This Constant Companion

I've gone through my Editing Round Two, hopefully cleaning up any embarrassing errors. I'm proud of myself for not relying on spell check because, well, spell check likes to tell lies. So hooray for me, and boo for technology.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is this: would anyone like to act as an advanced reader? Well, reader. Advanced implies plans for publication, and I'm still not sure. I want some fresh perspectives, and hey, you get to see what I've been working on for two years!

I will ask you lots of questions if you agree (lots of questions), but don't worry, I'll wait till you finish before I attack. I'd just really like to know what people think.

Please, leave your email in the comment section, and I can send it to you! And maybe someone can be brilliant and let me steal their summary.

Thanks!

Girl Looks Like a Boy

Usually, I'm totally convinced that my hair makes me look like a twelve-year-old boy. The rest of the time, I'm absolutely positive that my hair is in a ponytail or bun. I guess I'm still not totally used to it, but that's cool, I still love it way too much.

I spent all of today wandering around town with Erika, with Starbucks and Subway as nice little treats. Well, one was a treat; the other was lunch. We worked up quite the appetite while exploring the somewhat dingy, slightly grotty "mini mall." I love it, though. I mean, what's better than being able to buy parrots and fake Chucks under the same roof?

I dunno, I totally look like an adolescent boy with this hair.

SO done with Earring Purgatory. Three more weeks till I can 
switch them!

I don't care if it's not my house, this is my spot.

Top, jacket: Forever 21 | Skirt, necklace: Fashionbug | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Bag, watch: gifts from family | Ring: Charming Charlie | Cuff: vintage

Wild and Crazy Cat Lady

So I've done all kinds of things today, which is usually the case. Which is a lie.

I went out into the world with Erika and Yesenia, which was nice. We took a little tour of this salon/spa/magical place on the Boulevard, and honestly, if I could somehow manage to get seven dollar haircuts there, I'd be in heaven. Because they have a library.

Also, we went to Little Szechwan, like always. We tried the Kung Pao Shrimp, which is partially made of fire but ultimately delicious.

Finally, I'm spending the night at Erika's. That means I have to get up early (ugh), but that's fine by me. Sort of. Whatever, she's feeding me.

Erika, casually throwing her leg into the shot.
Me, casually wondering why there's a pile of magazines on the
 floor.

Tee: Old Navy | Skirt, stud bangles: Forever 21 | Necklace, black bangles: Charming Charlie | Ring: vintage | Bead bracelet: something about Haiti | Flats: Payless

Also, I've started a blog with Erika. I'll be posting outfit pictures there as well, though not as often. It's really just a chance for us to mutter about things together. Go pay a visit, if you like.

Royal Blue

All I've done today is art homework and grocery shopping. That doesn't mean that I couldn't wear two of my favourite clothing items.

I don't understand how I hadn't paired these together until now, I really don't.

Top: Forever 21 | Camisole (underneath): Old Navy | Skirt: ASOS Curve | Flats: Payless | Sunglasses: Image

Lust List: Headgear

I'm not sure if it's just me, or if it's a universal pixie cut fact, but my head gets cold more easily than ever now, and I don't like that. I'll be especially glad when winter stops doing its thing and lets spring take over.

Of course, last night was both cold and windy, so that might have something to do with my head being freezing the whole time, but I choose to assume it's due to my short hair.

Anyway, I spent quite a lot of time trying on hats, mostly to see what I could pull off now. And since it seems like the pixie goes hand-in-hand with hats, I made this list.

Maybe I can find some nice, warm beanies soon. Either that, or this cold has got to stop doing what it's doing.

Sassy Goldfish

I spent the morning at Casey's today, playing Infinity Blade (fun, but painfully repetitive) and watching Important Things with Demetri Martin. I always forget just how much I love him, and how much I love that show. I don't understand how it was only on for two seasons.

Eventually, we roused ourselves and headed out into the world. First farmer's market in ages, aww yeah. Unfortunately, only one person recognised us, as most of the other vendors were gone. Well, not gone so much as replaced with strangers we've yet to properly break in. That was disappointing.

I got cucumber soda (my favourite), Casey got Jones, and we continued wandering. I finally heard "Thrift Shop," and oh man, I think I'm in love with that song. It's hilarious.

After wandering even more and traipsing through our favourite vintage shop (I so should have bought the yodeling hat, it was surprisingly cute and I was totally channeling Peter Pan), we met up with Erika and Beyrin.

Erika and I stopped in to visit with her hairdresser, who also happens to be a family friend. He cut my hair once before (back in March), and the pair of them carried on and on about my hair, but I think it's growing on Erika. I certainly hope so.

More wandering, and eventually, we ended up in a coffee shop where we developed a children's book that will be awesome. I'd love for it to be a thing. Maybe we're all a bit overexcited, but I don't care, it's perfect.I can't wait to see our other friends' reactions to it.

And now I'm going to spend the rest of my night reading and watching Red Dwarf. (By the way, Lister and Cat might be my new style icons. Yes.)

The life I lead is an adventurous one.

Thank you, Casey.

Top, sweater: Forever 21 | Skirt, necklace: Fashionbug | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Bag: from Israel | Sunglasses: Image

Best. Ever.

I think my chai latte looked like a spiral galaxy.

Unsteady Territory

I hope you guys don't mind if I write more about, well, writing here. I'm sort of vaguely tempted to start a separate blog just to talk about it, but I'm not sure. As it is, I choose to write about writing, and that is how I shall live my life.

I dunno.

I've finished the first round of editing on my novel, and once I finish round two, I'll probably start looking for readers. I sort of doubt it will ever get published, but that doesn't even matter. I don't write so that I can make money for it, or even so that others can read it. I write because I love it. That's it.

Anyway, the point I was trying to make (I think) is that I think I've come up with a half-decent summary that I don't hate completely. It'll change over time, though, as other people read it and tell me what they think and I realise that I hate my own summaries anyway.

Blah.

Callie was born to be something special. She married a prince, became a queen, and changed her country for the better. But, in the midst of this glittering world, tragedy fell and she found herself and her country at war. As time and the war carried on, she found that it's easy to stay down when life knocks you ever, but it's important to stand back up.

Okay, so I still sort of hate it. How do people do it?

Anyway, I know people have been curious and my earlier summaries ("Uh, it's about a girl who becomes a queen and ends a war and wow, I'm really bad at this.") haven't been cutting it.

I can do this, I swear I can!

Maybe.

Tinkerbell's a Pixie, Right?

So...

Let's just tell this story in pictures first.

Dress, jacket, necklace: Forever 21 | Watch: birthday gift | Ring: Charming Charlie | Bag: from Israel | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Sunglasses: Tilly's

When Erika started panicking.

Life Laughs with Flowers

Today, I dressed for spring.

Well, in all actuality, I dressed like I did because I wish spring was here.

And if we're being really honest? I was inspired by the following song and its accompanying music video:

All I did was go grocery shopping with my mom. While I think it's ridiculous that everyone has Easter stuff out already (it's February still, guys), I sort of love it. It feels like spring is just around the corner, and I always look forward to it. The trees all bloom, and everything in my neighbourhood smells like cherry blossoms. The world almost has a green tint to it, and everything just feels hopeful. And while I love dressing for colder seasons, spring is, has been, and always will be my favourite season.

Anyway, have some clothes and stuff.

Yep, bonus face shot. But don't worry, it's all for the sunglasses.

Dress, sweater, necklace, bangle: Forever 21 | Hair flower: made by Casey's mom | Ring: Icing | Bag: MulberryxTarget | Shoes: Payless | Sunglasses: Claire's

So am I the only one who gets super excited for spring every year? It's cool if I am.

30x30 2.0 Recap

I know I finished a while ago, but I've only just gotten around to posting this. I saw Dani's and figured, "Hey, I ought to do that too." And so I did.

These pictures are all scrambled, because chronological  order 
is for fools.

I couldn't get enough of: black. Lots of black.

I mean wow I wore a lot of black. Also sweaters.

I could have lived without: the sweater dress, leggings, red-white-and-blue top, and blazer.

I love all of these items, but I guess I haven't ever worn them often enough to justify their existence in this challenge. The blazer was especially difficult—I found myself forcing it on one day because I was nearing the end and I still hadn't worn it. The weather was much too cold for something so light, but I made do, I guess.

My favourite outfits: 6, 7, 11, 21, 23.

My least favourite outfits: 2, 27.

30x30 MVPs: black eyelet skirt and grey sweater.

You can be sure that I will wear both of those until they fall apart at the seams. I never knew that I loved that grey sweater so much, but now I do, and I will never take it for granted again.

For the most part, I enjoyed this. I took a slightly more leisurely approach this time around, but I sort of wish I'd just powered through in thirty days. Otherwise, it's not as much fun for me. Next time, though!

Finally, be sure to check out Dani (who finished a few days ago) and Jess (who's still in (we believe in you, Jess!)) because they are awesome and did this challenge with me.

Mes Cheries

Happy Valentine's Day. If, like me, you are without a valentine, then I'm pretty sure that means we're each other's valentines.

Lucky you!

(I actually really wanted an excuse to post this picture.)

Evolutionary Transitions

I did all sorts of stuff today. I read multiple articles about evolution (and then wrote about them) for homework, and I read stuff that wasn't about evolution (didn't write about that). Oh, and then I went to the mall with Erika.

Dress, blouse, jacket: Forever 21 | Belt: Fashionbug | Tights: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Ring: Charming Charlie | Cuff: vintage

Also...

It's mildly creepy that Erika was so disappointed that it didn't hurt more. My friends are sadists.

Freedom Round My Neck

I recreated my Saturday outfit after all, except I wore less jewelry and my combat boots today instead.

My mom and I went to Dollar Tree, where I found myself some Spree (yeah!) and yet another mildly tacky figurine for my bookshelf. I put the lamest/greatest stuff up there, I swear. I also found a trinket box that's actually cute, so no one cares about that.

Also, I got some Fish McBites from McDonald's. They're one of the only things I'll eat from there, simply cause I'm just not a McDonald's fan. Fish McBites, mochas, and anything ice cream. An odd combination, not gonna lie. Just know that I don't enjoy them at the same time. I have limits.

And that's it.

Always with the heart sweater.
Can't stop, won't stop. Ever.

Sweater, blouse, boots: Forever 21 | Skirt: Fashionbug | Tights: WalMart | Necklace: Hot Topic | Watch: gift from mom | Ring: Charming Charlie | Cuff: vintage

Rinaldo the Rhino.

Sherry the Glitter Owl.

I ought to show off the random collection of stuff decorating my bookshelf one of these days. Also my desk. It's great.
(I also finally wrote up an About Me page, if you haven't seen it already. I just spend a lot of time talking about clothes and ridiculous names for things. Basically, you can think of it as my blog condensed in a few paragraphs.)

Let Me Just Say...

...Martin Freeman's haircut would make a great pixie cut.

(Ginnifer Goodwin, Michelle Williams, and Carey Mulligan are still my biggest hair inspirations, though.)

Plus One

Yesterday, I did a handful of things. I did homework at Casey's (where we both berated the teacher more than was necessary for being bad at online classes), and played far too much Temple Run to be socially acceptable.

I also went to Erika's house for a party, where I was fed Colombian empanadas. You don't even know how much I love them. I might have a new favourite food. I also played far too much Temple Run to be socially acceptable. But, to even out the social ineptitude, I talked to people. We also enjoyed a horrifically bad horror movie that ended a lot more interestingly than I'd anticipated. One point for the movie! It was A Haunting in Salem, and I am extremely disappointed that it didn't end the way I was expecting.

I forgot to take a picture of my outfit, but I'll be sure to recreate it again in the near future. It was a good one.

Today, I went to WalMart with my mom. That's been the full extent of it.

Banana, Puka, and I are fabulous. 
Does anyone else remember that fantastic cartoon movie, 
Anastasia? Did anyone else get it a couple of years ago? Does 
anyone else watch it regularly?
Didn't think so.

Top: Forever 21 (gift from mom) | Skirt: Fashion Bug | Sunglasses: Image | Flats I keep forgetting to include in the actual picture: Payless

Also, I've gotten three Baby Lips in two days. Guys, a life tip: don't ever buy Baby Lips. You will end up trying to buy them all. They're just too perfect. Especially Cherry Me.

Hack Job

I said I might make a post full of pictures with pixie cuts, didn't I?

Well, regardless, here is said post. I'm not sure when it's happening, but it'll be fairly soon. Next month or earlier, depending on a handful of things. Well, one thing: how soon I'm ready to do it. But I think my deadline might be... Oh, I dunno, March 3rd? That's a good date, right?

A few things I like about pixie cuts: I can dye all of my hair pink without using too much dye (don't know why that matters, at all), I can have Ondine hair (see Audrey picture below), and I'm fairly certain that tangles are physically impossible. Hooray for that!

Anyway, here are some pixies I find particularly inspiring. I love Carey Mulligan's especially, it's just perfect.

Pixie perfect.

Doin' Stuff

I've spent a good chunk of the day doing homework for my art class (yesterday was biology), and then I finally decided to go outside and stretch my legs. Well, I had to do some chores that required me going outside, but it counts. Even if that wind is cutting.

Either way, look! I'm wearing stuff!

Sweater: thrifted | Dress: WalMart | Flats: Payless

Orange Juice Adventure

I call it that. It was really me and my mom going to WalMart for, well, orange juice and stuff.

Yep.

Top: Forever 21 | Sweater: thrifted | Skirt: ASOS Curve | Flats: Payless

Also, do you guys remember the goals I posted earlier this year? Well, my Goal No. 4 was to finish my Big Project. I've kind of kept it a secret this whole time. Before yesterday/today at two in the morning, only about four people knew it existed.

Well, if you acknowledge me on almost any social platform, you will know that I (please excuse the excessive caps to follow) WROTE AND FINISHED AN ENTIRE NOVEL. A WHOLE 79,000 WORD NOVEL. THAT HAPPENED, I DID THAT, I AM STILL FREAKING OUT.

Yep, my Big Project was a novel.

That I finished.

I'm starting the editing tonight, and I'm still just going to freak out that it happened.

The worst part is that people are now asking what it's about. Obviously, I know what it's about. I can tell you the moral of the story, carry on and on about why some characters have the names they do, explain where I think everything takes place, and all of that. No problem. I can write a whole book. One thing I can't do? Summarize a book. Whether I've written (!) it or read it, I just can't. I always think it sounds stupid when I explain it, so I always say stuff like "Just read the back!" or "I promise it's so much better than all that!"

Definitely something to work on.

So, yeah.

That happened.

Carry on.