contented to know only happiness

i’m trying to understand what i love about the lifestyle of jane austen, romantic, and victorian novels.  (besides the lovely dresses, i mean).  what i’ve come to realise is that the modern world has grown uncomfortably busy.  people don’t just walk down the street anymore – everyone is talking on cell phones or listening to ipods – and the music of silence is ignored more and more.  i too am guilty of falling into these habits, filling my schedule until it is overflowing.  my idea is to get in as much as possible and to not feel restricted, but i’m starting to reconsider – maybe getting the most out of life is not doing the most but taking time to pause and appreciate what you are doing.

a certain pattern and string of expectations have taken over the way people live their lives – go to school, go to college, get a job.  did shakespeare major in poetry?  did jane austen ever have creative writing assignments?  i say, if you want to be a writer, an artist, whatever – just do it.  it’s knowing what you want that’s the hard part.

what do you think?

anyway.  here are some photos from a couple of days ago.  i don’t know if i’ve ever thanked ian for allowing me to force him to take these pictures, but thank you, ian :)

hair bow, details | chandalier necklace, greeting card | shirt, juicy couture outlet | coat, delias | skirt, free people | tights, urban outfitters | boots, hootenanny’s