Sunday Spirit // 50 Shades of autumn

I have never read the book, but taking a walk in the crisp autumn air yesterday made me notice all 50 subtle shades of late autumn. I have always disliked this time of year. The colorful leaves are gone by now, the days are getting shorter and darker, and summer seems further away than ever. And for a summer-person like me, that's hard to bear. But, yesterday was one of those rare days of late autumn when the sun is shining, and the weather is so crisp and calm, that you can hear your own breathing. And it made me appreciate this season. It made me stop for a second and take in all the beauty this season really has to offer.

I reached for my winter boots and started walking along my favorite paths around my childhood home. Along the road to the park, then to the riverside and back around the pond. It was so chilly, almost wintery. I forgot my cloves, and boy, did I feel their absence. But, it was so pretty, I didn't even care.

 Last week felt like a constant rush and I hate those kinds of weeks. Having no time to rest, sleep, eat or do the things I love (including blogging) is no fun. I keep telling myself it's just another couple of weeks. I'm officially 3 weeks away from my big move to Germany. I have so many things on my mind all the time, it's difficult to keep up with life. On the flip-side, busy times always remind me of the things I really care about. Those things are the ones I miss most.

So, what do I miss most at the moment? I miss creative time. I loved every minute I was working on the new collection last week (update coming soon). I miss me time. Sleeping in, painting my toenails, reading good blogs, dreaming up new ideas for the blog. Those are things I need in my life. I miss Rein. Skype helps, of course, but I miss all the kisses, and snuggles, and hugs. Just being around him calms me. He's my partner in crime, my biggest supporter, my rock to hide behind.

Just three more weeks. That's all. And then, a completely new world awaits me.

What do you miss most in your life right now?

xo. Hanna

My Style // Fall favorites

It's interesting to notice how my style changes from season to season. And, how every season I have my favorites that I wear over and over. The funny thing is, that usually those things are different every season, and every year. The things I wore all the time last fall don't get much wear at all this year around. Then again, there are things I was almost ready to throw out of my wardrobe suddenly become my favorite thing to wear. Isn't it weird how that happens?

I've had this leather jacket for more than a year now, but I think I wore just two or three times last fall, and not that much even during spring this year. But, lately, it's been my favorite things to throw on when I'm out the door (like here). 

Wearing: leather jacket - thrifted // Cardigan - refashioned // Jeans - supermarket find // Blouse - H&M // Scarf - thrifted // Bag - from Cologne // Shoes - thrifted // Earrings - Pearls & Scissors

I made another sweater into cardigan refashion the other day (actually, I did 2, but the other wasn't for me), and I'm already seeing this get a lot of wear all throughout fall and winter.

What are you're wardrobe staples this fall?

xo.Hanna

My Style: I guess it's autumn

Wearing // Everything but the jeans (local supermarket find) is thrifted. 

Well, I can't deny it any longer, it's autumn alright. While it seems that everyone else in the blogosphere is rejoicing the arrival of the colder season, I must admit I've never been a fan on autumn. In fact, it's my least favorite season. I've always been a summer girl, and while I do love the colorful leaves of autumn, I hate when the days get shorter and sunlight gets dimmer, and all I have to look forward to are grimmer and grimmer days until it's borderline polar night around here. And then it's another 6 months until we have that special season of long days and smooth summer nights.

Ok, that sounded so depressing, but I hope you can forgive this summer girl this autumn lament. Every year I promise I'll find more joy in the autumn months, and I'm definitely going to try this year as well. Maybe then, eventually, I'll grow to like autumn. At least a little.

For now, I'm happy we still have weather warm enough to wear just a light jacket.

xo Hanna

Autumn and dreams

It seems that with the new season I've also entered into a new phase of dreaming. With endings there is always room for new beginnings. And new beginnings always awaken the dreamer in me. There are so many possibilities and it seems that almost everything and anything is possible. It's an exhilarating and frightening feeling at the same time. With choices comes a lot of freedom, but also a lot of responsibility. And it makes you wonder wether you're going to make the right decisions. 

It's my final year in my current school. I can't believe the end is so near! This means that I have to look for another school that will help me nourish and build my dream of becoming a singer. I have my heart set on a school in Germany, so I'm working on finding a teacher and passing the language test. I want to get in so badly! I just feel that it's the right place for me.  

Applying for a school in Germany means a lot of travel, which means a lot of money spent of airfares and hostels. I've opened up my Etsy shop again in the hopes that it will help to fund my efforts of getting into my dream school. So, if you know somebody who'd love to get a cute knitted headband for Christmas... (hint hint ;))

Sunday Spirit: 'Tis the last rose of the summer...

Snapping a picture of the last roses on my Mom's flowerbed reminded me of the song "'Tis the last rose of summer" I heard a while ago sung by my lovely friend Ann. I love summer and I miss it already. A lot of people say that autumn is their favorite time of year. But not for me, I'm a summer person. None the less, there's something to the colors of autumn.

The whole family was home this weekend. That rarely happens lately, so it was really nice to get together. We helped Mom with pulling out the carrots and cleaning them. It's been a while since I've been outside in the fresh air for so long. Oh, how I love the countryside! Too bad I have to go back to the city tomorrow already.

What have you been up to this weekend?