secrets and soda pulls

i'm getting my poptab necklace back out. i miss wearing it and getting strange comments, like "are those soda pulls on your neck?"
yes, yes they are. (recycling for the win!)


thank you to imogen for giving me an award! it requires the recipient to list 7 interesting things about herself and then pass the award on to other "kreativ bloggers."
i listed my seven facts here.

i award it to nicola because she's basically the most creative person i've ever known and she's a wonderful penpal and even though i gave this award to her last time (and i'm sure she's received it from other people) she deserves it again. she's quite amazing :)


does anyone else here read postsecret? here are a few of my many favorite secrets:



i highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it before. every sunday new secrets are posted, some happy, some angry, some funny and some sad. i think it connects people, makes us realize there are others who feel the same things that we do.

oh how i love senior year

[outfit from a while ago, when it was still warm out]

i'm quite sorry for my unexplained super-long absence;
you guys probably think i died or something.

i promise, i didn't :)
i've officially finished applying to one of my schools, which is exciting. senior year is quite stressful, and seeing an "application submitted" screen is just so gratifying!

I got two awards from Nicola a while ago and never posted them! Thank you millions, I appreciate them so so so much.




with the smile award, the awards rules are:
1. You have to put a song that makes you happy :)
2. You can tag as many people as you want, there is no limit :)
3. Say at least one thing about each blog you tag, that will make them smile, something nice about their blog that makes you smile when you read it! :)
ok..

1. A song that makes me happy would be "Whenever, Wherever" by Shakira. I'm not even that big of a Shakira fan, but that song makes me want to dance every time I hear it!

2. I'm tagging the following bloggers(you get both awards!)
--*ela: you have an impeccable taste in fashion, and your stories are so fun (and often funny) to read!
--*jennifer: your blog is fascinating to read because you make it so very personal. i love reading about your [fabulous] life :)
--*nadine: you're so perfectly fashionable, and your outfits are so creative! your blog is bright and happy and it generally makes me smile.

a honeycrisp a day

Before Sunday, I was a honeycrisp virgin.

Sunday changed my life.

Yes, they really are as amazing as everyone says they are. And my goodness, they're HUGE!



You guys HAVE to try these. I think they're my new favorite food.
Too bad my local orchard only has them one week a year! :(

I got a fabulous award from Ruxandra!

This is one of my favorite awards I've ever received! It's so artsy and awesome. Here are my ten facts that I'm supposed to list:
1) I don't text all that often, at least for a teenage girl. I certainly could live without my phone.
2) I love volunteering, but for some reason I don't do it as much as I should. I guess I just don't make time.
3) I never ever eat fried food of any sort (french fries, fried chicken, etc), mostly because my mom just never makes it.
4) My iPod only has about 900 songs on it.
5) I absolutely love the song "We Are The World" because it was the first time I was introduced to Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper, two artists I now love.
6) I miss the days of polaroids. I still have my camera -- but no film is sold anymore :(
7) I love politics, but I try not to talk about it with most people because I've found that conflicting opinions often get in the way of great friendships.
8) I rarely go to the movie theater. Three times in a good year.
9) I've always wanted a summer job, but every year I procrastinate applying...until it's too late.
10) I'm a little scared to grow up, but at the same time I'm so unbelievably excited. It's going to be an exhilarating ride ;)

I'll pass this award on to diary of a young designer and thepelicanandme!

quirks

I'm finally getting around to posting the lovely blog award that Sara gave me. Thanks so much!


And yesterday I got an amazing award from Ela! I feel so loved, guys. Thanks :)


I'm supposed to list 7 things about myself. I've done enough of these tags that you guys already know a lot of my quirks, but have no fear--I have more than enough quirks to list seven more!
1) My favorite foods are very random: turkey, applesauce, rice cakes, omelets, and oatmeal. I'd take any one of those over a home-cooked meal.
2) I have a fear that when I'm old my shins will be really leathery and spotty (like a lot of older womens'), so I constantly apply moisturizer.
3) I hate running with every fiber of my being. Seriously, it's the most miserable activity known to man.
4) I still don't know what I want to do with my life.
5) The only thing I do know is after college I'm going straight into the Peace Corps.
6) I love broccoli and carrots, but I despise cauliflower and asparagus.
7) I don't have a distinctive taste in music; I like tons of artists in different genres thanks to my friends (all with extremely varied tastes) who give me mix tapes. :)

I'll pass both awards on to the following amazing blogs:
Inside the Cabinet of Wonder
Leather, Lace and Studs
magical whisper
little boat
HiFashion
Diamondcanopy
I know, right?

caution: kreativity at work

A big thank you to Jennifer of I know, Right? for tagging me with the Kreativ Blogger Award! You should definitely check out her blog, it's one of my favorites :)



This award requires the blogger to list 7 interesting things about herself and then pass the award on to 7 other "kreativ bloggers." Alrighty!

1) I collect hotel cards. A weird hobby I guess, but it's easy cause I can knock out two birds with one stone -- traveling and hotel-card-collecting!


2) I have an obsession with sugar cereal. I'm a health nut most of the time, but my sweet tooth never fails to kick in for Froot Loops.


3) I drink exactly one gallon of water a day. I relabeled an old milk carton and washed it out, and every morning I fill it up and finish it by the end of the day. And yes, I drink right out of the container.


4) I'm a grammar freak. Every year I go through my school's yearbook and put tabs everywhere I find a grammar or spelling mistake. There are generally lots (I didn't even go through the whole thing this year, and look at the picture below!) It makes me think that maybe someday I should be a newspaper editor.


5) I paint shoes, but you already knew that. This is my favorite pair, and they're really worn out. Comfiest things ever, and I wear them basically everywhere. I also have huge feet (these are a size 11 MEN'S. I generally wear a size 12 women's.)


6) I went to the Scripps National Spelling Bee (the one on TV every May). I was in 8th grade, and it was awesome! TONS of work though. I tied for 45th out of 285 kids, and I worked really hard to achieve that. You should've seen how much some of the top placers worked, though--those kids literally memorize the dictionary. This picture of me is lovely, really.


7) My favorite bag I own is the Capri-Sun bag I made (also pictured is my Tootsie-Roll-wrapper-wallet.)


I'll pass this award on to the following 7 bloggers (you guys are awesome!)
ela
nicola
morena
demi
ru
lottie
claire

reminder: if you're from the USA and haven't entered yet, enter the giveaway three posts down to win a pair of fabulous Current/Elliott jeans!!

honestly.

A big thanks to Tasha for tagging me! And thanks to all of you guys who comment and read my blog even though I'm really bad at updating it. I promise it'll be MUCH more regular now that school is out! :)

i'm tagging the following lovely bloggers. i realize some of you already have it, but hey, you all deserve extra publicity, cause your blogs are excellent!
sammi-lise
morena
nicola
lydia
sharina
tis serendipity
elisabeth

&tags;

I should catch up on my tags! I always forget to do them.

1) First of all, I got a lovely award, the "Kreativ Blogger" award, from Sara!
There's no image for it, it's just a nice text award :)

2) the 'Show Your Heart' tag. With as much creativity as you can muster, show your heart in: 1 picture, 1 poem, 1 song/piece of music, 1 phrase or quote, 1 piece of clothing, 1 place, and (just for fun) 1 Disney princess.

Picture:

That's me when I was really little at Sesame Place. I think the glowiness of it adds to its magical effect. It reminds me of childhood and carefreeness and everything I want to go back to!

Poem:
This poem has been my favorite since we studied it in 7th grade. I'm not sure why. I just really like structured rhyming poems that don't sound corny. That's a pretty impressive feat.

Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Song:
The Show by Lenka. It's so meaningful and Lenka's voice is lovely. I just spent 10 minutes trying to embed a video of it, but I can't seem to figure out how! Look it up on Youtube if you haven't heard it :)

Quote:
"Every person you meet can teach you something new."

I don't know who said it or anything, it's just a phrase someone told me once. I love it, and I keep it in mind every time I'm around strangers.

Piece of Clothing:
I desperately want The Stylish Wanderer's crinoline:

Place:

For some reason, I desperately want to go to wherever this fruit market is located. It just seems so cultural and .. awesome. (This picture is actually my desktop!)

Disney Princess:

Ever since I was little, I've always felt some sort of connection with Ariel. I think we're soulmates. :)

3) the 'Questions' tag. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.

What is your current obsession? My father's closet, floral skirts and dresses, and Adam Lambert.
What are you wearing right now? A black casual dress, blue tights, an oversized jean shirt, and painted shoes. I'll post a picture soon. :)
Who was the last person you hugged? I think my mom
If you were a tree, what tree would you be? sassafras! three kinds of leaves, all different, and a yummy lemony taste.
What’s for dinner? i'll find out when i get home!
What was the last thing you bought? a new pair of skinnies (Calvin Klein. I love them to death.)
What are you listening to right now? nothing, i'm in the library
What is your favourite weather? seventy-five degrees, no humidity, beach sky (cloudless.)
What’s on your beside table? I don't have a bedside table.
Say something to the person/s who tagged you. I love you Nicola! You're an awesome penpal and the best photographer-blogger ever.
If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? new york..please! [yes i stole Nicola's answer.]
Where are you typing from right now? the public library.
A book you're currently reading? I just finished The Grapes of Wrath (Steinbeck) for school, and I'm going to start The Mother Tongue (Bill Bryson) as soon as I have time. I'm a word junkie :)
What would you like to have in your hands right now? A McDonald's ice cream cone. I HATE McDonalds, but their ice cream is better than gourmet :o (plus, it's a huuuge cone for only like 200 calories! Mmmm.)
What is your favourite tea flavour? chamomile. no sugar or anything. just straight chamomile.
What did you eat for breakfast? Oatmeal! I have oatmeal every single day. Sometimes I put random things from my kitchen in it, like fruit or honey or raisins or pudding or dry cereal or chocolate or anything else I can get my hands on that would taste good.
What did you want to become as a child? the "cookie man" at the supermarket. I wanted to be the bakery person who made the sweets so I could eat them all xP
What is your fantasy? This isn't a fantasy, it's what I'm actually going to do. After I graduate college, I'm taking very little money and going to Europe with only a backpack of essentials and I'm going to live like the average European. No fancy hotels or expensive cafes. I'm going to sleep on park benches and just ... live. (This idea was inspired by the book 13 Little Blue Envelopes!)



I'm a pretty lazy person. Plus I don't have enough blogger-friends to award each thing to several different people. The awardees can pick which ones they want to do. Sooo, the award and both tags are ALL awarded to:
demi
jennifer
rubot
sammi-lise
lydia
morena
emily

new york city, here i come!

I'M GOING TO NEW YORK CITY!!!
My parents surprised me with this wonderful gift! Apparently my whole family has known for quite some time, and they all managed to not spill the beans!
My cousin is coming with us. Trust me, there will be PLENTY of pictures when I get back!! =D
GUYS: WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?! Unfortunately, it's super cold there right now, so no matter what I wear, it will likely be covered by my big blue ski jacket. Darn.

I've been tagged by Inside the Cabinet of Wonder again, and it's a fun one!
The rules are :
1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

The story: I was at the beach this past summer with my family and my friend Melissa (far left), and we decided that instead of making a sand castle (booooooring!), we would make an irrigation system! The waves came in and filled in all the tunnels. It was really cool.
I miss the beach, but NYC is gonna be even better!!
I tag: anyone who hasn't done this tag yet!

tags;

I hope everyone's holidays were absolutely fabulous, and now it's back to everyday life [almost! New Years/my birthday are coming up VERYVERY soon!!].
I've been tagged/awarded by Tiffany of The Tiffany Tree [a very very cute blog, I might add] and also by Inside the Cabinet of Wonder! I'm only going to do one of the tags, since they both are almost the same thing. Thanks so much guys!

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming.These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement!Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,even more friendships are propagated.Please give more attention to these writers!Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."


I'm not sure if I'm actually SUPPOSED to steal Inside the Cabinet of Wonder's format, but I'm going to. These blogs are absolutely amazing, so go visit them!! If any of you guys already have done this award, then no need to do it again. Just consider this a kind link in that case =]
the wonderful and very friendly; little boat
the cute; Qin At The Disco
the fierce, amazing, and cosmopolitan; Wendiva
the best artist ever; EmilySoEnchanted
the fashionable; The Stylish Wanderer
my new favourite blog; a fairytale unlike any other
my other new favourite blog; Unwise Pedestrian
my other other new favorite blog; It's Her Factory

Erghhhh. Digital camera TOMORROW. I hope. I hate when my parents put off taking me shopping. -_-

Halloween = My Favorite Holiday

…almost. I mean, nothing beats Christmas, but Halloween is pretty awesome, and it's in 10 days!!! I've had Monster Mash stuck in my head all day, haha.
I haven't skipped a year trick-or-treating since I was two years old, and I'm still going strong =] I've never, EVER bought a Halloween costume – I always make mine.

Let's count down my Halloween costumes the past few years…
--4^th Grade (I think): a raisin with my sister. We wore black turtlenecks and pants and then put big garbage bags over us, painted our faces black, and carried around a box of Raisin Bran all night. It was so funny.
--8^th Grade: a dartboard

--9^th Grade: a pirate
--10^th Grade: Mr. Monopoly man (Sylvia was a monopoly board, and it was the sweetest thing EVER. This isn't a very good picture of it, but here:

--THIS YEAR: a letter. As in, a postal letter. (Sylvia wants to be a mailbox. Any ideas on how to pull that off???)

PS: I got an award from Inside the Cabinet of Wonder for being the Cutest Blog!! Yay =]

Because I don't have a ton of time right now, I'm not going to pass on the award yet. But I will in a post very very soon!!

Price TAG

Hah, I'm such a dork. Get it? Tag? Price tag? Sigh.

I was tagged by DEMIIIII of Fashionably Early! Yay!

4 things I did today:
1. School school school.
2. Had my spinach salad with olives and tomatoes that I eat every single day with an apple. I'm a serious health nut, haha.
3. Received a letter from my penpal Valerie in California! I love her letters!! They're so fun, and who doesn't love getting snail mail??
4. Did homework. LOTS of it. In fact, I'm still in the middle of it, but I'm putting the rest off a little by doing this post.

4 things on my to-do list:
1. Start my essay about alternative energy for debate team.
2. Write back to Valerie!!
3. Do my math homework here momentarily.
4. Finish the Family Cookbook I'm compiling for my extended family for Christmas!

4 guiltiest pleasures:
1. America's Next Top Model. So cheesy and scandalous, yet so addictive!
2. Thrifting! [Well, not really a guilty pleasure. But I think it's fun, and my mother despises it. She yells at me every time I bring something home!!]
3. Loving old cheesy 80s and 90s music. [I'm agreeing with Demi on this one!! Take On Me by a-ha is my favorite!!]
4. Candy corn. I eat SO MUCH of it! It's the one junk food that I just can't resist!

4 random facts about me:
1. I'm very curious about everything, especially vocab. When I see a new word, I have to look it up immediately. It's compulsive!
2. I'm really bad at writing. I just took the SAT's on Saturday, and all went well except the essay which I BOMBED.
3. I'm the youngest person in my grade, almost -- I'm 15, but I'm a junior!
4. I don't have a favorite kind of music; I just like turning on the radio and listening to different types. I take that back though, I am a bit partial to Classical-Rock [look up Cellofourte!!]

I'm tagging ...

*Wendiva!
*Lisa!
*J. !
*Fashion Chalet!

Oh, and I was thinking about this today, so...

Random Question of the Day: Of what citizenship would you be if you were born on a ship in international waters????

hmmm! comment if you have any ideas!