Almost the End with Meadham Kirchhoff

It's the nostalgic time of the season when you realize that school is about to start back and you feel like you've accomplished absolutely nothing. In reality, though, that's not entirely true. Not for me, at least, however accurate the idea may present itself. I sort of feel like putting on all my mopey, depressed music and just laying in bed. I'd never last, however. Most teen sleep until noon in the Summer, whereas, I'm always up by 9:30. Am I missing out on the teen experience, I think to myself as I watch yet another episode of Supernatural or listen to 'The Freshman' by The Verve Pipe for the millionth time. I don't know what it is about Summer. It makes you feel like you can accomplish anything but you really accomplish ... well, not a whole lot. I hate when Summer is over, of course, but when I'm in it, I just think 'Ugh, when is this going to be over! I'm so bored'. The mourning that follows in the Fall, however, isn't pretty.

Okay, I'll stop sounding like the lyrics to a Smith's song.

Recently, I've been ever-so obsessed with Meadham Kirchhoff. Think Effie Trinkett. You may be familiar with his work (it's kind of out there) but you might have not realized it. 

I, however, mean some of these pieces.

I don't know what it is about this eccentric designer, but I just can't get enough. He's definitely going on my top favorite designer's list. Maybe I should make some sets. I'm getting bored. 

Look Book, Vol. 1: Pretty in Pink

For my first look book, I thought I'd create a simple yet unique group of sets on Polyvore based off of the John Hughes 80's Classic: Pretty in Pink. 

Though not my favorite 80's flick, it's the film with the greatest style, by far. Whether you rock the kooky style of Andie & The Duckster or the classic richie look of Blane, you're sure to feel pretty cool in these volcanic ensembles, pink or not. 

Andie

For her look, I decided to add a modern take to it. However, I can't be sure if it was originated from the wild patterns of the 1980's, so perhaps it's original. The two looks shown are both looks I can picture Andie wearing. The look on the right, obviously, is based off of her dress at prom. 

If you're going to rock this look, however, you should go all the way. 

Tease your hair. The bigger the better.

Blane: 

The over-all look was quite easy to do. Accessories aren't really necessary, so it was hard to sort of incorporate the easy-going flow. Blane is a nice guy, obviously, but he has the whole rich guy persona going on. If he was around today, I see him in crisp collared shirts and perhaps denim or khakis. 

This look is easy to pull off because it's not too terribly out of the ordinary. 

Duckie:

My all-time favorite character and style icon of the entire movie. His outfits are always my favorite. So unique, but always so put together. My favorite parts of his outfits are always the accessories. (The shoes, glasses, hat, and bolo-tie.) He is a bold, independent character with a style that matches his personality. The key to donning the look is to be confident in yourself, just like Duckie. 

So whether or not you feel compelled to try any of these looks, you can always mellow them down or play them up however you'd like. Make them your own! 

Summer & Guilty Pleasure Reads

This Summer, I've decided to read as much as I can possibly attain. Then again, this is usually what I do every Summer, so it's not any different than my previous holidays. Eh, whatever.

Anyway. I've embarked on many novels so far. Some are worth mentioning, others, not so much.

However, two recently, as which I've just finished are entitled Divergent by Veronica Roth and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. Both of which were quite excellent. Both of them did not share any similarities, except for the fact that both Green and Roth are both wonderful writers.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is a novel that I am currently working on. I'll probably finish tonight but I'm on p. 355. So far, it's been exquisite. I hope it ends well. The good part, though, is that there are many more to come. The same applies to Divergent (It is a trilogy.)

I love series novels. Especially if all of them have already been written. It's easy to tear through them but also easy to be left wanting more. (Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, etc.)

Books that are NOT in a series, however, are nice but also leave the same "wanting" feeling. Maybe more than series books.

I like well written, witty novels. Sarcasm in characters is a great addition. But please, OH!, please don't describe the characters so well that you wish they were alive so you could keep them in your closet. I hate that. (Ergh, especially now. Jace Wayland  from City of Bones sounds soooo attractive.)

I do have a couple weaknesses, though. My guilty pleasures of literature, so to speak.

1. The Need Series by Carrie Jones

(Your typical Supernatural romance that includes werewolves and.... get this... pixies!)

2. The Poseur Series by Rachel Maude

(Oh, so horrible literature that is slightly similar to Gossip Girl, yanno. Just bad writing but an addicting plot. Would NOT EVER recommend to ANYONE EVER.)

Anyways. So everyone has there idea of the "perfect" Summer read. I just love, reading, okay?

I love it.

The Beach, Supernatural, Divergent, and Downton Abbey

Well, this week I am at the beach. Yes, the beach. I love and hate the beach. Mostly because of the tropical climate in an otherwise peaceful oasis.

So far, it has been rather stimulating. The weather has been warm for the most part; but it gets cooler in the evenings and my friend and I sit on the balcony and talk.

One of the greatest thing about going on vacation with the Patrick's is... the food.

Mrs. Patrick is, like, the best cook ever. This evening we had brown rice, bacon wrapped shrimp, and potato salad with plenty o' fix-ins. Yum! For breakfast, however, we usually have boxed muffins or cereal. (Frosted Flakes, though, my favorite.)

This morning, though, whilst enjoying a bowl of cereal, we turned on the television and a conversation followed.

Mrs. Patrick flipped the channel because we were watching Supernatural, which she does not like at all. The conversation proceeded as followed.

Mrs. Patrick: Ugh. Anything is better than that d**n Supernatural. Have you seen it?

Friend: Yeah, it's pretty stupid. Emma loves it.

Me: -forced laughing- Yeah, I do love it.

 

 

Loving that show is kind of an understatement. I've even attempted to get my 13-year-old brother to like it. (I think he likes it, but I never know with him.) Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, and Misha Collins have successfully morphed me into a dramatic horror freak.

 

 

Anyways, I would finished that post BUT earlier in the week, my friend and I were discussing Downton Abbey and how Mary was seduced by a Turkish dude and totally hooked up with him and he basically died mid-way. After this, we thought nothing of it. Then I started reading Divergent, which is a film that is to be released March 2014. I finished it yesterday, and fangirled. But just now, we saw a photo of one of the characters in the film. It was a meme. It was reminding the world of the actor's previous performance in Downton Abbey as Pamuke! Talk about coincidence!

 

It was very awkward because I thought he was the most attractive guy in the series. But in Divergent, he doesn't look too hot. Well, my feelings have changed tremendously.

 

Anyways, I apologize for the shortness of this post but I'm going to pore over Downton Abbey clips now. 

Homeschoolers: Hipsters? Nerds? Anti-Social? Gawky?

It's interesting, I've noticed, how a majority of my home schooled friends and I seem to have to similar music tastes. (Except for my obsession with classic rock. I'm like the only one.) Music that is usually considered hipster, indie, etc.

Whatever, despite my arousing interest in this particular genre of music, I find that most home schoolers  are already being stereotyped into anti-social nerds but are now ALSO being put in the hipster stereotype category.

This is a double issue because being viewed as a stereotype totally blows and it's not like either of the two categories are desirable personas. Being viewed as a nerd isn't what anybody truly desires to aspire to. Anti-socialism is a trait that most all of us have but some are able to overcome easier than others.

But in all honesty, I'm not sure why  home schoolers are put in this category. Most kids I know that are home schooled are usually the complete opposite of anti-social. Maybe a bit gawky and/or nerdy at times... but everyone has things they tend to "nerd out" about, right?

But being viewed as hipster. Now this is both a blessing and a curse. Maybe more of a curse. Everyone expects you to know about all these fantastic artists and not tell any of them who they are. But in retrospect, my friends and I can hardly wait to tell each other about the "brand new" band or artist we've discovered! Why do we know about these bands, though? Because like other normal, non-hipster people we simply type an artist that we like into our Pandora station and look at similar artists! Or we just ask our friends! But being stereotyped as a hipster is also a blessing because everything you wear is instantly cool. Usually.

And the fact that we all wear vegan shoe wear, scarves, and knit hats? Come on. You don't think it looks cool?

Whatever. The stereotypes that everybody gets labeled under are just used by the people who have absolutely no TRUE observation skills and no ability to attempt to get to know the person behind the get up, music, or behavior.

Perhaps I'm being hypocritical. Because, maybe they're not so bad either. 

Summer

Summer.

I have a love/hate relationship with summer. For the most part, it's hate. Why, you might ask? The scorching sun beating down on my scarlet back and face. It's too hot for me.

I do, however, enjoy the fact that I can lock myself in my room, read books all day and make a lot of playlists with wacky titles.

Summer fashion is not so satisfactory. Well, maybe for high-end, more sophisticated chicks its fantastic - but for gals (such as myself) who are on clothing budgets that consists of mall clothing and thrift store finds ... not so much.

Summer fashion, to me, seems to be more trashy than (actually) fashionable. Which makes no sense.

I've been noticing a trend for muscle tops and high-waisted (and very short) denim shorts paired with Doc Martens or (perhaps if you're stylish enough) creepers.

My wardrobe in the summer is basically the same as it is in the Winter. Well, sometimes I do wear shorts.

I've had a lust for floral print shorts lately rather than my typical black skinny jeans. Who can blame me, right? They're just so darn cute!

Anyways. I'm not entirely sure where all of this is going but whatever. Have a nice summer. Even if yours hasn't started yet. 

Thursday Playlist: Magic

Image by Dana Boulos for RookieMag

MAGIC

1. Dark Eyes - Iron & Wine with Calexico
2. Forest Families - The Knife
3. King City - Swim Deep
4. Terrapin - Syd Barrett

5. Blue Jay Way - The Beatles

6. Bad Kids - The Black Lips

7. Rainy Day, Dream Away - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

8. When I Was Young - Eric Burdon & The Animals

9. Generals - The Mynabirds

10. See Emily Play - Pink Floyd

11. Lake of Fire - Nirvana

12. Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins

I'm not entirely sure where the idea and/or influence came for this playlist. I just wanted to make one so I just added a bunch of songs I like listening to or think have a "magical" sound to them. Whatever. 

Hope you enjoy it.