Bang, Bang

I was lucky enough to have gotten a Nikon l820 digital camera as a late graduation present towards the end of June, and I brought it with me when my family went to Gulfport, Mississippi for the Fourth of July. People always go to the beach and shoot off fireworks on the Fourth, so my family decided to go too and I took it as a chance to give my camera a proper test run. I'm still very new to photography, but I think I did a pretty alright job for a beginner.

The last two are my favorites because I caught right as the fireworks were beginning to settle in the air. I especially love how the next to last photo looks like a big mass of mini sparks.

July Favorites

I know July hasn't completely come to a close, but I was just too excited about this post to wait the last few days. July was a pretty good month; I've been taking things easy for the most part since I'll be going off to university at the end of next month. It still hasn't quite hit me that I'll be a college student soon, but I'm sure that once I get there and start my classes I'll be fine.

I've never been big on makeup, but I figured that I should at least know the basics of it. After looking into different makeup brands and decided on the concealer, powder, and foundation from Maybelline's Fit Me collection. My shade is #330 in the foundation and powder and #30 in the concealer. So far I'm pretty pleased with the collection; everything goes on easy and it's very lightweight so I don't feel like it's clogging my pores. I also decided to try out some lipstains and I'm loving the Revlon Colorburst Balm Stains. It took me a little while to figure out which colors would look good on me, but I decided on two balm stains: Charm (the peachy tone) and Sweetheart (the darker pink shade). One really nice surprise that I found at TJMaxx when my family was in Gulfport for the Fourth of July was this bottle of Harajuku Lovers perfume in the scent "G". Usually these fragrances go for about $40+, but I seriously lucked out and found this one for $6!

I found this sweatshirt and kimono top at Ross. The sweatshirt is insanely soft and I got it in the next size up so it's very comfortable. I'd been looking for a kimono top for the longest time, but couldn't ever find one that had a pattern that I liked. This one is black (like most of my wardrobe) and has a pinkish floral pattern. I also bought this one size larger and I'm glad that I did because it looks so flowy when I wear it.

These last few items are probably the best things that I bought all month. I went to Books-a-Million with my mom a few days ago and found a box set of the classic novels Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Little Women all for $5. The next day, in Walmart of all places, I found a book of all off William Shakespeare's plays. I could have cried, I was so happy!

Pretty Badass

From left to right: Crystal Reed as Alison Argent, Holland Roden as Lydia Martin, Shelley Hennig as Malia Tate, and Arden Cho as Kira Yukimura

I'm very big on television, but every Monday night I make sure that I'm in front a TV to watch that week's episode of Teen Wolf. Having been a fan of the show since the first season, I haven't missed a single episode  and I've even developed emotional attachments to the characters. Aside from it being incredibly well written with well thought out storylines, what I love the most about Teen Wolf is that the female characters are able to hold their own against the male characters and then some.

Last season, when the lead cross-bow wielding heroine Alison Argent (played by Crystal Reed) was killed off the show, I was sobbing right along with the rest of the fans. It had been confirmed that someone was going to be killed off the show that season, but who would've thought that it'd be dear, sweet Alison?

In the first season, Alison went from being a love interest for main character Scott McCall (played by Tyler Posey), to being a fighter against supernatural right along with him and his best friend Stiles (played by Dylan O'Brien). Her best friend, Lydia Martin (played by Holland Roden), goes from being the superficial it girl to being the resident banshee (a woman who begins to wail when she senses that someone is about to die) and becomes a huge help to Scott's pack.

In the last season, two more female characters, Malia Tate (played by Shelley Hennig) and Kira Yukimura (played by Arden Cho), were added to the cast; both with heavy influence on that season's storyline. Malia began the season as a werecoyote stuck in her animal form, believing that she killed her mother and younger sister when she shifted for the first time eight years earlier. Scott and Stiles find her, help her shift back into her human form, and she is now a member of Scott's pack. Kira started off as a new student in their high school and a potential love interest for Scott, with him and Alison having broken up two seasons prior. One thing that I love about Kira's storyline is that when she was first introduced, we didn't just see her as a love interest; the writer's left room for there to be a little mystery surrounding her. That mystery turned out to be that she is a thunder kitsune, a mystical creature that gets its power directly from electricity. 

When Alison died in the episode before last season's finale, I really appreciate the writers showing how her death affected the other characters; affirming that she was a major part of the show. Even though the show is now short one female character, I'm not at all worried about testosterone taking over. When you've got a banshee, a werecoyote, and a thunder kitsune, you can't get any better than that.

Good Listener

I always listen to Regina Spektor when I'm working on something or feeling creative. She's very creative with her song writing and her songs are the perfect balance of upbeat and mellow to keep my imagination flowing.



"Florida Kilos" is one of the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of Ultraviolence and it might be my new favorite. It has a very Scarface vibe and the chorus is insanely catchy.



I love the use of drums in this song because they sound really tribal and I feel it would fit well in a post apocalyptic scenario. If or when the end of the world comes, this song will be playing.



"I was scared of dentists and the dark/I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations"
I found this song after Lorde tweeted some of the lyrics a few months ago and just recently started listening to it again. I think that Vance Joy has a very unique voice for a man, and it fits him and his songs very well.

Ked Double Up Sneakers

I bought these shoes a few weeks ago and decided to do a short post on them because they're probably the best Ked sneakers I've owned. I really like the thick rubber sole and they even came with an additional pair of black shoelaces. They're very comfortable and I feel like you could probably get more wear out of these sneakers than Keds' classic plimsoll style sneakers because of the thicker sole. Another reason I love these shoes is because they look almost exactly like this pair of Supergas that I was planning on getting, but only cost $55.

A Little Help From My Friends

This week I met up with Melissa and Micaela, two of my best friends for the last four years, for a goodbye dinner of sorts before the three of us go off to college next month. To say that they've played really big parts in my life would be an understatement. They've seen me grow from an extremely awkward freshman to an extremely awkward soon-to-be college freshman and I couldn't have chosen two cooler people to spend the last four years with.

We went to an arts magnet high school where each student goes to a class that focuses on a specific art each day in addition to their core classes. Our art was creative writing and that was where we met (but technically I met Micaela back in kindergarten because we were in the same class then). One thing that I remember clearly about that first day was that I really liked what was on their feet: Micaela was wearing purple low top Converse and Melissa was wearing really cool mock ultra-high top converse knee socks. We've been an awesome trio ever since!

One loveable quirk about Melissa is that she loves to be barefoot. There was a fountain near the place that we went to eat, so of course she had to dip her feet in.

Another ever so loveable quirk about Melissa is that she likes to get everyone to join in the fun. Here she is trying (and failing) to get me to go into the fountain with her and then me spazzing out afterward. These two lovely photos where taken by Micaela.

The three of us have been through a lot together and I just hope that any other friends I gain in the future are at least half as great as these two are.

Idle Thought: Childish Gambino's Camp and Because the Internet Album's and How/If They're Connected

In a couple of past posts, I've mentioned how I've started listening to Childish Gambino's Because the Internet album again. A few nights ago I decided to listen to his first album, Camp, and Because the Internet back to back while I was working on a collage and I think I've stumbled onto something really interesting.

In the screenplay that accompanied Because the Internet, the main character is called "The Boy" and everything starts with him getting off the bus from camp and driving home with his dad. I feel like the Camp album is actually a lead in to Because the Internet because it tells the back story of "The Boy". The last song on Camp, "That Power", has a really long spoken monologue at the end of it where he's talking about how he doesn't think he's ever really gotten off the bus coming back from camp. Because of all the things that he's experienced in the past, "The Boy" becomes very cynical about life, which is then expressed in (drum roll please) Because the Internet. I'm not sure if the two albums were intended to be connected by a central character or if I'm just late in figuring this out, but I think it's a pretty genius idea and once again I am blown away by Childish Gambino's creativity.

Lana Del Rey "Ultraviolence" Track by Track Album Review

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a huge Lana Del Rey fangirl (and just a huge fangirl in general). She is one of my queens and I admire her as an artist; so you can only imagine how excited I was when I found out that she was releasing her new album, Ultraviolence, after two years of touring around the world for her critically acclaimed Born to Die album. My excitement for Ultraviolence was so extreme that I actually drove to Target the morning of its release and bought a physical copy of the album so I could really see and feel the glory of Queen Lana's new gift to the world. I swear from the moment the first song started I was transported to a euphoric paradise. Ultraviolence is brilliant lyrically and since it was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, the album has a great hazy, soft rock feel that's perfect for summer.

Cruel World
An ode to an ending relationship, "Cruel World" is the perfect opening track. It introduces the rock elements of the album, but doesn't stray too far from the style of Del Rey's past songs. The lyrics also stay true to past songs, referencing the "little red party dress" that she's so fond of.
Favorite lyrics: "Because you're young, you're wild, you're free/You're dancing circles around me/You're fucking crazy"

Ultraviolence


Del Rey's versatile vocals shine with simple piano chords accompanying the verses and diminished drums and a faint, idling guitar riff for the chorus. Fun Fact: in an interview with Kulturenews, Del Rey said that the song is based on her time as a member of an underground sect in New York that was run by a charismatic guru.
Favorite lyrics: "I can hear sirens, sirens/He hit me and it felt like a kiss/I can hear violins, violins/Give me all of that ultraviolence"

Shades of Cool

If you can imagine a slower, more haunting version of the generic ballerina music box song, you have "Shades of Cool". The first time I listened to it, I started thinking of "Blue Jeans" from Born to Die, only with an epic guitar solo during the bridge that almost drowns out the poignant ending lines: "Hot neglectful lover/You're crumbling, sadly/You're sadly crumbling"

Brooklyn Baby

This is the type of song you would listen to on a long drive along the coast with the top down on your convertible. Talking about her infatuation with a rock star boyfriend (but claiming that really she's cooler than he is), and fondly referencing the past ("They think I don't understand the freedom land of the seventies"), "Brooklyn Baby" is definitely a song to listen to with your lover.
Favorite lyrics: "You never liked the way I said it/If you don't get it, then forget it/So I don't have to fucking explain it"

West Coast


Being the first single for the album, it was important that "West Coast" give fans an idea of what Ultraviolence was going to sound like and it didn't disappoint. You can hear touches of The Black Key's sound, courtesy of Dan Auerbach, mixed in with the song's surf rock sound and the way Del Rey casually throws in Spanish phrases that just roll off her tongue make me feel a little guilty about almost failing it my senior year. This track is one of my favorites on the album and I can remember singing the chorus at the top of my lungs in my friend's living room one day during the first week of its release: "I can see my baby swinging/His Parliament's on fire and his hands are up/On the balcony and I'm singing/'Ooh baby, ooh baby, I'm in love'"

Sad Girl
Giving off a very jazzy vibe, "Sad Girl" is another song where Del Rey plays off on one of her favorite subjects: seducing or being admired by a dark and mysterious suitor. One small thing that I love is how she goes from describing herself as "being a mistress on the side" to "being a bad bitch on the side"; using "bitch" as a term of endearment.

Pretty When You Cry
I dub this track Ultraviolence's "Summertime Sadness". The emotion in her voice is what truly makes the song, and then the vengeful guitar solo at the end as she's wailing out the last few lines practically forces you to play air guitar.
Favorite lyrics: "I'll wait for you, babe/That's all I do, babe/Don't come through babe/You never do/Because I'm pretty when I cry"

Money Power Glory
Trying to get a man to leave his current life (and possibly his current wife) in exchange for a more exciting, rich life with her; Del Rey plays the role of the seductress well.
Favorite lyrics: "You talk lots about God/Freedom comes from the call/But that's not what this bitch wants/Not what I want at all"

Fucked My Way Up to the Top
The title itself raises eyebrows. In an interview with Grazia magazine, Del Rey explained that the song is about another artist who originally described her as inauthentic, but ended up copying her musical style (you know, cause she's totally not bitter).
Favorite lyrics: "I'm a dragon, you're a whore/Don't even know what you're good for/Mimicking me is a fucking bore"

Old Money
The use of piano and violins makes this song on reminiscing about luxurious childhood trysts all the more emotional.
Favorite lyrics: "But if you send for me, you know I'll come/And if you call for me, you know I'll run"

The Other Woman
Del Rey closes out the album with a cover of a Nina Simone classic that fits the context of the album perfectly. Keeping true to the original bluesy-ness of the song, her voice quivers and rings out in the right places and the right tone. I'd say that she did the song justice.
Favorite lyrics: "The other woman will always cry herself to sleep/The other woman will never have his love to keep"

Fourth Of July Weekend: Lookbook

This year my family decided to spend the Fourth of July with my dad's mother in Gulfport, Mississippi. The trip was extra special because my mom's mother also came with us.

Thursday

Thursday was a traveling day so I wore this comfortable black and white tribal print romper that I found at TJMaxx back in April with a simple white cami underneath. My boots (which were the only shoes that I decided to take with me) are G by Guess.

Friday

Friday was spent around family, with everyone going to the beach that evening to watch the fireworks. Since it was cool on the beach, I had my New Look denim jacket with me. When I first saw this muscle tee, I immediately fell in love with it. It's very lightweight and cropped with dropped armholes. Since I was around some older family members, I paired the top with high waisted jeans so that my stomach wasn't showing.

Saturday

We decided to go out and look around some stores on Saturday, which gave me the perfect opportunity to debut my plaid shirt dress (as featured in my June Favorites). Since it buttons up, it would be really easy to slip it on and off when trying things on. Sadly I didn't find any clothes that I liked, but I did find a small bottle of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers perfume for $6 so the day wasn't completely wasted.

Sunday

We left Gulfport Sunday morning, so to stay comfortable during the four hour car ride home paired my favorite muscle tee with these black high waisted shorts (also featured in my June Favorites). I hope everyone had a great holiday :)

Good Listener

Lately I've started listening to Childish Gambino's Because the Internet album on repeat and I'm just as in love with it as I was the first time I listened to it. This time around, a favorite track of mine is "Sweatpants". I like how even with all the metaphors and quirky puns he uses throughout the song still keeps its rap edge.



I found this song through Spotify (which I seriously suggest every music lover download) and it took me completely by surprise. Pharrell is possibly the most talented and in demand music producer around, and to hear him rap and be so witty and fluid with his rhymes blew my mind. Of course rapping is already part of his extensive resume, but I just think that this song is particularly impressive.



San Cisco is another Spotify gem that I've discovered. Their upbeat doo-wopish sound makes for songs that have you dancing and humming in your seat. The dance competition themed music video for their song "Fred Astaire" is a perfect example of this.

Update

I've been out of town for the past couple of days and haven't had access to good wifi connection, but I have a few posts planned for this week (spoiler: one is going to be a look book). Hope everyone is having a great holiday!

June Favorites

June was a particularly music influenced month. Nylon is my favorite magazine and every year I look forward to their music issue. They always do a good job about finding new artists not just in America, but all over the world. I especially loved that Haim was on the cover because they're a favorite of mine at the moment. Speaking of favorites, Lana Del Rey, my absolute favorite singer, released her third studio album Ultraviolence. I was so excited for it that I actually went to Target the day it was released and bought the physical deluxe copy of the CD. It's the first time I've bought an actual CD in six years and it's exceeded all my expectations.

I picked up a copy Lavinia Greenlaw's The Importance of Music to Girls on a whim and it was a very good read. It was interesting to see how music from coming from America influenced the author's life in her small rural England town and actually made me feel a bit more grateful to live in a country that so many other countries are attracted to.

I've wanted a pair of high waisted shorts for long time and I seriously lucked out when I found the perfect pair on Forever 21's website. Black and incredibly comfortable, I could probably live in these shorts for the rest of my life. Another great Forever 21 find was this plaid dress. I immediately fell in love with it because it was in my three staple colors: black, white, and red. It is a bit on the short side with the front hem falling a few inches above the knee; but the back hem comes down to the top of the back of the knee so you don't have to wear shorts under it if you don't want to.