2012 Resolutions Turned Desktop Background

My view of resolutions has evolved a little bit this year. Rather than associating words like change, revamp, and pro-activity with the word resolution, I now like to think of a resolution as being a sort of check-up on something I have been trying to work on and take better notice of at the present moment (I am constantly setting minuscule goals for myself year-round, such as drink more water.) With that said, this year, I decided to get creative and organize my "resolutions", some pretty general and some pretty specific, by typing them out using simplistic language on Word in a pretty font, and taking a screen shot of the assortment of "resolutions", inspirational/motivational words, or what have you. I then set the image as my desktop background as a constant reminder for the things I'm currently working improving in day-to-day life. 

Happy New Year! 

New Traditions

Photo from Then and Now photography by Irina Werning

Some of my very first posts on this blog heavily dealt with the idea of traditions, ultimately suggesting that traditions are very important to me- and they are. As the season transitions or a holiday or annual event approaches, I naturally feel the need to begin checking off the list of traditions tied to the event in my head. This includes apple picking in Autumn and then cooking an apple pie with my Sister, eating my mom's customary ice box cake on my birthday, and opening an "elf" gift Christmas Eve morning- a long-established ritual in my family. This year, I have often blogged about change. As an honor to the two reoccurring themes I so often ponder, I am now going to write a post about the two: establishing new traditions.

Having just finished my first semester of school (I am now in the midst of the zombie-like phase of finals), I've been reflecting on my most favored activities I partook in this year thus far in Burlington. The following is the list-in-progress:

1. Sip on many, many pumpkin chai lattes from Uncommon Grounds on Church Street as soon as the leaves start changing color.

2. Attend UVM's Annual Naked Bike Ride at the end of each semester... and possibly participate.

3. Study on the quad, in the sunshine, on as many beautiful (and warm) days possible.

4. Relieve stress by spending a day getting work done in New Moon Cafe, indulging in both a delicious breakfast and lunch.

5. Knit a headband once the first frost hits.

What are some of your old and new traditions? 

Home is where the heart is...

  Watercolor print from Etsy.com

I've lived in the same small town in the same small house for 14 years now. Until recently, I've always referred to my house as my home. Following my Mom's decision to relocate given recent changes, such as my departure to college, I have spent a lot of time contemplating the idea of home and what the context of home really is. 

Only a few days ago, I conveniently stumbled upon a quote in Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; "to travel is more important than to arrive." Talk about irony. I then finalized my once indefinite hypothesis regarding home. I sided with the cliche quotes "the journey is our home" and "home is where the heart is" that have rightfully existed for a reason. 

Life is not about the arrival, but the journey. We need to constantly change and adapt to allow ourselves to recognize that the core is never changing, despite alterations in material aspects, such as the roof over our head. 

I will forever be grateful to our tiny colonial house for a lovely backdrop to a majority of my families 14 years of memories thus far, but I am optimistic that leaving our house behind will not mean saying goodbye to home.

"The Journey Begins Here" oil painting from Etsy.com

Movie Therapy

I once read that those who read fiction are more sentimental and emotionally aware than those who don't. I think the same goes for those who watch movies. Though I'm certainly not an advocate for wasting a life away in a Hollywood fantasy world, I think some movies do have the ability to enlighten in addition to entertain. There are a select few movies that have certainly stayed with me following my first viewing; whose distinctive characters and perceptive lines re-play in my mind during those moments of sentimental contemplation. Below are a few movies that spark my reflective thought, and frequently become a source of therapeutic entertainment when necessary. 

What movies are on your list?

1. Girl, Interrupted

"Crazy isn't being broken or swallowing a dark secret. It's you or me amplified."

2. Garden State

"That's life. If nothing else, It's life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have."

3. American Beauty

"I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday."

4. The Virgin Suicides

Doctor: "What are you doing here, honey? You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets."Cecilia: "Obviously, Doctor, you've never been a 13-year-old girl."

 5.  White Oleander

"Everybody asks why I started at the end and worked back to the beginning, the reason is simple, I couldn't understand the beginning until I had reached the end."

6. Almost Famous

"Rock 'n' roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking... and it's not about money and popularity. Although, some money would be nice. But it's a voice that says, "Here I am... and fuck you if you can't understand me." And one of these people is gonna save the world. And that means that rock 'n' roll can save the world... all of us together. And the chicks are great. But what it all comes down to is that thing. The indefinable thing when people catch something in your music."


*Photos courtesy of Google* 

Spring Cleaning

Having recently cleaned out my closet (three bag-fulls of clothes are now waiting to be donated to Goodwill), I have been searching for some spring 2011 essentials to fill the empty space between the hangers. With the assistance of lookbook, I have pinpointed the trends I hope to adapt as the weather becomes increasingly sunny and warm. Enjoy the spring weather!

Neutral Lace and Frills

1. Lace Dress from Topshop
2. Pleated vest from Topshop
3. Lace cropped tee from MyTheresa


Bold Color-Block



4. Fuchsia wallet from Kate Spade
5. Crepe pencil skirt from The Outnet
6. Coral Bandeau from Topshop


60's Hipster



7. Isabel Marant turquoise necklace from The Outnet
8. Plastic frame glasses from Zara
9.Mod wedges from Urban Outfitters
10. Coral lace fringed crop vest from Topshop

Six Things to Savor

1. Fashion trends for Spring 2011 are in!


2. 7 reasons to be happy... good to consider while formulating this year's resolutions.


3. Serious assistance when it comes to fulfilling 5 different looks. I'd say I'm "jet-set bohemian"
crossed with "the lady" every so often.


4. This feminine playlist has been on repeat lately.



5. Up and coming travel destinations for the New Year.


6. Sweetest print I've seen in a while.



Enjoy!

2010

It amazes me that 2010 is already over. Before formulating a list of resolutions for the New Year, I reflected back on 2010 and the memories I will forever look back on that took place this past year. Below are some of the photographs that depict such memories and some of my most favored moments of 2010.

Have a blissful New Year!


Constantly finding beauty in my hometown...

...and in New York.


The idyllic New England landscapes that made their appearances on my many college road trips.

My rambunctious yet adorable new puppy named Champ.

UK travels and amazement's.

The moment I fell in love with London.

The moment I fell in love with Burlington, VT & UVM... most likely my home for the next four years.

Reflections

The transition from Fall to Winter always leaves me constantly reflecting upon things; I am very much emotionally dependent on the four seasons. As my high school era of life comes to a sometimes rapid/ sometimes lingering end, my recent contemplation has been particularly focused on my personal teenage experience. I can't help but consider what decisions I would change if I could, and what decisions I remain satisfied with to this day. these are the things I would tell myself if I were to re-live high school (knock on wood.)

1. Prepare yourself for and endure change; it's inevitable.
2. Be a good friend.
3. Value your education to the best of your ability.
4. High school is not your life; perspective is key.
5. Pursue your known interests and take risks in order to find new interests.
6. Be both self aware and open to criticism and make changes accordingly.
7. Don't forget about your family's existence.
8. Work hard, play hard.
9. Define your moral compass, and let it guide you.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

My mom blame's my "you think it's spring"-like attire for my struggling sinus systems. I blame the recent decrease in temperature. With a runny nose, serious t-zone congestion, and consistent fatigue, I plan on resorting to the following list this weekend in order to break away from the irritation caused by my pressured state of mind.

1. Hot tea with lemon.
2. Heating pads (they somehow make everything better.)
3. Harry Potter movie-thons.
4. Cambells tomato soup.
5. Playing catch-up on missed t.v. show episodes.
6. Cuddling up with not one, but two down-comforters.
7. Iced gingerale.


*photo from weheartit.com*

Family Ties

One of my favorite past times is re-visiting old memories by re-discovering the multiple boxes of photographs that helped document my childhood. My family and I have turned this simplistic action of flipping through piles of blueprints into a ritualistic event that almost always results in laughter and amusement. This weekend, my family and I practiced this tradition yet again, and this particular time, we came across some very beautiful photographs of my mom (see below). Although I'm always feeling thankful for my mom's presence, seeing these pictures of her and her unique beauty reminded me how grateful I am to have her in my life.

"in any case, you are always there,
tremulous breath at the end of my line,
curve of water upleaping
to my water rod, dazzling and grateful,
touching and sucking."

-sylvia plath

Small Town Satisfactions

This weekend, I attended my town's annual fall church fair. This is just one of the many activities I like to participate in during the season of Autumn (the primary list is found in this post.) The fair attracts nearly all of the town's residents, entertaining both families and individuals with classic small-town festivities such as raffles, the supply of both freshly baked goods and "stone" soup (which, may I add, is cooked in a very appropriate colonial Calderon), and live music by local jam-bands. While leaving, I came across a huge peace sign formulated with hand-made paper pin wheels on the front lawn of the town's elementary school (see below), which happened to be situated in the heart of the fair. Though simplistic, this very image, in addition to the familiar activity I had just engaged in, reminded me why I should be grateful for having grown up in such a tight-nit community.

Cultural Eatings

On this gray day, my mom and I took a trip to a nearby town to attend the "Taste of Greater Danbury" festival (thanks to the suggestion of a sign that was pitched street-side.) Unlike many of the smaller communities in Fairfield county, Danbury plays home to a vast collection of different cultures. with that said, a vast collection of culturally-rich (no pun intended) food was at our fingertips... and we couldn't have been happier! it was both rewarding and enjoyable to take a minor break from homogeneous scenery and present ourselves with food from a variety of different traditional cuisine's, including Thai, Indian, and my favorite, Jamaican (see below)! in the end, the day was far from gray (if you disregard the weather).

before:

after:

Comfort Food

On reserved nights like tonight, when I'm forced to seek entertainment at home, I frequently find myself preparing simple yet delicious snacks to accompany me while I resort to watching movies. This evening, I indulged in toast with peanut butter and honey (a bite my mom used to prepare for me when I was younger) along with a cup of coffee with both milk and sugar. Having recognized the minor delights that result from treating myself to the comfort foods I've grown up with, I figured I'd make a list of the nourishment's that I never (and will never) get tired of.

pork chops with apple sauce
my mothers mashed potatoes
ice-box cake (a family tradition consisting of chocolate wafers and whipped cream)
cauliflower soup
green beans with breadcrumbs
Stauffers mac and cheese (not home-cooked, but perpetually delicious)
and pumpkin pie with the assistance of the can

I've Been Feeling a Little Blah Lately...

...I'm pretty sure it's due to the rainy and far-from-sunny weather; I desperately await summer. until then, I'll make a list of the things I love to do in eighty degree temperatures. [see below]

1. take long hikes in the woods.
2. eat lots and lots of soft serve
(a chocolate and vanilla twist, please.)
3. attend live shows.
4. lay poolside for lingering hours.
5. get artsy in the sunshine.
6. use my camera as frequently as I should in the winter.
7. catch up on necessary reads.
8. sit beside bonfires.
9. value the musky subway heat in new york as much as I value days spent lounging in central park.
10. listen to lots of death cab, the shins, bob marley, and simon and garfunkel.