3.31.2011

Outfit Post : Pajama Chic

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The first day of Spring was 10 days ago, but it has yet to actually arrive (And why yes! They are calling for a snowstorm this Friday!). This past Saturday was especially chilly, but all of my jeans were in the hamper, and I had to make due with some winter-unfriendly clothing. I call this outfit “pajama chic”. I didn’t really want to look like I was in pajamas, but I had a limited supply of warm clothing in my overnight bag this weekend. Despite that, the look sort of worked anyways. I’m wearing a Target tee under a Gap sweater. The pants, boots, and sunglasses are from Forever 21. I received the pants and sunglasses in the mail on Friday. I bought both items the previous Friday, when they were donating 100% of each dollar to Japan (along with a few other goodies sure to make their way onto the blog soon enough). I can’t wait to wear these pants again on a breezy warm day with some oversized tanks or gauzy t-shirts.

I’m officially sick of the cold weather. I’m ready to bust out and rock all the skirts and shorts and capris and dresses that I’ve been purchasing in the last few months. I’ve come to the realization that I don’t ever shop for winter. My gear for cold weather is everything I’d wear any other season of the year with a cardigan over top or some thermals underneath. It’s safe to say that I am a Spring/Summer/Fall girl. I’d be quite content if winter lasted only a month…(I don’t mind it at first, but it gets old fast).

Anyway, I’m going to try and incorporate an outfit post regularly. In college, getting dressed was probably my favorite part of the day. I don’t get to wear whatever I want to work, so the weekends are prime ME time. Creating outfits is a big part of who I am, so I’d like to share it when I have the opportunity to. And with the weather (hopefully) warming up, I will have more creative freedom
and less drowning in and hiding behind a long, black, puffy jacket.

3.30.2011

Dance Dance Dance

One of my favorite movies of 2010 (and possibly all time), Black Swan, came out on DVD yesterday. I’d urge any of you who haven’t seen it to rush and get your hands on a copy ASAP, but I know it isn’t for everyone. I am a huge fan of Natalie Portman, but I’m pretty sure I would love this movie regardless, and a large reason is my love for dance. (I can’t imagine anyone else playing Nina Sayers, though, and Oscar agreed.)

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I have always been fascinated by the art of dance. I’ve taken classes here and there, but nothing stuck. I appreciate all forms…jazz, tap, hip hop, modern and, of course, ballet. I wish I would’ve stuck with something. I know I wouldn’t be a professional dancer or would’ve gone to Juilliard, but it’s such a beautiful expression. To tell a story with movement and music. A lovely combination. An effortless relationship.

All photos from WeHeartIt

3.29.2011

BJB

My boyfriend Brad is smart, sweet, funny, and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. He gets along with everybody, no joke. And to top it all off, he is creative as all get-out. He recently purchased a Canon 7D, because he’s a photographer and the HD quality is phenomenal. But you can’t buy a DSLR and not get sucked into the excellent hobby of photography. So he’s begun to snap pictures at every opportunity he can and they are always amazing. I thought I’d take this opportunity to promote my man…check out his Flickr page!

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There’s lots more to look at on his page, and surely more to come. I’m so proud of him, and excited to play around together more!

3.28.2011

The Weekend…

What a great weekend! Just what the doctor ordered after such a crazy week. I have to admit, it was nice to know I wasn’t alone in having a stressful and crappy week last week. Of course I don’t want my friends to be stressed! But it allows me to think it must have been something in the air…not just me. Regardless, it was my first full weekend in what feels like forever. As much as I like having set plans and things to look forward to, an open book weekend is equally excellent and that’s what this one was like. So this weekend consisted of…

  • eating out for every meal. And every meal was excellent.
  • catching up with my friend Jared at the smokiest bar (my old college haunt) and then seeing him again on Saturday night. Hoping to see more of his face in the future!
  • sleeping in two days in a row. I get the best sleep next to Brad…shocking, right?
  • a drive to the Tannersville outlets with good music and wearing our sunglasses.
  • gambling a little and losing, but it was still fun.
  • Brad randomly pulling over to take pictures of an otherwise overlooked spot.
  • The Mighty Boosh on DVD.
  • La Tolteca (my favorite Mexican restaurant around these parts) with the usual gang.

Unfortunately, there is still snow on the ground in NEPA, not to mention the fact that it was positively ice cold this weekend. I am so ready for actual spring weather. I’m reading for blooming trees and plants. I’m hoping April (which is arriving this week already, oy!) brings some warmth and sunshine with it. For now, here are some pictures I took when Brad pulled over to the side of the road…

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3.25.2011

Happy Friday!

It’s the end of the week. Oh thank goodness. There are so many reasons this week turned out terribly…maybe one day I will share them with you. I don’t feel like dwelling now. To stay positive and ring in those fabulous two days of freedom the right way, here’s some great new music by one of my favorites, Toro y Moi!

It’s hard to stay grumpy when listening to the chill sounds of Toro y Moi. Underneath the Pine was just released at the end of February, but check out his first album Causers of This too. It’s so very very good.

3.24.2011

Almost There…

So, I can’t believe it…it’s Thursday already! Only one more day ‘til the weekend. Woo! A little recap…

  • Monday morning I got to wake up next to Brad. This is rare, but I was needed at the main office first thing in the morning, and my boy luckily lives 5 minutes away. It made my Monday much more tolerable…especially since I went there right after work as well.
  • Tuesday, I called off sick. I have a crazy, hypochondriac mind and I always assume the worst. But thankfully, I went to the doctor, had all my questions answered, and am now in the process of getting better. I always have a lot of guilt about taking sick days, but I am really glad I did this one. It’s so important for your body and your mind to rest when you are getting/sick (and it usually helps you get better faster!). Knowing what you can do to make the healing process faster helps too!
  • Wednesday, we got a delay due to inclement weather. Instead of the usual 8:30 opening, we didn’t open ‘til 10. Needless to say, I reset my alarm and slept for another 90 minutes. Despite the fact that the day was shorter, it dragged. Torturous. But that brings me to where I am now…

To some, it might seem like an easy week. In a way, I guess, it has been. But being sick can be an annoying job in a way, something you have to be careful with and take care of. And, though the delay was very nice indeed, I am absolutely sick of the snow. For real. I know the weather isn’t going to get warmer anytime soon…but it’s Spring now, you guys. SPRING. And not just because there was a warm day last week. It’s actually the season of Spring. So I’m done with gray days, slushy roads, and leafless trees. I’m ready for blue skies and budding gardens. I’m ready for sunlight and longer days.

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Here are some pictures I took on Sunday, the first day of Spring, when it was nice to be outside. I used the new Tejas lens (part of the SXSW Freepak) in the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone. I can’t wait to get back out there…

3.23.2011

Nerdy Pretty Things

Let’s face it…we all have a little nerd in us. I’ve enjoyed quite a few video games and comic books in my time, not to mention the fact that I can’t be seen without my iPhone in hand. Enter Meninos, a site with plenty of products that will allow you to wave your Geek Flag proudly. Mucho thanks to Brad for showing me the site!!meninosghostlamp

Pac-Man Ghost Lamps

meninostapematsCassette Tape Doormats (sold separately)

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The cassette doormats and iPhone coasters are my favorites. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), a lot of the things on the site are sold out. There’s plenty more to look at and geek over, though, so check it out!

Click on the photos for a direct link to the product’s individual website!!

3.22.2011

First Day of Spring

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, but I still managed to break out the Rebel with Brad this weekend for a jaunt downtown on the first day of Spring. It was kind of a perfect day. A little chilly, but warm in the sun. Everyone was out walking there dogs, chatting with friends, driving with the windows down, getting Free Rita’s Italian Ice (we did too!). Since Brad’s Canon 7D is still brand new and I haven’t pulled out my Canon in a while, it seemed appropriate to take advantage of the kind weather, blue skies, and sunshine.

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I can’t wait for things to actually start blooming around here. It was a great day, but the trees are still mostly brittle branches and I miss the colorful Earth. Walking around downtown Wilkes-Barre had me all college nostalgic. My friends and I most definitely would’ve been sitting outside, walking to get our Rita’s, and enjoying the sunshine together. So much has changed…growing up is weird. But regardless, King’s College is a small but beautiful campus, especially when the cherry blossoms bloom. I’ll be keeping my eye out for them.

Unfortunately, the temperatures have dropped once again and there has been a slight snow shower with another looming for tomorrow. I can’t wait for those shenanigans to be over. This has been a tough winter. I don’t think my body agrees with winter for long, though.
I’m ready for the new season and, hopefully, a new chapter.

3.18.2011

Happy Weekend!

Here’s to a great weekend. The sun should be out for most of it. Yay!

3.17.2011

Reasons to smile this week…

The last couple of weeks have been tough for various reasons. I could go on and on about all of the sucky things that went down but, when it comes down to it, there are so many great things in my life that outshine that meaningless junk…

cuteeeeeMy mom posted the above picture on my Facebook wall…not sure where she got it from, but it’s perfect for my life right now…

  • I did a bunch of online shopping last week to ease my sad heart over Brad going to Vegas. Everything came in this week, and I’m happy to report that each item actually fits! (I did shopping at Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, and this bathing suit came in yesterday)
  • Black and White Polka Dots. From my new bathing suit to a recent Salvation Army purchase to Victoria’s Secret, I am obsessed with the print. Any polka dots would do, I’m sure, but black and white are classic and retro, a look I cannot get enough of right now.
  • My new Physicians Formula Happy Booster blush. Not only is the brand trusty and reliable for my fickle, sensitive skin, but this product really does put me in a better mood. It gives my cheeks the perfect rosy flush, smells so delicious and soothing, and is happy just to look at with it’s bubble heart design, bright pink packaging, and adorable pink and red brush.
  • Chobani Greek Yogurt is delicious. I’ve been buying one each day as dessert for my lunch.
  • Since Daylight Savings Time this past Sunday, the sun has peeked it’s head out a little more. The weather is even warming up little by little. I feel Spring right around the corner.
  • I made a little step in life that will solve silly problem I created for myself. I’ll admit, I’m nervous. But I feel like everything will be better because of it. And I feel a bit more mature and adult.
  • My Tuesdays consist of sitting on a sectional couch with my closest friends watching Glee and other random TV in our sweatpants. There’s lots of laughing and talking and forgetting about everything crappy,
  • Styling my hair without styling it. Twisting my half-dry hair into a bun and getting effortless waves. Anything that makes it look presentable without really even trying.
  • Finally seeing Brad last night. We’ve gone longer without seeing each other before…but for some reason, this time was hard. We made tacos, watched the last bit of How I Met Your Mother DVDs, and took a nap watching 30 Rock. Lovely. I adore my cute boy.
  • Planning my Date Night outfit on Friday.
  • Planning Date Night in general. I have to work on Saturday, and normally that would bring me down. But I refuse to let a 4 hour block of work cut into a perfectly good Friday night.

I hate how easy it is to let one negative aspect of life ruin many great things. I want to start kicking that habit. If you’re going through the same thing, I highly suggest pushing aside all the negative thoughts to write down a list of anything, even the smallest of things, that puts a smile on your face. You might surprise yourself by finding that list is longer than you thought.

3.16.2011

Some Hipstamatic Photos

I shouldn’t have let it happen, but the dreary winter months really hindered my urge to do explorations with the Canon Rebel XSi by my side. My camera is still young, only about 6 months old to me, and I happened to buy it at the tail end of Fall. I can’t wait to bring it out more, but I let myself get slumpy. What hasn’t stopped is the use of the Hipstamatic app for my iPhone. iPhone is always on me, so it ended up capturing things that even my beautiful (and definitely not cheap) DSLR might not have been around for. Here are some of my favorites…

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I highly recommend this app if you have an iPhone. Buy every Hipstapak and do the “Shake to Randomize” option.
You never know what you’re going to get.

3.15.2011

The Ongoing Hair Dilemma

I have a hard time sticking with one hairdo for a long period of time. Throughout college, I maintained short hair, changing it up from a simple, layered bob to an edgy half-pixie/half-angled thing, and then eventually cutting the rest off. As it is, I’m a very low-maintenance person. Shorter hair has always suited that. Less drying/styling time, less effort. The epitome of ease came with my pixie. I loved how quick and simple it was, how it literally took seconds to do. Unfortunately, I wasn’t secure enough with myself in it.

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There aren’t many pictures of me with this cut, mostly because I didn’t feel comfortable or proud of myself with it (Strange, because I met my love with this ‘do, and it was one of the things he liked about me). Which is unfortunate, because looking back it wasn’t all that bad.. The only unfortunate fact about this “low-maintenance” cut is that it would require monthly trims…something I couldn’t afford at the time.
I probably still couldn’t…

The process of growing out such short hair has been torture. I still feel like it’s in a constant awkward growing out phase, which is hardly true anymore. There were many times in the last year I’ve wanted to hack at the mane. But I’ve kept it going, and now it’s at the longest it’s been in half a decade. Unfortunately, with all the length comes longer drying times, more bad-hair-days, more ponytails, split ends from all the heat and styling damage. As the “low maintenance” girl I am (OKAY FINE…LAZY), I find it hard to come up with interesting things to do with my hair on short notice. So I usually look like a cavewoman or a 15 year old about to wash her face before bed. Not cool.

However, I’ve decided to stick it out. Maybe it won’t be for long. Maybe summer will come and I will freak out. But, after watching several YouTube hair tutorials this past weekend, I did my first successful attempt at milkmaid braids. This is a style I’ve been wanting to pull off for quite some time, thanks to it’s appearance on some of my favorite blogs (like here and here) and it’s general cuteness.

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This is the video that helped me finally achieve this little hair goal of mine. Check out all of the Strawberry Koi Vintage videos…there are a lot of great tips (lots of retro styles, a particular favorite of mine). I even trimmed my bangs with a little nudge from her confidence in doing her own hair (I trimmed them after this picture, though). Unfortunately, I don’t have the thickest hair, but succeeding in this style has given me a little boost. I wasn’t doing it correctly for my length, my first mistake. I can do lots of fun things with the locks if I teach myself and have some patience. If I exhaust all the options, maybe then I’ll chop my hair off again. But the hair deserves a fair shot at some fun. And it feels good to learn something and to carry it out, even if it’s just a little hairstyle.

3.14.2011

The Weekend

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous how this weekend would turn out. I hate to be clingy, but the weekends are my prime Brad time. We may not be as long-distance as other relationships, but regardless it’s very hard to be apart from the one you love. Days, weeks, months…it all sucks. Regardless, I still had a pretty great weekend.

My best friend Rafter came to visit on Friday. I took him to Five Stars, a Chinese restaurant near my house, with Maria and Josh. We also snagged some Sonic for dessert and blasted The Lonely Island.

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Being around him makes me extremely happy. We’ve been through thick and thin, and I can completely be myself around him. We always have a great time, laughing and making ridiculous jokes. So I’m very thankful he came to see me, even though he didn’t have to, on his way to another city close by.

The rest of the weekend was spent equal parts laying in bed with my laptop and celebrating my sister’s 22nd birthday. Both of which were very enjoyable. I never get too much time to stay in my PJs, even with Brad. We are usually out and about doing things. So relaxing, organizing my room a teensy bit, and watching crappy TV shows on Netflix hit the spot. But, for Maria’s birthday, we got dinner at Olive Garden and had plenty of drinks at the casino on Saturday, and ended it all with hibachi dinner on Sunday and, of course, cake and ice cream.

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Despite being content with everything, I’m ready to have Brad back from Vegas, safe and sound. His flight was delayed a day, so I won’t be seeing him as soon as I had hoped. Massive bummer. I’m getting antsy to see him! I’m also hoping that, because of daylight savings time,w e will have longer days the weather will get warmer. Brad and I both have cameras we want to use, and I’m just ready for sunshine in my life in every possible way.

3.13.2011

Tyler Shields

I just stumbled upon a bunch of these short videos directed by Tyler Shields. I’ve never heard of him before this. His stuff can be a little violent and off-putting for me, but his photography is really intriguing and interesting and I loved a bunch of the videos, starring quite a few actors and actresses.

The bottom video with Paul Scheer is definitely my favorite. Check out the rest on his YouTube page.

3.10.2011

Swimsuit Edition

The wintery wind is going crazy outside and temperatures are freezing. Despite (or because of) that, I couldn’t help but look up some new bathing suits online and daydream of heat waves to come. In general, I adore retro, pin-up looks. Polka dots are a particular favorite. And while the look is quite sexy, the cuts tend to remain rather modest. I don’t have what they call a “bikini body".” I may not be overweight but I am not toned. I prefer to keep myself covered, as I feel more comfortable and confident that way. I still adore my Jantzen find and my yellow polka-dot bikini from last summer, but it’s always nice to grab a new suit for the season. These retro-inspired looks hit the spot.

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Again, there’s a pattern. Since I already have a one-piece, I would adore a two piece with a high-waisted bottom. I love that they accentuate curves and hide your belly button…the tummy area can be a tricky one. And the suit in the last photo is reversible!

The top two are from ModCloth and the bottom two are from Anthropologie.  None of them are in my price range. It does seem, though, that the cheaper you get your bathing suits is equivalent to how easily worn they become. Just something to consider (or a clever way to trick myself into think it’s okay to spend nearly 100 dollars or more on a bathing suit).

EDIT: I ended up ordering the polka dot number at the top on Friday. Hopefully it will fit well (or be easily exchangeable if not)…I just couldn’t pass it up.