Wednesday in the Gardens

I had an unexpectedly wonderful afternoon on Wednesday. After a stressful trip to Municipal Court (that's a whole nother blog post...), my mother, my grandparents and I ambled over to the Botanic Gardens to decompress. 

It was quite possibly the most peaceful afternoon I've had in years. The roses were in bloom, and it was confirmed once again that afternoon that while Texas may be hot and dry, I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

This blossom was so fragrant! Like lemons and a hint of vanilla.

The air smelled so sweet here, like a heady floral perfume. It was thick and hot, and if you tried, you could taste it.

My Grandparents, who will have been married for 60 years this September.

Light streaming through the cutout in the seat of the Butterfly Bench.

And I quote, "Sit on it."

A perfect tree for climbing or napping.

These little guys were all over the place!

Overheard on Easter Sunday at my parents' hours:
Younger brother: "You've been married to Grandma for 60 years? How do you put up with her?"
Granddad: "She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I wouldn't have lived this long if I didn't have her."

I want that.

Nostalgia: Midnight in Paris and the Jazz Age

So, I still sadly haven't seen that one movie set in the 1920's that won a bunch of Oscars this year, (which is killing me! Jean Dujardin is so stinking charming!) but I did happen to see another Oscar winning film set (partially) in the 1920's: Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris.


 If that cast alone wasn't enough, the story is superb, the dialogue witty, and the aesthetics mimic a Monet painting. I was sucked in from the first scene because this movie was written for me and those like minded who love the past. Owen Wilson's character longs for a the period in history that he deems perfect-- Paris in the 1920's, a Golden Age for literature, music and art, where the creative greats danced and drank together in one big, never-ending party. He expresses a fondness for Nostalgia shops, citing that their contents serve as reminders of the good old days-- the way it used to be. Most of his dialogue sounded like things I say or think on a regular basis.

Now, I'm not a rabid Woody Allen fan. I don't hate him either-- I'm not here to make comments on his personal life. I just don't drool over Annie Hall or Hannah and Her Sisters. Maybe that makes me a bad film lover. Nonetheless, I fell in love with this film completely. Even when the moral of the film is revealed and it wasn't neccissarily something I liked to hear: The problem with those of us who are so in love with the past is that we are blind to the flaws of that era. We hunger for simplicity, for the thought of a different time, but we forget that not everything is perfect, and it is certain that the people we desire to rub elbows with and pick brains desired to live in an a decade that came long before their time. The film has a great sense of humor, is quite touching, and is full of fabulous historical cameos portrayed by a star-studded cast. Allison Pill as Zelda Fitzgerald had sold on the film instantly-- I knew who she was before she was introduced. Also, SO MUCH HAIR ENVY! Redbox it now!

 Also, the soundtrack is divine-- the perfect mix of period standards and Parisienne classics. Just listening to it made me feel like I should be drinking coffee and eating a croissant while wearing a beret, a striped shirt and cigarette pants.

Midnight in Paris came to me in a bit of a Perfect Storm of Jazz Age mania; lately I've been a little obsessed with the 1920's-- the music, the fashion, the beauty. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been a favorite book of mine since I read it in highschool, and I think that's probably when the obsession started. My love affair with vintage dancing that I began entertaining in college fueled a passion for vintage fashion and music-- I've spent many a night dancing the Charleston in period-correct garb, and felt right at home.

Cole Porter is a standard in my home, but I'm a fan of modern bands with Jazz Age tendencies: White Ghost Shivers (sounds like a speakeasy!), The Ditty Bops (Sister Kate is my favorite), Max Raabe und Palast Orchester (checkout their covers of Sex Bomb and Let's Talk About Sex are hilarious, and Cheek to Cheek really does the original justice) and Patrick & Eugene (fantastic cover of "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" and you may know their song "Don't Stop" from the Laughin Cow cheese commercials) are some of my favorites.  

If drop waist dresses were flattering on me, trust me, I'd be wearing them daily. Give me a good cloche and some pearls, and I'm one content kitten.

I'm enamored of smokey eyes, rouged cheeks, and a heart shaped pout like Clara Bow's. I've been torn constantly for the past few months between cutting my hair into a bob like Marion Cotillard's in Midnight in Paris (seen below), and keeping my long tresses with blunt bangs.

With the upcoming release of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gastby (in 3D. I'm still so confused. Why do we need 3D to experience the 1920s? Wouldn't it make more sense to be black and white and silent than in 3D?) I expect that we'll see a surge in 1920s inspired fashions for men and women, makeup, and art deco homewares as the release of the film approaches. Which is terribly exciting for me. Maybe I'll get to wear this ensemble somewhere and not stick out like a sore thumb? A girl can dream...

I guess until I find a vintage Peugeot full of revelers to pick me up at midnight on a street corner and take me to a party with Hemmingway, Dali, the Porters and the Fitzgeralds, I'll have content myself with recreating the past in the present.

I'll leave you today with a few of my favorite Jazz Age inspired products from Etsy:

Victoria Handmade Earrings from BraytonCottage:

George Lassos the Moon (Inspired by It's A Wonderful Life) from teaessare:

Gold Pearl and Lace Headband from bethanylorelle:

Anything from Flapperdoodle ("Eloise Ramona and Clarissa Have a Party" is featured below)!

The Great Gatsby Book Charm from EvelynMaeCreations:

Until next time,

Megan

It's like Working Girl, but without Harrison Ford...

I started my first "grown-up job" a little less than a year ago, and let me tell you, since it all began, that year has gone by FAST. This time last year, I was working hard on my Capstone project for my Honors program and getting set to graduate. I was running around like a crazy person, trying to find post-college employment, working a job that caused me more stress than it was really worth, and cowering in fear of actually having to become an adult and do things like checking e-mail, going to the bank, grocery shopping, and cleaning all the things.

I intereviewed for a job the day before I graduated, and three days later, I got a call offering me the position. I jumped from college to the real world overnight. I got a grown-up office job that I love. It can err on the stressful side on occasion, but I'm very blessed to have it. I am constantly amazed that the amount of responsiblity they give me, a 23 year old little kid. I work with wonderful people for a stable company with great benefits. I am very fortunate. I relocated to be closer to work, and by moving 30 minutes east of my childhood home, I moved into a whole new social scene. I've made new friends and tried new things.

I've managed to survive the last 7 months of living on my own without setting my apartment on fire (just rice in the microwave and a pan of salmon in the oven), flooding it (despite letting the sink run on and walking out of the room then getting distracted until I hear spashing on the floor multiple times) or leaving it open for criminal activity (because I ALWAYS check the lock on the door. MULTIPLE TIMES). I've managed not to starve to death, to always have clean clothes, and to pay my rent on time, so I'd say I'm not doing too bad that this grown up thing.

"So, that's great, Megan. Yay you. You do stuff normal people do on a daily basis. Here's your  pat on the back and round of applause. Now, what's with this whole blog thing?" you might say. Well, if you know me in real life, then you know I like to talk. I really like to talk. And blogging is like talking, but with your fingers.

I also like pretty things. I spend a lot of my free time looking for pretty things, because I feel like aesthetics go a long way when it comes to making a house a home, making a person feel better, making life better. That's what I plan on sharing here-- pretty words, pretty pictures, pretty food, pretty faces, pretty places, pretty clothes, pretty trinkets. Things that inspire me. I hope they inspire you, too.

So now, I'll leave you with some pretty clothes. In fact, this is my favorite outfit to wear to work on Fridays. With a little bit of wishful thinking (WANT.THAT.PURSE.)

Until next time,

Megan