I'm just a summer girl, I wear my flip flops

Woman's Flip Flops, Old Navy, $3.50 (!) (Beat that recession!)

Summer Clothes! Because the sun was peaking out and any occasion for me to write about summer-y things is super fab for me. I have decided that summer is my ABSOLUTE favorite season, especially now that I've moved to Washington. Ok, yeah yeah yeah, the rain isn't nearly as bad as they make it out to be, blah blah blah. BUT. In the summer you get what Washingtonians think of as "hot", and what I think of as normal. So like, 60's or 70's. So it's perfect for me.

The thing I'd have to say that I wear the most during the summer season is flip flops. I basically don't wear socks or shoes for about 60 or 70 days. Flip flops are so easy, so comfortable, and granted I feel obligated to keep up more with pedicures, but when has that ever been a problem with me? I chose to show these in basic black because sometimes I have a hard time choosing things, and black goes with everything. But ON carries these in pretty much any color you can imagine.

Hip Slung Slung Capris, Gap, $34.99

The next most-often worn item in my summer wardrobe is capris. It is often too hot to wear pants in the summer, so this is my compromise. And they look pretty good with sandals, no?

AE Knit Party Dress, American Eagle, $24.95

My third most often worn item is dresses. Quite frankly, they are the best and the easiest. You slip something over your head and you're already dressed? How great is that?! Step in some flip flops and you're dressed haha! This is the type of dress I would most likely get, and I chose this color (even though they had purple! Usually my obvious choice) because I feel this fair girl (not unlike me) looks best in this gray color. Represent. Oh! And another reason I like wearing flip flops? Heaven forbid I get a tan, even in the summer, but for some reason my feet tan easiest. So to prove I am not completely albino, I wear flip flops so I can get that gratifying tanline.

AE Flirty Striped Dress, American Eagle, $39.95

OK ya'll, if the dress before this was the one I would most likely get, this one is the one I would love to get. And wouldn't ya know it, it's on sale and they have my size! And giiirrrlll, I do not need ANY tempting. As it was today, I went in to aerie today to get my monthly free gift since I am a member of the a-list, and they were all "Buy $30 worth of stuff and get a free tank top!" and quicker than I could think I was over at the rack of sweatpants, and lo and behold they had those sweatpants I want, you know the black ones with the pink band that were featured here earlier? And they were on sale!!! But I had to restrain myself because a) they were only $19.95 and that meant having to buy another thing, b) I don't need any more tank tops, free or not, c) I had the choice to walk out of there with my free lip gloss and nothing else, or pay $30. I chose the first one. And besides, good thing I did, because then I went home and checked my bank account, and breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't buy anything, because I am running scarily low on money. And I think I might be addicted to shopping. No biggie.

Women's Embroidered Gauze Top, Old Navy, $24.50

Moment of truth: I have been neglecting one of my first loves, Old Navy, for the likes of American Eagle, Nordstrom (and Nordstrom Rack), and dare I say it? Forever 21. I love these stores immensely and will continue to shop there (I was so in love with Nordstrom Rack today I told my mom I might consider working there over the summer if it turns out I have to work retail, even over aerie, and we all know how much I LOVE aerie), but I also feel at home at Old Navy too. And I clearly have been missing out because when I went on their website today I noticed that there is some really cute stuff up. But anyway... The only reason this top is up is because a) I needed to prove to you lovely readers that I also occasionally wear tops in the summer, but also b) ethnic is back in. That's right, me and my mom were in Forever 21 on Tuesday, and we walked over to this rack of tops, and I literally said "Look mom, we are in the ethnic section. It must be back in". And don't tell me you guys don't know exactly what I'm talking about, tops with embroidery or Kenyan prints and a lot of brown and red and curlicues. Like, I don't even know how to describe it, I just know it when I see it. Meanwhile, I got a top very similar to this, only it had long sleeves, in San Diego once. From a Mexican man whose wife probably makes these while she sits in front of the TV watching novelas. I'm just saying.

Also, for you reading enjoyment, random life lessons/things I noticed today:

1) There were a lot of cute guys driving in Renton today. Where did they all come from?

2) Two people in my house who shall remain nameless cannot spell very well. Is it really that hard to spell R-E-C-Y-C-L-A-B-L-E-S?

3) In my dream house, where I will have a whipped cream machine like they have at the cheesecake factory, a cotton candy machine, and an imax theater with the screen on the ceiling that doubles as an astronomy room, I will also have a little Vietnamese lady giving hand and leg massages to me every couple of days like they give you when you get a manicure or pedicure. It's really my favorite part. They don't even have to do my nails, just give me delightful massages that make my scalp tingle.

4) I think I have a thing for skaters. First Ryan Sheckler, who is fine as hell, and now Rob Dyrdick.

That's all folks.

Summer Girl, Jessica Andrews

*It's a really great song. Seriously. I listened to it on repeat while I wrote this blog. Here are the lyrics, for your enjoyment:

I drive an Army Jeep

My bumper sticker reads

'Drink 'til he's cute'

That's what I'm gonna do

Ain't got no serious thing

Don't wear a diamond ring

I got a new tattoo

I think you'll like the view

And in my mind

The sun shines

All the time

Chorus:('Cause) I'm just a summer girl

I wear my flip flops

When I let my hair down

(That's when the party starts)

(The party never stops)

Who needs a boyfriend

I got my girl friends

When we get together

The summer never ends

Yeah yeah, oh oh oh

(I'm just a summer girl)

(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

Tanks tops and cutoff jeans

Bikinis and belly rings

We'll make that scene

When the DJ plays 'Dancin' Queen'

Fellas, lay your money down

We'll let'ya buy a round

Don't push your luck

Don't get more than your hopes up

In my world

Day or night

Rain or shine

(Repeat Chorus)

Rap:Everybody needs a little bit of sunshine

Everybody needs time to unwind

Everybody's got to have a good time

(I'm just a summer girl)

Everybody get up on your feet

Everybody got to shake your body

Everybody got a right to be free

(I'm just a summer girl)

(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

(Oh, oh, oh, oh)

Let's Dance!

OK ya'll, this is a plea for help for a good cause! I am going to be participating in the Dance Marathon at my school on April 4th and I need to fundraise =) Basically I will be dancing for 16 hours straight, and the money we raise from this event will go to the Children's Hospital! Therefore it is a really great way to help!
Feeling charitable? Anything helps!!! Here's how you donate: Go to http://www.kidsmiracles.org/sudm and click "FIND PARTICIPANT" on the left hand side. Search for my full name "Alexandra van Ingen", click on my name (it's the only one, of course), and once my page comes up, click "DONATE TO ME" on the red tab above my name. Once there, it's pretty simple and straight forward to donate any amount of money in my name towards the cause! Again, anything helps, even a dollar! So please help if you can! THANKS! =)


Let's Dance, Lady Gaga

Ayo, I'm tired of using technology

Scandisc 16 GB USB Drive, Costco, $35.99

It was finals week, and I was a tad stressed. I had just gotten some music onto my USB, and was trying to settle into a chair in the quiet reading room in the library, where I pretty much lived the week of finals. And that's when I broke my USB clean in thirds.

So so stupid. And now I no longer have that music. Luckily none of my final papers were on that or I would have burst into tears.

I'm not a very tech savvy person, but this time around I think I'm going to get a 16 GB so I can transfer all of my itunes in one shot should I ever need to do that (I have 12 GBs of music as of now).

And next time, I won't break my flash drive.

Ayo Technology, 50 Cent

I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold

Jene Despain gold heart necklace, $80

This is so simple and beautiful that I don't even know if words can describe it. I also like how the background of it is a page ripped from a book. And if I weren't scared that I can't even afford to buy next quarter's textbooks, I'd be buying this. But you know, priorities.

Heart of Gold- Neil Young

Take my picture by the pool Cause I'm the next big thing!

Women's Plus Halter Underwire Swimsuits, Old Navy, $39.50

Here comes that dreaded season! No not Winter or Fall, swimsuit season! Ok, granted, Spring just officially began today, but still. That means summer is right around the corner.

Every vacation we go on my mom asks me the same question, "Are you sure you don't want to bring your swimsuit?" And my response is always "Thanks but no thanks". This is due in part to a couple of reasons: a) I don't like being in a swimsuit and b) I don't like the current swimsuit I own. I mean, it's ok, it's a simple black halter with a skirt bottom, but it's still not my fave.

So with that swimsuit sitting in my dresser the past two summers, I think it's time to get a new one so I can actually use it. That'd be nice.

I like the one above, for several reasons. I LOVE the purple color. I love that the swimsuit has underwire, which I didn't even know was possible. And I love the fact that it covers so much of your body. Because let's face it, I would wear a wetsuit that stretched from my ankles to my wrists and neck if it wasn't so darn ugly and I occasionally went swimming or body surfing.

Beverly Hills, Weezer

Girl, lemme holler at you, you so hot hot hot, you think I be hollerin' if you not not not?

Aerie Roll Over Stretch Pant, American Eagle, $19.95

Arie F.I.T Graphic V-Neck Tee, American Eagle, $24.95

Ok, so my first piece of advice when you're watching TV at the gym? Don't watch Oprah. And if you do, don't watch her special visit to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. Guaranteed you will at least get a little teary-eyed sitting there peddling away on the bicycle and then it becomes hard to breathe, and the woman sitting next to you looks at you strangely, even though you look even more strangely at her because she's wearing jeans. At the gym.

Anyways, three weeks ago my friend Courtney and I decided to go to the gym every night before we shower so we could get a little in shape and occasionally I like walking up flights of stairs without getting winded. So every night for two weeks we went five days a week for an hour and I was very proud. We've since dropped off a little, especially since finals week is almost upon us, but I have faith that we will rev right back up again after spring break. And then it'll be back to the elliptical and the bike.

When we first started going, I had to get all the necessary equipment (*cough*sports bra*cough*) and I soon realized that I needed some adequate sweats because the last time I had gone to the gym I had such flooding sweats they verged on capris.

Luckily, I found the above sweats, and they are a godsend. They are very spandex-y so everything gets sucked in. Plus they are one of the few pairs of sweatpants that have ever been long enough. So I love them, and highly recommend them. Oh, and I just think the shirt is cute, and goes with the pants.

Lastly, a mom who shall not be named commented that the comments on the blog have been lacking. Let's prove her wrong shall we? Let's show some comment loving, perhaps your latest key to getting in shape?

* Kiss Kiss, Chris Brown

You're the cutest thing that I ever did see

Fairy Tales Are True Satin Pleat Skimmer, Urban Outfitters, $34

And I'm pretty sure most of you can fill in the rest of that line... Alright alright for those of you that can't... It's something along the lines of "I really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree". I know, nasty.

Anyways, that is not the point of this post. The point is really cute satin skimmers from UO that I LOVE. I literally adore every color and could imagine different outfits and situations for each ones.

For instance? I would wear the Dolly Pink ones with a cute little skirt that I saw in some other lady's arms at Target, a plain white tee, and a light pink cardigan to match. I would wear this to a tea party, which I have yet to be invited to in my life.

I'd wear the Jade ones with some (very nice and dark wash) jeans, a white or black bedazzled halter, and a cardigan over that (I'm very into cardigans lately, as Courtney and Lyndsie tell me, they are staple pieces). And probably throw in some pearls, so I could wear this outfit to an interview (albeit a laid back one), or to coffee with friends.

I'd wear the Samari Sand ones to a wedding, preferably with a light cottony dress in coral. And preferably to a summer wedding, because I don't need no chill =)

I'd wear the Opal Gray ones to class with some black pants (you know, switching it up, because I wear jeans every single day now as it is) and a shimmery gray wraparound sweater with a little lacy cami peeking out.

I'd wear the Black ones to a concert, but a dressy dinner show type, with soft candles and soft music, and perhaps a date in the works (I can dream can't I?). I'd pair this with a leopard print top, a black skirt, and probably some leggings. Because sometimes I'd like to maintain a sense of decency.

And the last ones? They're my fave, they are Cranberry (which I love to eat!). They are a magnificent color and they are displayed above. I would wear these beauties two places. One, if I had had them, I would have worn them to the production of Romeo and Juliet that Seattle U put on. I really really loved that play. My English teacher was in it and all the actors were superb. I also had a bit of a crush on the men who played Romeo and Mercutio. Just a lil baby one. So I would have worn these babies with gray pants and a cranberry embroidered top. And wearing red would have put me on the Montague side, which is perfect anyways, because Romeo is a Montague. And since this production is already over (which saddens me, I paid twice to see it two separate times), and I wish they had made a movie of it it was so good, I would wear these lovely shoes to church with jeans and a cream colored top.

And what does this exceptionally long post all mean? It means a) I need to win the lottery so that I can get $204 to pay for each one of these pairs of shoes and b) I clearly don't have enough homework if I can sit here and write this. Until next time!

*The Joker, Steve Miller

Look at this trove, treasures untold!

Sprout Jewel Box, Urban Outfitters, $14.99

Every morning I awake at 7:40 (unless I have to straighten my hair, and then I get up 20 minutes early), and then I put my contacts in, do my hair, get dressed, make my bed, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, and do my make-up. Pretty routine stuff, yeah?

But every day I found myself wearing just a watch and the ring my parents gave me for my 18th birthday, and no other jewelry. For those of you that know me, know that I have a ton of jewelry and I love wearing many baubles. But those days I couldn't even be bothered to put earrings in my first holes, and my second holes had simple pearls in them. My jewelry was just sitting in my bottom drawer in a plastic ziploc bag.

Then I happened upon this jewelry case, and it is suddenly no bother to put on at least my watch, ring, some earrings, and a necklace on. It's as if this organized box with compartments forces me to put jewelry on everyday now that I've got it situated. Plus, I added jewelry time to my morning routine, it comes just after brushing my teeth but before make-up. And, just like that, I look more put together, accessory-wise. So I highly suggest a box like this.

* A Part of Your World, Jodi Benson, The Little Mermaid