It's Almost a New Year

    First thing first, I love Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I love them separately and I love them together. I really want them to get married, more than anything. They are perfect. And I wish Joseph sang more often, because his voice seriously makes me so happy. There. Done with that. Enjoy their perfection in that song.
Second thing: I feel like death. I went to sleep at six a.m. this morning after a night of sugar-cookie making and four a.m. nonsensical phone calls. I don't know where you all are, but it isn't even 7:30 p.m. yet where I am. This is a huge problem because I need to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year and I really want to fall asleep on the keyboard right now... Wish me luck and I wish you a very happy New Year! May it be the best year yet!

Aren't our cookies beautiful? The dinosaurs were definitely my favorite. 

New Look: Back to the Old

    I told you that things were going to change around here! I'm back to how I started this blog, simple. It's good to go back to simplicity, because honestly I get distracted way to easily. I feel like I was trying to make my blog into something it's not. Well no longer! It's my place to express myself and now it reflects that better. I still have some slight adjustments to make (like my about me page) but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'm looking forward to the New Year and another year of blogging here!

For now I'm off to read Pride & Prejudice, play some piano and then get ready for a Girls Night (playing a Harry Potter game on the PS2 is included in that)!

I don't exactly understand what's going on in this picture. My thumb's freaking out. Oh well, I'm trying to express my approval so I'll include it anyway.

Time to Start Anew

I feel like lately I've blogged myself into a corner. I've lost my voice and inspiration. Neither of those things are okay with me! Considering that fact, expect some major changes around here soon. With the new year will come a new outlook, and new look in general. I'll go back to the image I had when I first started this blog about a year ago. It shall all be good though! I will hopefully start writing and dressing more like myself. I'm going to get myself out of this slump!

2012 will be a big year for me after all: Eighteenth birthday, Highschool graduation and starting college! Eep! Stay tuned for updates!

My Family Spoiled Me

I just want to take a moment to brag. Just kidding, but really my family knows me so well and I am a very lucky girl. My loot included a reversible faux fur vest that I am excited to wear, a sequin fox sweater that I'm in love with, a scarf, leg warmers, a Pokemon video game, those cool bracelets that double as hair ties, all the Harry Potter books, a gorgeous wood carving from Indonesia and a print I've been lusting after from Eastwitching and there was more still. My family loved the gifts I gave them too...at least I hope they did.

What was your favorite gift?

I hope the spirit and love of the season lingers around you and your families for a good while. Don't take any time with the people you love for granted!

Merry Christmas!

It's still Christmas Eve where I am, but I just wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas! I'll most likely be absent for the next couple days, I should spend some time with my insane family. I hope everyone's Christmas is blessed and happy and I hope you get to spend time with loved ones and eat a lot of good food. I'm off to watch a bunch of Christmas movies and open a couple presents....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DIY Quote Art

If you are frantically trying to put together a last minute, personal, homemade gift right now, you are probably freaking out. BUT! No need to fear; I have an idea for you! I made this for my best friend and it was not only simple to make but super fun (I do have to remember I am very easily entertained though, so don't get your hopes up...) 

This does take over-night to dry!

1. Supplies. The most important is the artwork. You want to pick something based on color, because that's what you will see. Thrift-stores are great for this because the art can be slightly damaged. You'll also need Vinyl letters. I found mine at Michael's in the wood section. Lastly you'll need spray paint- I chose a satin finish.

2. Placement. After you pick your quote/lyric/etc you need to place your letters. Cutting out around the letters is super helpful.

3. Sticking those Stickers. Once your happy with your placement and made sure you haven't switched up any letters, carefully place your letters right on the painting.

4. Painting! Go to a well ventilated place (outside) and spray the heck out of the entire painting. I had to do four-five coats of white to cover the painting. Follow the instructions on the can. The can does lie though, it won't be done in a few hours. Wait overnight until it is completely dry before moving on the final step.

5. Reveal. After you have impatiently waited (oh, wait that may just be me) carefully, VERY CAREFULLY pull the letters off your painting, revealing your painting again. Voila! You are done! Give your gift and make one for yourself! You can also attach a ribbon to hang from the wall.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday hustle & bustle!

Music Has Consumed My Life

 ...and I'm not that upset about it. It really has been quite a musical couple of weeks and it's not over yet! Last Tuesday was my school choir's Winter Concert, which I think went very well. On Friday the a Capella group I am a part of sang for the teachers during their lunch and on Saturday we sang for some cool old people (a motor-home club I think?) at an awesome restaurant. Before that on Saturday I had my piano recital.

There was a little boy at the piano recital who did an almost perfect Nightmare Before Christmas version of Jingle Bells. I'm not sure it was on purpose but it made my entire day. It was a complex piece too!

This week, as if that wasn't enough music- I have been going to rehearsals for my friend. She is having a small group of people go sing for a place for developmentally disabled adults where her mom works. That's happening tomorrow!

Then to finish it off on Friday, right before Christmas the a Capella group is going to go caroling. Which should be a lot of fun. We picked my sister up from the airport last night so she is home and I am ready for Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Outfit: Why I Hated Job Fair

Last week, conveniently the longest week ever, I was forced to go to a little thing called job fair. I really can not express how much I did not want to go to job fair, but if I didn't go- they wouldn't have let me graduate. Not graduating is much, much worse. So I put a smile on my face, dressed up nice and quit whining. Just kidding, I whined and complained the entire day. 

I had to listen to a speech which included a back-scratching shirt that resembled a bingo card and a story about a grandma who liked to kill people in virtual reality. Yeah, I didn't get the point of the speech- can you tell?

I was then siphoned into another room (during which I heard some very interesting stories that I wish I hadn't that included STDs) and forced to get some poor people working at booths to sign my "passport". I'm not still in kindergarten in case you were wondering. I'm getting ready to be an "adult".

After getting my five initials and being freed we continued on to our mock-interviews. Believe it or not this turned out to be my favorite part of the entire day. I was worried I'd turn into my awkward self- but I got more compliments in those few minutes of my two interviews than I have in a long time.

Having people tell you you're awesome is always great, right?

Week of Sweaters

I (and a few others) declared this final week of school Sweater Week. It was unfortunately interrupted by a couple events- but I still got to wear some pretty kick-butt sweaters. My Giant Pillow-Blanket sweater is seriously heaven to wear, my Steve sweater let me live out a childhood dream. Cause it's Blue's Clues, Blue's Clues! And my Grandma Christmas Cat Sweater had a actual functioning bell and says: "Grandkids leave pawprints on our hearts". Yes, this made my week bearable.

Goodness gracious I am so behind. This week has been constant activity- that I'll have to fill you in on later: Job fair, Winter Concert, Bell-ringing, Piano recital. Super crazy week but all good! You'll hear about it all soon as soon as I can get a break! Anyone else feeling the Holiday craziness?

The Grotto and a Quick Hairstyle

The day after the Mumford & Sons concert I went to go sing at the Grotto in Portland. After three hours of sleep and going to a rehearsal at 6:45 in the morning I was not feeling my best. In order to trick my brain I decided to do something quick with my hair. I got so many compliments on it, I figured why not share it with you. 

1. Grab the hair in the front (bangs) and start french braiding.

2. Continue the french braid along the side of your head until you almost reach the back.

3. At this point, stop french braiding, and just "regular" braid the remaining hair, letting the braid fall down, joining the rest of your hair.

Simple simple!

Every year around Christmas time my choir, RebelSingers, makes a trip to the Grotto in Portland to perform. The Grotto is a National Sanctuary built around a rock cave at the base of a cliff.You can read more about the Grotto at The Grotto Website. During the Holidays, they do a fantastic festival of lights, a petting zoo, choir performances, it's simply amazing.

We sing in the chapel, which has amazing acoustics and really is one of the coolest rooms to perform in. During one of our quieter songs, I heard someone sneeze, and thought nothing of it. The next day I learn that a kid threw up. I have never experienced that before, and I hope I never do again. I'm just glad I wasn't one of the unlucky victims that was hit. It makes me shudder still.

All in all it was a really fun night. I almost fell asleep a couple times on stage- but it was well worth it. It's sad to think that was my last year performing there...

Mumford & Sons: December to Remember

Last Tuesday Mumford & Sons came to Portland and guess who got to go! If you guessed obviously you, stupid - you are correct! It was definitely worth getting three hours of sleep the next day and being a slob-zombie the rest of the week.

Mumford & Sons sounds even better live then recorded- I am not kidding you. And the guys are funny! I will marry them, I swear. If you ever get the chance to see them live definitely take it. Check out Apache Relay too, they were one of the openers and actually pretty darn good.

Now nothing crazy happened, I wasn't in the mosh pit (5' tall girls and ground floor seating never turns out well) but I had a really good time. I sat in comfy seats behind some adorable boys (if only they had been a few years older...) and escaped reality for a few hours. 

Outfit: Boots, Dog & Leaves

I didn't forget about you all I promise! I have been so busy but I have some pretty awesome things to blog about in the upcoming days (Mumford & Sons concert, the Grotto, etc.) so that's exciting! And I updated the whole blog! Do you like it?

I actually braved the cold and went outside to take these pictures- my backyard was too pretty too miss out on. The leaves are mostly all down now, it's winter here now. I have to share the boots. I got those boots at a thrift store, brand new for $20. I almost died. They are so warm and I love the print on them. Thrift stores are the place to be!

Last but certainly not least- Misty says hello! You're lucky to get the virtual hello, because the real hello smells pretty bad.

Zooey Deschanel: Style Inspiration

In lieu of my recent Zooey Deschanel comparison which I shared in my last outfit post:

"Oh! I have to share one of my happiest moments of life so far. The a Capella choir I am a part of went to the office yesterday to sing Christmas songs to them and we sang the song in which I have a solo. After the song was over the office ladies said I sounded beautiful and one of them said I reminded her of Zooey Deschanel. If you know how much I love, adore and admire Zooey, you would understand my excitement."

I decided I would finally give Zooey a post of her own on here. She has such a great sense of style and I really do adore her! Oh and if you haven't seen New Girl yet you need to watch it because it is hilarious! 

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New Girl is on tonight- but I'm going to miss it to go to the Mumford & Sons concert! Oh the sacrifices I must make... hehehe.

December & Holiday Playlist

YES! The Holiday Playlist is here! There are multiple versions of some songs because I couldn't decide which I liked best. I will most likely keep adding on to this in the next couple weeks. I love Christmas-time! Enjoy and be merry! Drink some warm beverages, watch some classics and spend time with the people who love and put up with you!

Outfit: It's Pretty Darn Cold

I call for a celebratory "It's Friday" Woo-Hoo! Woo-Hoo! This week has felt long and it is definitely starting to feel like December in Oregon. Man it's chilly. I have a lot of events coming up in the next couple weeks which I am excited for, but for now- I'm going to eat my caramel apple and watch tv. I wanted a donut, but ended up with an apple...Oh well, close enough right?

Oh! I have to share one of my happiest moments of life so far. The a Capella choir I am a part of went to the office yesterday to sing Christmas songs to them and we sang the song in which I have a solo. After the song was over the office ladies said I sounded beautiful and one of them said I reminded her of Zooey Deschanel. If you know how much I love, adore and admire Zooey, you would understand my excitement.

Gotta love the little moments right?