Little Lovely Things

• I’m obsessed with sunsets lately. They are so beautiful and inspiring and relaxing and romantic and all you have to do to enjoy it is look outside your window. My neighborhood gets such a fantastic view. Yes, I took this picture.
• Brownies are one of the most delicious things you could ever consume. It doesn’t matter what kind it is, what brand, if there are extra treats mixed in. Eating one is like consuming a mood change.
• The beginning of the month is good for so many reasons, but I enjoy all the new copies of my favorite magazines. I have to buckle down and get some subscriptions. Glamour is a personal favorite, but I’ve started to enjoy Marie Claire now too. I’ll read anything remotely girly or fashionable or involved in music and movies and entertainment.
• I love when I pop a bunch of new music from my sister’s computer to my flash drive. It holds a lot of promise, new albums to fall in love with. So far, I’m really enjoying Broken Bells and the latest album from The Morning Benders.

Oscars 2010

The Oscars are the single televised event of the year I must watch. Since movies are practically my lifeblood, I love to see which ones I should be watching. I love to watch Hollywood get all glammed out. I love that a tradition has been kept for 82 years and will continue to be kept. I love that an actor/actress can be rewarded for a fantastic performance, even if it might be the only one they ever give in their entire career. I just love it, love it, love it.

Below are my favorite dresses for the night:
 

Apparently, I had a thing for the flesh tones. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I really liked Miley Cyrus’ dress. She looked a little spaced out, but it was a fantastic dress. Zoe Saldana’s purple frock is super-fun while being classy all at once. Gabourey Sidibe exudes such confidence, it’s empowering. She owns whatever area is she in. And, I just love Meryl Streep. I think she is an excellent actress but she also seems to have fun with life. She can laugh at herself. She’s accomplished so much.
I could go on and on about her.

Last night was great. The ceremony was funny and held my interest. I watched it sandwiched between 5 friends on a sectional couch, drinking wine and eating all kinds of finger foods. I left for a second to refill my drink, and I was so happy to see everyone cuddled up when I came back in the room. It was one of those little happy “You made your own family” moments. Good times.

Summer Dreamin’

 
Thank you T.J. Maxx.

I don’t usually shop for a bathing suit until the summertime, but let’s face it…by then, the racks are usually cleared and it’s impossible to find a good deal that still fits properly and covers everything you want to cover.

I walked over to the bathing suit rack while shopping in T.J. Maxx out of curiosity. I’ve been wanting a cute one-piece since last year (I got something from Old Navy but it turned out the material was practically sheer), so I thought I’d try one on. And I fell in love. It’s a Jantzen, a century-old company popular for their 50’s style bathing suits. As soon as I put it on, I felt a pin-up girl vibe.

It’s got a great bandeau top and it’s skirted, but not in that frilly, old lady bathing suit way. This picture doesn’t do it justice.

I just wish I didn’t have to wait forever to wear it.
Summer, come here soon!

Reasons to Live

I cherish the small moments I can experience. I am so thankful that I can see and hear beautiful things. I was on my way to Blockbuster and Joe’s (my friend’s house, we are always there), and I left at the perfect time. The sun was setting and it was this amazing mix of reds, oranges, pinks, blues, and purples. Minus the Bear was playing (more on them later…I can’t believe I haven’t shared my love yet) and everything was in place in life.

It’s times like these I can breathe in deep and thank the Lord I get to experience moments like this. This is why we’re here.

{P.S. These pictures are untouched. No editing. That is how amazing the sky was. Thank you, Canon Powershot SX120 IS, for the sunset setting. Nothing would show how amazing it truly was without you. The only thing better was real life.}

Holga Babies and Stress

It’s one of those weeks where I cannot wait for the weekend. Lately, I feel drained and blah. Lacking in inspiration and creativity. But I want to use this as drive for greater things.

Don’t like something? Change it.

The only problem is, I have a really hard time getting off my butt and getting things I want (unless it has a reasonable price tag). I never try and achieve my goals. And why shouldn’t I? This is my life. And I want to enjoy it and look back and thank God I got to do what I loved for so long. I want to wake up everyday excited to do my work. I want to express myself. I just have to do it.

It’s so sad that it’s hard for me to improve my life. I always take the easy way. Which is nice, because I have a job in a time when there are many who don’t. I am doing it for a reason. I believe that you have to work for things but I also believe that opportunities happen for a reason, that I must be doing this so that it can lead me to the next chapter. But I won’t talk about destiny and fate and all that stuff…too deep.

All I know is, I am excited to sleep in. I’m excited to be myself for a couple days, and not worry about rules or regulations. I just have to make it through tomorrow.

Culture

I need to get out of here. I need to see the world. I want to travel, even if it’s not that far. I’m heavily contemplating visiting my sister in Philadelphia this weekend. It’s always like a mini-vacation…an escape from my normal life, and a look at what it could be. I’ve always loved my home, and I’m fine with how I grew up. I am lucky that I got to go to London and experience something so fantastic on my own. I didn’t mind going to school 30 minutes away from where I grew up (I loved my college experience, miss it, and wouldn’t change it for the world). But…I’m getting sick of this place now.

{PaperTissue}

Time to get away.

Little Joys

{PaperTissue}

• Apple slices with lots of JIF
• Bangs
• Netflix movies arriving in the mail
• Headbands (I’ll take one of each)
• Crying hard, even if it’s happening for no reason
• A “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” care-free attitude
• Reading cute blogs
• Daydreaming about getting the heck out of this town