Saturday, February 28, 2009

See ya, Febz

Ode to February, the shortest month and, therefore, the most deceitful. It's been fun.

I like Lights. I like how she wears a mini-dress in the snow. I like her headband. And I like her video blog. Plus she's Canadian.

Snow Again?

It's supposed to snow again tomorrow and Monday. I thought the weather would warm up to at least 40 and we could continue on with the year. The snow of my front lawn is almost gone too. Well, there will be more in no time.

On the bright side, I found this picture whilst I was reading the cherry blossom girl and I basically love her cardigan. I used to wear them when I was little but we called them dusters because they were really long sweaters; they almost dusted the floor. Or something like that.

Etsy Addiction





Thursday, February 26, 2009

Wow.

What is the world coming to when 13-year-old boys are fathers?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2233878.ece

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Thirsty Thursday and Pretty Pictures

I just made an amazing smoothie/shake and I thought I would tell you about it. ( BTW: Thirsty Thursday comes from college kids who don't have Friday class.)
Contents: some frozen mixed berries, 1/3 pint of passion fruit sorbet, a half cup of orange juice, a half cup of cranberry juice, and 2 scoops black raspberry ice cream.
Blended and poured.. drinking with a swirly straw whilst I type.
My tasty shake reminded me of this color picture I found some time ago that was chillin' on my desktop. I love the colors; turquoise and coral/red together is one of my favorite combinations.
Also:

Can we just talk about how pretty she is. Silver and grey are the new black.
How many times have I heard that.. too many.


Take My Hand - Shawn McDonald

Wacky Wednesday

Welcome to Wacky Wednesday! Now, let me preface this post by saying that I love Wednesdays, and not just because it's a short day and I have eighth period free (although that is a major perk). Wednesdays are great for so many reasons. Half the week is over, you can start thinking about the weekend, one begins to feel as though some of the pressure is being lifted, and it's just a really nice inbetweenish type of day. So, due to my love of Wednesdays, and the great alliteration of the name, "Wacky Wednesday", I bring you my newest theme, so to speak. Every Wednesday, I will post some random things that I've seen around the web, or in my life from the previous week. The things won't necessarily be wacky every week, but it will be a fun, uplifting enjoyable knickknack, tutorial, photo, etc. So, for this week, I bring you a whale button tutorial, glass jar photo frames, and the latest tutorial from Lee Meredith's blog Do Stuff!

Glass Jar Photo Frames:

Leethal's Skoodlet:
Whale Button Tutorial:


Oops

I just realized how many music videos have been posted as of late. I'll try and be more original next time. Unless, it's a really vital vid that must be viewed. For some variety, look at these pictures.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Turn this all around

I don't get mad that much. And usually if I do, it's just a little argument. I raise my voice a lot, but only because I have no idea how loud I actually am. And it's usually to tell a story. I just get excited and yell. I guess I just like to yell. I do it a lot. 

But this isn't the yelling kind of angry. This is simmering, fuming, silent angry. This is not just the result of one dilemma, but several. Gathering and festering, piling on each other until they tip over and spill out. In the form of steam from my ears. I think you understand.

Due to my anger, I'm sitting here, writing this and listening to music, attempting to erase all the annoyances plaguing me. I should go shower and get some sleep, but I know I'll only be able to think of things which tick me off.

In honor of Iglu & Hartly, my newest saving grace, I'll leave you with this parting gift. It's very fitting, I'd say.


I really like the video for "In This City," but it's not able to be embedded so you should just go check it out.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Basshunter

Whenever you're in a funk, or just not feeling the groove, listen to basshunter. It's techno with words (which I assume most people like, because often I hear complaints regarding the lack of vocables) and totally pumps. you. up. So, I leave you with some basshunter. And yellow a yellow font for spring, or at least thoughts of it.

Warmer Weather (I Wish)

Because it is still cold outside and below freezing according to my dashboard widget, I might hole myself up in the house and not go outside until it is warm again, which may very well be in 3 years.

Etsy Addiction





Sunday, February 22, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Hating on Style

Speaking of college.. Everyone else is doing it, so what's one more blog post.
I had a portfolio review today. A portfolio is required to apply to most art schools, depending on your major.
(ignore the left part)
I might say I have my own drawing style. I tend to outline, like contouring but with shading. I know that this isn't what art schools are looking for now (at least, that's what the last two reviewers have said). But aren't they looking for art that has its own style? Something to separate it from all the other people's art?
so..
Dear art school admissions officers,
We can't all be the same, or there would be no art.

P.S.
I'm loving Kime Buzzelli's work:

Friday, February 20, 2009

File her under: "Heartbroken soul"

Adele's album "19" is really. really. good. I don't even know how to describe her gorge voice. She did just win the Grammy for Best New Artist. But I think listening to her music will tell you more.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place

I usually don't like to bring the college conversation blog-wise since it seems to be all anyone can talk about, but I'm so torn about what to do now. Since visiting Vassar last spring, I had been convinced it was the place for me, Carolyn can vouch for that since it's all I've talked to her about for the last week and a half. After I visited Vassar I also saw other schools, none of which seemed to compare to it, and then I went to NYU on Wednesday. Now I'm so torn between the two. I know what you're thinking, Why does she even care, she has months left to choose where she's applying. However, I want to apply somewhere early decision, and I can only choose one place, which makes the question become, which is better, NYU or Vassar? On top of that, there are things to consider like financial aid, and grades, as well as the inevitable questions of, what if I don't get in? or worse what if I can't afford to go to the college of my choice? It's all a big scary mass of college sitting here staring me in the face and bringing me down. I mean, I spend all this time doing things I enjoy (ie, sewing, knitting), and in the end are they really going to help me get in?
So, for now, I hope that all of you are facing significantly less difficult questions than I am, and that your days are filled with all of those fun things that won't help you get into college because really, when we're all dead in 100 years, is it going to matter whether you spent an hour doing something you really wanted to do, versus spending that hour doing something you only sort of wanted to do?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Currently: Jamming

...to Lily Allen's new CD. I've been listening to some of the songs for months, but others are brand new and amazing. And also, in case you thought you knew, you don't. The chorus of one is redone and some titles have been changed. In general, I recommend just buying it. Besides, the CD is an adorable pink color. Here's the first single off "It's not me, It's you" for your enjoyment, The Fear


Crafting. Finally.

So now that it's vacation, I have had sometime to put my hellish, stressful school life on hold and live it up. Between Friday afternoon and Saturday night, I was with friends basically the whole time (a miracle, since most Friday's I'd rather cozy up on the couch and ignore massive amounts of homework). And yesterday, I broke out the sewing machine. Finally. It had been in hibernation for way too long, despite the fact that I managed to make 2 bags this fall. And now, I have a quilt and a dress in the works, along with gloves to finish knitting, and a solitary sock that's in desperate need of a friend. That's all for today, I'll end this post with some photos of what's cookin'. (all lies. at 10 this morning, while writing the majority of this post, i was feeling seriously ambitious about this day. it ended, but photoless, and with me asleep on the couch, probably snoring. much was accomplished though, and photos will follow eventually)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Syracuse

I'm sitting in a hotel room in Syracuse eating a bag of Hershey's kisses and I'm totally loving it. I know Lilia has this love affair with staying in hotels and I realized that I do too. The comfy bed and the minty aveda shampoo in the shower revived me.
Tomorrow will be a day filled with campus tours, a portfolio review and a five hour drive back home. Plus, I'm actually kind of excited about college. Too bad this hotel thing only lasted one night.

Yummy food

Mozzarella-Stuffed Arancini

Ingredient List

Serves 8

  • 1 1/2 cups instant brown rice
  • 4 green onions, divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
  • 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
  • 2 cups whole-grain breadcrumbs
  • 16 marinated fresh mozzarella balls, drained, oil reserved (1 12-oz. container)
  • 1 28-oz. jar marinara sauce

Directions

  1. Combine rice, 1 whole green onion, garlic and 3 1/2 cups water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed and rice is soft and slightly sticky. Remove from heat, transfer to bowl, and cool. Remove green onion, and discard.
  2. Preheat oven to 425F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray. Chop remaining green onions finely. Fold eggs, parsley, cheese and onions into rice. Spread breadcrumbs on large plate.
  3. Place 1/4 cup rice mixture in palm of hand. Shape into tangerine-sized ball around one mozzarella ball. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rice, mozzarella and breadcrumbs. Drizzle arancini with reserved oil, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until outsides are crisp and browned.
  4. Warm marinara sauce, and ladle into bottom of large serving dish. Place arancini on top of sauce, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.
I would probably serve this with salad and some rustic Italian bread. Or if you're a carnivore, well, I don't have any ideas for you. Sorry.

Recipe from Vegetarian Times

Etsy Addiction





  1.  MySweetiePiePie -insane amount of vintage wears; men's and home items also.
  2. DearGoldenVintage -full of great shoes & blouses
  3. DewberryVintage -plenty of sexy bits
  4. TheVintageCloset -lots of dresses & even some authentic sailor finds

Post Secret Sunday

Thursday, February 12, 2009

P.S...


Happy Valentine's Day! I suggest sending a Valentine, especially just to family or friends! It's really nice just to remind them you love them. And I definitely don't go for Vday being only for romantics. It's just a good excuse for possessing a sparkly red heart necklace. Which I do, if you were wondering. 



So I'm eating conversation hearts right now. And I know your first thought was probably something like "OMG EW! Those totes taste like chalk!" But get this: they do not anymore. They're really good. I swear those Necco geniuses redid the flavor because these little sweethearts are bangin! Or maybe it's just the fact that my mom sent me these in a box that pretty definitely used to hold dog food. (Yeah, Mom this box smells AWFUL. I thought it was worms. I made Dad open it.)

Anyways, my bro is coming home tonight. And he's really sick apparently. But he's got some drugs so he'll be all good soon. I hope. He's no fun when he's asleep. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A word to Mother Nature...

... Quit playing games with my heart.  I know you're not for real with this gorgeous weather, so just cut the crap. I know you didn't forget that it's February. We don't do this "sunny and 65" bull this time of year. We don't walk around in shorts before April. So just cut it out. It's not funny. Mother Nature, if you're reading this, we're not talking anymore. And you can forget about me riding around in the Prius... it's all about the Jeep from now on. Yeah, that's right. Your forests can burn down for all I care, you lying cheat.

Seriously. I was hot today. I know you can create hurricanes and shit, but this is just being a down right showoff. 

Monday, February 9, 2009

Spring? Are you here?

It certainly feels that way. Yesterday, I walked to Carolyn's house in shorts and Uggs, only feeling slightly ridiculous with the notion that I was wearing shorts in February. Today, coming out of class, coats, gloves and scarves weren't even necessary. It must be at least 40 degrees out there. Snow is melting. Grass, peeking out from under their heavy icy blankets saying hi. Hyacinths blooming. Wednesday's a predicted high of 54 and rainy. Will it last?

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Post Secret Sunday

The Unexpected.

As I said almost exactly a month ago, always expect the unexpected. I did say that, didn't I? Well guess what, I didn't expect it. Sometimes, you can never prepare yourself for stuff like this. Someone tried to contact me through Facebook a few months ago, who I hadn't seen in a very long time, barely remembered, and had no interest in ever seeing again. That time, as surprising as the message in my inbox and subsequent friend request was, I wasn't as bothered. I blocked him from my page, changed my privacy settings to even more stringent, in case he tried to contact me again, and went blissfully, and ignorantly on with my life. I mean, you can't get stuck in the past. That just won't do.
So today, when I checked my email, and saw someone had added me as their friend on Flickr, I was pretty surprised, but not shocked. The shock came later. I went over to my page to see what was up, and checked my inbox. I went to this supposed 'friend's profile, and looked at his pictures. I was the same person who had sought me on Facebook six months ago.
I had assumed he gave up. Apparently he hadn't. Again, I changed my privacy settings, hoping that he couldn't see me (this time there were pictures of me available for him to see). And now, I'm not going onward with ignorant bliss. Now there's this kernel stuck in the back of my mind. What if he knows where I live? Does he know my phone number? What kind of personal information does he have on me?
Apparently when people crawl out of the woodwork, they aren't going away when you disappear. It's like being stuck in a game of cat and mouse. Or more appropriately, being a sad front deck, helpless to the wrath of termites shacking up in your wooden knots. So I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Always expect the unexpected.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Etsy Addiction

I set out this afternoon to make some delightful collection of adorable design bits. And I did. But as a word doc. So here's some environmentally friendly doodads for you to admire instead.




1) Ciaffi

Just a side note, I really do love etsy.com. I recommend you check it out. If I had a skill, I would definitely market it etsy style.

Friday, February 6, 2009

In need of something cute

Today I really did not feel like talking. I wanted to be like Mariella, get some glue, and never have to speak. That didn't really work out and when I did get the opportunity for quiet it was at bad and awkward times when I'm sure the other people present would have preferred some conversing. So I assented to the blabber. But I was really annoyed when a walnut was thrown at me by my two friends after they sat together and I sat with someone else. Like really. I needed a damn break from everyone today. 

I was really pleased when, while checking one of the blogs we follow, I was directed to their flickr site. I adore the pictures of her son. So. Incredibly. Cute.


Also, I did this little trick of looking through my pictures and pretending it was summer and I was back in London or France or Germany frolicking through castles and gardens in full bloom.









Or, you know, hiking the Swiss Alps. 



So I will play my Kate Nash, do my homework (I know, I'm so lame), and not talk to anyone. 

By the way, I hope you all appreciate this post and the pictures because blogspot is SO awful for getting your pictures in the right order and position and I wanted to shoot my computer in the face. Basically. And if you know how to get photographs to be inserted where you want them, seriously let me know.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Seeing Red.


Today, I wore a bright red shirt. Partially because I woke up late and running into my mom's closet, it was the first thing I saw. On the other hand, it was a great mood booster. The bright, chocolate heart wrapper, totally valentines-ey color made me feel rosy and happy all day long. Getting sucked into the gloom and doom of February is hard to avoid, but with a bright red shirt, you can take on the world. So let's do it, one from one red-shirted friend to another, we're conquering the world, one red thing at a time.