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oscars 2011

The Oscars were wonderful this year!  I was fortunate to watch them with some of the funniest people you will ever meet.  What a magical evening!  James Franco and Anne Hathaway were delightful hosts, and when I say that, I mean James was super awkward and Anne was simply wonderful and outright hilarious.  (Although I did love their intro.)  I truly think that every winner was well deserving.  My favorite speeches were Natalie Portman's and Colin Firth's (I really want to see him bust a move now).  The whole show was very well-executed with such stunning visual effects!  The stage itself deserved some sort of award.  I also loved how James and Anne cracked jokes about appealing to a younger demographic, because we all know it's true!  By the way, I died laughing during the montage of auto-tuned scenes.  For reals; I started crying laughing...

Anyway, everyone looked their snazziest!  Here are my personal favorites:

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab
Purple lace is my favorite!  I think I might need this dress immediately.

Natalie Portman in Rodarte
Natalie Portman is the epitome of modern elegance.  Love her!

Anne Hathaway in Lanvin and STELLAR Brian Atwood heels
Can't get over this one!  For the most part, I loved all her dress changes (especially the Vivienne Westwood and Versace) with the exception of the long-sleeved Tom Ford.  Lucky Anne!  When I change my outfit that many times in a day, my dad just laughs at me.
Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa
She is fourteen.  FOURTEEN.  Sigh.

Although I have to say, my friends and I did look pretty fabulous, you know, for the Arizonian suburbs...



AND we had cupcakes.  (I can't resist the opportunity of themed treats.)

Life is good, and this week is MY BIRTHDAY WEEK (my birthday is Saturday).  What a fabulous week it is already!  Also, I just found out tonight that both Tuesday and Wednesday are half days?!  I LOVE finding these kinds of things last minute.  Here's to a fantastic week!  xoxo

thursday thrills

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Daydream about spending a year studying abroad--I pick Paris! (Thanks Melanie.)

Laugh out loud at Disney hipsters.

Check out the first two colors of the month from Kate Spade and enjoy the short films they inspired.

Love this collage of personal library necessities.

I started my own Etsy, Marie Wannabe!  I will be adding more goodies soon, so stay tuned.


Happy weekend!  Enjoy the almost-Spring weather and don't forget the Oscars!  xoxo

and this is when it gets a little weird...

Darren Criss at the Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 1 premiere (he is the musical HP after all)
Okay, before I start this confessional, watch this.  (In reply:  Yes, I do.)

Over the course of one Glee episode, I have completely become a Darren Criss fangirl.  I never thought he was undesirable, but I didn't see why so many girls were obsessed with him when I saw his picture all over my Tumblr dashboard (There are many Glee/Harry Potter fans on Tumblr; I feel very at home)...

Then tonight happened.  Between Blaine's disappointment on the Valentine's Day episode and tonight's confusion (and hot bedhead; let's get serious here) I have come down with a full-on crush.  Before now, I thought Blaine a little too pretentious and put-together, but seeing him so vulnerable (and adorably drunk, omggg you guyzzz)... Well, I'm over that.  He's just as uncertain as the rest of them.  And 3432438 times hotter.

Seriously, I am giggling like a little girl.  I need help.

yearbook knows how to (tea) party






Reason #2343478 why I love yearbook:  the parties.  Sometimes it's because it's someone's birthday, sometimes it's because someone owes us a treat for being late, other times it's because there is a lull in acceptable reasons to gorge ourselves with homemade treats; we are the kings and queens of excuses to celebrate.  Our latest excuse?  Valentines day, of course!  I gathered up my tea party goods (I have an extensive history of tea parties) and helped the lovely Melanie with her fabulous tea party!  We passed around a bowl of heart confetti and embarrassing questions about crushes and first kisses, played Glee Karaoke, ate too much of Tabitha's mom's spinach dip (or was that just me?) and ended the night with a screening of Valentine's Day (which we told the boys was a really scary movie).  I love yearbook.

happy presidents day!

Take a moment to say thanks to our 44 presidents if only for this wonderful day off of school and work.

greetings from a lazy fashion blogger


The other day someone asked me if I had a certain idea in mind when I got dressed.  Sometimes this is the case, but most of the time I figure out what I was going for after I put the outfit together.  I guess it's mostly subconscious.  Here are some instances.

1. the "sometimes I wish I was Nancy Sinatra"
blouse-Blossom's 
cardigan-Nordstrom
shorts-Nordstrom
tights-Target
boots-Goodwill ($6!  Thanks AJ, for discovering my new favorite thing to wear.)

2. the "sexy schoolgirl librarian chic" (term coined by Rachel Berry--I love it)
shirt-Anthropologie
shrug-Target
necklace-great-grandma's
skirt-H&M
socks-Kate Spade
shoes-Nordstrom Rack

3. the "Civil War hipster"
hat-J. Crew
dress-Urban Outfitters
bow-Nordstrom
belt-Goodwill
tights-Kate Spade
shoes-Target

4. the "Portlandian-in-training"  (it's been super rainy this weekend)
shirt-Target
jacket-Splash
earrings-made by me
belt-Goodwill
jeans-Nordstrom
boots-Goodwill

i ♥ facebook

Today I watched The Social Network with my mom and Rachel and it really got me thinking about the society I am growing up in. 

I remember the first time I got on Facebook to see what it was.  On MySpace  (What's that, right?), I started hearing that some of my friends opened up a Facebook account.  It didn't seem practical to get my own, because at the time (I'm thinking it must of been around 2007/08) only about 5-10 of my friends had one.  I remember being confused, like, "Why do we need another MySpace?"  A friend explained it to me as something along the lines of "It's made for college students to share stories with each other on their Wall."  I didn't think much about it.  Yet sure enough, when the growing numbers of my friends joining played in Facebook's favor, in no time I had completely forgotten, deleted, and mocked MySpace.

It is unfathomable how different our world would be without Facebook.  Everyone and their mom has one.  Heck, my great-grandma has one.  It creeps into our everyday lives in bizarre ways.  A perfect example from today before we watched the movie:

Rachel:  I got into Barrett!
Me:  I know; I saw your status!  I "Liked" it. 
Rachel:  Oh yeah!
Me:  I'm so proud of you!

And everyone knows that awkward feeling of running into someone in the hallways that the night before you were looking at their profile and pictures.  Nowadays being a creeper has become completely normal.  Society even encourages it, what with blogs and Twitter.

I have a shirt from yearbook camp that says, "yearbook:  the original facebook."   I find this so true.  In contrast to previous generations, my generation will never experience eventually forgetting So-and-so in ten years until we crack open our yearbooks and see his or her scribbled "Have a great summer!" because the class of 2011 (or whatever) will be at our fingertips on Facebook.  That.  Is.  Incredible.  I mean, think about it.  In less than a decade, the make-up of our society has changed so drastically.  Everyone is connected and the world is getting smaller and smaller.  If there was a zombie apocalypse, you'd probably know about it within a minute.

Facebook definitely has its pros (global connection) and cons (global addiction), but there is no denying that it has changed the way we think and act.  (It has even created its own genre of humor--if you are a fan of Harry Potter, read this.

Anyway, The Social Network deserves its four Golden Globes and copious awards and nominations.  I especially loved the score- I am so happy it won Best Original Score.  If there was one thing I could choose to be good at, it would be writing musical scores.  I am obsessed with the idea of music creating the atmosphere for films and productions. Also, props to Aaron Sorkin (writer) and David Fincher (director).  (I think I'm just obsessed with the idea of movies in general.) I want so badly to be cool enough to be a part of such a great film someday.  Here's to dreaming.

xoxo

thursday thrills

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Footloose and Peter, Bjorn and John go surprisingly well together.

Drool over how perfect this apartment is.

Send someone a funny ecard today.  It will surely make them smile.

Yum.  Food blogs are my weakness.

Just looking at this Etsy treasury makes me want to fall asleep.

THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY! AHH!H!!! Uh, I mean, Anthropologie came out with a wedding brand...

team blair

I will admit I am more partial to brunette characters (Okay, completely--especially Blair and Rachel), but I have good reason.  I will always be Team Blair, Team Rachel, Team Every-character-Zooey Deschanel plays.  Here's why:
  • Brunettes are portrayed as more independent & strong-willed
  • Their style is more classic, retro, and preppy--LOVE!
  • They are usually shown as more serious/academic

As for the Serena/Blair debate:
  • Blair is all of the above and also has a killer attitude--you don't want to mess with B.
  • Serena is laid-back and all, but she can be pretty careless about the choices she makes and the guys she gets involved with.
  • Blair can be very mischevious and mean, but her brutal honesty is what makes her so lovable.
  • Serena shows too much skin.  Period.  I think modesty is sexier.  Plus, Blair has better lingerie anyway.
  • Blair is always put together and has a goal in mind to accomplish.  She doesn't stop until she gets what she wants.  Granted, not always is this in her best interest, but I admire her drive.
  • Serena tries to be all boho when she's really a socialite wearing thousands of dollars.  Come on.
  • Blair knows who she is. What's better than that?

  • What team are you?

happy valentine's day


Last week when Melanie and I went to the gas station at lunch, I found a GIANT valentine.

Friday night, my parents went on a date for pizza at Grimaldi's and cupcakes from The Coffee Shop.  Lucky for me, I got their leftovers (ricotta and tomato pizza, will you be my valentine?) to eat on Saturday afternoon.  Between this, Valentine-making, and the second half of The Wedding Singer and the first half of Made of Honor, I was in Valentine's Day bliss.

Sunday night I finished up valentines for my friends.

I decided to keep it simple and mimic the phrases on Sweethearts.  My personal favorites are WHATEVER and GO GIRL.

For treats for my pals and yearbook, I made Oreo truffles and mini strawberry shortcake cupcakes.

I love mini things.

I accidentally asked Melanie to marry me.  Whoops.  We're thinking about a summer wedding.

Man, I just look too cool for school right here... It's probably because I am wearing sunglasses inside.  And they're heart-shaped (double whammy).  Note the Katy Perry nail polish--I'm in love.  I am wondering if they sell it by the gallon? 

The only thing better than pizza is heart-shaped pizza.  Yum!

Now, time for Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars with Melanie!  What a lovely day.

xoxo

i call this my "this is why I'm single" look

Last Saturday, I got a knit lion hat.  It.is.awesome.  Not only is it super cozy and lined with flannel, it also makes me feel happy and reminds me of Luna Lovegood

The other day as I walked to first hour, my friend Erin commented on my hat.  I explained the method to my madness:  a sequin skirt can't be too fancy when you have a lion on your head. Plus, a lion on your head isn't so crazy if the rest of your look is put together.  (You should try it.) 

Despite my consistency of red, pink, and hearts the days prior, I still considered the look Valentine's-esque because I was wearing a heart necklace and sequins. 

Without really thinking, I said, "This is my 'this is why I'm single' look."  When I said it, I realized how true it was.

Because let's be honest.  I'm not your typical high school girl.  Sometimes this is frustrating (cue the "I just want to fit in" chorus with verses "I look twelve," "I'm awkward and confusing," and "I don't know how to act my age").  But most of the time it's awesome. 

It's taken me a long time to realize that a lot of people my age (especially boys) don't share my mind set.  I don't blame them at all; I often find myself thinking the same "teenager-y" thoughts.  Yet there is something inside my head that recognizes these thoughts as teenager-y and rejects them.  And when I do accept them, I go into Carrie Bradshaw mode and try to analyze why I listened to them by writing about it. 

Let's be clear:  I don't think I'm any better than most of my peers; I just know that I'm different.  I basically grew up around adults so I've had to learn how to interact with kids my own age--and still am learning, to be honest.  I love that I gained an innate maturity from that experience, but it has also harbored a lot of insecurity when it comes to being around people my age, because I don't feel like I really fit in or connect with them completely.  It's something I've always had to work on, and this year I have tried harder to act my own age.  That sounds weird, but believe me, it's not. 

If you took track of my weekends, you'd think I was a thirty year old woman because I tend to lean towards spending my nights baking or watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix over going to hang out with a ton of people.  However, I have learned this year to accept those offers because avoiding situations like these only make me more distant from my peers.  Which is good because I've also learned that acting my own age can be a whole lot of fun.

This post got a little off track (I meant to write about how quirky and weird I am and how boys don't understand how awesome this makes me), but I feel good about what I ended up writing about because it helped me make sense of some things, so life is good.

i ♥ sadies

Coolest tourists you'll ever meet
 Katy Perry & Russel Brand
 Wall-e & Eve
 John Lennon & Yoko Ono
 Bananas in Pajamas
Scott Pilgrim & Ramona (My favorite!!)
Francois & Sheeni (Yep, two Micheal Cera movie references in my group of friends--we're that cool.)
We met Katy Perry AND Lady Gaga in the same night! Not bad.  Can't wait to go home and tell the kids.

i ♥ iTunes

...because making festive playlists is just too easy and fun.  I searched for "Love" and picked out my favorite songs with the word "love" in the title.  And that got me thinking...What are my favorite love songs of all time?

Top Ten  Fourteen Twenty Favorite Love Songs (in no particular order)
  1. Something by The Beatles
  2. La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstrong
  3. Thirteen by Elliot Smith
  4. Impossible Soul*  by Sufjan Stevens
  5. First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
  6. God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
  7. Paris 2004 by Peter, Bjorn, and John
  8. The Dangling Conversation by Simon & Garfunkel
  9. Us by Regina Spektor
  10. The Dress Looks Nice on You by Sufjan Stevens
  11. Lack of Color by Death Cab for Cutie
  12. No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses
  13. I've Just Seen a Face by The Beatles
  14. Piazza New York Catcher by Belle & Sebastian
  15. West Coast** by Coconut Records
  16. I Was Made for You by She & Him
  17. Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney (and Glee's)
  18. Teenage Dream by Katy Perry (and Glee's)
  19. Something Stupid by Frank & Nancy Sinatra
  20. Ridin' in My Car by She & HIm
*this clip is only the last few minutes. If you have an open mind, I greatly encourage you listen to the whole song.  It's 25 minutes, but it's wonderful.  (If you do listen to the whole thing, you'll probably either hate me forever or think I'm cooler than sliced bread...)

**This video is such bromance. Love it.


What's YOUR favorite love song?

thursday thrills

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I am so obsessed with this.  It's so fun and beautiful.  Yes, beautiful.

Dream:  Have a successful Etsy shop and package all my crafts with quirky masking tape.

The Cherry Blossom girl will make you want to live glamorously pastel.

Lodekka is the coolest vintage shop I've ever heard of.  (Further proof that I belong in Portland.)

The perfect hearts day gift if your sweetheart has a sweet tooth.


Have a fabulous Valentine's Day weekend. xoxo

lovely

Disclaimer: I am gleeking out majorly around here, just fair warning.
Once again, my grandma outdid herself with my Valentine's Day basket.  This isn't even all of it!  I also got some baking goodies and other fun stuff.  And yes, that is Katy Perry nail polish--my grandparents are that hip.  (I love it! My nails are currently "The One That Got Away" and "Teenage Dream.")

Speaking of Katy Perry, I really liked Rachel's "Firework"!

My favorite thing about the episode was Blurt (Blaine & Kurt).  THEY ARE SO ADORABLE.  I am practically doodling this in my journal:
 Except maybe "Kaylie + Glee" would be more accurate.  Either way, The Warbler's rendition of "Silly Love Songs" made me so happy.


I have also been enjoying wearing my giant sequin heart from ban.do whenever I can--as in every other day.  It's just that time of the year, you know?


Other lovely things: Laughing way too much at lunch, watching 500 Days of Summer after school and going to the talent show.  Life is swell!

my heart is bursting with glee (yeah, I just went there)



Glee came back tonight!!!!!!!!  It was a great episode!  The best thing--it is on again Tuesday!  What a wonderful Glee-packed week!  I am so hopped up on Super Bowl finger food and root beer and coka-cola, so I am using a lot of exclamation points!!!!

In other news, doesn't Sam look mighty fine in this Chevy commercial?  Answer:  Yes, he looks smokin' hot.  Just sayin'.  To think I used to never give blonde guys a second glance...Blasphemy!

Moral of this post:  I ♥ GLEE, life is wonderful, and blondes can be pretty attractive.  Have a snazzy week, blogfriends!

tucson gem & mineral show

Today Dahlya and her parents brought me to the Gem & Mineral Show in Tucson.

This is Dahlya.  (She makes me laugh.)

There were 328432487264328748327 beads. (Probably more)

 Vendors from all over the world set up shop in tents and hotel rooms & ballrooms.  It was funny to see cheap motel rooms filled with treasures.

There was a plethora of carved animals, Buddhas, and other magical things.

Speaking of magical...  This reminded me of Professor Trelawney.

The tall, giant crystals were my favorite.  Isn't is awe-inspiring that the earth produces such beauty and sparkle?  (I like sparkle.)

Granted, I am short, but the things were HUGE. (Just ignore me with my eyes closed.)  We even saw one that was easily twice this size.  I kept wondering how they got the things there.  I loved that some of them were still half-packaged in their wooden crates that had things stamped on them like MADE IN BRAZIL.  It looked pretty glamorous, like they were just discovered and shipped to America.

 After getting some lunch at Govinda's, we ended at Electric Park where there was more sparkle, straw animals, wooden instruments (one guy told Dahlya not to quit her day job when she tried one), and hats (I got one earlier in the day...lets just say it deserves its own post).  I fell in love with the old cowboys selling homemade soda and rusty antiques.  I love me some gems and tranquility, but I think I'm more of a cowgirl at heart.

What are you up to this weekend?