It's a New Year

I know some people think New Year's resolutions are hokey and that nobody keeps them, but I really enjoy making goals for myself. It's not just the new year, usually seasonly I have a small set of goals I like to accomplish. I don't usually share them, I just keep them on my phone and check them off when I accomplish them. I feel like the new year is a great way to start things off with a fresh start, and it's fun to set attainable goals for yourself.

I think one reason people don't always follow through with their new year's resolutions is they make too many and too many aren't exactly attainable. If you set reasonable goals (and not too many) you have a much better chance of getting those completed. Last year a goal of mine was to fit back into all my vintage wardrobe. Not to weigh a certain amount or what have you. I just knew that if I wanted to fit back into all my lovely clothing I needed to adjust my lifestyle. Happily, I accomplished my goal.

So, here are a few goals I have set for myself this new year of 2014:

Keep the apartment organized:

This one is very important at the moment because Ty and I just finished purging things from our wardrobe and belongings. I want us to keep this good feeling. Everything has a place and it's neat and tidy. 

Create a regular blogging schedule and keep to it:

And all the good bloggers gasp. I have never had a regular blogging schedule nor have I ever planned posts ahead of time. I know. My life has finally gotten so busy that if I do not plan to post it just won't happen. I'm happy to say last night I sat down and wrote out a blogging schedule. Now I just need to keep it.

Work out regularly with the goal of being strong and healthy:

This is something I was very on top of until I got sick. I miss it a lot and am now very out of shape. I know it's going to be hard getting back into it, but I really want to focus on being strong and healthy this year (and hopefully keeping the sickness at bay)

Read a book a month:

I used to adore reading. I read all the time. Now that I'm a teacher I write lesson plans and read curriculum (not very thrilling). If I read even 5 books this year I will be completely pleased.

Do you have any goals as we start off this new year?

xo,

 Em

The Things a Girl Will Do for a Mink Coat

I had a fantastic Christmas this year. Surrounded by lots of family and sooo much good food. Two crucial elements for a good Christmas. I also got completely spoiled in the gift department, as I'm sure you can guess by the title of this blog. My big gift from Ty was a completely breathtaking 40's mink coat. And without further ado, here it is:

I'm pretty much in love with the coat. It's in fabulous condition and it's not often I find coats that fit exactly, they are usually much too large. So, good job Ty. You can also reaaaally see my natural hair color, it almost looks gray, but I swear it's just a dirty blond/light brown. Or, maybe it's gone gray while under several years of dye, who knows.

dress trashy diva/gift
shoes remix
stockings what katie did
40's fur coat gift
bakelite earrings gift
bakelite bangles wonders on woodland/gift

I also got a new bangle from one of my lovely sisters and darling Bakelite heart earrings from Ty.

 I'm still on break currently (yaaaaa) and enjoying all the leisure that brings. Though tomorrow I've told myself I must work on organizing and cleaning (and generally behaving like a responsible adult), we'll see how that pans out.

How was your Christmas?

xo,
 Em

Note: I would like to state that I do not support the modern fur industry, but feel for myself that it is ok to buy and wear vintage furs.

Life Recently

It's been a while since I've done one of these little updates, so I thought it about time I did another. Here are some things that have been going on lately:

Even though the Litton household has been insanely busy the last couple of months, once it was time to get in the spirit of Christmas we did so fully. We even made a little putz house together and I think it will become a tradition every year. We'll have quite the Christmas village one day. Autumn and Winter are our favorite seasons, so any holidays in there get our full attention.

The main source of my business these past few months are my jobs. I'm a music teacher at one school and a preschool teacher at another (I also teach private voice and piano after school). In addition, this is my first year with the Nashville Symphony Chorus so there's been lots to adjust to. I braved many a cold night to walk the few blocks near Broadway to get to the Schermerhorn (which is why you see me fully bundled in the first picture). Our last performance of the year was Messiah, and let me tell you it was incredible. Some of the most exhausting work I've ever done, but very much worth it.

 The awesome picture of me in the sweater is right before I directed my Pre-K and Kindergarten Christmas program. The Pre-K classes made me the sweater (it matched the ones they wore). I have had the most fun this year dressing like a crazy music teacher. The job is made for me.

Mixed in to the last few months have been times of relaxation and times of illness. 

Tyler and I got to try the new restaurant that opened up down the street and it was fabulous! If anybody is in the 12th South area looking for a nice dinner I highly recommend Josephine.
  
I couldn't resist throwing in a close up of my amazing Remix shoes, because, come on, they are amazing.

On the sickness front I've been sick off and on since October (Geesh, right?). I found out I have a  bacterial infection in my lungs (super great for someone with asthma) similar to pneumonia, but can take months to go away. I've been on rounds on antibiotics, tried to heal naturally, all it seems to no avail, because it keeps coming back. So, as of right now I'm doing as much as I can naturally and taking some prescriptions that will hopefully help me fight this most recent bought off. If you think of it please send some prayers and good vibes my way. 

At the moment we are in AL visiting Ty's family for a few days before heading back up to Nashville to spend actual Christmas with my family. I'm so thankful for this break, for time to heal, relax, and enjoy family. Through these last few months of stress and strain I have been working on finding peace and quiet in my life (not easy when you're naturally a stress maniac). I think I'm finally learning (little by little) how to de-stress and find peace in life. I'm hoping this new year will bring even more progress.

What's been going on in your life lately?

xo,
 Em

So Close

Well, I seem to have disapeared again for a bit. Oh well, such is life sometimes. 

I'm so close to my Christmas break I can almost taste it. Tomorrow is my last day (and it's only a half day) thank goodness, and then I shall be free for a bit. My body has been yearning for a break for a long while now. What with being sick for six weeks and now my cough is coming back (please, no more illness). I will treasure this time being off and hope that my body can go back to normal. Here is an outfit I wore to work the other day. Don't be deceived by my coatless-ness though, it was freezing.

The shoes that I'm wearing are a pair I had been lusting after forever on Remix, and finally saved up enough to purchase. I feel like a 40's star in them. I really never want to take them off.

70's skirt thrifted
blouse american apparel
shoes remix
hat pangea
tights target
60's does 1900's necklace wedding gift from Ty

xo,
 Em

Inspiration

After watching the wonderful silent film I recommended in my last blog post I decided to put together an outfit that was inspired by the movie. A month or so ago I got this lovely silk Dynasty blouse and had been wanting to wear it but I wasn't sure how. Then my lovely friend Quincy gave me a pair of wide legged trousers very reminiscent of the 20's/30's and I knew it was a match made in heaven.

I don't think as many people cared for this outfit (I posted it on instagram a while ago) as it isn't my usual silhouette, but I must say it was the most comfy thing I've worn in forever and I love it, so that's all that matters.

I also took a few shots in my new favorite coat. Also purchased at the flea market.

I'm happy to finally be feeling better (while I was on Thanksgiving break I had to go to the doctor yet again and found I had an even worse infection in my chest. So, happily is all finally being fixed up) because it gives me so much more energy to create different looks. I'd been feeling a little lethargic when it came to dressing creatively, due to my feeling ill, but we all go through slumps like that I think. When we're extra busy, feeling down, and whatnot. What gets you good and inspired when you're coming out of a slump?

60's dynasty blouse flea market
modern pants quincy
shoes nine west

xo,
 Em

Japanese Girls at the Harbor

Ok, after a long while (just shy of a month....eee) I'm back. Life got a little crazy and I was sick for almost a month (that'll put a hold on almost everything in your life), but I should hopefully be back to stay for a while.

I have a wonderful film to share with you all. I discovered Japanese Girls at the Harbor on Hulu and completely fell in love. It's a fabulously shot (not to mention all the fashion is to die for) silent film from 1933. I don't want to say too much about the plot, but generally it's about two school girls and the paths they both go down in life. I would highly recommend watching it if you have some free time. Take a look at these screen shots I took.

Autumn Colors

Whew, this last week has been quite crazy. I performed in my first Nashville Symphony Choir performance with the Symphony this weekend. It was incredible, but I also thought I was going to die from all the extra rehearsals every evening. Sadly, I have no video clips or photos of that since taking photos/video during a performance isn't allowed. 

Also, took my first adult trip to the ER. I'm fine now, I just had a severe reaction to some supplements I had been taking.

All of that is passed now, and I just await my health to go back to normal. I have not felt much like dressing up lately, so here are some photos of an outfit I wore a week or so ago.

This 30's riding jacket remains one of my favorite items in my closest. I purchased it on Tyler and I's honeymoon in California.

50's skirt thrifted
blouse thrifted
30's riding jacket the loved one
shoes not sure
sun glasses amazon

xo,
 Em