The Fire Cat

Today I have been organizing my closet, studying for midterms, and creating playlists. I haven't compiled songs to fit my mood in quite some time. In case you were curious, this is what today sounds like:

Claude Debussy “Clair de Lune”

Frank Sinatra “The Way You Look Tonight”
Louis Armstrong “La Vie en Rose”
Audrey Hepburn “Moon River”
Pink Martini “Hang On Little Tomato”
Jetta “Feels Like Coming Home”
Florence + The Machine (MTV Unplugged Version) “Cosmic Love”

This weekend was a string of one crazy encounter to the other. Needless to say we ended up in a new part of town, and popped into a Goodwill in a town we otherwise would not have come across. Lately I have been collecting vintage books, and snagged this gem for only forty-three cents! It's an original copy of The Fire Cat from 1960, and it's in perfect condition. The story of Pickles the cat is one of my favorites by far.

Last night was truly magical. I have been pretty overwhelmed with school, and the next three weeks will be particularly rough. I have to drive to Texas on three separate occasions to take various tests, and for continuing education to renew my massage therapy license. So Jason showed up with these beautiful sunshine roses, Lindemans Pêche, assorted cheeses, and a fresh baguette. We watched an episode of Downtown Abbey, and used crystal champagne glasses that we received as a wedding gift. All in all, we laughed, feasted, and had a very memorable night for no reason at all.

♥ Do you like vintage children's books?

Springtime

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." -Claude Monet

While Jason and I were driving to New Orleans this weekend we noticed that the trees have started to change color. With subtle hints of green and red leaves dusting the top branches, and yellow wildflowers growing by the side of the road. I'm happy I get to experience springtime in Louisiana. It's almost time to break out the blanket and take a picnic, or go on a wilderness hike with my polaroid camera in hand. There is so much to love about this season, and I'm ready to soak up every little beautiful thing about it.

♥ What's your favorite thing about Spring?

B&W

I can't stop listening to this album. I have been listening to it constantly for about a week now. In the move we lost the AC adapter for our record player, so I went almost a month without it. We finally gave up trying to find it, and bought a new adapter. I'm so happy to have good ol' Mr. Crosley spinning our tunes again.

Also, I think I'm going to leave our Valentine's Day decorations up for a few more days... or forever. I haven't decided. I didn't get any photographs of us on our Valentine's Day. It was a bit rushed because we had to drive two hours to Lafayette, Louisiana to see the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra right when Jason got off work. It was a really special day. It was full of homemade cards, balloons, and roses. Simple and sweet: the best combination.

Our date night plans tonight consist of going to PJ's coffee house, seeing Pompeii, and then wandering around bookstores. I couldn't have planned a more perfect evening.

♥ Do you have any fun plans tonight?

Tiffany's 1961

Last night Jason and I went to Goodwill and picked up a new book to add to our collection. It's called Tiffany's Table Manners, and it's from 1961. I have always loved Tiffany's because after being a bit tomboyish growing up, playing on a lot of sports teams and hating to wear anything other than shorts and a tee shirt three times too big, I finally came to the conclusion that it's ok to be girly. I think I always secretly loved lacy blouses and floral skirts, but I didn't grow up with any "girly" women so it always felt out of place. Now I'm 25, wearing mostly dresses and tights, being open about my love of Disney movies, and happy to announce that I no longer feel out of place loving the things I do.

♥ What was your last thrifty find?

Souvenirs

I picked up this metal masquerade mask and bumble bee tea light candle holder from our trip to the Oak Alley Plantation. Jason and I made such a wonderful memory there with his mom. Also, I thought this mask would be perfect for my first time living near New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

You can always find me in the children's books section of any bookstore. I found this copy of Peter Rabbit at Maple Street Books. It's in New Orleans, and not only was it a great place to shop, the people were so sweet and fun to talk to.

These shells are from the Mandeville Lakefront. Lake Pontchartrain is huge, and driving over the causeway was picturesque. 

I took Amy Farrah Fowler home with me from Comic Con. We saw these POP figures at almost every single booth. 

The last souvenir I got in Arizona was this cactus from Bon Boutique in Tucson. I love the packaging so much that I've kept it in there for over a month now.

♥ What was the last souvenir you bought?

Polaroids, Dandelions, and The Beatles

All of the pictures I used for the heart shape of polaroids was from the first six months Jason and I were together. It's so funny to see how we've grown up together over the past (almost) six years. I used to have platinum blonde hair, and he had long hair with mutton chops. The picture that is in the very center is, and always will be most dear to me. It is of Jason bending over to pick the most beautiful, and biggest dandelion I had ever seen, on our first trip together in Flagstaff, Arizona. I wanted a tangible reminder of the first time I knew that I cared deeply for him. On the drive home later that evening I was lying down in the backseat while he was talking to our friend Jordan, and "Something" by The Beatles came on the radio. It was the first time I had ever heard that song. It was then I knew I was in love, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

♥ Did you decorate for Valentine's Day? Do you have any special plans?

1 Walk, 3 Photos

New Orleans is so rich with culture. Some of my favorite memories so far consist mainly of trying a new local coffee shop or bookstore, and taking photographs around the city. These photos were taken on our walk back to the car from the Convention Center where Comic Con was held. You never know the beauty you will come across on a simple walk in New Orleans.

♥ Do you enjoy photographing the town you live in?

Wizard World Comic Con: Zombie Edition

Stormtrooper

Norman Reedus | Daryl Dixon

Steven Yeun | Glenn Rhee

Jon Bernthal | Shane Walsh

It was a last minute decision, but I'm really glad Jason and I went to the Wizard World Comic Con in New Orleans. We got to see some of our favorite characters from The Walking Dead. Jason was so sweet to take all the photos while I hopped from booth to booth ridiculously excited.

♥ Have you ever been to Comic Con? Do you watch The Walking Dead?

A Hazy Day in New Orleans

US Highway 90 East

Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville

New Orleans Water Meter

San Pedro

Diagon Alley, I mean Pirates Alley

Saint Louis Cathedral

Andrew Jackson and The Beast

♥ How is the weather where you are?

Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium

♥ Have you ever been to a butterfly garden or insectarium?

Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation est. 1837

♥ Have you ever been to a plantation?