Dotti Dee

Spring has (finally) sprung

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:34:00 +0000

Just when I was about to lose it, it happened. On the 26th of April the sun began to shine. This was by far the weirdest/most stressful winter in recent memory. It was almost as if the weather was playing a game with me by snowing, then melting, and just when spring was supposed to come (over a month ago) it would snow again. But on the 26th it's almost as if switch had been flipped and we had sun. Everyone was outside, people I've never seen before on campus flocked to the pavement to show off their frisbee and basketball skills. It was almost a shock to see so many people. So this weekend is an ode to the sun. I sneaked off home for the last time before the end of school and the minute I finished unpacking the boxes springtime fun was on. We lounged, drank coffee, read, thrifted, bought flowers, and for the first time since the last day of winter break I felt myself fully relax. I know I have to go back to school and face the last week of classes and finals week but after having this taste of spring/(summer?) I feel like I can take on the world.

x Sarah

Rose Salve & Blue Arrow Binder

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:02:00 +0000

It took over my life for over a week. This literature analysis on Labor Support and Patient Satisfaction, that paper housed in the blue and white folder. I carried it from classroom to coffee shop to meeting to room. Making notes, annotating, and writing my heart out. I felt relieved and strangely light when I handed it over. When I gave it up I realized I no longer had a direction. This is the problem with sometimes putting so much of yourself into school.

BUT IT'S ALL WORTH IT WHEN YOU GET AN A!
And I feel like I've found my direction again.

x Sarah

Going for a Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:32:00 +0000

Proof that I am getting old. My new definition of a perfect day involves waking up whenever the sun shines brightly enough, drinking a latte while reading something beautiful, going for a walk with Jordan, getting Chinese food and watching something epic before bed (the newest favorite? Game of Thrones forever!). I had one of those perfect days a few weekends ago and I'm hoping for more soon (after school is over of course, 20 days!)

Me and Jordan stumbled on this apartment for rent. Built in the 1920s, wood floors, chandelier in the lobby. Love at first sight. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting to find out where my internship is and it could take me anywhere. I will know in a month or so if I can try and make this place my home.

x Sarah

21 Before 22

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:56:00 +0000

I made a list. 21 things to do before turning 22. When I made this list I was in the middle of a hectic first semester of med-surg and I don't know why I thought I'd have time for all the stuff I put on this list but hey, that's optimism for you. I accomplished some of the things and didn't accomplish others. But there's always 22 things I can do before turning 23 that those undone things can be added to.

21 before 22

1. Go on a road trip - Me and Jordan went to Missouri and spend a week picking strawberries from gardens, thrifting, and taking walks around town.

2. Open a store - Antique Pearl Vintage has been my baby for almost a year now

3. Learn how to knit - I know the garter stitch. That's it. But I'm happy to say I learned how to purl last night and so I'm moving up in the world!

4. Do a week long green smoothie challenge - It was delicious. My favorite recipe is spinach, green apple, coconut milk, and lime.

5. Write in Journal for 21 days straight - sadly I did not do this. I've come to tearms with the fact that every moment of life cannot be documented. Some days are better left unremembered.

6. Do yoga for 21 days in a row - Oh how I wish I was nimble and flexible by now but unfortunately this goal will have to wait until summer time.

7. Bake a seven layer rainbow cake - Can I change it to a seven layer pastel cake and do it later? Done and done.

8. Learn how to hem a dress - I did it, it was shoddy. Let's just say I'm not a seamstress and I prefer the company of my real life seamstress too much to not bring all my dresses to her.

9. Witness life coming into this world - I was able to stand in on a birth for the first time last semester and it validated every feeling I have about working in delivery. I cannot wait to do that every day.

10. Go to a concert - One day.

11. Buy a 50s prom dress - I found one in Missouri! I affectionately refer to her as my cupcake cotton candy princess dress.

12. Do 10 DIY projects - I've done so many I can't even count them all! Instagram holds the proof of this one.

13. Cook 10 meals from scratch - Mostly stir fry and breakfasty foods but they count!

14. Start a tiny garden - I have five little succulents that depend on me for life. Unfortunately the only thing they really need is sun and I'm not a miracle worker! (fingers crossed for my green friends)

15. Finish watching Mad Men -The funny thing about this goal is I catch up and for some reason THEY KEEP MAKING MORE. I'll catch up again one day.

16. Push the envelope with my style - Perhaps the most vague of my goals but I can say with complete confidence I wore many things in the past year that past Sarah would have jealously eyed another girl for wearing. Success.

17. Make a gift for someone with my own two hands -After a Christmas of only handmade gifts I think I did this one most thoroughly.

18. Read 10 new books - Holy moly. Does my med-surg count as 10? Then yes. Yes I did.

19. Make a new friend -A new school year with fourty new girls on my floor. I can definitiley say I made more than one new friend.

20. Go to a play - sigh

21. Find an apartment - Work in progress! Hopefully in three months I will be a first time renter.

Congratulations! If you made it this far you earn a gold sticker and my undying appreciation. I'll be working on 22 new goals in the upcoming weeks. But until then! Happy April!

x Sarah

Story Book

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:35:00 +0000

I'm building my own fairy tale. I've discovered recently through the lens of my camera I can change the context of my own surrounding by focusing on the details. If you were to take a snapshot of the city I live in you would find a monotonous Minnesota town with little intrigue. But if you look harder you can find so much more. Jordan and I took a trip down a street we've never walked yesterday, to uncovered a story book world among the everyday landscape of this town we live in. Although I'm sure ordinary folk who live ordinary lives live behind these brick and stone walls the little kid inside of me dreams of interesting characters. I thought of these things again today when I wore a very old nurses cape that was a gift from Solanah. I feel that once more I was focusing my lens and finding something magical in a piece of fabric. And just for a moment I was part of that fairy tale world.

x Sarah

Routine.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:21:00 +0000

Brew, sip, study, sip, rinse, repeat.
A universal routine among college students.

x Sarah

Last Spring Break

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:50:00 +0000

Reading Little Llama's post made me come to an interesting revelation. My last Spring Break has come and gone. It's so strange for me to think that this time next year I may be working as an RN. Spring Break has come to be a thing I expect and has been something I've come to take for granted. But instead of becoming too sentimental for something that has gone for good I'll share some photos from my last spring break so I can look at them in the future and smile.

p.s. This may be sort of a year of "lasts." I'm coming to a point where I'm transitioning from a college student to the real world and it's both thrilling and terrifying. Bear with me!
(Warning: This is a weeks worth of photos! Skip to the bottom for a synopsis :)

This week I

-Went thrifting

-Read the Spring Kinfolk

-Painted my future room

-Finished my black cat espresso

-Used a coffee stirrer as a hair clip at one point

-Watched Tangled for the first time

-Entered myself into the Modcloth Style contest

-Talked on the phone for an hour with my tailor about nursing, the 80s, and growing old

-Wore broken glasses

-Found and passed up a Hudson Bay blanket

-Found 1940s satin pants

-Picked up my previously torn Spring dress, waiting for good weather to wear it!

-Learned about persian and native american rugs

-Failed at making good Kale chips (too soggy)

-Celebrated my Dad's birthday by having him paint with us :)

-Loved

xoxo Sarah

Loopy Mango

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:06:00 +0000

I love Loopy Mango. I know that sounds like a 90s cartoon character but in reality it's the coolest yarn shop. Ever. They make yarn and knitting tools for impatient knitters like me. Seriously, the giant yarn and needles they make are pretty nifty. I would love one day to be able to knit a blanket with one of those giant skeins of yarn but for now I'll settle on making scarves (so. many. scarves.)!

I hope your having a beautiful almost spring!

Playing Dress Up: After Clinical

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:02:00 +0000

Playing Dress Up: After Clinical by dottidee featuring stripe socks

Club Monaco / J.Crew stripe socks / Woolrich Hudson's Bay Multi Wool 8 Point King

Clinical is done and I'm oh so very sleepy. I began the clinical day with a big steaming latte made with some black cat espresso from intelligentsia (thanks again Cassie!) and a Kashi granola bar for a mid morning breakfast. I'm not one of those people who can wake up and eat right away which usually poses a problem when hunger strikes while I'm usually in a patients room. But today I got a break (it was glorious!) Although I'm not as tired as I usually am after clinical this dress up I made is still relevant. Because who doesn't want to lounge in their most unassuming clothes while snuggled beneath a blanket in a room that smells like lavender white tea after a long hard day? I sure know I do!

I hope your day is cuddly and filled with joy.
x Sarah

Antique Store Musings

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:07:00 +0000

I collect passions. When I go to an antique store I make sure to get to know whoever is working that day. I love to hear about their favorite collections, their best finds, and what they’re passionate about. I love learning these little bits of what drives people. One man I know loves red wing pottery, one woman doesn't think vintage is worth anything if it is past the 40s and mainly focuses on Victorian whites, one woman loves barn stars, another 60s jewelry. These may not sound like passions, just collections, but as a treasure hunter myself I know that’s not the case. It’s the thing that makes us tick; it keeps us motivated to continue pushing on, to continue searching for the next big find, the next big moment and to an antique seller these items are the key to what makes them tick.

Personally I’m passionate about women’s health, autism research, 40s through 60s dresses, and making the perfect cup of coffee. What are you passionate about?

x Sarah

An ode to the coffee shop

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 03:14:00 +0000

I love coffee shops. I struggled in vain all weekend to study for my cardiac test tomorrow and made a few strides through the endless piles of material, but today I decided to take a small break from my room and headed over to the coffee shop on campus. As soon as I walked in I wondered why I hadn't been there all along. I love the smell. The smell of coffee wafting through the air energizes me alone (not to mention the actual coffee I drank). It's an intoxicating smell that transports me in my mind to every peaceful and energizing moment I've ever had over a mug of steaming fresh beans. I love the sounds. The grinder pulverizing the beans into the perfect consistency, the espresso machine whirring to life with pressure and steam, the foamer whizzing to create the perfect tiny bubbles, the whip cream canisters exploding making everything a bit sweeter. I love the atmosphere. Dim lighting with bright people, newly energized with their beloved drink of choice, each one unique in sweetness, bitterness, and consistency. This is a place to focus, to energize, to create, to be inspired, and most importantly to learn. I finished the bulk of my studying in this sturdy wood chair just as I have for the past seven semester over the last four years. I owe a lot to this coffee shop. It has given me the space I needed to grow, learn, and on a rare occasion, to share a meaningful conversation. And that is worth the price of an occasional cup of joe.

x Sarah

Real Talk: On Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:25:00 +0000

Blogging can feel fake to me sometimes so I wanted to borrow Kaelah Bee's idea and write some posts periodically without that stereotypical blogger filter. Real talk (anyone get the reference?) will be rambly and unfiltered and will completely reflect my feelings on various issues. Here it goes!

Thought 1: I admit to being a but indecisive about this blog. I have struggled to update it regularly because of my workload with school and have attempted to lure myself here with blog makeovers and changing the name (which worked temporarily). The thing is, I'm in love with the concept of a blog. I love instagram which is essentially a mini blog (much easier to update quickly and on the go) but the concept remains the same. I cherish the records of life and I know I will look back on these posts lovingly one day, but as of now I struggle to find the motivation to post. Recently I grappled with the idea on whether or not to stop writing here but a lovely reader (hey Veralynn!) sent me the sweetest email that reminded me why I love to document my time as a nursing student. Thank you Veralynn!

Thought 2: Regarding the name of this blog. Some of you may remember that I changed the name here from The Antique Pearl to Dotti Dee to match my IG name a few months ago. Everytime I post here though I think about that name and I realize that even though I love it on IG I still feel like it's not a good fit for this space. I may be changing things around here soon in terms of the name (or I may learn to love it) but to be honest (awesome readers) I'm afraid of being obnoxious with all these switches.

Thanks for reading this slightly neglected space week after week. You guys make my day with every comment ♥
x Sarah

question: what are your feelings on blogging? Let it all out!

Last Weekend 1/18 - 1/20

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:53:00 +0000

Last weekend was the kind that can't be replicated. I enjoyed every single thing; the light, the sounds, the moments. From walking downtown while running errands, to a super productive Saturday, pure joy in a thrift shop dressing room over a $4 silk vintage dress, to watching a movie with the man I love (while wearing said dress), it was a weekend to remember.
I hope you're making memories today.

x Sarah

Playing Dress Up: Believe in Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:38:00 +0000

Believe in Spring by dottidee featuring leather flat shoes

Knit top / Salvatore Ferragamo leather flat shoes / 1940s1950s SILK classic day dress by croatiavintage on Etsy

I have never been a lover of winter. Something you will see archived in this blog quite a bit. I'm pretty vocal about that disdain and for good reasons 1. I know I will complain about it, so it's a fair warning and 2. I live in one of the coldest states in the U.S. with a very low tolerance for cold (I wear wool socks indoors during the summer for Pete's sake!). I preface this post with that fact so I can shout from the rooftops now, how excited I am for spring to come. I have been checking the weather daily and even though it was -15 on Monday I know next Monday it will be 32! That is enough reason for me to begin to daydream about silk dresses, Salvatore Ferragamo flats and tiny cardigans (be gone wool!). But until then I'll simply believe that Spring is on it's way.

x Sarah

On Med-Surg and Aspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:40:00 +0000

My classes today snapped me back into the reality that I am no longer in OB. As much as my mind attempts to associate everything I learn with pregnancy and delivery, when we started reviewing EKG strips I knew it was really over, that another semester of Med-Surg has begun, and I need to set my adoration of the mother/baby units aside and focus on the task at hand. It's a unique perspective knowing what I want to do in this field while many of my classmates are still in that decision making process. I am fully aware that my mind could change once I get into practice, but all I know from my relatively short time on all the units I've visited is this: I felt right on the mother/baby floor. So in this time and place I'm going to hold onto those aspirations of midwifery as a goal but focus on getting through my last full semester of classes.

I hope all is well.
x Sarah

Playing Dress Up: Cozy Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:10:00 +0000

Playing Dress Up: Cozy Planning by dottidee featuring mocassin shoes

Enza Costa / Mocassin shoes / diptyque / Gallery Leather: Family Planner: Soft Cover, Book Bound Leather...

I plan a lot of things. I plan my classes, my work, my homework, my work outs, my shop time, my blog time, and if I'm desperate sometimes I plan my sleep. Today is one of those days where my favorite planner comes out and I coordinate the next few weeks. If I could play pretend I would be wearing these amazing comfy (and I'm sure flattering) linen pants with cozy moccasins. And a few hours of planning wouldn't be complete without a pretty smelling candle to burn. But alas this is just pretend, yoga pants and my target slippers will have to suffice.

I hope your day is just as cozy as my make believe one.

x Sarah

1/12/13

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:18:00 +0000

Shortly after I wrote my last post I packed everything up and made the trip back to school. One nice thing about getting older is the fact that I appear to adjust to these changes a lot better than I did my freshman year (nary a tear to be seen although I did pout a lot). I spent the night unpacking and the whole day yesterday in CA (also known as RA) training. The rest of the night was devoted to playing pool, watching a movie with my staff, and finally I stayed up until 2 AM preparing my floor for move in. The doors are going to open in 50 minutes and everyone will flood in with the anticipation of the new semester filling them to the brim. Personally this is my favorite moment of the new semester. Right on the brink. Filled with hope, promise, anticipation and a tiny bit of trepidation for what's to come.

note: when I began thinking about what I wanted to do with redesigning this space I knew it had to have at least one special touch. So I emailed Caitlin Shearer to ask her if she'd illustrate a piece for my blog! Fast forward a few weeks and here is my brand new banner! I could not be any more in love with the coffee cup and yarn words and I hope you love it too! Have a great day.

x Sarah

Didn't I say I was going to be optimistic?

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:12:00 +0000

Well, the time has finally come and my winter break has drawn to a close. I haven't gotten out of bed yet this morning but the anticipation of packing and all the errands I have to run (textbooks etc.) is looming over my head. Breaks are good but sometimes I find myself getting too relaxed and too comfortable in the routine of "taking a break." And eventually, because it always happens, the overwhelming task of getting back into the rigorous routine of homework and little sleep seems just that, overwhelming I hope wherever you are you are having a relaxing day and I'll leave you here today with some photos from a more relaxed day.

What do you usually do to shake yourself out of relaxation mode?
x Sarah

The Bearded Man

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:01:00 +0000

Birthday gift for my bearded man by dottidee on Polyvore

Jordan's beard began growing in red a few months after I started coloring my hair the same shade. It started one hair at a time; I would be lying on the pillow next to him and catch a speckling of red here and there on his face. Now it's completely red (my best friend affectionately refers to us as "the gingers") but just recently I happened to glimpse a few red strands weaving just above his temple. I've always wanted little red headed kids and now it's looking like that's a strong possibility (disclaimer: not pregnant!). So if I haven't made it plainly obvious, I have a love affair with my boyfriends facial hair (not as weird as it sounds). I was brainstorming about what to get him on his soon to be 21st birthday when I stumbled on Aubrey McCoy's IG post about Burroughs beard oil. After a quick google I found Prospector Co. I love the apothecary style packaging and the fact that it is a line devoted to the bearded man. Long story short, I'm going to get Jordan a gift any man would appreciate. Something he would never buy for himself in a million years because it's "too much."

note: Jordan does not read my blog so don't fret that this will ruin any surprise And Jordan if you are reading this. Seriously? You decide to start reading now?

Do you have a bearded man in your life or are you a bearded man? If so, what do you use?
x Sarah

Playing Dress Up: Sunday on a Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Sunday Night by dottidee featuring printed shirts
fair isle sweater // mug // scarf in progress // pride and prejudice

The last few days of break have been passing by in quick succession so I'm grabbing onto today like there is no Thursday (gulp). If I could play dress up right now I would be wearing this adorable sweater, with this cute mug of tea (going on a short coffee detox), knitting something red and pretty, and maybe ending the day with my favorite book. Luckily in this instance I don't need to pretend because I have all of these things just in slightly different variations. I hope your Tuesday is long and beautiful.

x Sarah

note: This new feature is inspired by reading my tea leaves's Make-Believe series. Her blog is my favorite read and you should definitely go give it a peek. Say Dotti Dee sent you!

On change and letting go

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:57:00 +0000

My break from school is beginning to draw to an end and my mind has been stuck on change. The end of a year and the beginning of another; the end of my obstetrics rotation and back to medical surgical. Although change isn't always the peachiest thing to deal with, I'm going to try my hardest to be optimistic and get through the next 122 days (until summer) on sheer positivity.

Another change I've been feeling has to do with aesthetics. I'm not sure if you noticed but I made-under the layout to this blog. So many areas of my life are cluttered, and I feel if I can strip some of that clutter to the bare bone I may be able to find a bit of piece of mind in the semester to come. So another thing I may be writing about is a journey of "letting go." Letting go of stuff - of emotional baggage, and hopefully a negative attitude. So cheers to 2013, med-surg, and the goodwill donation center!

x Sarah

note: Here is what my old profile looked like if you are new here! And also, WELCOME!

2013 - Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 23:34:00 +0000

1. Graduate Nursing School- 349 days until I graduate with a Bachelors of Nursing Science. I am seriously counting the days.

2. Be a better friend- Give more gifts, show my love, make more time, set more coffee dates, send a text, make a phone call, write a letter. Anything to be a better friend.

3. Work out- It's as simple as that. Three times a week. Two days a week. Ten minutes a week. It doesn't matter as long as I do it!

4. Declutter my life- I feel like my life is cluttered in many ways. But the number one way clutter manifests itself is through stuff. I have been making more of an effort lately to stop buying so much and to simplify what I already have. 2013 feels like a year of cleansing. To declutter, destress, and just generally wipe the slate. Wish me luck

What are some resolutions you've made?

x Sarah

2012 in Blog Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:09:00 +0000

I've been reading all the overview posts that have been popping up in my feed and I thought to myself "I want to go over my year in blog posts." I wondered if I would have enough to even make a post and as I was scrolling through my posts from the last year I was so suprised by how much happened! Here are some of my favorite DIYs, road trips, important dates, and favorite posts from 2012!

DIYs

1. Painted terracotta pots

2. DIY floral wedges

3. My favorite DIY was when I painted my dresser mint.

4. I saved my favorite sweater from extinction by sewing on heart elbow patches.

Road Trips

1. Missouri -Me and Jordan went to Missouri to visit his family in June and had a blast! There was vintage everywhere I turned.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

2. Duluth- Me, my mom, and my sister went to Duluth on a mini road trip. We went on a dinner cruise, thrifted, and explored downtown.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Important Dates

1. I opened my vintage shop on May 7th

2. The Antique Pearl got a makeover on July 11th

2. Me and Jordan celebrated our 5th anniversary on September 28th

3. The Antique Pearl became Dotti Dee on October 18th

My favorite posts

1. How to find and identify vintage clothing

2. My mom, sister, and myself make new traditions.

3. I thrift my favorite dress

4. Goals for October

5. My take on weekends

6. What makes a home?

7. The first day of fall

8. My first guest post

9. My favorite iphone apps

10. On reinventing myself

I hope 2012 was a great year for you. See you in 2013!
x Sarah

These winter days

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 08:17:00 +0000

My toes are frigid and my nose cold. Minnesota winters have never been my friend and I admit that when the first snow falls I begin counting down the days until March when the weather begins to warm again. But there's still so much beauty in these winter days. The way the sun reflects across the snow and fills the house with bright light is just enough to make me smile even on the coldest of days.

Bundle up and stay warm.
x Sarah

The woes of minimalistic packing

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Dee) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:37:00 +0000

"I miss my velvet blazers..."
"I should have grabbed my Ralph Lauren maxi skirt...."
"Where is my striped Breton top..."

I took the day to page through blogs and take in the inspiration I was lacking and it really has me bemoaning my tiny suitcase. I said in an earlier post that the packing I did for the next few weeks was a rush job with a minimalists mind, and now the fashionista in me is being a bit of a diva. Today I wanted more than anything to be wearing an over sized sweater with my favorite maxi skirt. And the upcoming new years parties? I think my blue velvet blazer that hits my curves in the right places would have been the perfect little number. Moral of the story? Minimalism isn't always key. Next time you're packing make sure you grab the essentials, but don't forget to throw one or two fun pieces in the mix to keep things interesting.

x Sarah