The last few days have been in the low 70s and absolutely beautiful. Matt and I like to go walking around downtown Athens and the UGA campus during our lunch breaks. Yesterday we noticed for the first time that the daffodils are starting to bloom. It made me happy-- and also nervous, because a cold snap could be just around the corner. But I can't blame the daffodils for their optimism. I think I'm a lot like them. Overly enthusiastic at the first sign of happier times coming.
In honor of the early spring, I decided to wear a new necklace today. I got this necklace for my birthday in December, but I've felt like it's too springy to wear until now. But today? Bring on the spring necklace.
I got the new Ulta catalog in the mail yesterday and have been studiously poring over it. Spring beauty trends?? Do tell.
I don't know if my nails really count as 'springy,' but they are definitely making me happy this week. I painted them on Sunday with a fabulous gold theme...I told myself it was in honor of the Olympics. But possibly it's just because I really like shiny stuff. Either way, they're a bright spot in my day every time I notice them.
It's kind of hard to tell, but my ring finger(s) is an 'accent nail' and is glittery gold (OPI's Looks Like Rain, Dear) and the other four fingers are just a shiny gold (can't remember the name...it's a Sally Hansen from a few seasons ago). Anyway. The overall effect is still neutral but WAY FUN. I'm going to convince myself that it's a four seasons look because there's no way I'm retiring it anytime soon.
I'm just happy it's getting warm. That a new thing is coming. This winter has felt so long, and not just because of the weather. All The Evil (haha, I know that's actually from Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I'm stealing the phrase and the sentiment-- it's easier than actually writing out what I mean) happened right as winter started and so the whole season has been tainted with sadness and brokenness. It was cold then and it's still cold and it's like things can't change until the weather does...or something. Or my wardrobe does. My memories of the three days we had with our daughter are attached to my clothes and there's nothing worse than pulling on an outfit for the day only to have a midday flashback to a few months ago when I was holding my daughter in that shirt. I even know (and avoid) which socks I was wearing the whole long day we spent waiting for her to be born...and I can't see them without remembering the hours I spent sitting cross-legged with her in my arms, the bright argyle socks peeking out from beneath her swaddle. I hate those socks now.
So I need it to get warm so that I can put these clothes behind me. I need it to be spring so that I can start looking forward. I need to stop being reminded of my loss twelve thousand times a day. I need new distractions: a garden to plant, a bike to ride, a pool to lounge beside. The winter was sad and barren in every sense of the word and I'm ready for a new season. So thank you, weather and daffodils, for giving me hope that that could happen.
On a much lighter note, I am in the market for an excellent new spring candle. We had some really great fall and winter ones and they were honestly some of the few high points in a really awful few months. Now I want something new to make me happy when I'm stuck indoors. I have a lot of fun summer candles, but they're fruity and beachy and like...that's just not spring. It's summer. Any ideas for spring candles??
Amen, and amen. I get this. Totally. I typically relish winter, love snow, and really enjoy the cold. I hate shorts, don't like my legs and really just dislike spring/summer clothes. But this year, I am over the winter. I was so looking forward to this winter. January was going to be awesome.... and then it wasn't. And the longer it's cold and dreary, the longer I allow myself to mope and wallow in my misery. I need spring to jump start a change and put some pep in my step. Hoping for better things for both of us out of this next season! Love you friend!
ReplyDeleteDang...you are so pretty with such fashion/makeup sense that I wish I had! I also wish that I had your beautiful weather but if I was there and not here, then I wouldn't be able to eat ketchup chips and that would make me sad. Love the nail polish! I discovered Dior Nail Glow and LOVE it. It helps my rock climbing hands to not look so manish!
ReplyDeleteLove that necklace and the nail polish! I am ALL about this warm weather!!! It's so nice to get to enjoy outside and how awesome that you get to on your lunch break with Matt!
ReplyDeleteI just had an epiphany. My inlaws are scattered across the south (AL, TN, FL, TX) and I am, as my dear sister-in-law told me once, "painfully northern." I've always felt a little plain Jane in the midst of all these colorful belles and it has just occured to me that perhaps I am just not inspired by the fleece and wool that our weather necessitates October through April (and admittedly, sometimes May). It might be time to look to the south for some colorful inspiration.
ReplyDeleteYour winter was my last spring/summer. I rejoiced when the leaves started turning and football started. And I hate football. Time and the turning of the seasons is so therapeutic. I wish you lots and lots of spring (even if I'm stuck in the snow for another month).
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ReplyDeleteI am with you on this!! I painted my toenails bright pink and have been wearing open toe summer shows all week thanks to our nice warm weather :) I am making the warm weather get here one way or another! Did you say pool?? It's time for those temporary tacky blue pools..yay!!
ReplyDeletemake that shoes! haha
DeleteYour color combos are precious! So bright, happy and springy. I'm looking kinda lazy in my fleece pj's! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really want a manicure, but stink at picking out colors and don't know why. I always love manicures I see on everyone else, but never get it right on me. Help!
I can tell the days are slowly starting to get longer, which brings me untold amounts of joy. I love when it's still light outside at 7:30.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a candle from Target that I think is rather springy, but I can't remember the name. It's in a clear container and it has a super bright yellow (but not highlighter) label and the writing is in black and white. I think it's called Happiness or something to that affect. But there is a series of them at Target that have a red, blue, green, yellow, etc. label. Does that help at all?
Totally helps!! I honestly never pay much attention to the candles at Target, but I'll make a point to the next time I go!! Thanks!
DeleteOne of my favorite quotes for this time of year is "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" from Shelley's Ode to the West Wind, because I think sometimes spring feels further away at the end of winter than it does at the beginning. And then suddenly one day, the sun feels warm and you wake up to the sounds of birds, and you know spring has really come. Praying for your spring.
ReplyDeleteAs far as candles go, maybe something like a fresh linen scent? It can be tricky to get something that's not too powerful, but the good ones make me think of hanging laundry on the line and finally being able to open the windows. Or maybe a light lemon scent?
I love the necklace and your nail polish. I wish I had patience with nail polish, but it chips so easy and I get frustrated. I really enjoyed the time I had fake fingernails because polish would stay on but it was so damaging on my real nails and costs so much. Plus who has time to go sit in a nail salon every 3-4 weeks for 30 plus minutes.
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous, so jealous, of your weather!! Love your shoes and nails and necklace and make up, you fashionista!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see the weather warming up, too. My daffodils have broken ground but no buds or flowers yet. Hurry up, Spring!
ReplyDeleteClean linen scents :)
ReplyDeleteI need to study make-up videos. I think I totally stink at it. I want my blue eyes to pop. lol I also wish I could see daffodils in AZ.
ReplyDelete^ I'm with her. Why can't we all be magically good at make up and hair?! There's an Ulta like 20 minutes away from me soo if you find yourself in my neighborhood someday, I'm forcing you there with me! :)
ReplyDeletewell you look super fab and ready for spring! i hope it is ready for you! I get the whole - out with the things associated with failure and loss! I There are(very expensive) necklaces from Stella and Dot that I don't wear anymore because I was wearing them on the days I went to the hospital with my SCH. They just feel unlucky now, even though the babies were fine. I don't even like to order the meals I got at Panera right after my failed transfers. I hope very soon you will have new, positive memories associated with fun clothes - like that necklace, perhaps!
ReplyDeletejealous
ReplyDeleteI am loving this weather toooooo!! Except not the bad weather that's coming tonight. And I also want some delicious spring candles. Currently, I'm burning a fall-ish apple scented candle. It's alright, but I need some spring!
ReplyDeleteI can't sleep (it's like 30 minutes past my bed time!) so I started googling.
ReplyDeleteI saw a candle at Bath and Body Works called "spring." They call spring scents "A delicate blend of light rain, yellow daisy, daffodil and sycamore woods that contains the freshness of the season."
Of course, what do they deem "light rain?" What would happen if it was a "medium-grade rain"--how would that throw it off?
The ones at Yankee Candle were a little ahead of their over-perfumed selves--all tropical. YC--tropical = summer. Get it right.
Oh gosh. I just spent 5 minutes googling candles I can't even smell. And then being sassy about them. I have to go to sleep.
I'm with you - I always seem to have the expectation of the seasons changing also changing my circumstances... here's hoping the spring is much, much better to you than winter was!
ReplyDeleteThankful for the tangible reminder to hope for new beginnings!
ReplyDeleteAlso- I like that Anthro candle (Volcano No. 6, I think?) all year!
You are way more of a fashionista than I am. I'm awed!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh yes, do I need the spring. I really hope this spring is as amazing as it has been in my head because man, have I been dreaming about it in all its wonderfulness.
oh, you look good! you're wearing all the spring make up trends! lol
ReplyDeleteYou are, hands down, the most stylish person I know. I'll be glad when Spring comes for you. For me Spring is the weird time of year when I have no idea what to wear. (SUDDEN BLOG INSPIRATION). That necklace is ridiculous amazing. Halloween used to always make me sad since that was the day our first match fell through. Now it won't be that way anymore, and I know that someday in your future Spring will be the time that you pick up your little one and love the way the sun shines on their baby skin. : )
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