Ms. Moon, Mr. Lamp and Other Stories

It is cool and drizzly out as I'm writing this now, but just recently we had a stretch of glorious sunny days which felt like Summer. To celebrate it, Justin and I went out a few times and even ate at a restaurant, on a patio to enjoy sunshine and be safe. With gorgeous weather and opened restaurants, it felt as if there was no pandemic, even though we all still wear masks. It's hard to explain, but driving down a busy highway, coming home after a day of adventure, I caught myself thinking that for brief moments life seemed just as it was before, as if there was no long weird year of isolation and anxiety... Have you had such a feeling lately or is it just me?

On one such beautiful day, we decided to escape to Edmonds, a lovely town just north of Seattle, for thrift shopping and some downtime at the beach. I wore this African inspired dress by Eloquii (one of my favorite themes - you know my love for earthy tones, bold patterns and all that). Isn't it a great design? I just love the subtle colorblocking and diagonal cut, I think it would look flattering literally on everybody. I even received compliments (oh such a forgotten feeling during the time of isolation). I combined it with my old striped straw hat and chunky glass necklace by Chico's which was waiting for it's 15 minutes of fame for probably 5 or 6 years since THIS 2015 OUTFIT (apparently I also have matching earrings - totally forgot about them). I bought the golden sandals last year I believe, but hardly had a chance to wear them. The purse is from Eloquii as well, snapped during sales - and I am glad I did, it's such a stylish bag! It also happens to have a diagonal cut and mixed textures, a happy coincidence with my dress design. My denim jacket is by Old Navy - I like their classic and affordable denim. It's funny but only now looking back at the pictures I realized that it supports the blue necklace. I never really analyze my outfits while putting them together, I just go by feeling, and it often works out just fine. (Come to think, it's pretty much my approach to everything. so if you ask me why I did what I did, I get in a stupor, and never really have a comprehensive answer. How about, 'Just because?' Haha.)

Now you're expecting me to tell you what I found at thrift shops, right? Well, that's a whole other story. We visited a few in the last couple of weeks, and the list of finds would be too long. But I'll share one of my favorite discoveries - this lamp. It's a vintage Stiffel, a trusty old American lighting brand with a good reputation for solid brass lamp base. Justin said his parents had a few at their home (and it was an elegant home made with love and artistic attention to detail since his Mom was a true artist, and both of his parents loved history and antiques, and designed their home from scratch together. Something that we'd love to be able to do one day).

But going back to our lovely little cottage for the time being, you can see that we reposition my new vintage desk to nestle under the window - it fits perfectly between our porch  glass door and a fireplace as if it was destined to be there. (You can see the desk in my previous post HERE.) The new lamp sits on it quite happily - I suspect that, just as the desk itself, the lamp is another mutt - a midcentury fantasy based on historic Victorian lamps (a student lamp, a candlestick lamp etc.) - you agree with me? Nevertheless, I love my new friends very much, and the quality is simply amazing. The new and even old vintage Stiffel brass lamps go for a couple hundred bucks and up. I found mine at a local Goodwill for only $12. Since that, I found more, but this one is the most unique and striking.

Our romantic outing wouldn't be complete without photos of a sunset beach and couples in love, and of course the Moon herself, lover's best friend. Can you see what Justin's new camera is capable of? You can actually observe what's going on up there!

If you like this outfit, you might also enjoy these:

JULY 2020

AUGUST 2019

JULY 2019

JULY 2017

JULY 2015

Thank you so much for reading and coming back for a bit more of chit-chatting, educating me about cool old stuff, and hopefully inspiration for your own lives!

Lots of love to you all!