Deuces

Hello all! I'm sure it's seemed like I disappeared but I have not. It was just Thanksgiving break (which was lovely by the way) and a whole lot of working (27 hours in 4 days!). 

The weather has been uncool and keeps raining. It's apparently the "third wettest year ever" in Louisville and it keeps on keepin' on. I'm not one for breaking records. Let's just have some normal weather where we can just go outside without feeling like we're under siege and at the mercy of the wind and rain. 

The Style Quo

Top: Old Navy

Sweater: Kohl's

Skirt: AE

Tights: Target

Boots: DSW

Belt: Forever 21

Julie and I had one heck of a day today. We were asked by a rather eccentric (and old, might I add--like grandparent old) classmate of ours to read and comment on his poetry. It was 17 pages of the worst word combinations to ever go down. Robert Frost turned over in his grave. Christina Rosetti threw up from heaven. John Keats wished he could abolish all technology that could ever make it possible for a person to create such horrible writing. 

Alas, we tried to be diplomatic and give him some credible feedback to no avail. He argued with us and basically said, "Thanks for reading my poems. I don't care what you say. They're awesome. Peace." Like I said before, some people should just learn to take up knitting. It would be much more productive and far less painful for my eyes that had to be repeatedly gouged out.

Anyway, here's my Christmas tree named Bernie. Because he "Bernies so Bright"! Notice my Union Jack? REPRESENT BRITAIN!!

I am in a hair predicament. I don't know if I should get it trimmed because I like the sensibility of my short hair (and the fact that it takes no time to style). But then again, a part of me says, "No! Let it grow! Get Zooey Deschanel bangs!"

 

Because, hello, she's hot.

Anyway, I wait to see another day. I'll be buried in portfolio work this evening, as it is due Thursday. Oh how I hope the work isn't excruciating! 

Deuces.

Rec & Play

Today was just a really great day. It probably started with the euphoria of last night. Scott and I went for dinner and I basically let my child-like hunger take over. There were copious amounts of mozarella sticks, chicken tenders, and french fries. Then he came over for a homework date. The night just couldn't have been any more perfect.

The Style Quo

Tank: Old Navy

Sweater, Boots & Earrings: Kohl's

Jeans: AE

Necklace: J.Crew (sale) --Oh, how I love J.Crew. They are so expensive though!

Watch: Timex

Bracelet: From V&A Museum, London

Class seemed to breeze by today, all the rain stopped in time for me to be walking outdoors, it was warm, I had a delicious lunch & one of the best conversations I've ever had with my two favorite people in the whole entire world, work seemed to fly by, I got complimented on my necklace multiple times, and I just couldn't control my happiness! Nothing could bring me down today.

I also lightheartedly complained to a guy that works in the paint department that I couldn't 'cut' people at work... AKA I don't have a box cutter. He went to get one for me saying, 'It's unacceptable to not be able to cut people at work.' It was pretty much the highlight of my night. 

And for one of the happiest songs ever, click here. I was introduced to I'm From Barcelona in high school and they always make me happy. Ironically, they are from Sweden.

I've found myself longing for an English garden. One day I hope I have a house with a yard in which I can grow a traditional English garden, full of colorful flowers, statues, and a little white wire table. 

Credit 
Since I'm basically obsessed with British culture and London in general, it would be lovely to have a piece of England in my backyard to remind me of all the wonderful time I spent in the countryside at Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell's homes. I'll never forgot that day as long as I live.

Thanksgiving is on it's way and I'm anxious to see my family and nosh on some delicious eats!

Scenes From the Weekend

After staying home sick Friday, thanks to my lumbar muscle, I received some surprise anniversary flowers in the mail--in my favorite color! Needless to say, it cheered up my weekend. My parents also decided to go decorating crazy so here are some pics of our upstairs Christmas tree. It's still a little early to me, but what the hell.

Gumption-less

It's been cold and wet here lately--well not really cold. The rain just makes it seem that way. Oh, and the wind.

I've been feeling out of sorts lately--last Tuesday I woke up with an excruciating pain in my lower back. I figured I'd slept the wrong way or something and that it would go away. Well, I was wrong. I ended up going to immediate care that night and found out I strained my lower right lumbar muscle! And also have gastroenteritis. Hmm, attractive. 

So basically, when I haven't been working, I've been wacked out on muscle relaxers that make me incredibly sleepy. One may call them soporific. Anyway, I have so much to do but no gumption to do it. I hope all of this goes away soon. I don't like being gumption-less.

The Style Quo

Top: Hanes (?)

Sweater: AE

Scarf: Gift from Dad from Hong Kong

Jeans: AE

Boots: Kohl's

"It is probably always disastrous not to be a poet."

Credit

Isn't Suzanne Buffam cute? Yes. And not only that, she is an incredible poet! Julie and I went to hear her read poetry with her husband, Srikanth Reddy, last Thursday evening in the Bingham Poetry Room. She is incredibly talented and inspired me to write my own poem for my creative writing workshop. Her 'list' style of poetry was honest, insightful, and funny. It made me realize that poetry is not just a thing that can't be changed or played with. Language is always evolving and it's up to us to keep it moving, keep it fresh. Anyway, just wanted to share this with you... I always find the best poets by going to readings at UofL. I'm so happy I didn't miss this one!

On Last Lines 

By Suzanne Buffam

 The last line should strike like a lover’s complaint.

You should never see it coming.

And you should never hear the end of it.

It Just Shouldn't Be 80 Degrees in November

So, it sounds like a damn tsunami outside and I'm kind of worried the electricity's going to go out at any moment... in the meantime, I'll just type this blog post instead of searching for a flashlight.

The Style Quo

Top: Forever 21

Jeans: AE

Watch: Timex

Jade Ring: Gift from Dad from China

Flats: DSW

This weekend was basically an orange blur. I worked for 16 hours. When I wasn't sleeping, driving, or eating, I was trying to type a 12-page story and any other homework I needed to complete for the week. Somehow I got it all done... mostly. I showed up to Greek mythology today and lo and behold, we had a quiz. *Face palm* I hadn't read a page or studied my notes for one minute. Of course, this is the class I have the most difficulty in so... sucks to be me. But on the bright side, I went to art history and my teacher said the grades from the last test were terrible and she was going to let us use the day to correct them. I got a 100%. So I pretty much peaced out of there early. Then I had to work another four hour shift. Luckily I don't have to deal with hardware or customers again until Saturday.

"The Plains/Bitter Dancer" by Fleet Foxes was pretty much my anthem today. I remember vividly hearing them play it live. There was so much build-up and everyone was swaying, hearts pumping waiting for the crescendo to land on the ephemeral moment when the instruments drop out. If you haven't heard it, please go here now!! Your ears will thank you!

Peace out, lovelies.

Life Is Too Important to Be Taken Seriously

 So today I decided to wear my Oscar Wilde coat. Can you see the resemblance? If Oscar Wilde weren't gay and I lived in the late 19th century, I would jump his bones.

The Style Quo

Oscar Wilde coat: Goodwill, $5

Top: H&M, Covent Garden, London

Jeans: AE

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Timex

Sandals: Online

So, I'm geeking out today and I realize that it would be a dream come true to have a photo shoot dressed as my favorite authors (or at least my representations of them). I think it would be so fun to do Virginia Woolf, Oscar Wilde & Sylvia Plath--like really do 'em up. Fancy. Below, I have my best attempt at being Virginia Woolf from the summer of 2010. We both share that strong Roman nose. :)

Deadbeat Club

 Scott, Julie, and I were well aware that today was going to probably going to be the last nice day of the year so we were completely intent on making it count. How many 75 degree days do you have in November in Kentucky? I knew right away it was going to be a great day because I opened a new box of Kashi cereal and a new gallon of skim milk today. Perfection. And McAlister's perfected my order at lunch today, which hardly ever happens. I swear, how hard is to give me UNSWEETENED tea, people?

The Style Quo
Top: Express (sale)
Skirt: J. Crew (sale)
Shoes: Stolen from Mom (okay, she gave them to me)
Earrings: Bought from outdoor market in Honolulu 2005
Shawl (that unfortunately, it was too warm to wear): Kohl's

I know it's probably frowned upon by the general public to take pictures while driving but look at the moon on the way home! I want to remember this day for as long as I can. Days when leaves are falling off the trees, wind is blowing through your hair, you're listening to The Doors' "L.A. Woman" with the windows down, you get to read about The Bloomsbury Group, go to creative writing class, and have lunch with your best friends.

Here's the book I got to read today. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in The Bloomsbury Group. It's very basic but rather informative:

Credit
The cover is a painting of Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolf's sister, painted by Duncan Grant. It's one of my favorite prints of all time. I have a postcard of it hanging next to my bed (along with Virginia's famous 1902 photograph). I used a card I got from Charleston Farmhouse (also where I got this book) in Sussex, south of London, and I realized how much it smelled like the house...full of aged paint and splendor. The card has a cat painting on it done by Duncan Grant as well--it's by far the most popular painting at Charleston.

This is one of the most beautiful places in the world, let me tell you. I took these pics while studying abroad this summer. Vanessa and Clive Bell owned this property but Virginia Woolf, Duncan Grant, and various others had rooms here or came to visit. So much history, so much beauty.

Credit
Here's that cat print by the way. I love it. :)

Basically, today was the best. Sometimes you've gotta act like you're dancing in a garden in torn sheets in the rain. ;)

A Folk-Rock Sunday Playlist II

  Finally Moving--Pretty Lights

Hit 'Em Up Style--Carolina Chocolate Drops

Charley's Girl--Lou Reed

New Kanada--Solid Gold

 Liar--Built to Spill

Lucky

This was me last year. Trying to be gangster or something I'm sure. See the way I'm reppin' the gold chain?

I had long red hair and I hated my job. Things are totally different now.

I Love Alexa Chung's Style

I bought a British Vogue for the plane ride home from London. "Who is Alexa Chung?" I asked my friend Camille. "She's like an interviewer for MTV. She's known for notoriously dressing well and being skeleton-thin." About six months later I guess I know what all the hype is about. And (gush!) she's British! I wave the Union Jack in honor of you, Miss Chung.

&

So gorgeous.

:)

Basically, I adore her cavalier attitude to fashion that produces such an acute sense of style.