Summer Days Drifting Away

Inspired by Alfie Deyes one of the many British Youtubers, I decided to make a list of 25 things I want to do this summer and document it in a journal. I thought this was a really good idea so I'm giving it a go. I have a mix of things on my list of really simple, easy things and some that takes a little bit more time and planning. I want to try to make a list every year so eventually I fill up the whole thing with fun memories. 

Here's my list:
1. Go swimming
2. Draw more
3. Write down stories
4. Pass Calculus I
5. Learn to skateboard
6. Get together with all my friends
7. Go shopping 
8. Dye my hair
9. Host a successful bridal shower
10. Sew more
11. Read more books
12. Start and finish a new (to me)series on Netflix
13. Bake/experiment with cooking
14. Go to the Perot Museum 
15. Run/play/walk in the rain
16. Write in this blog more
17. Craft night 
18. Paint on canvas
19. Pass Calculus II
20. Hair and makeup fun day
21. Have a BBQ
22. Go to a summer concert
23. Organize my music
24. Set up picture decor
25. Watch more movies

Summer is definitely is going by too fast and I've hardly accomplished this list! It's already heading towards the end of July which means I'll be going back to school soon...sigh (though I have been taking summer classes anyway). I'm really going to try my best to finish this list or at least do as much as possible. 

Summer Go-To

Here my summer go to outfits.

Casuals:

what's laid out:
Batman tank top - Cotton On

pink/white tribal print shorts - Forever21

liar's unite tee - Aeropostale
blue/white tribal print shorts - Cotton On

I like loose fitted shirts with printed shorts during the hot summer days. It's easy to just grab and put on without much thought. 

Rompers:

what's laid out:

neutral tribal print romper - Forever21

blue optical illusion(?) romper - Cotton On

green belt - Old Navy

The neutral romper is a little more casual than the blue one with the criss cross back and lower cut. The second when paired with a belt (and even some nude heels) is more sophisticated with the high neckline. The only problem with a romper is going to the bathroom...

Dressy:

what's laid out:

coral short sleeve - Express

black/white daisy skater skirt - Cotton On

blue and white stripped dress - ?

coral maxi dress - Wave

What I love about these "dressy" options is that they can be dressed up or down for a casual day running errands or a nice dinner out. 

Purses:

what's laid out:

coral sherbet shoulder bag - Payless

red/white/yellow stripped shoulder bag - American Rag

Yellow shoulder bag/clutch - Plato's Closet
Love Pink tote - Victoria's Secret

During the summer I don't like carrying a large purse so I opt to minimize what I carry. The large Victoria's Secret tote is a great pool bag.

Shoes:

what's laid out: Sandals

white Christian Siriano - Payless

tan Montego Bay Club - Payless

Mossimo Supply Co. - Target

Again I like easy/minimal work with my clothes in the summer and what's easier to slip on then a pair of sandals?

The best thing about most of the clothes shown is that they were on sale. The Express shirt and yellow purse was actually purchased at a sale at Plato's Closet last summer, everything from Cotton On was $5 and everything else is either somewhere under $15 or old so I've worn their worth. Knowing you got a great deal as you walk away with your shopping bags in hand is one of the most satisfying feelings (especially if you're prone to buyers remorse like me). 

Hope this look into my summer wardrobe was interesting - in a nutshell I generally go with something loose and simple. 

Salted Chile Chocolate Popcorn

I love cooking and baking, and I LOVE watching the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. Yesterday I did a little experimenting because I had a hankering for something chocolaty and something salty so I decided to try making chocolate cover popcorn. 

The ingredients: 

1 bag of microwavable popcorn

1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1/4 tsp of cocoa chile blend 

a sprinkle of sea salt

The hardware:

baking sheet

parchment paper

small pot 

glass bowl 

spatula and/or spoon

Start by popping the popcorn. I used the microwaveable kind because it's easy and I already had it, but if you're concerned about the sodium level I would recommend stove-top popcorn because you can control the levels salt and oil more easily. 

While the popcorn is popping bring water to a boil. Once the water is boiling I switched the lid of the pot for a bowl that is large enough to sit nicely over the pot without touching the water. Add in the chocolate chips, again you can switch out the chocolate for any kind you like. When the chocolate melted I added in the chile blend. 

Spicy and chocolate seems to be a classic "unexpected" combination on all the food shows. The cocoa chile blend I used contains cocoa powder, chipotle pepper, and paprika. I think cayenne or even a little bit of hot sauce would be a good substitute. 

Once the chocolate and spice is all mixed together add in the popcorn in two batches. Since mine came in a bag I avoided shaking the bag to keep unpopped kernels and the salty oil at the bottom of the bag as much as possible as I scooped the top half of bag into the bowl. 

Gently mix the popcorn and chocolate together. Once everything is coated transfer it to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and add the second batch. 

Spread the popcorn out evenly and sprinkle on a little bit of salt. It might seem unconventional but it really isn't, salt helps bring out the sweet flavor of the chocolate and is another common mix. It'll take a while for the chocolate to set up and since it's pretty much summer where I live it was too warm to keep the popcorn out on the counter so I cooled it down in the refrigerator. 

Once the chocolate is set transfer to an airtight container. I only made this yesterday so I don't know how long it can keep I would guess 2-3 days, but knowing me it won't last that long...

This is a really yummy and easy snack that perfectly combines salty and sweet while the chile blend has a slow, subtle kick to it and if you're a little more adventurous just add more. Hope you enjoy!

The Daringest Duo

Karmin the Pop duo, and real life couple Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan have recently released their album Pulses and I was lucky enough to see them kick off the second leg of their Pulses tour in early April. 

The singers-songwriters’ style is a blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop, and rock; they have even described their own musical style as “‘swag pop’” in Rolling Stone magazine. When you compare their earlier work covering popular songs in their personal style, their EP albums Inside Out and Hello, and the new album/the concert Pulses there is a clear progression of their sound. Their cover album, Karmin Covers, is a collection of their popular covers from Youtube, ranging from Katy Perry and Taylor Swift to Chris Brown. The song choices no matter the origin of genre all tend lean towards a more pop sound but with Karmin’s stripped down instrumentation - piano, acoustic guitar, a wooden drum box, and the occasional trombone - with additional raps. Hello, their EP of original songs again features rap in a pop song, but also strong vocal anthems, heavier drum beats and also tends to be Amy dominate in the vocals. The Pulses album seems like the natural progression of their sound; a full length album that experiments with a variety of sounds but keeps to their origins. The music has clear influences of R&B and rap, but in concert with a live band they have an even stronger rock sound. I think this stronger sound is due to the electric guitar and drums that are much more prominent in a live concert due to the amps than in studio recordings; you can feel every beat. A live performance also allows them to change the phrasing or arrangement of a song, invoke audience participation, and use punch phrasing (inserting a different song briefly). 

At the concert the rock sound is very prominent with their intro “Geronimo” which starts with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums and then grooves into “I Want it All.” Starting purely with drums evoking clapping from the audience this song has a strong disco style with the “four-on-the-floor” beat, Nick plays trombone and from time to time, Amy adds in shouts,and mixing in the rock element there is even an guitar solo. Towards the end of the song Amy directed us to mimic her and sing it back. Before the start of their album title song “Pulses” the drums and piano played in the background while Amy directed the audience to sing the vocalizing part of the song in different sections of the audience. Then during the song she would point at each section to sing. A really cool moment was when the middle of the song breaks down to a quiet moment with just Nick on piano (and the audience singing), then the high energy is brought back up when all the other instruments join in at once. 

Throughout the show the duo moved around the stage with really high energy, punching the air, dancing, and even crawling at times. In the middle of one of the songs Amy even picks up a microphone that changes her voice into a male version. Both engage with the audience through their performances waving, pointing, directing the audience, and posing for pictures. At one point Nick jumps off stage (after shaking hands with security) and stands on the barricade and allows the audience to reach for him. What was also nice was when Amy introduced a song explaining how it was written and who helped them write and produce it. And at the end of their show they brought up an audience member to help perform their cover of “Look at Me Now” with them. (I would have died if they picked me, and I really wish they did :P).

 

I was really surprised at the range of the audience from people in their forties to children around ten and everything in between. Some of those older audience members were there with their children, but also seemed to be genuine fans of Karmin themselves. Due to their rise first initial of popularity through the Internet and Youtube I see how young-adult fans that are immersed in the Internet were attracted to the duo. That could also be said for the younger kids in the nine to twelve year-old age range since the Internet gives such easy access to their music. One of the older audience members near me said he was so surprised the first time he watched one of their Youtube videos when he heard Amy rapping and that’s what got him interested. It seems like it has become a family experience to listen to Karmin. Perhaps parents enjoy them because they provide clean rap lyrics that their young children can listen to. 

I believe the duo first gained popularity on their YouTube channel about three years ago that featured their covers and original songs. Their channel has over one million subscribers and their most popular video, a cover of Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” has over 89 million views. I became a fan of them when I saw them on The Ellen Degeneres Show perform “Look at Me Now” and proceeded to look them up on Youtube (and has inspired me to try to learn how to rap a little haha). I also saw them perform this past summer open for the Jonas Brothers tour. I really liked hearing them change the arrangement of songs from the studio version and use the perfect songs for punch phrasing. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the concert especially since there is always a new found appreciation for a band after seeing them perform live. 

Of course I'm no expert on music and I've probably missed a lot on their sound, but they are one of the few musicians that I actually know anything about so I thought I'd share that. Go check them out on Youtube (and their VEVO channel) and I believe they are still on tour so I really would encourage trying to see them if you are in the area. Even if you are a new fan you'll be glad you saw them because 1) you get be cool and go to a concert, 2)in the future their shows could be much bigger so you get a more up-close/intimate experience, and 3)you can brag to you're friends you saw them live! And of course check out their album Pulses! (also can be found here).

Cloud Atlas

Written, produced, and directed by The Wachowskis (of the Matrix franchise and V for Vendetta) and Tom Tywker (of Run Lola Run) with the score written by Twker, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil, Cloud Atlas is the adaptation of the 2004 book of the same name written by David Mitchell. Released in 2012, Cloud Atlas tells six stories exploring how life repeats cyclically and how actions of an individual can transcend time and impact one another. While the film is initially confusing it comes together as the story develops enforcing the theme of interconnection through its storytelling, character archetypes, and relics. The storytelling can be described as if each story is a book nested within the middle another, so before the first story can conclude another begins and is not finished until the very end. It goes back to the beginning at the end of the story as a reflection of life as cyclical. Starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Strugess, Doona Bae, and Ben Whishaw, the main cast plays different roles but the same archetype in each story. Another device used to connect the stories is objects and stories that make it through one story and affect the next, in fact in one storyline a character composes “The Cloud Atlas Sextet” that is discovered on vinyl in a later storyline. When each story concludes the unique storytelling allows the overall theme of life in repetition to allow those characters to have many different endings. Overall I recommend giving this film a try and as it can be confusing at first maybe use this character graphic. 

I know this movie is a couple years old but I had to write this for an oral report for a class and I thought it would be an interesting post. Hope you check the movie out and if you have seen it maybe watch it again and see if you find something new you didn't notice before. 

Got a Secret? Can You Keep It?

In honor of the Pretty Little Liars season finale last week and upcoming filming for the next season I thought I would do something girly and show outfits inspired by the characters from the show. I'll emphasis inspired, hopefully these outfits have the feeling of each girls style. 
(sorry these aren't great quality pictures as you will be able to tell they were all taken on my iphone)

Emily Fields

I am wearing:

the lipsticks muscle tee (from Aeropostale's Pretty Little Liars: Emily)

faux leather jacket

plain old blue jeans

(boyfriend jeans would look really good too)

black Converse

gold lion stud earrings

Emily has a relaxed, cool, laid back style that I like that's really easy to pull off. She keeps things pretty simple and comfortable. She's also the sportier one so her clothes are more practical. 

Spencer Hastings

I am wearing: 

shear button up w/cami

dark blue cardigan w/white pipping

berry jeggins

moccasin flats

gold knot necklace

rose gold watch (that doesn't work...) 

Spencer's style mixes preppy and vintage. A button up, a sweater, and blazer are staple in her closet. She also tends to go simple with accessories--nothing too flashy. With all the craziness that happens in the show Spencer most likely wears a watch that actually works ha.

Hanna Marin

I am wearing:

black graphic long sleeve shirt

mint skater dress

black loafers w/gold studs

(heels would be even more Hanna-like)

gold cocktail ring w/pale pink stone

gold studded hoop earrings

(a statement necklace would also look really good)

I would describe Hanna's style as trendy and glam. She doesn't shy away from something adventurous and bold. I actually am not sure how much this outfit represents her but I think it's the closest out of all the others. 

Aria Montgomery

 

I am wearing:

same faux leather jacket

sleeveless pleated tunic

thin tan belt w/silver polka dots

large bird (angel?) earrings

Aria is edgy, urban and a risk taker when it comes to her style. She like Hanna isn't afraid of going loud, but with a darker feel. Her accessories are always big and bold--definitely a focal point for her outfits. 

I'll admit this show is super frustrating but very addictive...even though the story isn't always the best I have always really loved each girls style and I like to think I'm a mixture of all of them. A great thing about these outfits is that it's really easy to swap out items keeping to your own personal style. 

Perfect Timing

...well not really. 

I wanted to write something about New Years Resolutions but it being almost the end of January this is poorly planned. Anyway I'm really not one to make resolutions, I never have before because 1) I couldn't really come up with a resolution and 2) I figured if I did have a resolution I would end up not doing it anyway. Really it's kind of bad that we wait until beginning of the year to start changing things in our lives. Shouldn't we just start when the idea comes instead of waiting? But in the process of coming up with resolutions for myself I see how it is a good excuse to jump start a change. And I know, my thoughts on resolutions are kind of random and are hard to explain. 

Some people have resolutions that would really consume a lot of their lives, like a new diet or exercise regime, I don't think I could do anything like that because that would end up feeling like work and my resolutions don't need to be that life changing. My goal is just to try to keep up with these little things throughout the year, but not put a lot of pressure on it. 

1) Write more often. 
I have a very hard time getting myself to write things down, whether it's a journal, a list, or as we'll see a blog post. But I have a friend who finds that she can "connect the dots" in her head better when she writes out what she's thinking, and I agree. Writing stuff down really helps to organize my thoughts, the problem is I just get lazy about it. My friend has been encouraging me to keep a journal for a while now and I think I finally will. This also will be encouragement to keep writing here, as another form of a journal. 

2) Be organized. 
This kind of goes along with the first one. I'm terrible about writing down what needs to be done. I always forget to write in and/or check the planner throughout the week which inevitably leads to forgetting something (and being a college student this isn't a good practice). Being organized also includes organizing my time better. I'll admit that I don't use my time wisely and efficiently enough (I am also forever on foreigner time*).  I'm going to try to work on getting up early, listing what needs to be done, and really planning out the day. 

3) The stereotypical resolution: Be healthy. 
Really what I mean by this is build up my strength because my arms have the strength of a T. rex. I also am easily winded by walking and talking up the stairs at the same time...So really I guess this resolution is work my way up to average human strength. I'm not looking to loose weight or anything, just to be able to lift heavy things...you know that'd be nice. I also just need a more balanced diet. Being in college this is hard because it's easy to go a few days on instant food which ends up with me having to consciously ask myself "have I had a real fruit or vegetable this week? I probably should eat an orange today."

The reason I ended up actually writing this is because I was with talking with some friends last night and none of us made resolutions...which for me is normal, but I know I've been meaning to do these things anyway so I'm calling it a resolution. My hope is that actually writing it down will hold me accountable for keeping up with it. 

So I think that this blog in the end will just be a diary of my random thoughts because probably no one will be reading this. Even so I will write like there are readers somewhere out there (beneath the pale moonlight...An American Tail...no? no one? Oh yeah just me).

*foreigner time is what I call the clock foreigner's (or children of foreigner's) live on, at least an hour behind real time. Any person who reads this that is a foreigner or related to one knows what this is. 

Hello!

So for quite a while now I've been intending on starting a blog. Even though I made this blog a while ago I've yet to actually write anything and I figured today is as good as any to start. A few of my friends have been encouraging me to write and there are loads of people that have inspired me who are far superior in writing than me. I am by no means great at grammar but I think I've really been needing some sort of personal project to work on (I've also been debating starting a YouTube channel but that may never happen). Unfortunately I find sitting down and writing pretty hard (this little post took me far too long to have up by the end of today). I’m just looking forward to see what this becomes even if no one reads it.