A Lost Feather

new

2012-03-08T13:27:00.000-05:00

I decided that I need an illustration portfolio. I think it's what I really want to pursue. "think" being the operative word. over the past year and a half i've dabbled in everything from illustration to jewelry to pottery to print making. I think it was a good experiment and now I really feel that illustration is where I want to focus my energy. it feels a bit like a weight off my shoulders.. to at least know what path I want to take instead of having so many optional paths on the table. (of course this doesn't mean that I will quit all the other forms of art I enjoy all together. that would be silly!)

my new portfolio is still being compiled, but i think it will be ready to share soon! For now, just the homepage and some new things I've finished. Finn the Duck Tolling Retriever, Sonny the Golden Retriever, and "The Night Circus" tent as I imagine it.. before they make a movie out of that book. Have you read it? I liked it a lot.

p.s. just rediscovered Norah Jones' album, "The Fall." It is SO good. AHH. So glad I'm listening to it again.

florida in illustrations

2012-03-03T19:55:00.001-05:00

(2/28: happy birthday alexi!)

favorites form around

2012-03-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

The Egg Out West : Skiing this? I'd break multiple bones, but it looks amazing.

Montana Snow Vintage : Some of my favorites from the shop <3

The Lazy Designer : Such an awesome window display at her shop in Italy. I'd like one of everything, please!

florida

2012-03-02T13:31:00.000-05:00

Florida with Matthew, Alexi, Dave, Julia, and Lee. I want to go back.
We had a mix of weather, but of course the last day was perfectly sunny and warm. Clear and calm blue water, Pelicans flying overhead.. I'm ready to go back now.

a postcard of sorts

2012-02-25T06:10:00.001-05:00

:) have a good weekend.

sketch

2012-02-24T18:54:00.001-05:00

My sketchbook has been getting a lot of action lately. I'm really into pet portraits right now. I've whipped up 3 in the past 2 days and I can't wait to send them off to their new owners. (Except for the portrait of Boo above.. that is mine, of course!)

Speaking of Boo..these little monsters have been running a muck. Boo is loving that his 2 fluffy little girlfriends have been over to visit. I'm puppysitting them right now. It's so cute to watch them all play together.

studio

2012-02-21T09:41:00.001-05:00

This has been a looong time coming. I have been working all over the place, but now I finally have a work space of my own. I'm still adding artwork to some of the frames, but it's getting there. So far I have some prints by Picasso, myself, Sarah Ogren, Emily Martin, and.. yup.. I need to get myself some more artwork!

new work and process

2012-02-20T20:24:00.000-05:00

"Reading Nook" - Pencil on7 x7in Bristol

process:

I was happily surprised to find a bunch of images on my iPhone of the progress of my newest drawing. I really don't even remember snapping them, but they pretty much show my thought process and the order in which I added each element.

The layout for this image came to me as I drew. I knew I wanted to draw wallpaper, but other than that, my pencil told me what to do. The painting above the fireplace took the most thought. I couldn't think of what to put there since it would only be the bottom half of an image. Finally, after much deliberation I drew the sun setting behind a forest. Human faces are my biggest challenge, so I always save those for last.

I'm really happy with the way this drawing came out. I haven't spent this much time on one piece in a while and it felt good.. to really work on something.

wall

2012-02-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to start working on a new project with this girl. It's going to be goooood.

I'm also excited to finally start hanging artwork and photos on the only wall in my studio that is flat.

While I'm at it.. I'm allllso excited to see some friends for dinner in manhattan tonight, finish a huge order that's been in progress for a while, and go to florida in less than 2 weeks. Yessss.

{ some } loves

2012-02-13T14:01:00.000-05:00

as seen on my iphone { instagram to be specific }

instagram: @alostfeather

this seemed like a fitting post since tomorrow is Valentine's day and all..

i love matthew, snowy beaches, montauk, making things, my guitar, shoes, boo radley, birds, sunsets, harry potter and harry potter paraphernalia, sleeping in, dogs, my family, and my friends.

p.s. fact. an old boyfriend once took me to taco bell for dinner on valentine's day. i'm even embarrassed to admit that happened. woof.

a collection of natural things

2012-02-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

3b pencil on bristol

This was my Wednesday evening.

Time for Modern Family (yesss!) and since I recorded it I can speed through the obnoxious commercials (yesss! again)

us

2012-02-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

black & white acrylic on 12x16in canvas

This was one of the Christmas presents I made for Matthew. Our trip to Yosemite on canvas.

work

2012-02-06T20:51:00.000-05:00

Today was dedicated to worrying and working.
Worrying about work and working on work.

I'm in the process of setting up an online photo portfolio.. these are some of the images I edited today.

Any other self employed artists / designers / photographers / etc find themselves worrying way too much about "the next gig" or feeling like "ahhh I can't handle this" ?? I've been having a tough time lately. Ick.

yosemite terrain

2012-02-04T13:02:00.001-05:00

photos from our trip last summer to
Yosemite National Park

Kate & Marissa

2012-02-03T09:50:00.001-05:00

from our hiking trip this past summer.
Shenandoah National Park, VA

Melanie

2012-02-02T09:09:00.000-05:00

following Mel home from the beach.
Amelia Island, Florida

blue skies

2012-02-01T09:21:00.002-05:00

i'm beginning to wonder if we can make it to spring with only 2 days of snow. we'll probably have a blizzard since i said that.

the coastline

2012-01-31T09:55:00.000-05:00

rocky shores and crashing waves.

i think that large cement structure in the first photo is a gun turret from world war I or II.. anyone know for sure? i couldn't find anything online about it other than 1 solitary photo that was called "gun turret." it's in Montauk, NY at the lighthouse.

in a kingdom by the sea

2012-01-30T16:31:00.001-05:00

off the coast of Amelia Island, Florida.

And the winner of the Payton Woodcraft Jewelry Design giveaway is the 29th comment.. Dorothy!
Thank you to everyone who entered.

what we find in the sea

2012-01-30T01:07:00.006-05:00

a view of the ocean from the edge of a 50ft bluff. a short hike in a thick maritime forest. the warm sun on our
winter-coat-covered shoulders. and harbor seals that swam south for the winter.

(p.s. I completely redid my blog design.. if you're in google reader or reading by e-mail you can check it out here:www.alostfeather.blogspot.com )

a postcard of sorts

2012-01-28T10:09:00.003-05:00

I've been traveling out to Montauk more frequently and it feels really wonderful. I've spent more time there in the last 3 months than I did in all of 2011. I've been branching out.. always visiting my favorite spots, but looking for new ones as well. It's fun to find new places- hidden trails, high bluffs, little restaurants- in a town I thought I knew so well.

I wonder what I'll find this time.
Have a fun weekend!

Favorites from around II

2012-01-27T09:07:00.001-05:00

This is a lovely compilation of images that I've pulled from the pages of my sponsors. I've poured through their gorgeous photos, bright ideas and thoughts on life. These are my favorite images from that journey.

Yellow Finch Designs by Elizabeth

Native Moss by Keri

Girl Who Scraps by Krystal

Lost Cabin Vintage by Toni

Cupcake Earthquake by Jodi

Can Soup Lover by Julie

Eternal Optimist by Ly

((If you're interested in being a sponsor for February you can check out the info right here.))

dreamlike photos

2012-01-26T16:44:00.003-05:00

I love photography. In all of it's forms.. digital, iPhone, film.. I can't get enough. I finally uploaded most of my photos form my iPhone into my computer yesterday.. it took hours. I had 6,984 photos stored on the poor thing.. I've only had my iPhone for 11 months.

Anyway, I wanted to take the time to answer the questions I've received about how I edit my photos. I either use instagram (on my iPhone) or Photoshop. When my photos are cropped to a square that's instagram.. any other shape is Photoshop. ...

Instagram: @alostfeather

Depth of Field:
I really love for my photos to have a dreamlike quality.. for them to look like memories since that's what they are after all. Whether I'm using instagram or photoshop one thing I almost always do is blur the edges of the photo. If I'm using instagram the blurring stops there, but in photoshop I will sometimes blur the background a bit more. Just slightly.. I don't like for there to be an obvious line between the blurred and non-blurred areas.

When it comes to colors:
-My favorite filters in instagram are aramo, rise, walden and valencia.
-In Photoshop I generally lower the contrast of the image and apply a screen of a light color like pale pink or orange.

Lighting:
For my style of photography it's important to shoot in natural light and at a time when the sun isn't super strong.

Back in May I wrote a post with a bunch of photo tips. Maybe you'll find that helpful, too!
A Lost Feather Photography: 10 Tips

********Oh! Also.. the lovely Janette from Janette the Jongleur is hosting "the Blogscars".. like the oscars, get it? hehe.. anyway.. she nominated me for a few awards- so sweet. I found a bunch of new (to me) and awesome blogs on her list of nominees! You can check them out and vote here, if you like !

Here is the photo category :)

BEST PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHY/PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTENT » ProProfs Polls
Tags : blog

on the rocks

2012-01-26T08:53:00.001-05:00

The rocks by the lighthouse. The place I take all of my Montauk visitors. I absolutely love being out there.. watching the waves crash mere feet away, the smell of the ocean surrounding us. It doesn't get much better. Even when it's cold and we need gloves, hats, and scarves.

Also, if you were wondering.. you can feel totally free to go surfing out by the lighthouse.. but only in the dead of winter. We enjoyed that sign.

1 year

2012-01-25T14:02:00.002-05:00

This blog has been live for 1 year as of January 19th. That was fast.

At first I wasn't really sure what the focus was going to be. I tried keeping to something of a schedule- writing weekly themed posts and sharing pretty things I found online, but let's be serious. I am miserable at sticking to schedules and when it comes to sharing awesome online finds? I'm not even a good pinterester (although I do really love the idea of it.)

Sometimes I write for miles, but more often I just flood the place with photos.

Sometimes they're photos I spend hours setting up for..

but more often they're photos I just manage to catch..

I like documenting. I like sharing. I like making and I like remembering. I think I'm going to continue the way I've been going.. which is no way in particular. With the flow I suppose.

I'm reminding myself of a "free spirit" as I write this. I would be honored to be considered a free spirit, although I'm not so sure I am.. maybe I am? I don't know. Someone did call me granola once and I was so excited. Granola.. "someone who loves the outdoors and constantly does activities in it." Thank you urban dictionary for that enlightening bit if wisdom.

Yup.. this is probably why I usually stick to my photos and not so much my writing.

I was always really good at writing "random streams of consciousness." Ha. I remember learning about that in school.. they never should have mentioned it because I've convinced myself it's proper writing.. since I learned it in school and all. Oh well. I also remember capillary action. And that Lebanon was once owned by France. Shoot, I think that's it.

No, I must remember more.. I just need to be prompted.. like in a trivia game or something.
Yes. That's it.

I have no idea how my blog's birthday got me writing about capillary action. Actually, I do.. because I can reread my thoughts.. see? Remembering. My reason for blogging. It's such a nice thing.

Giveaway from PWJD- Closed

2012-01-25T09:09:00.002-05:00

Closed******

It's time for a giveaway from one of my very lovely sponsors!

The gorgeous Brown Zen Braided Leather Wrap Bracelet and the Single White Skinny Bracelet by Payton Woodcraft Jewelry Design will go to the lucky winner of this giveaway!

Each bracelet is beautifully crafted and I love the rustic look of the leather combined with the charms. They are so easy to wear and go with everything. Plus, they are just adorable. See??

To enter this giveaway:

1. "Like" Payton Woodcraft Jewelry Design on Facebook
2. Checkout the Shop and tell me which is your faaaavorite piece (please leave your e-mail address in the comment)

Extra (Optional) Entries:

1. Follow PWJD on Pinterest and enter (comment) 1 more time
2. Tweet about this giveaway with this line:
" Leather Bracelet Giveaway by PWJD on @alostfeather 's blog! http://www.alostfeather.blogspot.com " and enter (comment) 2 more times.
3. Blog about this giveaway with the link to this post and enter (comment) 3 more times.

The Winner will be selected with a random number generator and announced on Monday January, 30.
Good luck!

like being with a friend

2012-01-23T17:00:00.001-05:00

Cait, Niki and I went on a couple of short hikes on Friday. We met a local dog on the trail and after searching for a name on his collar with no luck we decided to call him "Wiley" pronounced Why-Ley. The name, to us, means "Wild Riley" because Cait has a dog named Riley who loves to lead our hikes. We found this dog in the middle of nowhere so we decided he must be Wild Riley.. Wiley.

He was sweet and it was as if he was waiting for us to arrive to start the trek. I discovered this particular trail back in November with my cousin, so I knew where I wanted to go.. but if I hadn't found it and we blindly followed Wiley he would have given us a really nice surprise. I love the views from this trail.. high bluffs over the ocean.

I'm glad we got that one day of outdoor activity in before the snow arrived the next morning. Montauk is really pretty in the snow, but I prefer my feet to be dry on a non-slippery ground.

hello winter

2012-01-23T15:34:00.001-05:00

I think winter is here. I spent the weekend out in Montauk with 3 of my best friends and we woke up to a blizzard on Saturday morning. I guess a more accurate statement would be that I woke up to a blizzard on Saturday morning and then ran around happily announcing that there was a blizzard outside. I think the weather knew we were getting together and wanted to remind us of our college days up in Rochester, NY.. one of the snowiest cities in the country.

We only ventured outside to pick up some groceries, winter hats, and to take silly pictures down by the ocean. Then we bundled up and watched some movies and played trivia games. Yes, definitely reminiscent of our college experience.

the walk to the beach

2012-01-20T09:53:00.005-05:00

Mel and I walked to the beach almost everyday while we were visiting her parents in Florida. It's about a 10 minute walk from their front door under a canopy of live oaks and Spanish moss. We would stroll down to the water with our towels, sunglasses and books and read and walk around looking for shells. I usually can't go to the beach and just hang out.. I get bored, but this was different. Maybe because it was 70 degrees instead of 100 and there were tons of different kinds of birds to watch and photograph. We got to know the birds pretty well and we would go back to the house with descriptions of seagull-like birds for Mel's dad to identify for us.

I could definitely get used to life on Amelia Island. Now if I could just convince everyone I love to move there with me.. that would be perfect.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

2012-01-19T12:11:00.000-05:00

This might be slightly dramatic, but.. dreams really do come true!

Mel and I woke up at 5am on Sunday morning to head 3 hours down to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Our excitement far overshadowed the fact that the stars were still out and we only slept for a few hours. We chatted, sang and occasionally squealed (ok, fine- that was just me) the entire way down to Orlando.

The park was everything I'd hoped it would be. Both Mel and Matthew had voiced their concern that I might have had absurdly high expectations and were worried that I might be disappointed, but I was not. I mean. A theme park devoted to Harry Potter.. where's bad? How could I possibly be disappointed? I build up everything in my mind and am rarely ever disappointed. I don't allow it.

Once we made it into the park we hopped on a big green roller coaster to kick the day off and then found our way to Harry Potter. I still can't believe how detailed the park was. It felt like nothing was left out.. every corner of the place had some reference to the books and movies.

We had fish and chips in the Three Broomsticks along with a large glass of butterbeer (which was phenomenal, by the way.) We walked through Hogsmeade and shopped in little stores like Zonkos and Honeydukes. We road the dragon roller coaster and the half ride half virtual reality type thing in Hogwarts. I want to go back. Badly.

Mel was suuuuuch a good friend to make the trip with me. She really did it for me because she isn't the diehard Potter fan that I am. She did love it though, which is great. Plus, I went on not 1, but 2 roller coasters with her.. screaming before the cars even went over the first drop.. I'm so embarrassing.

to the beach

2012-01-13T20:46:00.000-05:00

It's been a nice few days in sunny Florida. Oh, yes it has. I don't mind the 70 degree weather or the swaying palm trees, the balmy-sweet smelling air or the sand in my shoes. I don't even mind the slight sunburn I acquired yesterday afternoon.

I especially don't mind spending all this time with Mel and her family.

Florida has a very specific smell. It brings back memories of family vacations. Trips to Disney World and Epcot Center. Riding Space Mountain and crying on Splash Mountain. Watching the parades in Magic Kingdom and going to dinner at that restaurant that spins ever so slowly.

It's amazing how strongly a scent can recall a memory, isn't it?

Today

2012-01-10T22:57:00.001-05:00

instagram: @alostfeather

How difficult is it to sit in the window seat of an airplane and not take an "out the airplane window" photo? It's pretty impossible.. for me, anyway. I took about 20 today. I mean, how often do you find yourself 30 thousand feet above the ground? Not all that often, right? Right. Photos must be taken.

Plus, instagram lets you save a photo with a filter even when you put your iPhone on airplane mode!

So good.

There were plenty of pretty things to photograph today in Florida, but I think I'll actually do that over the next few days. My favorite moment of the day was the one above.. Mel and Sonny saying "hello" after a long time apart.

a postcard of sorts

2012-01-10T07:02:00.005-05:00

A somewhat last minute early morning flight to Florida.
A large cup of coffee.
A seat next to one of my favorite people on the planet.
Not to bad, not to bad.

(I'll just try to ignore the part about being terrified of flying)

I'm so looking forward to this time I'll be spending with my friend, Mel, and her family.. including her dog, Sonny, who I haven't seen since college. I don't really know what we'll be doing down in Florida, but I'm hoping a Segway tour might happen. Oh yes. That would be good.

sunshine & clams

2012-01-08T12:46:00.000-05:00

Last night after Matt and I got back from the city I fell asleep for 2 hours. There's construction going on in the subways and it seemed like every last train was out of service, so we walked everywhere. We figured out that we walked for about 4 hours in all and the last bit of it was about 40 blocks in a row.

We really enjoyed the walking as it was the most beautiful 60 degree January day- record highs according to the weather lady. It felt like spring and I wore a light jacket which I carried most of the time.

Ok, listen up.. if you find yourself in Manhattan make your way down to Otto, a pizzeria owned by Mario Batali. It is so good. We stopped in for lunch and had Gaeta, Scilian and Alfonso olives, artichokes alla romana salad, and vongole pizza which has clams, garlic and mozzarella. We had the kind of meal that causes every passerby to take a second, longing, look.

We also stopped in Uniqlo; a Japanese clothing store that's made its way to Manhattan.. I think you would really like it; a very fancy suit store; Lord 'n Taylor; and Barnes and Noble so I could pick up a few things including "the Hunger Games," finally. I've been meaning to buy it after reading about 892835 blog posts about how great the books are! You all sold me! I plan on starting it this coming week.

Ah it's Sunday already. That is silly. I have to do a ton of stuff before I leave tomorrow for Connecticut.. and Boston. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

a postcard of sorts

2012-01-07T11:00:00.005-05:00

A few summers ago I had to meet with one of my vendors (at my old job) in the Manhattan office. He was from San Diego and he was super nice, calm, and laid back.. exactly how I imagine people from San Diego to be. We were breaking for lunch and stood by the floor to ceiling windows staring down at the busy streets 40 something floors below. He was telling me about about the San Diego wildlife.. I can't remember if it was actual wildlife or the kind you find at the zoo, but whatever the case was it prompted me to say "you make it sound like a jungle." And he looked at me and pointed outside and said "I don't live in a jungle, Sarah.. you do. The concrete jungle." And he looked scared.

It was hilarious and possibly a "you had to be there moment." Whenever I hear the phrase "concrete jungle," I think of him and his comical look of fear. I wonder what he's up to now.. nice guy.

Happy Weekend!

p.s. thank you for all of your comments on my last post. I was so incredibly disheartened after hearing the bit of news that prompted that post and your comments reminded me that there are absolutely good people in the world who have the same concerns I do. Thank you for that.

thoughts on bullying

2012-01-06T18:45:00.000-05:00

Today's sunset really was quite beautiful. I spent most of the day finishing up some new pieces, photographing them, and posting them online while Boo slept by my side or followed me around at my feet. I felt pretty lucky.

Last night I was watching the local news and the reporters were discussing the death of a young girl that took her own life after years and years of bullying. Unfortunately, this story does not stand alone. It was so sad to see photos of this young, pretty girl smiling for the camera and clips of her family- heartbreak strewn across their faces.

The story didn't end there. A facebook page was established in her honor and within days it had been taken over by the most foul and terrifying messages I have ever read. People were/are actually taunting her in her death. I can't even believe my eyes. It's a full on battle between cyber bullies and people with hearts. Good vs. Evil, really. Why facebook will not take the page down is a whole separate issue.

It makes me feel really hopeless that there are people out there that would go even further than petty bullying.. to bully someone after they've died. I can't. It's sick.

That poor girl.. and just as heartbreaking- her family.

I was a victim of bullying when I was younger. I was a happy little 6th grader with lots of friends until 1 morning when the ring leader of the group (my best friend for years) turned everyone against me. My mom was there to bear witness.. it happened at the bus stop. No one talked to me for the rest of the year. Luckily, I found new, real friends who I am still close with today and also luckily for me- middle school came before the internet found it's way into homes or I'm sure it would have been worse.

I think what got me through the silent treatment and taunts was that my family knew about it and had my back. I cried every morning and begged my mom not to make me go to school, but I knew no matter what happened my sister, mom, and dad would be there. I don't know if I would have told my mom if she hadn't seen it herself. I don't think most kids that are bullied talk about it at all.

So I felt lucky today. Lucky that however miserable middle school was, it was 3 years out of my life, and I'm probably stronger for it.

Sadly, I don't see bullying coming to an end. I think there are ways of battling it though. I really don't know how things are being handled in schools today, but kids should be taught how to handle bullying. They should be taught to speak up and talk to someone.. a hotline, something. Silence doesn't solve anything.

I hope that the people out there that are being bullied today have the courage to ask for help.
And I hope help is given.

the little airplane- a ring

2012-01-05T18:17:00.005-05:00

Available as of Today in my Shop!

A few days ago I posted that last photo (with my blue "ray of light" nails) and I got a bunch of questions about my ring. I was pleasantly surprised- it's so nice to get a positive response to something I've made.. so I decided to make a few more for my shop.

So there you have it! "the little airplane" makes his debut!

clips from an adventure .II.

2012-01-04T12:47:00.005-05:00

My cousin, Kate; sister, Marissa; and I traveled down to Shenandoah National Park way back in July. We had an amazing time and tackled one of the hardest hikes any of us have ever done (hey, Old Rag mountain) in 100+ degrees to boot.

While we were there, we used my iPhone to capture some of the memories in motion, but the app I decided to use failed us miserably. The Super 8 app, my friends. To make a long story short, the app locked all of my clips inside the app and I couldn't release them to save my life. I refused to give up and kept hoping Super 8 would put out an upgrade that would solve their bug and finally last month they did. It wasn't perfect- I had to individually e-mail all of my clips to myself to make this film.. all 80 of them. It was worth it.. I'm happy.

Have you been to Shenandoah? I'd love to go back. It was gorgeous and so, so much fun to be there with Kate and Marissa. Just like old times.

((here's another video for National Park fanatics, like myself. Matt and I at Yosemite National Park in June))

a quick trip with my iphone

2012-01-03T21:02:00.002-05:00

instagram: @alostfeather

Yesterday afternoon I watched Manhattan disappear through the side view mirror. We drove out of one city and into another- Philadelphia. Marissa started classes again today, so I took a trip down to Philly with her and my mom- to have her company for a little bit longer and to visit and shop at Wegmans (of course.)

Now that Marissa is back at school I think that means my vacation is over as well. November and December were insane, so I feel like I earned the break!

I hope the end of this vacation means the end of my workout vacation as well. Hm. I saw something on tv last night about how the people that go on "dancing with the stars" work out 8 hours per day.. 8 HOURS in one DAY. I think my body would seriously protest. I guess I've done 8 hour hikes, but that doesn't seem nearly as awful. An 8 hour hike actually sounds wonderful. I wish the idea of hiking in 20 degree weather didn't sound like torture to me. Yes. If I lived closer to the mountains and in a warm climate I would be in amazing shape. Shoot.

birthday boy

2012-01-02T20:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday, Matthew! I can't wait for another birthday year filled with hiking and climbing, travels and giant homemade dinners with appetizers from Arthur Ave., Christmas tree hunting, sunsets at the beach, snowshoeing? please! I really want to go snowshoeing!, and everything in between.

To everyone else, Happy 2012! Here's to a bright and happy year ahead!

((learn how to make your own moving photo here))

Christmas Eve painting

2011-12-30T19:36:00.003-05:00

I used this photo to wish you a Merry Christmas Eve. I loved it so much I decided to paint it. Here is what I came up with:

Marissa, Boo the reindeer and I. black acrylic on 8.5x11 canvas

I'm going to start offering custom paintings like this in my Etsy Shop soon. As soon as I finish a few big orders and have a bit more time to devote to painting. I do miss it though!

Sponsor Spot Giveaway (closed)

2011-12-29T01:09:00.002-05:00

*Closed*
and the winners aaaaaaare:

For the featured ad:

and the Large ad:

Thank you to everyone who entered! Happy New Years Eve!!
--------------

It is the season of giving so.. enter to win a sponsor spot for the month of January! There will be 2 winners.. the first will win the featured spot.. a $25 spot that comes with an optional guest post if you'd like to write one and the 2nd winner will win a large $10 spot.
(more info about sponsor spots here)

If you purchase a spot and then win, I'll refund you, of course! (Same goes for those who have already purchased!)

All you have to do is follow and leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address.

Winners will be drawn with a random number generator.
I'll announce/e-mail the winners on New Years Eve! Yay!

sister had a birthday

2011-12-28T12:57:00.001-05:00

Happy belated birthday to my little/taller sister.. the day after Christmas baby.

city sidewalks on Christmas day

2011-12-27T01:22:00.000-05:00

For the past month my family and I have been laboring under the delusion that Manhattan would be quiet on Christmas day. We were dead wrong. The city was busier than I've seen it in a while, and it's been very busy in my opinion. The only time I've (personally) ever seen more people in Manhattan was when I accidentally turned up in the middle of Rockefeller Center on the very evening of the tree lighting ceremony. Talk about claustrophobia.

Despite the severely packed sidewalks, we had a great time and even found parking on the street.. a first for us because we only take the train (because driving in the city is a straight up nightmare and parking is even worse.. and trains are nice because you don't have to drive them.)

We took a stroll through Central Park, stopped in the Plaza in search of a restroom- fail, glanced at the Bergdorf windows, wandered into one of the Trump buildings and actually found a restroom- thanks mr. trump, stopped in St. Patrick's Cathedral, and then walked over to see the tree.

The tree was a bit fatter than usual, which is great. I love a good fat tree. The rounder the better, really. It was a lot prettier this time than the last time I saw it.. that could be because the darn thing was covered in scaffolding when I was last there at 1am on a chilly November evening.

After seeing the tree we ducked into a little cafe for some hot chocolate although it really wasn't cold enough to warrant a steamy beverage.. 45 degrees on Christmas day when just last year we had a major blizzard the day after Christmas. That's ok though, I'd drink hot chocolate even on a summer day. Actually, I heard that hypothermia can set in even at 50 degrees, so I take back what I said about it not being cold enough for a hot beverage.

And on that note, I think I'll go to sleep! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I loved seeing your Christmasy instagram snaps throughout the day!

Christmas: Past and Present

2011-12-24T19:50:00.000-05:00

Marissa and I decided to pay a tribute to a photo that turned 20 years old this year... cookie, smirk, and all. The only difference is that it's now illegal to take photos in banks, so we had to pick a new location! That, and the fact that Marissa has surpassed me in height. Boo.

Christmas 1991

Christmas 2011

Have a wonderfully merry and peaceful Christmas, everyone!

the atlantic in december

2011-12-23T10:06:00.000-05:00

Driving to the beach with the windows down in late December was pretty strange, but I'm not complaining.

Boo loves running on the sand and Marissa and I were enjoying the warm sun without our winter coats. It is winter now, isn't it? I don't think New York knows that. Please don't tell it. I can deal with trips to the beach mere days before Christmas in 60 degree weather.

Christmas lights

2011-12-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

The Christmas lights are on, presents are being wrapped, cards are being addressed, and the scents of the tree and freshly baked cookies are swirling through the house. I love Christmas.

Matt and I are celebrating Christmas tonight with a fancy dinner and presents.

Until then I'll be making more Etsy orders and snacking on all the chocolate that has magically appeared all over the house. Mmm.

Sponsor in 2012?

2011-12-20T17:49:00.001-05:00

(I was really excited to reuse this photo.. it's one of my favs)

I'm opening A Lost Feather to sponsors in the new year!

E-mail me with questions! alostfeather@gmail.com

Find more info here

favorite adventures from 2011

2011-12-19T21:18:00.000-05:00

I can't believe there are only 12 days left in 2011. It's been a really great year filled with adventures, love and happiness- exactly the things that I wish for everyone in the new year.

Here's a look back at some of the adventures I enjoyed the most <3 Then it's on to Christmas celebrations now that I'm finally caught up with Etsy orders!

i built an igloo all by myself. then i made Marissa hangout with me inside. it was awesome.

enjoyed tea at the plaza with my mom and Maris

celebrated my birthday in Manhattan

got to check out the red carpet at the Tribeca Film Festival (thanks to our tv production friends Niki and Matt!)

met Finn for the first time and spent the weekend with Alexi and Dave in Connecticut

Hiked High Tor in NY

took Boo to the beach even though..

Hiked Black Mountain and saw a black bear

fell in love with Yosemite

celebrated 2 Years by the sea

spent a glorious weekend in Shenandoah

visited with Alexi and stayed up till 4am

painted with light in Candlewood

hiked Mount Taurus and stopped for lunch in one of my favorite NY mountain towns

toured all around Washington DC with Mel

Stood/sat in 3 places at once (ny, ma, ct!)

went apple picking

Carved pumpkins

went for a long walk at the beach

hiked, biked and caught up in Montauk

worked on my "in time" project

went for a lovely november hike

ran in the 5 mile turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning (and actually finished the race)

Now I'm looking forward to cozy evenings by the fire, Christmas carols, and fancy dinners.

Thank you for being amazing 2011!

Christmas Trees

2011-12-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

I really wanted to buy this perfectly round Christmas tree, but Matt and I were on a mission to find a 9ft tree for my parents' house. We could not find a 9ft tree to cut down ourselves so we had to buy one of the already chopped trees.. I guess that's what happens when you try to go cut your own Christmas tree down on Long Island. Apparently, we don't have tall trees? Oh well, we tried.

I really miss that chubby tree! I want to drive back to Huntington to chop it down right now. I have no idea what I'd do with it, but that's ok. How cute is that tree?? AHH.

It was nice to take Sunday off to do some Christmasy things, but I probably won't take another break until after Christmas.. or at least until the last day I can ship Christmas Etsy orders.

Good bye lovely day off.

Hello hammer, metal, pearls, paint, clay and plaques!

Guest Post : Sweet Nothings

2011-12-08T15:23:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much Sarah, for having me guest post on your blog today! And hello to the readers of A Lost Feather! I hope all of you are enjoying a cup of warm hot chocolate on this chilly winter day. I’m Lauren from Sweet Nothings and I am thrilled to be here, as I have been reading A Lost Feather since I first started blogging in August. Today I’m going to share with you all a little bit about myself.

I am engaged to the most perfect man, Brian. We got engaged on August 6^th and we are in the process of planning our wedding. I love him so much and I’m so lucky to be marrying him. If you want to read about our love story you can go here.

I’m an artist and a photographer, and I sell some of my work in my Etsy shop, so feel free to check it out! Photography is one of my biggest passions and it always puts a smile on my face. I also really enjoy painting, usually on canvas.

I love almost everything crafty and have tried multiple DIY projects with many more to go. (Speaking of which, if you like to scrapbook, you can use this code ( STMMMS26826 ) for $20 off the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software. Just go to http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and put the code in at the checkout) Also, if any of you know of some really good DIY wedding ideas, please let me know!

I love spending my time outdoors and visiting new places. Brian and I have taken many trips together, some small, some larger. I love taking new adventures with him and exploring new places. We have a (very) long list of places we want to go to one day, and we are slowly crossing them off.

As I mentioned briefly, I have been blogging since August. I love it so far and I can see myself doing this for a long time. Originally, I started it just to document my life, wedding planning, and to give myself a way to look back in a few years and remember everything happening right now. Since then, it has become much bigger than that. Blogging has given me goals and inspirations and I am so thankful for the readers of my blog.
I'd love it if you all would check out my blog! And thank you again Sarah, for having me guest post today! I hope everybody has a fantastic day!

Guest Post : Our Little Almanac

2011-12-07T12:22:00.000-05:00

Hello fellow fans of A Lost Feather! Isn't Sarah just plain lovely? She is so inspiring. I especially love THIS post of hers. I am honored to be guest posting here today.

I could introduce by stating my name and where I'm from, but that takes us back to the first day of junior high when you are so insecure about yourself that those are the only two things you are sure of. I have blossomed much since those days so here's a bit about me: I hate the crust on bread, I can eat a rittersport in about 1 minute and if practicing patience maybe it'll last two, I'm self conscious of my hips, I'm an organizational nutcase and label everything down to each email in my inbox, I wash all my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, I'm a Sprinkles Cupcakes fanatic, I have 4 ongoing journals to document my uncontrollable brain and wonderful life, my husband and I have a secret language, I'm super frugal but don't like to sacrifice sophistication for tacky and I am a mother to the most beautiful baby girl, Evelyn. I love to write about my experiences as a new mother, our travels far and wide, things I cook, things that I think make me artsy and a whole lot of in-between stuff. And my name is Kendra but my siblings call me Hen. Whew.

So now that the getting-to-know-you is out of the way, how bout we chat about this season that we're entering! Isn't it wonderful? It is so cheerful and cozy. We spent the last 3 years in Los Angeles where the year-round temperature is about 70. We recently relocated to the East and have been loving the brisk nights by the fireside with hot chocolate in hand. Something about the cold weather also makes me more prone to make baked treats for an evening snack. I thought I would share with you all our most favorite easy go-to scrumptious dessert.

Missing Marshmallows

{makes 8}

Ingredients:

refrigerated crescent roll package

1/2 stick melted butter

8 large marshmallows {we only had the mini, which work, but its easier with one large}

1/4 cup cinnamon sugar

Instructions:

1. Unroll crescent rolls on to ungreased baking sheet {I put 4 on a sheet}

2. Dip marshmallows in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar

3. Place single marshmallow on a crescent roll

4. roll dough over the ball so that no marshmallow is showing. This is important. You want to make sure all cracks are sealed

5. bake in oven according to directions on crescent packaging

6. take out of oven and lick your lips over the now oozing caramel from the "missing" marshmallow

7. Enjoy with a glass of milk!

Thanks so much Sarah for having me over! Hope to see you all over here soon! Happy holidays to you all!

Guest Post : Genti Lee

2011-12-06T17:05:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Happy December! I have some lovely guest post lined up for the next few days. Lot's to be done over here.. feels like Santa's workshop! First up is Gentri.. if you don't already know her, you'll love her :)
--------------------------

Hey "A Lost Feather" readers! I am SO excited to be guest posting for Sarah today. She works so hard and is so inspiring, I'm happy to help her out and give her a bloggy break. :)
My name is

And I blog over HERE.
Here's a little about me...
I love adventure, exploring, and trying new things (to a point).

I am a mountain girl- born and raised. This winter I am planning a snow shoeing trip that might just be the death of me... Wish me luck!

I love fashion and unique pieces that make an outfit special.

I sometimes love to craft and share DIY's. But only sometimes... I'm no Sarah.

I also sometimes like to share recipes.

Basically I like to blog about life and all of the fun things I encounter.

I would love to have you stop by sometime and say Hello! :)
Love,
Gentri

Let's chat, shall we?

2011-11-29T20:20:00.000-05:00

Hello friends. I am taking a break from work tonight and I want to catch up on some blog reading. Quite a few new faces have popped up around here in the last month and I am so happy to have you! Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to meeeeet you and chat with you because of the crazy that has been going on, but I'm hoping to make amends.

So, tell me something about yourself! (new readers and old!) Then I'll hop over to wherever you might be. I'd love to meet you and see your space!

Don't be shy.. here I'll go first.. My name is Sarah, I'm an artist and freelance designer, I love hiking and my favorite place is Montauk, NY. Your turn!

"I'm Thankful that I'm not a Turkey"

2011-11-28T15:06:00.000-05:00

...said my cousin on Thanksgiving when she was about 6 years old.

On Thanksgiving morning Marissa and I, along with over 3,000 others, ran in the Garden City Turkey Trot.. a 5 mile run through town that raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Before that day I had never run 5 miles in my LIFE. The most I've ever run before that day was around 3 miles and that was at least a year ago. I seriously do not understand how I finished that race. I ran the whole thing! And I didn't get sick in the middle of it which is what I was expecting to happen. It's pretty unbelievable how much a crowd of people cheering can help your endurance.

After the race we got on the road to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family. Mmm. I love my Aunt Sarah's Thanksgiving dinner.

Other than not being a Turkey, I am thankful for..
my boyfriend, family and friends, my Boo dog, the fact that I didn't pass out in the middle of the Turkey Trot, Aunt Sarah's insanely delicious mashed sweet potatoes that taste like candy, all the great people I've met through this blog, my wonderful etsy customers, and harry potter.

Harry Potter.. that brings me to what I've been doing lately. I've been soo, so so busy with orders which is wonderful. Yesterday I made, packed and sent 18 orders all the while listening to Harry Potter movies playing in the background. I listened to the 4th movie twice in a row because I didn't realize the movie ended and it just started replaying. Today will be the same.. and probably tomorrow and the day after that.. I love it.

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!

You're Invited..

2011-11-23T13:25:00.000-05:00

I made this invitation for an open house I'm hosting this Saturday for friends and neighbors in my area. I wish you all could come too! I figured the next best fun thing to do would be to offer you a coupon for online shopping. There won't be any homemade potato pancakes and apple sauce, but everyone loves a coupon, right?

All the info is above, but basically use the coupon BLOGGERSROCK10 for 10% off in my shop now through December 15th! USA customers- get those orders in by 12/15 for Christmas delivery.

International customers- I'll do my best to get everything to you by Christmas, but due to the post office I can't make any guarantees, so the sooner the better! are one of the new items you'll find..

$15 Custom Christmas Ornaments! are some of the new items you'll find..

and this is one of my personal favorites.. the geographic coordinates of your favorite place stamped on sterling silver. My favorite is seen below.. the very end of Long Island where the rocky coast meets the Atlantic. I love Montauk.

Where is your favorite place on earth?

Oh my goodness tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving!

woods and rambles

2011-11-21T09:02:00.000-05:00

Just a few more photos from our hike last Saturday. It was 60 degrees today.. I hope this weather sticks around so I can get in another hike before snow happens.

That reminds me. I really want to try snow shoeing this year. How does that work? I wonder if there's a place I can go and rent snow shoes. And then, where do you go snow shoeing? Is it like cross country skiing type terrain? Or can I get some elevation in there? I think I need more sleep.

a postcard of sorts

2011-11-19T21:46:00.002-05:00

I am so tired. Sooo tired. It's 9:45pm on Saturday night and I think I'm going to bed.

Goodnight and have a great Sunday.

in the woods

2011-11-14T09:45:00.000-05:00

We spent Saturday hiking in the woods. The trail was a bit of an obstacle course because of the downed trees either from hurricane Irene or the early snowfall. I even got to put my compass (the iphone app version) to the test when we lost the trail. It worked.

The ground was absolutely covered in leaves, but I'm glad we got to hike with the last of the colors still clinging to the trees.

a postcard of sorts

2011-11-12T09:01:00.001-05:00

happy weekend!

in time, 11.7.11

2011-11-11T00:42:00.001-05:00

On Monday morning I woke up with the sun.

Inspired by the latest Chevy commercial on tv, I decided to get dressed, make some coffee and head out with my camera and a small photo album.

I drove all over Montauk for 2 hours capturing past memories in the form of old photographs, against an expansion of their original backdrops. It was such a nice feeling to stand in the places I know I've been and recapture bits of those memories. We're constantly passing places we've been, or places our loved ones once stood, but we don't often give it much thought. I was very comforted by the thought that, although I was standing in these spots quite alone, I was once there with my family.

This will definitely be an on going project.
I'm looking forward to any future travels that bring me to places I've been. (and of course places that I haven't been so that I can make new memories to photograph and remember in the future.)

(in case you're thinking "she was inspired by a car commercial??" you must watch it. Please. It really is quite beautiful and full of American pride.)

Dad and I at Kirk Beach; 1986

Mom, Marissa, and I at Gosman's Dock; 1990

Mom, Marissa and I by the jetty at Gosmans; 1990

Our hot pink kayak, Marissa and I outside of "Bird on the roof"; 2000

if you asked my iphone...

2011-11-10T01:00:00.001-05:00

..what a full day in Montauk looked like, he would say it went something like this...

7am. Watched the sunrise from the living room window, bundled up and headed out into the chilly weather.

8am. Drove around town photographing some old family photos in the spots they were originally taken. (more on that tomorrow!)

10am. Met up with Kate (who didn't want to wake up at 7am on vacation) and went for a jog/bike ride around town.

12pm. Brunch at John's Pancake House. (We ordered the same exact meal, which included chocolate chip pancakes, 2 days in a row.)

2pm. Headed over to the docks to do a little shopping and meandering. Since it's already November, most of the restaurants and shops are closed for the season in this little beachy town.

4pm. Rode our bikes out to the bluffs. Watched the sunset and then tried to race back to town before nightfall, but didn't quite make it.

8pm. Made it back home (away from home), enjoyed some leftovers for dinner, and drank wine by the fireplace.

1am. (or so) good night!

on the rocks

2011-11-09T00:37:00.001-05:00

Sunday November 6, 2011
Montauk, NY

On Sunday the wind was in our hair, the sea breeze was cold on our cheeks, the sun was bright in our eyes, and the calm waves filled our hearts.

Another spot full of memories. Another wonderful day ended with another wonderful sunset.

bluffs and rolling hills

2011-11-08T09:36:00.001-05:00

Saturday November 5, 2011
Montauk, NY

Montauk may very well be my favorite place on the east coast. My cousin, Kate, and I spent the weekend there- revisiting some landmarks of our childhood and searching for new adventures.

We wanted to go for a nice long bike ride on Saturday, but one of our bikes was out of commission. Of course we didn't fully realize that until we were a few miles from home, but we managed by taking turns riding the broken bike. It was quite the workout- riding a broken bike on major hills is a painful experience.

The difficult ride was worth it. We happened to stumble upon a small trailhead and followed the sandy trail through the woods and up to some high bluffs overlooking the ocean. I forgot a bike lock so we had to leave the bikes and put our faith in the honor system.. and the fact that they were on a dead end road in the woods.

We reached the bluffs in time to watch the sun go down, which was so beautiful. Unfortunately, this meant we had to ride back home in the dark. (I used my iPhone as a light so cars could see us.) We were both pretty nervous, but didn't discuss our feelings on the situation until we were safely inside.

We had to quit our bikes after the 4 mile ride back to town. As dark and curvy as the road had been, the last mile home from town is worse. We thought about our options for a few minutes in the freezing cold and decided to ditch -read: hide- the bikes and call a cab. As soon as we got home we jumped in the car and drove down the hills to pick up the bikes. So funny.

Such a good day. I hope your Saturday was, too!

a postcard of sorts

2011-11-05T10:10:00.026-04:00

Pizza and Georgetown

2011-11-04T12:42:00.000-04:00

I never shared our adventures in DC before cupcakes and visiting the white house! (And after waking up at 4:30am to drive from NY to DC..) We ate at 2Amys for lunch and it was unbelievable. I grew up with New York pizza and I can still tell you this pizza was insanely fantastic. So were the roasted olives we had as an appetizer. Wow.

After our glorious lunch we walked around Georgetown and marveled at the adorable storefronts and homes. I wouldn't mind living in Georgetown.

It also happens to be the place where I discovered Madewell. That's right.. I had never even heard of Madewell before this October. How cute is that display? I want the telephone booth. Or actually, I really want an iPhone case that looks like a red telephone booth. That would make my life.

Ok that's a little dramatic. It would definitely make my day though.

Thanks for the adorableness, Georgetown and thanks for the best pizza ever, 2Amys.

a gift that keeps giving...

2011-11-02T15:51:00.001-04:00

Hello! I'm writing today to talk to you about holiday shopping, to offer a free item from my shop and to ask for your help in return. (It's super easy, I promise!)

As many of you may know, I am a full-time artist and Etsy is a big part of my business. Just over a year ago I quit my job in Corporate America to follow my dream of working for myself in the art industry. It's been an amazing adventure and I am so thankful for the success I've seen, small victories, and amazing people I've met along the way.

I'm hoping that this holiday season will prove to be a busy and wonderful one. This is where you come in if you don't mind lending me a hand...

In return for helping me spread the word about my shop I will e-mail you the high resolution PDF of my popular "Girl and Wolves" print (see right below!) to print at home along with a 10% off coupon to use on anything in my shop. (If you already own the Girl and Wolves print -thank you!- I will gladly send you the file for an alternate print.)

This offer is most definitely available worldwide! And the coupon will be good until 1/15/2012!

How can you help spread the word about my shop?

There are 3 different ways to choose from!

Option 1.
Write a blog post about my Etsy Shop, A Lost Feather.

Include a few images of your favorite items in the shop.
Explain that by writing your own similar blog post you will also receive 10% off in my shop and the "Girl and Wolves" file to print at home. Please link to this post with something like "click here for more information."
E-mail me with the link to your fantastic post! (alostfeather@gmail.com) or leave the link in the comments here!
I will respond within 24 hours with the high resolution PDF and the 10% off discount code

Option 2.
Allow me to write a guest post on your blog explaining this promotion. This way you don't have to do any work at all, but you still get the print file and the 10% discount code. I will provide the print file and discount code as soon as the blog post goes live.

Option 3.
If you do not have a blog, but would love to get that print file and discount code never fear because you can! (this option is also available to bloggers.) Please e-mail me so we can discuss. (alostfeather@gmail.com) Basically, this option will involve a short and sweet e-mail to some of your friends and family telling them about my shop.

**Please note, all Options must be completed beforeDecember 2nd, but the coupon code I send you will be good until the middle of January :)

Please contact me about options 2 or 3 or if you have any questions at all! (alostfeather@gmail.com)

Thank you so, so much for your help. As a full-time artist I work hard all year, but the holidays are the time that I make my living. I sincerely appreciate you helping me spread the word about my artwork.

Buy handmade for the holidays! <3

the atlantic in november

2011-11-01T20:16:00.000-04:00

Today Boo and I went to the beach. The air was cold, but the sun was warm and bright. We crossed draw bridges, played fetch, and laid in the sand. When my body adjusted to the crisp air I took my shoes off and ran through the surf. Boo followed, of course.

The Atlantic is not frozen in November. It still holds the warmth from the summer.

The pavement in the parking lot on the other hand- that was cold on my bare feet.

Halloween is..

2011-11-01T02:20:00.000-04:00

"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can be total nerds

and no other girls can say anything about it" - Mean Girls

.. or wait.. I think I might have mixed up some words..

Either way.. I was Luna Lovegood for Halloween and I learned how to apparate.
That just happened.

p.s. my magical moving photo tutorial is heeere!

favorites from around

2011-10-30T09:00:00.005-04:00

These are snippets from my favorite blog posts from my partners (see them over there on the right column?) I feel like I should be wearing cowgirl boots when I say partners. Paaartnas.

I love, love, love their corners of the internet. Inspiring. Enjoy!
(for the record, I love cowgirl boots.. and hats for that matter! and cows!)
---------------

Stefanie and Erin from Oh So Lovely Vintage // photo shoot in a field

Jenya from evaforeva // Film from a Wine Festival

Lisa of A Piece of Lisa // Swedish Midsummer festival.

Erika of a tiny rocket // NYC subway painting

Melisa of Pie N' The Sky // photo shoot with her Mr.

Inge of Damsel of Dainty // away for the weekend

Mervi of My Best Friend Jules // a trip to Croatia in iPhone photos

Snow in October

2011-10-29T12:33:00.000-04:00

Ok, you got me. It doesn't look quite like this, but that's because this photo is from a few January's ago.. a month that is supposed to look like a winter wonderland.

Where the heck am I right now.. Rochester, NY? Last time I checked I was on long island, but apparently the weather doesn't know that. It's not supposed to snow here in October. The grass outside is actually turning white.

I guess I don't really mind, but I'd rather it not snow if possible. Christmas eve snow- that would be nice. Maybe Christmas day as well, but come December 26th it should be spring.

In other news, I wrote a fun fall guest post over at Lissa's blog, Me and Mr. C.

and

Alice interviewed me a bit ago for her blog, Niceties. Her interview about my artwork really got me thinking about how far I've come in the last year, thanks Alice!

"S" is for:

2011-10-27T14:57:00.000-04:00

Shop Update!
Featuring my new hand painted wooden letters.. starting with this letter "S". <3
Here are a few of the new items I posted recently.. everything else can be seen here!

Thanks for looking! I've been busy, busy trying to get things ready for the holiday season. It's a bit stressful to walk through commercial stores and realize they're already in Christmas mode. Ugh those big guys with their emplooooyyyees. I need some employees. I need to hire someone to start hiring people for me haha.. no time to sort that out.

It's so ugly outside today. I just took a look out the window and thought I was going blind- forgot I had my computer glasses on. I can't see a thing with these glasses on- except the computer, so I guess that's ok.

Hm, what else is new? Oh. I've been listening to 2 Harry Potter songs on repeat all morning/ afternoon. That's not really new though. It's been going on for about a month. What can I say- it helps me work! Hedwig's Theme and Harry's Wondrous World. Download them. Do it.

If you asked my iPhone..

2011-10-25T16:40:00.000-04:00

he would say that fall is in full swing.

instagram: @alostfeather

Pumpkin Art

2011-10-23T23:12:00.002-04:00

Today Matt and I did our first ever art project together (in our 2+ years!).. pumpkin carving! Actually, he's pretty lucky this was our first project because a long time ago I had this brilliant idea to try painting with him and not just painting, but finger painting. That idea never came to fruition and it's a good thing because apparently Matt hated finger painting as a child. Who knew? He didn't like to get his hands dirty.. I'm still laughing about that one, Matt! When I was little you couldn't keep my hands out of paint.. or dirt for that matter.. and I hated washing my hands.

I spent the morning searching for block printing ink online after realizing I have a ton of inks, but none of the colors I need for a new product I'm working on- of course. Then we drove out to Hicks Nursery and glanced at some petting zoo type animals, walked through the Christmas themed sections, and searched for round pumpkins. Seriously.. finding round pumpkins around here is no easy task, but we managed.

I'm so proud of him.. his golf course pumpkin came out great- he's such an artist!

We baked the seeds too.. added some olive oil, salt, cayenne pepper, honey, and cinnamon.. fantastic.

p.s. Matt really baked the seeds on his own. I tried to bake them from my first "house" pumpkin last night and.. fail. Burned. All of them.. completely black. Cooking and I are not friends.

ps.s ok, who noticed that my dog is winking at you in the black and white photo up there? 5 points if you noticed!

Cold Days in Montauk

2011-10-22T12:58:00.000-04:00

I know we still have most of fall ahead of us, but I'm really looking forward to a cold winter weekend in Montauk with some friends (and again with Matthew.) The town is so sleepy and peaceful during the colder months- such a stark contrast to the summer when all of New York City vacations in the Hamptons each weekend.

I'm picturing cozy sweaters and flickering fire places, glasses of wine and frosty windows, freshly caught fish and good friends that live far away all in one room.

If it must get cold then we might as well enjoy it.

2011-10-20T22:00:00.000-04:00

I miss my Murphy. I was looking through puppy photos of Boo when I came across this one of the two of them. When I first brought Boo home Murphy was 13 years old. We were a little nervous that they would hate each other- Boo a hyper tiny monster and Murphy a sleepy old man. Boo adored Murphy from day one, but it wasn't love at first sight for Murph.. I'm fairly certain that he once tried to frame Boo. Peed in a corner near where Boo was standing when he thought no one was looking and just snuck away.. he figured everyone would assume the untrained puppy did it.

After a few months they could be seen cuddling together in Murphy's favorite spot- the window box. Everyone would joke that Murphy just didn't realize that Boo was there, but he knew. They had become buddies.

Boo, like the rest of my family, was so sad when Murphy died. He would roam around the house looking for him, but he was still only 2 years old. I thought he would eventually forget..

A long time later when Boo and I were getting ready to go to sleep he walked to the edge of my bed and let out a long sad howl. Something he'd never done before and hasn't done since. I really think he was missing his friend.

Boo's ears still perk up at the sound of Murphy's name. <3

Early Morning

2011-10-18T11:28:00.001-04:00

It's not even noon yet and I've already been working for 5.5 hours. Who am I? Maybe I'm finally becoming a morning person?

Doubtful.

I did enjoy being up before the sun and so far I'm not missing those extra 4 hours of sleep. It felt so great to cross off one project from my to-do list by 9am. Now I can wrap up some orders and enjoy the walk over to the post office with Boo. The weather is still perfect.. 62 degrees and sunny and those early morning hours I spent working will let me get outside to enjoy the day. For a little while at least.

I hope I have turned over a new leaf.. I guess I'll know tomorrow morning when I either get out of bed at the sound of my phone alarm or wake up hours later cuddling with my phone.

and the light danced

2011-10-17T10:32:00.002-04:00

On Sunday.. The sun was bright. A woodpecker tried to break into the house. Boo searched for interesting scents on the autumn air. The mums bloomed bright and the light danced.

Green DIY Round-up

2011-10-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

Some Green-friendly things you can make this weekend!

1. My Moss Terrarium (the real thing, not my sketch!)

2. Lo's Applique Dress

3. Shannon's Welcome Sign

4. CB's Stamped Collar

I hope everyone's weekend is off to a better start than mine is.

My 5 year old MacBook might be on his death bed. It took 4 hours to fix him today and thank goodness I was able to or else I would have lost it.. it being my mind and composure.

My camera broke.

I am locked out of my car radio/ stereo because my car battery died when I left a light on for 5 days in a row when I went to DC with Mel. I don't remember the code to get back into my car radio/stereo and I have not had time/ have not remembered during business hours to call Honda for some help.

Don't you think locking someone out of a car radio is the most absurd form of security?! The car is still drivable. If a thief stole my car and found out that they couldn't listen to their jams while cruisin' down the freeway in their free ride, do the good people of Honda really think they would return the car for a better option?! I think not!

On that note. Blahhhh!

Apple Picking in 80 degrees

2011-10-13T11:38:00.001-04:00

This was our third year in a row of apple picking so I think it's safe to say that it's now a tradition and it's one of my favorites.

I love apple picking. Especially since the orchard we go to is family owned and sits high on a hill with pretty views of the surrounding landscape.

On this particular visit the delicious smell of apple pies baking in the oven filled the air inside the farm stand. Apple cider, apple bread and, various different pies were available for purchase along with pumpkins and other fall treats. We got a big ol' pumpkin and I plan on painting it.. preferably with a turquoise pattern. Oh yes.

Again, like the weather for our hike the day before, it was 80 degrees for this outing and it was funny to be sweating under the hot sun while picking apples.

Now all we need to do is find some sort of Oktoberfest or fair/festival and our fall season will be complete. I love fall things.

DIY Moss Terrarium

2011-10-12T18:37:00.002-04:00

As part of the Green Project I'm working with with Lo, Shannon, and CB, I'd like to share with you a fun way to reuse some old glass bottles/jars/containers.

Gather up your empty glass jars, tiny objects, extra charms and dig up some moss from outside.. it's time to make a moss terrarium!

Making your own moss terrarium is so easy and fun. The hardest part for me was finding all of the pieces I wanted to use. Yes, you can buy all the plant related materials at any garden supply store, but I was determined to source all the items around the house. I found plenty of live moss on the brick walkway outside, some dried moss in another planter, and borrowed some soil from the tomato plants.

That's it! Nice and easy.

Your terrarium won't need too much care. Misting it with a spray bottle every couple of weeks should do it (Or dripping some water in if your glass jar is shaped like mine.)

The best part is decorating.. I used a flying bird charm in the neck of my bottle and 3 little clay houses that I made a few months ago. I have a little dinosaur that I wanted to use, but he was slightly to large to make it into the bottle, so I'll have to use him in my next terrarium.

Earlier this week Shannon posted her own Green DIY here. It's a really cute and easy-to-make sign that uses some old maps. I think it could also be pretty great with old magazine pages or book pages that were otherwise destined for the trash.

There will be 2 more diys coming up later this week that I will be sure to share.. Happy crafting!

Standing in 3 Places at once

2011-10-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

This weekend was so lovely- the weather, the company, the activities.. I wish every weekend could be as great. On Saturday night Matt and I drove up to visit his parents a couple of hours north into New York. They live in the perfect hiking location, let me tell you. (And of course I got to spend a day and a half with Marissa which is always so much fun.)

On Sunday morning Matt and I woke up bright and early and drove a bit further north into Massachusetts for an 11 mile hike on the South Taconic Trail. It was the longest trail we've ever done together. It started in Massachusetts and wound through Connecticut and New York as well. It had some rock scrambling, closed in forest trails, exposed ridge trails, gorgeous views, and the highlight..

we got to stand in 3 places at once! Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.

I was pretty happy about that. I guess I didn't exactly stand in 3 places at once.. you'll see in the picture below that Matt is standing on the tristate marker, but I'm actually sitting. So I sat in 3 places at once.

Fall hiking is my favorite. The tree covered mountains and valleys look so gorgeous and the temperatures are usually more comfortable. This weekend it was 80 degrees- it was so strange to be hiking in that heat while the fall colors came to life around us. Although I guess hiking in 80 degrees should feel like no problem to me considering Marissa, Kate and I hiked in 100+ degrees in Shenandoah National Park. Still, I'd take 80 or 100 degrees over 30 any day.

I hope everyone had a fun weekend. I can't believe it's Tuesday already.. 3 day weekends always throw me off. In a perfectly fine way, of course!

Outside with Boo

2011-10-08T10:53:00.001-04:00

This is Boo's favorite weather. I can tell because I can get him to walk past the corner of the block without bribing him or picking him up. If it's too cold or too hot he refuses to walk past the corner in either direction from home. He is a character. A stubborn character.

We walked all the way around the block to the park yesterday. Quite a feat. We ran around for a bit then sat under the shade of a big green tree. I'm surprised the leaves haven't started changing already. It still looks like summer outside- just feels cooler. Although it's supposed to be hot this weekend.. not warm, hot. Crazy weather.

Marissa is visiting today.. she got in yesterday. Boo and I met her at the train and I think he understood why we were walking in that direction because he was eager to get there. I always say this, but I love when Marissa is here. I don't know what we'll be up to today, but it's always more fun to have a partner in crime... and manicures. Last night we played a Harry Potter Trivia game and I kicked her butt. Oh yes I did.

Matt and I are going hiking and apple picking this weekend.. wonderful fall things. Kind of funny that the weather will be acting more like summer than fall. I've never been apple picking in 80 degrees.

Maybe I should challenge him to Harry Potter Trivia!

You make it sound like a theme park

2011-10-06T11:36:00.001-04:00

But in reality, it's better than a theme park. Except maybe "the Wizarding World of Harry Potter" which I am confident is amazing even though I have yet to visit. Wegmans and Harry Potter are tied in my book.

(Mel is crazy.. it was so cold. Notice that I am wearing every bit of clothing I had left in my suitcase that was clean.)

While we were traveling down in Richmond and DC, Mel and I stopped at 2 different Wegmans locations. Neither of us have a store near us at the moment. The closest one to me is near Philadelphia.. so ridiculous. We both went to school at RIT up in Rochester, NY where Wegmans originated. Thank you Danny Wegman. Since it's opening in Rochester it has expanded along a lot of the east coast, but jumped over lower New York! What the heck?!
So sad.

Being the completely obsessed Wegmans shoppers that we are we had to stop at all the Wegmans we passed even though one of them was at 7am. No matter, Wegmans serves breakfast of course, so we got our egg white sandwiches and coffee and perused the aisles for treasures, such as Cheerwine- the best cherry soda ever that cannot be found up north.

While we were walking around Wegmans we felt very much at home. We half expected to leave the store and be back in Rochester.. getting ready to drive back to our little apartment on campus and study (who am I kidding?) or watch a movie with all of our roommates.

I miss school and Wegmans and my friends that lived with me and next door. Ugh. College was great.

Anyone else completely and utterly obsessed with Wegmans? If you've never been you should seek one out and go immediately.

Do you work at the mall?

2011-10-04T23:23:00.004-04:00

I was so excited to see some friends while we were in DC on Friday. Mel and I met up with Katy, Cait and Adam for dinner in Georgetown and it was so great to see them.

Adam has a job that lead me to believe he might work in the mall.. as in where the White House and Washington Monument are.. not a shopping mall, but when I asked him if he worked in the mall it opened this silly conversation where he told me "yes, Sarah, I'm the mall security guard." It might be one of those "you had to be there" types of things, but I really enjoyed that conversation, even though the humor was at my expense. I feel like that happens to me a lot.. good thing I'm such a good sport!

Earlier that same day, but after we enjoyed delicious cupcakes in Georgetown, Mel and I got to explore the mall.. the one with the White House and Obama. It was pretty amazing to walk around and admire all the monuments. The security is a lot tighter there now than I remember. You can't exactly walk wherever you want, but that's ok. It's understandable.

Friday was one of the longest days ever...waking up at 4:20am, the 5 hour drive to DC, walking around and shopping in Georgetown, checking out the national monuments, meeting friends for dinner, and then meeting some of Mel's friends for a drink and accidentally staying out till last call. It actually sounds like and felt like multiple days. By the time we got back to our hotel room I would have been happy to go to sleep on a concrete floor. Luckily Mel picked a lovely hotel with the best beds ever because we stayed in them until noon the next day.

I'd do it again though- so much fun. And I just realized.. when I get together with friends that I don't get to see that often we either stay up until 4am or wake up at 4am. Ha that's funny to me.

Let them eat cake

2011-10-03T22:22:00.001-04:00

That's probably one of the most used blog post titles in the history of blog posts. I think cupcakes might be taking over the world.

I just got back from a trip down to Washington DC and Richmond, VA with one of my best friends, Mel. We left Richmond at 5am this morning and I am pretty much about to pass out. Mel dropped me off in NY and she is still on the road to Boston. I'm hoping she'll arrive in the next few minutes. As soon as she gets in I am going to pass out.

I have not been this tired since.. Friday.. when we woke up at 4:20am to head down to DC. Does anyone else think my blog post title is hilarious? No? I really need to go to bed. 5am is a really obnoxious hour and I'd rather not see it for a while.

Other than running on little sleep, we had the best time. One of the highlights were these cupcakes, so I figured I'd share them first. We got the little masterpieces at Baked and Wired in Georgetown... wow.

I also think I might be in love with DC. I don't know if it's just the exhaustion speaking, but I'd like to move there.. just not tomorrow at 5am.

100 Things: No. 16

2011-09-29T15:09:00.002-04:00

#16: Snowboard in Utah: Alexi and I flew to Salt Lake City, Utah in April 2009 to go hiking and snowboarding all over the state. We stayed with her friend, Eric, who was an awesome host and tour guide. We hiked and camped in Moab and then spent 2 days snowboarding at Snowbird. It was amazing- the entire trip.

We went snowboarding on Easter Sunday in gorgeous 70 degree weather. The snow was light and powdery and the sky was the most gorgeous shade of blue. The view from the summit was, for lack of a more fitting word, epic. We could see for miles and it was perhaps the most awe-inspiring view I've ever had. (It even made up for the absurd goggle tan lines my face was left with- and by "tan" I mean blistering sunburn.)

I hope I get some snowboarding in this season. Preferably out west because it is so icy on the east coast and I fall- a LOT. Seriously, a lot. Alexi filmed some of my runs and I wish she'd kept the camera on for my falls because they were pretty awesome from what I remember.

this photo is a lie

2011-09-27T21:57:00.001-04:00

I did not play my guitar today. I thought about it. I even held it for a while, but I did not play.

It was just one of those days. I held some art supplies as well.. thought about using them, but just couldn't quite focus.

I've been an artist long enough to know that sometimes it just can't be forced and these days happen. Unfortunately, knowing that doesn't make me feel any less aggravated.

In the midst of my bad mood, Matt called just to chat and make plans for tomorrow night and now I feel entirely better. I think I might even add something new to my sketchbook before I go to sleep. I love him.

(p.s. winner of the frocks and feathers crop top is here!)

Teacups

2011-09-26T09:40:00.019-04:00

This weekend was mostly gloomy as far as the weather goes. I was ~~fairly productive~~ really productive (I made so many teacup related things).. drawing teacups, carving stamps for printing, updating my Etsy Shop with some new prints, totes and notebooks, playing with Boo, dreaming up new ideas and whatnot.

I think I'm going through something of a teacup phase. It must have started last week when I went for a cup of tea instead of my regular coffee. I like tea. Especially when it's served in a fancy teacup.

I'm also going through a sketchbook phase. I am really bad at keeping up with sketchbooks. I use 1 or 2 pages and than forget about it. I really love the idea of filling one with all of my thoughts and drawings, it's just really hard to do!

Do any of you keep a sketchbook? Do you share your drawings on your blog? I'd love to see!

Instax from California

2011-09-23T13:28:00.000-04:00

((Time Turner necklace giveaway winners announced here!))

It's pouring here in New York. It's so gloomy that it's hard to believe a place so sunny and beautiful really exists. Thank goodness for photographs, otherwise I would be sure I imagined the entire experience that was Yosemite.

I want to go back to Yosemite really badly. I can see it becoming one of those places I go back to over and over. I envy the people that live right outside the park entrances. I would buy a yearly pass for sure. Even San Francisco isn't too far. I'd happily live there and drive to Yosemite every weekend. Now if I could just transport everything I like about New York and the east coast out west...

New Season Resolutions

2011-09-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

Because I really can't wait for a new year to make these changes..

Today is the first official day of fall.. ironic since it is also the warmest day we've had in the past week. I'm setting a few new season resolutions for myself because I'm one of those people that says "I'll start (insert task here) tomorrow/Monday/on the first of the month/etc." I need to do some things now and being that today is the first day of a new season I am very willing to start them.

1. Eat less bad food: I know everyone says this, but I really eat too much bad food. M&Ms, chips, cookies, ice cream.. it's fine in small amounts, but I eat way too much of it and it needs to stop.

2. Utilize my closet and for goodness sakes, wear makeup: Working from home has lead me into a routine of wearing sweatpants everyday. Of course I dress up when I go out, but I don't want to wear sweatpants everyday. Plus, I just saw an episode of "What Not to Wear" and Clinton and Stacey said that when you wear sweatpants all day it does not make you feel energized and ready to do a lot of work- which is what I need to do. I need to walk by the mirror during the day and think "that girl looks like she means business," not "that girl looks like she's ready to go to sleep."

3. Hike more: I plan on hiking as much as possible this season. Fall is definitely my favorite season for getting out on the trails. Less blistering heat, more pretty colors.. perfect. Plus a good hike will burn a ridiculous amount of calories for me which is wonderful.

4. Exercise with Boo: Boo and I both need our exercise. He already lost 3 lbs which is a lot for a little dog, but he had to. Dachshunds have to be a perfectly healthy weight because the extra strain on their backs from even a pound is very dangerous for them. He is his perfect weight right now and I need to make sure he maintains it.

5. See my friends more often: This is a hard one because my friends have not so conveniently placed themselves all over the east coast and randomly across the country. If everyone would please move to long island, that would be great, thanks.

6. Work harder: I do work hard, but I need to up my game. It's easy to say "I'll get to that tomorrow," but I really shouldn't say it- ever. Well, maybe once in a while when I need a break.

7. Wake up earlier: I've been doing much better with this whole morning thing, minus today actually. I wasn't feeling all that well so I slept in and now I feel fine, so I think that was a good move. Yup.

8. Use my Canon Rebel: I've been neglecting that guy, but I really love him. I'm going to start using him more. That's what's up.

9. Be more green: explained here!

10. Cook things: Matt and I are going to cook more.. ok Matthew? Matt is a good cook.. I am not. Well, I can make a good stir fry dish and some amazing guacamole. Yeah, I think it's about time I learned to cook another meal. I got through college with my trusty old microwave. Oh I can also boil a mean pot of water to make pasta.

Happy Fall! Now I'm going to walk over to the post office in my summery dress and sandals!

Puppy Chatter

2011-09-21T09:14:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I walk in to find that Boo has commandeered my computer to chat with Finn.

I don't know exactly what they talk about, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that their owners have not setup a play date for them in quite some time. Finn lives a few hours north and the last time these little rats got to play Finn was smaller than Boo. I think Boo will be shocked when he finds that his toddler friend has turned into a very tall teenager.

Going Greeeeen

2011-09-20T20:20:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to work on a new and fun "green" project with Lo, Little Somethings by Little Lo Hood; CB, City Bird's Nest; and Shannon, Shannon Bear. Lo came up with the idea to spread some green ideas through the blogosphere after reading this article and the rest of us were super excited to get on board. We are going to be bringing you some fun green diys, tips, shops and fun so that you can start integrating some green into your lifestyle along with us. I personally have a lot to learn and I'm really looking forward to doing some research and sharing my findings with you (in a fun and pretty, not books and facts, type way.) I'm also eager to see what Lo, CB and Shannon come up with!

While I work on this project I'm going to be keeping specific places on this planet in mind- places I'd really like to keep the way they are today. Among my favorite places to explore are the Hudson River Valley, near my home in New York (where you can find me hiking on any given weekend) and Yosemite National Park. The great outdoors has given me so much happiness and I think it's time to return the favor..

Now here are Lo, CB, and Shannon to share their thoughts about being green and what they have in mind for this project...

Hi, I'm Lo of Little Somethings by Little Lo Hood, a place where I share adventures, amazing fellow Etsy owners, and crafts. I think that being green means helping and preserving our environment. I know that we can do this by recycling paper and bottles but more recently I've come to understand that "green" can encompass fashion as well. I started this project to help inform people on the many ways in becoming more green because my home state is Vermont and I am in love with its beautiful natural landscape and would love to keep it that way. This project has also turned into such an exciting and fun project especially since I am working with some amazing ladies who have fantastic ideas. We will be coming up with different DIY's and tips on becoming a little more green and we hope that you all will enjoy and maybe learn a little in the process. I'm looking forward to sharing with you lovelies a dress DIY...I love it so much! Here is a sneak peek:

Hiya! I’m Shannon and I run the little blog shannon*bear. It’s all about my life, adventures, handmade lovelies and photography. Most of my adventures are in the woods. I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains where things move slowly and the trees talk. My very first memories are rich with the forests of my area, of my woods. I've always loved nature; it lends me the inspiration I need to create pretty things! My Mr. & I are always looking for ways to go green so we can add to the growing movement to preserve Mother Earth - and even closer to home, our mountains. I’m really excited to share with you a few of the ways that we put our green foot forward! So come on over, check things out, and leave inspired!

Hi, I'm CB from city bird's nest, a place where I share my bike riding adventures, outfits and my crafty treasures. As an everyday bike rider I am already on the right path but I know there are other ways that I can help by making better decisions. It is all about the little things we do each day that can help improve the way we live and help the planet that we love oh so much. What if we broke down that idea to something much smaller or tangible, like say the redwoods or my front yard? What can I do to help preserve them and keep them here for generations to enjoy? Several ladies are participating in this new little venture and you can to! From fashion diy's & helpful green tips, we are here to make it fun and hopefully make a habit of making greener choices for everyday living. hope you can come and play!

I'm so excited to get started and diy the heck out of things. Sorry I have a really bad headache, so it's becoming really difficult for me to make sense. I really am excited though.

It's Summer Somewhere Giveaway

2011-09-19T13:32:00.001-04:00

ccccclllllosed..

and the winner issssss
Ashley from Hudson's Happenings! Congrats Ashleyyyy.. I'll be contacting you in a bit :)

Yay! I've arranged to have this awesome giveaway with Claire from Frocks and Feathers. Her hand printed feather crop top is absolutely adorable- I own one myself and I've been wearing it every other day. It's so soft, colorful, flattering and fun!

It will definitely be in my bag if I make it to any warm weather climates this winter, for sure!

((More info/photos of this awesome top here))

How to Enter:

1. Follow A Lost Feather

2. Visit Frocks and Feathers

3. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Frocks and Feathers item (aside from this amazing top that is!)
please include your e-mail address in the comment.

Extra Entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway (include the link to this post)- leave 2 additional comments (entries)

2. Blog about this giveaway and include the above photo in your blog post (and this link)- leave 5 additional comments (entries)

Please note:
-Top is a size Medium
-Contest is open internationally

1 randomly selected winner will be announced on Monday, September 26th. Please enter before that time! annnnd.. Good luck!

Hiking Mount Taurus, NY

2011-09-18T10:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning Matt and I drove up to Cold Spring, NY for a much needed hike. Cold Spring is one of my favorite little towns on the Hudson River and it's a hub for tons of great trails. Yesterday we did a 6 mile roundtrip trail to Mount Taurus in about 3 hours. It would have taken less time, but we lost the trail twice.. ok that, and I was kind of slow yesterday.

The leaves look like they might consider changing colors in the next couple of weeks. As we continued out of the sun and into the forest I noticed some bright colored leaves already resting on the ground. I hope we're able to hike during the peak of the changing leaves.. they're so beautiful- definitely one of my favorite things about fall.

There were so many dogs on the trail yesterday. I wish Boo was a good hiker. I would love to have him on the trail, but he isn't too keen on walking long distances. It's a struggle to get him to walk all the way around the block at home- a mere 1/2 mile. We even saw a tiny Yorkshire Terrier and once Matt and I saw a Pomeranian hiking on a trail that was definitely not easy at all. Maybe Boo just needs to man up.

We've been on a few trails this year hoping to get a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline from some viewpoints, but never managed to hit the points on clear days. We finally caught a break in the clouds yesterday and saw the skyline far off in the distance. We were pretty excited about it.

Sandal Traitor

2011-09-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

I am a sandal traitor.

If you follow me on instagram you might have seen a photo of my favorite sandals that I posted just last week. The caption that accompanies said photo reads: "It might be cold and raining, but I refuse to stop wearing sandals until at least October."

I think on that particular day it was about 65 degrees and raining. Well, 65 degrees isn't so bad.. I can wear sandals in 65 degrees and be completely comfortable. Today on the other hand it is about 56 degrees and gorgeously sunny and I am in boots, knit leggings, and a sweater. It is only September 16th and I am a sandal traitor. Hello boots.

instagram: @alostfeather

Goodbye sandals.. at least until next week when it's supposed to be 70 degrees again...

Lately

2011-09-15T16:31:00.000-04:00

Lately... I've been really into watercolors. Yesterday I purchased my first set of watercolor tubes. I've been using watercolor pans that I've had since I was a little kid and the tubes are an amazing upgrade. Probably because they're not 20 years old.

Boo's been sleeping on top of the couch a lot, but he fell off the back the other day. It was really scary, but he's fine. Poor guy.

Matt and I had our first and last Rita's custard/cream ice for the summer. Probably a good thing that Rita's is closing for the season soon- We saved about a bazillion calories. We also enjoyed some lobster rolls over the weekend. Hopefully not the last for the summer. I could easily live on lobster rolls.

I had to postpone my little trip.. the weather today is kinda.. gross and the work just started adding up. Maybe next week. If the weather cooperates Matt and I will be hiking this weekend. fingers crossed.

Fall Things

2011-09-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Thinking about fall and drawing fall things. Also considering going on a mini road trip with Boo tomorrow or Thursday. I can't decide. I want to try shooting for one of those "picture an hour" type things. A mini road trip would be a fun thing to document. Hm..

Remembering

2011-09-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

September 11, 2001 was a devastating day. I saw my high school, located 17 miles from Manhattan, fall apart. Teachers and students running through the halls hysterically crying. Students scared for their parents safety. Anxiety and fear beyond anything I'd ever seen before or since that day. Everyone left. Many parents came into the school looking for their kids. I met my mom halfway down the main hall and we went home. We were worried about my dad, but I'll say now- he was fine.

My dad worked in Jersey City.. he had a clear view of the twin towers out of his office windows. He called my mom immediately after the first plane hit and as he was on the phone with her he watched the 2nd plane crash through the 2nd tower. He sent everyone home from work and he started the long journey back to long island through Manhattan.

It makes me so sad to think back to that day, but I do because the people that were lost deserve to be remembered and honored. And so do their families and friends. And of course, the heroes who came to the rescue that day.

In the days that followed I remember having a very strong feeling of American pride. We, as a country, stood together and we did not and will not give into terrorism.

These are a couple of photos from before the attacks. Marissa and I posing with the twin towers during the summer of 2000 and a little snapshot that I took at the top of the North Tower sometime during 1997 or so. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to dine at the restaurant, Windows on the World, with my family.

In the words of my sister- because she said it so much better than I would have-
Let's never forget the lives lost that day and the beautiful heroes who put their own lives at risk to help others.