recap and resolutions.

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august, september, october

november, december

I know it's only been five months of blogging, but this is a serious milestone for me, you guys! I've always started up blogs, but I never really stuck with them. After about a week, I'd always die off. But so far, this blog has become my little (sometimes neglected) baby. I love looking back at the months that past and going, "I forgot I had that item in my closet!" or "I have no idea what to wear today, so I'll just rewear this outfit...again...for the fiftieth time!"

Good news is that I found my old glasses while I was just rummaging around the house today! I know, they're really granny-like and they do nothing for my face, but I LOVE THEM. And this is what I wear on the weekends, haha! Well, today, specifically (even though there are people coming over and I should really get dressed into something better than my PJs). A Looney Tunes sweatshirt and PJ bottoms! I know, it's so "in" right now. I should be in Vogue...JUST KIDDING.


I figured that I have about three resolutions for 2011. I mean, resolutions should be realistic and something that gets you motivated - mentally, emotionally, or even physically, haha. So, mine are:

1. Be more consistent with my blogging/outfits. That means updating more instead of waiting for a lazy day at home to finally write a post.
2. Start and complete a 365 Day project on my Flickr. (Which will basically be one photo for one day for one year!)
3. Read more! I used to be able to read about 20 books in a month, but that's dwindled down to about...zero books a month, haha, excluding all the reading I do for school. I really miss reading and I know I might be the only one who thinks this but I don't really like the whole ebooks thing. I think to really fully appreciate and enjoy the whole act of reading is to be able to hold a book and flip the pages and smell the smell of books! I know, poor trees. :(

So, what are your resolutions for the new year?

feasting forever!

OH HELLO BLOGGERS. Right, so holiday festivities and family bonding and all that! I promise I'll catch up (sooner or later) on my posts. I mean, I totally have an awesome post about the snowstorm that hit us. I always feel bad I never blah about my day on the same day, but I find that really hard for me. I'm always so lazy tired after all the festitivies!

I wore this outfit on Christmas Day! YAY. I felt like a candy cane, but I think that was the whole point. You know, being festive and all. Our dinner was delicious! I mean, I totally didn't even take enough pictures because I was too busy gorging myself on the food, but it was all homemade and wonderful. After dinner, we just all sat around and talked and (finally) watched Inception. And IT WAS AWESOME. Was it just me that had a crazy awesome dream that night after watching that movie? I was totally trying to figure out what level I was on and what my kick was, haha.

(Left to Right: the christmas card i made for my parents, our food baking in the oven, melon & prosciutto appetizer)

I hope everyone had a great festive time! I know it's almost the end of the year and it's kind of really weird that the year went by so quickly. So much has changed in my life, I feel like I should do one of those blogger recap of the year posts with my favorite outfit from each month or something and talk about my resolutions (1) uhhh be nice to my brothers, 2) lose weight (just kidding. this is impossible!)) and share my sentiments. Which I totally will do. I PROMISE. Because it's not like I have any cool plans for New Year's Eve. I hate being 18! I can't go out and have drinks and party (legally in the U.S, anyways) and fun like all the cool adults!

Outfit Details:

cardigan - Forever 21
striped dress - Eyeshadow

floral tights - American Eagle Outfitters

white shoes - Ralph Lauren

headband...thing..bow - Forever 21

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I took these photos at the Union Square Holiday Market! It's such a wonderful place. The vendors are placed together in a maze-like area, and the whole place is decorated with Christmas lights. They were even selling gingerbread cookies and hot apple cider (which were so delicious)!

I realize as I get older, the magic of Christmas sort of wears off every year. I'm not even feeling very festive today. On the contrary, I feel as if I hate the whole holiday thing, especially because of my family's plans this year. But I'm not going to dwell on that much longer because it's supposed to be a nice and happy day. I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures of the delicious food I'll be having though! My dad e-mailed me a menu of our dinner, haha, even though we live in the same house.

Appetizers:
Melon with prosciutto
Kani Salad
Stuff Mushroom
Baked Wings

Entrees:
Cherry Glazed Baked Ham
Garlic Herb Salmon
Julia Child's Roast Chicken

Sides:
Stuffing
Mac and cheese
Buttery corn.
Chinese vegetables.
Garlic mashed potatoes.
Rice

Dessert:
Cheesecake
Banana creme pie

Now, after rereading that list, I'm definitely excited for dinner! What are your plans for the day? Is it something low-key or is it a really big celebration?

set your bones in clay, part ii

You can probably see better views here, on my Flickr.

Today, this is not an outfit post. Instead, it's an art post! Sorry for whoever was expecting me decked out in clothes, haha. With no where to go, and loss of my scenery, it's very hard for me to attempt to photograph what I swear. My grandmother moved into our basement, my portal of access to the backyard where I photograph myself. Now, she doesn't know what I do (blog) because if she did, she'd probably call the cops certain that I'm being preyed upon by some creeper. You guys aren't creepers (at least, I hope!) so I wouldn't want anything like that to happen, haha. She's a cute old lady though, promise!

Anyways, this particular set of doodles belong to my 2011 planner! The outside sort of makes me think of what Gryffindor students' planners would look like. Or maybe that's just me. But I'm more of a Hufflepuff, to be honest.

The line "set your bones in clay" is from the song Hometown Hooray by White Hinterlands (which you can check out here), a band that I'm currently obsessing over. The vocals seem sort of ghostly, but it's so enchanting at the same time. One of my favorite songs by White Hinterlands happen to be "Icarus", so you should definitely check them out! I can't find the official video (and I'm not sure if there even is one for this song, but here's a video you can listen to).

And this was done with regular colored markers (like Crayola, haha) and colored pencils, a blue Bic pen, and a black Bic pen. So yes! That's the method to my madness. NO PENCIL. EVER.

set your bones in clay

I MISSED YOU ALL SO DEARLY. I am so glad to be back blogging. I felt like there was something missing from my life when I wasn't posting about my adventures as a freshman in college. But I made it through finals week! Technically, I was done on Thursday, but my social calender needed to get the dust brushed off of it. But, anyways, I actually studied for the first time in my life. I stayed up for thirty six hours just so I could attempt to be prepared for my math test (a class that I thought I was failing), but I PASSED. It paid off, oh thank goodness. I only got a D but that's so much better than the F I thought I was going to get.

Unfortunately, art history was a different story. I forgot most of the dates and styles so I didn't do too well. And the fact that I spoke to my study abroad adviser again and they told me that I should study abroad in London my junior year, not next year. I was really looking forward to going abroad next year, but then again, I guess I'll be more academically prepared and financially ready.

YES, YES, I KNOW. Blah blah blah, Julia we don't want to hear about how much you studied and about your school work. I have never thought that I'd be one to pull off harem pants (mostly because I don't like the thought of a sagging crotch) but they are the most comfortable pair of pants ever. I feel like I should wear them everywhere and collect them in all sorts of colors. I'm on the hunt for a black pair right now. Do not be alarmed! I donned a coat over this outfit, but I was running late and I had no time to run back inside to fetch it amongst the chaos that is our coat closet.

But my winter vacation has finally commenced! I don't go back until January 31st, which is sort of a shock. I keep thinking I have class tomorrow...Let's hope I don't go by accident (It's happened before).

Is anyone else enjoying their break already? I know I am! I've already made plans for a solid week, haha. I really missed all my friends!

Outfit Details:
tribal print harem pants - Forever 21
black cardigan - Forever 21
grey tanktop - some boutique in China
brown belt - Urban Outfitters
brown moccasins - Minnteonka

a series of unfortunate events

One of my Black Friday scores is this teal strapless dress for $9 from Urban Outfitters! Unfortunately, tube tops are very unflattering on me because I have a very small chest. I'm trying to think of  a way to alter it without ruining the dress, but ah, I'll just have to deal with it. It's intended to be a summer dress, but I feel like it fits so much better in the fall and winter.

This particular outfit reminds me of "A Series of Unfortunate Events". In addition to Harry Potter, these books made up my childhood! I remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next series so I could read about the treacherous deeds and evil doings of Count Olaf and the adventures of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. I think it's just the trench coat that makes me feel like one of the characters, haha. If you've ever seen the illustration, the characters are very elongated!

Images by Brett Helquist

Unfortunately, this coming week is final exams for me, which also partially explains my semi-absence in the blogging world! I know I haven't been very proactive in regards to commenting and discovering new blogs, but I promise that I'll get right to that after this Thursday (thank goodness). I have lots of content brewing up in my mind such as another segment of Character Style! Speaking of which, does anyone have a particular literary character in mind (male or female) that they'd like to see? Seeing as much of my audience is females, if I do personify a male figure, it'll probably be translated into a female, haha.

The weather here is a bit crazy as of late! I've been seeing flurries as the temperature dips into the low 30s, and then right back up into the sunny 40s! It's a little ridiculous because it throws my system out of wack. I have no idea what to wear anymore! I hope you guys have been having better weather. I know I'm a bit excited for snow, but I really don't want to deal with trekking about.

Outfit Details:

cropped knit sweater - Abercrombie & Fitch
teal aztec trim dress - Urban Outfitters
plum tights - Hue
brown oxford pumps- Nine West via DSW
beige trench coat - Filippa K

higher off the ground

So these pants are the first alteration project I've done after getting my sewing machine! They used to be flared and I've had these pants for about four years now and I've worn them only once. So, I tapered them and they're probably my favorite pair of pants. But the real reason I tapered them was because I saw a pair of tapered green cargo pants from American Eagle and they were way too expensive for me!

Is it weird that I don't wear socks with my shoes? Because my mom always lectures me on going sockless in my moccasins, especially in this weather and I always blow off her comments, but then I was more observant today and noticed that almost everyone was wearing socks with their flats!

I forgot to take a detail photo of my bow ring, but I made it myself from some fabric scraps I had left over, haha. 

And I'm quite happy and excited for tomorrow! We're doing Secret Santa at this club that I'm in at school. I'm so excited! I still have to make my person's card and get some last minute stuff, but I hope they like it. I'm so excited for the holidays! Also, I'd like to wish my Jewish readers a Happy Last Day of Hanukkah! :)

Outfit Details:

mustard cardigan - August Silk
floral tank top - ??
altered green cargo pants - Old Navy
brown belt - ??

brown circle scarf - Forever 21
brown moccasins - Minnetonka
blue jacket - Tommy Hilfigier
floral bow ring - made it myself
golden rings - family heirlooms

underneath it all

OH MY GOODNESS IS IT JUST ME OR IS EVERYONE ELSE SUFFERING TUMBLR WITHDRAWAL?

I know, I sound so pathetic. But I'm addicted to tumblr. I need to type up some more 'My Day In Freeform' and reblog cute pictures of food and funny things. Anyways...onto more normal things...

Hey guys! I hope you had a rather productive weekend! I had to do a philosophy paper rewrite, and then my dad decided to break out our Christmas present early (because he couldn't keep a secret) and he got us the xbox with kinect! I've been playing this nonstop all weekend and now I'm sore all over. Of course, in hindsight, breaking out the present now wasn't such a good idea...I have finals next week. Actually, I have a paper due tomorrow and instead, I'm updating my blog and playing xbox. I'm such a good student!

And I wore this outfit on the weekend. My aztect printed blouse was feeling a bit lonely and needed to be worn again. And so did my boots! I always feel a little too 'country' when I wear them out and about. There were some flurries today, so that was a bit of a shock, especially when I'm a bit disoriented in the mornings. I almost lost my wallet today, so that was scary, but at least I remembered to check back in my lecture room before the other class went in.

Now, I'll probably spend the rest of the day pulling an all-nighter on this horrible art history paper. I love creating art. I just don't like the tedious task of memorizing names and dates and especially not with this particular professor. I hope everyone had a better Monday than I did! :)

I'm also a bit addicted to stickers, so if anyone wants to send me some, my shelf area is in serious need of stickers! :) Most of them are of bands I've gone to see, and the one that only shows the 'Milk' is my friend's streetwear label, MuffinMilk. Check out there blog, here! They're really chill and down to earth, and they're getting items ready for sale soon! They just finished their fall inventory, and they're in the process of developing new things. I'll definitely highlight them in the future, but here's just a little blurb.

Outfit Details:

aztec printed blouse - Urban Outfitters

oversized purple cardigan - American Apparel

green racerback tank dress - H&M
cable knit tights - Forever 21

double circle belt - Forever 21
black double breasted pea coat - Kristen Blake
ankle cowboy boots - Nine West via DSW

despite your reservations

Happy December! While it is December, this means finals which means I don't have much time to construct a nice little wallpaper desktop. However, if any of my readers here are artists, I really implore you guys to submit something to Calndrs! They have monthly updates of desktop wallpaper calenders. :) For submission information, head on over to this link. 

I had no idea where I was going with this outfit. Most of these days, I end up just throwing on a hodgepodge of items and leaving the house without a second thought. Argyle has never been one of my favorite prints, but this sweater seemed to just pull everything together for me. I don't know. I felt a little too dressed up, so I decided on a pair of comfy slip on sneakers.

Plus, this skirt makes my butt look great. Just saying, haha. And it's sparkly! I've got a sparkly bum. In other news, though, I hope you guys aren't sick of seeing this little corner of my narrow room. I tried to make it look presentable, but as you can see, I don't like to tuck my drawers in (one of my mother's pet peeves) and my vanity area is an entire mess. But good thing is that my sewing machine came in the mail! Now I can finally do some alterations and deconstruction of thrifted items and, perhaps, start making my own dresses again.

Lately, I've been blogging on my tumblr. The difference between this blog and my tumblr is that I'd like to believe that my blogspot is more refined and my tumblr is just a collection of my random musings and it's a bit more vulgar and casual. But I've been doing something called My Day in Freeform, for all you poetry enthusiasts out there. I find it so much easier to write about my day in poetry form than in complete sentences. Maybe it has something to do with my memory being sporadic, which parallels the style of freeform. If anything, you guys can head on over and check it out and give me some constructive criticism or opinion! :)

 I hope everyone has a great Friday and weekend! ♥

Outfit Details:
jean jacket - ?? (no label)
argyle cardigan - Old Navy
sheer lace tank top - Calvin Klein
sparkly body con skirt- Forever 21
black tights - Hue
blue slip on sneakers - Vans