Springtime at the Beach

Niagara on the Lake isn't exactly known for its beaches.  We don't have big white sandy expanses, no real spot to sunbathe to speak of, and people don't tend to get into the water.  Yet, this town has a few small, rocky beaches that are frequented by dog walkers and bonfire makers.  It can be a nice quiet spot to get away - if you can get far enough from the tourists.  The beach I went to one day after work last week was devoid of anyone who was just passing through.  For an hour or so I walked along, listened to seagulls, dug in the sand, and took pictures of the blossoms on this amazing tree.  It wasn't much of a beach experience, I suppose, but it was tranquil and regenerative all the same.  Plus, I got some of my best flower photos yet! One of these pictures might already be my computer desktop background... the white on the bright blue sky just makes me so happy.  I hope I can capture the blossoms on a few other trees around town before they're all gone!

I really love that I can walk down to the shoreline in NotL and see Toronto, across lake Ontario.  I grew up in Toronto, and working in NotL has been the longest time I've ever been away!  It still feels like home, though, and I'm so glad I get to visit as frequently as I do.

This trip to the beach had me looking for some beach glass for the first time, after seeing the impressively large and shockingly beautiful collection of sea glass found by Kaylah of The Dainty Squid.  I only found brown and green glass, but did a lot better than I expected to, and having a "mission" while at the beach was really pleasant.  I can be a bit of a magpie, so I tended to spot larger bits of shells before I'd come across a piece of glass.  I have some nice jars laying around at home, and I think it'll look quite sweet to have a jar filled up from beach treasures I continue to collect from NotL's beaches! There's a long summer ahead, after all. 

I don't normally alter the colour of photos so much, but it looked like a cherry tree all warmed up.  So delicate.

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes! Yesterday was a lovely, low-key day. I hit up all the thrift spots in St. Catharines, and found some really great stuff, including a tin cup for my milkshake maker (FINALLY! All the milkshakes shall be mine, this summer!) and a Hawaiian muumuu in fluorescent colours. I also went to see the new Iron Man movie, and loved it! I think this year is going to be a good one, as strange as it seems to say that I am in my "mid-twenties".  It's going to be a big year for change, so I think an ever-so-popular blogger-style goals list is in order.  That, and a deep, deep breath.

--Erin

Colour Your World

Last weekend was our first real glimpse of spring.  With a crisp breeze and a constant struggle between sunshine and grey skies, it's finally beginning to look like April out there! And though my daffodils at home are taking their sweet time to poke their heads from the ground, I am getting so excited for plants to start springing up! My home has been greener than ever, as my roommate is a plant lover as well.  I haven't had a lot of luck this past year at keeping plants alive, as I keep going to and from Toronto a lot, but now that I have flexibility as to when I come and go thanks to Gertrude, my trusty Volkswagen Golf, I feel more confidant to keep adding to my little garden.  A trip to a local plant nursery had to be made! It's still early in the season, so none of the small stock caught my eye (well, except for the bleeding hearts, I may have to go back for one!) but I had to take pictures of all the beautiful colours.  I just can't wait for it to LOOK like spring!!

I told Ephraim I wanted to live in a world as purple as the little flowers in that first photo, and you know what, I stand by that ridiculous statement.  Take me away to purple plains.

--Erin

Down on the River: The Niagara Pumphouse

Every time I look at this door, all I see are donuts.  I shouldn't go on an empty stomach, haha!

 A couple weeks back, I started taking a weekly life drawing class at the Niagara Pumphouse Art Centre.  I had never been down by the pumphouse, despite having lived in town for a year and a half, and now that I go every Tuesday night, I really regret that it's taken me so long! It's a beautiful short drive from my house (admittedly walking distance from my work, but with class starting at 6:30, a girl has got to get her ducks in a row [and some food in her belly] before heading to class), right along the river and just down street from the historic Fort George.  I decided to head over a little early last week so I could take a few photos before class started. 

The building itself is really beautiful, and I look forward to seeing how the scenery changes through the months, as  the pumphouse is located right on the river, where you can look across to New York state.  The pumphouse generated electricity for the town until the 1910's, and pumped water for the town until the early 1980's.  The building was later sold to the town for $1, and massively renovated into an arts centre.  They offer all kinds of regular classes and special workshops, including a metalsmithing workshop I'm looking forward to taking, in early May.  In the meantime, I am loving getting back into life drawing!! I'll have to post some of my favourite sketches that have come out of class here, but if you don't want to wait for a big roundup, I post my favourite sketch/es of the week on Instagram every Tuesday after class (@efgerofsky).  Tuesday has quickly become one of my favourite days of the week!

Have any of you gotten back into an old hobby recently?

--Erin

Photo an Hour: March 2013

Every month, Ephraim and I have a weekend where we don't see each other.  We both just need a couple days, without work, to get our own stuff done without having to worry about keeping each other entertained! I try to make the most of this free time, and do the boring, girly, stressful or otherwise top-secret errands I have to do.  Sometimes all at once.  Painting my toenails while watching a romantic comedy (or more likely The Walking Dead, let's be real) and working on a crafty gift for my boyfriend sounds like a pretty rad way to spend some time, haha!  I didn't multitask quite that hard, but here's what my Solo-Saturday looked like for the month of March!

9-10 am// gym time! it's nice and quiet in the mornings on the weekend

11 am// refueling with some scrambled eggs and soy sausage (so good!)

12 pm// a big cup of tea and some Dollhouse

1 pm// I was so excited to get out and enjoy what a warm day it was! Flats without socks and cropped pants required.  AND NO JACKET!!!

2 pm// wall-o-wreaths at Michael's

3 pm// rewarding myself with a latte and some reading. I was out running errands in St. Kitts so I could practice my driving

4 pm// tidying my room and doing a bit of dusting

5 pm// more reorganization in my room.  some day I hope to grow my matryoshka collection

6 pm// working on a top-secret project

7 pm// working on a less top-secret project (which is unfinished here, and Ephraim knows about...)

8 pm// Eggplant Parmesan and fresh veggies for dinner

9 pm// capping off the night with some letter writing and a movie

Looking back on this day, I am kiiiind of excited for some mega-productivity again, terrible though it feels to say that!!  It is SUCH a treat to have a day to do with as you please, isn't it?

I'd also like to take a  quick moment to point out a few changes 'round these parts.  As you've likely noticed, PftP has a new navigation bar just beneath the header, with some of the more popular categories.  Predictions also has some spiffed up social media icons, in their regular position on the left sidebar.  And if you've just gone to check out how awesome those look, you'll have seen that Predictions for the Past is now on Facebook! Join the Predictions for the Past Facebook page for additional content/comments, and a simpler way to chit chat with me directly. 
All the cool kids are doing it.
You've now been peer pressured.

That is all! Happy Monday, everybody!

--Erin 

OOTD: Braids and Elbowpatches like a Badass

I took these outfit photos half an age ago (I'm SO behind!), and though this was my first time using this bridge as a background, I just absolutely adore it!! I like having something to interact with while taking photos, and I think that the shots turned out really pretty.  I really need to venture beyond my front yard a bit more often, as comforting as the shelter of my hedges may be!!

This chambray shirt has been an absolute favourite of mine since I picked it up last summer.  I had been on the hunt for a light denim shirt for a couple years, and finally found this perfect one at J Crew.  At the time I was a little sore about the price, but as it has become a staple in my wardrobe, I got over it pretty quickly.  It's perfectly light for the summertime, but paired with a cardigan shapes up nicely for the winter.  Plus, it looks totally awesome with a bow tie.  Yeah, I'm in love.  I'll quit gushing about it now. Just know that while you've seen this shirt a few times already, you'd better believe you're going to see it again.  I'm obsessed.

I scored this skirt as part of that big donation that the theatre couldn't use, which I talked about a bit here.  I can't wait for warmer weather, so that I can bust out some of the more ridiculous pieces!! The skirt is 150% polyester, like most of the items in the donation, and I'll be honest: I kind of love it.  It's just so bloody easy to wear!! And the wee little polka dots are so charming.  I own so many polka dotted things, and it's just never going to feel like I have enough.  

The warm colours in this outfit made it seem a perfect opportunity to debut this necklace!! Let's just say, that this here necklace may have something to do with my upcoming very special announcement.  I was so excited to pick up a set of letter stamps to do a bit of embossing, and naturally, I had to put something a bit cheeky on my personalized little banner.  So, I proclaimed myself a BADASS.  I like it.  A lot. I've got a pile of these bad boys just waiting to be custom stamped and sent off to their forever homes (a phrase which makes me think of the humane society), and I simply can't WAIT to open shop.  Soon, soon.

THE DEETS

Elbow Patch Cardigan: H&M (Remixed)

Chambray Shirt: J Crew (Remixed)

Skirt: Vintage

Belt: Vintage (Remixed)

Tights: TopShop

Boots: Vintage, Kingpin's Hideaway (Remixed  Remixed)

Custom Embossed Banner Necklace: Premonitory Dreams (Coming Soon!!!)

Now as a bit of a bonus, here are some pictures illustrating how unbelieveably cold it was while we took these photos, and what my REAL face looks like when I let down the human facade.  I do not like the cold.  Well, scratch that, I do not like being inadequately dressed in the cold.  Not cool, man, not cool.  In fact, very cold.  That wasn't funny.  But my face below, is.  So, enjoy!

I hope you're having an excellent Monday! I'm spending the day running around town trying to source some model building supplies for a project I'm working on.  All I can say is, so many tiny trees!!! They're way adorable, heehee!!

--Erin

Rust, Snow, and Coffee: A Trip To The Old Bridge

A couple weeks ago (can you tell that I'm a little behind?!) Ephraim and I ventured out to this old bridge in town to take some outfit photos.  The light was beautiful, so we figured we'd take a short turn around the area and see what was up.  Armed with some Balzac's, we were still too cold (read: I was only wearing tights and my toes froze) and didn't stick around for too long, but that gorgeous light still made for some pretty great photos.  Here are my favourites from the day!

Each of those black spots is a crazy duck who is not bothered by the icy cold water.  Insane.

--Erin

P.S. If you're on holiday today, I hope you're having a good one! I've just finished digesting a very large and very delicious breakfast of French Toast and veggie sausage courtesy of Ephraim, and now we're getting ready to go bowling!! It's been a lovely weekend, and it's got me feeling motivated to get some work done.  Here's hoping I can make a big enough dent in that big project of mine that I can finally unveil it! Fingers crossed, friends!