VIII : Monthly Round Up August

WHAT I GOT UP TO IN AUGUST:

-Of course my favorite outfit from this last month was wearing my natural linen suit in full adventure mode. Finally some adventure style here at the end of the summer! It's usually my number one during the summer months, but I had been slacking this year ;)

-This month I was able to put together three videos over on YouTube. The first was a short vintage summer style lookbook, the second was a fun vintage and repro haul, and the last was the second video in my new Side Husselen series!

This month absolutely flew by, I can't believe it's time for another monthly round up already. Let's try and see if I made any progress on my goals shall we? I received an edited copy of my manuscript back from some beta readers and had a good long chat about the book and have started editing through again to make some small changes that I really think have added to the richness of the story so far... so that's good. I really need to complete this round of edits and start sending out query letters, as I have been putting that off for two months now, but time spent making the book better is never wasted time.

I also finally made a new dress this month, which has not yet appeared here on the blog, but I was really happy to have sewn something new. It has been really difficult to prioritize sewing compared to everything else I do currently. It sure is nice to have a new dress though, so clearly I need to do some more making!

Then of course I got a new tattoo (my second ever for those wondering) this month! In fact, it is so new, it is still healing as I type. The art deco style bee symbol is inspired by this set of tiles from the early 20th century held in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I had originally seen a close up of one of the bugs/cicada/bee/beetle illustrations from this set of tiles years ago, never able to find the source back then (thanks pinterest) and adapted the bug into more of a bee to use as a logo of sorts while still in university. The "bee" has been my personal logo ever since, and is on my business cards and pops up in some places in my "branding" (wow...so fancy).

Many people have called my B over the years, and I have come to quite like bees too. I am also very afraid of bugs and insects, so to me this symbol represent facing and accepting my fears and pushing past them too, which is something I will have to do as I make ready to put my writing out there and brace for the coming waves of rejection.

I dunno, I always feel like when someone tries to explain the "meaning" behind their tattoos it always ends up just sounds silly. People get tattooed foremost because they think it looks cool, I am no different :)


ALL THE THINGS:

-The Hannahlyze This podcast with YouTube star Hannah Hart and her friend Hannah Gelb (who has one of the best laughs I have ever heard) has been my best discovery this past month, I have already listened to every episode. Self described by the Hannah's as the self help podcast that just can't help itself, mostly it is just wonderful listening two two good (and humorous) friends supporting one another and talking about their struggles and successes. It feels like having two good friends in the room, which is what you want from a podcast a lot of the time right?

-The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has some super great 1940's knitwear and a stunning yellow evening gown, so perhaps give it a watch if you have not already!

-Now the American Duchess fall shoe pre-order is open too! Just when you thought it was safe, still recovering from lusting after Royal Vintage Shoe's fall releases, it's time to raid the piggy bank again for even more reproduction shoes. The Theda's are calling my name...loudly.

-This gorgeous photo Solanah posted and these atmospheric photos from Rebecca of The Clothes Horse have me dreaming of a new black linen dress to wear in a witchy sort of way as we enter into fall.

-This video from My Vintage Love really made me wish I had more amazing shops like this one they visited near me...


GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER:

-Finish this latest edit and send out query letters (ahhhhhhhh!!!!!)

-Finish three sewing projects (Last month I said two and completed one, so perhaps if I say three this time...I will complete two?)

-Hit 50,000 words on my new book. I'm currently at around 30,000. We shall see, it would be great to make some more progress.

And seeing as my PC computer's power supply just short circuited in a puff of very acrid smoke (yes really), and therefore I won't be getting a video edited today like I had planned, it's off to edit and write some more I go!

I hope you all had a great August, don't worry, Fall is just around the corner-- and fall is the best!