(James’ birdhouse from his summer camp.)
This week and next my boys will go back to school, and this time of year always feels like the start of something new for me. I think that comes from my many years as a student, and then as a teacher. It’s not yet September and it’s still very hot, but the weather is changing ever so slightly and, if you stand still and close your eyes, you can feel fall beginning to creep in. It’s a short-lived season in central Texas, but it’s also a beautiful time of the year.
I feel wistful when school starts and the long summer break comes to an end. We’ve had a busy and relaxing summer, and I’m excited to see what things lie ahead for the boys and our family. I realized that this is my third back to school post on my blog, and you can read the others here and here. I guess I get pretty sentimental in late August each year.
This year, both boys will be in school five days a week, and I’ll have a little more time for myself each day. I’m planning to finally open my store and focus on some other projects I have in the works. It will be an adjustment period, which always happens at the start of the school year, but I’m excited and looking forward to it.
If you’re heading back to school, I wish you a wonderful time!
(My summer mantel.)
This week was really busy with lots of appointments and back-to-school prep. We have a few last minute things to cross off our list this weekend, and then we can relax and enjoy the final days of summer. Yesterday, the sky turned dark and it rained for the first time in months, which was a welcome relief. I’m looking forward to the first signs of fall. In the meantime, here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
A gorgeous farmhouse in New York.
The rise of the rustic kitchen.
How pizza is helping to sustain small family farms.
Washington state is fined $100,000 a day until it can pay its teachers fairly.
One mom’s thoughts on her daughter’s European travels.
And fans of The Goonies have ruined its famous house.
Have a great weekend!
(The September issue of Vogue.)
The September issue of Vogue is always worth buying, I think. It’s fun to see all of the new styles for fall, and the ad pages are just as gorgeous, too. There’s a lot of page flipping, and it’s easy to miss some of the smaller articles and pieces, so I’m highlighting a few that caught my eye in this issue.
I was pleased to see an ad for Shinola, the Detroit-based company that is helping to bring manufacturing and craftsmanship back to the United States.
There’s also a short column about London-based designer Erdem Moralioglu, who is working with Olivia Firth to launch his first Green Carpet Collection during London’s Fashion Week. Sienna Miller is shown wearing one of his dresses and it’s really beautiful.
Writer Val Brelinski shares a personal story recounting how a photograph of a semi-nude model in a back issue of Vogue helped to free her from her oppressive upbringing. It’s a really interesting read.
And, while I’m not surprised, I’m still frustrated to see the annual NFL fashion spread in this issue. Think how powerful the message would be if Vogue could say no to an organization that breeds violence and corruption.
Do you read the September issue? What are your favorite parts?
