Impromptu Life and Luna Moth Wings

 

Lately I've been taking a breather and planning my work schedule as I see fit, which has been a bit nice to say the least. I went for a short nature walk on my parents' farm and found this tattered luna moth wing. A luna moth features prominently in one of my stories and they seem so other worldly to me.

 

While working at home my mom showed up on my doorstep and offered to take me to get a haircut, lunch and a little impromptu thrifting. How could I refuse, we went to two of our usual jaunts and they did not disappoint. All in all I think I spent under $12. You can see all my wears in my Etsy shop! coleblk.etsy.com

 

I even found this, its from the 40s or 50s, the backing is a butterfly wing and the the glass is painted on the inside with an island scene.

Memorable Days

 

It's been a doozy of a month, for those of you who do not know, I was laid off from my job a few weeks ago and Numéro magazine is coming to a close after 7 years. It's sad to see it go, I've been through several waves of emotion over the last few weeks but overall I'm excited for what lies ahead, but I wouldn't have traded all of the priceless experience and relationships that I've formed over my time there. I updated my portfolio site, check it out!! www.NicoleBlackburn.com. This past weekend Carrie and I from Swanky Lady Vintage did some trip planning for our ultimate thrifting road trip coming up next week! I made yet another recipe from the orange book, Tuna and Artichoke pasta  - seriously delicious, and Carrie made nutty hummus! 

 

Memorial Day I woke up early and joined my dad for Mass in old St. Patrick's Cemetery, the oldest still in use Catholic church in Illinois. Very small but very cool. Our hearts go out to all those who have lived and died for our spiritual and physical freedoms! Dad also surprised me and took me for breakfast at the Jubilee Cafe where most of the patrons have white hair and the waitress has teased hair and long fake nails and there's a case of pies when you walk in the door.

 

It has been the wettest year, storming or deluging every day for like a week and there's more to come. But the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping like crazy. Mom had me down for dinner and cooked corn on the cob, burgers, potatoes and deviled eggs! 

I love my Mother...

I love my Mother, she is the epitome of generosity and she has the finder power to boot. She can't resist picking up things or giving people oddities from her own personal collections. Almost every time I visit home or she stops by she drops something off. Yes. The big-eyed cat, owls, locket and bracelet were left on my counter just the other night. The chair, well she took me to Teen Challenge, this hole in the wall thrift locale where if nothing is priced then you name it. I got this awesomely ugly chair for $5 and I've been nearly unable to bring myself to sit in it but I couldn't help but like the form. It's my fixer upper project of the month, and it's nearly done, just wait until you see the transformation!!!! I will definitely be sitting in it now :) Let's turn this Ethel into Edna Mode.