Monday, July 29, 2013

savannah snapshot: flags + flowers.

Happy Monday, folks! I hope you got more sleep than I did. Justin & I thought it would be an excellent idea to stay up until past three o'clock in the morning, watching Something Borrowed & The Hunger Games. You know, we just weren't ready to let go of the weekend just yet, so we pretended it was still going on. ... And this morning, I'm paying for it a bit. Oh well, I'm about to sip some green tea, sit through my two classes, have a bit of a workout, then a LARGE NAP. After all, the summer semester is coming to a close in two days.

This morning I am sharing some more photos from our 4th of July trip to Savannah, these being of the flag-and-flower variety. I hope you'll enjoy the vivid blooms & patriotic pizazz just as much as we did. 

See? Savannah is packed with color, & a cozy kind of patriotism that makes you crave apple pie. [No? Is that just me?] Either way, it's safe to say that America's Birthday was the best time of year to trek southwards to this little peach of a city. 

Here's to a swiftly-moving Monday for all!

see other savannah posts here:

photos: flags & flowers in savannah on the fourth \ nikon

Sunday, July 28, 2013

the sunday currently, volume 45.



sweaty & closed-eyed - we look pretty awesome

I was in the mood for a little bit of a change for this week's TSC post, so I decided to do an old-blog-style post, like I did back at the beginning of June. As always, feel free to link up any post in which you discuss what you've currently been up to. Want more info about The Sunday Currently? It's all here.
______________________

currently dreaming about:

the future

currently wishing for:

more ice cream, please

currently loving to wear:

my neon green + white striped gap infinity scarf
my grandfather's watch

currently listening to:


currently watching:

the office, again from the beginning
the inbetweeners
tons of netflix movies

currently reading:

rise and shine, by anna quindlen
my ever-growing get-to-know blogs list

currently spotted:

talking on the phone or reading while working out, instead of listening to music
sweating like crazy & guzzling a 32-ounce sprite on our mini golf date yesterday evening [see above]

currently concerned about:

nothing. going with the flow.

currently loving:

flickering candles in the living room 

currently planning:

to get closely acquainted with some healthy living blogs. eating ice cream for breakfast two days in a row will do that to you.
______________________

This week I'll be wrapping up the two psychology classes I've been juggling for the past five weeks. I'll have a little break before starting up with a full load in the Fall, & I'm ready to enjoy my last few weeks of sweet summertime. Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

photo: putt-putt date with justin \ instagram

Saturday, July 27, 2013

i've decided...



+ rich, dark hair colors make people look younger.

+ it's okay to have ice cream & coffee for breakfast, on the weekends.

+ you can never have enough blogs to read, & Lord knows there's enough of them out there. every time i start to think i've discovered all there is to discover in the blogging community, i'm slapped across the face [in a good way] by someone's daily reads list.

+ that there are no rules in blogging. and you won't convince me otherwise. however: i will still read your blogging rules posts, because some strange part of me still enjoys them.

+ pinning leads to inspiration leads to joy. repeat.

+ the best plan with friends is to JUST CALL. you'd be surprised how much joy one little phone call can provide. i'm looking at you, mrs. t.

+ i can be whoever i want to be. 

+ learning keeps you young.

What have you decided?

photo: just hiking up those stairs in savannah \ nikon

Friday, July 26, 2013

weekender + a song, a book, a quote, a look.



wanting to be back here today. can you really blame me?

Well, folks, it's really been one of those weeks. Truth be told, it's been more than one of those weeks, & I'm just ready for the upswing. For a while, I was really enjoying my psychology classes, but lately they've just been depressing. Sometimes, Psychology likes to try to take life, put it in a neat little box, & explain it. It tries to divide life up into neat little categories & explain to you exactly when, where, & how the things in your life will happen. I don't like to think like that. I've written previously about how thoughts of the passage of time sometimes makes me an anxious nutcase. In order to cope with these feelings of time-is-fleeting anxiety, I choose to view life as one big, solid block of time. Not separated by years or months or milestones... just one big chunk of time & space in which to collect memories & moments & love. And I don't like it when a book tries to tell me otherwise. Maybe I'll write more about this another day. Maybe not.

For the present, how about we focus on some light-hearted, lovely things? Whilst perusing {dear friend} lately, I saw that Anna had participated in a link-up in which you share your current favorite song, book, quote, & look. How could I say no? You're right, I couldn't. 

SBQL, one.





share your SBQL list with everyone via jenna, here

I've said this in other recent posts, but lately, I have been sucking at both reading & writing. However, two things around the Internet have caught my eye recently: Erstwhile dear introduced me to oh life, which I think may help me finally achieve my goal of beginning a one-sentence-per-day journal. 

And then, we have book recs upon book recs from whatever, gatsby. I've linked her summer reading list, but also check out her light reading section for more. 

I've also been spending a lot of time on Goodreads recently.

this week's posts:
savannah snapshot: signs around town

Now, let's bow our heads & pray for a restorative weekend. 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

savannah snapshot: signs around town.

When Justin & I visited Savannah for the 4th of July holiday, it gave us the opportunity to put our DSLR to good use. As we walked - or should I say, hiked - through the lush greenery of the downtown area, I found many signs worth snapping. Here are a few of my favorites...  

Oh, how we loved Savannah!

photos | the signs of downtown savannah | nikon

Sunday, July 21, 2013

the sunday currently, volume 44.




It's this kind of morning at the C residence: I'm drinking entirely too much extremely strong coffee & burning Christmas candles in an attempt to pretend that it is at LEAST Fall.

C  U  R  R  E  N  T  L  Y  .  .  .

R E A D I N G Rise and Shine, by Anna Quindlen. That means two things: 1. I FINALLY finished Bridget Jones's Diary [about five minutes before I started writing this post, in fact.], and 2. I went into the library on Friday, judged some books by their covers, & walked out with a book I'd never heard of before, that isn't on my Summer Reading List. I've found that sometimes, those wind up being the best reads.
W R I T I N G... ... ... ... ... It seems I'm either good at reading or writing at any given time, never both. 
L I S T E N I N G to The Open Championship on TV. Justin actually woke up before me this morning, so that he could come out into the living room & start watching it.
T H I N K I N G that two tests this week is a welcome change from the presentations of last week. They went well, but I psych myself up SO much before them. It's mentally exhausting. Plus, I barely slept last week. 
S M E L L I N G a fresh cup of coffee, which is sitting right next to me. I have been drinking hot chocolate in the mornings instead lately, in an effort to lower my caffeine intake a bit, so it is a special treat this morning. 
W I S H I N G for success in nabbing a part-time job.
H O P I N G for the same.
W E A R I N G a huge Tech hoodie from freshman year, as well as some green, polka-dot pajama pants. 
L O V I N G the shopping that Justin & I did at Mayfaire yesterday afternoon. We got a chair from Pottery Barn, as well as some cozy basics from Gap. And let's not gloss over our little pop into Starbucks. That alone is enough to make my day.
W A N T I N G a week-long beach vacation. Trudging down to the sand early in the morning, staying until around noon, having a lunch of sandwiches, heading back down to the beach around 4, & staying until sunset. And shopping at the outlets on rainy days. Oh, & dinner on the balcony. That's what I want, at this moment.
N E E D I N G a good workout in the gym this afternoon. 
F E E L I N G a bit jittery from this coffee, to be honest. 
C L I C K I N G this post & similar, trying to figure out what to do with my growing glass bottle collection. I also want to do one of these things with some empty wine bottles I've also been collecting.

What are you up to, folks? Please do share below. 

Friday, July 19, 2013

weekender.

remembering savannah today as i put together a few snapshot series posts

Well folks, I'm coming to you from the other side of one test & two presentations this week - & a week of barely sleeping (unless you count the two naps I took from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on consecutive days). When you've been removed from school for a while, I think you forget how much time & effort goes into things. I'm definitely being reminded in this summer mini session. 

In the time outside of school that I haven't been sleeping, I've been watching both The Office & New Girl. I love both of them. We are almost done with all eight of the seasons of The Office, & I have a strong feeling that when we do finish them, I'll start them right back over from the beginning. And Zooey Deschanel is my fashion icon. I just love her. [And this New Girl scene had me laughing out loud.]

beach reading:
- I loved reading Tiana's blogging perspective in this post. '...I never want this to be a space that fosters imitation. I want it to be raw, authentic, and at times even a little gritty. Beauty is everywhere. It's in everything.' That is largely what I'd like my blog to be like, & I just love the way she put it into words. And those London photos? Beautiful.
- Oh my goodness. Joy posted a recipe [and some tantalizing photos] of a lasagna grilled cheese recently. Though I doubt my attempt would turn out as well as hers, I may have to try my hand at it soon.
- I love this little peek at what Bekuh packed for her trip to L.A. It gave me a little inspiration for my Wardrobe Reconstruction series, coming soon.
- I'm a Fall Girl all the way, but this post from Megan Gilger reminded me of the simple joy of summertime. 

this week's posts:

Happiest of weekends to you all! 

Monday, July 15, 2013

product round-up \ summer 2013.

Today I am going to share with you my used-daily products for each of the major makeup & beauty categories. I am a creature of habit, & once I find a combination of products that I like, I stick with it for a while, even in the midst of trying new things here & there. The goal with these posts is to give you insight into how I achieve my daily look in any given season. So without further ado, let's get on with the first in this series...

product round-up summer 2013: absolute essentials


Skincare \


Base Makeup \

face concealer: Wet N Wild Coverall
powder: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder
eye base: MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Other Makeup \ 

bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny
blush: Wet n Wild Color Icon Blusher in Heather Silk

Eyes \ 

eyeshadow: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Walking On Eggshells
eyebrows: MAC Eye Shadow in Espresso
eyeliner: L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
mascara: Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies + Wet n Wild Mega Length Mascara

Lips \ 

lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Kiss Me Coral
lipgloss: Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in Cotton Candy

Nail Polish \

Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color in Heatwave
Essie Sand Tropez
Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Nirvana

Perfume \ 

Bath and Body Works Body Cream in Honey Sweetheart
Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Warm Vanilla Sugar
Burberry Brit

Self Tan \ 

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion
Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Tanner

Admittedly, not all of these selections are drugstore products. I'm still searching for a perfect eyebrow filler from the drugstore, as well as an eye base that works as well as my Paint Pot. Any suggestions?

If you'd like individual reviews on any of these products, let me know! I plan to review all of them in time, but if any of them stand out as ones you'd like to know more about right now, tell me.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

the sunday currently, volume 43.



This morning I am popping in for a quick edition of The Sunday Currently. We are going to run out to breakfast as soon as I finish tapping this out. Then, we'll be returning home to clean the house (and I will be studying for a test that's happening tomorrow - this mini session is turning out to be extremely fast-paced). I'm hoping that by the end of today, we will both be feeling accomplished & rested.

C  U  R  R  E  N  T  L  Y  .  .  .

R E A D I N G... ugh. Let's not go there. I haven't read at all this week. I guess the inspiration to read can leave as quickly as it arrives. 
W R I T I N G in my ink & paper journal a lot lately. It is amazingly cathartic & therapeutic. Time & time again, it amazes me how little I allow myself to really feel until I've written it down.
L I S T E N I N G to Alabama Shakes. So, so summer. In addition to the playlist I posted a while back, I have a huge list on Spotify of music that just feels like summer to me. Justin & I have been listening to it in the early mornings of this weekend, & I love that.
T H I N K I N G it's time to get in gear this week. Last week was a dud, honestly. I did just enough to get by, & nothing else. That's not the way I want to live my life. Alas, everyone has rough weeks. 
S M E L L I N G Mahogany Teakwood
W I S H I N G for peace.
H O P I N G that my dear friend Laura (and her fiance' Jonathan) had the best of times at their engagement soiree last night. I wish Justin & I could have been there, but I know they must have had a wonderful time!
W E A R I N G top knots upon top knots.
L O V I N G that my psychology classes are giving me a bit of insight on things that I myself struggle with. 
W A N T I N G Sweet & Savory to serve us a delicious breakfast. I've heard good things.
N E E D I N G inspiration. A test tomorrow, a project presentation Tuesday, & another project presentation Thursday... yikes. 
F E E L I N G angsty about this space. Overthinking, guilt over not writing as much as I'd like, etc. All whiny, all in my control. And I'm changing that this week.
C L I C K I N G this article, which Joelle shared on Friday. It renewed my faith in social media a bit... because, honestly, sometimes I hate the constant connectedness it allows. This man's words reminded me that it's a blessing that our generation has this ability.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend & making the most of Sunday. We're off to breakfast!

photo | light | instagram

Friday, July 12, 2013

weekender.

It's late Friday morning, I'm getting ready to put together my to-do list for the day, & the rain is steady falling right outside our living room window. The warm yellowish glow of the lone lamp exudes light from my desk. And I can't tell you what a welcome respite today is, after walking around miserable - for no reason - this week.

Today's outfit board falls in tandem with this week's Friday's Fancies theme - tanked - even though the weather outside suggests fleece-lined hoodies & yoga pants as proper attire.


read about this saying's origin here

Though I haven't really been myself this week, I've still managed to collect some inspiration from around the internet to share in this space today. Blogging really opens up a little door in life - one filled with flowers & golden sunlight & warm cozy reading nooks - that can be accessed any time, any day, anywhere. And I can't adequately express what a comfort & haven it provides for me each week.

beach reading:
- Allyssa shared her favorite Chrome Extensions, & now I'm itching to try them out.
- Betsy referenced her review of Navel Gazing in one of her posts recently, & now I want to read this book.
- Nadine shared her Lazy Girl's Guide to Beauty, & now that sunscreen is on my shopping list.

It's been a week where, even though I've wanted to,  I haven't been writing. Like, anywhere. Last night, as we watched The Office, I sat down with my ink-&-paper journal & just willed myself to write something down - anything. And when I finally did, it felt good. I really, truly, am a writer at heart, & the craziness inside my head only seems to line up & make sense when it turns into the written word. 

This lack of writing has manifested itself in my blogging habits, also. I currently have about fifteen post ideas that I really want to will into fruition right now, but it just hasn't happened for me yet. Perhaps today I will sit down at my keyboard & turn some of these ideas into actualities. But, here is what I did manage to tap out over the course of this week...


When I think about this weekend, I think about early rising, lengthy brunches equipped with too many cups of coffee, little projects around the newly-cleaned house, & writing. Just, writing. 

Thursday, July 11, 2013

things i like.



I have no idea how it is Thursday already, but somehow, it is. And I have a test in one of my classes today. The coffee is on to brew, my alarm went off at precisely 6:15, & I couldn't be more thankful that today is my Friday. Call it the post-holiday-weekend blues. Call it exhaustion. It doesn't really matter what you call it... All I know is, I've been walking around like a zombie this week. And I don't like it.

Here is a list of things I do like:

HOT CHOCOLATE
There is a little coffee shop across the street from school, & their hot chocolate is ooey gooey & probably one million calories & absolutely delicious.
FOUNDATION BRUSHES
Sometimes I put my foundation on with my fingers, & sometimes I apply it with a flat-top powder brush from ELF. Lately, I've been reaching for the brush - & it is working really well with my foundations of choice [Namely: CoverGirl Clean & Rimmel London Clean Finish - reviews coming soon!].
DARK HAIR
I have plans for this mane of mine.
THE NEST
I never really got into The Knot, but The Nest is intriguing me with its community boards.
LIVING HEALTHY
No need to explain this one, really. Although my definition of healthy seems to stray a bit from others', considering I devoured a banana cream pie that Justin brought home from a dinner last night... [oops?].
BARE NAILS
I should clarify - I mean bare fingernails. Bare toenails are something I avoid at all costs. But bare fingernails feel fresh & free latey... and undeniably summer.
DRAWING COFFEE CUPS
See above.

What do you like right now?

photo | coffee cups drawn during developmental psychology | iphone

Sunday, July 7, 2013

the sunday currently, volume 42.



Well folks, we arrived home from our Savannah trip yesterday evening. We had a LOVELY time, filled with shopping in downtown, visiting the Gryphon Tea Room, scarfing down beignets, & watching fireworks over the Savannah River. 

With this trip also came the purchase of Justin's Anniversary gift... a very special watch. We are employing the Modern Anniversary Gifts Guide, & we have interpreted clocks to translate loosely to watches. With this purchase, we found it entirely too difficult to wait until October, so we are now both wearing our watches [& absolutely loving them]. I'll have to write more about them later, because they are both unique & meaningful to us. Because of our impatience with these gifts, we have decided we will buy a clock while on our anniversary trip to Charleston in October.

C  U  R  R  E  N  T  L  Y  .  .  .  

R E A D I N G Briget Jones's Diary at an alarmingly slow pace. Planning to break out ye olde reading schedule & plan out a date & time to finish this selection. It's hanging over my head, & I don't like that very much.
W R I T I N G descriptive analyses in my journal this week, I've decided. Sometimes you just have to decide that certain weeks are going to be writing weeks & just go with it.
L I S T E N I N G to early morning Sunday television, which, in this case, means Wimbledon. 
T H I N K I N G that no matter how lovely a vacation is, there is simply no place like home [I am not a fan of The Wizard of Oz, but this reference seemed unavoidable]. As I sit on the couch & tap out this post this morning, those words could not be more true to me. I love this feeling... the feeling of being home.
S M E L L I N G Mrs. T's & Tison's wedding candle. It is a Zombee Candle scent made specially for their big day! I love it & burn it often, especially on the weekends. I miss them both a lot.
W I S H I N G to view both The Office & Mad Men today. My obsession for both of these shows is running deep right now, in equal measure.
H O P I N G for one of those Sundays that are so packed with activities, that they feel like they stretch on & on... & on & on...
W E A R I N G my big t-shirt & some pajama shorts. The uniform of Sunday Morning Winners.
L O V I N G... absolutely loving the purchases we made on our trip. As mentioned above, we finally found Justin's anniversary watch, but we also discovered a little gem at Wright Square Antique Mall: a 1960s style leather pocketbook bag & a corresponding scarf. Can we say Joan from Mad Men? Obsessed with this style currently.
W A N T I N G more Gryphon Tea Room. Hands down, this was one of our favorite meals in Savannah. And we had a LOT of good meals, people, at places like Zunzi's, Huey's On The River, & J. Christopher's.   
N E E D I N G to clear out my inbox today, as well as do dishes & laundry. And unpack our suitcases. And make a productivity plan for the week. And get some blog posts written & polished in advance. Yes, let's make this a productive Sunday, shall we?
F E E L I N G sore & congested this morning. With the endless traipsing around Savannah - and all its heat & humidity & steep staircases - came a sort of exhaustion to the body. Couple that with a LOT of sitting in the car to & from, & you've got the perfect recipe for a sort of vague bodily aching.
C L I C K I N G through my favorite blogs this morning. I am craving a catch-up.

With this week, comes the re-emergence of the Snapshot Series, which means I'll be beginning the photo coverage of our trip! If you're interested in one day trekking to Savannah, Georgia, stay tuned for some visuals & recommendations.

photo | happy belated birthday, america | from instagram

What are you doing right now? What have you been doing this week? Link up & share below.

Friday, July 5, 2013

happy birthday, mom!


I'm happy to say that my mom is enjoying a relaxing day off work to celebrate her birthday. Next week, I'll be sharing a little craft project DIY that she put together for Nurses' Week. Have a great day, Mom!

photo: the girls on my wedding day | mrs. t

Thursday, July 4, 2013

the fourth.



Justin & I are celebrating America from Savannah, Georgia this year. We are soaking up the beauty & history of downtown today, as well as looking forward to a fireworks show over the river tonight. Photos to come in the weeks following our return. God bless the United States!


photo: downtown wilmington | nikon

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

lately: stress & savannah.



With the beginning of this new month - as well as the beginning of two more mini-session classes - has come a bit of a spike in my stress levels as of late. Don't get me wrong - I am thrilled to be back in school, &, nerd that I am, I am thoroughly enjoying learning again. But as the calendar progresses & the clock ticks by, I find myself overwhelmed at certain times of the day. And as weird as it sounds, I've been able to find momentary solace in coffee, of all things. Usually caffeine exacerbates stress (in my experience at least), so I find it strange that it has had a calming effect on me lately. I'll take it, though. Anything to feel a little bit more like a human being. What do you do to calm yourself when you're stressed? I'm going to do a little research on that very topic & share my findings & helpful articles soon (Hello, psych classes!).

In the meantime, though, The Office is providing a pretty satisfactory response.

Justin & I are getting ready to road trip down to Savannah, Georgia, where we'll be spending our Fourth of July holiday. He has been, I haven't, so I am really looking forward to experiencing another new city over here on the East Coast. I have two tests this morning, & he has work, & then we'll be off! I can't wait to take a ton of photos, since I haven't whipped out our DSLR in over a month. So, look for some Snapshot Series posts to come. I seriously cannot wait. If you'd like to follow along with our Georgia adventure in real time, follow me over on Instagram.

the back and forth.

Justin had to turn on the air conditioner again last night.  It's October 26 - doesn't that mean the heater can stay on? Doesn't...