Goodbye, Farewell, Auf!

When I went on my senior retreat, this girl I know wrote a letter to my friend Christi, and it said something like "I'm about to cry... now the tears are falling and my mom is looking at me weirdly". I totally commiserate, because that is sort of how I feel. Well, I'm not crying, but I may.

And I can guarantee that I will be crying tomorrow, as I leave for college and go to live at Seattle University and begin my four years of schooling there. But aside from a sort of sad time where I am going to grow up and leave my parents and my home, it's a truly exciting and new time for me where I will get to experience a lot of amazing things. So I'm happy for that.

As you can imagine, as the year builds up and my schedule fills, I will be able to write in my blog less and less, until it becomes lucky if I write once a month. But it has been a truly fun time writing every day this summer, and building a reader base, and holding my contests, and debuting Never Too Much of a Good Thing. Thank you everyone who read, and please try to hang on as I continue on my journey.

All I can ask is that everyone keep me in their prayers and think of me and send me tons of positive energy as I begin college.

I love you all so much.

There are many reasons I could be miffed at Victoria Beckham...

You know, like the fact that she has millions or more importantly the fact that she's married to David Beckham. But then there's this. This being her new dress collection.

I heard one blogger say that all her dresses are all basically things you could find in her closet and basically just fit her. And since her waist is about 23 inches and no normal woman has her proportions, they all suck. Another blogger who I like just as equally, said they are perfect for her body type (I believe she is about 5'2 and a size 6).

I guess you can be the judge, but from what I can tell they are all sheaths/column dresses and even the poor models wearing them look like the dress is groaning to fit a human body in. None of them look forgiving or like they float away from the body or hide anything. Which is too bad if you ask me.

Flawless?

So I think the advertisement industry is out to get people like me. They say "This will make your eyelashes twice as long! And as an added bonus, the tube is bright green!" or whatever and before the sentence is even over I am out buying that mascara, enchanted by the bright green (huge orange, magenta, or what may have you) bottle/tube, only to become disenchanted with the product, "What do you mean I don't have lengthened and separated eyelashes or stick straight hair or perfect skin?" Such was the same with Tresemme Flawless Curls' line of products.

I saw the commercial, claiming you could get "flawless, salon-perfect curls" for obviously less of a price. So I went out and bought the whole shebang; mousse, curl creme, and curl activator spray.

Did it give me flawless, salon perfect curls? Hardly. It may be because they intend you to use the products with blow dried hair, and I air dry mine. It may also be because my hair has taken a wavy curly side to it as opposed to a kinky curl side and so I get mixed results. Whatever it may be, I was like really? It's just that they don't work any better than the products I was using before, and sometimes I happen to have a good curl day with the products (yesterday was one), but mostly it just sort of does the job with a layer of frizz on top.

So the lesson is I guess to never trust that products will do what they say they do. And if they do work by chance, then it's just icing on the cake. $4.35

Ask, and you shall recieve (This time, It's NOT a political post)

As I was looking for items to feature in my election/voting post, I happened upon this website, Knot2Much2Ask. It's jewelry (here is where the light bulbs begin to go off), but with a message.

They have created these bracelets called "ask for" bracelets. They are modeled like the one above with a silver or 14k gold plaque and string, and they say inspiring things, like (my top 3): "ask for courage", "ask for everything", and "ask for laughter".

They also have the specific one above, as a tribute to Barack Obama. It's an "ask for change" bracelet, 25% of proceeds go to the Barack Obama campaign, and it's $35 cheaper than the others. I am so game. Except for the fact that I'm afraid if I buy this, I'm committing to Obama, and I'm still undecided. Unless I donate $12.50 to McCain as well, to level the playing field. $50

Other notable pieces of jewelry are the "good cheer bangles" (I like the salud, dinero, amor version) and the "principessa" necklace. Check out the website!

I'll be right here when you need me Anytime just keep believin'

Last day at the library =( Not gonna lie, it makes me a little teary eyed. That and the fact that it is my emotionally unstable part of the month and I bawled yesterday watching Rob from keeping Up With the Kardashians have to leave his girlfriend at the airport so she could go to India for three months. "Naw, I just wanna be by myself. I'm going to go home and watch the Cheetah Girls movies". Like how sad is that?

So, to cheer me up, things I liked on the Pier One Imports site! I really love love this cross. My best friend in California's house had a whole wall devoted to crosses. It was beautiful and I think something peaceful to have in your house. I would like to do the same, and I would start my collection with this. I love how there are crosses within the cross and also what look like flowers to me. $10.98

On a completely different tangent, these mints crack me up because they look like birth control. Hahaha. And as I type this a commercial for Yaz is on. Oh, the irony! $2.50

On my list of favorite patters, zebra is about fifth, which is pretty high on the list. And I've always liked the jewelry at Pier One. $5

This reminds me simultaneously of The Little Mermaid and the 80's. $0.98

It's all goin' down in a matter of weeks

I'm almost a little afraid to bring this topic up, as I know I have some very strong minded readers (I am in fact, related to one in my immediate family). But the fact of the matter is that history will change on November 4th 2008 (four days before my 19th birthday!) and we will either have the first African American president or the first female vice president! And, as an added bonus, I will be able to vote for the first time!

For those of us who need reminding, there is such a necklace to help you out. I rather like this, it's elegant. And a really good idea for a wedding "Save the date" haha. $125

There are a plethora of Obama t-shirts out there. And I think Halle Berry owns all of them, lol. Once, Adam Brody said that if celebrities were a high school class, Aston Kutcher would be the prom king. I think Barack Obama is the prom king of the current politicians, if I may say. $38

Here at GMN we are not biased, we are an equal opportunity blog =) So of course we could not go without showing McCain some love as well, since the poor media does not. $38

And sometimes we just need to support the cause. Because as for me, I may be registered, but I still have not made up my mind on who to vote for. $14.99

She's got a body like an hourglass that's tickin' like a clock

So, my one and only concert experience of the summer (well, September 1st) was Bumbershoot. Bumbershoot is a three day concert in Seattle where bands play at different stages and there's food and rides and merch and it's basically a blast. And you do not even have to drag me anywhere they have Shishkaberries! What are Shishkaberries you ask? Well they are luscious strawberries dunked in various choclate-y combinations of yummy goodness. On.a.stick! (Hence the "shishka" part). I've certainly tried chocolate dipped strawberries, but it's something about shishkaberries that I die for every time, I dunno if it's the stick or the chocolate they use. I may very well have these at my wedding, and we *all know* what an important that event is! Except it may not look too classy to have everyone gnawing off sticks. I may just have to relent to plain chocolate dipped strawberries...

But anyways (!), I so did not mean to go off on that tangent, but then again I never do. The whole point of this post was not chocolate/berry delightfully good treats (I cannot even speak English), but in fact Paramore! Who I saw at Bumbershoot! They are a girl-led group.

This is Hayley, the main singer. I spent like a good fifteen minutes trying to find this. And it is the closest picture of this head twitch thing that she does on stage that *might* be headbanging but looks like she has Tourettes (sorry, I mean no offense. But it kinda does).

And I totally love their music. My favorite songs are Misery Business (this title's words are from that song), That's What You Get, and crushcrushcrush. I highly recommend checking them out (you can listen to their entire songs on Myspace Music). It's like rock, but the lyrics are actually sort of meaningful.

Because eventually you will need a substitute for my blog...

when I am a busy college student!

In short, I was recommended this wonderful book called a A Great and Terrible Beauty. I had picked it up a few times before and loved the first couple of pages but just never bought it. So I finally checked it out of the library. I was blown away by what a great story it was and how funny it was, because in the end humor always keeps me interested. This book has a lot of intrigue and mystery to it, but not so much in a way that makes it sci-fi or too fantastical. Think more of the Harry Potter genre (with less magic and more girls) than say Star Wars. I just really loved this book and cannot wait to read the other two books in the trilogy once I am finished reading my books for school/summer homework!

Also, as a tie in, the author has her very own blog, and I literally spent the better portion of a five hour period reading her backlog of blog posts because they are fabulously funny! Plus it was interesting to see her in the writing process of her trilogy, like a behind the scenes pass.

So, please go read her blog at http://libba-bray.livejournal.com/ and go buy her books. You will not be disappointed.

Four Reasons I Liked Surf's Up

1) The little stick bird that was so obviously gay.

Mikey Abromowitz: I, am on, *so* much migraine medication you have no idea... The stress is killing me. I dunno how much longer I can last, I hafta tell you that right now!

Mikey Abromowitz: You know, I used to scout for songbirds - toucans - for this musical revue in Brazil... Now that's show business.

2) Just the sarcastic humor in general that you don't normally find in kids' movies, I was cracking up the whole time!

Lani Aliikai: Oh, crap! [runs out to save drowning penguin] Cody Maverick: Oh man, I'm in love. Chicken Joe: You should go talk to her. Cody Maverick: No way, man! Chicken Joe: Dude, she's totally into you! She called you crap!

Arnold: I'm Drowning! Arnold: [Lani saves him] Well, thanks again. Lani Aliikai: Alright, well this is the third time this week you've been unconscious. I just don't think it's very good for your brain. Arnold: I know [hugs Lani]

Chicken Joe: I'm Chicken Joe. Joseph. It's long for Joe.

3) The awesome soundtrack. Remember Lilo and Stitch? Lovely movie about a Hawaiian girl and her pet alien. Anywhoot, they had a very stereotypical Hawaiian soundtrack with ukuleles strumming and Hawaiian music playing in the back round constantly. This soundtrack, in a surprising turn of events, had a lot rock songs, which was different and cool.

4) The three little kid penguins, who I unfortunately could not find a picture of, but were very cute.

Arnold: A winner is someone who doesn't knock me off my surfboard, and break it when I'm trying to get some big waves. Especially Tank, he's definitely not a winner. Smudge: He's a dirty trash can full of poop.

I really really like this

$45

Sorry this could be longer, but I am really supposed to be finding out if my textbooks are available online yet =) (See, mom, I do listen to what you say! occasionally...)

Unfortunately, for you all

I don't have a witty song lyric to enrapture you all, but I'll try. Although, yesterday's song was a good one, no?

Today we have: Investment Jewelry! What is that you say? Jewelry that you'll wear again and again so it matters not if it is costly, and it in fact will last longer. Like the piece above, that you can get your very own letter for (mine would be "A" for Alexandra, etc. etc.). I like that it's in Old English lettering, even though it reminds me of tattoos. And yet, that is part of its charm. $70

If you are the more traditional sort, than you can wear a necklace like this, which will surely go with everything! It's real diamonds, so you can say with glee when people ask, "Yes, it's real!" and it's versatile and you can wear it every day. $82.88

Yippee for rings! Once on bunnyshop, a reader asked for nontraditional wedding bands and this one came up. Personally, I am all for tradition, and would loved a blinged out engagement set, but this ring is nice for every day and it's super cute. $54

Earrings are one of those pieces that dress up and bring out any outfit. I love them! And I love bling! So naturally I would pick these. The pink stones are out of the ordinary and make these special and they're studs so you can wear them with a variety of outfits and locations. $79

So I fully Intended to post yesterday...

and then realized it was Labor day and I was too tired out after having a blast at Bumbershoot and decided I could use a vacation too. Haha. From my ever tiring and busy life =)

Today's topic: Back to school clothing!! Today was Andrew Martin van Ingen's first day as a third grader! All together now: "Aww"! And I believe it is a lot of kids' first day if they are of the younger sort. So today's clothing is meant to be an entire outfit... beginning with this lovely Boyfriend Cardigan, aptly named because it is big and sorta baggy and meant to look like a girl wearing her bf's clothes. May I just say, you can never have too many cardigans! Just ask Lyndsie =) They come in multiple colors and go with and over everything and they can easily be taken on or off for those chilly days that turn warm or vice versa! $39.50

Whilst perusing the only back to school shopping store I would ever need to visit, Old Navy, I happened upon this shirt. I think it's perfect; versatile, comes in a plethora of colors, floats away from the body, etc. And cheap! By the way, dear friend Lyndsie has an amazing capability to pick out Old Navy apparel on random people on the street. A talent I only wish to posses =) P.S- I like this shirt in Berry Chutney more but it didn't go with the outfit... $3.99

You gotta have at least some jewelry on! And what better way to make a statement than this necklace, that says "Save the Whales" on the little heart? After all, conservation and being green is always in fashion. $2.99

For an outfit like this, simple jeans will suffice. Well, actually, to me jeans suffice in almost any situation, but still. I picked these, the "Morgan" skinny jeans from Delia's because of the skinny fit (even if trouser or high waisted or bell bottoms for all I know may or may not be coming back into style. Anything besides those hideous light wash cuffed and rolled up jeans Katie Holmes has been sporting lately!) and because they are a dark wash and because this girl looks so happy in the picture! =) Haha she even is sporting sort of what my outfit is supposed to look like! $44.50

Lastly, some cute flats to compliment the above mentioned Boyfriend Cardigan. I figure that you can get away with these at least for a little while longer while the summer lingers and the warm weather lasts, after which point Converse Chuck Taylors will have to do from October to March. Side note: I also love these because they are called the "Summer in the City" sandal and I am in love with that song by the same name by the Lovin' Spoonful "Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty Been down, isn't it a pity Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city" $14.99