photo courtesy of oO-Rein-Oo
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Well my friends, Christmas has come and gone as has another year. Just a few more days until the new year is upon us. It seems every year about this time, I come up with New Year's resolutions that never seem to last through the end of January. I know quite a few people with the same problem.
This year, instead of setting yourself up for disappointment by trying to lose 20 pounds by March or getting straight A's in school, make a resolution you know you can reach. During my holiday break, I've done a lot of talking with my mom and she pointed out to me that I have a tendency to give up when something doesn't go right from the start. After a lot of reflecting, I've realized this has kept me from experiencing a lot of really great things.
So here is my New Year's resolution: To live life to it's fullest! To get out of my safe little bubble of a world and open myself to failure, so that I can try again. (Well, except the school kind.) To experience everything life has to offer and try new things. To be adventurous, artistic, and more in touch with myself.
Father Time may be working his magic, but I'm going to use the most of the time he's giving us. To start living! How will you use yours?
photo courtesy of mi4
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Came across this lovely Coldplay song and it's definitely been on repeat for the past two days. Firstly, I would like to say this song is amazing because 1. Coldplay...nuff said, 2. I loooove looking at Christmas lights, 3. I had Jingle Bell Rock coming out of my ears, and 4. good lyrics + pretty melody = instant win. I thought this picture kind of captured the mood of the song (or what it means to me anyways). I came across an assortment of very pretty pictures with Christmas lights, but they were all so lonely. Christmas is about being with the people you love. Walking down the street, hand in hand, underneath the Christmas lights.
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I'm not one for watching tv, but thanks to Elsie at A Beautiful Mess, I've gotten into the fabulous show, Pushing Daisies. It's got a little bit of everything; comedy, murder mysteries, and a fairy-tale romance. Not to mention her adorable outfits and delicious looking pie-filled episodes. I will warn you, it may make you hungry. I crave something sweet every time I watch it.
So on this (rainy) day of relaxation, sit back, grab a piece of pie, and watch away!
Holidays + Lots of Sparkle & Shine = Silver Cloud Dress from Anthropologie
I've been eyeing this dress for quite a while. I imagined wearing it at a Christmas party (and then re-using it on New Years Eve!) But alas, it was quite a pretty penny. Apparently, Santa heard my wishes and marked it down $100. On top of it, Anthropologie is offering an extra 25% off all their sale items. Ho Ho Ho!
Happy Friday my friends :)
photo courtesy of charlie-aux-fraises
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For storage purposes, I was forced to leave my acoustic guitar at school for Christmas break. My last couple of weeks there, I played that thing every day, so I've been feeling a little sad without my baby.
As I walked through the house the other day, I remembered that big black box piled high with papers was a thing known as a piano, and I could once play it. So I dusted it off and began banging away at the keys. It's amazing how it all came back so quickly!
"Boston" by Augustana has been my song of choice, since it's one of the only ones I can remember or sing to. Pretty sure my family is already annoyed, but hey, what's a daughter/sister for?
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This weekend, I kind of went holiday baking crazy.
It all began on Saturday, when I had the urge to make my holiday special (and family's favorite), chocolate covered pretzels. My grandmother was throwing her annual Christmas/Birthday Party later that night, so I decided to make a double batch for her and her friends. There was quite a bit more than what you see in the picture. And with all the 60/70/80 year olds a few champagne's in, those went pretty fast.
On Sunday, I was really in the mood for a lemon pound cake. So, having never made one before, I decided to give it a shot. I used this recipe, found on the Food Network website. Umm....YUM. For my first lemon pound cake, it turned out delicious. The glaze was a little on the lemon-y side, but you live and learn!
Last night, I went out to Indian with an old friend from high school and she surprised me with homemade chocolate peanut butter cups. So what did I make today? You guessed it! I also made some rocky road cups too. Used this for inspiration.
Basically, I am on a sugar high. Good way to start to the week :)
photo courtesy of Bloddroppe
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YAY YAY YAY! I AM FREE! I literally just got back from my last final, and I couldn't be feeling any better! (Well, sleep and a shower wouldn't hurt.) Seriously though, freedom is the best thing ever. In a couple hours, I'll be heading back home to my loving family and holiday joy. I am so ready for the Christmas festivities to begin.
Laser tag tonight with my sister (yes, we are still five year olds inside), snowboarding tomorrow, swing dancing in the eve, and a weekend of being artsy/crafty. YES. Here's to a lovely three weeks of freedom!
P.S. I've always wanted to dye my hair that burgundy color or like this one, but am too chicken. See, I would want to be able to go back to my hair color when I'm tired of it. I've never dyed my hair. Suggestions?
photo courtesy of DreamerSeven
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December is finally here! And with it the loveliness of winter and a month of holiday joy. I'm actually not very fond of the winter. Besides hot cocoa, snowboarding, and Christmas festivities, I quite detest it. I'm more of a fall/summer person. However, for the next month, I will be quite cheery. Come January 2nd, the winter blues will set in.
Until then, I am going to enjoy every minute of this festive month. Holiday shopping, carol singing, ice skating, chestnut roasting, hot cocoa/peppermint mocha drinking, book reading, classic movie watching, family snuggling, tree/house decorating, and hopefully some craft time are what I have in store.
So I actually have finals next week, meaning that until they are over, I may go into hiding. But Thursday, December 9th at 12:30 pm, I am a free woman! I'll be going back home and the holiday festivities can begin. Here's to a lovely month!
P.S. Found the song in this lovely video from Naomi.
photo courtesy of destroya;
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Absolute love.
Lately (meaning the past couple of years), my taste in music has been quite mellow compared to what it was "back in the day". However, once in a while, this mellow music makes me go batty and revert back to my old, loud ways. All throughout middle school and the majority of high school, my favorite genre was what my mother likes to call "those annoying whiny boy bands". I believe it is categorized as pop punk. My all time favorite band for the longest time was Simple Plan. Yes, really. So although my taste in music has matured since then, its nice to listen to all that upbeat loud racket sometimes, and I still love it.
That being said, My Chemical Romance just released a new album and I came across their video for "Na Na Na". Besides the awesome song and gorgeous boys, I absolutely love the filming. It's made to look like a really fun comic book style action hero story. The song has been playing nonstop on my iPod and I loved that colorful still of Gerard Way from the video, so thought I'd share.
Don't worry, no more whiny boy band posts. I just had to get it out of my system. But he makes a pretty cute superhero, eh?
photo courtesy of pinkparis1233
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How I do love reading. It seems like I never have time for it anymore! I pick up a book and then feel guilty that I'm not studying, cave in, and end up never reading. But! I will change this. My sister has been doing a lot of reading lately and it's been a good way of relaxing and winding down.
The thing I love about books is that if the book is well written, you get so wrapped up in it, all worldly matters blow away into the wind. My favorite kind of book is one that brings you into an entirely different world and lets you get lost in it. A good book is one that I think about all day and can't wait to get back home to delve into its pages again.
How I miss this! The last time I read a book like this was over the summer. Thank goodness for the upcoming holidays! Thanksgiving and Christmas break, you can expect my nose to be buried in a book.
P.S. I absolutely LOVE these clothbound classics!
video courtesy of rockstar diaries
I've been wanting to post this video for a while and finally found some cause in hopes of helping out someone I care about.
Sometimes it's very easy to give up on love. Either your heart gets broken or you simply can't find it. What's the point of wasting all of that emotional energy for no results? I know I have given up plenty of times and I think it's safe to say most people have at one point in their life. Love just seems like this fairytale story you see in the movies.
And then, people like this remind me that there's love in real life. This is Josh and Naomi. They met on a street corner in New York when he was at Columbia and she was at Julliard. They fell in love, got married, and are now living on Capitol Hill with pet bulldog and a baby on the way.
Seeing the two of them always gives me a little more belief in that thing called love. So, whether it's your parents, grandparents, sister, brother, or friend who have found some love, look at them and remember: love does exist. So don't lose hope! It may take time, but it will come around eventually. And know that although it may not be romantic, someone always loves you.
P.S. I LOVE Naomi's red lipstick. It's called Ruby Woo from Mac. I went and bought it. Mmmm!
The surprise is out! As of today, I am starting a new segment called "Fabulous Finds Friday". We all know the economy is sucking pretty bad right now, and personally, I can't buy anything that hasn't been marked down in one way or another. So, in comes Fabulous Finds Friday! Every Friday I'll post great deals I have found on lovely things and share them with you!
First off, Sweet & Simple. One of my favorite etsy shops!
Now through December, she is offering free shipping on all of her products! Seriously, shipping can make or break a deal for me. I loved this deal so much I even bought this Emerald Green Vintage Crystal necklace from her yesterday. Can't wait for that one to come in!
Also, right now Urban Outfitters has this gorgeous Vanity Mirror on sale!
So pretty! Reminds me of something out of a French villa.
And, last but not least, a freebie! BOSS Fragrances is giving out free samples of BOSS Orange Sunset. (Or if you prefer men's cologne, this link is for you.) I already placed my free order. Your turn!
Hope you enjoyed those Fabulous Finds and may you have a lovely Friday! I will leave you with a great tune.
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photo courtesy of n0thing-t0-l0se
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I'm kind of obsessed with lighting. It's the key element of setting the mood to a room. So, being that I have my own studio apartment now, I'm kind of going crazy with all of the choices I have with lighting! I have candles EVERYWHERE in here. Tapers, votives, tea lights, you name it. I have a string of christmas lights around my door and a pretty lamp on my desk. But, it wasn't enough. I've been missing something. The lighting this old bed and breakfast room came with was just not doing it.
So, after my Trader Joe's run yesterday, I made a pit stop at World Market. They had SO many lights! I was in heaven but my indecisiveness posed a problem. And then I fell in love. I came across these beauties.
Gorgeous! Reminds me of something I would see in an Anthropologie catalog. I bought one strand and hung them above my desk around the window. I'm kind of debating whether or not to go and buy another one. They only had one more left!
Well, I'm off to the cafe to start my biology essay on catalysis. Yay.
P.S. I have a surprise for you tomorrow ;)
photo courtesy of simondfilip
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Sometimes the only way to get the things you want, but can't have, is to dream about them. When you miss someone who is in a far away place, dream about them in hopes that they're dreaming about you in return. Maybe bringing them into your thoughts will bring you to theirs. And just feel good knowing that you will see them again someday, wherever that may be.
Note about the photo/music: Once again, I am using the ever-so-talented photographer simondfilip. His subject in this is Becky Filip (yes, his sister), lead singer of The Honey Trees, who sings alongside her beau Jacob Wick. Simon also directed their music video I posted. I just recently put all of this together. Anyways, it turns out they're all from my hometown. I love love LOVE their music. And Simon's work. Oh, and Becky is an artist as well. Talented people!
photo courtesy of pinkparis1233
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In the past few weeks I've taken to late night drives. It usually so happens that once the weekend rolls around, all of the stress and emotion from the long week reaches the point of bursting. So, I hop in my car and drive. Lucky for me, the town I go to school in is surrounded by a whole lot of farmland. It's amazing how once I drive past the stop sign that sets the boundary to the cowtown, not a single car is on the country road. An old winding road, no lights, stars bright as ever above my head; just me, my thoughts, and my music.
Scary? Yes. Relaxing? Yes.
photo courtesy of the-optimist
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This picture leaves me breathless. While trying to find something for my blog about how I cooked dinner in my new studio apartment and how I'm living the life I always dreamed of, I stumbled upon this. I thought it was hilarious really, that while I was about to blog about my adult life, this photograph brought me down into thoughts of childhood.
I've never liked the Disney version of Peter Pan, however, the story itself is one of my all time favorites. The thought of staying young forever, flying away to Neverland, the chance to spend a lifetime with Peter Pan, all add to the wonder of this story. I sat there thinking what song I would pick to go along with this and then it hit me after about 10 tries. I picked "Somewhere Only We Know", by Keane, my favorite song in the whole wide world. The mood, harmony, and message behind the song perfectly complement my idea of Peter Pan.
So here I sat, in my studio apartment, feeling independent but lonely, proud I had reached my childhood dream of going to college and having "my own place", but dreading all of the responsibility I have ahead of me, especially with the Medical path, and then Peter Pan jumped into my life.
Maybe he'll come to my window and take me away to Neverland. I'll be waiting.
photo courtesy of ideea
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I added this amazing photograph as my desktop picture the other day, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, being that it's past midnight, my brain and heart are beating each other up, and I needed an excuse to stay up and eat Oreos & milk (the cure to mending any broken soul, temporarily anyways), I'm blogging it. This picture gets me excited for fall, my favorite season. So far, it's been a little disappointing. I'm waiting for the moment I'll be walking through the orange-leafed streets and a nip of wind will bring me my fall bliss. I can't wait for that. I can't wait to be her. Happy and free.
So in the mean time, I'll listen to that song and artist (Life in Technicolor, by Coldplay), and wait for that moment to roll around. I need a clean slate; maybe I'll work on that in the mean time. Start over. Fresh. For fall. And my yearly rejuvenation period. Oh, to fly that high.
No, my feet won't touch the ground. Will yours?
photo courtesy of pinkparis1233
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They say a picture speaks 1000 words.
1. loneliness
2. confusion
3. regret
4. distant
5. nostalgic
6. missing him
7. waiting
8. restless
9. hurt
10. done with it
No particular order. No particular person. No particular subject. Everything. And more. I kind of wish I could run away to this place right now.
They say a picture speaks 1000 words.
Runners Up:
Lost in the Woods
Asleep in the Woods
photo courtesy of awfultosee
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For the past couple days, this feeling of reaching out and not finding anything has been haunting me. I recently went through a break up, which was a really good thing, but I can't help feeling lonely again. I know it happens to everyone. That's why I felt the image of a hand reaching out for something, the unknown, kind of captured this feeling. I always feel like the person I am trying to reach, can't or won't reach back for me. And I am left there, hanging. Maybe it's because the people I feel connected to are far away or unattainable in one way or another. I keep waiting for my "only exception" to come around and grab my hand. So, to whomever you may be, find me soon. Come place "your hand in mine".
photo courtesy of Event7o5
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photo courtesy of ll2010
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Yesterday I went to Oakland at the Fox Theatre to see Keane, one of my favorite bands, live. On my way I passed through some farmland and fields of sunflowers. I was tempted to pull over and run through the fields. When I got to the theatre, I found out that the opening acts were Ingrid Michaelson (whom I have loved since way back when she was just starting off on a blank Myspace page) and Frances Healy, lead singer of another one of my beloved bands, Travis. He performed "Walking in the Sun" acoustically. He must have read my mind from earlier that day and my dream of walking through the sunflowers out in the field. :)
photo courtesy of mnico
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It's that time of year again. What time you ask? Stargazing time! Pretty much starting at the end of this month and going on through July, it's meteor shower central on earth. You can see a calendar of meteor showers throughout the year. However, the biggest one is mid August and is known as the Perseids. Last year, I went with a special someone and watched the falling stars out on some abandoned country road. Its so beautiful out there. I think it's an experience everyone should have at some point.
But to truly enjoy a stargazing experience, you have to have the right atmosphere. The Bravery, Coldplay, and Keane set up the perfect mood. I literally have a playlist with those three bands on my iTunes called "Stargazing". Well, happy stargazing!
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photo courtesy of NataschaLhea
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In about two weeks, my mother and I are embarking on an adventure. We have decided to take a road trip up to Seattle, Washington (and Canada for a day). I have been waiting to take a road trip for the longest time! Eventually I want to go across America, but you have to start somewhere small, right?
I would like to thank On The Road, by Jack Kerouac and Road Trip USA, by Jamie Jensen for giving me the inspiration I need for the long trip along America's roads. (P.s. the song The High Road by Broken Bells is amazing. Has the lead singer from the amazing band, The Shins. Kind of road-trippy, eh?)
photo courtesy of Pusteblumex3
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Don't you love receiving pretty packages in the mail? I sure do! Today I received a really pretty pair of earrings I had placed an order for on Etsy last week. Sweetsimple is one of my favorite sellers and always has pretty things.
And of course, as always, I have a song that goes along with it. Today is "Plenty of Paper" from one of my favorite bands, Eisley.
photo courtesy of a-SCENE-kid
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So in the spirit of 4th of July (yes, I'm a little late)......sparklers! They're my favorite part besides the giant fireworks. Fun for everyone! The song "Perfect in my Mind" by Gold Motel, featuring Greta Salpeter, lead singer of my favorite band, The Hush Sound, has a perfect video for the occasion. Fun party ending with fun sparklers in the bay :)
photo courtesy of simondfilip
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Lately I've been really obsessed with and inspired by the song "Birds" by Deas Vail. It's really beautiful and actually has a message. While looking for a pretty bird cage photo to accompany the song, I came across "simondfilip" on deviantART. Turns out we're from the same town! I see a promising future in his photography. Enjoy :)
