Things I Enjoy Most About Each of the 5 Senses:

Sight: staring at sunrises and sunsets, looking into the eyes of a lover, pretty beds, analyzing art, stargazing late at night, watching 80s movies, & reading a good book. //

Sound: listening to thunderstorms, hearing a newborn baby cry, the ticking of clocks, instrumental music, laughter, cars passing New York City streets, concerts & good conversations. //

Touch: the softness of pillows, petting an animal, the feeling of sand between my toes, & feeling a heartbeat as I hold a special someone close. //

Smell: the scent of strong coffee, the grass after it rains, expensive cologne, the scent that fills my room when I burn candles, fresh flowers & grammie's apple pie. //

Taste: the taste of lips, good coffee, rich dark chocolate as it melts in my mouth, the taste of Chipotle burritos, & swishing mouthwash before I go to bed. //

Indescribable Feelings: 

~Looking at your best friend and trying to refrain from laughter at inappropriate moments
~When that person you've been crushing on for a while starts to notice you
~Meeting up with someone you haven't seen in a while, but talking like you saw eachother yesterday
~Seeing your favorite band perform live
~Having random conversations with people on the train, and realizing you may never see them again
~Laying with your lover at night, slowly starting to forget the world....

BEAUTY IS EVERYWHERE, BUT DO NOT TAKE THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED .xoxo

F*R*I*E*N*D*S

SUNRISE * SUNSET

*SAND BENEATH YOUR FEET *

*WANDERING AN ART MUSEUM *

SUNRISE * SUNSET

Wowie wow wow. Where do I even begin? I rolled out of bed this morning around noon (which was a much needed moment of self-love), and as soon as I woke up, I immediately began getting ready for what (little did I know) was going to be one of the most beautiful days I've ever experienced. //

Last night, my dad showed me this cool place he had found online, at which point we decided we should visit as soon as possible (just so you know, ASAP means the next day for us). So, I woke up this afternoon knowing that just as soon as I was done getting ready, we'd head out for Restoration Resources. Even though we didn't buy anything today, everything there is so unique and would be quite the addition to any home, so we do plan on going back. Plus, you can rent props from there, AND they have areas that you can rent for photography projects (Fall 2015 collection shoot? I think yes). I brought my camera and got some great shots there, and also on the ride home, so it was a successful trip. My sister then suggested we go to Blue Hills to see if we can spot any deer and/or take photographs of the Boston skyline. We decided it'd be best if we waited til dusk to do that, so we returned home for a bit. //

Next came the "low point" of my day (which truth be told wasn't even low at all). I sat in my room for a while, scrolling through the "astrology" tag on tumblr. I then realized that I want to be a productive human being, and that scrolling through such tags did not really fit the category of "productive." So, I googled a list of things to do when you're bored, and saw "CLEAN, it'll make you feel good." I didn't think that cleaning would make me feel good, but my room was a mess so I decided to do it anyway. I was pleasantly surprised at how energized and refreshed the cleaned room made me feel. My room is so pretty right now ahhhh! *insert heart eyes emoji*
While all this was happening, my dad was making us dinner (spaghetti w/ marinara sauce and garlic bread). I went down and ate, and then we all got ready to head out. //

Unfortunately, we didn't see any deer tonight, but the scenery and fresh air was enough to satisfy me. There's something about being in the stillness of nature that I have always loved, and getting to feel that today was a wonderful treat for my soul. We sat on this little brick wall for about a half hour, and then realized that we were all hungry af. We returned home, but only to go to the Clam Box, which is a little seafood place on the shore near where we live. We just got little appetizer things, like fries and mozzarella sticks.
I thought that the night was going to be over here, but on our way home, my dad asked "Do you guys want to go home or just take a drive?" Obviously, my sister and I wanted to take a ride around, so we just drove. There was no destination in mind. We cranked up the radio (which was playing classical piano pieces-- no hate plz it's very relaxing). I had no idea where we were, but there was a beach, and the sunset looked gorgeous over the water. So we got out, and my sister and I took photos of each other and the beach. We waded in the water. The water was warm. The waves were slow. You could feel the salt in the air. I loved the feeling of the sand between my toes. Everything was so simple. Everything felt so right. //

Finally, we realized it was almost 9:00, so we decided it'd be best to get home soon. We loaded ourselves into the car, and got less than a mile when my dad and I decided now would be a great time for coffee. We pulled over to the nearest Dunkin' Donuts (because Boston, ya know?) I got a small hot french vanilla coffee with skim milk, because it was getting kind of chilly outside, which most people would be upset about. But I love the cold. I like it when I get to wear sweaters and cute fuzzy socks. The crisp, cool air reminded me that fall is on it's way, putting a smile on my face. Though the ride home was silent between us all, I could feel the happiness of my family filling our entire car.

I am currently listening to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack on my record player, and reminiscing on the wonderful day I had, and all of the positive vibes that go along with it. I'm really happy right now. I seized the day, and made it something wonderful for myself. Carpe diem, bitch. //

pisces // dream house includes columns & potted plants

pisces // addicted to fairy lights & chocolate

The last couple weeks have been gross, filled with preparing for (and taking) my final exams. (On the bright side, I'm officially done with sophomore year and 50% of high school, so that's cool). My easiest final was for my fashion class, in which I had to write a very interesting essay. It had nothing to do with fashion at all, but instead, I had to write 3-5 paragraphs explaining my opinion on the Equal Rights Amendment, and whether or not I believe equality for women is something that we need in the 2015 United States of America. Most people wrote half a page, and a couple girls actually raised their hands and said, "I don't understand the question" (rolls eyes into back of head). I, on the other hand, turned what was supposed to be a few paragraphs into 2 a two-page rant (eloquently worded, but still, a rant). //


Now, I'll spare you the wrath of my entire essay (plus I don't want to have to type the entire thing out,) but I will insert an outline of my opinion here:

WE NEED THE ERA IN THE 2015 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BECAUSE:
       1- Women are still making $.77 to the man's $1 for performing the same job. (Not cool.)
              a- In a traditional 2-parent male/female home, this is less of a problem because there is a man making the higher income, and a woman can "depend" on her husbands income to support her and her family. However, we have to remember single women, as well as female/female partners, both with and without children. A single mother making $.23 less per hour is not going to be able to provide the same lifestyle for her children or herself. It isn't fair that these parents make less money and cannot afford the same lifestyle for their children as traditional male/female parents. We live in a world where a male is no longer the "head of the house" and the "breadwinner." Women need to be paid equally to support themselves and their families.
              b- Paying women $.77 to the man's $1 is dehumanizing to women. It tells us that we are incapable, incompetent, and not as valuable as men. By paying us less for the same hours of work at the same job, we are being told that we will never, ever, add up to a man's worth. During World War I, women began working in factories and happily accepted a smaller paycheck than a man would have received. The society of that time recognized women as inferior in every aspect of life, so for women then, the fight was about visibility and recognition. Working for a smaller paycheck was better than the alternative to not work at all. In today's context, feminism has already received its recognition, and now we must make changes and work toward the final goal: equality. Women are humans, and deserve the same things as all other humans.

*insert That's so Raven vocal riff* Yup, that's me.

If you keep up with Cosmopolitan, you've probably learned what it's like to date a fashion girl, and chances are, you lovely reader may just be one of these fashionistas. It's ok-- I am too. Being into fashion while in high school can be tough, but overall it's just a lot of fun and a great way to express and love yourself. Here's the list of things that stand out to me the most being one of these girls. //

1. You most likely spend art class sketching fashion figures.




















2. And if your high school offers it, you've probably signed up for the fashion classes (in which you obviously sketch fashion figures.)
















3. While your friends are busy reading the newest YA novel, you're probably more interested in reading the latest issues of Vogue and MarieClaire.













4. And so your classmates probably think you can't read at all.















5. You know what its like to run up 4 flights of stairs in heels to get to class on time. 












6. You're an instaholic. Face it. You love OOTDs, selfies, and dinner photos. You're on it during class, after school, and late at night. It's not a hobby-- it's a way of life.













8. Your top 3 college choices are most likely Parson's, FIT, or FIDM.













9. And it is your dream to be at New York Fashion Week. 















10. You probably overuse the word "aesthetic."











11. Some people may think you're pretentious and annoying, and it can lower your self-esteem a lot. High school is brutal.











12. But then you realize you look hot as hell, and the dumb imbeciles of high school don't even matter.















13. Retail is your therapy (and also the reason why you're broke.)




















14.  If it hasn't happened already, there will come a time in which you reference Beyoncé in literally every conversation because she is queen and slays the fashion game every time.













15. People often misinterpret the intention behind your outfit choices. You put on your clothes thinking about how good you'll look, but then you get to school and everyone assumes you're just trying to impress boys. #IDressForMyself










16. Ultimately, you are a strong ass woman, hell on heels, and have every intention of achieving your goals. You won't let anyone stand in your way, and no challenge is too large. Plus, you can do it all while wearing stilettos & carrying your designer bag.

Recently some things have been going on that have made me sit back and think. It's so strange how one moment, things can be so so amazing that you feel invincible, and in the blink of an eye, you get the worst news of your life. I mean, it's insanity. It's crazy how quickly situations change, and just how deeply those changes affect the human mind. We stay up late worrying. We recount all the good things that happened, and replay them in our heads. When things get rough, we dwell in our own sorrows. We can often lose sight of things. "Things" like friends, family, and God. //

Sometimes, I just feel really really happy, and that's great. Happiness is the best emotion one can have. The problem isn't simply being happy, but it's taking things for granted because, I don't realize just how great things are. I've never really felt as though I've needed God as much as I do now. I've always been a Christian, always believed in a higher power, and gone to church every Sunday, but I would often forget to pray, or I'd just kind of shrug off the whole thing. I mean, I was happy. I didn't need to ask God for anything. So I didn't. Then all of a sudden, there were relationships and sexuality and drugs and death and other shitty things that come along with being a teenager. I ask God for help all the time. I feel weak. I want to give up my burdens, so I do.

I've realized that I've been treating God as nothing more than Santa Claus, or Jiminy Cricket, or a Fairy Godmother who I can just ask to give me things. I lean on God whenever things are going wrong, but for some reason when things are alright, I forget all about what it means to be a Christian. I'll make jokes about God. I'll deny my faith. And it's not okay. Ever.  //

I'm kind-of just having a lot of thoughts at the moment, and I'm not sure to word them in an eloquent way at all. I just feel such a sense of calm but also excitement at this revelation that I've come to. I want to continue growing in my spirituality, and so I guess this is sort of the start of a deeper path in life (?).

Things can go from 100 to 0 to 55 and back real quick, and that's just life. As long as God is in the center of it, there's nothing to worry about. //

~

And here's a song that kind of sparked my thoughts and will probably do a better job of conveying meaning than my mental hooplah on this blog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxRXP3w-sQ
     "No one's laughing at God in a hospital, 
      No one's laughing at God in a war, 
     No one's laughing at God when they're starving 
     or freezing or so very poor."