Highs and Lows

Bonjour!

The school season is finally picking up speed as the first week passed. As such, I am finding it harder and harder to even have free time on weekends, let alone weekdays. The good news? 8:00 AM class comes only once a week, I have found my favorite course of the semester, and behold! Spring is coming soon! Well a little longer than soon, but you have to hold out hope somewhere. And, of course, I get to see old friends again and meet new ones.

The first week of school was a hectic one. The night before school started, my grandpa ended up in the hospital, a couple days later my brother-in-law and *adorable* nephew came up from Florida due to a passing in the family (top picture is at the airport), and on Friday my grandma fell while visiting her sick husband. It was a week full of visiting family, but one that I wish could have been avoided due to the circumstances. Despite the happenings, I managed to (somehow) survive the first week of school and get back into the routine I left off back in December, which brings me now to the end of the second week of the second semester of the third year of college. Ah, life. I've almost got the hang of you.

Outfit (Top)
Top: Thrifted | Skirt: Pick Your Plum | Gold Chain Belt: Gifted | Coat: Zulily
Outfit (Bottom left)
Skirt: Old | Shoes: Shoetopia

xoxo, Sara

New Year, New Hair

Bonjour!

So I've been hiding a secret for a couple weeks.

Actually, it's only a secret if I have my hair up. Because on the first day of the new year, I decided it was time for a change (but not as big of a change as ended up occurring). What started out as an innocent idea to have a not-horribly-drastic new hairdo for 2015 quickly turned into a literal chop-fest, and by the time it was over approximately 6 inches of my naturally curly locks were laying in a sorry heap on the bathroom floor. The culprit? An amateur with scissors who has apparently never had my kind of experience cutting hair.

And so now I am walking around with (thanks to another sister) a clean, albeit short, haircut. At first I was really excited to have a new way to style my hair, but now it's at the point where I miss being able to toss it back in a decent ponytail. Also, I am not sure that it is even the right cut for my hair type, which leaves me scrambling to find styles that will suit it properly. All of this provides inspiration for my latest video, The 10 Stages of Getting a Haircut.

What was your worst haircut?

xoxo, Sara

january mornings.

 Bonjour!

And the snow finally fell. Not in time for Christmas, of course, but just in time for the heavy traveling that comes with the looming of a new semester. To be quite honest, I love snow. It's beautiful, it makes un-raked yards look cleaner, and it's sparkly. It also matches well with practically any outfit. But it also gets into shoes, boots, whatever, makes the weather colder by reverse causation, and commonly travels with its unpleasant friend, Mr. Ice. And Mr. Ice does everything in his power to make your winter a very unpleasant one.

That being said, I feel winter has finally come to January. Just in time for college to start back up. This morning as I was awakened by the sounds of a cat engaging in regurgitative behaviors, I was suddenly smacked with the realization that class starts next week at 8:00 AM bright and early. And not only does class start next week at 8:00 AM bright and early, but at the time which I will have to get up (ahem, 6:00) it is not even bright insomuch as it is early. In fact, when I finished hauling the afore-mentioned puking cat to her litterbox to dispel of unwanted inner ick, and looked out the window, I found to my gaping astonishment that the moon WAS STILL HAPPILY SITTING IN AN OVERHEAD POSITION IN THE SKY. At 6 in the morning. The sun was nowhere in sight.

I could have cried right then and there. I felt a heavy feeling of foreboding settle over my soul like a blanket of snow on the frozen ground. Or maybe it was my body's way of punishing me for having to leap out of bed so early in the morning on break. Regardless, I knew from that point forward that, for two days a week, I would be getting up in practically nighttime settings, leaving the house at the crack of dawn (if I'm lucky), and arriving at class with the sun on its way to a higher point in the morning sky. I cringe just thinking about it.

Then, another thought struck me. I have to leave at 7 in the morning only two days a week, which is three days less than normal public-school kids. I live in the same city as the university, so I have an even lesser distance to travel than some college students. Furthermore, most people who aren't even going to college have to leave the house just as early or earlier to get to work every morning. And I realized: I am a huge debbie-downer. I am having a pity party over LIFE. So now I am thinking, You know what? I hate getting up early and I hate being out early. But life happens. Some people have it better, but most have it worse. So you just have to make the morning love you, rather than the other way around. It may take a while, but carpe diem! Until then, I am going to make the most out of break and relax as much as possible.

And going to hope that the cat stops barfing while I am trying to sleep.

xoxo, Sara

Dream Like Nothing Is Impossible

 

Bonjour, mes amis!

I can't believe that the last time I blogged was last year! *cue understanding laughter*
I have decided that, as part of my issue with resolution-making, I will not firmly resolve anything for 2015. This is not to say I don't have any improvements to make. Rather, I am more inclined to say that they are unofficial improvements that I should make over the course of my life instead of just for a new year. Such things could include eating healthier (typical, I know), doing new things, exploring more, and being as productive and positive as possible. While losing weight is another common resolution, it's not exactly one that I can add to my list for obvious reasons, so I am replacing that one with gaining weight-- not fat, persay, but hopefully muscle. I almost laugh at myself as I say it's going to happen, but I know somehow, some way, I will be a more fit person. Even if it means dragging myself to the track. Or forcing myself to lift a couple weights every now and again.

I wanted to create an image that would help me feel more motivated about everything in general, so I am sharing the above "Dream" picture for anyone who wants it, free of charge and without strings. Because when it comes to free art on the internet, I have learned that I better keep my mouse off of it unless it expressly says "Free. No strings attached." :)

I am thrilled to be sharing my adventures with you all for another year, so I wish you the most sincerest happy new year and hope you will continue reading!

Top/Shoes: Thrifted | Skirt: Jane (made by 3 Brunettes Boutique) | Coat: Zulily | Barrette/Bow Clutch: Gifted

xoxo,
Sara

New Happenings and Etsy Excursions

Bonjour all!

A very merry (albeit late) Christmas to you and an even more timely Happy New Year as well! Per happenstance/forever-occuring, I have been away from blogging for far too long with much else on my mind. Even though I am not blogging regularly like I want, I usually think about it at least once every day, seeing things that I would love to share or gaining inspiration that is worthy of blogging. The sad excuse? Motivation/Inspiration deprivation. Alas, an "itis" that I contract far too often. But considering it is the new year, I think mayhaps a change could be coming. I say it every year, but 2015 PLEASE HELP ME BE A GOOD BLOGGER!!! Seriously though.

In order to adhere to my current resolutions, I have some fun-ness lined up for you all, so do stay tuned. As for now, I would like to share my new mark on the world... a spot on a cute partnership of Etsy entrepreneurs called Crafty Collaborations. Here you can purchase a wide variety of various and sundry crafts, works of art, and more for what I like to consider a good price. And what's more? It's a little place where I can sell my humble little art pieces.With customizable options in the making.

So do me an epic-ly awesome favor and check us out! Items added often, so come back regularly to see if we've got what you are looking for!

Dreams handmade here: Crafty Collaborations on Etsy

See you soon,
Sara

Hair-Raising Halloween

Bonjour!!!! Today I am coming to you from the wonderful world of fast-pace science and academic excellence! (How I wish I could say that on a regular basis...) I was able to come up with the idea AND the outfit for this costume in about 10 minutes with a little help from Google images and pieces I already had in my closet. I used a tweed suit jacket, a white blouse, a bow tie from an old costume, and a white-paper-cutout mustache. The final touch? Tousled hair. Very, very tousled hair. Because Einstein was a genius but apparently did not own a comb. The funniest part of my costume was the fact that I really did not have to do a whole lot to my hair to make it look like that-- it's naturally/automatically genius-styled. :/


Now, you may be wondering why I would allow my hair to behave like a Lady Gaga run-in with 90 mph winds (while wearing a white paper mustache, you will remember) to an institution of higher learning at which I am attempting to earn certification for a respectable career. Rest assured, dear bloggers, the only audience this costume had was a class of 5th-7th graders. And the principal. But who's counting? Suffice it to say, if you go out of your way to look like a crazy bird who may require a one-of-a-kind buckling jacket, kids will appreciate it. So if you are one of those people who live to see the strange looks and head-whips, by all means this is the costume for you!

What are you celebrating Halloween as?

Tweed Suit Jacket: Thrifted | Blouse: Gifted | Bow-Tie: Old | Wig: Unfortunately, that is my real hair. Do send your regards.

xoxo, Sara

Royally Blue Part II

Bonjour!

Isn't this location lovely? I've walked past it quite often, but have never stopped to fully pay it any attention. It is on the southern part of campus at the University of Illinois, which is right down the street from my home college. It almost looks like spring again with all of the beautiful flowers!

I am really enjoying my current classes so far, but I would have to say that art and music are my favorites. We are going to learn the ukulele pretty soon and I can't wait to share mine on the blog! (It's an ah-dorable shade of pink and matches my flute and about half of my wardrobe :) ) It turns out I have an obsession for pink instruments.

As in the last post, this dress is from eShakti and I love love love it. If you haven't checked them out yet you should mosey on over- there are so many lovely fashions for any size and any style. You can find the links to eShakti's social media sites here- give them a follow when you get a chance!

xoxo, Sara