The prototypical bird

The prototypical bird

November deal.

I haven't made a post in a long time. It's been rather gray around here and I've felt under the weather - or maybe under the influence of the encroaching darkness. Last weekend we turned our clocks back and lost an hour's light. I'm at a loss for words, and I hear a picture says...

I miss Oxford.

Right before I left for Scotland, Oxford turned Autumn; it was August. Thanks to Oxford, I will be able to see three Autumns (along with Amherst, then Boston). In Oxford, I had an amazing, perceptive, generous professor who changed the way I look at my writing. Clare, I hope we can work together again! I miss Oxford. I miss Morton's 3 for 3.33. I miss Ben's Cookies, even though, gasp, they are a touristy place and have locations other than the Covered Market (and I know you just went there, the other day!).

I miss how I was simultaneously annoyed at the non-British-ness of Oxford in summertime, how I was oh-so-jaded, yet secretly 12 years old - the girl who used to think high tea and shortbread was so cool because it came from England and how I just *had* to find a boyfriend with a British accent. Touche!

Oh c'mon I know it's not utopia but I miss the place...I want to go canoeing on the Thames again. I want to see the year-round students and discover more weird little facts and marvel at the academic history abound. And Primark cardigans, and Marks & Spencer jam donuts.

So, in wanderlust for Oxford, I present a collage of ideal things I'd wear if I could visit right now.

If I was in Oxford. by maya8i8 featuring Soneed dresses

Secretary creatures.

I'm lame about Halloween. Last year I put on a white collared little black dress and went as "'60s." Cop. Out. I have no idea what I'll be doing this year (Amherst? Boston?) but to be honest, like everyone else, I want to go as someone from Mad Men. I'm certainly more Peggy Olson than any other, and I'd love to go as a Joan - I do have the pen necklace and cleave, but I'll probably go as "A Secretary from Mad Men," since, let's face it, I don't have the patience for a beehive and dressing like Peggy I'll look pretty random anyway.

Cue: what to wear?

I already have the iconic pen necklace, and no shortage of other colorful vintage accessories (including several pair of authentic cat-eye glasses) - but what I need is the dress. Obviously, I can't be paying tons for a Mad Men-esque Halloween outfit, but I do like these for potential canvas:

From ModCloth

(Aptly named) from Fred Flare

From Forever21

...or, I could just go as Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary. Especially if I had James Spader as a prop.

Tree boyfriend.

Lesson of the day: recognition alone does not prevent the repetition of past failures - and what's harder, the choice to say "yeah, did it wrong, let's change this and get it right." Alright then, moving on...

Some days.

It's sunny and gorgeous out but it's going to rain soon - and rain most of the week at that. So, I'm going to take the dreaded 3-hr RT bus ride (9 whole miles...) into Northampton to walk around, maybe get some fall photos, and on the way find myself an excellent coffee and pastry. It doesn't always work, but I need to try to get the most out of my days here! Here are the things I'm inspired by today:

This photo, found at design is mine by harpy. Nothing rings more true!

And more 90s florals, mid-century design, and raw semi-precious gems (so predictable).

Not so gray, parakeet.

I'm headache-y and sore and queasy, ugh - bad, bad, bad horrible timing! Tonight is supposed to be a special planetarium visit with my favorite class, tomorrow is my close friend's wedding, I want to go to NYC to see my Aunt who is very, very sick at Sloan-Kettering.

Stress causes illness. Illness causes more stress. How are we supposed to break this cycle!? Now that I'm working with undergraduates in a big research building, I'm around more germs than usual. Additionally, two people in my workshop class were out sick on Monday, and yesterday I ran around in the rain/wind/front-weather to take photos for CNS College Day. Madness!

So, here's some things I love from the internet this week, instead of all this gray stress and sick speak.

1.) Rhiannon's outfit at Liebemarlene.

In Boston, I saw this cardigan at H&M. I wanted it, but held back since I have way too many sweaters. I keep thinking about it, and suddenly there it is, paired with my favorite color, worn by one of my favorite fashion bloggers. Ahh! Since I don't have an H&M near me, I'm considering the below sweater for when I get my paycheck.

2.) Victoria's Secret silk/cashmere "boyfriend" sweater.

It's annoying that the page won't let one switch colors on the model, but I'd get it in navy - and, it's 25% extra off!

3.) Nancy Pelosi Strangely Not Interested In Having Sex With Harry Reid.

Amazing. I love her.

4.) Leilani's Boston photos -

Very typical Kimberly face (sorry, photos won't be visible to everyone. I'll post them to my Flickr later).

So, hopefully I get a good night's sleep and tomorrow is magically sunny and I am magically healthy and spry.

Friends, letters of comfort and praise are always a big help. ;)