al.ex.is.jul.i.an.

Today is my 19th birthday and like this cupcake, I feel a bit as...

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:35 -0800

Today is my 19th birthday and like this cupcake, I feel a bit as though I’m burning at each end!

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind,..."

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:25:49 -0800

““People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyways. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyways. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyways. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.””

- Mother Teresa

This is the entirety of My Christmas List.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:28:36 -0800

This is the entirety of My Christmas List.

Movies I want to see:

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:39:30 -0800

A Christmas Carol 3D

An Education

Coco Before Chanel

Precious

Pirate Radio

Whip It

New York, I Love You

COMING SOON!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:56:12 -0800

Beginning on November 25th, I will begin 30 Days of Sharing:

Day 01 → Your favorite song
Day 02 → Your favorite movie
Day 03 → Your favorite television program
Day 04 → Your favorite book
Day 05 → Your favorite quote
Day 06 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 → A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 → A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 → A photo you took
Day 10 → A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 → A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 → A fictional book
Day 14 → A non-fictional book
Day 15 → A fanfic
Day 16 → A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 → An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 → A talent of yours
Day 20 → A hobby of yours
Day 21 → A recipe
Day 22 → A website
Day 23 → A YouTube video
Day 24 → Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 → Your day, in great detail
Day 26 → Your week, in great detail
Day 27 → This month, in great detail
Day 28 → This year, in great detail
Day 29 → Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 → Whatever tickles your fancy

10 Reasons to Go Vegan (Even for a Week!)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:39:34 -0800

maryrambin:

nutritionista:

Those of you that have been following along at home know that as part of the Winter Shape Up Challenge, I’m going vegan for this week. You may also know that other bloggers have also taken on the challenge of going vegan. What you may not yet know: Why going vegan might be a good idea!

As a disclaimer, let me clarify that I’m not trying to preach veganism to any of you. Though much of what I eat is naturally vegan, I’ve only been officially, completely vegan for three days. I don’t think it’s the right lifestyle for everyone. But there are many benefits, and I’m here to highlight those for you.

10 Reasons to Go Vegan:

You’d be giving a little boost to our lovely planet. Producing meat and dairy consumes a lot of fossil fuel. Eliminating them from your diet drastically reduces your carbon footprint.

It will probably save you money. Meat is more expensive than vegetarian forms of protein. Enough said.

It might help you eat more whole foods. Yes, there are processed vegan foods (tons of them). But lots of processed foods are not vegan, so you might be forced to cut many of them out of your diet.

You could lower your risk for chronic disease. Much of the heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity in this country can be partially attributed to our over-consumption of meat and dairy.

Vegan food tastes good! Though your palate might not be used to it at first, vegan food is very flavorful. In fact, in my short experience with veganism, I feel like I’m able to taste the flavors of my food more.

It forces you to get creative in the kitchen. I’ve been in a slump with my cooking lately, and going vegan has really forced me to pull myself out of it.

Going out to eat will only seem desirable when the restaurant is worth it. When you’re vegan, most restaurant food is off limits. You’ll only want to splurge when you know the restaurant will have options for you, and that equals a healthier body and wallet.

As a global community, more people can be fed on a plant-based diet than a meat-based one. The amount of vegetable protein fed to U.S. beef would feed almost the entire populations of India and China.

Eating animal products isn’t biologically necessary! Why spend the extra money if you don’t have to? Why increase your carbon footprint if you don’t have to?

A vegan diet can be just as gluttonous as an omnivorous one. Vegans can still drink beer and eat french fries (as long as they’re not cooked in lard!), so don’t think you’ll be deprived if you go vegan.

All that said, will I be vegan (or even vegetarian) for the rest of my life? Probably not. But I have been, and will continue to be, a LOT more picky about where my meat and dairy come from if I decide to incorporate them into my diet. I’ll try to buy free-range, organic, vegetarian-fed meat and dairy, as well as buying from local farmers when I can. I’ll also strive to keep at least 1-2 of my daily meals vegan, as even decreasing your meat and dairy a little bit can have an impact on the environment (and you’re also voting with your mouth!).

If you’re wary about veganism, try going vegan for just a day… TODAY! Michelle and Katy have declared today Vegan 4-A-Day. Katy says:

On Thursday, November 19, we are asking that you devote one or all of your meals to being vegan. We just kindly ask if you could link back to either my blog or Michelle’s when you make your posts about Vegan Week. We will be compiling a list of all who participate throughout the day, on our blogs under the ‘VeganWeek’ tabs. If you could make sure to either send us the link and/or leave it in the comment section of the ‘Vegan 4-A- Day’ official post on Thursday then we can give you proper accolades.

If you know of any other friends, bloggers or not, who are up for the challenge…spread it around! Everyone who takes part will have a chance at a really cool prize — details of that to come soon!

I mean, what do you do when you really need to talk, but it’s 3am? =/

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:16:10 -0800

I mean, what do you do when you really need to talk, but it’s 3am? =/

Since my new goal in life is to attain all 100 items in Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred, I need...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:30:13 -0800

Since my new goal in life is to attain all 100 items in Nina Garcia’s The One Hundred, I need an umbrella. I especially need an umbrella that I would be proud to use in Paris next month.

Here are the top contenders right now:

And, of course, the incomparable Can Can umbrella by Guy de Jean.

Since the Can Can is $200, I’m thinking the top two are the most realistic. I could purchase A and B and still have money left over with the money I would spend on C alone.

Another option is this layered umbrella for $75:

This is a good looking umbrella, but I think the ruffles speak for themselves without the addition of a sassy red.

Got any great umbrella suggestions? Leave them as a comment!

Photo

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:08:07 -0800

Photo

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:23:43 -0800

ache: I’ve always looked for a pair of red sequinned...

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:33:27 -0800

ache:

I’ve always looked for a pair of red sequinned “slippers”. Still have yet to find the perfect pair.

nordstrom bp!

newageaudrey: (via sylvysparrow) this makes me want to die.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:32:46 -0800

newageaudrey:

(via sylvysparrow)

this makes me want to die.

newageaudrey: ally0uwanted

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:32:32 -0800

newageaudrey:

ally0uwanted

“This is how it worksYou’re young until you’re notYou love until you...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:07:58 -0800

“This is how it works
You’re young until you’re not
You love until you don’t
You try until you can’t
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath”

Regina Spektor

yes yes yes!!!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:36:15 -0800

yes yes yes!!!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:35:05 -0800

yes yes yes!!!

This is a staple in my diet. This particular brand, but in the...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:29:55 -0800

This is a staple in my diet. This particular brand, but in the “roasted garlic” variety. It is delicious!

I was curious what my pal Miley Cyrus has been up to since...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:34:30 -0800

I was curious what my pal Miley Cyrus has been up to since deleting her twitter, so I decided to check out the website I hear about so often: MileyWorld.

So here I am on Miley World. Oh… she’s talking to me. Welcoming me. Thanks, Miles. Ummm… here we go, blogs. Which one is most recent? These dates are so tiny… aha. Click. …I have to register? Damn. OH HEY it’s Miley again! She’s talking to me! Wow, Miley World sure does have some great stuff. Okay, I’ll register. Do dee do, next page.

That’s weird, I see that little quad of orange and primary colors in rectangular boxes: credit cards. CREDIT CARDS?! For a fan site? Jesus, it’s Miley talking again, and yep, she wants my $29.99 for a year subscription to Miley World. Wait, what. $29.99?!

Yeah, so $30. That’s how much Miley Cyrus, richest Disney star EVER is getting PER membership PER year to her website. WHAT. THE. HELL. I am not a parent, just a young adult woman interested in the vapid lives of celebrities, but I am shocked all the same. At almost 19 years old, I see no reason for me to ever have to utter the words, “In my day…” and yet, here I am. I cannot even fathom this.

One of the primary reasons why this makes zero sense to me is the current economic climate. Miley Cyrus’ fans are as young as 2. I’m sure the $30 only covers one membership and doesn’t apply to a full household (but I hope I’m wrong). Anyway, $30 is a lot of money when it comes to kids. Most dolls, board games, games, etc, are under that price range. For one of the highest paid people under 18 (probably THE highest paid person under 18 actually) does she really need that cash?

Dear Tumblr:

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:47:44 -0800

You can expect a lot more from me in the next ten days. Why? Because I am embarking on a 10-day quest of isolation. Not complete isolation, as that would be ridiculous and ridiculously hard, but I am going to spend the next ten days making myself extremely happy. Waiting for me at the end of the ten days is my 19th birthday on November 22. I’m heading home to Seattle for Thanksgiving on the 24th.

My plans for these days is as follows:

go to class
do homework
eat vegan
work out twice a day
sleep for at least 8 hours a night (beginning at 10 pm)
when spending time with friends, limit one friend at a time in order to maximize that time (emotionally. friends aren’t a box on a to-do list, jeez!)
read, write, paint
journal
get to be better friends with number one: me

I think when Thanksgiving does roll around, I’ll be happier, healthier, better rested, and feeling more secure about school.

Ritter Sport!

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:24:05 -0800

Ritter Sport!