tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11798002412997620302024-03-13T21:42:57.913-07:00the cupcake aficionadoparties, pashminas, bubble tea & a love for everything pink and green.LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-12419611905795620932010-02-19T11:21:00.001-08:002010-02-19T11:37:31.851-08:00in the future...<center>When I grow up, I want to have a house like <a href="http://jeremyandkathleen.blogspot.com/">Jeremy and Kathleen's</a>!
<br />Eclectic, sweet, bright, bold, cozy and creative - all words I'd use to describe this Oklahoma City couple's taste in decor.
<br />Make sure to check out their <a href="http://www.jeremyandkathleencloset.blogspot.com/">style blog</a> as well!
<br />I pray to God that when I'm hip, 20-something and married, I will have a husband who dresses as stylishly as Jeremy!
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37lv5aWBMI/AAAAAAAAANo/Ed8Jo0hmr4s/s1600-h/4192946242_5c425d19f5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37lv5aWBMI/AAAAAAAAANo/Ed8Jo0hmr4s/s400/4192946242_5c425d19f5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440038010938066114" /></a>
<br /><i>What I wouldn't do for a cozy quilt like this!</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37m1UWo6FI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/y3dSG3uoRyI/s1600-h/4274497916_e398127457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37m1UWo6FI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/y3dSG3uoRyI/s400/4274497916_e398127457.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440039203581257810" /></a>
<br /><i>Who would've thought that maps would make a great art piece, without looking like a third grade geography classroom?(And I have an obsession with Chinese-style lanterns!</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37l--5TVsI/AAAAAAAAANw/g3s-T4OKguk/s1600-h/3467701279_12bf95c532.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37l--5TVsI/AAAAAAAAANw/g3s-T4OKguk/s400/3467701279_12bf95c532.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440038270108128962" /></a>
<br /><i>Yee gads! I'm definitely in love, especially with the cool, natural color palette.</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mO3M6XPI/AAAAAAAAAN4/CZz_VPWTNnY/s1600-h/3579210549_849fe1346c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mO3M6XPI/AAAAAAAAAN4/CZz_VPWTNnY/s400/3579210549_849fe1346c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440038542920801522" /></a>
<br /><i>Wow.</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mZXetxKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bwdI1lkGorw/s1600-h/3588790843_a2dddc9098.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mZXetxKI/AAAAAAAAAOA/bwdI1lkGorw/s400/3588790843_a2dddc9098.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440038723384100002" /></a>
<br /><i>I love a) the wall color, b) the chandelier, and c) the effortlessly cool photo frame arrangement!</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mt5gHqYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/RcPKC9GjUgA/s1600-h/4269517386_2307954a8d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37mt5gHqYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/RcPKC9GjUgA/s400/4269517386_2307954a8d.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440039076114180482" /></a>
<br /><i>Probably the coolest hallway I've ever seen. Ever.</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37nWiToGeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Jbnx3RPh7H0/s1600-h/4348181627_3127716c31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37nWiToGeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Jbnx3RPh7H0/s400/4348181627_3127716c31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440039774262401506" /></a>
<br /><i>I'm not a huge cat fan, but she makes having a cat actually look cool. Who doesn't want to buy innovative housing for their pet? Goodbye, plastic dog houses and kitty igloos!</i>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37ntBUja4I/AAAAAAAAAOg/kQBd9kOm274/s1600-h/4363082435_7d97f76f03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S37ntBUja4I/AAAAAAAAAOg/kQBd9kOm274/s400/4363082435_7d97f76f03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440040160544910210" /></a>
<br /><i>This is what makes me feel like I'm at home - cozy down comforters, a pet nearby, and a trusty laptop at hand. I love the light that shines through the windows, it's quite angelic.</i>
<br /></i></center><i></i>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-22385360775498755652010-02-16T18:33:00.000-08:002010-02-16T18:44:10.992-08:00tiny fashionista<center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXjRu5r4I/AAAAAAAAANE/Z1fxBDlxyHY/s1600-h/crew-cuts-1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXjRu5r4I/AAAAAAAAANE/Z1fxBDlxyHY/s400/crew-cuts-1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439037238547165058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXqivlKcI/AAAAAAAAANM/Rou4QzxXCo0/s1600-h/crew-cuts-2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXqivlKcI/AAAAAAAAANM/Rou4QzxXCo0/s400/crew-cuts-2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439037363372501442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXuQbDxEI/AAAAAAAAANU/GIkG2QXIt0w/s1600-h/crew-cuts-3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXuQbDxEI/AAAAAAAAANU/GIkG2QXIt0w/s400/crew-cuts-3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439037427174065218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXyZ0SLeI/AAAAAAAAANc/IMHWgtxOLW4/s1600-h/crew-cuts-4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3tXyZ0SLeI/AAAAAAAAANc/IMHWgtxOLW4/s400/crew-cuts-4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439037498415263202" /></a><br />I marvel at how absolutely sassy these <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/CrewCutBrowse/ShopKids/girls.jsp">Crew Cuts</a> models look in their perfectly petite outfits! My favorite part? The tomboyish hints added here and there to give their looks some rough and tough, funky flare, perfect for the playground. I love the rugged backpack and sneakers with untied laces! Reminds me so much of my effort in elementary school to be pretty and sporty at the same time... except for instead of J. Crew dresses and Doc Martens, I was sporting glittery Limited Too get ups with newsboy caps! As much as I always want to look feminine and flirty, there will always be that bit of tomboy and adventure in me, no matter what age :)</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-25635720543099499102010-02-11T17:04:00.001-08:002011-10-25T19:15:43.976-07:00this president's weekend i will...<center><br />Go to Colorado and be a snow bunny for three days. See Valentine’s Day. Cry to Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now. Daydream about boys. Read a good book. Watch Mad Men and dress up like Betty Draper. Find three new ways to do my hair. Tell someone I love them. Call my best friend up and tell her what’s really going on in my head. Sleep in till ten. Ride my bike around town. Try to eat something decent for a change. Go to the gym/cycling class. Fall in love with someone new each day. Sing with passion. Take a beautiful photo. Sleep in my mom’s bed with my dog. Stretch. Smile. Call someone up that I haven’t talked to in a while. Try to forget about him. Be happy.</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-17545799757913288902010-02-10T15:44:00.000-08:002010-02-10T16:07:44.831-08:00a brighter future<center> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NFa0mT4JI/AAAAAAAAAL0/viHqZH6CWqk/s1600-h/11Skin_CA1-articleLarge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NFa0mT4JI/AAAAAAAAAL0/viHqZH6CWqk/s400/11Skin_CA1-articleLarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436765502264565906" /></a><br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="5">“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”</font><br /><font size="3">~ Dale Carnegie</font></font><br /><br />I am absolutely in love with bright, bold, innovative makeup design. I stumbled upon this <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/fashion/11Skin.html?ref=fashion">New York Times article</a> on beauty companies offering brighter options for the modern women's makeup palette. <br /><br />Would you take a chance, and try a brighter shade of your favorite shadow? I am trying to take more risks this year in the beauty department, so maybe I'll just have to invest in some <a href="http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74312&categoryId=S10505&shouldPaginate=true">Urban Decay glitter liner</a> for an unexpected addition to my daily makeup routine. <br /><br />I think this is the perfect opportunity to bring out some sparkles!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NFhnwOEtI/AAAAAAAAAL8/mz1XXmT2LcU/s1600-h/11skin-1-popup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NFhnwOEtI/AAAAAAAAAL8/mz1XXmT2LcU/s400/11skin-1-popup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436765619075551954" /></a><br /><i>Above photos: Elizabeth Lippman for The New York Times</i><br /><br />And on the note of sparkles... I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with my school's cheerleaders for the front page of our school newspaper. I loved watching them all get ready with their bright stage makeup. When we took a trip outside, in the sprinkling rain with gray skies above, I loved how their makeup, poms, and uniforms still <i>popped</i>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NHvHL0fBI/AAAAAAAAAME/dkNGPGoZsks/s1600-h/IMG_3437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NHvHL0fBI/AAAAAAAAAME/dkNGPGoZsks/s400/IMG_3437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436768049874369554" /></a><br />Applying makeup for the shoot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NIoYK3ZuI/AAAAAAAAAMM/Q9a-YXgBmyg/s1600-h/IMG_3471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NIoYK3ZuI/AAAAAAAAAMM/Q9a-YXgBmyg/s400/IMG_3471.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436769033686312674" /></a><br />All smiles, despite the gray weather...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NI3tnz3qI/AAAAAAAAAMU/KAn8mET58VE/s1600-h/IMG_3501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NI3tnz3qI/AAAAAAAAAMU/KAn8mET58VE/s400/IMG_3501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436769297142898338" /></a><br />Giggling and holding hands!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJBERMVqI/AAAAAAAAAMc/EKfFzviHZzU/s1600-h/IMG_3606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJBERMVqI/AAAAAAAAAMc/EKfFzviHZzU/s400/IMG_3606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436769457840871074" /></a><br />I love this industrial look of the chain link, with their bright expressions and poms!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJSIIXEPI/AAAAAAAAAMk/a5rHax1p1lI/s1600-h/IMG_3644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJSIIXEPI/AAAAAAAAAMk/a5rHax1p1lI/s400/IMG_3644.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436769750935343346" /></a><br />I'm a sucker for hair ribbons!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJbqsWpBI/AAAAAAAAAMs/C0Hpni3M7oo/s1600-h/IMG_3646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJbqsWpBI/AAAAAAAAAMs/C0Hpni3M7oo/s400/IMG_3646.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436769914831938578" /></a><br />I love the way the silver bleachers contrasted with the red!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJjeHVX4I/AAAAAAAAAM0/gxrt0SmP380/s1600-h/IMG_3676.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S3NJjeHVX4I/AAAAAAAAAM0/gxrt0SmP380/s400/IMG_3676.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436770048894394242" /></a><br />Three cheers for cheer!</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-72877961293152272402010-02-03T19:36:00.000-08:002010-02-04T15:01:36.822-08:00ready for take off<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2tRGxsWExI/AAAAAAAAALk/hXChfS2p6Uc/s1600-h/IMG_3303.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2tRGxsWExI/AAAAAAAAALk/hXChfS2p6Uc/s400/IMG_3303.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434526552213033746" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2tRNUysjBI/AAAAAAAAALs/s5SG5OXdQ7E/s1600-h/IMG_3304.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2tRNUysjBI/AAAAAAAAALs/s5SG5OXdQ7E/s400/IMG_3304.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434526664714128402" /></a><br />My mom told me I looked like a flight attendant. <br />I told her, "Flight attendants don't wear jeans!"<br /><br /><i>Wearing: CAbi blazer, CAbi scarf, Forever 21 white shirt, <br />C&C black tank, DKNY jeans, Frye slingbacks</i></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-41956754718319513712010-01-31T11:05:00.000-08:002010-01-31T11:09:16.982-08:00tell me what an empty heart must feel<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2XVPvWzBhI/AAAAAAAAAK0/OEyrtG5pQiI/s1600-h/tumblr_kw9qclZeGz1qa97i0o1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S2XVPvWzBhI/AAAAAAAAAK0/OEyrtG5pQiI/s400/tumblr_kw9qclZeGz1qa97i0o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432982991879210514" /></a><br />I'm so sorry for my lack of posts, I've had a really rough week. High school can be tough, people can be fake, and sometimes you have no where to turn except for your mom, your dog, or a big bowl of neopolitan ice cream (the low fat kind, of course!)<br />Anywho, I found this photo on a random xanga graphics page when I was searching for tumblr inspiration. I think I'm going to order the book on Amazon. It would be greatly appreciated at a time like now, where I'm feeling rather down.<br /><br />Hope your week was better than mine! Looking forward to updating more as this week progresses. xx</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-11789382771461487272010-01-25T15:23:00.000-08:002010-01-26T15:09:28.506-08:00new desktop!<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14oim68MNI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Rfm9P-GfGQo/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-01-25+at+3.25.33+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14oim68MNI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Rfm9P-GfGQo/s400/Screen+shot+2010-01-25+at+3.25.33+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430822775683821778" /></a><br />In honor of Brittany Murphy.<br /><br />Healthy eating update: I'm feeling good, choosing fruit and low fat foods over the usual stuff! I think bananas and rye toast are now my breakfast of choice! xoxo</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-18596161613100329612010-01-25T14:18:00.000-08:002010-01-25T15:06:05.374-08:00the guacamole experiment<center>This week is a busy week! The original one act play I've been writing with 9 other kids at school is going up on Wednesday night! It's been a long process, tiring and stressful, and many days I've just wanted to quit, but I'm glad we're going up. It's been a really interesting experience, to say the least.<br />I know I'll be out late every night, with the show and all, and with my mountains of homework, I don't know how I'll be able to get any exercise in. So, to keep my energy up and my spirits high, I'm taking a break from junk food and sweets, and trying to eat exceptionally healthy this week!<br />I started off today with a lovely bowl of strawberries and a banana, and toasted a small piece of rye bread with a bit of butter. Jasmine tea was my beverage of choice, as it makes me feel awfully smart and relaxed. I sat down and did my chapter reading and essay questions for history, and felt sufficiently full and content.<br />After an hour and forty-five minutes of reading and writing, I took Maizie, my fluff monster of a Goldendoodle, on a 40 minute hike. It's been rather brisk, due to the excess rain we've been getting, so it was nice getting out. <br />Came home, did some cleaning, and Mom left to pick up Dad at the airport, so I offered to make something for them to eat when they got home. <br />For the next half an hour, I carefully prepared my ingredients and made my absolute favorite snack - homemade guacamole!<br /><br /><b>INGREDIENTS:</b><br />4 avocados, mashed<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14h_5otG1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/8gY2Hl0c7no/s1600-h/IMG_3188.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14h_5otG1I/AAAAAAAAAJs/8gY2Hl0c7no/s400/IMG_3188.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430815582342421330" /></a><br />cherry tomatos, lemon, seasoning salt, and onion<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14iWtjlMCI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/sEGC1CY6TtA/s1600-h/IMG_3191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14iWtjlMCI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/sEGC1CY6TtA/s400/IMG_3191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430815974236696610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14if_bQrII/AAAAAAAAAJ8/5urp_uqcwN8/s1600-h/IMG_3193.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14if_bQrII/AAAAAAAAAJ8/5urp_uqcwN8/s400/IMG_3193.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430816133652458626" /></a><br /><br />Well, Mom and Dad came home and were surprised! Now, Mom's at the stove making little quesadillas with sautéed veggies to go along with my guac. Yummy :) <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jCb31ULI/AAAAAAAAAKU/drSGAbgPBuU/s1600-h/IMG_3204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jCb31ULI/AAAAAAAAAKU/drSGAbgPBuU/s400/IMG_3204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430816725404045490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jH8nc10I/AAAAAAAAAKc/s98SeB8v-c0/s1600-h/IMG_3209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jH8nc10I/AAAAAAAAAKc/s98SeB8v-c0/s400/IMG_3209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430816820093048642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jYcfSR9I/AAAAAAAAAKk/5slrUZgIeHs/s1600-h/IMG_3208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14jYcfSR9I/AAAAAAAAAKk/5slrUZgIeHs/s400/IMG_3208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430817103526643666" /></a><br /><br />One of my new years' resolutions was to learn how to cook, and slowly but surely, I am becoming better at preparing and creating my own masterpieces!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14i2erjqWI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eciqqfLhTXM/s1600-h/IMG_3195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14i2erjqWI/AAAAAAAAAKM/eciqqfLhTXM/s400/IMG_3195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430816519999433058" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and do you know what I'm obsessed with? Those little Babel cheese things in the red wax - I bought a bag of the "Light" kind, and they are only 90 calories, such a yummy snack! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14hw-RAiPI/AAAAAAAAAJk/wbos8sVhuio/s1600-h/IMG_3175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S14hw-RAiPI/AAAAAAAAAJk/wbos8sVhuio/s400/IMG_3175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430815325887170802" /></a><br /><br />I'm going to see how my week goes, and hopefully record my further adventures in the healthy eating!<br /><br />What have you been cooking up in your kitchen lately? Any healthy eating tips?</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-71592770242228039232010-01-25T11:52:00.000-08:002010-01-25T11:57:51.288-08:00rainy day, sunny song<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1320Tok2OI/AAAAAAAAAJc/YOWAPbtwTd0/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-01-25+at+11.52.23+AM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1320Tok2OI/AAAAAAAAAJc/YOWAPbtwTd0/s400/Screen+shot+2010-01-25+at+11.52.23+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430768104162777314" /></a><br />I've been listening to <i>The Winner Is</i> by Devotchka & Michael Danna on repeat all morning. It's from one of my favorite comedies, <i>Little Miss Sunshine.</i> It's the perfect song for a rainy day like today, with the piano in sync with the rain falling on my rooftop. <br /><br /><a href="http://de.tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/30aw9au.png" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-49721451134484725012010-01-23T22:57:00.000-08:002010-01-24T08:53:53.241-08:00brief encounter<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vxrbYBnqI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vCOCgux-6_s/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogu-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vxrbYBnqI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vCOCgux-6_s/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogu-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430199504110460578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vx1Ld3F6I/AAAAAAAAAIs/7TU19mH7WeQ/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogue6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vx1Ld3F6I/AAAAAAAAAIs/7TU19mH7WeQ/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogue6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430199671638661026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vx7EqpmII/AAAAAAAAAI0/mDSWxcmaQgs/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogue7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vx7EqpmII/AAAAAAAAAI0/mDSWxcmaQgs/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogue7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430199772892469378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyDHruq6I/AAAAAAAAAI8/0O1xSv3X9p4/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvoguu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyDHruq6I/AAAAAAAAAI8/0O1xSv3X9p4/s400/nataliavodianovaforvoguu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430199911141256098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyJn2qqMI/AAAAAAAAAJE/KJGq3L8evQc/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogue3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyJn2qqMI/AAAAAAAAAJE/KJGq3L8evQc/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogue3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430200022856280258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyOkHNl0I/AAAAAAAAAJM/_cRguZyhOY0/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogue4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyOkHNl0I/AAAAAAAAAJM/_cRguZyhOY0/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogue4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430200107751282498" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyWCvwuWI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ngZLa2y7BQk/s1600-h/nataliavodianovaforvogue5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1vyWCvwuWI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ngZLa2y7BQk/s400/nataliavodianovaforvogue5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430200236233505122" /></a><br /><br />Scans from <a href="http://vainstyle.com/?p=5535"><i>Vain Style's</i></a> article, "Diddy's Brief Encounter in Vogue"<br /><br />You can never go wrong with the incomparable Grace Coddington and Annie Leibovitz working with the handsome Diddy and the gorgeous Natalia Vodianova! Being the theater buff I am, I was so pleased to see a <i>Vogue</i> fashion spread that reminded me of Noel Coward's <i>Brief Encounter</i>, one of my favorite plays. I learned from this spread that Diddy's new album, set to release in April, is coincidentally entitled, "Last Train to Paris." The concept of a railway romance appears in the songs throughout his album! <br /><br />Falling in love on a train sounds so utterly romantic! Where would you like to fall in love?</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-29116852807667675822010-01-23T17:14:00.000-08:002010-01-23T17:21:57.474-08:00the red lipstick chronicles<center><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/27yo3o2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/2upv6dd.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2qa48w4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2ed4obq.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br />I have decided that my outfit is not complete without Laura Mercier's Creme Lip Colour in <a href="http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Lipstick_Cr%E8me-Lip-Colour_prod190006">Audrey</a> and Shimmer Lip Color in <a href="http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Lipstick_Shimmer-Lip-Colour_prod120004">Seduction!</a> <br />As my mom always says, "I feel naked without my lipstick!"<br /><br />Outfit shown: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's striped boatneck top, Urban Outfitters scarf, black light down jacket<br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-51969395656381764272010-01-21T21:06:00.001-08:002010-01-21T21:09:22.111-08:00thought of the day<center><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/fmlnn.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="4">"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."</font><br /><font size="3">~ Dr. Martin Luther King</font></font></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-55184428746871436422010-01-18T13:25:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:47:03.839-08:00trick of the trade<center>Ever wonder how Taylor Swift and the like get such gorgeous, bright eyes on the red carpet that instantly <i>pop</i>?<br /><a href="http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2009/06/instant-eyeopening-beauty-tric.html">Glamour.com's "Instant Eye-Opening Beauty Trick"</a> taught me exactly how to get that bright face! Often times in the morning, I feel like my eyes look a little dull, even with mascara, eyeliner and shadow, but now I know to put a little extra "V" of light powder on the corners of my eyelids. I'm so happy it works!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1TWt5yO75I/AAAAAAAAAIc/3HnPdXgrcyw/s1600-h/life.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S1TWt5yO75I/AAAAAAAAAIc/3HnPdXgrcyw/s320/life.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428199534982262674" /></a><br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-5411707456527603942010-01-17T18:04:00.001-08:002010-01-17T18:09:35.057-08:00polaroids<center>Just a bunch of instant film from the past month. Basically describes my winter adventures!<br />Something is so special about this kind of photography. You only have one shot, so you better make it count, you know? And the feeling when a photo is developing is like none other - it's a moment of suspense and mystery! You can't erase and take another one. It's like delving into the unknown, and that's why I love it.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2gxfj80.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2vjebtv.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/jtb4t0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i46.tinypic.com/fxclf7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/281fqt5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-8620538398694346782010-01-12T17:37:00.000-08:002010-01-12T17:45:42.301-08:00mad for mad men<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S00lK1tXGxI/AAAAAAAAAIM/tMu3jjGJYoM/s1600-h/01donbetty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vuWmH15SzS8/S00lK1tXGxI/AAAAAAAAAIM/tMu3jjGJYoM/s320/01donbetty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426033994197572370" /></a><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="4">"Happiness is a billboard on the side of the road that screams reassurance that whatever you are doing is okay. You are okay."</font><br /><font size="3">~ Don Draper</font></font><br /><br />I've caught the <i>Mad Men</i> fever! Nothing's intrigued me as much as this TV gem since I started watching the first season of <i>LOST</i>!<br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-56128805637473406982010-01-07T20:01:00.000-08:002010-01-07T20:03:43.481-08:00winter song<center>December's come and gone, but here's a video of my best friend and I covering Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles' <i>Winter Song</i>! The pianist accidentally switched two pages of the music, so the chords she plays are kind of awkward at one point, but overall I think it went pretty well! Let me know what you think, and watch <i>Black Coffee</i> as well :)<br /><br /><object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1UtaY0igt2Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1UtaY0igt2Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-80279318412389255992010-01-03T11:13:00.001-08:002010-01-03T11:28:58.896-08:00school spirit sweet<center>Is it bad that I really want to go to one of the schools that Victoria's Secret PINK makes specialized loungewear for?<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/1zz0qps.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br />Go Bears Go! Sassy yoga pants for Cal Berkeley students!<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i46.tinypic.com/rax449.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br />I'm loving the sparkles on the back of this UCLA hoodie!<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2yv9wz9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br />Students at the University of Wisconsin can sport this adorable sweatshirt - I love the cursive on the back!<br /><br /><i>All photos from <a href="http://www2.victoriassecret.com/pink/pink_cli/OSPNKCLIZZZ.cfm?cliSchoolId=&rfnbr=5098">Victoria's Secret PINK Collegiate Collection</a></i><br /><br /><b>Do you (or did you) ever wear logo gear from your school? <br />Or is that a trend that should be left behind?</b></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-57207276895665536532010-01-01T15:41:00.000-08:002010-01-02T08:53:12.079-08:00facebook faux pas<center><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i46.tinypic.com/5ofi2s.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><i>"I like when I get facebook notifications from you - it makes me feel special!"<br />(Photo found on tumblr)</i><br /><br />As great as social networking and new internet-based ways of communication may seem, sometimes I wonder whether I really <i>need</i> to have a facebook profile, or a twitter account, or even a blog! We all know (and have experienced) that the internet can take over our day... one minute you're on facebook, an hour later you are wondering, "Where did all the time go?" But I'm talking about something different - I'm rethinking using all this "new" technology because I feel like it's too easy to share my life with other people. I mean, I love writing here and sharing the things I love with all of you, but with facebook status updates and the creepy "wall to wall" feature, anyone can read any conversation I've had or find out what I did today. <br /><br />I've thought about deleting a lot of my facebook friends - I've met them all, I'm just not familiar enough with some of them to let them into my life. But using the facebook privacy features makes me feel bad... I feel guilty that I am friends with someone that I don't feel comfortable sharing my life with. Today was just an example of why I am seriously considering not having a facebook profile!<br /><br />In the past, adults I've been friends with on facebook have reported to my mother what I've been posting! I feel like that is a breach of privacy, but I don't want to block them from my facebook all together. If I accepted their request the first time, I should stick with that... right?<br /><br />So here's the deal: I received a facebook inbox message from a very good family friend, who also happens to be the adult chaperone of my church leadership group. We've been friends on the site for a long time, but in past months, she's been commenting on my status' more than anyone else, "liking" my posts, and making comments on my photos. Now, I guess that's the point of facebook... but I didn't feel comfortable with her reading <i>everything</i>. When I posted something that contained a cuss word, she left a comment on it, and called me on it later. I felt quite embarrassed, and apologized, but it made me feel funny. I decided to put her on a limited profile, so she could not view my wall posts. Her message to me asked if I was mad at her, or if she had done something wrong. Immediately I knew she was asking about why I put her on limited profile, so she could not see my wall. I asked her what she was talking about, and she told me exactly that, and said that she had gone on my profile because she was reading a conversation I was having with someone else, but could not see what they had posted on my wall. <br /><br />I first felt terrible, because I didn't want her to think I blocked her because I didn't like her! Then, I felt violated. Why would she tell me she had been reading my long conversation thread, and then ask why she couldn't see it? If I feel like blocking someone, I have that right, don't I? I don't want to delete her as a friend, because I feel that's rude. But I don't want her to be able to see everything I'm doing and be able to make comments about it!<br /><br />I ended up giving in, unblocking her and asking her if she could now see my full profile. I played dumb, I guess I could say I lied. But I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I feel strange, knowing that now she could be viewing all my wall posts from the past month since I blocked her...<br /><br />This, ladies and gentlemen, is a dilemma! I don't know what the proper facebook etiquette is - I don't want to be rude, but I don't want this kind of situation to happen again (someone asking me why I blocked them!) <br /><br /><b>What would you have done in my situation? Do you think we should reconsider how much we share with others online, and who we share it with?</b></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-66713088406350539012010-01-01T12:04:00.000-08:002010-01-01T12:51:29.832-08:00the resolution<center><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2vvrvno.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><i>Image from <a href="http://ourforever.tumblr.com/post/173564695/cats-and-polaroids-yes">outforever</a> of tumblr.</i><br /><br />I want 2010 to be a successful year. Wait - who doesn't? Instead of dwelling on the past and mistakes I've made and things I wish I had done, I'm going to attempt to keep a positive outlook on life and enjoy myself more. I'm entering my last semester as a junior, and next year will be my senior year... I want to make the most of my high school experience. After all, it's the only one I'll get! <br /><br />I dug up my New Years Resolutions from <b>last year</b>... I stayed pretty true to most of them:<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 1) Challenge myself to spend more time learning outside of school<br /> </font></font><br />In 2009, I finally learned how to use my Canon EOS 20D camera... I sat down with the manual and actually <i>learned</i> about all the settings. The camera has been a great blessing - photography is one of my favorite things, and I can't wait to keep on snapping photos in 2010! <br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 2) Think positive more often<br /> </font></font><br />This resolution is always a hard one... because it's easy to forget about when you're stressed and upset. I think I stayed pretty true to this last year. Everyone has their ups and downs, but I feel like for the most part, I stayed extremely level-headed and calm in the toughest of situations, and for that, I am proud of myself!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 3) Tap into my creative side more often<br /> </font></font><br />2009 was a great year in school for me, because I applied to and was admitted onto my school newspaper staff! We're a <a href="http://www.studentpress.org/nspa/winners/npm09.html">Pacemaker</a> winning paper, and I'm so lucky to be involved with such a great publication! My favorite part of the paper, besides the freedom to write fun, upbeat articles, is the layout and design aspect. Let's just say that Photoshop, InDesign and I are buddies! I had a lot of fun last semester as Assistant Lifestyles editor, laying out pages and exploring new and innovative design layouts for every issue. This upcoming semester, I'm taking on the Review editor position... I'm so excited!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 4) Be more grateful for everything around me<br /> </font></font><br />The summer of 2009 held an awesome opportunity for me. I got to travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and help with flood relief work with the national teen leadership group I am apart of. After seeing the damage the floods of Summer 2008 had on the Iowa community, and helping restore their neighborhoods by doing yard work and construction work, I realized how lucky I am to never have been affected by such a devastating tragedy in my own community. The people we worked with were so grateful for our help - we worked in a neighborhood where most of the homes had been abandoned after water had destroyed <i>everything</i>. I consider myself lucky to be so blessed where I live, and also grateful for the opportunity I had to touch the lives of other people.<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 5) Try to think before saying things out loud<br /> </font></font><br />Hmmm.... I can't really remember if I stuck with this resolution or not! All I know is that I didn't mess up big time this year, by saying something I shouldn't have... so I think I accomplished this goal!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 6) Work out more<br /> </font></font><br />Ha. Ha. Well, I have to say that even though I didn't work out all the time, I did get much use out of my electra townie bike, Baby Wasabi. Baby W and I have become great pals, and not even a flat tire can get in the way of our friendship! I love riding my bike, it's one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities I've ever done. It helps that Baby W is super cute and easy to ride :) Oh - and I felt very accomplished after I came home from backpacking in Colorado this summer and weighed myself - I had lost 15 pounds! My jeans have felt a little less snug, which is nice! I'm excited to tell you guys about my new exercise adventures in Zumba classes, which I took up this holiday break. Hopefully, I'll continue to work towards a healthier, more active lifestyle in 2010!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 7) Be more adventurous and take risks<br /> </font></font><br />I'm happy with the outcome of this resolution! I tried a lot of new things this year, and found that I loved most of them! I've learned to be more of a go-getter, and be self-sufficient. I also have become more social, branching out and becoming friends with people I would have never even considered talking to a year ago. The activities like newspaper and cabaret in San Francisco that I started in 2009 have led me to greater opportunities. Now I love the thrill of trying new things!<br /><br />That being out of the way... I've decided to stick to the idea of <i>obtainable goals</i>. Without further ado, my resolutions for 2010 are as follows:<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 1) Write in my new journal often<br /> </font></font><br />I've acquired a daily Moleskine planner, which I've decided to convert into a daily journal/inspiration book. I just started my first page! I'm so excited to see if I can keep up with writing every day... that's definitely going to be a challenge!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 2) Learn to cook<br /> </font></font><br />I'm going to college in a year and half (OMIGOSH!) so I better learn how to become a master chef like my dear mother! I'm obsessed with good food - the Barefoot Contessa, the fabulous Ms. Ina Garten, is my idol! I read her cookbooks religiously, but unfortunately the only food I am currently able to make includes toast, grilled cheese, and salad. I hopefully will pull a Julie Powell and blog about some of the creations I make this year with my mom... I can't wait to start making yummy food!<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 3) Enjoy working out (and work out more)<br /> </font></font><br />Very similar to last year's goal, I'm planning on keeping up the biking routine and using my gym membership more often. Going to the gym more will also give me a reason to buy myself cute workout clothes from Lululemon! You can never be too stylish when you work out (I think it makes the whole experience <i>way</i> more fun!)<br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="3"> 4) Have fun<br /> </font></font><br />Sounds simple, right? As I said at the beginning of this post, I'm coming upon my last years as a teenager. I definitely don't want those to go to waste.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2rxjrrk.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="6"> Hello 2010! </font></font><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-91702171182534976412010-01-01T00:36:00.000-08:002010-01-01T00:41:30.438-08:00happy new year!<center><br /><font face="georgia"><font size="5">"All good things are wild and free."</font><br /><font size="3">~ Henry David Thoreau</font></font><br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/2q9dvo6.png" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><i>My favorite Billabong ad of all time!</i><br /><br />Happy New Year! I believe 2010 is the start of a new beginning for all of us!<br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-56713263018607968032009-12-29T15:33:00.000-08:002009-12-29T15:43:56.338-08:00black coffee<center>If I had to pick two things that I loved, it'd be a tough challenge. But I'd have to say singing, for sure, and quite possibly hot beverages.. tea, coffee, hot cocoa, whatever floats your boat. <br /><br />We got the sweetest mugs for my dad for Christmas - kind of girly, but I think he likes them, considering he's abandoned our old, cracked ones and have used these for his drinks every morning!<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i48.tinypic.com/dy2n2c.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><i>Red Peace Mugs from <a href="http://www.sundancecatalog.com/PRODUCT/43103.html">Sundance</a></i><br /><br />I like my coffee with a little bit of sugar, and a little bit of half and half. Bitter is better!<br /><br />And on the coffee subject - here's a video of me singing the jazz standard <i>Black Coffee</i> at a recent music showcase at my school! <br /><br /><object width="400" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhqhLPBONQ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhqhLPBONQ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-23221888771110675372009-12-26T11:59:00.000-08:002009-12-28T12:46:47.240-08:00desktop delightful<center>My current desktop at the moment... there's something so appealing about opening up your laptop and seeing <i>this</i>.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/2q0je5l.png" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><b>What's on your desktop?</b><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-21294951933529880602009-12-26T10:50:00.000-08:002009-12-26T11:41:06.605-08:00the loot<center>It's always a little bit depressing once Christmas has come and gone. I hate taking down the tree and all the decorations... and the lack of holiday music through the house is always a bummer. <br /><br />But on a lighter note, how was your Christmas?! Mine was really nice, we had our family come over and spend the night. It's always nice to play a board game or two and take a nice walk around the neighborhood with people you only see three or four times a year. My mom made really yummy food, including this great persimmon salad with pomegranate seeds and kiwi! I wish I had gotten a photo... and for dessert, we had homemade apple crisp and tiny little cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. So cute! <br /><br />Anyway, here's what Santa brought me this year. I'm really excited about my new instant camera. I never realized how precious instant film is - holding a picture you just took, not just looking at it on a screen, is kind of a magical experience!<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2z7ic01.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br />From top left: Built NY laptop case, <i>Julie & Julia</i> dvd, <i>He's Just Not That Into You</i> dvd, Fujifilm Instax Mini camera and film, four Erin Bode cds, 1000 Journals Project book, Mothers & Daughters book, Mary Englebreit calendar<br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/p2j9k.png" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-85380685882813383292009-12-24T18:00:00.000-08:002009-12-25T09:27:06.124-08:00merry christmas!<center>Enjoy this lovely photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28338337@N03/4171019614/">Machel Spence</a> on Flicker! <br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/nn4b9k.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br />Thanks to everyone who has read my posts and followed this blog, I'm really looking forward to what it evolves into in the New Year! Merry Christmas, everyone!</center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1179800241299762030.post-21374454845636061642009-12-24T17:53:00.000-08:002009-12-24T17:55:17.773-08:00the good years<center>It's nice to occasionally reminisce... <br /><br /><a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2w4cwva.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a><br /><br /><i>Mommy and me, circa 1996</i><br /><br />Merry Christmas Eve!<br /><br /></center>LAURENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08356663976996134949noreply@blogger.com0