i always forget a title

Well I've been gone a while, but I am happy to say I've been busy and productive the whole time! I don't have any photos yet, but I can't wait until I do because I'm so excited. And I'll show you too once I find my camera, and the time for it as well. So, the thing I'm probably the most proud of: I made bread! (no, NOT the bread in the photo, I wish) AND IT WORKED! I was very worried that it wouldn't rise right, or it would rise too much, or I wouldn't kneed it enough, or something, but it turned out beautifully. Which I am still in a bit of a shock about and that was a few weeks ago. Also, I have made lotion, redecorated a pillow, knitted lace, made jam, and planted herbs. Granted all of this has not happened in one day or anything, several weeks is more like it. Summer sure has taken a running start here. I got a new job (YAY!) at a greenhouse, which I must tell you has been a Godsend. My previous job was draining and exhausting, so being outside, in the sun, the warmth, and fresh air has got me much more perky and motivated. Wow, this has been a very enthusiastic post, I hope no one minds how scattered and strange this has been, just wanted to give you an update.

much love,

Clara

I've been doing quite a bit of art journaling lately, it's nice for letting out pent up creative energy before bed. For times when emotions are too heavy for sleep, or you're just stir crazy and can't focus on strictly words or art.

This is my favorite, the photo's not very good (apologies) but it's lyrics from Romeo and Juliet by The Killers. It says:

I can't do the talk, like the talk on the TV, and I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be. I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you. I can't do anything except be in love with you. All I do is miss you, and the way we used to be. And all I do is keep the beat and the band company. And all I do is kiss you, through the bars of a rhyme, Juliet I'll do the stars with you anytime. Juliet, when we made love you used to cry, I said I'll love you like the stars above, I'll love you till I die.

If you've never heard that song you should certainly look it up, it's beautiful. Hope you're all well, thank you for the wonderful comments. Oh, and happy Mother's Day, enjoy all the strawberries and planting! :)

Love, Clara

Rustic

I've been loving the simple things lately, as I think a lot of you have noticed. I'm not talking about the simplistic, modern sort of living, but rather the back to basics, do it yourself kind of simple.

Which fits well with my previous post too, just this time it's about everything. Accent the small things, find joy in the mess, and never miss an opportunity to bring out beauty. I'd really like those things to be a daily practise for me, because it's such a healthy view. Continually I find myself stressing about not having time for what ever it is that needs to be done or I'm feeling pressured to do, it's a constant battle to keep from panicking sometimes. But really, I have nothing to worry about.
Of course there are the deadlines and obligations, but those things can't keep me from a good time, even while in the middle of them I can still choose to focus on something I like. Inspiration can come from anywhere, it doesn't have to be the internet or books or even nature(though nature is one of the best...). So if inspiration can come from anywhere, I guess that means we should always be looking for it, right? Another assumption I've come to (but haven't been good about trying yet)is that if you can make the small things habit, then you're set. I'm really hoping that this is true, because I certainly don't ever want to turn this kind of life style into something stressful. Effortless in living, yet deliberate in attitude and thought.

I'm going to share a couple of links, which I hope you'll enjoy. This blog and this blog are two that are perfect for dreaming of, honestly, hand sewing for a living and raising chickens on a homestead. Can it get much better than that? Also, I'm hoping to try making my own lotion with this tutorial some time soon. Hope it will work out.

With a love of spring and excitement for summer,

Clara

I thought I'd share some fashion inspiration with you, it's not your typical street style or editorial, but rather some photos of real girls in what ever they were wearing the day these photos were captured. (at least that's what I like to believe) These sorts of photos are my favorites for styling inspiration because they are so simple and livable. Plus they help me to remember that it's the small things that make life beautiful.

a fabric scrap pulling back hair, a pendant on the end of a long chain, a large cozy sweater, braids,

floral prints, cardigans, a pair of oxfords, and a leather satchel or a canvas tote.

Now on a different note, I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Monday. My cheeks are huge, I definitely look like a chipmunk, sadly I can't eat nuts right now, it's just apple sauce and split pea soup for me. Anyway, might be back later, who knows.

Love to you all!

Clara

I figured out a way to get pictures off my camera, so here's something I've been wanting to show you for ages. It's the baby sweater I made for a friend! She loved it, which is wonderful, I like it a lot too. :) there's just something so endearing about baby knits, I've been wanting to do more of them recently, and I probably will because it seems like so many friends are preggers right now, one of them is even having twins! Also just to show something a bit more I want to re-introduce you to my darling friend Lauren.

This is her and her puppy Remi, they are two of the most adorable creatures I know, I love them so much.

These were all taken while she was doing homework, a time line of the great depression. I helped her find the photos, but that's about it. She sure looks good while doing school though!

I hope this week is treating you well, and if not, be sure to treat yourself well in spite of it, even if it's just taking time to slowly enjoy a cup of tea. You are beautiful and you are worth it.

Love, Clara

Something I've recently found is that change can be a lot harder to embrace after it's been around a while. Do you know what I mean? Especially the things you were rather excited about before they happened, with me it would be turning 18 and moving out. Both of which had or still have their good points, but I find that I can't help but miss the way things were before then. I know it's hard to believe if you're still in high school, but I'm sure there will be days when you'll miss the way things are. I'm not saying you'll miss everything, goodness knows I don't miss much of those four years, I still wish for the simplicity of the way things could be then.

Specifics I miss: The Gleam by the Avett Brothers, the cure of jasmine tea, baking muffins and biscotti all the time, warm oatmeal to wake up to, my warm sunny window, loosing myself in Robin McKinley's worlds over and over again, knitting while I read, staying up late writing when I was supposed to be in bed, Eisley, the deepness of dreams, at least two cups of tea a morning and one more at night, the parents saying no as a acceptable excuse for staying home, watching Pride and Prejudice at least once a week, how easy it was to hide, sleeping in on weekends, and regular library visits.

That's all for right now, I have a very early work day tomorrow, so I'm gonna say goodnight. But I do want to let you know I got a formspring! So now there's a clean way for me to answer your questions, ask me anything(I think I can handle it).

with memories and sock yarn,

Clara

(photo from weheartit)

Hello.

I'm back. And because I've been gone wordlessly for so long, I think I owe you all an explanation. Nothing serious has happened, I have simply gotten stuck in this rut where I want things (in my blog and my life) to be a certain way, to be just like how I imagine they should be, but when they can't or the obstacles get to high, I panic and do nothing at all. For example: I've been wanting to post my own photos more instead of only ones I find online, but I can't find my cord to transfer photos onto the computer and they don't sell them anywhere I've looked. So rather than continuing to post and explaining the problem, I freeze up and without a word disappear, because I'm sure my blog isn't good enough and now never will be because I can't post my own photos. I'm sure none of you were thinking that, you may have been wondering if I was making things any more (yes I am, and I want to show you, really I do!) but I'm sure none of you were judging me harder than I was judging myself. Besides, blogging shouldn't be about getting more followers and comments, it should be about having fun and being myself, right? So I'm back, hopefully wiser and a little more free as well. I will continue to look for a way to share my photos with you all, but for now I guess we're just gonna have to stick with inspiration, which is never a bad thing. I would like to hear your thoughts though and know if there's anything you'd like to see or hear more of.
Thanks for understanding!
Love, Clara

PS: what do you think of the new look for the blog? I think I like it, but I'm never sure...