the as if conundrum.

As a five year old, I was overexposed to late nineties romantic teen comedies and desperately wanted to be a sixteen year old girl with a car, a boyfriend, and a computer operated closet. Now that I've been sixteen for three weeks, I just want to be my five year old self who had the confidence to wear leopard pants and didn't have an abundance of homework stopping me from watching late nineties romantic teen comedies all day.I still find this to be the most technologically advanced thing ever. 

we interrupt this program for a very important announcement

YOU. RIGHT THERE. READING THIS PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A BLOG. I need your help. You see, there's this fantastic independent fashion journal called Worn. Last week, the kind, extremely well dressed folks there sent me an issue.  

Just as I had finally finished whittling the giant wood block of homework I had into a delightful gnome, ready to sing praises of Worn and how if it were a person, it would be your friend's cool older sister who is always wearing some awesome vintage getup and always sounds smart and funny AND YOU WANT TO BE JUST LIKE HER AND YOU WRITE IN RUN ON SENTENCES AND USE ALL CAPS TO CONVEY PASSIONATE EMOTIONS, I hear this news. 

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. Some no good, scum-between-my-toes dirtbags hacked into the lovely folk's bank account, and now they can't pay distribution costs. Mind you, the Wornettes are all volunteers, to boot! 

So, dig between your sofa cushions, hold a bake sale, or interpretive dance on the side of the road with a tip jar, whatever you can do to scrounge up some moolah to help out one of the greatest fashion zines of our time!

someone in my dictionary's up to no good

When it rains it pours, homework-wise. I'm really happy about that because I was beginning to worry I would be able to have time to blog/enjoy life again. I need to stop making excuses. If I have time to record fifteen minute videos of me eating chocolate pudding whilst simultaneously lip synching show tunes (a skill that, I must admite, I am quite proud of) for my friends, I have time for blogging GOSHDARNIT.

I'm giving up on this whole "hair" concept.

I made one of these Formspring contraptions, where you anonymously ask me questions or gush out your feelings or talk about some really great food you had and I can live vicariously through your stomach, and then I'll post and answer them here. My dear pal Hazel has one and I've admired it for sometime and because I am going through such a rut thought it might liven things up a bit around here (Have you noticed? This blog has become a bunch of posts of me complaining about complaining about not posting and then taking angsty self-portraits.) 

So please, ask way, dear friends.

fixing a hole.

Why do I never consistently post?

a.) I am currently swimming a sea of homework.

b.) I am just lazy.

c.) I spend all my free time googling where I can find Indian food within a 5 miles radius.

d.) I am busy cutting holes in my future prom dress, ala the Viktor and Rolf number below.

e.) I'm contemplating the natural food coloring thing going on with beets.

f.) all of the above.

  P.S. Take a look at the new header by Audrey Malo! Visit her Etsy shop, full of many delightful prints.

BENTO PERFECTION

I would like this for lunch everyday, please. 

OFF TO GO STEAM SOME RICE AND THINGS!

the entire confection.

I was talking with a friend today about our favorite scenes in a movie, of all time. I determined this is mine.

Those notoriously charming folks that comment at Youtube share my feelings, more or less:

"dam tht cake looks good-i know yall r thinking it too!"

"This IS epic caek."

"Hidden scenes - The revolting fat child dies of coronary heart disease not long after."

"I would need a freaking ton of milk to get through that thing..."

"he is my hero! i chugged my capri sun when he was eating the last of the cake and screaming!"

"i totally feel like him now. cause i'm eating half a pie"

"BRUCE PWNS FAT BITCHES!" (INDEED)

school daze.

My first day of school can easily be described in a single word: meh. It's not like I expected anything more than that blah blah i want to go to college blah blah everyone sucks blah teen angst. I've come to the conclusion that my ideal school is one in which Ina Garten is the principal and everyone is polite and cheery and wear dresses and we eat lobster pot pie and chocolate cake for lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY.

This is what I wore, sans the tights and a different belt. I was just lazy/sleep deprived the first day and didn't feel like taking a picture and had conveniently taken this one the other day.I KNOW I KNOW, this is such a profesh fashion blog. I mean where, in that large brilliant mind of mine, do I find such groundbreaking ensemble ideas?!

In other new, I just poured myself a bowl of chocolate chips. They've got that mystical,whiteness to them that is either A.) mold (does chocolate mold?) or B.)staleness from being in a open bag for too long. The fact that a bag of chocolate has gone uneaten in my home for so long that it's developed the said mystical whiteness is disgraceful.

 How was your first day of school?

P.S. The Etsy shop is up and running! Look over there, to the right!

i was takin' a walk.

Yeah. I know. Three weeks, no post.  That's because I am here in the summer heat making delicate oddities to sell in my Etsy shop with my own two bear paws. Actually, this is a lie. We totally have air conditioning, I spend 12% of my day working on the Etsy shop, and I like to think of my hands as dainty and ladylike (if you are wondering, the other 82% of my time is spent eating oatmeal and choreographing dances to Hall & Oates in my basement. I HAVE MY PRIORITIES.)

I have just been wallowing in laziness until school starts next week, but amidst my lounging on the couch, I have gathered some deep, philosophical thoughts:

1. I should make a DIY version of this shirt. I saw it the other day while flipping through my mom's Lucky magazine and since I love mostly everything with bows, it sang to me. Yeah, literally jumped off the page and belted out I Was Made For You.

If the folks at Net-A-Porter think I am going to dig through my sofa cushions to come up with $135 worth of change, they are mistaken. Get me a Hanes sweatshirt from the Target boys department and some black fabric and we're in business.

2. Egg creams are delicious. Do you have chocolate syrup and milk and some seltzer and a glass and a spoon? Yes? Go make one. Your soul will thank me.

3. Project Runway is boring me, gang. And don't even say it's Lifetime's fault because a channel that has brought such masterpieces as Pregnant at Fifteen and Terror at The Mall CAN DO NO WRONG. If the challenge tonight does not lead them to a fish market where they must construct corsets entirely out of  bones and duct tape, I will shake my fists in anger.

Well, that's that. The Etsy shop should be up in the next week. Start filling that jar on your kitchen counter that says "Funds to support that 15 year old mastermind with startling good looks."

summertime clothes

Remember how I mentioned I was making a dress a few weeks ago? Here it is!

I don't think this picture does it justice ("Digital cameras are for sissies. I like the anticipation of the one hour photo." -my dad). This is the first thing I've sewn that has not turned out like something Holly Hobby would wear to bed (who is Holly Hobby anyway? Why am I using this reference?).

I'm a little bit sad that my classes and days of painfully awkward modeling are over. Now I'll just be returning to my ways of lounging around in my pajamas and eating peanut butter, using the excuse that it's summer and this is what I'm supposed to be doing GOSHDARNIT (In other news, I just said goshdarnit...).

That is, until school starts. I always spend the end of the summer with this illusion in my head that I will purchase a whole new polished wardrobe and an arsenal of shiny school supplies and everyone will return chipper and friendly and I will stay organized and read tons of classic literature. Seeing as I, unfortunately, do not live in a Disney Channel sitcom, this never happens. 

P.S. I saw some overpriced, glued zipper flower accessories at Urban Outfitters a few days ago and felt really excited that I had successfully beat THE MAN. I'm thinking of starting an Etsy shop. What do you guys think of that?

TRUE DAT

available here.

I spy a DIY: zipper flower rosettes

How's you summer been going? I've been taking fashion design classes at a local college for the past few weeks. I get to broaden my sewing skill horizons, meet new kids (including eccentric sixth graders with a passion for anime. Ugh more on that later...), pretend to ballroom dance with the mannequins when I should be doing *important* things, and make funny observations about my fellow passengers on the train ride there (i.e. woman eating three snacks while reading a book on  overcoming addiction to food, old man listening to 867-5309 on full volume for all to hear etc.). 

ANYWAYS, I've begun to work on dress for my class's upcoming fashion show. My design involves a nice, big zipper flower. 

I went in search of a good tutorial to make one, but they all either a.) were too pointy. I'm going for a rounded rosette look or b.) involved hot glue, which I am not too fond of due to a particular incident as a child involving metallic sequins and my thumb. So I decided to make my own and will now share it with you good looking folks. 

Supplies

+zipper(s) with exposed metal teeth (the longer your zipper, the bigger the flower. I used several and sewed them together. Look for a bin of reject zippers in a fabric shop. They're much cheaper and work just as well.)

+scissors

+needle

+thread that corresponds to the color of your zippers

+an hour or two of your time (I got the big yellow one during 3 episodes of The Nanny)

Note: I know the following directions are not very eloquent or fantastically illustrated. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!

 

1. Unzip your zipper. Cut through the teeth on each side, as close as possible to the pull, on both sides. If you are using multiple zippers, do this to them as well.

2. On all except for one zipper half, cut the flap of fabric on the other end, as close as possible.

3. Take the one zipper half with the end flap remaining. Tightly roll the fabric flap to form the basis of the flower bud. Secure with a stitch or two.

4. Wrap the zipper around the bud, spiraling downward so the teeth do not overlap. Continue until the bud of the flower is the size that you'd like.

5. Fold the zipper fabric, making a little pleat, and secure it with a stitch. 

6. Stitch the edge, near the fold, of the zipper fabric to the bud. Continue stitching and pleating, every half inch or so, wrapping the bottom of the zipper around. (I know this sound complicated, but I promise once you start you will get a feel for it)

7. Once you're through stitching your zipper, stitch the end of it to the middle of the backside of the rosette.

8. If you are adding another zipper half, simply stitch it where the other half left off. Continue until the rosette is the size that you'd like it.

You can use these for all sorts of things: headbands, hair clips, pins, edgy yard decor to throw off the neighbors etc. My mind is reeling with ideas. I can't wait to make some more!

things that may or may not alter your mood considerably.

1. cheap nail polish, in the approximate shade of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

2. small children grocery shopping with their grandparents.

3. when waiters/waitresses tell you that what you ordered is an excellent choice. This not only heightens excitement for the meal, but it causes you to feel that you are a magnificent decision maker.

4. finding small things you'd thought you'd lost long ago (i.e. board game pieces, hair clips etc.)

5. being offered snacks. 

i got you babe

Sorry things have been quiet around here. I hope this makes up for it.

Have a lovely weekend!

saltwater queen.

Forget those ubiquitous gladiators that everyone and their mom has (I'm not kidding. She has them. Go look in your mother's closet. I'll wait.), retro made-for-toddlers-who-run-around-the-playground sandals are where it's at! 

My Saltwater Sandals came in the mail today. Even though this pair is made for women, the sizing says youth, which just makes me feel really young and vibrant and almost not drink my Metamucil. Almost. They make me so happy that I decided to go outside and frolic in joy with the woodland creatures of my yard.

It did not go over very well. 

(shirt: diy of an old v-neck. One of these days I'll make a tutorial on it. Maybe. skirt: old Tommy Hilfiger dress. belt: ripped off of my mom's target shirt. A rebel I am.)

This pattern reminds me of Liberty print. I fashioned this skirt out of an old Tommy Hilfiger dress I got at TJ Maxx in the fourth grade. Radical stuff, I know. 

P.S. I want to make a new header, but am photoshop/html challenged. If anyone wants to help a girl out, drop me line in the comments or email. I will pay you with my love! And a DIYed t-shirt.

do the locomotion.

"Look, Ma, I can count! Look, everybody, I can count!" she cried, contrary to popular belief of many.

Guess what today is, gang?  Yes, indeed it is Little Eva's birthday, but it's also the blog anniversary! *cue emotional reflection speech* This past year has been so wonderful. I've begun to gain my own sense of style and have been able to get to know so many lovely blogging folks. Thank you to the entire four, possibly five, people that read this thing. You all deserve a doughnut bacon cheeseburger for taking the time to read my ramblings.

ANYWAYS, to celebrate this momentous occasion, I put on my polka dot dress that I scored the other day at an outlet mall and then proceeded to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Living, I tell you.

Outlet malls are frightening things. Essentially, they are masses of housewives wandering around in search of khakis from 2002 being sold for twice their retail price. But by some fluke I found this French Connection dress, with a retail tag of $198, for fifteen bucks. I am just over the moon. It's so shiny and pretty and I probably should have taken a detail shot of it *facepalm*. 

Excuse me while I go find a life that would permit me to regularly wear shiny cocktail dresses. Here's to another year of blogtasticness and excellent vocabulary -raises juicebox-.

sunshine in the sky and on my plate.

*Note: this post contains some pretty fantastic links to some pretty fantastic videos that brilliantly illustrate the pop culture references that took me fifteen minutes to think of.

Today was the last day of my first year of high school. WHAT? WHAT IS THIS MADNESS? I still feel like I am in fourth grade (although, mentally, I basically am). 

Of course, my school district has to go ahead and be all retro on us, keeping a junior high. So my freshman year of high school was sort of like the last year of what you folks call "middle school" (for some reason, I am reading this aloud in a Sophia Petrillo-esque voice and using air quotes. Just sharing that with you).

I didn't even get to experience that "High school. Whatever happens to us now will determine the rest of our lives" moment. Maybe I will experience that next year? I don't know. I cannot wrap my head around this stuff. Fourth grade intellect, remember? 

But one of the many benefits of no more school is that I can now devote more time to this neglected child of a blog. That and I can stay up and watch The Nanny reruns on Lifetime. God, during the summertime, I watch Lifetime like a single lady with a subscription to Cat Fancy and multiple containers of Yoplait Light in her fridge...

So, to celebrate, I bring you cake. Cake that I technically made for my dad's birthday last week. But, in my heart, I also made it for you, my dear friend. And we haven't had a food post in so long, now have we?

Orange Layer Cake (adapted from here)

This thing has a lot of steps. Lots of creamy, delicious steps.

Orange Curd Filling:

2/3 cup sugar

3 Tbs. all-purpose flour

1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 3 large or 4 medium oranges), without pulp

2 large egg yolks

2 Tbs. salted butter

Cake:

2-1/4 cups (101/8 oz.) all-purpose flour

2-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/3 cup salted butter

1/3 cup vegetable shortening

2 tsp. grated orange zest (from about 1 large orange)

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 3 large or 4 medium oranges), without pulp

Frosting:

12 Tbs. salted butter, at room temperature

4-1/2 cups (about 18 oz.) confectioners’ sugar

Dash salt

1 tsp. grated orange zest

5 Tbs. fresh orange juice

Topping:

1 orange, sliced into rings

1. Make the filling.

Whisk the sugar and flour together in a saucepan. Add the orange juice, egg yolks, and whisk that them to combine. Put the saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils, 3 to 4 minutes (Do not think you can be sly and walk away, keep whisking that thing like there's no tomorrow). Cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly (it will thicken and become less cloudy). Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Transfer to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling, and refrigerate. Make sure it's nice and chilled before using.

2. Bake the cake.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees (that's Fahrenheit, for all you foreign folks). Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Grease two 9x1-1/2-inch cake pans (don't cry if your pan is an inch. It will work) and line the bottom of each with a round of parchment paper (trace the bottom of your pan onto parchment and cutout). Lightly flour the side and bottom of each pan. 

Using a mixer of some sort,cream together the butter, shortening, and zest. Slowly add the sugar, creaming until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between additions and scraping down the sides. 

Add the sifted dry ingredients, alternately with the orange juice, into the creamed mixture, beating on low speed after each addition. Pour equal amounts of batter into the prepared pans. Tap the pans against the counter before putting them in the oven (this removes air bubbles/anger issues). Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 28 min. Cool the cake layers in the pans for 10 min. and then loosen the layers by running a knife between the cake and the edge of the pan. Remove the layers from the pans and put them on a rack to continue cooling.

3. Frosting

Cream the butter with a mixer. Add the confectioners' sugar and salt and combine thoroughly. At this point it will look like dusty cookie batter and you will think something has gone wrong. If you have been following my directions, I can assure nothing has. If you have not, proceed to dig yourself a hole and take up residence there. Add the orange juice and mix on high speed until well blended, scraping down the sides. It will be light and creamy. Refrigerate.

4. Put this junk together.

When everything is cool, put one cake layer on a cake stand or plate (or other serving utensil of choice. I DON'T KNOW YOUR LIFE, GRRL). Spread orange filling over cake to make about a 1/4 inch later. You'll have about 1/3 cup extra that tastes scrumptious when eaten out of the fridge with a spoon at midnight. Just saying. Put the second layer on top and refrigerate until the filling has chilled again and firmed up, about 45 min. This is important. If you skip it, the filling will ooze out like the eyeballs of zombies in a low-budget horror movie. 

If  you're frosting has become kind of hard, beat it with a mixture or spatula. Spread a thing layer of frosting over the whole cake. This is what the folks in the business call a "crumb coat" because it loosens the "crumbs."  Refrigerate the cake for about 10 min. to firm up again. Put on final layer of frosting. If the cake slides, gently push it back. Top the cake with orange slices in a flower-like pattern. Eat.

some (not so) nice things.

Today is just one of those days. Realized I was wearing my shoes that fall off unless I flex my ankle in a particular way, while running in pursuit after my departing bus. Failed my geometry test. Became aware that my bumblebee undies are visible through the dress I have worn 3 times in the past week. Terrif.

OH AND HAVE YOU HEARD? Archie has officially chosen Veronica. Just not a good day for nice girls.

But on a lighter note, have you seen Glee?  You must. If you value our relationship (yes, you), you will go watch it.

And lastly, 

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa jelly heels. Perfect for folks who are prone to spilling on their shoes, like me.  Forget anything I have ever said I wanted on this here blog. I just want these on feet. Soon.

500 Days of Summer

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

I'm quite excited for this movie. Zooey Deschanel+cute dress+Joseph Gordon Levitt+ Ikea = can do no wrong.

incidents.

For lack of a better post, some highly intelligent thoughts:

+Thursday I go to the big hoe down (could that be a pun? i think that could be a pun) in my school gym. Read: not excited. All I can say is that there better be some brownie bites at this function or else I will stand around and sulk over missing a 30 Rock repeat.

+Ikea is becoming my favorite place in the world. I don't need Billy Mays-like screaming to convince me to buy something. I just need someone to slap on a name like Heidltorg to a potato peeler and I'll buy three. Oh and they have $1 frozen yogurt there. 

+There is currently a zit protruding from my chin. According to the internets, this one could be classified as a nodule. Just thought you should know. Seriously, looking for a good time? Go to google images and search pimple diagrams. 

+I am thinking of blogging about food. Or a food blog. Could you guys handle that? Would you read it? WOULD YOU?

+I got some matte red lipstick for that said occasion. It sort of makes me feel like 40's screen siren and not someone who has a legitimate fear of breaking their ankle because they cannot walk in heels.

+Speaking of the word legitimate can we stop abbreviating it, teenage society/people who like to appear like aholes . I am not very down with the kids these days (Example:Where was I at 11:30 Friday night? Watching Golden Girls. On Lifetime.), but when I hear someone add "legit" to a statement it overrides all truth. 

"I bought this Rolex for $15. And I ate ice cream for breakfast! Like legit!"

Alright. Uh huh. I'm on to you,kid. Maybe legit just means "cool," "tight,"or "rad." I don't know, but excuse me while I go fix myself a glass of Metamucil and OJ and turn the dial on my television to Wheel of Fortune.

P.S.

These days are rough, you guys. I mean, we are in a RECESSION. A girl needs to take all necessary measures to claims dibs on her sort of rotting morning banana half.

apple tree.

YIPPEEEEE. I've been tagged by Hazel the magnificent. You should go read her blog because it is really the cream of the crop. It is like the Betty White of blogs (i.e. inspiring,original, uh GOLDEN).

For you pleasure, here are 7 random things about yours truly...

1. I always eat my food at home with a dessert fork. It doesn't matter in a restaurant, just when I'm eating at home. My mom used to give me one to use when I was little because it was easier to hold and I've never broken the habit. I'm sort of worried that one day I will be married with kids, still eating dinner with a dessert fork.

2. I have a vinyl collection, but no record player. It's kind of depressing.

3. Someone threw a rock through my front window last week. I wish there was some cool reason for it, like a riot breaking out between my neighbors over who's chrysanthemums are prettier. But no, it was just some ultra classy kids who obviously cannot achieve thrills by swinging on tree branches like myself. Sigh. 

4.I don't like Doritos. Fake cheese powder creeps me out.

5. I think bruised apples are the the best kind of apple.

6. My favorite movies are ones about dysfunctional families. 

7. I hate brushing my teeth. It's not that I don't do it, it just makes me feel like my life is repetitive and tastes like fake mint. 

I think I shall tag Kat, Mary, and Anna.

twitter dat

So, you guys. I have joined the masses. I got a Twitter. (twitter.com/quirkyandco FTW!) Actually, I got it a few weeks ago. As in like a month ago. I am just lazy and inconsiderate and do not share this news with all three of the people who read my blog (HI).

Anyways, you can know when I lose my hairclips, when my mom makes lasagna, when I go run over squirrels with my bike for fun etc., all in real time! Actually, not. I can't figure out how to text my tweets (Tweets?! What has become of me?), so for now it goes like this:

Me: OMG! I just found a quarter on the sidewalk! I must scamper on home and twitter this!

So please follow me. I promise you it will be not cool or interesting or funny. This, however, is.


Ok. There is some chocolate soymilk that is currently beckoning me to the fridge.

person i really like: Gilda Radner

Gilda Radner once said "I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” She was funny in a time where boys dominated comedy. She made frizzy, unruly hair cool. For these reasons, she is my hero and should be yours too.

She paved the way for all of the Amy Poehlers and Tiny Feys of today and it makes me sad that during a recent conversation none of my friends knew of the comical genius that brought us such master pieces as this and this.

And in other Gilda related wonderments, this t-shirt is pretty rad too.

a semi-educational moment

This needs to be addressed.
exhibit A:

exhibit B:

I apologize that this blog has become a menagerie of video clips. We'll be back to normal very soon.

you make everything groovy.

If this doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, nothing will.

note to self {an open letter}.

This picture has nothing to with anything. It just makes me smile.

+Blog more. You have ran out of excuses,young lady.

+Send camera away to be fixed for what seems to be the 12th time in the last 3 months.

+Chastise boy who knocked your camera to the ground because he got slightly too into his Single Ladies rendition on a daily basis.

+Attempt two-toned lips. This could be super rad and just generate confused looks from all of your peers.

+Make flower headband tutorial as soon as camera is nursed back to health. See bullet #2.

+Stop lurking on Facebook. You have more important things to do. See bullet #1.

+Watch this movie. And this one too.

+Start making more lists. This seems to be curing your procrastination a little bit. {listography}

{image found here. i hope they don't mind}

such a funny thing for me to try to explain.

In case you were wondering,I am alive. I've been kind of sort of busy with a semi-ish life (shocking, I know). And the Book Cover Archive has been sucking up all of my free time like a Bounty paper towel (bah dum ching!... no?).

There is so much I should talk about (fashion week, The Oscars etc) , but you've probably heard enough. And besides, today is a snow day all I want to do is go eat pancakes and watch the food network and listen to this song.


Spectacular.

the haircut of cool kids and neurotics alike.

When I was a toddler, all of my haircut requests were denied. This is just one of the many perils of growing up with curly locks (which includes the ubiquitous "boing-ing." Seriously, folks, my hair is not public domain. You may not pull on it as you please.)

Bangs? No. Anything above shoulder length? Don't even think about it. But, by far, the most coveted, the haircut I most longed for was the bowlcut. I mean, just take a moment and think about it. One acquires a bowlcut by placing a bowl on top of their hair and cutting off the excess. If that does not show how we as a civilization have progressed, then tell me, WHAT DOES?

So, naturally, when I came across this t-shirt at Blood Is The New Black (which, for your information, is a really quite cool site that is a lot less emo-ish than it sounds), my former love affair with bowlcuts was rekindled. I'm currently trying to convince my mom that at $15, this shirt is much cheaper than the years of therapy I would have needed after enduring my formidable Teddy Graham years known as "the kid with the curly bowlcut."

P.S. One of my (many) neuroses was published over at the simply brilliant i am neurotic. I'm not sure if they post all of the ones they receive, but this is just a shining moment in the obsessive compulsive life that I lead.

how come there's oregano in the walnuts?

I watched this when I was little simply because I thought their clothes were cute. I now realize this is possibly the greatest film ever. And they're clothes are still really cute.

and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Instead of studying last night, I made this headband. But it's alright, I'm pretty certain those flowers are imparting tons of knowledge into my head.

Today's goal was to receive zero hipster references. My art teacher told me I look "very nineteen 20's." What's that I hear? The sweet sound of success? Yes, I think so.

Shirt: sister's hand-me-down (H&M). Tank: Target. Skirt: It's actually an AA dress. I wear it unhealthy amounts, which you wouldn't know of course because of my sporadic blogging. Tights:mom's. Shoe: Nine West. Headband: it's fuchsia, I swear.

my two best friends are a tomato and Liza Minelli.

Uh so guess who broke their camera the other night? I'll give you a hint. Her name rhymes with Schmabby (note: textbooks on top of your bed WILL NOT provide a stable surface for one's camera when one is being lame and attempting to take artsy outfit pics. It will not hesistate to slip and fall.)

So while the kind camera docs work all sorts of magic and I continue to fail at life, let's just all just enjoy the amazingness that is Penelope, mmkay?

been an awful good girl.*

I hope you've had a lovely holiday, full of so-ridiculous-that-you-can't-look-away Lifetime movies and lasagna and reading books in your pajamas all day and procrastinating schoolwork and magic. (What? Yours wasn't? That's just me? Oh, well, it's been quite nice.) As far as Christmas loot goes, I made out like a bandit. And by bandit, I mean one who wears red patent leather pumps.I have stalked these shoes since I spotted them, while window shopping last April. Just like a crazed junkie who stalks her ex-husband in the aforementioned Lifetime movies, our relationship was unhealthy. The display pair happened to be my size, which means I inexplicably had to try them on every time I walked by the Marc by Marc display every few months or so. I would stare at my foot longingly and whenever the kind salespeople asked if I needed any help I'd just say "NO.NO THANKS. UNLESS I CAN PURCHASE THESE WITH THE FOURTEEN CENTS AND COUPON FOR A FREE ICED COFFEE THAT HAVE TO MY NAME...NO!"

Fast forward to Black Friday: I spot them on the sale rack 60% off. I squeal. My mom says I do not need designer red patent pumps, especially with my tendency to jump in puddles/lack of social life that would allow me the opportunity to wear red patent pumps. Besides, even at 60% off, they are still much too much. I try to thoroughly convey to her that if these shoes were a boy, I would marry them. The saleslady jumps in the argument and tells my mom these shoes are a great deal and, hey look, the bottom is made of genuine leather, she'll even scratches them to prove this us. Um, thanks a heap for scratching my dream shoes, lady. I attempt to sweet talk her into giving us a better discount and fail. Miserably.

On Christmas morning I spot a giant package. I suspect that it is a waffle iron and become really excited. Turns out, it's the pumps, hidden in a giant package (those rascal folks of mine).My mom went back a week later and the shoes were marked down even more. When they are not on my feet, I plan on placing them on a shelf where I will feed them bon bons and whisper sweet nothings into their ears.

Oh and I also did get a waffle iron, along with this recipe binder my mom made with a bunch of pictures from an old food magazine she found at the thrift store. I think it kind of upstages the shoes. I mean, DO YOU SEE HOW THAT JELLO MOLD GLISTENS?

*This was supposed to be posted a week ago. Did you really take me for that much of a procrastinator (don't answer that...)Blogger and I were going through a bit of a tiff, but now we're besties again.

the boy least likely to.

This video and this song just make me insanely happy. Especially at times like these, when winter break is ending and I just realized I have a day to write a ten page essay. Fudgesicles. (Resolution # 1: Stop procrastinating. And blog more. And stop eating chocolate chips out of the bag...)

P.S. Blogger has been acting like a hormonal teenage girl for the past few days. I promise a belated holiday post for your viewing pleasure as soon as it gets it's act together.