We have very mild winters here, and I rarely find myself in need of an actual coat. I tend to run hot, and I always prefer to feel too cold as opposed to too warm. Going from house-to car-to school only necessitates a light jacket or sweater, so I think it’s fun to have a variety to choose from. I recently found two lovely sweaters on sale at Ruche, and each one instantly brightens my cold-weather uniform of jeans and a tee.
I also took these pictures myself, using Ryan’s awesome “tripod” setup: an upside-down bucket placed on top of a step-ladder, which holds our camera on its GorillaPod, and a remote control. It works surprisingly well, and I feel much less inhibited when nobody else is around. I abhor having my picture taken, but it is so easy to do it alone.
Here are the pictures of my new “winter coats.”
The “Take It Easy” Cardigan (now unavailable) is so cute and comfy, and because it has short sleeves, I can wear it now. It works well with a tee or tank top, as well as layered over a long sleeve shirt, too. It will definitely become one of my staples for Fall, and I love the fun blue stripes.
(Say Cheese!)
The remote has a two-second delay, but I took this one just for fun!
I love the “Swept Off My Feet” cardigan for its feminine versatility, but the back is really the stunner!
I adore the lace cut-out on the back, and it will look great with a variety of tops.
(Does this camera make my butt look big? Is this thing on?)
And I couldn’t resist a little self-deprecating humor, since no one was around.
I’m heading up north to Canada today, as a guest blogger for Shayla at Northern Exposure, while she is enjoying her honeymoon. I hope you’ll follow me over there as I offer a few words of marital advice. Not that I’m an expert or anything, but after ten years of marriage, I’ve learned a few tips.
“…Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too… ” –from Hope Floats
One recent rainy Sunday, we drove out to Smithville, about an hour’s trip from Austin. Ryan and I had driven by it many times on our treks to Houston, but never stopped. And after seeing Hope Floats, which was filmed in Smithville in the late 1990s, I had always wanted to explore the small town that looked so charming onscreen.
I finally got my chance, and Smithville didn’t disappoint. We even got lucky, with a Dairy Queen in town and a break between the showers, long enough to walk around the town square, check out the Train Museum, and take some pictures of the local landmarks. At just under 4,000 people, Smithville is tiny, and everything of interest is situated in the small downtown area. That makes it easy to park and walk around the city, taking in the many film locations (Smithville has become a mecca, of sorts, for Texas films), the many antique stores, and charming little eateries. Here are some pictures from our day.
The Visitors Center, Chamber of Commerce, and Railroad Museum are housed in the same building, conveniently located in the town square at the end of Main Street. Even though the offices were closed, the box of tour pamphlets was well-stocked.
The Smithville Sign on the edge of town; the Star Biscuit Company Sign (created for Hope Floats); the Smithville Train Sign; and a view of Main Street.
Honey’s Diner, though now closed, was part of the setting for Hope Floats.
The Smithville Depot and trains from the Train Museum. James and Rhys loved climbing aboard and exploring the old train cars, and the park is open every day.
“Smitty,” the 20-foot tall Gingerbread Man, was featured in the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records and is now a permanent fixture on the town square.
The gorgeous house where most of the movie is set, at the end of Olive Street in downtown Smithville. The street is incredibly picturesque and some of its other houses have been used as movie sets, too, most recently for Tree of Life.
Some of Smithville’s most charming homes.
I was so excited to finally visit Smithville, and it really does feel a bit like stepping back in time. We are planning to go back for barbecue soon (what else?), so look for more pictures in the coming weeks.
(For this post, I tried my hand at making photo collages with Gimp, after reading this extremely helpful tutorial.)
