beautiful places || seattle

High rises pierce the cloudy overlay of a grey cotton sky, surrounding the landmark Space Needle like a matchstick frame. Surrounded by water and white sailboats and filled to the brim with open-air markets, serene viewpoints, and quaint homes, the city is beautiful, stately, busy—it is Seattle.

We girls took a visit to Washington this last weekend to attend the yearly Christian Heritage Conference. It was a refreshing time of learning new truths and having time with old friends, reuniting with best friends, meeting new friends, and simply enjoying a time away. The conference was not far from Seattle, and so on our extra day in the neighborhood we spent some time walking about in beautiful places.

I can’t claim to love the city, but a day amidst skyscrapers and hedges and little cafes tucked behind flower markets always promises to be a lovely one. We climbed a hill overlooking the city and ate our picnic lunch there, enjoying the cool and watching water planes land amidst the sailboats. How odd they are—droning in with their big boat-like gliders, barley missing the boats and skimming across the water just as calmly as you please. I don’t think I could ever get up the courage to pilot one.

After lunch we meandered through the uptown, past lonely benches and the pretty scene of an organic store’s market. I have always loved the handwriting on those flower and vegetable labels—all swirly and whimsy. Handwriting is so distinct, such a part of who someone is. It saddens me to hear that schools will no longer be teaching penmanship as education in the coming years. Print and type has replaced what will soon be a forgotten art. I, for one, will teach cursive to my children. I really can’t imagine living without it, silly as it seems.

For one last adventure, we drove up to the Queen’s Street viewpoint to eat Thin Mints and raspberry Popsicles. Simple treats, yet extremely satisfying [who could have guessed that Girl Scout Cookies could be so delectable?]. I could see the city stretching out before us in the hazy distance, the clouds melting like golden marshmallows as the sun peeked through.

Beautiful places /// Seattle. 

xo,

lucia 

enchanted heart. // a photoshoot

^ Linking this photo, "Enchanted Heart," up to:

..and just for fun:

"Darling Herbert finally wrote!"

He. He. He. I think this ^ charming young man--we aren't quite sure who he is--is long passed from this world. Sad. It could have been such a match...;]

>>> 

This photoshoot was pretty much all whim + last minute creativity-ness (um, yes, not a word, but the book of blogging says you are allowed to make up your own words in times of need for expression. trust me on this.). Not to mention a little bit of work. I had this idea, and then a few more ideas, and then I decided I would go ahead and see if it all would turn out how my brain was picturing it. 

I cut out hearts. I hung them in a tree. I found a white wicker chair. I grabbed our antique mirror. I grabbed a frame.Olivia, my ever-faithful model, donned her best dress with our white bridal skirt beneath it (Goodwill = win). 

And off we went.  

Let's just say that the result was not what I expected, but at the same time the result was better than I expected. For those of you who were expecting an engagement shoot when I said "Valentine's Photoshoot," I certainly hope you weren't disappointed...and I hope to bring you an engagement shoot someday. :) 

But...sigh. I think I've found my photography niche somewhere between enchanted-ness and softness  and filtered pinks. What say you? 

Happy Love Day, friends. Now go spread some. 

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go 

I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I was enchanted to meet you too. 

  owl city + taylor swift // enchanted




all photos copyright 2012 lucia marie // please do not use without permission. 

the doll house | guest post by sonja

My sister's doll house is a beauty--full of delectable dainties, creative notions, and oh-dear-I-can't-believe-she-made-that loveables.

It is home to 6 little girls and their many pets--5 to be exact (3 dogs, 1 lamb, and 1 cat).

I'm serious. 


Interested in a tour?

The doll house is painted a lovely summer orange and trimmed in white and brown. Shutters, window boxes, and a white wrap-around-porch adorn the outside.

(tip: mouse-over to see downstairs!)

The house is three stories tall. At the tipity-top is the attic which currently houses all ongoing and future projects. It is also littered with summer garden tools, vegetables from the autumn garden harvest, and spare furniture.

Down below are two rooms--a bedroom and the drawing room. And below that, down a second flight of stairs, is the kitchen and parlor.

Homemade suitcases sit on the porch waiting for an adventure. Ingeniously crafted out of old dental wax cases (those of you who have had braces know what I'm talking about), wrapped in canvas and embellished with leather, these little beauties are just a few of the many handmade items inside the doll house.

The walls and porch railing are a pure white. Natural wood furniture decorates the doll house with rustic charm.

Outside 'round the side of the partial wrap-around-porch is a clothes line strung up to dry the hand washed linens.

Paper crocuses fill the window boxes giving the appearance of spring year-round. And the kitchen is full of homemade salt dough creations.

This doll house will hopefully remain in our family for many years to come; thus allowing the next generation of little homemakers to come along and run their own home. 

Doll houses really are splendid things. Don't you agree? 


Do you have a doll house? Or perhaps did you grow up with one?

Much Love Dearies,

Sonja

 
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who am I?

I'm Sonja--a country girl at heart and lover of all things beautiful. I'm a self proclaimed passionate optimistic life-enthusiast and can usually be found with a camera in hand. I write about my faith, life, and family at my blog Girlish Musings.

blog//etsy//e-mail

ghiradelli, beethoven, and old books.

So, I am officially off of my sweet-free challenge.

It is a good feeling.

I had berry cobler and vanilla ice cream yesterday, and with no guilt I just had a handful of Ghiradelli chocolate chips. ...Ooh, those things are amazing. The absolute best chocolate chips I have ever had--and that's sayin' something. ;)  But, I've promised myself that I will exert some self-control, and change my old "it's-sweet-I-want-it-and-I'll-eat-all-I-can-manage" ways. o.O

Okay, I wan't that bad...

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This Saturday morning, it being gloomy and wet out {and yesterday is was 75 degrees!}, after the completion of weekend chores and mapping out what is left of my schoolwork to be done, I sat down at my piano and plunked out a few dreary notes. Don't get me wrong--I like rain. Love it, actually. I just wanted to echo the mood. :] So, I plunked out a few dreary notes...and decided out of the blue to play every single piece by Ludwig van Beethoven that I own. Yes, a Beethoven marathon. Opus 1 thru 22, Sonata 15, and 22, and 34...the list goes on. It was actually strangely enjoyable, though classical music can become a bit of a drag if you play too much of it. :]

..Thus, the whole morning passed away. Perhaps Bach, tomorrow? ♫

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Lately, old books have been my passion. The ones that we've had for years; the ones great-grandma read when she was a child...I've gotten them out to sniff them and read. Sniff them, because the smell of old books is one of the most wonderful smells in the world {providing you haven't spilled water upon them and left them in the attic. That is by no means a romantic smell}. And the way old books speak--the way their authors and authoresses write. It refreshes me, somehow, to breathe in their innocence and charm.

One of my never-fading dreams is to someday stand in one of those huge collector's libraries, surrounded by the delicious musty, leathery oder of antique novels. Complete with the attached rolling ladder. ♥


..A swivel staircase would suffice, too. :]

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Speaking of chocolate and music {are we?}, I leave you with a quote and two photos which I find immensly delightful.

"Too much of a good thing can be
...wonderful."
~Mae West

~ ...Blessings, friends. May the Lord keep you. ~


all above photos via..guess. yup, weheartit.com.

The Grande Ball~

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"Let us read and let us dance -

two amusements that will never do any harm to the world."

- Voltaire

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..Before I proceed any further in this post, let me forwarn you: horrible picture quality, and few photos. Unfortunatley, our "good" camera had to break the week before the ball; thus, we were left with one that doesn't focus unless the flash is used. Also, there was simply no time for pictures...only dancing. ;) The night was far too short, and I barely had time to talk at all with those who I had been wanting to see! :/ Nevertheless, it was still a grand time, and I will treasure these memories always.

---

The Count of Monte Cristo Ball was heavenly, as expected. ;)

..We began to "get ready" around 2:00 p.m. Our friend Christina, who was also attending, came by, and we all did our hair/got dressed.

{The finished dress, at last!}

..Can you believe that this ^^ is the best I could do??! Just one sentence: short on time. I promise better quality pictures of my dress at a later date, but for now, this will have to do. It was 12:30 a.m., we had just gotten home, no one was around..ugg. I hate resorting to self-taken photos, but it was a must. :] But, yes, that is the dress. I decided on a mint green sash..it was all flowy and nice, just the way I like a sash to be. Ooh..please don't laugh at this next picture's EXTREMELY awful picture quality. *Told* you the camera doesn't focus..

{My regency bun}

..It looked better in real life. I promise. o.O

---

We met at the C.'s house for carpooling, which was also where Michaela and Anna were staying. :] It was delightful to at last meet them, and have at least an hour in the car to talk/get to know them a little more. Sadly, we got a little lost on the roads and missed a part of the ball, but it was still fun going through pretty countryside and hearing the two sisters serenade us with "Les Miserables" ballades. ;)

{The Grande Ballroom}

..Just a little {*ahem*..fuzzy..} glimpse of the ballroom--I shot this quickly when we first arrived. Isn't it prettily decorated? I just love the pillars! <3

{Taniel and I}

A sweet friend, "Miss Eyebright" (Taniel), met for a few moments...she and her family didn't attend the ball, but stopped by to say "hello!" I wish we could've talked longer! :(

{Olivia, me, Shelbe}

{Michaela, me, Anna, and Olivia}

..The dance, in itself, was wonderful. I never realized how very much I enjoyed dancing, until we began to attend these balls! Especially the last one, which was Irish--entitled, "Marie's Wedding." It was so bouncy, and happy, and....delicious! ;)

---

I also met another young lady, Miss Hadley, whom I unfortunatley did not get a photo with, but whom I enjoyed very much, indeed. We did a little swing dancing together..imitation swing dancing, more like. ;) It was silly, but fun. I just love being silly sometimes..I can't help myself! And I cannot wait for the next ball...

*Newly Added!*

..A video of the lovely ball. Filming credit goes to D. Sauble.

More than a Fairytale?

Cinderella: commoner made princess.

Kate Middleton: commoner made princess.



...who says they shouldn't make the most of it? ;)

~~

Sometimes dreams become reality.