Cooler Than Fezzes

I've finally christened my bow-tie dress. About time, too.

Also, I wore a cardigan because for some peculiar reason, my Italian class is always at Absolute Zero, and I was fairly determined not to freeze today.

Also of note: I spent two hours (two hours!) drawing a paper curl and I wanted to punch it in its nonexistent face, I enjoyed some jalapeno poppers, and Elementary might be one of my new favourite shows. I do love a good Sherlock Holmes adaptation.

Same room, new angle. You may have noticed the missing poster. 
The one Charlie brought down. On my head. At six in the 
morning. He's lucky he's cute.
Dress: eShakti | Cardigan: WalMart

Both pins are vintage heirlooms.

Got this at some little store in Old Town, San Diego.

Icing by Claire's.

Payless.

Troublemaker and my art box.

Burdened With Glorious Purses

Apparently, I have a much fuller social life than we all thought possible.

I know, it's crazy.

I spent the afternoon at Erika's, doing homework, painting our nails, generally killing time. Eventually, though, after taking forever to get ready (not me, I was like lightning), we went to a party. It was her boyfriend's aunt's birthday, I think, but our friends were there, so I wouldn't be left feeling like a weird kid. Although I usually do that anyway. We might have been overdressed, but that's just how I live my life.

We spent a huge majority of the party just hanging out in the front yard, speaking in German/Italian, discussing Nutella cheesecake recipes, and listening to the boys play. Also, for some reason, Edgar brought a xylophone with him, and I spent a great deal of time struggling to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Happy Birthday." I succeeded, though.

The rest of the night was spent eating jell-o cake (which is incredibly weird) and watching funny videos on YouTube. That's the way to party.

 Dress: eShakti | Necklace: vintage | Watch: WalMart | Belt: Fashion Bug | Stockings: Torrid | Boots: Payless | Bag: Mulberry for Target

Hi, Cap, You're Cute When You Sleep.

Last night, I went on an adventure with Erika. By adventure, I mean we walked around the Boulevard and smelled stuff, went to dinner at Farmer Boys, and wasted time in Target. Target, where the Halloween stuff is out already.

Right, well, we couldn't help ourselves.

This is how I spend my life: acting like a fool in the Halloween section in Target with my friends. Also, accidentally buying new books, which I really shouldn't do. I already have a ton to get through. Le sigh.

Best Pirate Ever?

I became Captain America. Or something.

I also became a gentleman.

She doesn't look very angry to be an angry bird.

I am a pretty, pretty princess!

Dress: Torrid | Necklace: Forever 21 | Bangles: Forever 21 | Bag: Mulberry x Target | Shoes: Payless | Cutlass: to be feared

And now: Italian homework.

Livin' the life over here.

Movies in Anthropology

You all underestimate just how boring I am.

Really.

I'm okay with that, though. Keep it up.

You Mean from Hong to Kong?

I was basically forced to draw an apple today. I didn't finish.

Honestly, that's the most exciting part of my day. I wore colourful clothes, froze in my Italian class, and came home. But the important part is that I liked my outfit, right? Right?

 Tee: Torrid | Skirt: ASOS Curve | Cuff: vintage | (broken, sadly) Necklace: thrifted | Shoes: Payless

Also of relevance: WILD HAIR. I mean, really. I just want my bangs to grow out already! Unless I decide to cut them again. Really, it could go either way.

Yesterday's Makeup, Today's Sparkles

Let's start with yesterday's look, since I forgot it yesterday. Whoops.

Right.

Today, I have an outfit, too. Hooray! I finally broke out my black lurex stockings, and have since decided that I need more black glittery things like that.

 Dress: Forever 21 | Stockings: Torrid | Shoes: Vans | Bracelet: vintage | Watch: WalMart | Necklace: Forever 21 | Cat: mine

Also, pink. Yeah.

Finally, I (sadly) did not get into my biology class. Which sucks, because I love biology. Oh, well, at least I have art and Italian to soothe my soul, and archaeology to...watch videos in? I don't know.

You Enjoy Your Fashion Week

I'll enjoy my...naps? Don't you worry, I'll find a sufficient method of curing boredom.

Real quick update: spent the day with Erika yesterday. We did some homework (I now know the difference between Lei and lei in Italian, if you're curious), went to an open mic night at a coffee shop, and ended up spending a good hour eating pizza and buffalo wings with friends. I definitely need more nights like that!

Now for makeup. It's still very light and subtle (except for the blush, but it doesn't help that I was flushed beneath the makeup. Heat is awful), but also very blue. I don't know.

Purple and Black

First: I've finally seen the new Doctor Who episode, and I'm just so excited to see more of Oswin.

Second: I'm starting a new project. Today.

You see, a couple years ago, I bought this giant palette from Sephora. It was cheap, considering the brand, the quality, and the sheer amount of stuff. But in two years or so of owning it, I've hardly used it. I've finally decided that I'll change that. What better way to, you know, enforce that than to use it (and only it) for a full week? For the next seven consecutive days, I will be using the Sephora kit, various brushes, and my Rimmel mascara. That's only because I'm not going to use two-year-old mascara. Sorry.

Today, I went for some purple and black to match this skirt. What can I say? I like the combination.

I layered purple and black gel eyeliner, dusted a thin layer of purple eyeshadow, and applied slightly iridescent purple lip gloss. Let it be known now, though, that I'm not the best at applying eye makeup, and the lip gloss didn't have the best payoff, but I'm happy with how it all turned out. Hey, maybe my skills will improve! I can only hope.

Also:

A Delightful Gem from Biology 107

Rosalind Franklin helped to discover the DNA structure with a process called X-ray crystallography. Watson and Crick were stumped as to the shape, but when she gave them her findings, she made it...crystal clear.

Five Things: Books

I am a reader. I frequently read multiple books at once, and I've rarely met a book that I haven't liked. No one ever asks for my opinion on books (madness) (that's okay, though), but I figured that I'd give you guys my five favourite books. Just because.

• Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

No matter how many times I read this book, it kills me. Kills me dead. I'm sure that a lot of you have read it, at least the shorter version they stick in English textbooks, but honestly, the novel is so much better. It's fuller, more tragic, and a bit more beautiful. This is my favourite book, and whenever anyone asks for recommendations, this is the first book I mention.

• Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

Let me say it now, I absolutely love The Hunger Games trilogy. So much. Mockingjay, the last book, is my favourite out of the three. I won't say too much about it, because if you haven't read it, then my reasons for loving it might ruin it for you. Just trust that it's fantastic, heart-breaking (aren't they all?), and full of action. All of my favourite things in a book! I can't say enough about these books, though. They're a bit gory, but the violence isn't taken lightly. The protagonist does have to deal with relationships, because why not, but it's so refreshing to see a heroine go out and do things for reasons other than love. She's strong and brave and so incredibly messed up. I just really love Katniss, okay?

• Her Fearful Symmetry, Audrey Niffenenegger

This book is a little weird, a little tragic, and a lot excellent. It's a ghost story, but done so well that the ghost part isn't even the best part. You've got co-dependent twins, lying twins, a couple fantastic plot twists, and a small handful of incredibly messed-up characters that you can't help but root for.

• The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd

It's a good book, yeah, but I'm not gonna lie: the reason it's on this list is because I just want to live in it. It's so pretty. But it's also, you know, good.

• Ophelia, Lisa Klein

In this novel, with a determined protagonist who does act for love, Ophelia survives. Yes, it's Hamlet's Ophelia, the girl who went mad and committed suicide. What I like about this novel is that Ophelia wasn't mad, and she survived. She gets her happy ending. What more could you ask for?

These are just some of my favourite books. There are infinitely many more. And if you're looking for something new to read, just ask. Seriously, I live for telling people what to read.