The good, the bad, and the ugly.  This seems to always describe my summer perfectly.  This summer was full of kittens, sewing, a fabulous wedding, and a parting of ways.

Although I had a busy summer – that did not include any tanning (sorry porcelain skin BriLanna) – I am really excited to get Fall underway.  Why you may ask?  Well…..  For one my sewing skills are really starting to blossom into lots of little home crafts, some gifts for friends, and ultimately a vintage Vogue coat – I’m going to start the muslin prep for that next week!  Also I’m getting to head to a knitting retreat in November!  I have been trying to figure out what I can bring to work on for such a fun event.  Plus I get to go with my mom so we will have a fun mothers-daughters knitfest.

The most exciting news is that I get to go to Thailand to visit my little sister who is currently studying abroad there.  I CANNOT wait to get over there!  It’s been a fantasy for many years to visit and now I have the wonderful opportunity to do so!

But a close second is that I will soon be volunteering with a wonderful organization here in Chicago called Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.  They do wonderful things for seniors that have become isolated and not social.  The events and schedules look like a BLAST!  Plus I have chosen to be ‘matched’ with a senior to visit in their home.  Obviously, anyone that knows me, knows that I grew up ‘visiting’ with seniors so this will be a real treat for me.  I really miss the perspective, honesty, and love that elderly people bring to my life.  Being relatively isolated myself here in Chicago (aside from crafts/the ugly tribe/work/and hobbies) I am really looking forward to having a new social scene.

What else can I tell you about my summer?  Well I have been listening to some great (in my opinion music) Ellie Goulding (a longtime fan of hers), Birdy, Lykke Li, Lana Del Rey, and my new FAVORITE Oh Land.

Also this weekend I have planned a trip to Milwaukee for a Tattoo Exhibit, an educational how-to at the Lomography store, and of course seeing the new movie The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

How was everyone’s summer?  I’m glad to be blogging again – sorry I haven’t EVER been consistent – that’s changing too. Details to come.