I felt comfortable and fabulous in it!  I'll never be considered "fashion-forward", and I've decided that I really don't care.  I am going to start making my own style and stop worrying about what other people think about it!

And I am totally embracing the hat movement.  Seriously.  I am not only going to wear a hat to every special occasion, I am going to ROCK it.