Gentle Hues

As many of you these days, we are busy with all sorts of holiday preparations and festive events. Yesterday, Anya had a concert in her school. Justin and I were impressed. Her school has a few choirs, groups, bands and an orchestra - a strong music department with talented teachers who undeniably are on fire to do something really amazing with and for kids. Anya is in two choirs - a girl's choir and a mixed choir of girls and boys of 7th and 8th grade. When I was a kid, we had subjects like art or music only once a week. She has 2 hours of choir every day of school! The kids were fantastic, singing and playing not so trivial pieces in beautiful arrangements, skillfully done, with lots of heart. 

Tonight, as well as tomorrow, we have two dance classes to observe at Anya's dance studio which is always a treat - they learn a lot during just a few months. I think kids these days have much busier lives compared to us when we were children. I know my daughter's schedule gets overwhelming at times. In order to balance her life, I sometimes offer her to drop something off and just rest. I am not for achievements as much as I am for happiness and harmony. But even though she feels overwhelmed, she wants to keep going - she's having so much fun learning and exploring. I remember it from her early childhood - she never wanted to stop playing, and even her most fun play dates ended up with tears - not because something went wrong, but because it was just too much.

Last weekend, we decorated our Christmas tree. I would like to put together a post about our cottage, hopefully I will be able to do it before the holidays, which are just around the corner. We also attended a couple of festivities. One was a concert of The Gothard Sisters. This local trio of talented young sisters was singing, playing a variety of instruments (guitars, violins, mandolin, drums, flutes to name a few) and dancing Irish dance. Such a merry and gentle spirit and just plain fun. Anya admitted that she did not think she'd like this concert, but surprisingly really liked it. You know you did something right when your preteen kid tells you something like that. 

The outfit is also in gentle spirit. You've seen the skirt before (in this post, I styled it with a retro vibe). I am very pleased with the way the sweater contrasted the feminine hem and fabric, and just added a hand painted batik scarf I brought from Russia ages ago. I also wore my vintage clip on earrings which were found at an antique mall for only $5 - they emphasize the jewels sewn on the sweater.

I'm amazed (and always surprised) with Anya's ability to take the idea of my outfit and create her own. First of all, I never ask or expect her to do it, and every time it's a total surprise. Secondly, I think she's really good at not copying, but interpreting outfits - a true sign of an artist.

Photos by Justin

Have a wonderful time, dear friends! Fun and gentle holidays to you all!

My outfit

Skirt - Isabel Toledo for Lane Bryant

Sweater - Lane Bryant

Boots - Naturalizer

Peacoat - via Nordstrom (old)

Purse - via TJ MAXX (old)

Batik scarf - hand painted, from Russia (old)

Earrings - vintage

Ring - Chico's (old)

Anya's outfit

Sweater - Old Navy

Jeans (Charlotte Russe)

Scarf and purse - thrifted via Goodwill

Earrings (in shape of cotton candies!) - Clair's

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