as winter nears // urban on you

sweater, flats, purse, headband (c/o Urban Outfitters) 
record player, records, books, pink dress, white dress (wall), instax wide, instax mini (UO, own)

Two days ago, I cheated and listened to a Christmas song. (It was this one, if you were wondering. And then this one, too.) Not that I care too terribly about the rules -- I'm more of a do what makes you happy, follow your own wild heart kinda girl. That sentence reminds me that I want to read this.

As winter nears, it is funny because things...slow down. Molecules move more slowly, time seems to pour out like honey. Why is that a walk in the snow sticks in your mind so much longer than one on any other warmish day, when the world is apt to whip by you, escaping into itself?

But, it also a time when things open up. Shops keep their store fronts open late into the night, lights glistening overhead in the window displays. Outdoor markets and mid-city skating rinks full of new lovers and old lovers and families. We open our homes to the ones we love. We make new acquaintances, we forge new friendships. We pull out the holiday records. We start stockpiling extra bags of fresh-roasted coffee, and blankets, and oversized sweaters -- we open not only our homes, but the things inside of it, to a friend who could use an extra layer, or a home-crafted latte. And we sit together. We listen to music, make art, share book recommendations (perhaps your sweater -- like this one -- will have big enough pockets to stow away that book recommendation) -- we do this for hours, and in the process, remember why we love the feeling of winter nearing.