Mr. Owl's Debut

I wore my new little owl guy today for the first time! I love him :-) I used to have an owl neckace that was made up of several body sections linked together, and had the prettiest jeweled eyes. That one broke, and I've been wanting another one ever since, so I was clearly delighted when I found this little guy for something like $4.80 at For Love 21!

New Obsessions: Polyvore and Delias dresses.

I think I'll probably end up ordering either this dress, the one in my last post, or another one I've also been looking at that is similar to this but with a bubble hem at the bottom. Who knows how I'll decide. Among old obsessions: Steve Madden shoes, such as the pair above, or the pair in the last post for that matter. Or one of the many other pairs I've posted before. I think it may be time for me to start networking my way into THAT company.

The Fantastical World of Online Shopping.

Same old go-to comfy outfit as always, but this time I threw on an interesting twist with this Leopard Print H&M scarf that I bought FOREVER ago. I think I bought it with the intent of wearing it to our Rockstar party last summer, but it didn't quite fit with the Slash costume. Come to think of it, this was probably the first time I've even worn it.

Earlier I stumbled across a Polyvore outfit combination on a random blog, and thereafter spent the large majority of an hour playing around with it (While doing listening for a History of Rock Exam, so not completely unproductive). Basically, I'm ready for spring. My leggings are getting worn down and I'm just ready to not have to wear ten layers of everything to brave the great outdoors. That, and I just love Spring/Summer dresses.... and any excuse to shop.

These Steve Madden flats may have to be a request for my birthday. Yet again, it's one of those times where I can't think of anything I really want... and then a month before I think of a MILLION things that I could never have all of. I think I really need a new phone though, so that will probably take precedence over everything else. I've also been online looking at dresses for VEGAS. It's really awful when this starts (Thanks, Polyvore), because I can truly go for hours just hopping around from site to site looking at things. I'd like to get one really cute one for my birthday weekend, and I've already found one that's really cheap, so I may have to get that soon while it's still available. Aside from that, my tastes are a little far ahead of my budget, what's new?

STATE, Some Shopping, and Some Future Olympians

It was a busy weekend for our family! I went up to Indianapolis Friday early afternoon because my little brother (Who's actually well over 6 foot and not so little) made it to STATE in Boys Swimming! So proud of him! I, of course, played the role of proud big sister and even painted my face for him. Better get some major points for that one... I didn't even show that much school spirit when I was IN high school!

(Dane and I! By the way, he's not always bald- they just bleach their hair for sectionals then shave it for State! Makes it hard to tell who's who when you're watching everyone swim, because they ALL do it!)

As a side note, while everyone else was waiting in line Friday to get in, my dad and I snuck off to the mall. Lord knows I can't resist Circle Center if the chance arises. We were a bit short on time so I did manage to drag him in to For Love 21, where I picked up these few little goodies, all for under $20!!


They did awesome in the 200 Medley Relay, but just missed the cut for Finals the next day. His 200 Free Relay kicked some serious ass and made it to to finals, but unfortunately they got disqualified... though no one is sure exactly who did what. I guess the judges don't tell you, which seems kind of stupid to me. Regardless, they all swam AMAZINGLY well, and it was SO fun to watch him compete against the best guys in the state!!! Had they not been disqualified, they would have been ranked 6th in the whole state.

I'm still so proud of him for coming so far this season, as he managed to cut several seconds off of his 50 Free time. I'm sure he'll be even better this summer and next year, so we'll likely be back at State again next year!

(The boys getting led in for their 200 Free Relay @ Finals to "Pour Some Sugar On Me". I approved.)

One of the guys from Chesterton, Kyle Whitaker, even broke some more State AND National records. This is a guy who, two weeks before swimming against my brother in a meet during the season, was swimming against Michael Phelps in Germany. You can expect to see him in the 2012 Olympics I'm sure.

(Dane trying to understand us telling him they made it to finals after their 200 Free Relay, and that's Kyle Whitaker walking in front of him!)

50 Favorite Songs.

To start this off, a few disclaimers: These are by no means the 50 BEST songs of all time, but just my 50 FAVORITE songs. I guess really when I made this list it was just a compilation of things that I've loved for as long as I can remember, or songs I can listen to over and over and never get sick of, or that just really stand out to me for one reason or another... sometimes for reasons I don't even know. I tried to start with a lot of favorite bands and stick to just a song from each of them. Otherwise this would be all Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones, or something like that. So if there ARE multiple songs from an artist/band, you know they're a favorite.

I also must state that while most of these will probably be some of my favorite songs for the rest of my life, tastes change, and who knows what may later get booted off the list in favor of something else.

Finally, I'm well aware that some of these artists listed COVERED that particular song. If it is a cover, it's just because I like the cover slightly more than the original, though I've got to say generally the originals would also rank pretty high on a list of favorites.

Anyways. Here's a bizarre little piece of insight into my mind. I'm sure you'll agree with some, be confused by others, and even laugh at some. It's everything from old school (The Chiffons, Johnny Cash) to good old Rock & Roll to emo as hell (Something Corporate, I just love that piano!!!) and even a little modern. Listed in alphabetical order by artist. (It was hard enough to make the list, no less put them in a specific order)

1. Mama Kin- Aerosmith
2. Norwegian Wood- The Beatles
3. One Way or Another- Blondie
4. Dream Police- Cheap Trick
5. One Fine Day- The Chiffons (Ohh that piano!!!)
6. Run Through the Jungle- Creedence Clearwater Revival
7. Lucky Man- Emerson Lake & Palmer
8. Layla (Accoustic)/Cocaine- Eric Clapton (I cannot possibly pick one over the other)
9. When Will I Be Loved- The Everly Brothers
10. Bang the Doldrums- Fall Out Boy
11. Go Your Own Way- Fleetwood Mac
12. Friends in Low Places- Garth Brooks
13. Crazy on You- Heart

14. Good People- Jack Johnson
15. Voodoo Child- Jimi Hendrix Experience
16. Do You Wanna Touch- Joan Jett
17. Don't Take Your Guns to Town- Johnny Cash
18. Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'- Journey
19. Lola- The Kinks

20. Rock & Roll All Night- Kiss
21. Same Ol' Situation- Motley Crue
22. About a Girl- Nirvana
23. Bathwater- No Doubt
24. Creepin' In- Norah Jones
25. Self Esteem- The Offspring
26. Time- Pink Floyd
27. Hey- The Pixies
28. We Will Become Silhouettes- The Postal Service
29. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
30. You Are the Best Thing- Ray LaMontagne
31. Don't Let Him Go- REO Speedwagon
32. Portions for Foxes- Rilo Kiley
33. Sympathy for the Devil- Rolling Stones
34. Ruby Tuesday- Rolling Stones
35. Adia- Sarah McLachlan
36. Le Disko- Shiny Toy Guns











37. Konstantine- Something Corporate (Again, the piano)
38. Caress Me Down- Sublime
39. Dead and Gone- T.I. and JT
40. Psycho Killer- The Talking Heads
41. Stranglehold- Ted Nugent
42. Monotov's Private Opera- Third Eye Blind
43. Indian Outlaw- Tim McGraw
44. Yer So Bad- Tom Petty












45. Mary Jane's Last Dance- Tom Petty
46. City of Blinding Lights- U2
47. You Really Got Me- Van Halen
48. Werewolves of London- Warren Zevon
49. Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes
50. Gold Lion- The Yeah Yeah Yeahs


What are some of your favorites? Any of these make the cut?


*Update: After thinking about this a while, I realized I totally forgot Bennie and the Jets (Elton John) and That Small (Lynyrd Skynyrd), but at this point I can't really think of who to boot off the list in favor of those, nor do I want to re-number all the songs :-)

**Update Number 2: Also, American Pie by Don McLean. This was really just a horrible idea. I knew I couldn't do it.

Much Love Mondays.

I Love Red Lipstick!!!

I have certainly had some jumbled up days of the week titles this week... but this one is in reference to the blog MUCH LOVE, and her "Much Love Mondays" where followers 'submit' photos of heart shaped things with something they love. She then puts up a collage on Monday with different bloggers' pictures. This month the theme is red. When I saw this, through Butterfly Cupcakes and Daffodil's post about it, the first thing I thought of was RED LIPSTICK!

Other Things I Love:
Coffee
Mexican Beaches
Fast Cars
(Or just pretty ones)
SPRING AND SPRING FLOWERS!
Snow
Painting
Decorating My Room
New Shoes
New Dresses
COOKING!

Babies- Humans AND Animals!
Rock and Roll
Fresh Flowers
Baking
Sunshiney Days That Aren't Too Hot
SWIMMING!
Four Wheeling and Jet Skiing
(I very rarely get to do either one)

And so many more!!!

What are some things YOU love!?

Also- I kind of love my new key necklace with this springy shirt/shoe combination I paired it with today :-)


(Sorry that this particular instance of lighting in my room sort of makes me look glow in the dark pink.)

Ruby Tuesday

Ok, so Tuesday had nothing to do with rubies. Rather, Ruby Tuesday is one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs. "Don't question why she needs to be so free, she'll tell you it's the only way to be. She just can't be chained to a life where nothing's gained, and nothing's lost, at such a cost."

...And I could go on forever. I don't know what it is with me and any song that sounds a little sad but has that underlying uplifting melody, but I just love them. (See: I'm Looking Through You- Beatles, Adia- Sarah McLachlan, Learning to Fly- Tom Petty, you get the point.)

Anyways, on to the outfit. I don't think I've worn this shirt since maybe last winter, and Tuesday was one of those days where nothing really seemed fitting to my mood, one of those days that generally calls for something that you dig out of the back of your closet and try to breathe life into just for the sake of something out of the ordinary. The skirt on the other hand, well I'm sure you've all seen that a million times or so by now!!





It was actually cold enough to require a coat yet again, despite some temps in the 50's over the weekend. I'm starting to agree with everyone else out there that I'm ready for Spring. Spring and Autumn (Or the 'mid-seasons' as I like to call them) are my favorites, because the weather isn't too extreme and you can usually pull off wearing ANY kind of clothes!

I'm just getting a bit bored with my "winter outfits", and as a broke college student buying more isn't really in my budget. Plus, I'd totally rather save the small budget I do have for clothing for new SPRING stuff!!! I think this year I've been inspired by all you celeb-bloggers out there and I'm going to try to find some interesting ways to incorporate floral print without overdoing it.

You also might notice that I have a purse for once in my pictures. This particular one is a Nine West that I bought from TJ Maxx (PERFECT for good purses if you're like me and are more concerned with finding one that is neutrally fashionable but can still hold the millions of things you want to shove into it, while not having to pay a fortune for it). It's pretty much my go-to "BIG BLACK BAG" that goes with practically every outfit and can fit my entire life within it.

One last thing- new recipe for PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIE CUPCAKES over at Wonderland Kitchen. :-) I'm getting a little wild with the postings this week.

It's Here! It's Here!

How very typical of me... I go for days with nothing interesting to post or any good outfits, and suddenly, everything blog worthy happens at once! To spread it out I'll be doing a few posts the next few days that should have some pretty decent content, so be sure to stop back by! (And keep reading to the bottom for a link to a fellow blogger's giveaway!)

But first thing's first. MY 'GET KEYED' NECKLACE FROM CHEWLRY on ETSY FINALLY CAME! Yayy! I believe she mailed it out Friday, so it was pretty quick, and I love it!!! Plus, it came in the cutest little package and handwritten note, so I had to post pictures of that. Her Etsy is linked above, so be sure to check that out.

(I don't think I ever realized how many little lines I had on my hands... is this normal?)

(In its final resting place on the gold/bronze hook of my necklace collection!)

I can't wait to pair it with an outfit, so I'll be busy thinking of some good purple pieces to accentuate the little rhinestones.

One more thing for this post, is that a lovely blogger by the name of Alix Darling is doing a giveaway of the book "How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life". So definitely go check her out, she's worth a follow! (Also, I'm partial to the spelling "Alix", as that is how one of my best friends has spelled my name for years, at first on accident. I used to go by that spelling before college, and a few people even still spell it that way!)

Coming Soon: A post for Much Love's Much Love Monday that I'm going to combine with an idea from Butterfly Cupcakes and Daffodils (She's where I found the Much Love link), as well as another idea from Style Nirvana, an outfit post, and maybe more!!!!

BlogLovin'

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Hey guys... just wanted to let everyone know that I finally set up a Bloglovin' account, so you can now follow me that way as well, for those of you who don't have a google account!!!

Sushi Bar and Shutter Island

Last night I went with a few friends to Sushi Bar (Yummm. I can't believe I didn't even try sushi until two years ago... not that I get anything much crazier than a California or Spider Roll. Last night I went a little out of the box and did Spicy Shrimp and Chicken Tempura Rolls) and then to see the much anticipated Shutter Island. By much anticipated I mean that I put it's release date on my calendar back in October when I first saw the preview for it with Kelly. And let me say, it definitely lived up to all expectations. It was FANTASTIC, and so crazy.

It completely pulls one hell of a number on your mind, and you come out of it STILL wondering about a few little things. One of my favorite parts were these little dream sequences with Michelle Williams, who I didn't even know was going to be in the movie, but I don't want to give too much away. I agree with my roommate's boyfriend in that I DEFINITELY want to see it again, knowing how it ended, so you can try to catch the little things leading up to it.

Outfit:
Black T-Shirt Dress, Purple Leggings, Belt: Old Navy
Boots: RCC Western, Evansville, IN

Accessories:
Scarf: Forever 21
Green and Black Bangle: India
Turquoise Beaded Bracelet: I think Old Navy, about 5 years ago.

(Kelly, Betsy, and Me)

Busy Week, Bad Metal, and Buys!

What a busy week it has been. No good outfits. As a matter of fact, hardly any time to even get dressed... I've been running uncharacteristically late to most things this week. But thank goodness it's the weekend, and hopefully that will bring something more exciting to talk about.

I was a little disappointed that we merely brushed over Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, etc, in History of Rock. Now, I understand none of them really made any significant contribution stylistically to the way anything was really done, but I sure as hell think they embody the Rock n Roll lifestyle. We did, however, get to spend almost an entire hour and a half listen to and watching videos of some of the worst "Death" and "Thrash" Metal I've ever heard in my life. Not that I really like any kind of metal... and even though Crue/GnR are considered "Glam Metal", they're far from what metal really is.

I kid you not... at one point we talked about a band called Mayhem, who was from either Norway or Sweden or one of those places up there, who burnt down these old beautiful churches to try to rid their country of religion. Crazy, right? Well, tack on the fact that one band member killed himself in the apartment of another, who then supposedly made soup out of his brain and necklaces out of his skull and took pictures of the dead body that they later used on an album cover. But don't worry, because another band member ended up murdering that guy anyways. I mean seriously... who wants to listen to THAT when you could be hearing all the wild Crue stories? Because believe me, go pick up a copy of The Dirt, TommyLand, or The Heroin Diaries, and you will realize there are plenty.

Basically left that class wishing I could have back that hour of my life. Oh well. I guess at least it wasn't completely boring... at least our professor is hilarious. Lots of one liners, but my favorite from this class was, as we are listening to Van Halen's "RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL", "They were radio friendly... nothing satanic about these guys!" Yeah, I mean, not counting the running with the devil part. Though I guess Eddie Van Halen and his parachute pants really aren't that threatening at all, so we get where he's coming from.

In fashion news, I just ordered this adorable bronze and purple "Get Keyed" necklace from Chewlry's Etsy Shop. I'm so excited! I've been wanting to buy it for practically a month since she listed it, and my darling mommy bought it for me for a Valentine's present! I'll obviously have lots of pictures up of that when it comes. Wish I had some now but I forgot to save them before I bought it and hence the post was removed. I'm sure a monster has been let loose now that I have an Etsy account, but at least I don't really HAVE any money to spend, so I guess it may not be much of an issue.

Hope everyone has been having a good week and has a great weekend... it's strangely 45 degrees here, but we're also expecting some other big winter storm in a few days? So I don't really know what's going on with Bloomington.