Happy Holidays!

So I definitely planned, initially, to post this on Friday, since it is basically an inspiration post, and I usually do those on Fridays.  Then, I planned to put this up yesterday, since it was Christmas.  But, I didn't do it.  I just didn't write it.  I collected a bunch of photos and stuff, but I didn't put this together.  However, that's okay, because tonight is the seventh night of Hanukkah, and I don't have to go back to work until Wednesday, so HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Here are some holiday photos, none of which are mine, or belong to anyone I know.  I know that I put out an appeal to my readers for their Christmas photos through my Facebook page, but only one person sent them to me, and it was a very good friend whom I specifically asked.  Since this time, I have realized that I somehow managed to set my wall posts on my blog's page and my personal Facebook page to "Only me".  If you couldn't already guess, which I'm guessing you could, since you're probably pretty smart, that means that no one could see any of my posts but... me.  This has been going on for about a week, and I'm not sure how or why it happened, but I'm working on fixing it.  In the meantime, I have to remember to manually configure my posts to not be for just me.  Because, what in god's name is the point of posting on Facebook if you don't want people to see it.  Online photo storage?  Please.  

Anyway, Merry Late Christmas, Happy Current Hanukkah, Yay for belated yule, that Kwanzaa thing, and have a great day, kids.  

Doxieone

Zena

Food Addict Official

Just a Click

Kitsch Me Up and Urban My Outfitters

Call me a hipster, call me what you like... but I really love Urban Outfitters.  True, they sometimes stock some bizarre things, but they offer delightfully trendy and fairly high-quality clothing for decent prices.  Their sales are fantastic.  And, the bizarre things they stock are just... awesome.  They're awesome.  Urban has some really nifty stuff.

I've gotten some excellent pieces of clothing there, and I plan to get many more in the future.  Beyond clothing though, this place has delightful homewares.  Like the company's higher end/ mori girl shop Anthropologie, there are a lot of home goods at Urban that are really lovely and unique.  Little figurines, pretty shaped candles, cups, plates, etc.  We have a neat plum-coloured, tiered side table from them in our apartment that I got for like $35.

  Unlike Anthropologie, they also stock a lot of sassy and "inappropriate" stuff, like party banners with curse words raunchy sayings, sex books, and well, just other tchotchkes that some might deem inappropriate.  This collection of stuff is always fun to look through, just to see what kinds of wacky things they can sell!  Though, you do find a few artistic gems from time to time that aren't really mainstream enough to sell anywhere else.  They also sell cute and funny kitschy items from old cartoons and such, which are generally fun to look at too!

 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Lovely Pretty Times

These times are lovely and pretty for me.  

 Things in life are generally going well- I have no job at the moment, but lots of auditions are coming up and I feel more prepared and excited than ever!  I'm sure I'll book something soon.  Even if I don't, I'm planning to search for a night job when I get back.  Restaurant work sounds very appealing to me.  I know it's very hard, but I've also heard that the pay is generally good, and there are a lot of restaurants I like in New York.  So, once I return, I'll be applying at a whole bunch of them and seeing what happens.  Though I have no experience as a waiter or a hostess, I have worked as an actor and in a box office, and both have to be helpful with that.  It's true that I know how to relate to people at work.  Definitely have messed that up in my personal life before, but professionally, that seems to be something I can add to my skill set.  Basically, I'm just hoping.  I'm hoping that someone wants to hire me and pay me money so I can afford to audition during the day for the jobs I really want.  Not that I don't want a restaurant job, as I said, I do, but an acting job?  Way better. 

 Let's see... other things are good too!  My Etsy shop is up and running with a few more items for sale, and even more are going to be coming.  I haven't actually sold anything yet, but it's only been a few days and the only places I have advertised are here and on Facebook, so I'm quite positive that it will pick up.  Speaking of the store, if you want to purchase a print of any photo that you have seen here on Travel and Toile, in any size, just send me an email at travelandtoile@gmail.com, and I'll list it on the store for you!

Beyond that, oh, right... 

I'M GOING TO FLORIDA TODAY!!!

Yes, that's right.  This afternoon, I'm flying from New York to Miami, staying there for a few days, and then... on to Disney World!  It is rater possible that I could not be more excited.  I packed up last night, and Danny and I made our reservations for restaurants at Disney and such.  So splendid.  In Miami, we'll be staying with one of Danny's college buddies I have been wanting to meet for awhile, so that should be great.  The warm weather, fun and friends all sound appealing right now.  Always, really.

Most importantly, however, (cue cheesy music here), my life is lovely and pretty at the moment because of the amazing people around me.  My family, my boyfriend, and my friends.  The above picture shows part of my family sitting down for a meal on Christmas day- my Mom, Joan Buck, my Dad, Bob Buck, my sister, Julianna, my Grammy, Jean Hillegass, and my Grampop, Jack Hillegass.  Grampop is going into surgery today for his heart, and I'm nervous for him, as I always am for anyone going under a knife.  Even crazier, my Grampa, Bill Buck, is also having surgery today, to fix a herniated disk.  If you read this, and do any kind of praying, or even wishing of happy thoughts, please think of them today.

Thank you!!

All Photographs taken in West Grove, Pennsylvania, USA on Christmas Day

Inspiration Fridays: Lily Cole

She's one of my favourite models.

I've had some people tell me that I look like her... which I take as a huge compliment, because I think she's absolutely adorable. 

She just has such a cute little face, and kind of droopy eyes that give her a very endearing quality.

I don't see the resemblance, actually, but I'm just thankful that people think I might be as lovely as she is!  (I'm not)

I love her modeling, but I think even more than that, I am a fan of the type of work she gets hired to do.  Often, she wears slightly gothic clothing, or things reminiscent of a princess.  This makes me very happy.  Roses, pinup, and lolita are common in her photographs too.  She looks little and cute, yet wears things that are sexual and risque.  I like that.  Young appearance, with a serious edge. 

How Lily Cole portrays herself is the type of person I want to be.  Who she is, I don't really know.  I know very little about her as a person, I just admire her body of work as an artist.

It inspires me.

Home Is Where the Art Is

Some more photos of Stefanie DiStefano's house.  It was a piece of art in itself.  I have a tumblr  inspiration blog, as well as this one, and every view of the house looked like something I would post.  I love art, and I love creativity.  Danny and I recently got a new apartment, and we're planning to decorate it with all kinds of art- our own, and that of others.  But we couldn't compare to this.  

That first photograph is of the house from the street.  I got attacked by a cactus in her front yard, actually.  I was wearing a flippy skirt, and my skirt flipped into the cactus, then back into my leg... which was surprisingly painful.  More annoying, than painful, really.  Hey, now I can say that I battled a cactus.  Totally worth it for the story.

Austin, Texas, USA

So in Love

Strange dear, but true dear

When I'm close to you dear

The stars fill the sky

So in love with you am I

This has to have been one of my favourite centerpieces of all time.  It's from my boyfriend Danny's mother's wedding a month ago.  On ever table, there was a white rose, surrounded by smooth river stones and three pure white candles.  Once the lights were dimmed for the dancing to begin, the centre of each table lit up with beauty.  I loved it, and I hope that you do too!

Loughlin, Nevada, USA

Did this make you want to sing a little old love tune?  Take a look at To Die, To Sleep, and read yourself a little love sonnet.

The Lone Flame

If you have been reading Travel and Toile for a bit, you will probably have become aware that I really like candles.  If you are new, first of all, welcome!  I hope you like what you see.  Oh, and by the way- I like candles.  Especially these things in churches with the racks full of them.  This one really intrigued me- only one lone candle was burning, and it was burning rather brightly.  Caught my fancy, and my camera lens.

Bath, England, UK

Like this?  Check out Beautiful Disaster.

Only 50p

I've said before how I love to see these in churches.  The candles all burning, glowing for one particular saint, or god in general. 

But, oh..... well..... This one seems to be having a little issue.  It's out.  And it's only 50p!  

...Cheapskates.

Oxford, England, UK

Like this?  Well, you can see a fully lit one of these called I Pray the Lord my Soul to Keep.

I Pray the Lord my Soul to Keep

Candles of worship in Westminster Cathedral.  I love candles- and I always, always get suckered in by these big stands of them in churches.  There is something weirdly magical about it.  All of that flickering fire burning, like the hopes and dreams in the hearts of the people who have lit them.  I find it to be very humbling.

London, England, UK

If you like this, then you will definitely like St. Michael Melting.

To Die, To Sleep

William Shakespeare's Grave

Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, UK

If you are a Shakespeare buff, like yours truly, you'll also like Magpie.

St. Michael Melting

Sorry, that wasn't meant to be sacriligeous.

It's a candle burning for St. Michael that happens to be melting.  Along with the nose of this image.

Brussels/ Bruxelles, Belgium

This photograph goes pretty nicely with Enchantment to me.  They don't really have much to do with one another, but something tells me that if you like this, you'll like that one.

Late Dinner

Taken in the kitchens at Hampton Court Palace

Just a note: the meat is very fake.  I'm a vegetarian.  It was a display set up to look like a Tudor era kitchen.  Pretty rad.

Hampton Court, London, England, UK

Enjoy this photograph?  Well, then I suggest having some Tea after dinner.  Maybe after that, we can go Window Shopping.

Better than Candles

A House with Pinwheels in the Windows

Geneva, Switzerland

Like this?  Well, then you will probably like Enchantment, The Windmills in my Mind, and Baubles.

Really like this?  Purchase this photograph here.