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.

Celebratory Outings

Ms. Wright was my freshman English teacher, or at least that's what I initially referred to her as. as time progressed, my girlfriends and I became more and more close with Ms. Wright, until we all eventually stopped considering her a fellow teacher, and instead, a fellow classmate (she's frequently mistaken for a student).

When Ms. Wright informed my friends and I that her high school sweetheart had finally proposed, we were all in shock. these past couple of months following the announcement have allowed us to endure both our excitement and the fact that we will be attending the ceremony of our teacher's (a.k.a. girlfriend's) wedding.

As the last few weeks prior to the wedding wind down, I can't help but consider what I am going to wear to this much anticipated event. alas, I think I have finally reached a consensus (see below.)

*dress and clutch from urban outfitters, wedges from anthropology and earrings from free people*

Latest Listenings

Despite the fact that this song is from the soundtrack of the eminently cheesy movie twilight, one cannot say that it isn't eminently beautiful. Sia's heavy, virtuous and almost morose lyrics of exposure are accompanied by a perfectly-melancholy harmony of piano and violin.

Film Fashion: Going the Distance

A couple of days ago, I took a necessary venture to the movies with my girlfriends where we saw Going the Distance, featuring Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. Drew's fabulous portrayal of her honest and charismatic character, Erin, left me with two reactions:
1.) what a great role.
2.) what a great sense of fashion.

Below is a collage I roughly put together (consisting of clothing items primarily from urban outfitters and anthropology) that I believe summarizes the most appealing trends flaunted modestly by Erin (a.k.a. drew) in the charming movie.

 



*Top photo courtesy of Google. 

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:

Fall Wardrobe

*background image of clothing collage from weheartit.com*

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

Latest Listenings

Recently, I've been on an electric crave. With Electric Zoo splattered across my "want to attend" list, Pretty lights, Bassnectar, and Flying Lotus have all constantly been on replay. When a friend sent me this remix, I started saving my pennies.

[this video is from bassnectarlabs's channel on youtube]

Autumn

As August comes to an abrupt end, I can't help but wrap my head around the mindset of fall; my forever favored season. Although I know summer will be horribly missed, I look forward to the next couple of months that seem to always roll forward with new surprises, year-after-year. First comes Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course, New Years (by which point I'm always sick and tired of winter weather). As for now, I can't wait to yet again become accustomed with the autumnal elements that I always yearn for during the last few dog days of August.

hot chocolate made with milk, not water
sweaters, scarves, and boots
high school soccer games (our football team is discouraging)
becoming particularly crafty when it comes to halloween costumes
the harvest moon
seasonal and home-made soups
the thanksgiving parade in ny
not feeling guilty for staying inside watching movies
my christmas playlists (which start playing in october)
the local corn field mazes that continue to excite me
longer nights and shorter days

New York, New York

On Wednesday, my girlfriends and I went into the city to see hot chip at central park summer stage. Each and every time I go into the city, I feel as if I have escaped the secluding bubble of my petite hometown, even though I'm realistically only an hour train ride from home. As a child, I would spend every other weekend in Manhattan due to my father's relocation to Greenwich village following my parents' divorce. I think it's fair to say that new york has forever been my second home. this particular trip, I stumbled upon the John Lennon "Imagine" memorial in the park; something which I had surprisingly never yet seen. new york constantly amazes me by continuously diversifying my intellectual thought and imagination by simply presenting more and more of its' character. below is a list of the many things I love about the city that never sleeps, and the city that never ceases to bore me.

the implausible medley of people (and the energy that results from such)
new york public library
delicious and cultural eateries
brave street art
the farmers market in union square
immortal entertainment
soho architecture and greenwich village cobblestone
brooklyn flea market (and others)
high line park