I thought that I would only do one fall fashion post, but then I walked into my room after class, took one look at its (relative) state of cleanliness, and decided today would be a good day to share a few photos of its decor.

And while I was at it, I snapped a few mirror photos of a much more typical every-day fall getup for me:

Soft black turtleneck sweater: thrifted from Goodwill or St. Vinny’s or Value Village ages ago. Still so soft. Still a standby.

Embossed leather belt: Originally from Gap, purchased at the Clothes Horse, a local second-hand store. Another fave.

My most favoritest jeans in the whole world: Indigo wash Curvy jeans from Gap, purchased new earlier this summer for $8. Yes, you read that right; this was one of the most triumphant moments of my shopping career. These jeans almost never leave my person. I think I will have a period of mourning when they finally wear out.

Dansko clogs: Found at Buffalo exchange about two years ago. More standard fall attire.

(Bonus: Check out my Kierkegaard, Harry Potter, and comic strip collections on the bookshelf behind me.)

Words of wisdom from the top of my mirror, plus a few of my necklaces and belts:

Dirty dishes on my bookshelf, with a blurry view of my desk and dresser behind (I did say ‘relative’ cleanliness):

Another bookshelf shot, with a few newly-acquired food/cook books (plus one book and two movies borrowed from my parents):

The end of my bed / my window / the gray Eugene outdoors:

The head of my bed / my hanging basket contraption / one afternoon’s crafty outlet (a.k.a. my photo board):

A closer look:

For those curious, this was accomplished with a roll of gift wrap from World Market, some packaging twine, a pack of tiny clothes pins, and Command Adhesive decorator clips. (Which, incidentally, have made most of the decorations in this rented room possible. Thank you, Command Adhesive!)

And, finally, one more fall fashion statement; this one from 19 years ago, no doubt courtesy of my mother:

I keep this on my wall to remind me to still be this excited about things like leaf piles. Here’s hoping you can catch some of that two-year-old excitement as well.

This week I watched several lovely ladies play fall fashion week. I was tempted to join in but felt desperately busy and un-cute all week. So today after work, I put together a fun fall outfit and roped a certain boy into helping me take advantage of the beautiful afternoon light. (A very, very patient boy who waited while I took approximately twenty minutes to decide between scarves.)

Sleeveless dress: from Old Navy, given to me by my parents for Easter when I was probably thirteen.

Ribbed brown tights: picked up at Shopko, about three years ago.

Nose ring: a near-constant accessory, acquired last December.

Long scarf: a gift from one of my aunts.

Yellow cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, a gift from my sister-in-law Melanie on her and my brother’s last visit.

Cowgirl boots: a loan/gift (we’re still not sure which) from my dear friend Natalie.

I guess the lesson to be learned from this outfit is that if I didn’t have generous friends and family I wouldn’t have any nice clothes.

In closing, here’s a photo in which I’m actually smiling, and in which you can see the rest of Gil’s contribution to our fall fashion photoshoot. I think he looks quite good, but have no idea where any of his clothes came from, so I can’t fill you in. I think his shoes are Adidas.

(Side note: part of the reason for my busy-ness is this epic project of Gutenberg’s. It is going down this coming weekend, Gil and I are both performing in it, and if you are in town and want to come you should buy tickets right away.)

• Average number of times between 10:30 & 11:20 am when a squirrel, holding an acorn, will pause outside the window of our basement classroom and bob back and forth: Two. (Coincidentally, also the number of times one side of the table will break into inappropriate laughter.)
• Things that seem less important once lying on the living room couch watching afternoon light play in the Maple tree outside: putting laundry in the dryer, doing reading for Monday, taking a picture of said Maple tree.
• Times when it would be good if someone came along and pried my fingers off of this world: every moment of every day.

This is it.

Now. Right now—this very moment.

Not ten minutes from now, when you sit for ten minutes in the back room.

Not tomorrow, when it’s light again.

Not next year, when you’re done with school.

In this moment you decide: bow your head, bend your knee, weep for the love you can’t give, or continue to snap, and bite, and flail.

Choose to see the soul inside the bag of meat and bones in front of you, or choose to criticize its shirt and hair.

_____

At the shower, they asked us to write a recipe for marriage.

I included ‘forgiveness’ but now suspect I should have written it in larger letters. (And joined it with ‘humility’.)