1.31.2011

Friends

What an exciting, exhausting, challenging, fun-filled, laugh-filled weekend. My trip to Long Island was a success, though traveling was a bit nerve-wracking and long. I can’t even put into words the great time I had. Rafter, Lauren, and I basically speak our own crazy language. “We R Who We R” by Ke$ha was our theme song. I had the “native” tea (Long Island Iced Tea, obviously). I ate 2 “cold slices” (a slice of pizza with cold shredded mozzarella).

I will cherish my memories. I didn’t take too many pictures, I mostly stored everything in my brain. Here’s what I do have to show.

IMG_4647IMG_4737IMG_4763IMG_4753Lauren’s cat, Earl Grey.

Already, as always, anticipating the coming weekend. I had so much fun with my friends, and it was greatly needed, but I missed Brad and sleeping in. Here’s to a great week until then!

1.28.2011

About the weekend…

This weekend will be unlike the others. I’m taking my first ever road trip to Long Island to see my dearest friend Lauren’s place (she’s been there since July…shame on me) and spend time with her and Rafter! It’s been a long time since we were all reunited. I am so very excited! I’ll get to see Lauren’s stomping grounds, eat lots of tasty foods, and be in the company of my best friends. I’ve had a grumpy week, and being around them always reminds me of how I’m still fairly young and fun and that there’s more to life than the daily 9-5 grind. Man, I sound really depressing.

I can’t wait to share pictures and stories with you!

friendzAlso, I can’t wait to get a replacement picture for this…I hate myself in it hahaha.

1.27.2011

Current Jam

This song by Yeasayer came on my Zune randomly and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it since. Considering it’s cold, dreary, gray, and snowy slushy icky out, this song is a nice change of pace. I’m transported to a desert, wearing a slinky, sheer, flow-y dress and a floral crown, dancing around with beautiful people in similar garb (unless you’re a man…then you’re buff and shirtless). I don’t know why…it’s just the way it is with this tune.

1.26.2011

Missing college…

Real life has yet to compare to my college days. Sigh…

P.S. I changed my blog title a bit…I dunno if it’ll stick but I thought I’d give it a whirl…I’m hoping to make some changes, but I always say that.

1.25.2011

Another weekend has come and gone…

I had a pretty fantastic (as per usual) weekend, but I couldn’t blog about it until today. I was too sad about it ending and I had to make sure I survived Monday, as I had been dreading it way more than usual. Gosh, I need a change of pace.

The highlights:

  • Bowling, pitchers of beer, and food for Dana’s birthday
  • Brad’s rendition of Steak Gorgonzola (so good, but I shouldn’t have put so much gorg on it)
  • Pepperidge Farm cookies
  • DVDs in bed
  • Craft Your Own 6-Pack at Wegman’s
  • Apples to Apples with couple-y friends

IMG_4440IMG_4451IMG_4455IMG_4518IMG_4564IMG_4553IMG_4567IMG_4586

 

I think the weekend should be 5 days long and the work part should be 2 days. Life would be so much better that way…

1.24.2011

Mini

As is custom with all my toy camera loves, I’m obsessed with my first roll of film. Diana Mini is one for the books, a definite keeper, something I would recommend for anyone wanting a plastic toy camera!  Bulb mode. Multiple exposures. Flash with color slides. Square or rectangular. 2 pictures in 1. 35 mm (read: easy to get developed) film. In fact, if you only ever get one toy camera in your life (though I’m not sure why you would…), I would say the Diana Mini is the way to go.

IMG_0001IMG_0007IMG_0010IMG_0009IMG_0012IMG_0019IMG_0011IMG_0006IMG_0003

1.23.2011

2nd Blogiversary

Today is my 2 year blogiversary! I don’t have a ton of followers and I don’t even know if many people read this thing, but I am particularly proud of myself. I am all about starting things and rarely about finishing them. But here I am, two years later, still writing on my Crazy Crazy Crazy blog.

IMG_0017{One of pictures from my first roll of Diana Mini film}

Looking back, I’m not 100% sure why I decided to start one. In high school, I did the Xanga thing. I even had a Live Journal for a while. But nothing ever stuck… I even used to keep journals in high school. I would put on my headphones and write forever about my day. I don’t think I could look back at those even now. So painful and probably extremely embarrassing.

When I started this blog, I was 21 years old, growing out a just recently dyed black pixie cut. I was starting my last semester of college. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I had no idea where I would be in six months, let alone by the end of the year, or now. Hell, I still don’t know. But this blog has changed and grown with me.

I started with a crappy, 9 times out of 10 wouldn’t work digital camera and super short hair. Now my hair is past my shoulders. Now I have 7 cameras to call my own and I love them all dearly. I work full-time, but I’m ready to start something new. I fell in love, when I never thought that would be possible again.

Back then, I’d never believe I’d still be writing, and as frequently as I do, on Blogger. But here I am.

I love this blog so much. It is my personal journal, documenting my favorite pictures and places and people and things and the good parts of life. The stuff I want to look back on and remember. The things that inspire me. It keeps me positive when the rest of the day would have me otherwise. I may not have a ton of readers, but I’m happy to be doing this for me.

I hope to have a 3 year blogiversary. I would love to see it change and grow as I continue to do so. Who knows where I will be when that time rolls around…I just hope I still have this space to document it.

 

If you do read, thanks so much!

There are so many blogs I find inspiring out there…you can find them on the side of my page.

1.21.2011

It’s Friday!

What a week…the end is already here! And frankly, I couldn’t be more excited. It’s going to be tough getting back to the 5 day grind next week. Wah. But, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. This one should be good. I’ll be celebrating Dana’s birthday, and then spending all of Saturday and Sunday with Brad. We haven’t been seeing as much of each other as we would like, and next weekend I’ll be visiting Lauren in NY(!so excited!), so we want to make this one count. We’re trying to have a cheap weekend, so lots of cooking and TV and movies and board games and cuddling. I’m very excited to veg out. I love a nice, loud, social weekend…but it’s nice to keep it low-key…especially when you know the next one will be lacking in the sleep/peace/quiet/low-key department. To boot, the temperatures are expected to get into single digit territory.

Hello, Slanket!

010

Hope everyone has a fantastic, relaxing, fun, wild, and whatever you want it to be weekend!!!
Stay warm!

1.20.2011

Dress-y

I’ve been in the process of re-vamping my wardrobe lately, and I must say it has been quite successful. I still have a bunch of clothes to go through and donate so that I don’t keep clogging my closet. And there are still some key items I would like. I’ve been trying to go for a put-together, feminine look lately. I still love jeans, bright colors, strange fabrics, and mismatched patterns. But I’d like to do all of that with a lot more skirts and tights thrown in the mix.

forever211


forever212

forever213

forever214

Most days, I wake up, put on the teensiest bit of makeup, my glasses, a messy ponytail, and the same few pairs of pants and shirts for work (I loathe business casual). When I put together an outfit, I feel better. Happier. Girlier. Comfortable. Like myself.

I was looking at the dresses above on Forever 21. Dresses are quite perfect. One item that’s a whole outfit in itself and can be changed with tights or shoe choice or scarves or jewlery or jackets or sweaters. I definitely need some more of these.

Freezing cold temperatures and gray skies be damned.

1.19.2011

Is that why they call me a sullen girl?

 

Fiona Apple’s album Tidal is classic. There is not one song I don’t like.

1.18.2011

Little Miss Matched

Since it’s winter, I am very adamant about layers. I hate being cold, so I wear thermals of some sort nearly everyday, and I am passionate about socks. Knee socks are usually my go-to, since they cover half of the legs. So, the other day, my mom realized I was wearing said knee socks and showed me these Little Miss Matched socks she purchased but never who to give them to…she’s like that, always thinking about other people :) . The concept is quite adorable. Instead of buying a pair of two, you get three socks. Each has a different design, so you can make a few different, mismatched pairs. I automatically fell in love.

IMG_0008

Cut to last night. I’m watching the Jersey Shore (yes, I watch and enjoy that show…we’re all aware of the hot mess) and I see Snooki wearing them! I don’t plan on showing my socks off much, but it’s fun to play around and make an otherwise boring and necessary thing fun! Check out the site…it’s so adorable. They have all kinds of socks if knee-highs aren’t your thing. (And also, I understand if Snooki wearing theses socks might be a bit of a turn off. But I swear they are adorable.)

1.17.2011

Another weekend…

So thankful for a Monday off. It was nice avoiding the Sunday night blues. And even though I have work tomorrow, I don’t actually feel all that sad about it. Perhaps it’s the knowledge of a 4 day week (and a completely full and more than likely great weekend that much closer). I worked on Saturday, but thankfully it’s only for about 4 hours. So I still had most of the day to enjoy. A list of things I did this weekend…

  • Basement party on Friday night with the usual gang
  • A tiny shoot/snowy exploration of the local park with my friend, Jared
  • Burritos Deluxe and a killer frozen margarita at La Tolteca
  • Dancing and drinks and seeing friendly faces at Bar Louie
  • Afternoon double date of bowling and Johnny Rockets with Tracy and Steve
  • Late night Style Channel shows with my mom
  • Sleeping in
  • Shopping

034

IMG_0004IMG_0006015028047

039041

A whole mess of photos I took, with the new Fuji Instax 210 I got, my iPhone (Hipstamatic), and the Rebel XSi of course.

Natalie Portman and Baby Bump Fashion

So, the Golden Globes were last night and I didn’t watch. I’m more of an Oscars gal. But Natalie Portman won and talked about being pregnant a little and looked gorgeous as always. I sure hope she wins the Oscar this year! Anyways, I was watching E! News Sunday morning and it turns out everyone is pregnant. And then I go on some of my regularly frequented blogs and a bunch of those ladies are pregnant. So I’ve become curious about how people dress and show it off/hide it. But it’s so interesting to see what Natalie Portman is doing with her budding baby bump. Obviously, it’s not big yet. And I guess there isn’t much you can do. But she seems to be gearing towards long and flowing or short and almost boxy. Not really defining the area but not hiding it either. Regardless, it’s all gorgeous (shocking).

nataliebabybump1nataliebabybump2nataliebabybump3nataliebabybump4nataliebabybump5

It seems like 2011 is going to be (already is) Natalie’s year!

1.14.2011

Tired and ready for the weekend…

IMG_0016

I can’t stress this enough, but I don’t like to get too personal on the blog. I love sharing stories and pictures of good things…I don’t want to use this blog as a forum to rant. But I’m exhausted and more than ready for the weekend. Some things changed at work, and now I’m going between two offices. Even though I end the week closer to home (and I can come home during my lunch break), there’s a lot of stuff to get used to. And now, my first Saturday shift is tomorrow and I’m nervous. And also…I just don’t feel like working. But Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I have that off. And because I have that off, and I don’t work next Saturday, I will have a four day week. So…as much as I want to whine and complain, I still get two (and a half) days to rest before next week, which will be a whole day shorter than the usual work week.

Gotta think positive, right?

In weekend news, I have a couple of little plans here and there but nothing huge and nothing that feels concrete. So who knows where my free days will take me? I only hope I have some stories, pictures, and positivity to share with y’all come the new week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

1.13.2011

A fact about me…

I am a very lazy person. I’ve been wanting to clean and organize my room for months…heck, years…and I have yet to follow through. My car looks like a magazine-loving hobo resides in it. When debating whether I should exercise (even for 10 minutes!) or not, I usually go with the “not” option. But all I had to do was squirt a little of Philosophy’s Sugary Cinnamon Icing lotion and I was out the door, in the beginnings of a snow storm, rushing to the grocery story to buy a roll of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. This is not the first time I’ve stopped everything for food. And it won’t be the last. Now…if only I could I have the same determination towards the bigger issues…

IMG_4327IMG_4330IMG_4344

1.12.2011

Rockabye Baby!

Have you heard of these lullaby albums, Rockabye Baby! ? Basically, it’s the amazing concept of taking your most beloved artists and a bunch of their best tunes and turning them into lullabies for your offspring. I may not have a child of my own, and I also don’t babysit or have any babies around on a regular basis, but I stumbled onto these during my sophomore year of college, when I saw there is a Radiohead rendition. I listened to it out of curiosity and actually fell in love. Relaxing, melodic, peaceful versions of my favorite songs…I still love this album. My mom recently bought the Bob Marley and Pixies versions and they are great background music after a long rough day of work…

I guarantee you’ll find an album you’d want to share with your little one someday. Or just enjoy them yourself.

1.11.2011

Cards and Quarters

A great song by Local Natives. I like to play live/acoustic versions of songs on here to change it up, and this is certainly an interesting version. It’s beautiful either way, and I have a lot of feelings towards it. Check out the album version here.

1.10.2011

Little Life Lessons and Facts

 

018

  • Good sleep and lots of water are necessary for feeling good. The less sleep you get and the thirstier you are, the worse you will feel.
  • When in a bad mood, take a bite of something chocolate. You will feel better instantly, guaranteed.
  • There is nothing wrong with heading immediately and only to the sales rack when clothes shopping. But you don’t have to buy everything just because it’s cheap.
  • It’s important to think through your decisions, but it’s also just as important to forget your brain for a little and focus on your heart.
  • The wise words of my friend Dana (via some other clichés): “You only live once, and you can’t take it with you.” She said this not long after I bought my DSLR and was feeling a little guilty for spending the money. But that money won’t be with me when I’m gone. I don’t suggest using these words to justify every penny spent, but I’m so glad I used it for this passion purchase, something that has brought a little color into my life.
  • Losing friends over the course of time sucks, but the good ones are those who stay despite all of that. Be thankful for them instead of spiteful for those who have left.
  • There is nothing more important than the present. It’s literally all you have, because the previous and future moments are not in your control. Live in the now and take things as they come.
  • When you’re sick, stay home. You’ll get better faster and you won’t have to hear people bitch about you getting them sick.
  • Listening to music in the morning on the way to work will make the dreaded arrival a bit easier to bear.
  • There’s nothing wrong with having a free, plan-less day/weekend/week. You will be thankful for it/miss it/wish you had it when your life becomes cluttered with responsibilities.
  • Do not underestimate your powers or allow anything to get in the way of how you feel about what you do. If it makes you happy and it’s not hurting anyone, do it anyway (and no one is perfect anyways and you’re probably better than you even realize and even those “better people” think they aren’t all that great sometimes…).
  • Look around you. Like, really look. The world, while crazy, is beautiful and colorful and breezy and sunshiney and comforting and astounding.
  • Never underestimate the power of getting dolled up. Sure, it may seem superficial. But when you’re having a grumpy day, sometimes all you need to do is throw on a nice outfit or do your hair or put on some bright eyeliner/lipstick and everything can turn around.
  • Heartbreak/ache ends. Eventually. It sucks, but don’t worry about rushing it, or finding something new right now. Going through it will help you grow, change, learn, and prioritize your life.

These are just a bunch of little silly things I’ve learned through my 23 years on this planet. I’m not the best at taking advice, but I’m always trying to tell myself and listen to others to tell me happy ways of looking at life. Let’s face it…this is all we have. So why not make the best?

1.06.2011

I have a problem…

fujiinstax

Christmas Bonus time! So…I decided to buy,*SHOCKER*, another camera. This will be the last one for a while…I SWEAR!!!!

fujiinstax2Ugh…so cool! Cannot wait to play!
(I know I already have the Mini, too, and I adore it, but sometimes it’s nice to not have to squint to look at your photos…)

And also, not that I have to justify my behavior, but I always make sure to dot my Is and cross my Ts before I make such purchases. Money is saved, bills are paid, and I’m not at the bottom of some camera-induced debt which will cause me to be kicked out on the streets, with only my cameras on my back, begging people for money or, more likely, rolls of film to play with (yet).

Photos (and my purchase) from Photojojo!

1.05.2011

Reasons to smile this week…

It’s been a rough week thus far. Adjusting back from the holidays, half days, and shorter weeks. To top it off, a couple of things shifted around and changed at work, and it’s going to take some getting used to. However, every cloud has a silver lining, eh? So, instead of dwelling too hard on the negatives, I’ll look at the positives.

  • Snuggling in my Slanket before bed
  • Parks and Recreation Season 2 on DVD
  • Sunshine (even if it’s still cold out)
  • Watching Buffy with my friends
  • My dance exercise DVDs
  • Midweek dinner date with Brad (my treat!)
  • Frozen yogurt, even after cleaning my plate at dinner
  • Payday
  • No work on Saturday
  • Knowing my Saturday schedule for the year (I no longer have to work more than one in a row…more free time and weekend trips to follow!)
  • Happiness and love so strong, my heart could burst

IMG_2141