Things for my table

The kitchen table is my favorite piece of furniture and the place where I spend all my time (especially now that it also serves as my desk). I think these two things would be perfect additions.
I wanted this one, but I wasn't quick enough.


(via 46th at grace)

week thirty-two

week thirty-two, originally uploaded by m a v.

I'm a little late in sharing my love for this post, but better late than never, right?
Scarves are certainly one of my favorite things that are ushered back in the fall season, and MAV certainly knows her scarves. Her 3191 Miles Apart post shares some really unique ways to wear scarves this fall. My favorites are the Tie+Drape and the Bow.

Fall as seen by my phone.

The theme to these two photos, other than fall, is "things I carry home."
I spotted the pie pumpkin for $1.25 outside a little family run grocery store and had to have it.
That $1.25 brought me so much joy as I carried my pumpkin home and decided I needed to bake a pie. I also love to collect the red maple leaves that fall from the trees in the park on my way home from work and school and put them in my pockets.

The Importance of Writing Letters

(photo via simplesong's etsy)
Moving away from friends and family is a hard thing to do and it takes a few things to make it better:

• Unlimited long-distance phone plans
• Internet connections
• Comfort items like handmade blankets and stuffed toys
• A lovely boyfriend who joined me on the adventure (actually #1)
  
• Meeting new people
• Exploring your new living arrangements
• Having daily adventures
  

But most of all, nothing solves homesickness better than care packages and postcards in the mail. Thanks to some lovely friends and family I've received goofy postcards from their vacations, a set of teas to warm me up this fall, tried and true recipes, and little care packages full of kitchen goodies from my Mom. Returning the favor has me currently on the hunt for cute cards and goofy postcards, along with little goodies package into envelopes. My current go-to for cards in Toronto is the Kensignton store Kid Icarus and I'm always sure to find cute cards on etsy, like the ones pictured above from simple song designs. Nothing else brings me more joy than coming home to a full mailbox of hand-written letters and I certainly want to pass that joy along.

A.P.C. Short Coat

I just started school today and though the weather was warm, fall is certainly here. Though I don't mind studying hard in a library cubicle, I absolutely hate to be cold (why are libraries so chilly?). Thus, I am totally obsessed with the APC Short Coat, it looks so cozy and warm, perfect for long study sessions and late walks back to the apartment. I would love to knit up a cozy cardigan just like this one to curl up in. I know this maybe a little ambitious a project for someone who just finished their first ever sweater, but a girl can dream, right?
If I do attempt it I will have to create my own pattern, but at least I'll know which wool to use.

(pictures via lagarconne.com)

The Owls Sweater

My free time has come to an abrupt end recently now that I've found work and with school beginning next week, but this last month gave me a lot of free time for creative pursuits. My most important accomplishment was the creation of my very first sweater for me ever! I always thought knitting sweaters would be too expensive and take too much time, but after discovering Cascade Eco Wool and seamless sweaters I'll never look back. The Eco Wool comes in these massive skeins and it only took one and a half for a medium sized sweater, 1 1/2 people! That's a total cost of $36!
The Owls Sweater pattern is designed by Kate Davies and can be found for free on Ravelry. The pattern was clearly written and easy to follow. The sweater shaping in the back makes this sweater flattering and without any hideous bulges, ha! The pattern calls for buttons to be sewn on for the owl's eyes, but to me, that's a little to kitschy. I plan on rocking this sweater like the humanoid version (pictured below) with skinny jeans and a black blazer.

(via Impulse Seattle's flickr)