elledoubleyouu

boom boom pow.

2012-02-28T06:40:00.000-05:00

Just a little silly collage I did last week. Having some time off was perfect for getting to sit around and play with magazines and glue and stuff...it's been a while!

[from my art journal 2.21.12]

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.46

2012-02-26T18:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

This week was Boston Public School's February break, which means I got a (very welcome!) week off. The first half of the week I slept a ton, played with my new colored pencils, and did some grading. For the second half of the week, my mother was in town from Florida visiting me. We basically walked around, talked a lot, ate a lot (I took her to all the fun restaurants I can never go just by myself!) and did some shopping and apartment hunting. She spoiled me by buying me lots of yummy food and a new wireless keyboard (ahh the w's are back! hallelujah!!)

Now back to grading...

♥
LW

books: wuthering heights

2012-02-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

Oh, I just love a little bit of violently irrepressible, soul tearing love in the morning, don't you?

I would say I can't believe I've gone this far in my life without reading this novel, but in all honesty I'm grateful, because I don't think I would have loved it so desperately had I read it at any other point, even a year ago.

This novel is so perfectly Gothic, so flawlessly dark. It manages to be romantic even while being disturbing (I love when authors accomplish this!) The removed narration perhaps made it more acceptable for the readers of the time, but what I wouldn't give for an account of the final days of Heathcliff's life, when he's hallucinating Catherine, from his perspective! Yet it is the very fact that we do not get such descriptions that, in part, keeps this novel so freshly mysterious a century and a half later.

I was so intrigued that I think I'm going to focus on Wuthering Heights for the 15 page final paper I have to write for my Master's lit class (the reason I've been reading these classic novels every week!) I'm thinking something related to the vampiric elements of Heathcliff and the succubus-like parasitism of Heathcliff and Cathy's love. Right up my (literary) alley!

Some favorite quotes (added emphasis is mine):

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning or frost from fire."

“I cannot express it; but surely you and every body have a notion that there is, or should be, an existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation is I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and, if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger. I should not seem a part of it.”

“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees – my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath – a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff – he’s always, always in my mind – not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself – but, as my own being.”

“If he loved with all the powers of his puny being, he couldn’t love as much in eighty years, as I could in a day.”

"And I pray one prayer – I repeat it till my tongue stiffens – Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest, as long as I am living! You said I killed you – haunt me, then! The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe – I know that ghosts have wandered on earth.
Be with me always – take any form – drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2012-02-24T11:50:00.000-05:00

NOTE: It seems to have become a pattern that I can only manage a Friday Favorites post every other week (it turns out you actually have to have time to go on the internet in order to run across favorite things...who knew?!) so I've decided to just roll with it.

This lovely photo (found via the blog here comes the sun)

Katie of Skunkboy Creatures did this wonderful Mother/Daughters outfit post.

Airiz's awesome post on writing your characters.
.

my favorite recent tumblr find:

my favorite recent pinterest find:

» This adorable video on rockstar diaries of baby Eleanor's visit to the zoo.
» These super sweet "dear baby" posts from Katie's son Max to his future sister.
» Danielle's series of love stories posts over on Sometimes Sweet.
» NPR's article on one of my favorite topics to debate: books that should be made into movies.

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: missed connections

2012-02-21T11:56:00.001-05:00

Did you know there's an etsy shop where you can buy prints of artwork by Sophie Blackall, the artist behind Missed Connections?!
I want them all! I'm completely in love with the concept as well as the beautiful & dreamy paintings.

Go to her etsy shop to see more!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.45

2012-02-19T19:37:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
Although I didn't take a lot of photos, I actually had a really good week. Last Sunday I ventured over the bridge into Cambridge to do some lesson planning, and found a coffee shop that has gluten free pastries!!! For Valentine's day I wore red and brought in candy for my students. I took a lot of naps to fight this random cough I've managed to acquire. I finished Wuthering Heights (LOVED it! post coming soon) and felt like I implemented some successful lesson plans. This weekend I caught up on a lot of sleep, watched the second season of Sherlock, actually worked out a bit, and basked in the knowledge that I have the whole next week ahead of me free (thank you, Boston Public Schools, for this random February holiday!)

♥
LW

PS - my "w" key is still broken, and I am having an inner battle about how long I can keep copying & pasting "w"s before I cave and buy a new keyboard. Ugh.

valentine's day.

2012-02-14T07:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'll say it: I love Valentine's Day.
I don't care that it's a completely market created holiday that "forces" people to demonstrate their love for each other. I do care that it makes people feel sad and lonely, but if I had my way no one would. I think we should all be happy on Valentine's Day, whether we have "that special someone" or not (I don't this year, as usual!)

Seriously, people. Think about it: A holiday dedicated to the celebration of love (I'll celebrate the idea of love, the existence of love, even if I don't have it currently), and hearts, and pink things. It's a day on which giving a cute stuffed animal as a gift for an adult is completely acceptable (I still love stuffed animals). It's a day for happiness.

So...Happy Valentine's Day!!

♥
LW

possibility.

2012-02-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

[from my art journal 02.11.12]

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.44

2012-02-12T11:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
This week had some serious lows and some decent highs. I survived (and enjoyed!) my first full week of teaching. On Tuesday I took a break and had some Thai takeout with a friend. I continued to combat my exhaustion with caffeine. I'm reading Wuthering Heights for the first time for a class, and really enjoying it. I somehow broke my "w" key (I am currently typing "w"s through copy&paste...it is extremely annoying).

Also, having the self-imposed imperative to take a real picture everyday really helped my readiness for snapshot sunday, so I think I'm going to keep it as a continuous goal.

♥
LW

friday favorites 2.10

2012-02-10T06:31:00.000-05:00

These modern interpretations of Disney princesses are so excellent!

Kate shared 7 great tips to make your day better over at Wake Up, Lovely.

Andrew + Carissa post the most beautiful photos, and they have such a lovely family!

My dear friend Rory started a Tumblr devoted to Disney themed wedding inspiration boards!
(This Neverland board is my favorite so far)

I would absolutely love a dollhouse like Katie's someday. She's using it for shelving!

» A list of books that were really hard to write.
» Thursday shared this "I love your guts" banner DIY.
» I love finding new blogs that inspire me visually. Recent find: Kylie Noelle!!
» I'm SO excited for Busy Bee Lauren, who's having a baby!

♥
LW

Happy 200th, Charles Dickens!

2012-02-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

Today is Charles Dickens' 200th birthday!

[via Rischgitz/Getty Images]

I find this especially interesting and noteworthy because I'm going to be teaching Great Expectations to my ninth graders in a little under a month. So of course I had to share some of the cool Dickensian stuff I've seen around the web today:

I love the Dickens-themed Google homepage:

Did you know there was such a thing as "Dickens World"?!

A Letter to Charles Dickens on his 200th birthday

How cool is his signature?

[via Hulton Archive/Getty Images]

&
Some cool articles published today:
Dickens at 200: A Birthday You Can't Bah Humbug
A Tale of Two Centuries: Charles Dickens Turns 100
"Not to Put Too Fine a Point Upon It": How Dickens Helped Shape the Lexicon
Why do Dickens characters still resonate 200 years on?

Oh, I do love it when literature is in the forefront of the news!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.43

2012-02-05T20:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
This week I managed to nap and vitamin C my way out of the beginnings of a nasty cold. I rocked my first day of teaching and survived my second. I woke up early and drank lots of caffeine. I looked to the Ryan Gosling memes (and pictures of my puppy) for inspiration when things seemed hard. I spent time with friends over the weekend and enjoyed the rejuvenating effects of socialization. I made use of being apathetic to football in a city united in Super Bowl hopes by lesson planning while the rest of the world watched sports. And I did not make enough time to take pictures.

New goal for next week: take at least one picture (with my real camera!) every day.

♥
LW

be my nerdy valentine?

2012-02-01T06:11:00.000-05:00

It's officially February!
This means Valentine's Day is imminent, so I made some nerdy Valentines, just for you!

[Spock, Hamlet, & Han Solo]

[Dug & Carl from UP, and Sherlock & Watson from the BBC series]

[Peeta & Katniss from The Hunger Games, then Will & Jem from The Infernal Devices series...twice]

(inspired by these amazingly cute Valentines on tumblr.)

If you see one (or a few) that you really like, you can print it out and give it to a special someone. And let me know, because that would make me very happy. :)

nerdtastically yours,

♥
LW

words of encouragement.

2012-01-30T15:06:00.000-05:00

via flickr

For you, and for me. Let's own this week.

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.42

2012-01-29T16:46:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
Completing my second week of student teaching.
Getting used to waking up at 5:45 every day (with the help of caffeine!)
Playing words with friends on my morning bus rise.
Having a lovely girls dinner at a Japanese restaurant on Friday.
Having the best Saturday tutoring session, while wearing my yellow cardigan.
Spending a chill and classy Saturday night listening to an awesome Haitian-inspired jazz band.
Reading & drinking tea...as always.
Going for a run/walk & discovering lovely places in nearby neighborhoods.

What did your week look like?

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: ingrid's art

2012-01-28T12:07:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I've done an etsy spotlight post, so I thought it was about time for another one. And I have some lovely art for you!

I'm head over heels for these beautiful abstract paintings. The lines! The colors! There are so many gorgeous paintings in Ingrid's etsy shop that I had difficulty choosing for this post.

See more from Ingrid Padilla!
etsy shop
facebook page
flickr

♥
LW

friday favorites 1.27

2012-01-27T06:31:00.000-05:00

I find this both hilarious and adorable.

what a beautiful photo. I can't wait to see more from Amanda's summer photoshoot!

I want one of these!

I'm a big fan of the look & message of this image from Kelli Murray's blog. (She's also gorgeous!)

» A tumblr dedicated to Ryan Gosling "hey girl" memes...for teachers! Totally relevant.
» You should definitely check out these gorgeous photographs by Tom Barbee (I couldn't choose just one!)
» Cait's post on poetry rhyme schemes makes me warm & fuzzy because I'm not the only lit nerd in the blogosphere! ♥

♥
LW

books: matched & crossed.

2012-01-24T06:35:00.000-05:00

(more of my winter break reading)

I wasn't expecting to like these books as much as I did. I mostly decided to read them to see what all the hype was about, a kind of research into current YA trends and things my future high school students might enjoy. I was honestly expecting them to be a little too cliche and Hunger Games-esque. But I was wrong. I loved them!

Reasons why I like these books:

The writing. It's good. Ally Condie has some moments where she does really beautiful things with language, especially in the descriptions of feelings and sensory details. I loved it.

Ally Condie is a former high school English teacher. Obviously this makes me love her.

The plot. It's an interesting mix between novels like Brave New World, 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, far more classically dystopian than The Hunger Games, but with a twist. It kept me interested.

The emphasis on how precious words & poetry are. I love anything that reminds us as a society and a race (the race of humanity) to hold onto our art.

It's a love triangle that, for once, I didn't find horribly painful. I felt zero pain about choosing to root for Ky over Xander. Ky is also an unequivocal hottie. I like intelligent badasses.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.41

2012-01-22T19:48:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
completing my first week of student teaching.
...which meant waking up at 5:45 everyday & dressing like a grown up. Quite the adjustment.
experiencing Boston's first real snow of the year (I thought it was magical and odd).
receiving my new mousepad I made on PostalPix with a scan of my art. LOVE it.
keeping up with one of my goals by making time to play with my new pens.

What did your week look like?

♥
LW

ps- follow me on instagram for more pictures throughout the week: _elledoubleyouu

friday favorites 1.20

2012-01-20T07:37:00.000-05:00

Kitsune-kun's lovely photos, with the coolest train setting

I love this beautiful picture of Katie. Snow is pretty magical.

I admit I'm kind of jealous of these awesome Beauty & the Beast costumes Annie and her friends made.

these clever ads from the Milwaukee public library (found on tumblr)

» The Art of the Modern Movie trailer via NPR
» These adorable vintage valentine freebies from Scathingly Brilliant.
» Megan's conversations with her Irish boyfriend made me laugh out loud.
» My egocentric 14-year-old self is coming through time screaming at me to buy this Atlas Shrugged shirt.

♥
LW

the magic of literature.

2012-01-18T11:33:00.005-05:00

Last night I was reading my textbook for my English Methods class, excited to be delving into an entire text devoted to teaching me how to be a great English teacher. The assigned reading for our first class was called “Responding to English,” and in the first few pages a very serious and disturbing issue emerged. When I have previously encountered this issue I always tried to hide from it, but I now has realize I can no longer do that because, because I will almost certainly face such questions and criticisms in my future profession.

The issue I am talking about is a particular mindset that can lead a person to legitimately and not at all rhetorically ask: Why we should teach literature in English classes? This opinion holds the view that literature has become an obsolete and nonessential commodity in our current society, one that is not properly preparing our students for the high tech world they will navigate as adults. Last night as I read these few paragraphs, filled with quotations and parenthetical citations verifying that actual people have posed such questions and assertions, I felt my heart beating faster in indignation. I wanted to reach through the page and contact these naysayers. I wanted to shake them. I wanted to retort. So here is my response.

Why should we teach literature to students? In three words, my answer is: Literature is magic. Literature circumvents the clause in the contract of our existence that says we as human beings can live only one life. In literature we can live many lives, can have experiences we never would otherwise, can fall in and out of love over and over again, and can experience the very moment of death, only to get back up and do it all again the next time we open a book. In literature we can defy the laws of nature: we can converse with the dead, we can get inside the minds of our greatest idols and our darkest enemies, we can change the color of our skin and the content of our memories, if only for a short time. At its heart, the act of reading is itself a special kind of magic, one that we as humans have mastered without realizing that doing so makes us master magicians. Our magical brains transform dark shapes on a page, meaningless in themselves, turning them into significant ideas and feelings. We, as the readers, are the ones who perform this magic spell. Words are the magical way in which humans connect with each other, and learning about literature teaches us the broadest imaginable extent of that magic’s potential.

The magic of literature extends far beyond the simple decoding of signifying symbols on a page. Literature lives and breathes, because we give it life and breath. With every new experience we encounter through literature, some of that knowledge and spark of life stays with us, becomes absorbed into the very fiber of our beings and changes us in such a way that we are never the same. Not everyone has this kind of experience with literature, of course, which is why critics exist who can question its educational validity with any kind of efficacy. Yet this is counterintuitive, as the reason not everyone has experienced the full magical potential of literature is because it has to be taught. It is teachers (those both in classrooms and outside of them) who guide us to hone the skills that let us first recognize this magic, then absorb and keep it. To grasp every bit of the significance and possible knowledge in a piece of literature, to find and capture all of the magic hidden within and beneath it, we must be taught how to look for it and how to hold on when we find it. In the right hands, literature can be instructive: it can invest its readers with a foundational sense of grammar, a moral compass, a deeper intuition and understanding of individual people’s motivations, a concept of the bigger picture of the world and its cultures, but only if a teacher is there to properly wield it.

I say we should teach literature to students in English classes because as human beings we can’t afford not to. In a world of constantly changing technology that takes up ever increasing amounts of our time and energy, we must ensure that youth at least receive exposure to literature in school. It is our duty to make sure they are offered access to that magic.

♥
LW

goals for 2012.

2012-01-17T17:26:00.000-05:00

I know at this point I'm more than a bit late on this, but the year is still young! I really enjoyed stumbling upon my goals from 2011 and using them to look back on the year, so I decided to make another list. I put a lot of thought into it, which is why it took me so long to finish. So, here are my top 10 big goals for 2012:

#10
Write creatively (something, anything) every day.
Okay, so I've already broken this one, but I think wording it this way sounds better and will be more motivating than making it a goal to "write as many days as you can but don't beat yourself up for the days you can't." Which leads me to...

#9
Be gentle with myself.
I am my own harshest critic and my own worst enemy. So this year I'm going to try to remember to be gentle with myself, even when I make a mistake or don't follow through with something (like goal #10)

#8
Invest in my own health.
This means getting back into the habit of going to yoga every week. And going to the gym more often. And buying vegetables at the grocery store (green ones, not just carrots!)

#7
Live moderately.
This means I want to find a balance in everything I do. I want to try to stop living a life of high highs and low lows with little in between. I want to take life and myself seriously, but not too seriously. I want to have fun, and live passionately, and strive for success, but all in moderation.

#6
Try new things.
I have a tendency to get in ruts of habit, so this will be good to remember. This includes food, since I really just eat the same few things all the time.

#5
Be on time.
I have a terrible habit of being just a few minutes late, or always finding myself running out the door at the last possible second. I want to change this. Plan ahead, time myself well.

#4
Make something every week.
Some weeks I let everything else out there get in the way of my creative productivity. So I'm going to use this goal as an impetus to make something at least once a week, even if it's just a quick sketch in my art journal.

#3
Stop & smell the roses.
I mean this in a metaphorical sense (although I suppose it could occasionally be literal). I feel like too often I get caught up in the mindset of just "getting through" each day in order to get on to the next. I want to be mindful of taking time to embrace the little things as they come.

#2
Get a job.
Okay, so I know this isn't as conducive to my creative and inner growth as the others, but it seriously needs to happen this year after I graduate.

#1
Keep an open mind and an open heart.
I've found that only true way to live and find happiness is this way, open.

♥
LW

my winter break via instagram.

2012-01-16T12:45:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick look back on my three week break in Florida, as captured by my iPhone. It was a lovely, relaxing time of reuniting with much missed friends, reading, best friend shenanigans, lots of eating, and puppy loving.

ps- You can follow me on instagram! My username is _elledoubleyouu.
I also sometimes post instagram photos on twitter.

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.40

2012-01-15T17:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
returning to Gainesville to spend time with more lovely friends
cherishing the last of my puppy time
flying back to Boston and settling back into my apartment
wearing my new boots all the time (love love them)
experiencing my first real day of cold (high of 21!)
reading as much YA as possible before school starts back
getting ready for my first day of student teaching on Tuesday

♥
LW

my little blog's first birthday.

2012-01-14T16:21:00.000-05:00

This blog is now officially one year old!
(It was technically January 11th and I accidentally missed it, but let's pretend it's today, okay?)
In celebration I threw together a silly hat and took pictures in it.

Over this past year blogging has become a creative outlet for me, a daily activity that I have truly enjoyed and that I definitely plan on continuing. I have come to think of this blog kind of like a digital scrapbook or inspiration journal, with the added bonus that I get to connect with sweet people from across the internet!

I had some fun looking back at how this blog has evolved so many times in just one year. It's fun to see how it's changed but some things have stayed the same. Here are the banners I used this year, in order:

my favorite posts from the year:
unicorns, oh my!
inspiration: books!
europe: paris!
nothing except the impossible shall occur.
this I know is true
getting to know you
breathless.
hopeful romantic
on self portraiture.
love letter to boston.
curiouser & curiouser
21 from 21.
who I am at 22.
+
snapshot sundays & where my feet have been

Looking forward to another year of creativity and blogging fun!

♥
LW

friday favorites 1.13

2012-01-13T15:30:00.002-05:00

This is a combined Friday Favorites from the past two weeks. Now that I'm back in Boston and no longer in vacation mode with my family, I promise that blogging will return to normal! :)

Sophie shared this wonderful little video. Dancing books!

Katie's picture of her embroidery (made by Shana.) I love the inspiring message.

I'm pretty much always a fan of cool long exposure sparkler photos. This is from Maie Dae.

Zoe's pictures of her trip to the Canary Islands are gorgeous.

» 20 New Year's Resolutions for 20-somethings (thanks, Karen!)
» If Twilight were written by famous authors (I found the James Joyce one the funniest)
» NPR's top 5 book club picks of 2011.
» Regina Spektor is doing a benefit show in NYC in February! Ahh!

♥
LW

books: the marriage plot.

2012-01-12T18:23:00.001-05:00

First of all, let me state for the record that I count Jeffrey Eugenides as one of my favorite authors. Ever since reading his novel Middlesex, it has remained on my list of all time favorite books. When I heard that he was coming out with a new novel this year, I immediately knew it would be part of my winter break reading. He only publishes new works about once every ten years (first The Virgin Suicides, then Middlesex, and now The Marriage Plot), so I think it's fair to say this was a big deal. I admit to having a bit of a nerdtastic happy spaz moment.

Now on to The Marriage Plot. I had heard this novel did not live up to the expectations set by his two previous, and I have to say I agree overall. It will not be joining my list of all-time favorites. However, I did find it a worthwhile read. I think a large part of the enjoyment I derived from this book was my intellectual nerdy side, which liked all the literary references and quotations. At times it kind of felt like a critical literary essay woven in a fictional setting, or like sitting in an actual academic discussion, especially in the first hundred pages or so. I felt like this novel did not seem to have a strong a direction, in terms of plot, as Middlesex or The Virgin Suicides. I often felt like Eugenides was just having a ball inviting us to nerd it up with him. And I accepted.

The novel follows three characters as they enter their post-collegiate lives in the 1980s: Madeleine, Mitchell, and Leonard. Mitchell loves Madeleine, but Madeleine loves Leonard, who spends his college graduation in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. While Mitchell travels to Europe and India after graduation in search of religious enlightenment (and distance from his love for Madeleine) Madeleine and Leonard try to keep their relationship together while fighting his manic depression. The novel follows each of the characters in turn, with Leonard having the shortest but (I thought) most poignant and intriguing section of the novel.

Overall, I thought Eugenides explored the issue of the modern novel's connection to the Victiorian tradition of the marriage plot in a beautifully written manner through complex characters whose minds I liked seeing into.

Here's a fascinating interview with Eugenides from the NPR website, which if you're interested you should absolutely read. It sheds far more light on this novel then I have or can.

Have you read it? What did you think?

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.39

2012-01-08T20:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in photos.

my week:
going to my favorite restaurant in Gainesville with some of my favorite people
returning to Orlando for some hardcore r&r&r (rest, reading, & relaxation!)
finishing The Marriage Plot and moving on to the new Cassandra Clare series
hanging out as much as possible with my puppies (who can be very difficult to photograph)
doing some shopping in preparation for Boston winter and my student teaching

♥
LW

books: the scorpio races.

2012-01-04T21:55:00.001-05:00

Horses. Magic. Light feminism. Sexual tension. Competition. Family. True love.

I absolutely loved Scorpio Races, especially once I got past some initial confusion about the terminology (I’ll give you a step up: capaill uisce is plural and capall uisce is singular, and the pronunciations are roughly “capple ishka” or "copple ooshka").

I came into this book with very little background information, knowing nothing about the water horse myth (Stiefvater's notes at the end say she made it her own anyway, so this didn't matter). I wasn't sure if the island of Thisby was even a real place (I still don't), and I didn't care. I completely believed this world, and every character in it.

One of the elements of Maggie Steifvater’s mastery is her ability to capture such distinctly different voices. Puck feels absolutely real, flawed and three-dimensional. She is young and stubborn, loyal and brave, and a little bit immature. The reader gets to watch as she grows and develops through the course of the novel. Sean is quiet, which is something Stiefvater captures even while letting us hear his voice. Sean feels less real to me, but I don’t think he was meant to be realistic so much as beautiful. I love Sean Kendrick in a way I haven’t fallen in love with a fictional character in a while, and it’s a wonderful feeling.

I found myself staying up until crazy hours in the middle of the night reading this book, my heart racing. I love when a book combines exciting action with believable character development, and this book does just that.

On her website, Maggie says she feels Scorpio Races is the best thing she's written so far, and I'm inclined to agree (though as previously posted I am an avid fan of her other works as well).

Final conclusion: five stars. Read it!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.38

2012-01-01T17:07:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in photos.

This week I spent in Gainesville for my fraternity's regional conference. This meant I have been reunited with my best friend!! I also got to see other great friends I've missed these past few months, and dress up for the end of conference banquet (I wore red lipstick!). Then I celebrated New Year's Eve with some lovely (and silly) friends, playing Never Have I Ever and Taboo, eating way too many cheddar & sour cream chips, and laughing so much it felt like an ab workout.

♥
LW

looking back on 2011.

2011-12-31T15:31:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was looking through the archives on my tumblr (because it's just a big collection of pretty things that make me happy) and I stumbled across a post with a list I called "11 goals for 2011."

I had completely forgotten about this list for almost a year, but I thought it would be interesting to look at it anyway and see how well I did.

11 goals for 2011

Finish a story.
Well, I didn't quite succeed in this one, but I'll keep on trying. Perhaps my childhood dreams of being a writer will come to fruition yet! If only I can manage to finish the stories I start writing...

Find happiness in every possible moment.
This is such a big goal. It's a continuous effort that I will probably need to work on for the rest of my life. I hope to never stop striving for it.

Keep loving the people I love.
This one I succeeded in. I've kept the friends I love close, despite the physical distance.

Find new people to love.
Honestly, being back in Gainesville this past week has really showed me just how far I have to go to reach the sense of belonging and the security of friendship I built in my three years here. But I have hope for Boston and the budding friendships I have acquired, as well as those that will come in the future.

Create more art.
Check!

Keep patiently growing out my hair.
Except for a couple of small trims and some layers, I have done this. As evidenced by my hair straightening adventure, my hair has gotten longer, though often when it's curly you just can't tell. I'll hold onto my wish for long curly hair nonetheless.

Make time to read for pleasure.
Summer and winter break were (as usual) my main times to indulge in fun reading just for me. I will always make sure to make a place for reading in my life.

Make a home in a new place.
Check! Whether I've found my social niche in Boston yet, the city and my little apartment truly have come to be "home."

Find adventures.
Adventures of 2011: Traveling to Europe. My first whirlwind (The Great Almost). Moving to Boston. Starting my Master's degree. The Run-in with Ryan Reynolds (and other Boston shenaniganery).

Start my adult life boldly.
I have tried to do this. I have tried to jump headfirst into this new life and my new roles. I'd like to think I have succeeded.

Never stop being daring.
To be continued. I must always remember who I am and never let outside forces or insecurities make me anything less than my very own extraordinary, daring self.

I'll be back in a few days with a new list of goals for 2012. Do you have any big goals for the new year?

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-12-30T16:28:00.000-05:00

my favorites. I would really like them to just make babies or something!

I admit to being a tad jealous of Sophie's awesome summer fort.

could Elsie and Emma be any cuter?! seriously.

I've been loving all of Elizabeth's wedding pictures she's posted this week.

» Danielle Hampton's article on HelloGiggles about being a high school English teacher.
» Forever Young Adult's top ten reads of 2011 (I'm going to need to look into some of these!)

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.37

2011-12-25T17:20:00.000-05:00

Even though we're far from traditional, I love my family's little holiday traditions.
Like the way every year my mom and I drag our feet about decorating the tree and only get around to doing it on Christmas Eve. And the yearly dinner with my pseudo-grandparents (sometimes extended family is the best family, no?)

Being home this week has been nice and relaxing (though hot! 80 degrees in December is bad even for Florida!)
I've done lots of sleeping and cuddling with my puppies, and I have a pile of books I plan to read before I fly back to Boston the second week of January.
As an early Christmas present, I got my grades back for the semester (& they're good! Yay!)

Merry Christmas (& Happy Hanukah) to you!

♥
LW

ps- I'm extending the giveaway until the New Year!

getting into the spirit.

2011-12-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

...who says garland isn't for wearing?!

Happy Holidays!

♥
LW

friday favorites: christmas edition.

2011-12-23T13:57:00.000-05:00

There have been so many fun and lovely Christmas themed posts around the internet & blog world lately that this Friday Favorites barely scratches the surface! However, here are some of my choice gems.

Amy's Christmas bokeh pictures.

Becka's 10 Inspiring Christmasy things.

Glee Christmas! (photo via @CoryMonteith on twitter)

Miss Eleanor (arguably the cutest baby out there) and her adorably sad Santa faces.

Glimpses of Erin's beautiful Christmas decorations.

» A librarian's list of favorite Christmas books!
» Jada's Christmas music mix.
» Adorable Christmas Pets on Hello Giggles.
» A hilarious article on Rookie magazine about how Christmas is creepy.

♥
LW

ps- you can still enter my first ever giveaway!

I'll cover you.

2011-12-19T19:09:00.001-05:00

So, remember how a few months ago I posted Gotye's song "somebody that I used to know"? (It's okay if you don't).
Well, Ingrid Michaelson recorded an amazing cover of it!!

No more words are necessary:

♥
LW

ps- have you entered the giveaway yet?!

snapshot sunday v.36

2011-12-18T00:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
puffing out my hair prior to straightening it
having a wonderful time at my cohort's little holiday party
caffeinating while traversing the end of finals
printing some more business cards to send out with art prints
leaving a little inspirational note for someone to find in the library
making lots of to do lists to organize my life
finally getting to cross everything off my finals to do list

Today I'm flying to Florida, where I will be spending three weeks with family & friends. I will still be blogging from FL, and probably posting lots of pictures of my puppies and friends I haven't seen in a while.

♥
LW

ps- have you entered the giveaway?! do it! :)

50 followers = giveaway!

2011-12-17T17:47:00.000-05:00

Well, as of yesterday my little blog has 50 followers! 50 seems like a lot to me, especially since I vividly remember the months of having 6 or 9 followers and feeling really special and happy about it. So 50 seems crazy!

Anyway, I wanted to thank you (yes you, there in front of the computer screen!)
So, in celebration of 50 followers, I'm going to do my first ever giveaway!

I'm giving away an original elledoubleyouu art. collage coaster! And possibly some extra little surprises ;)

Leave a comment to enter. You must be a follower on Google Friend Connect to win :)

For extra entries:
follow via twitter (@_elledoubleyouu)
follow via bloglovin'

I will accept entries until Christmas and announce a winner on the 26th.

Good luck! And once again, thank you so very much.

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-12-16T13:14:00.000-05:00

"Mean Disney Girls." Brilliant. I'm also pretty impressed by the editing.

Lovely book-inspired embroidery from 365 Lucky Days.

I've seen them before, but I recently enjoyed stumbling back upon these Missed Connections illustrations.

(as usual) I kind of wish I had zillions of dollars so I could buy these ModCloth dresses.

» A hilarious website for Star Wars fans: Death Star PR!
» Annie's Muppets hats! Soooo cute!
» Becka had me sold on this post from the moment I read the title: The Epidemic of Perfection
» Anything written by Joss Whedon is automatically a win in my book.

♥
LW

operation: straight hair.

2011-12-14T13:42:00.000-05:00

So, here's the thing: I'm a curly girl. I've had naturally curly hair my whole life and I love it. I feel like it's part of who I am. I've only straightened my hair a handful of times in my entire life, mostly because I just love my curly hair but also because it's kind of a pain and doesn't last long if there is any humidity at all.

In recent years I just haven't had the inclination to straighten my hair. I was in Florida surrounded by crazy humidity and I also don't own a blowdryer or straightener. So when my teaching cohort had a holiday party and chose the theme of dressing like someone else in the cohort, I figured it was the perfect time to try out the straight hair (I dressed as my friend Emily and we used her roommate's flat iron).

In preparing for this, I realized the last time I straightened my hair was 4 1/2 years ago. 4 1/2 years!! Which is why this is a big enough deal to deserve a whole blog post (thanks for indulging me).

Here are the results. The before picture is what my hair looked like in the prep stage, when I'd continuously brushed it while it dried to keep it from spiraling.

What do you think!? I still can't believe how long it is straight! I may be incorporating some more straight hair days in the future. It could be fun to mix things up. Even if I am a curly girl at heart.

♥
LW

today & forever

2011-12-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

Oh goodness do I love Matthew Kavan Brooks. See his other stuff on Society 6!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.35

2011-12-11T18:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
having debatably too much fun with my new phone's instagram update
continuously: reading, writing, tea (rinse & repeat)
playing with garland (who says you can't wear it?!)
taking an afternoon off to sit outside & chat with lovely friends
enjoying good hair days courtesy of the colder weather
waking up with a swollen eye & actually having to wear my glasses in public

Well...back to writing my endless papers. I hope your weekend was more eventful than mine!

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: monsters etc.

2011-12-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

It's been far too long since I've done an etsy spotlight! I'm going to make an effort to get back into regular spotlight posts.

To start, I present to you the adorableness of Monsters Etc.

(The little boy in the panda suit is my favorite!)

See more:
etsy shop
facebook page

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-12-09T17:55:00.001-05:00

These beautiful double-exposed photographs.

LOVE these wedding photos from Jessica, aka Strawberry Moth. Her dress is fantastic.

This pretty photo on tumblr.

I'm so excited that Blair is doing 12 Days of Gluten Free Christmas over on A Case of the Mundays :)

» I'm so thankful Meg shared this list. Who doesn't need to make life a little easier?!
» I may try & make a gluten free version of these gingerbread cupcakes for a party next week. :)
» A friend sent me to The Art of Manliness website, and I have to say I find it quite amusing & enjoyable.

♥
LW

grad student lifestyle: finals

2011-12-06T13:36:00.001-05:00

There might be a lack of posts for the next week or so, because (as I've mentioned a few times recently) I am in the midst of a lovely little part of academia that comes twice a year: finals. For me this means 4 big papers, 1 extensive unit plan, and a lesson plan, all due within the next week.

In case you're in the midst of finals too, here is my brief list of the finals essentials.

#1 CAFFEINE
Obviously this is a must. I personally prefer mine in the form of hot tea. It's relaxing, delicious, and caffeinated all at once. I've also recently been experimenting with different flavors in Starbucks chai lattes, which definitely makes the little sugar fiend inside of me happy :)

#2 STUDY SPOTS
I find it helpful to have a few places I can move between, so I'm not always in the same place. Currently I rotate between my favorite table on the third floor of the library, the basement library in the school of education, a nearby coffee shop, and my favorite bookstore/cafe for longer sessions.

#3 MUSIC
I can't seem to focus on studying and writing papers without my headphones in and a constant stream of Pandora or a study playlist going, drowning out the rest of the world. Music seems to allow me to zero in on work while keeping the second distractable level of my brain busy.

#4 FLASH DRIVE
Even if you aren't constantly going back and forth between a laptop and desktop like I am, backing up all your work is absolutely crucial. Lately I've actually been tempted to start wearing my flash drive as a necklace so I always have it near me (this may legitimately happen by the end of this week).

#5 TO DO LISTS
And, finally, I don't know how I could have stayed organized lately without keeping written lists of what I need to do each day, and when everything is due. I also like the feeling of getting to cross things off, especially when I make it fun by using pretty colors.

Do you have any special finals survival tips? Please share!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.34

2011-12-04T17:50:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
adding some cheap & handmade holiday decorations to my little home
seemingly endless paper writing & reading
exploring the magical land of Paper Source
having some crafty time & making little holiday gifts
strolling through the North End checking out holiday decorations
after years of thinking about it, finally purchasing some Teavana tea. yum!
spontaneously redesigning the blog on Saturday night (what do you think?!)

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-12-03T11:45:00.003-05:00

So here are my Friday Favorites...on Saturday. Oops!

I just discovered his & hers, a couple's beautiful photography blog & flickr!

I've had the holiday decorating bug lately. LOVE Rachel's Christmas diorama.

I had almost forgotten my mom used to make this, until I saw it this week on Kaelah's blog (original recipe here). Can you say: Christmas baking goal?

Annika got the cutest new puppy! (All together, now: AWWWW!)

» This song from Hue & Hum's Christmas album. Caitlin's voice is hauntingly beautiful.
» I'm dying over this little owl felt brooch on etsy! Want.
» Have you seen these haiku traffic signs in NYC!?

♥
LW

where my feet have been v.5

2011-11-30T15:09:00.003-05:00

It's the end of November, which means a "where my feet have been" post!

where my feet have been:
hanging out on my bed in my prettiest socks. studying at the union. walking to/from class. observing in a high school. on the stairs in my building. chilling on a brick median. sporting red tights. in the English department building talking to professors. crunching those fallen leaves.

My pretty yellow flats are getting a hole in one of the toes! I'm so sad!! I might just sew them up and hope nobody notices!

see the other "where my feet have been" posts!

♥
LW

all or nothing.

2011-11-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

This song came on my Pandora station today and the lyrics just spoke to me (the way things do sometimes, you know?) So of course I had to share. Listen. Read. Love.

Everywhere is somewhere, baby,
So can't you see
we're in the middle of Somewhere.

Nowhere just means knowing nothing,
of where you've been
or where you're going,
feels farther.

You're a sight to see this early morning
getting lost in my own neighborhood.

The same freedom you feel
Is what's been blowing in my sail
Since I arrived here.

It's all, all, all, all,
It's all, all, all, all,
It's all, all, or nothing.

Slowly coming into view,
The images are slowly,

Finding out for once
I know there's less to life,
What's more is looking for me.

Saying yes instead of no,
not wondering what
might come my direction.

Won't be long,
best just to gaze and daze
and fall to dream
something familiar.

It's all, all, all, all,
It's all, all, all, all,
It's all, all, or nothing.

[lyrics from lyrics mania]

♥
LW

the best gift ever.

2011-11-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

I think handmade gifts are the most thoughtful and special kind of gifts. And one of the greatest handmade gifts? Pretty artwork!

I'll be shutting down my shop on December 16th and it will stay closed until January.
So, if you'd like a custom piece of artwork for a loved one (or yourself) now is the time to put in the order!

(For a good idea of what kind of work I do, you can look at my portfolio page.)

visit my etsy shop now
or
if you are interested in a custom piece, email me!

♥
LW

a little happy list.

2011-11-28T12:52:00.000-05:00

the way string lights make everything look magical

leaves so vibrant they look like flames

"Bones" finally being back for its new season!

feeling inspired by my work for school

treating myself to a flavored chai latte from Starbucks

my Florence + the Machine, Adele, & Joshua Radin Pandora station.

wednesday night post-class dinners with classmates

warm socks

I think that the times when it's hardest to come up with a list of happy things (for whatever reason) are exactly the times when we most need to. So, what's on your happy list right now?

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.33

2011-11-27T20:51:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
making roses out of foil tape (so fun & pretty!)
baking cupcakes on a whim at midnight (not pictured...but tasty!)
doing lots of reading & paper writing
venturing outside my apartment to change study scenery
loving pretty lights up in the "neighborhood"
(obviously!) not taking many pictures

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-11-25T12:28:00.000-05:00

I'm a few weeks late in stumbling across this post, but holy wow is Kaelah's loft amazing!

Naomi's grateful lists on Rockstar Diaries.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of photos from Elsie & Jeremy's wedding. They just look so in love!

I want to make Elizabeth's red hot apple cider (and apple cups!) ASAP.

» Kaylah shared 3 great tips for staying motivated while working at home.
» The Art of Breathing at I Wrote This For You. He speaks my language.
» Someday I would love to try this chalkboard wineglass DIY

♥
LW

happy thanksgiving.

2011-11-24T15:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Confession: I'm foregoing Thanksgiving this year for the first time ever. I will be spending the day alone in my apartment with piles of books and classwork (with healthy doses of Netflix and laundry added in). I have to admit it's a little weird not being home with my family. However, I'll be in Florida in less than a month with three weeks of quality time and Christmas food and it will be so much better because (unlike today) I won't have zillions of final papers with iminent due dates hanging over my head.

I hope you're having a wonderful day (however you choose to spend it)!

♥
LW

[image via etsy]

the maze.

2011-11-21T12:17:00.000-05:00

This. This reached out from the computer screen to hit me in the face. Because it's true, and so important to remember. Whatever it is, whyever it is, your personal maze is not forever. The dark tunnel is not infinite. And that light at the end, that moment of freer breath when you emerge from the labyrinth, is what victory really means. You deserve that victory, and it will be yours, soon.

♥
LW

[image by blazingdynamite on flickr]

snapshot sunday v.32

2011-11-20T19:02:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures.

my week:
braving the crazy Boston wind
wearing lots of scarves (because I can)
having a girls' night at a local mexican restaurant
loving the magical lights in Quincy Market
writing multiple papers at once
spending Sunday writing at my fave bookstore/cafe
eating a delicious apple/brie omelette at said place

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-11-18T15:34:00.000-05:00

Here are some of my favorite things from around the internet this week (and a few from last week, since my birthday superseded a FF post last Friday):

Artwork from The Bazaarium shared by Zoe at Pretty Zoo. So weird & wonderful!

So glad Lauren drew my attention to this beautiful Vintage Loves post.

The wonderful Amelie blog party on Paper Sparrow, especially this post on vintage photobooths.

I'm definitely taking inspiration from Tieka's favorite winter outfits post!

» Lilac & Lace came up with Disney inspired cocktails! Adorable.
» Did you know there's an entire tumblr devoted to pictures of awesome people reading?!
» An interesting story on NPR about the evolution of wolves into man's best friend.

♥
LW

falling in love at a coffee shop.

2011-11-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it. I still sometimes, secretly, think & hope that I will fall in love at a coffee shop someday. I will be drinking a chai tea and reading a book, probably with my laptop open, and he will somewhat shyly but determinedly come up and ask to sit down. He will be just a little scruffy and he will have a book too, and we will make eye contact and somehow a conversation will start. And that will be that.

& I figure it would sound something like this Landon Pigg song:

♥
LW

[image via etsy]

for the love of dog

2011-11-16T11:12:00.002-05:00

[from my 2008-2009 art journal]

Wasn't it Charlie Brown who said happiness is a warm puppy? I would definitely have to agree. I honestly can't think of many things that are happier than dogs. I like cats, but when it comes down to it I really am a dog person at heart.

♥
LW

celebrating 22.

2011-11-14T13:34:00.000-05:00

(My sweet Korean friend told me that in Korea 11/11 is Pepero, and they celebrate by giving each other Pocky, because the sticks look like 1's. Isn't that neat?!)

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday. My best friend came into town, and we ate sushi and got dressed up and then went and met people at a local bar. I wore a unicorn pin half the night and enjoyed just having a chill night with friends. There were other people in attendance who didn't make it into these pictures, mostly because once everyone showed up we were talking and having fun and I just forgot to take any!

I also got two of the best gifts of all time from my two very bestest friends:

I think I'm going to like being 22.

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.31

2011-11-13T12:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

I spent most of this week reading & studying (& not taking any pictures.) After Thursday morning I found myself on the other side of the tunnel of schoolwork, so I indulged in a little birthday shopping trip. Friday (my birthday) was a long wonderful day during which I treated myself to Starbucks (pumpkin chai...I'm telling you, do it!) and wandered around the neighborhood snapping photographs of the beautiful Fall leaves. Then my best friend came and we celebrated my birthday (I will post pictures tomorrow!) Saturday night I had a lovely relaxing evening to myself watching Hulu and Netflix and painting. Overall, it was a very satisfying week.

♥
LW

who I am at 22.

2011-11-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

Today I am 22.

I have made the big move, the life change I have been planning for as long as I can remember, and moved to Boston (where no one knew my name) to start my Master's program. I have every intention of making a home and a life here.

One of my favorite things is my daily hot tea with honey (which I drink from one of the black & white mugs from my newly started collection). I am a lover of Saturdays, with their sense of endless possibility. I frequently make friends with pretty dogs I meet on the street (not as much with their owners.) I have gotten into the habit of leaning my head back to look up at the leaves when I walk underneath trees. I sometimes let myself close my eyes and feel beautiful breezes, not caring who might see me do it.

I've started going to a yoga class once a week, and it has become a stabilizing force in my life in a way I never would have expected. It has also led me to make more of an effort to take care of myself, something I let fall by the wayside far too often. I now put effort into doing little healthy things, like making a point to climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator and buying vegetables at the grocery store.

The beauty of the world takes my breath away sometimes: the glimpses of beauty in humanity, the beauty of art (in all its forms) and the endless beauty of words & literature. But I still haven't fully rid myself of the shadows that creep in sometimes, and I still haven't learned how to stop them from winning every now and then.

After 22 years and a couple of almosts (maybe even one Great Almost), I still believe in love with all of my metaphorical and anatomical heart.

And, despite all forces that would argue against it, I still believe that everything happens for a reason. Even the bad things, even the painful ones. I believe there is a balance to this crazy universe of ours and that every path we stumble onto is exactly the one we were meant to tread, even if we have to walk a long distance before realizing why.

♥
LW

[idea inspired by Meg]

21 from 21.

2011-11-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's my birthday! So, here are 21 pictures that represent my year as a 21-year-old, which ends tomorrow. I thought this would be a fun way to both look back and to record the highlights of the year for future reference. It was also really enjoyable picking out my favorite & most meaningful photographs from the past year.

While I was 21, I...

(1) had a birthday party with a huge unicorn balloon
(2) had a lovely birthday dinner at the special owl table
(3) attended a "people of walmart" party in my Kermit hat

(4) finally (on our last roadtrip) got a picture with the "Welcome to Georgia" sign
(5) helped plan and run the national conference for my fraternity
(6) rang in the new year at my favorite Irish pub in Atlanta (with our favorite waiter)
(7) made the most of my last semester of college by being more social

(8) helped my dearest Monika celebrate her 21st
(9) dressed as "hipster Mario girl"
(10) visited Boston & befriended statues of John Adams
(11) watched my best friend receive her very own (well-deserved) green "necklace"
(12) was deeply honored to receive a chapter dsk
(13) dressed up for fancy banquets

(14) graduated from college!
(15) went to Europe with my best friend
(16) bid farewell to Gainesville & all my friends there
(17) moved to Boston to begin my new life!

(18) explored the new city (pictured on the Freedom Trail tour)
(19) kept up with blogging (especially Sundays...prepping can be difficult!)
(20) dressed as a flapper and had one of my most exciting Halloweens ever
(21) dressed as Alice in Wonderland for a party with new friends

I'd say it was quite a good year. I'm looking forward to an even better next one!

♥
LW

from my art journal: 10.11

2011-11-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it can be the perfect form of relaxation to take out a thin tip Sharpie and your art journal and just draw while watching some mindless television. I worked on this throughout a week, whenever I had a little time, and it made me happy to know I had something simple and relaxing to go back to, even if just for a little bit.

♥
LW

curiouser & curiouser

2011-11-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, a girl named Lindsay (the very same girl who blogs as LW) had a party to attend. Her friend was celebrating the anniversary of his birth and for the occasion he wanted all of his friends to don costumes. The theme of his fete was to be characters from video games, a realm Lindsay knew very little about. But, determined, she set out to find the perfect costume. Lo and behold a miracle occurred and she learned that Kingdom Hearts was a video game with Disney characters in it, including Alice in Wonderland! Joy spread throughout the land (or at least throughout Lindsay). She excitedly trekked to the local Goodwill and purchased a blue dress that she brought home and cut and sewed and pinned until it fit her heart's delight. For Alice's apron she manipulated what was once a white t-shirt. She sewed a bow, used black tape to turn her ballet flats into Mary Janes, repurposed a lacy black skirt as a makeshift petticoat, and voila! Her Alice costume was complete and she was ready to partake of the festivities.

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.30

2011-11-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Snapshot Sunday, aka my week in pictures!

my week:
starting work on a new painting
doing schoolwork (this will continue to be a recurring theme)
loving the Fall breezes and scarf/cardigan weather
playing with neutral colors in my wardrobe (trying to wear less black)
feeling heart palpitations over the beautiful leaves!
dressing up as Alice for a costume birthday party (more photos to come)
taking lots of pictures of my friend's cute yorkie

♥
LW

remember, remember the 5th of november

2011-11-05T19:06:00.000-04:00

Since today is the 5th of November, I thought I'd forego the normal etsy spotlight and share with you a few fantastic "V for Vendetta" themed art pieces from etsy!

(Click on the images to view the etsy pages!)

"Remember, remember
The fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot."

(if you haven't seen "V for Vendetta," go watch it right now!)

♥
LW

a birthday wishlist.

2011-11-05T12:28:00.000-04:00

Time has been moving so quickly lately! I absolutely cannot believe that it is already Saturday again, and that there is now less than a week until my birthday. I'm tempted to pull a Sassy Gay Friend and tell Father Time to "Slow down, crazy!"

Anyway, since my birthday is iminent, I thought this was the perfect time to put together a super fun birthday wishlist!

A camera bag from Jo Totes. ♥ These books. ♥ A cute watch for teaching (maybe this or this).
This dress from ModCloth. ♥ A cute umbrella for all this Boston precipitation.
...and shoes. Lots & lots of shoes!

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-11-04T15:02:00.000-04:00

Here are some of my favorite things from around the internet this week!

So many new dresses on ModCloth this week! I especially love these (1, 2, 3)

The world's cutest little rockstar family dressed up for Halloween.

This picture of Neil Patrick Harris and his adorable family on Halloween!

Kitsune-kun's perfect Fall photos from her trip to Sleepy Hollow.

» Tara's cute little Altoid tin business card holder on Deer in a Bottle. I must make one!
» LolaDee shared so many cute ways to use jars. Love!
» I still can't stop listening to Florence + the Machine's new album, Ceremonials! ♥!

♥
LW

love letter to boston.

2011-11-03T16:37:00.000-04:00

[artwork by Mae Chevrette]

My dear Boston,

It's now been a little over four months that we've been together. That isn't very long, but I feel like you won't fault me for saying that they've been magical. From the beginning I've been pretty unabashed about singing your praises, so I know you won't be too surprised when I say that I think I'm in love with you.

Last weekend it snowed for the first time. It wasn't a lot of snow (in my area at least), but it signaled the beginning of a new period in our relationship. People say "this is where it gets hard" and look at me with pity because I'm from Florida, but I think they're underestimating the strength and depth of my feelings for you. I feel a thrill every time I walk outside and see the trees topped by beautiful colors, or get to don a scarf in the morning. I know these things are the harbingers of impending months of cold, but if I'm being honest (and this is a bit of a secret) I get a little thrill thinking about that too. Because it's new and different. Just like every other aspect of being with you, this upcoming concept of winter (something so new and foreign to me) is something I see as an adventure.

I look forward to our auspicious future together.

Yours with love,
♥
LW

where my feet have been v.4

2011-11-02T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well, it's a couple of days late, but here is the October edition of "where my feet have been"!

In case you're a new friend, here's the deal: throughout the month I take pictures of my right foot in different places (and different shoes) and then I share them with you! I have way too much fun doing it, even though people must think I'm strangely obsessed with my foot.

where my feet have been:
at Emily's. at starbucks. walking home. at the library. doing my weekly grocery shopping. walking to class in boots. in yellow tights. in Fall leaves. at a halloween party. crunching through even more leaves.

see the other "where my feet have been" posts!

♥
LW

i heart november.

2011-11-01T11:16:00.000-04:00

[from my art journal, 2010]

Happy November 1st! November is my very favorite month. This has a lot to do with it being the month of my birth (excuse my self-centeredness!) but it also has to do with the crisp feeling of Fall and the deliciousness of Thanksgiving.

I'm planning to make November a great month on this blog, especially in the days leading up to my very exciting palindromic birthday...11.11.11!

♥
LW

halloween!

2011-10-31T13:51:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween!
I have to say Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, because you get to play dress up no matter what age you are! I had quite the long weekend of Halloween celebrations, and I'm excited to share the fun pictures! It was a two wig weekend, which I have to say may be the best kind of weekend there is.

Day 1: On Thursday night Emily and I donned our best Gaga-wear and went out to see our friend perform in his all male Lady Gaga cover band, Alejandro and the Fame. He and his band members dressed up, but sadly all of my pictures of the band came out blurry. (Just pretend it's not blurry and that you can see the mummy on guitar and the zombie-esque makeup on the lead singer, okay?) We had so much fun dancing around and singing Gaga lyrics at the top of our lungs. I also love any opportunity to wear my pink wig! :)

Day 2: Friday night I excitedly put on my flapper costume and went to Emily's place, where we got Thai take out and then took some pictures (and also pulled together what I have to say is a rather wonderful last minute Madonna costume for her roommate Anna). Then we went to a party. I wish I had pictures of all the wonderful costumes there, but I thought it would be weird to photograph people I didn't know (now I wish I had done it anyway!) We danced alongside Miss Frizzle, Andy Warhol, comic book characters, and a strangely scantily clad pizza delivery boy. There were lots of cute decorations, including a wall covered in skull paper that I absolutely loved.

Day 3: Saturday night was another party, this time with a different group of friends. A couple of us got tapas and then put on our costumes. I wore my flapper garb again (a girl can only pull together so many costumes in a weekend!) and we ventured out into the snow. The party was adorable. Someone had made "devil"ed eggs with little pepper horns (the photo came out less than appetizing, so I'll leave it to your imagination) and there were fun-sized candies to snack on. We convinced a group to play Taboo with us, and it was all around a fun night.

I hope you are enjoying fun and spooky Halloween shenanigans of your own!

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.29

2011-10-30T16:33:00.000-04:00

my week:
mixing wardrobe pieces to create my favorite outfit of the week
dressing up to see a friend's band play
getting to wear both of my wonderful wigs
loving lovely Halloween decorations
doing some peaceful Friday library study time
having tapas and sangria that were both delicious and beautiful
having Halloween adventures in the snow

(The instagram pictures give you a little sneak peek of my Halloween shenanigans, but more photos and stories will be coming tomorrow!)

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: dizzylittledotty

2011-10-29T14:16:00.000-04:00

This week's etsy spotlight: dizzylittledotty

Lauren Carney's illustrations are completely adorable, and there are so many cute little details to the people. (I also thought these were kind of appropriately Halloween-y.)

See more:
etsy shop
blog
website

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-10-28T11:47:00.000-04:00

Lauren had a Halloween-themed Tumblr Thursday!

Loving this Tim Burton illustration! (Tim Burton is always Halloween-relevant, right?)

Kate had a super fun Halloween blog party (which I was part of)!

Annie's super cute Halloween party ideas on Wattlebird.

Andrea at Paper Sparrow shared this and other retro Halloween illustrations:

Katie's adorable pictures of Max's costumes for trick-or-treating.

» The ladies of She Dressed in Black shared some All Hallows Beats.
» Amy at A is for Ampersand shared Halloween party ideas (lots of cute & easy spooky snacks)
» I may have to make Becka's pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies to bring to class on Monday :)
» Creepy vintage Halloween pictures on NPR's Picture Show blog.

♥
LW

guest post on kate's irrelevant!

2011-10-24T23:32:00.000-04:00

Kate is having a Halloween blog party, so I wrote a guest post (filled with LOTS of pictures!) about dressing up. Go check it out now! :)

♥
LW

a store for literature lovers!

2011-10-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

I recently stumbled across The Literary Gift Company and I simply had to share!

There are so many things that would be so perfect in my future classroom.
(I admit I think about decorating this hypothetical room quite often.)

These literary maps of the US and Britain:

These beautiful book cover posters:

& these adorable little letters:

Ahh it's all so wonderful! What's your favorite?

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.28

2011-10-23T18:42:00.000-04:00

my week:
doing lots of library and study time
discovering that Starbucks Chai + pumpkin is absolutely the best
enjoying tidbits of Fall around the city
experiencing Tasty Burger for the first time
walking around the river for the Head of the Charles

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-10-21T12:58:00.001-04:00

I want to attend this dinner party! Magical. [from tumblr]

Meg always finds the best quotes.

The photos from Elizabeth's engagement photo shoot are beautiful.

I'm loving these lines of poetry from the ModCloth blog!

I absolutely agree with this "how to have a better day" image shared by Sunshine Carousels.

» I really want to try this peanut butter cup recipe from Emma at A Beautiful Mess!
» I must make this gluten-free pumpkin spice cupcakes recipe via A Case of the Mundays ASAP!!
» I really enjoyed this 11 Things to Know at 25(ish) list at RELEVANT magazine.
» The new Florence + the Machine single is SO GOOD!

♥
LW

getting geometric.

2011-10-19T14:06:00.000-04:00

About a month ago, a friend of mine contacted me about doing a custom painting for him. I of course said yes and was excited (I love doing custom work!) The only problem? When I asked him what he wanted, he responded by saying "I don't know. I trust you." When I pressed him for more details his reply was "I like green and blue."

Now, this being such a vague order description, I spent some time considering what to do. Finally I spied some black tape I'd recently purchased for the use of scrapbooking, and decided to start with stripes. I soon discovered just how much fun painting tape could be, and the rest of this story can pretty much be inferred by the final product of the painting:

I've never done anything like this before, but I was really quite pleased with how it turned out (he loved it, too!) I think I may just have to do another painting like this for myself...in shades of pink, of course! ;)

♥
LW

cover lover.

2011-10-17T11:10:00.003-04:00

So, confession time: sometimes I think I like covers of Adele's songs more than the originals. Don't get me wrong, I like the originals, too, but when I look at my iTunes library I find no Adele songs but lots of covers. Sorry if you find this blasphemous. It's simply the truth.

Take a listen to a few of my favorite Adele covers!

"Someone Like You" Cover by Charlie Puth & Emily Luther

"To Make You Feel My Love" Cover by Kris Allen

"Rolling in the Deep" Cover from Glee

[image from etsy]

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.27

2011-10-16T17:28:00.000-04:00

my week:
reading outside (and inside)
still marveling at the leaves changing color
having a lovely little daisy day
observing at a high school
exploring the university library
paper writing (& actually enjoying it)
experiencing the unexpected

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: poppy & pinecone

2011-10-15T13:19:00.000-04:00

This week's etsy spotlight: Poppy & Pinecone

Aren't these the loveliest watercolors?! She has paintings of different countries and just about every state! I would love to have a huge print of this world map to hang in my future classroom. Below are my two homes: Florida and Massachusetts.

See more at the Poppy & Pinecone etsy shop!

♥
LW

friday favorites.

2011-10-14T11:34:00.004-04:00

Some of my favorite bloggers do weekly "Friday Favorites" posts that I always look forward to, so I thought maybe I'd jump on the bandwagon and give it a try myself.
(Etsy spotlights will now be on Saturdays, in case you were concerned!)

This beautiful image from Tumblr.

I wish I was a unicorn too, especially if I could be this cute and run across a little teacup!

This picture from Color Me Katie. It's just so happy!

I'm so in love with this "365 Days of Marriage" photo project on Take Hart.

Liz shared these awesome covers, including the one of "Stereo Hearts" below.

» As usual, I was completely pulled in by Meg's beautiful words.
» I found reading the comments on A Sweet Release's post very helpful with this new weather.
» FREE acoustic album from The Rocket Summer!! (how did I not know about this sooner?!)
» I always love the inspiring "Friday Favorites" posts by Miss Indie & The Dainty Squid

♥
LW

yellow tights & bravery.

2011-10-12T09:34:00.000-04:00

I think one of the best things in life is finding my way back to the realization that, if I'm just brave enough, I can wear anything and do anything and be anything I want.

Yesterday I walked around wearing bright yellow tights and a daisy pin, and I felt strong. There's something about a good outfit that can make your day feel together, even in those moments when you hear the seams starting to rip. No, you can say to the ripping. You can't hurt me. I'm wearing my yellow tights, so it's going to be a good day.

♥
LW

literary love: faulkner

2011-10-11T20:40:00.000-04:00

[source]

Lately I've been falling deeper and deeper into my love affair with Faulkner.
This class is one of the more indulgent decisions I've made recently, but I don't regret it one bit!

We're reading Absalom, Absalom! this week, and I fell in love with this quote on the back cover:

"Read, read, read. Read everything - trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, through it out the window."

- William Faulkner

I think writers and readers alike can appreciate this advice, hm?

♥
LW

ps- one month until my birthday! 11.11.11!!

guest post on desirous of everything!

2011-10-10T17:42:00.000-04:00

Hello! I have a guest post today over at Desirous of Everything. Check it out! :)

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.26

2011-10-09T11:47:00.000-04:00

my week:
loving how creative this weather lets me be with my outfits
experimenting with my newfound love of painting with tape
doing lots of reading for class
oohing and aahing over the new pretty Fall leaves
enjoying my freshly red nails
seeing Vanessa Carlton and Matt Nathanson live (♥!!)
hanging out with fun new friends

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: dag & stella

2011-10-07T16:38:00.000-04:00

This week's etsy spotlight: Dag & Stella

The Dag & Stella etsy shop has wonderful prints of inspirational quotes. I really adore their typography, as well as the colors and (of course!) the positive messages.

See more:
etsy shop

♥
LW

on self portraiture.

2011-10-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

When I was younger, I took a lot of self portraits. It started because of the Myspace craze, but it wasn't all vanity. Taking self portraits became a way to express myself artistically. I'm usually not very comfortable with other people taking my picture, but self portraits allow me the flexibility to try a lot of different things without feeling silly. In recent years, though, I've drifted farther away from the practice as I've started feeling more and more self-conscious about it, especially in public places.

Lately, I've been walking around my neighborhood seeing all these beautiful brick walls and places I would love to take pictures, but I don't have anyone to take them for me (Monika, move to Boston please?) and I'm insecure about setting my tripod up in public. But I've decided it's time to set this insecurity aside. Inspired by bloggers like Elizabeth at Delightfully Tacky, who takes all her pictures with a tripod and Meredith at One Sheepish Girl with her lovely blogging for confidence posts, I am going to make an effort to be braver.

This week I had a couple of outfits I really loved and I wanted pictures of them that weren't in front of my closet, so I boldly took my tripod downstairs, set it up outside, and took pictures of myself. I'll admit that I hid away in nooks and crannies where people were less likely to see me, and I felt my heart race with insecurity almost the whole time, but I still did it. It's a step.

So, those are a few pictures from yesterday. I think now and then I'm going to share some things like this here on the blog...not outfit posts exactly, just self portraits as a form of artistic expression and (hopefully forgivable) blogger self indulgence.

♥
LW

a little happy list.

2011-10-05T13:19:00.002-04:00

My discovery of chaider (chai tea + apple cider).

Leaves changing colors.

Wearing tights & boots & cardigans.

Getting sucked into the beautiful words of a book.

When a good morning makes the whole day better.

The cooler weather making my hair so happy.

Going to wonderful yoga classes.

Rediscovering the simple joy of freshly painted nails.

My big fluffy arm chair.

What's on your happy list right now?

♥
LW

desirous of everything.

2011-10-04T12:08:00.000-04:00

This month I am a sponsor over at desirous of everything, the blog of Sarah, librarian and writer extraordinaire! I love her blog because she loves books and young adult fiction. She is also currently doing a writing group with some other bloggers and has had some really helpful posts with writing tips and interviews with editors and published authors. As someone who dabbles in fiction writing a bit myself, I really enjoy these features and I absolutely love getting to read bits of Sarah's stories and the stories of the other bloggers in the group.

Sarah just hit 100 followers (so exciting!) so she's hosting a super amazing giveaway:
a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth!!!

You should definitely go check out her blog and enter this giveaway (or not, you know, because I really want to win it...)

These are some things I might buy if I won:

Fingers crossed!

♥
LW

be kind to yourself.

2011-10-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

[artwork by Lisa Ferrante]

Don't you just love that with every new week and every new day we get a chance to start fresh?
The beginning of each week (and each day) is filled with the beautiful possibility of being better than the one before.

This week, something I need to concentrate on is being kind to myself. I don't know about you, but I seem to spend a lot of time and energy being kind to others and sometimes I forget that I deserve the same mercy. I am my own harshest critic and my own worst bully. But what I need to remember (for I've forgotten all too often recently) is that I am also my own biggest fan and the person who knows how to love me best.

So let's all be kind to ourselves this week, yes?

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.25

2011-10-02T16:47:00.000-04:00

This week flew by almost as quickly as September did (can you believe it's October?!) But, ready or not, it's Sunday, so here is my week in pictures.

my week:
lots of reading for class, and tea drinking
working on a painting for a friend
celebrating October with a big pot of cinnamon apples
spotting signs of Fall
eating unbelievably delicious tapas

Happy October!

♥
LW

where my feet have been v.3

2011-09-29T16:07:00.000-04:00

It's that time again! The end of the month. Which means..."where my feet have been" is back!
I know you have been simply breathless awaiting this newest installment of my right foot's journeys, so I won't keep you waiting any longer.

where my feet have been:
frolicking through puddles in rain boots. in class (as always). crunching through the first signs of Fall. waiting for the elevator. crossing the street. breaking in new shoes. meeting a friend at our designated corner. at the so you think you can dance tour. walking my favorite route to my favorite bookstore/cafe. standing in a serious puddle of flowing water at the gas station.

see the first two WMFHB posts!
one | two

♥
LW

PS- I hadn't even been aware of being in a bit of a black shoe rut this month until I put this together. Though, to be fair, most of the shoes (and clothing) I own are black so it was statistically probable. That being said, I'll try to change it up a bit more next month!

new artwork!

2011-09-28T12:05:00.000-04:00

I know there was a little sneak peak of this piece in this post, but it's finally all finished and available for sale so I wanted to share!

[click to see it on etsy]

I'd like to have a creative name for it, but haven't come up with anything. Ideas?

♥
LW

love, from the mouths of babes

2011-09-26T12:22:00.000-04:00

I stumbled across this earlier today and had to share. You can see more here.

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
— Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
— Martin, age 10

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they’re rich.
— Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.
- Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.
- Howard, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
— Ricky, age 10

[Source: http://nedhardy.com/2011/07/11/marriage-from-a-kids-perspective/]

♥
LW

snapshot sunday v.24

2011-09-25T16:58:00.002-04:00

This was a week of spreading my metaphorical wings and having new experiences, some that I'd like to repeat and some that I would rather not. It was a week of nonstop shenanigans, strengthening existing friendships and making new ones, spotting celebrities, walking in the rain, enjoying the luxury of watching television, trying to embrace the feeling of being lost instead of letting it drown me, and almost succeeding.

♥
LW

etsy spotlight: ashley percival

2011-09-23T16:31:00.000-04:00

This week's etsy spotlight: Ashley Percival

Her animals are so adorably strange! They are often a mixture of different animals, but their eyes are very human. I love their clothes (and glasses!) Here are my favorites:

Check out more from Ashley Percival:
etsy shop
website

♥
LW