Diciotto

My NYE plans were foiled, but never fear, vegetable noodle soup and closet reorganization is here.
I am a real wild child.
(It helps that I've got a cold and anything actually wild would probably give me pneumonia.)
Keep in mind that the rest of my night will likely involve egg rolls, movies, and writing. It's all good.

30x30 Items:

Top: Torrid | Skirt: Fashion Bug

Other stuff:

Flats: Payless

Five Things: 2012

I thought I'd round this year out with five things that have happened to me in 2012. Because I know you care.

Deeply.

1. I did some traveling, and it was amazing. I went to some new places, some old places, and all of it was perfect. I don't think it's a big secret that I am continually under the influence of wanderlust (at the same time, I doubt it's common knowledge on here), and I'm always happy to go somewhere different. Even if it's a museum twenty minutes away, or a national park two days away. I can only hope that I'll get half as many amazing opportunities in 2013!

I love the Arizona desert.

2. I adopted Charlie, who has continued to get bigger and bother/adore Angel and take up all the space on my bed. I'm okay with all of this, though. Even the whole climbing-on-my-clothes thing.

3. I've developed unhealthy attachments to various TV/radio shows and movies, and their collective actors and writers. The list is long, continually growing longer. This is me, regretting nothing:

4. I've made new friends, reconnected with old friends, and continued to make people look at me strangely while in the company of close friends.

Erika, aka Snowflake. Because she is a special 
one.

Casey, aka the Tony Stark to my Bruce Banner (science bros!).

5. I've passed all my classes, enjoyed the company of some amazing classmates, and learned a new skill (o due).

My year has been awesome, and I can only hope that 2013 will continue with that trend. And I hope that everyone else has had an excellent year!

Huzzuh!

2012 Recap

Well, I've done a bit of a personal recap already (which may or may not have been published already, we'll all find out shortly), but I thought I'd do a recap from a more stylistic point of view. Because I can, so there.

And also, so many of my favourite blogs are doing it, so why not hop onto the bandwagon? It's great fun up here, I can tell you.

So.

Yeah.

In no particular order, ten outfits of mine that I really liked. And also, an evolution of mess in my room. Whoops. (I regret nothing.)

The beginnings of my Best Skirt Ever.

Another fantastic iteration (if I do say so 
myself) (I do).

Diciasette

I also wore clothes today. I basically just wore them to take the trash out, but that is beside the point.

30x30 Items:

Dress: Forever 21

Other stuff:

Coat: Ross | Shoes: Payless

Seidici

I completely forgot to take pictures of my outfit on Wednesday. Oops. Hopefully, this will suffice.

I went to Casey's on Wednesday. We exchanged gifts (the necklace she got me is too fantastic), watched Fellowship of the Ring, and gorged ourselves on sweets. All in all, the makings of an excellent day.

And, for the record, I think she's over the moon about my sudden decision to get into Lord of the Rings. Anything to make the people in my life happy with my life choices.

30x30 Items:

Dress: mom

Other stuff:

Bag: Nine West | Shoes: Payless

I'm not sure if I've shown you guys the back of this dress. I designed it, and my mom sewed it, complete with fantastic triangle cutout.

I swear, I wear this more often than anyone ever should. It's absurdly comfortable and somehow makes me look like I'm going to a tea party. I like all of that, I really do. Also, the cutout.

Quindici

Today, we celebrated Christmas. There was the typical Christmas morning melee (which is what happens when there are thee little kids, two preteens, and some actual adults), which resulted in quite a lot of fantastic wearables currently in and around my closet. Then, in the afternoon, we went to my aunt and uncle's. There was break dancing, more present-opening, a prime rib dinner, and red velvet cake. And you should know that I like all of these things.

Prepare for really quite a lot of pictures, mostly of my nieces and nephews.

Although, when I say mostly, I mean almost entirely.

30x30 Items:

Skirt: Fashion Bug | Top: Marshall's

Other stuff:

Necklace: gift | Bag, boots: Forever 21 | Ring, bangles: vintage | Tights: WalMart | Coat: Ross

The niece demanded photos.

An Aside: Merry and Bright

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, winter, or something else entirely (or nothing at all), I hope the ending days of this year are lovely, cheerful, and warm for you. You've all made this year a great one, and I've met some fantastic internet people through this blog. You all make my computer screen glow with happiness (and nothing else, okay?), and you're all such splendid people. I hope next year is full to the brim with you lovely folks, and whichever new people somehow end up in this corner of the internet.

Now, go and raise a cup/bottle/bowl of something as a toast to yourselves. And then drink it. Unless it's chunky soup or cereal, cause that's just rude.

Quattordici

This is what I wear when I brave the Christmas Eve Eve (I felt like Phoebe, and it felt good) masses of WalMart.

It's also what I wear when I try to get my cat to come out of a tree because, no, you are not going to catch that bird, you're not as stealthy as you seem to think you are.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: mom

Other stuff:

Bag: Target | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless | Sunglasses: Tilly's
(Go pay Dani and Jess a visit for their 30x30 looks.)

Tredici

Tonight/last night/whatever, I went to see The Hobbit. Keep in mind, I have neither seen the movies nor read the books (I know, I know), but after that, I might get into the whole Lord of the Rings thing after all.

Plus, I just really love Martin Freeman, especially as Bilbo now.

Anyway.

I went, along with my niece and her friend Natalie. Suffice it to say that I was  a lot more interested, but my niece has already decreed that I'm taking her to the next one.

Hm.

Purple lipstick, fishtail braid crown, hidden 
shoulder studs...

Robot nails! Aww, yeah.

30x30 Items:

Dress: Ross

Other stuff:

Coat: Ross | Necklace: Fashion Bug | Watch, tights: WalMart | Cuff, bangles: vintage | Bag: Target | Boots: Forever 21
(As ever, here's your reminder to check out Jess and Dani's 30x30 looks!)

Dodici

Went wandering the Boulevard with Erika. Our day was also composed of further Christmas-ifying her house, watching The Grinch, shopping at Target (for presents, I swear!), and gorging ourselves on sugar cookies.

Good times, guys.

Good times.

Christmas, complete with Erika's dog, Luna.
She loves me.

Please Ponder

If you've ever even glanced at my Instagram, you'll have seen lots of pictures of my drawings (and Charlie, but she's not important right now).

What I'd like to know is, would you be interested in seeing my drawings? They're certainly not Da Vinci quality, but some of them turned out pretty nicely, in my own only-moderately-humble opinion. Let me know if this is something you might like to see, or if it will drive you bonkers.

And yes, if I do end up posting, I promise to post any horrifying portraits I may attempt. For laughs.

Finally, as a reward, enjoy this picture of a cute dog we met in Carpinteria.

Undici

My mom and I started our Christmas shopping today (I know, we're cutting it awfully close, but we just live life on the edge), and I'm one present short of being done. That's a nice feeling.

Although, if I'm being really honest, I think I might be two presents short. There's a copper bag at Target that  might be for me. And from me.

It's best if you don't question it.

30x30 Items:

Sweater: thrifted | Dress: Avon

Other stuff:

Bag: MulberryxTarget | Watch: mom | Bangles: vintage | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever 21

Two quick notes about this outfit: I've had it in my head for about a month, and I'm so pleased that it turned out the way I thought it would, and I really ought to stop calling this my Beatnik Sweater. Even if it makes me feel like I should snap instead of applaud and maybe wear a beret.

Oh, who am I kidding?

Beatnik Sweaters for life!
(I keep forgetting to link you all to Jess and Dani for their 30x30 looks. I highly suggest you ease my pain and click those links. Ease your pain too, the pain at not knowing just how glorious these ladies are. Because they are.)

Dieci

Today included naps (in the multiple, blissfully enough), attempting to draw my nephew (who refused to sit still, but I did it, more or less), and a trip to WalMart.

I love my break already.

30x30 Items:

Skirt: mom | Tee: Torrid

Other Stuff:

Jacket: Forever 21 | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Payless

This is the collective doodle my art group did yesterday. If you want to see anything in detail, let me know and I'll post pictures of those specific things. Because, guys, this thing is really cool.

Nove

So today was the last day of the semester. We each went into our drawing class for about thirty seconds to pick up our portfolios. I got another A, despite my firm assumptions that I would get a low B. But, hey, I certainly can't argue. I'm thrilled with it, even if I'm less than thrilled at leaving my art group.

Cue the collective sniffle.

We made do with wasting time together, doodling, and having In-N-Out for lunch. 

But now, the important part: my semester is over. I can sleep in to ungodly hours, and life is awesome.

30x30 Items:

Dress: Forever 21

Other stuff:

Coat: mom | Necklace: Claire's | Bracelet: vintage | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever

The thing about this coat is that it makes me want to be all ladylike. I want to pair it with tights that don't have holes (which drives my mom batty, by the way), some heels, and red lipstick. Hmm. I think I may have to do that one of these days. You know, be a lady.

'Tis the season, after all.

Otto

Today, I turned in my art portfolio and took my final for Italian.

Guys, I got an A in Italian. I'm pretty thrilled.

Anyway, this was an outfit chosen with one of my art friends in mind. See, every time she sees my red shoes and red tights (separately), she always tells me that I ought to pair them together. So I made it a thing (complete with my red heart sunglasses) and made her day.

Finally, cat.

30x30 Items:

Blouse: Torrid | Skirt: Fashion Bug

Other Stuff:

Barrette: Target | Necklace: Fashion Bug | Shoes, bangles: Forever 21 | Watch: gift | Tights: WalMart

On a note I nearly forgot, this outfit makes me feel like I'm in high school again. It's mostly the top and hairstyle, but I feel like they both need a bit of a resurrection. With some of my newer, older, wiser (ha!) tricks. Because I have those. Apparently.

Lust List: Christmas Wishlist

I am a creature of wishlists and procrastination. So, instead of working on my portfolio for drawing (still no idea which pieces I'm putting in) or speaking to myself in Italian, I did this.

I regret nothing.

Because this is a list of things I'd actually really love to open on Christmas day, it includes an absurd box of Rembrandt soft pastels (I assure you all, I don't really need the $1000+ box of 255, it's just pretty, okay?) and some books that I really can't fit on my bookshelf. Also, clothes, shoes, and a bag. I am nothing if not predictable.

Sette

Tonight was the Bolouvard's big holiday to-do, and while it wasn't much, it was a lot of fun. Erika and I went, and her boyfriend tagged along, and there was free cocoa, an elf on stilts, six years spent in front of a light display taking pictures, the last of the free popcorn, a tour of the Western Hotel, and Chinese food.
A condensed/accurate look at the evening.
Man, I'm tired.

Snow! Just kidding, they're suds.

Ice sculptures!

Close-up of the pretty light things happening in and on the MOAH.