Bookshelf Love

Did you see this post on Cup of Jo on falling for someone's bookcase?

 I knew I was in trouble when I first saw the beau's bookshelves (plural).

Mythology...Che...Wendell Berry...Fly rods...Classics...Pine cones.

Swoon.

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If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Planning

 

Many of my conversations in the hospital go like this lately,

Random well-meaning person (RWMP): 

So the match [how residencies are chosen] is coming up.  Are you getting nervous?

Me:

I'm taking a year off, actually.

RWMP:

Wait, so you're not applying?

Me:

Nope.

RWMP:

So what are you going to do?

Me:

Not sure yet.  Lots of ideas, but no plans.

Part of that is intentional.  

My life has been very planned,

so I'd like to take a page from my sister's book,

who has never had a 5-year plan,

(and yet has a college degree, was a bartender in a ski town in NZ, and now lives and works in Zambia),

and 

see where the road takes me.

Once you plan it,

I feel like half the magic is spent.

That said,

I at least want to be able to see my options.

I was toying with the idea of getting a planner,

but 

the beau

had just created this great chalkboard (above) for his planning

with

space for small, medium, and large goals 

in many areas of his life.

He offered to help me make one,

but I recalled I had a roll of butcher paper which would do the trick just fine.

So now,

my desk is covered with this:

 

My lovely friend 

keeps asking if I've filled it in.

I haven't at all.

Not a lick.

But I feel better knowing I have the space to plan when I'm ready.

And I still have all the magic of the unknown

ahead of me.

P.S. Happy birthday to my big sis, Kara!!

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That's the thing with magic. 

You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.

Charles de Lint

Prayer Flags

Hi lovely people!

So, I ventured into the land of silk screening

and 

added a new section to the Etsy shop to sell said creations!

Meet, the prayer flags.

Traditional prayer flags 

  are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. 

It is thought

in Tibetan buddhism,

that

the flags do not carry prayers to the gods,

but rather

let the prayers and mantras

be blown on the wind

spreading

good will and compassion to all

the wind touches.

I thought we could all use

some modern day mantras.

 

I'm hoping to beef up my Etsy shop

with both creations and vintage finds over the next few months

and see if it can be a support source

for the 

adventures in this next year.

First on the adventure list...

is doing a rotation in an HIV clinic in Zambia.

All the proceeds

from the prayer flags would go toward that.

So,

if you would care to purchase anything (here),

become an official follower of the blog (on the right there),

spread the word about the Etsy shop,

or share my facebook posts,

I would be oh so

eternally grateful.

You really are great.

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May all beings have happiness and its causes, 

May all beings be freed from suffering and its causes; 

May all beings constantly dwell in joy transcending sorrow;

May all beings dwell in equal love for those both close and distant. 

-Tibetan Buddhist Prayer-

Thank You & My Closet

Thank you all for that wonderful, lovely support

on here, on facebook, and in person!

I'm so excited about letting dreams become expansive

and seeing where they go!

(I promise that thank you and my closet will be connected by the end of this post.)

You see,

I spent the weekend purging my room,

getting rid of things

I don't need or use.

In order to prepare for these adventures.

And in doing so, reorganized my closet

and rediscovered some gems hidden in the back.

Which inspired me to actually create some outfits!

I've been rotating some pretty staid work outfits for the last year or so,

and need to spice it up.

So,

I will be doing 'Krista's Closet' posts.

(Anatomy of an Outfit is sadly already used by another wonderful blogger)

I don't do high fashion.

I don't ever look polished.

I'm not super trendy,

but I will try to keep it entertaining!

I'll also be posting some items on Etsy,

to raise funds for said adventures.

I call this: Vermont business-casual.

 Jeans: Lucky brand

Shirt: Found on the side of the road in Barre, VT

Jacket: J.Crew Outlet

Hat: Carhartt from Salvation Army

Mug: Anthropologie

 

Peace Treaty

I found this company Peace Treaty from another blog,

and am kind of obsessed with their styling.

Dreamy fall outfits!

(When I'm not in 78 degree Georgia anymore...)

And a great mission statement:

Born in 2008, as a personal pact between Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, A PEACE TREATY creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of socio-political strife, effectively supporting their technique and craft while elevating their products to the level of high design for an exclusive and international fashion audience.

 

Design/ Sleeping Porch

We have a sleeping porch at our house,

which I had grand visions for...

that never materialized.

There's a day bed

and a papasan chair,

and I think I imagined it looking something like this...

Now I'm just drooling over those layered rugs.

That would make it so much more cozy!

I have no money for rugs, 

but I've been browsing just for fun.

What do you think about these?

(First 4: Ikea, Next 2: Urban Outfitters, Last 3: Anthropologie)

Well, a girl can dream.

Sustainabilty/ Small Homes

Check these photos out.

Who said small and sustainable living can't be luxurious?

 

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I am convinced that there can be luxury in simplicity.

-Jil Sander

Etsy!

So remember this photo...

and I said there was a story to it?

Well, there are these also...

 

 And all the clothes are on sale in my new Etsy shop!

Still adding things and working out some kinks (like the header),

but thought I would share.

Check it out here and feel free to share it.

Happy shopping!

Design & Sustainability / Chikumbuso

I think you all know that one of my sisters lives in Zambia.

And she brought us all one of these bags for Christmas.

They are made by women in Zambia out of old plastic bags.

A portion of the profits goes back to the woman and a portion supports Chikumbuso's community projects.

And I use mine.

ALL the time.

And I get asked about it in airports.

And my best friend just asked for one.

So I thought I should share them!

My sister brought a bunch back to the States to sell to support Chikumbuso.

If you're interested in one,

let me know!

Design / Sugarboo

Photo: Sugarboo Designs

When I was home,
I wandered around a lovely farm town Serenbe with my mama.
And found this in one of the shops.
I flipped through this book of love notes and had to buy it because I immediately knew who I wanted to give like 10 of them to.

It's a fun, more low-key alternative to a card.

I also wanted to buy her artwork,

but that will have to wait for another day,

when I am not a medical student.

Sustainability & Design/Osborn Shoes

"Our mission here at Osborn is to do good with good design."

Swoon.

 

Yes, yes, and yes.

 I found these shoes through some blog stalking a little while ago,

and just started day dreaming about them again,

so thought I would share.

I have many more things to share.

Of Costa Rica and revelations and astrology,

but Osborn is having a sale right now,

so go shop since I can't right now.

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A person should design the way he makes a living around how he wishes to make a life.
Charlie Byrd