Monday, January 28, 2013

Some Valentines Day Fashions

Hi, everyone! It's been awhile since I've posted some of my outfits. I've been shopping at a few of my local clothing stores lately, so thought I'd show you some of what I got. I was definitely in the Valentines Day spirit! A little red, pink, and black, along with animal prints! How fun!!!
I got this outfit to wear to a winter wedding. It was warm and romantic, yet dressy.
The white blouse($10) and striped skirt($25) I got at TJ Maxx.
Black blazer came from WalMart($20)

Here is a detailed photo. The design on the blouse is black beading.
The scarf came from WalMart also. The red and black feathered belt came from Charming Charlie.(Not sure of the cost) The necklaces were gifts.

My next outfit came from Goodwill. 
Guess you could say I felt like going on the wild side a little bit.
I'm usually not this bold, but these leopard print cropped pants fit me so well, I couldn't pass them up. The jacket was a perfect match, too!

The brown blouse is a light cotton material, with snap closures on the front and sleeves. (All Goodwill items were $5 each) The tan belt came with a sweater I got at TJMaxx, but it seems to work here. My tan flats came from Goodwill several years ago.
My last outfit would make great "romantic dinner date" attire!
The black mini-skirt, with studded detail, came from Stage Department Store. The heart print top came from Goodwill.  The red flower hairpiece came from Charming Charlie. The belt I've had forever, so not sure where I got it. My ankle boots came from Shoe Sensation a few years ago.

Well, that's all I have for today. I'd love to know which of the above outfits is your favorite. Just leave a comment below.

Hope you are able to enjoy the spirit of the Valentines season, whether you are single or married. Love is an international language. Show a little love in your attire!

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Winter on the Lake

This is our first winter in our little lake cottage. So far, I can truly say that lake life is very different than living in an addition or on a country farm.(Both, of which I have done.) The past few days we have had below freezing temps and I find myself making every excuse to stay inside, bundled up with a good book and a cup of tea, if at all possible! I'm also still recovering from knee surgery, so that just gives me another excuse to hang inside! 

We moved here last August, so several summer lakers were still hanging around and there was quite a bit of activity going on in our neighborhood. But in the winter, there isn't a soul around. Oh, we've seen a few ice-fisherman, battling the cold. But, there are some days I feel like I'm truly out in the wilderness. The lake has a different look about it just about every day. On certain days the sun shines on the ice cover, making it glisten. When temps get down below freezing, there is a strange cover of multi-shades of gray. Then there are days that a thick fog hovers over the water, so thick that everything on the lake is totally blocked from view. When the cold wind blows over the ice-covered lake, it makes a deep howling sound. Very eerie!! 







We have been doing a few projects around the house that needed to be done also, some as soon as possible. Other's weren't 911, but just needed to be done.  We had new windows installed and actually added one window to our lakeview living area, while covering a side window that took up precious wall space. We finally broke down and bought a widescreen T.V. and my hubby attached the wall mount to save room in our small living space. 
Here are some 'before' pictures. I'll be posting the 'after' pictures very soon, so I hope you'll stop back over.
Adding a new window to the lakeside of the house. 
 
 Taking out a window; filling in the opening.
 Original siding on lakeside of house.
 Hope you are able to enjoy your winter, whether it's on a lake, in the country, in the city, or by the seashore.  In spite of all the new "lake" experiences we have had here, I really look forward to spring, and especially summer!


Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb
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Friday, January 18, 2013

Drinking In The "Blues"

January....
          It's that time of year again that many Northern Mid-westerners least look forward to. 

"Why?", you may ask.
         Well, because the weather is usually bitter cold and the sky is dismal gray practically every day!
            
Even though we are now past the first day of winter(December 21st) and daylight hours are getting longer again, it seems like this time of year drags on and on!! It also often brings out the "blues" in people who suffer from an illness called "Seasonal Affective Disorder."  I've never been diagnosed, but I think that I have a small case of this disorder, as I often start to experience a few of the symptoms that are associated with it this time of year.(Less energy and ability to concentrate, loss of interest in work or other activities, sluggish movements, irritability) 
As a beach and sun-lover, you may ask why I continue to live in this part of the country. Well, if I win the lottery or come upon a large amount of cash, you can be sure I'll be moving. Until then (or at least until my hubby retires and we can spend the coldest winter months vacationing in the south) I'm stuck having the winter blues.

 There are a few things I do to try to counter-act my symptoms.... like get enough exercise, sleep, eating healthy foods, taking some appropriate herbs and vitamins, and getting some light. (Some people go to the tanning booth, but I have a "happy light" that I purchased a few years ago and sit in front of a few minutes each day).
I also drink a cup of tea or two every day. Tea, especially black tea is naturally caffeinated, which increases energy. It also has possible benefits, such as reduced risk of stroke, reduced production of LDL - the "bad" cholesterol that can lead to stroke and heart attacks, and may even contribute to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease by as much as fifty percent. (source)

 On top of dealing with the blues, I also recently had a physical setback. A week ago I tore cartilage in my knee and had to have arthroscopic surgery. So, I have been laid up and trying to heal from that, as well. 
 Today, as I drank out of my blue teacup and pot, I hoped to drink out "my blues".  (O.K., I know that's a bit of a stretch, but I'm trying to make a connection here!)
  ...along with a couple of my favorite peanut butter cookies!
My teapot came from Hobby Lobby, one of my favorite craft and decorating stores!
The teacup is a family heirloom on my father's side. The blue and white inkwell came from an antique store. I use it to keep track of my favorite journaling pen.

  I also grabbed a book to read by my window, and took time to write in my journal.
 Even though I don't like it, sometimes a little rest and recuperation is required.
One thing's for sure...even when it's cold and gray outside,
there's always beauty to be found!


Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

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Monday, January 7, 2013

Our two Chi's~ Sophie and Jet

Hello, all you Cairn Cottage bloggy friends!
 It's another sub-zero January day here. So, I'm just trying to keep warm and write some more blog posts in my warm little lakeside cottage. I just finished this post on my little furry four-legged family members and wanted to share it with you. Hope you have a cozy cottage day!

 Dogs play many roles in our lives--family member, friend helper, defender and, from time to time, psychiatrist. Anyone who has ever felt the familiar warm heartbeat at their feet knows that canine friends offer pure unconditional love and loyalty.
Our two Chihuahuas are all these things and so much more!
Sophie and Jet, our four-legged family members.

Jet, the oldest boy,  born Oct. 25, 2006.
He is a short-haired Chihuahua.
 As the big "brother" he is more reserved and serious.
 
He seems to pose for many of the pictures I took of him. I love this one!!
 
An autumn picture.
 
Jet is so small (4 lbs) that he almost fades into the chair.
 

The many faces of Jet.


Sophie, the baby girl, born Sept. 5, 2010
Weighing in at a whopping 3 lbs, she is a long-haired Chihuahua.
 

I love this picture of Sophie, as a puppy, sitting on my son's shoulder.
 
Always full of energy, Sophie is the adventurous one!
 
She loves to run in the Summer sun, but hates the cold winds of winter.
 

The many faces of Sophie.
 
 
 “My ears are too beeg for my head. My head ees too beeg for my body. I am not a Siamese cat ... I AM A CHIHUAHUA!"
 

 

 
 

 
 My little dog--a heartbeat at my feet.
- Edith Wharton

Even though they weren't too thrilled, I did dress them up for Halloween a time or two!


"Let's go for a walk, mom!!!"

"....sometimes I'll be the littlest kid with my dog and marvel at his ears and his nose and how he looks at me. If he died, I'd bawl like a baby."
-- Aaron Eckhart

 The dogs on an adventure.
 
Getting tired, after a long walk and adventure.
Time for a nap!
Bike rides are fun, too!!!




Dressed up in warm sweaters on a cold, snowy day!

Sophie's first experience with snow.
Jet, hates the snow and wants to go inside.


Big brother and little sis, best friends!


 They get Christmas stockings, too!
Daddy's little girl!

 "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself."
- Josh Billings
 Jet loves boat rides in the summertime. Sophie prefers hiding under the dashboard.
 

Our doggies even go on vacations with us. Christmas, 2012 at Folly Beach, S.C.

 A family photo, Christmas, 2012

 "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
- Unknown 


Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

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