Dusty Pink

Soft, dusty pink is a versatile yet underrated color, even now in late fall. I still miss the dusty pink Peacoat I owned ten years ago-- it was such a great jacket!

Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Andra Heels

Tartans and Family History

I originally wanted to just create a blog post with my favorite plaid items, but I have fallen down a tartan rabbit hole and need to write my way out.

Lately I have been researching my family history and it is so fascinating to trace my family through the years, the different states they lived in, the countries they left, the legacy they created. I am part Scottish, and as such, am part of a few different clans with their own tartans (plaids registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority). My Welsh and Irish family names also have their own tartans, so even if you are not Scottish, but are British, Welsh, Irish or Cornish, you may find your family tartan.
I love that my history can be traced back over centuries and that I am part of a rich cultural tradition.

MacFarlane Hunting Tartan

Here are some fun resources to look at your family tartans:

https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/- Official Tartan Register
http://www.house-of-tartan.scotland.net/ - click on your family name, they list a brief history of that particular tartan, the you can also purchase products made
http://www.scotchcorner.com/tartan-index.html

In general, I am using a couple different resources to learn my family history--

-ask your elders- self explanatory but a few conversations can help get you started in the right direction, and can also illuminate where the details might be sketchy and needs more in depth searching.
-public records - it depends on the state/town and the type of information sought but some documents are available for free and online.
-ancestry.com - I don't pay for it but there is still some info available for free and can help connect family names and locations.
-google books - I found a couple books about local history where my ancestors were mentioned, and thanks to google books I was able to view the passages that mentioned their names. Sometimes .pdf versions might be available on regular old google to read in their entirety.
-findagrave.com - morbid but odds are members of your family were buried at the the same cemetery, or someone may have already linked the various relatives together across different cemeteries. This is how I learned I have some Southern roots, I thought my family only ever lived in Northeast and Midwest!
- websites for your family names - even if none of your close relatives have looked into your family history, odds are one of your distant relatives has already started and can provide info about your extended family and family roots.
-DNA testing- Okay I have not done this but I have been thinking about this for some time. I am a very thoroughly mixed Anglo/Celtic/German blend but am curious to know more exact details. Also, it may help explain a missing piece in my family tree-- my Irish family history is unclear-- I don't know anything other than the surname. Maybe If I can link my DNA to a specific Irish clan that would help?

MacDonald Tartan

I still haven't found the best way to synthesize all the information I am gathering, right now I just save everything in bookmarks or jot a few notes down in my phone. When I figure that out I will update this post.

McFie Tartan

Reason #10000 I am not winning my office's October weightloss challenge...

This blueberry donut from Doughnut Plant! It was definitely the best blueberry donut I've had. Also, their creme brulee doughseed (mini donut) may be the best donut I've ever had!  I visited the Doughnut plant recently with my friend while walking around the Lower East side -- we also picked up and bagels from Russ & Daughters for later and stopped by the Tenement Museum gift shop (we did not book ahead for a tour and they were all booked up, oops). Next time I'm on the LES I plan to actually check out the exhibits/tours with the Tenement Museum and stop by the Pickle Guys... and yes, go back to Doughnut plant for another donut!

Wine Time

Despite wearing a maroon school uniform for many years, I still really like dark red hues (including but not limited to: burgundy, oxblood, wine, etc). They are perfect for fall and winter and go very nicely with my mostly-gray-and-black fall work wardrobe.

I already have a burgundy peplum top and a pair of skinny pants but am thinking of picking up a dress or maybe a bag. Here are a few things that have caught my eye:

Angela & Roi Moa Tote

A perfect all around bag!

BB Dakota Devin Shift Dress by BB Dakota

Jeffrey Campbell + Free People Hierro Heel

Tibi Silk Velvet Cami

Mackage Odilia Leather Sleeve Coat 

(A girl can dream, right?)

Into The Woods -Forest Print Tops

I definitely need a break from the grind... as well as the gray and beige associated with office life. Thankfully, I am going back to one of my favorite places next week-- Hilton Head Island! In the meantime, I am dreaming of the beach, looking at travel photos on Pinterest, and trying to inject a little color into my (lately) drab work wardrobe.

I fell in love with the J.Crew Collection Silk Shell in Jungle as soon as I saw it. I think split necklines work for me and the tropical print is like a wearable vacation (sorry, that sounds ridiculous, but it's true). Plus silk is such a nice, breezy, lightweight fabric. Currently it is on sale! Ahhh so tempting.

This top from H&M is only $40! Doesn't it look more expensive than that? I could wear this to work under a blazer or maybe a black cardigan. Or I could just save it for after work or the weekend.

The below Cotton Jersey Printed Tee from Carven (via The Outnet) is perfect because I won't need a jacket or cardi with it, jersey is soft and easy to care for, and it will look great tucked into tucked into a pencil skirt.

I have some decisions to make!