As you can probably tell by the woods in these pictures, these pictures were not taken recently. I believe they were snapped towards the end of November, just before it snowed here when there was still a bit of autumn color lingering in the forest paths near our house. This was the last path to get color so we had a lovely lingering patch of fall in this little trail as the rest of the area near us started to look more bare. Just yesterday I was walking down this path which has turned to an obstacle course of muddy puddles thanks to yesterday's mix of slush and snow. In December it was a stark and pretty landscape with pristine snow dusting each ghostly, bare branch. Now if only spring was a bit closer with its fresh green buds to bring some life and color back into this bit of woodland! Still it's nice to look at these pictures again and relive this golden day. It's also a bit funny because I'm wearing a lovely enamel bear ring by Good After Nine in these pictures and yesterday I was wearing a little snow fox ring by them. So even my animals are changing for the season! Just another way that certain things remain constant while other things change; the woods aren't going anywhere despite their mercurial appearance and my love of quirky rings is a similarly immutable.   

I don't take my bike out often in autumn or winter, but it did suit the scene on this pretty afternoon. I actually want to get a new bike sometime since this one is a bit big and heavy for me (I can't really touch the ground when I come to a stop) and Thomas is quite ready to claim this one as his own if I ever do find a suitable replacement--it is a men's bicycle after all! Still I'm quite fond the old thing, it will be hard to find something I like more than it. I'm always a bit like that when it comes to updating things--I won't buy or replace anything that's a bit worn down or even falling apart unless I can find something I like as much or more than the original. Sometimes I'd rather just go without a replacement than get something that doesn't measure up to the original. I think it's a good way to be though; a bit loyal and certainly not wasteful, you mind ways to make things work even as they start to get a bit worn down--you re-sole an old pair of boots, or keep typing away on that keyword despite the missing "t" key!
A fashion brand certainly made to be cherished in that way is Tiga Lily. Vintage inspired and handmade each collection is made in small batches, a maximum of 20 pieces per cut and fabric variation. I'm wearing the Yara blouse in mustard and Picadilly skirt; the blouse is something I would be drawn to from the get-go in that lovely warm tone I enjoy wearing so much. But I think the Picadilly skirt will be the piece I end up wearing the most, paired with pretty blouses like today's outfit or cozy knits as winter approaches.

Come spring I'm always a bit too eager to shed my winter layers and revel in bare legs and little sundresses. This day was full of ill-advised fashion choices to the extreme! A fresh strawberry and blossom dress has just arrived from one of my all-time favorite brands Trashy Diva (I started wearing their dresses when I was back in college!) and I was only too happy to slip into it and step out the front door. Grey skies should have chased me indoors, but Thomas offered to pedal the bike while I sat on the back (and clung to him every time we went over the slightest bump in terror!) and we were off. We made it to a quiet corner were the wild garlic is blooming, but only snapped a few pictures before it started raining on us and we took shelter in the nearby old hermitage until the clouds passed. Damp and chilled, we finished taking our pictures and cycled even more quickly home where I was only too happy to slip into something far more sensible...Far from the most practical outfit, but it was a picturesque and memorable bike ride!


I bought my first Trashy Diva dress back in 2008 when I was in college. It was an investment for me on my part-time cashier's salary, but made me feel amazing and I've been pretty addicted to the brand ever since. They make really lovely retro dresses inspired by the 1950s and 40s in unique prints. This spring they released this lovely berry chantilly print, as well as this pretty dogwood print (makes me nostalgic for when my family lived in North Carolina), and love the idea of wearing this tropical pirate treasure one on vacation.

This sweater is a good compromise for when you're craving an airier spring outfit, but there's still frost on the ground when you get up in the morning! It's cozy and warm, but bright and spring-like with its little embroidered flowers. I'm really on an embroidery kick lately--I'd really like to learn to embroider so I can customize my clothes with little spring buds myself...I'm ready for blue skies, warmer temperatures, and green growing things, but I know it's a bit early to expect spring to be on your doorstep. Still the snowdrops (which are said to be the first sign of spring) have been blooming in our woods and now the daffodils are starting to burst up as well, so it's not all grey and dreary outside. I'm already anticipating the warmer weather and packing up most of my autumn and winter wardrobe to store in the attic. Fingers crossed I don't need all my coats and boots back down right away!