Books I have purchased but haven't read

“It is likely I will die next to a pile of things I was meaning to read.”

-Lemony Snicket

I have a thing about buying books. I feel for every one I read, I still probably have 5 to read, however I can't seem to stop myself when I wander into a bookstore. 

The books I bought in San Francisco: 

Mr. Fox 

By: Helen Oyeyemi

“Solitary people, these book lovers. I think it's swell that there are people you don't have to worry about when you don't see them for a long time, you don't have to wonder what they do, how they're getting along with themselves. You just know that they're all right, and probably doing something they like.” 
― Helen Oyeyemi, Mr. Fox

Dear Life

By: Alice Munro

“The thing is to be happy,' he said. 'No matter what. Just try that. You can. It gets to be easier and easier. It's nothing to do with circumstances. You wouldn't believe how good it is. Accept everything and then tragedy disappears. Or tragedy lightens, anyway, you're just there, going along easy in the world.” 
― Alice Munro, Dear Life: Stories

“She would live now, not read.” 
― Alice Munro, Dear Life: Stories

Just Kids

By: Patti Smith

“No one expected me. Everything awaited me.” 
― Patti Smith, Just Kids

“What will happen to us?" I asked. "There will always be us," he answered.” 
― Patti Smith, Just Kids

again, it's been too long

why is it so hard to sit down every day and write something? share something? post something? 

19 November 1957

Dear Monsieur Germain,

I let the commotion around me these days subside a bit before speaking to you from the bottom of my heart. I have just been given far too great an honour, one I neither sought nor solicited.

But when I heard the news, my first thought, after my mother, was of you. Without you, without the affectionate hand you extended to the small poor child that I was, without your teaching and example, none of all this would have happened.

I don't make too much of this sort of honour. But at least it gives me the opportunity to tell you what you have been and still are for me, and to assure you that your efforts, your work, and the generous heart you put into it still live in one of your little schoolboys who, despite the years, has never stopped being your grateful pupil. I embrace you with all my heart.

Albert Camus

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2013/11/i-embrace-you-with-all-my-heart.html

November

November comes 

And November goes, 
With the last red berries 
And the first white snows.

With night coming early, 

And dawn coming late, 

And ice in the bucket 

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn 

And the kettles sing, 

And earth sinks to rest 

Until next spring.

-  Elizabeth Coatsworth

Images courtesy of Habitually Chic Blog

Daughter Advice

Initially I thought about advice in general because of this: White Rock Lake Advice

But then I stumbled across this letter from mother to daughter that is comical and give great advice as well. Here are some of my favorite take ways from it and you can read the entire exchange: here

"Just resolve to shine, constantly and steadily, like a warm lamp in the corner, and people will want to move towards you in order to feel happy, and to read things more clearly. "

“Second, always remember that, nine times out of ten, you probably aren’t having a full-on nervous breakdown – you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit. You’d be amazed how easily and repeatedly you can confuse the two. Get a big biscuit tin."

"There are boys out there who look for shining girls; they will stand next to you and say quiet things in your ear that only you can hear and that will slowly drain the joy out of your heart. The books about vampires are true, baby. Drive a stake through their hearts and run away."

"Whenever you can’t think of something to say in a conversation, ask people questions instead. Even if you’re next to a man who collects pre-Seventies screws and bolts, you will probably never have another opportunity to find out so much about pre-Seventies screws and bolts, and you never know when it will be useful." (Might be my favorite one)

“Babyiest, see as many sunrises and sunsets as you can. Run across roads to smell fat roses. Always believe you can change the world – even if it’s only a tiny bit, because every tiny bit needed someone who changed it. Think of yourself as a silver rocket – use loud music as your fuel; books like maps and co-ordinates for how to get there. Host extravagantly, love constantly, dance in comfortable shoes, talk to Daddy and Nancy about me every day and never, ever start smoking. It’s like buying a fun baby dragon that will grow and eventually burn down your f***ing house."

Madewell Fall 2013

I am a huge huge J Crew fan. And by extension of ownership, I always thought I should also like Madewell. And I did, but just not as much as my "beloved" J Crew. But, Fall 2013 is a different story entirely. I don't know if they have stepped it up or perhaps I have just been wanting to dress down but this stuff is gold. So effortlessly cool, thrown together, off the cuff, but then again, you think, that's got to be somewhat calculated. 

Check out the entire lookbook here!