Shadow Portraits

When I got home from work yesterday, the sunlight was streaming through the window just so. My shadow caught my eye, and I snapped a few photos.

A silly little experiment in shadow portraits.

Affianced

He asked. I said yes. Just like that, we became affianced (that's much more fun to say than engaged)! 

Sunday, I accidentally foiled Eric's proposal plans, because I wasn't feeling well. Luckily, we both had Monday off and had planned to spend the day together. We spent the afternoon walking around Beacon Hill. We found some good looking chocolate chip cookies + hot apple cider on Charles Street, and we took our goodies to a sunny spot on The Common.

Then we headed over the the Public Garden to watch the ducks. Eric picked out a nice looking willow tree, and we sat underneath in the shade. The next thing I knew, I was looking at my gramma's engagement ring and he was asking! I said yes right away and then the ring was on my pinky (it needs to be resized). I didn't cry; I just smiled and smiled and smiled -- still smiling -- and so did Eric. 

We had the camera with us, so we decided to take these genuine engagement photos of ourselves (there are a few more here). We propped the camera on its bag and used the remote control to take a series of pictures. Then we both wanted to keep it secret for a little longer, so we didn't head straight home or get out our phones. We just walked around feeling special.

When we did get home, about 2 hours later, it was time to call our families. Having never done this before, we weren't sure what to say or how to say it, and we approached it differently. I blurted out the news ("Hi! We're engaged!"), while Eric seemed to ease into a little ("Hi, how are you? wait for response I have some news: We're engaged!").

You may think 8 years is a long time to wait, but for us it was the perfect amount of time. Nothing else would have felt right to us, and I'm lucky that Eric and I move at the same pace and that neither of us was rushed into this big decision.

We're both incredibly happy and so thankful for all of the enthusiasm from family and friends!   

Vintage 1983

I adore my Vintage 1983 tank top. Sara made it for my birthday a few years ago, and I wear all the time. It's orange, it's personal, and it's from one of my favorite people. What's not to love?

I'm wearing my lazing-about-the-house shorts, because it's pretty warm in my apartment, and these shorts are a necessity for three months of the year. I'm also still rockin' my awesomely pink nails. All in all, it's an outfit suitable for a photo shoot. Which is obviously why I had to have one. Ha!

I also wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you, I've just been sick. As I tweeted yesterday, my voice has officially entered the realm of sexy (if sexy=hoarse croaking). It's been like this: cough cough cough, gasp for air, cooooooough, breathe. Today's definitely better than yesterday, and I feel okay, I just don't sound too great. But I'm alive and (mostly) well.

The photo shoot was a fun little experiment; I think you should have one of your own! ☺

The Inauguration Of Barack Obama

Inauguration Day Schedule

Inauguration Day: January 20, 2009

Here I am watching Obama's speech

Today we have a new President, Barack Obama. He was sworn in at 12:05 PM (5 minutes late), just eight minutes after Joe Biden became our new VP. I watched CBS news coverage all morning, and I had the CNN live feed on my laptop from 10:30 - 1:00.

Barack Obama is our 44th President. In case you're living under a rock, today is special because we've just inaugurated our very first African American as the leader of the United States. Obama's campaign was one of hope. He managed to engage a younger generation in politics, and wasn't afraid to use new technologies to do so. His slogan was (still is?) "Yes We Can." He was right.

Today, President Obama's speech urged the American people to be personally responsible. He was also very clear that, while he's hopeful for the future, our country is facing many obstacles and there will be no overnight miracles:

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics." Full speech at ABC News >>

Hey everybody, it's a new day!

Reflection

This is what I look like when I check my iPhone on the train. I was just wondering, so I snapped a photo. So sneaky.

Purple

I'm wearing purple today, in honor of all the red states that turned blue. 

Frog Princess

I'm a frog princess today - a new take on an old classic. I guess traditionally I'd be a regular princess, but a frog princess is just so darn cute. I am proud to say that I made this costume all by myself! I had a lot of fun sewing all of the pieces together and turning a plain sweatshirt into something recognizable.  On the bottom I have a short (too short, in my opinion) skit, green tights, and green felt covering my shoes. 

Ever since I can remember my mom's been making our Halloween costumes, and if there's one thing she's taught me, it's that wonderful costumes can be made from sweatsuits! Why? Well we live in New England and it's usually pretty cold when it's finally time to go trick-or-treating. If you want people to be able to see more than just the pant legs of your costume, it needs to be warm. Costumes made with a sweatsuit base allow for ample layering, meaning you can leave the winter jacket at home! 

Although I won't be trick-or-treating this year, I'm happy to carry on the family tradition. 

Happy Halloween!

I like to give credit where credit is due, so I'll let you know that I got the basic (Frog Prince) idea from Martha Stewart. She has a number to unique and simple costume ideas on her website.