The Hobbit: Need to know- Need to See!

The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings
Winter Solstice

I have made it my goal to fully 100% understand all happenings in the Lord of the Rings. I will be bogging about new information I have come across and new understandings that have blown my mind! Check back often and explore and discover with me!

Fall Collegial Look:

Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Tommy Hilfiger, Pink. All of these stores are promoting a look that is both youthful and classy. The name of this look is called collegial. From an over sized hoodie with a school team logo, to collared shirts and high socks, the collegial look is one of distinction and confidence. I am a university student and have been studying the subtle art of the collegial look. Here I will give tips and pointers on how to get it! :) The great thing about this look is that anyone can do it! Even if you pair something that completely does not go, it somehow makes the outfit even more collegial.  The look can range from 'I just threw this together' to 'this outfit is perfect', there is so much room for error that the errors are actually apart of it. Now lets see what we can come up with! And most important have fun and work with what you already have!


Here is one Look I have created.

The Skirt:
Tommy Hilfiger just came out with this great pencil skirt/ mini, its short enough and low waisted enough to remain youthful! This kind of skirt looks great on all sizes.    
The Sweater:
This Sweater is also form Tommy Hilfiger, if you get it in your proper size, and not something that is too big or small, it give a cute nerdy look that perfectly fits with this outfit.
(http://usa.tommy.com/tommy/)
The Shoes:
 Try a nude flat, something that blends in really nice. If you are buying a new pair, try older women shoe sores, they usually have really comfortable ones that are way better quality! Never spend over $100 on flats, they just do not last as long as they are worth. I paid just over $50 for mine, they are Aerosoles and they are comfy!

Ta Da! This is my outfit for tomorrow! Its casual, classy, fun, and smart!

(Notice how nicely the shoes blend)

Autumn.

"How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days." -John Burroughs

I remember once when I was still young enough to never question magic, I saw it first hand on one Halloween eve. The sun had not set yet, but it hung low in the trees, peaking through at me from behind leaves. I was the first to be ready for trick or treating, so I set out on my own as a preview before we all left together. I lived on a quiet road with friendly neighbours, a road so quiet that you could lay on its street in the summer without being interrupted once! On one side of the street was my big beautiful white house with black shutters, and on the other side was a big forest rich with the memories and whispers of pioneers past. I didn't go far, I wasn't allowed, I set out only to the two house that were directly beside my own.  As I walked I noticed the sweet scent in the air, one of woodsmoke and crunchy leaves. I looked around me, the sun had made a pattern on the street, as it shone through the forest. I then heard a soft rustle near by, it was a black owl that had swooped from one side of the street to the other. It now sat in its new spot and looked at me. I stopped and stared and it, and it stared at me. I then noticed another owl, this one gray and sitting nearer to the street, it to looked at me. I then looked up at a soft "hoo", and saw a third owl sitting right above me on a branch that hung over the road. I smiled. This was magic and I knew it. When I think back to this story, I like to think that the forest had sent them to me as guardians for my venture. A blessing and a gift from the trees to me.

A smile :)

I hope everyone is enjoying my blog! Check back often, and leave a comment on your favorite blog entry! That way I'll know to write more like it! :) thank you, and I hope your spring is summing up nice and your summer is on the horizon!

Country Summer Dress

Country Summer Dress and Outfit 

If you want to have that perfect breezy country summer look, here a few suggestions and steps!

Step 1. The Perfect Dress: I went to Value Village (thrift store) and found a white lace dress, I'm guessing it used to be a simple brides made dress. It is absolutely perfect, short but cute! These sorts of dresses are very common at thrift stores, for people usually do not re wear their dressy dresses. Little do they know that they can be turned into the perfect little country summer dress!!! The dress does not have to look exactly like this one, but make sure that its in the white to ivory range, and that is has some traditional (not cheap or tacky looking) lace or intricate stitching. The more loose the dress is, the better :)

Step 2. A Brown belt! Sooo many different types of belts work! but try to keep it in the Brown leather range.  I like to use a skinny belt for this particular look. Here are a few that I use.

 Step 4: Shoes!!! First look through what you have and then venture out to shoe outlet stores and even thrift stores. Think wooden, brown leather, and strapy, almost Grecian but nothing over the top like gladiator shoes. If heels are not your thing, then many flats have the same components. I got mine at Aldo and I love them! This style of shoe goes with so much! Here are a few examples.

Step 5: Accessories: when it comes to accessories make sure you go against the country theme or else it will all become too much!  When I wear thematic outfits like this I like to completely mix it up with the accessories!

Purse: Choose something that's fun with intricate detail, or fun colors. I found mine at Army and Navy for 5$! Here are some inpirations.
 
Jewelry: Long necklaces with something on the end! You can make your own, or find supper cheap ones almost anywhere (Ardeen's, Value Village, Thrift Stores)

Step 6: Hair and Make Up: Loose curls! Wash your hair and then wrap it around in a bun and let it dry. When you take it out flip your hair over and spray it with hair spray. It does NOT have to be perfect!

Step 7: Make-up: Minimal minimal minimal! Maybe some lightttttt foundation and  powder, with a litttttllleeee bit of pink on the cheeks. No bronze. Very neutral eyeshadow. add some lip balm and a little mascara and your ready to go. Think Taylor Swift's cover girl ad, think natural!

And Ta Da! You have got that easy, flowy, natural, country summer look! More country summer looks to come! Keep posted!!!!!

I do not own any of these images ;)

The Tuck

The Tuck..... The act of tucking in ones shirt.

One day I told my best friend that I had recently tucked my white blouse into my jeans.

"Really?!?! "  She replied.  Shocked by my boldness.

My tucking courage withered slightly by her surprise. But then I thought back to the day of the tuck.... No!, I tucked! And I like it!! I gathered my response in two neat nonchalant sentences.

"Yeah, I decided that I loved the look of the tuck. So I thought why shouldn't I try the tuck"

The nonchalant nature I had intended did not show through, instead I sounded as though I was trying to convince myself that my fashion statement was justified. I wondered if she noticed the weakness, the uncertainty of a possible fashion fail!

Silence......

"Yeah....... I mean....I personally love the tuck!" She replied in the spirit of a woman realizing her rights.

"Well then....WE should do the tuck more often then!"  I fiercely stated, claiming ground in the land of Tucking.

"Yeah! I mean we're young! We're stylish! We have a good sense of fashion!" Both of our voices were loud now.

We were at the cusp of partaking in a fashion revolution. We were about to take a giant step that no girl can take back or erase!! Were we going to become Tuckers?!?!?!? And delve into the unsteady, never clear cut world of Tuck!!?!?!

I looked at her.  My eyes wide with the monumental meaning of this pivotal moment!

She refused to look at me. I saw a bead on sweat stray down the side of her face.

The clock ticked.

Finally she spoke. "I mean.... its not like we would look like we were trying too hard....................right?" She looked at me. No trace of  injustice was left.

Silence............

"Maybe... we're not ready for the tuck" I whisper, as though I were whispering "I see dead people"

We were staring at each other, but our eyes were too still.  We were both undoubtedly seeing the Tuck, and the wonders or horrors that it may have caused us.

A long time passed.

"Let us never speak of this again."she whispered back.

I nodded.

We were not ready for the tuck...... we may never be.

Summer Baking

I knew that you were coming so I baked a cake.
hmmmm, I love love love baking.One reason I love baking is because it has an achievable finish line!
And the finish line tastes good too!

I especially like baking for other people, nothing nicer than dropping off a pie, cake, or cookies at a friends house!
So far this Spring I have made: Custard filled cakes, Cup Cakes, Double Chocolate Cookies, and Lemon Cream Pie!


Tomorrow I will make a Coconut Lemon Layer Cake..... This is a lot to take on! CAN SHE DO IT!!

Ge out there and Bake!