Le Bleu Brillant

ok the REAL fashion friday

2010-01-23T08:00:00.001-08:00

The whole reason behind the last blog title, before I got off on things, was that there is this amazing shop/designer in Eruope I can't wait to visit one day. Check out the site here and thank you Haute Design for sharing this. Take time to enjoy the looks and admire the beauty of the photography and campaign:

***p.s. I spend my days now listening to Muse, Radiohead, Cold War Kids, The Beatles etc. It's my mood lately, i feel the need for being eclectic. However, my favorite song right now is more my usual style. Check out the song Bloodline by Matt Morris***

Looks like I'm going to Europe...

2010-01-22T23:23:00.000-08:00

...ok not yet. However, I'm trying to work out the financial stress in order to. We'll see. One day you might find me eating a croissant in a cute little french cafe, walking the streets of London, visiting fashion week in Milan, casually reading Hemingway on a train through Germany... Actually that all sounds great. I'll get that, check please! Unfortunately that's the problem: $$$$$$$
But it will all work out in the end. It has to. It just does.

But that isn't the point for this post.It started as fashion friday but evolved into two posts this one simply my rantings. I spend my Friday night in bed trying to to be sick when I stand up. However, I learned a lot this night about people, obliging myself to a night of Facebook chatting. Things have certainly changed I must say; people surprise you around every corner when you least expect it. In brief I discovered: sometimes the people who have just entered our lives are the only ones we want to talk to you, sometimes you have to hurt people to not hurt yourself and that it's determining when that point that is the hardest, sometimes I shouldn't discount people so fast, sometimes your mother can be your very best gossiping girlfriend, sometimes the boy in high school you were too afraid to talk to becomes a very good friend and you plan hypothetical weddings in vegas and honeymoons in the swiss alps and know that he'll always be there for you, sometimes God works in ways you don't see, sometimes you need a best girlfriend to talk about boys with, and sometimes.. you're not as pathetic as you think you are.
So now I realize I am faced with this opportunity: I am given the chance to be whoever I want to be. No strings attached. I love that feeling, and I'm ready to tackle it this year. I'm immensely excited. There are so many things I'm excited about starting and so many of life's little pleasures that I must take more time to enjoy.
Unfortunately, I must sift through the college stereotype and immerse myself in things that go against parties and other nonsense. But you should also know by now that I live my life according to my love for God. He rules and I must find him in anything I do before I do it, otherwise the thought it abandoned. My friend and I are going to go whole heartedly into a group here on campus (group may be an understatement, movement is more correct) and we will venture on a community bonding mission trip this spring break.
I want the first word that comes to people's minds when they think of me is Lovely. Closely followed by passionate. Because you can't upon first glance see the passion, just the first flash of the beauty of someone's physical grace and mind. With closer inspection though, the passion is revealed.

**p.s. these images come from a flickr album that features photos from paris from the 60s. you must check them out via here**

Fashion Friday - A new tradition

2010-01-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

So I'm starting a new tradition, one not super original but it helps me be consistent. Fashion Friday.

I've been reading Vogue News a lot lately because I want to keep up to date with the latest. One of the things I really enjoy is the street style. I must copy some of these looks, yeah?

I LOVE everything about this outfit. It's so colorful and fun, but pretty with the tights and heels. And I'm also on a mission to find the perfect oversized bag.

I'm in love with her bag. again. And her perfect use of a scarf. I never seem to do them correctly. I love big flowy layers.

Is there anything more wonderful than walking the streets with a cute outfit and a coffee in your hands? I think not. I also enjoy her jacket a lot.
Hopefully these post get more educated as they go on. But for now, enjoy what I enjoy.

Back to the Grand

2010-01-10T05:19:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back at school now. I love Grand Rapids. So much. As I was driving into the city, I could just feel the excitement swelling up inside of me as I approached the skyline. Except, it looks a bit more like this: than the pretty picture above:

Oh well.
So I'm not sure how school is going to affect this blog. Yes, I will be crazily busy... but I love being busy. We'll see. I can't wait to see what comes out of it. =]

New Beginnings

2010-01-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

Words of wisdom from Franki at Life in a Venti Cup that resulted from me winning a giveaway that expressed our 2010 goals, has inspired me to purser an even greater year than I originally had planned. Her advice, which I am wholly grateful for, has sparked me to make this year so much better than the last and any before. She wrote:

Thank you.

After a very uninspiring first week of the year, and a very mental and physical health lull, I just about had enough. I bundled up in my new red fitted yet flowy peacoat and headed out for a winter stroll.

This had helped me so much in clearing my head and sparking determination. It was the first test of my determination, I set out for a simple walk and half way through I got the idea to do the whole 5+ mile loop. If I finished, the year would be off to a great start and I would be able to complete my goals if I set my mind to them. First goal? Completed. I now sit warm and cuddly by the fireplace with a hot cup of coffee. I'm taking Franki's advice and writing down my goals, for once and for all, to all extend, for my own personal gain and sanity. Here we go.

My first goal is to start to do all that I say that I will do. For instance, I want to learn photography, learn to draw, manage my time, work 2 job, move more, eat healthy, have an established blog, enjoy mornings, change my look, have an internship in New York, study abroad in Paris and Italy, fall in love, but mostly, I want the ambition to accomplish all these things this year. It's going to happen, and I can't wait. I need to overcome my laziness; why sleep when living out dreams is better than dreaming them?

I also plan to make a commitment to this blog. At first, I had the goal to blog once a day. However, on my crazy college schedule, this simply isn't feasible. I'm shooting for about twice a week. I want to explore the art of blogging, and hopefully be able to use it as a portfolio in the future. So be expecting new and great things, nonexistent readers.

I, along with every other women in the country, also has the goal to get in better shape and eat healthier. I must overcome this, however I won't go into much details. Some of the ideas I have are to eat a few, small meals a day, limit sugars and carbs, but mostly, just not this binging and purging business I need to stop. Back at school I plan to enlist some supporting work out buddies and continue my workout schedule but also signing up for some fun classes like pilates, yoga, and zumba.

And lastly, I am going to live every day for God. I have been so absent from him during this trying and rut of a holiday break I've had, and I need to fix that. Readers, if there are any out there, I announce to the world that Jesus is my savior and role model and only reason for living. I must seek His answers through prayer before I accomplish anything, and everything I do will glorify Him. I am nothing without Him.

So basically, I have written down these plans, and now I've enlisted the power to achieve them. Next step? Get my ass out there and do it.
Au revoir.

Home for the Holidays

2009-12-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

So I've realized that as of lately that I've been posting a lot of blogs that are told mostly through pictures. Well, I love pictures; they are worth a thousand words after all. However, I promise to improve upon this with the start of the new year, as it is one of my goals.
Anyway. I am exactly what the title suggests: Home.

Ignore the dirty car. It was a long drive and very snowy.
One of my Christmas traditions that I remember since I was three, was gingerbread houses. I used to get little-girl giddy trying to sculpt the most magnificent cookie dwelling to live up to my creative reputation. However,"year after year, I failed. I always seem to forget how difficult it is to build, to begin with. Then I remember my limited decorating supplies. Then I realize that I am not now, and never will be an architect. Nevertheless, my mother, being the amazing person she is, still loved each and every one, and even saved a few in the boxes in the basement.
This year, however, I decided to actually put in a little more effort. I researched some decorating tips and fared better than the years past. And yet, when the decorating time came, I looked at the 9-year-old girl next to me, and I thought "Oh, screw it." . Well... this was the result. Not terrible. Not magnificent. But Christmas-y.

There is something about Christmas colors that makes me cringe and the combination of red and green. I think that green should be removed from the formalities. Red and White are plenty for holiday cheer. :) Thus, I expressed my feelings in my house. It even pained me to put on the wreath, but it was too cute not to include.

My Fab-idol.

2009-12-22T22:23:00.000-08:00

Is there anything more fabulous than Sara Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw?

No.

I sit here on my Mac (yes, the very one Carrie writes her famous column on every episode!), watching the Sex and the City movie at 2am as a result of one too many sugary Christmas festivities treats. As I do this, I realize that I want to be her. No joke. Ok, granted, I'll do without the dysfunctional relationships... but i'll keep the shoes, NYC, parties, downtown apartment, the clothes, the girlfriends...yeah.

Plus, this dress is fabulous. I really want to get into fashion blogging more. Here comes the research!

Let's point out the perfect of this picture: Sarah Jessica Parker. New York City. GORGEOUS hair, Jennifer Hudson, and Starbucks. Need I say more? I think I'll be narrating my life in my head from now on a la Bradshaw.

Color Inspiration: Gray and Pink

2009-12-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

New year. What is brings is a new start. More on this later. However, this morning I was getting dressed when I realized that my outfit... matched my room. I love gray and pink together. They are colors that are so feminine and sophisticated. I love waking up in the breaking of dawn and thinking that I've awoken in a vintage princess room.

Sometimes, when I wake up I even think I am suddenly seeing in black and white. I love it :)

Oh, and I have a new haircut. Bangs! Lovely.

Once Upon a Rainy Day

2009-11-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last post, simply because i've been absolutely busy! But rainy days + caffeine coffee buzz = inspiration :)

Rainy days <3

My favorite things to do on rainy days are: Get work done, clean, use it as an excuse for inspiration, and read! I currently finished this book the other day after sooo many people suggest I read it.

New favorite book? I think so. Epic is the only way to describe it; I now know why so many people consider it a modern classic. I can't even explain how much I loved it. It's one of those books that you feel like become a part of you. Great. Amazing. Perfect. Sad. Happy. Invigorating.

These books I'm looking forward to check off my reading list next, and I'll update when I finish them :)

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Marjorie Morningstar

A Fine Balance

Moonfleet

Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy

The History of Love: A Novel

The Raj Quartet:

Also, This book I recommend to any child under the age of 12. It was one of my favorite books when I was younger:

A night of magic

2009-10-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

This city has seriously become my favorite place ever.

Tonight, however, was one of the best nights of my life. My boyfriend, Brian, was traveling through the state from Indiana back up to Gaylord, and he decided to surprise me with a visit for a few hours. Just the fact that it was a surprise (I LOVE surprises) and the fact that I got to see him would have been enough, but no, this night just happened to rock. First, I drove to meet him in Grand Rapids because it was halfway between where he and his brother were at the moment he called. Let's just say that this night was magical. Walking downtown with the person I love is one of the greatest things ever. Also, for another little surprise, while we were hanging out by the Rosa Parks Circle, a swing dance began! It was great to watch all the couples under the star-lit sky, and to try to teach the boys a step or two. I also took them up to the top of the J.W. Marriott hotel. It's gorgeous, I have to stay there one day! If it weren't for the crazy homeless lady, this night would have been perfect. :P

Again, I love this city. Last Saturday, my future roommates and closest friends here at college Paige and Ashley and I took a photo trip to downtown. With my beautiful luck and timing, however, I noticed that my camera had zero battery life in it. Amazing. I managed to get a few photos in, but for the most part I acted as the model for the day. Here are a few shots that we taken either by Ashley, Paige, or myself and edited by me:

The very best thing about this is that this weekend I'm going back into town when Brian comes to stay again. I'm so excited, especially since I don't have to work! We'll be taking full advantage of the beautiful season of fall with a trip to the orchard (complete with apple cider, donuts, corn mazes, and hayrides), carve pumpkins, and with the cutest fall colors, sweaters, and scarves. Brian has a show the night before, which I must say I'm sad I cannot make it to, so I'll be excited to hear all about it, and hopefully see some footage. I'm thinking of topping the weekend off with the Grand Rapids Art Museum, yeah?

To see more pictures from downtown check out my facebook.
Oh, and don't forget to :

the history and future of journalism

2009-10-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this might be a boing post compared to past and future, but this is an essay I wrote for my journalism history class. The assignment was to compare a reporter from the progressive era to modern trends in journalism. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this, so I thought I'd post it for scholarly reasons -lol- :

The press gives us more than just facts about politics, business, technology, events and the like. In the way that it is presented and the angle a reporter takes shifts and shapes our views on a particular subject. Also, the selectivity that goes into news, what to emphasize and what to leave out, is the extent of our knowledge of current affairs. Thus is why news is such a debated topic and why it runs the lives of those who create it, tell it, and sell it. Quite frankly, the media controls the minds of America. As quoted by Will Irwin in “The American Newspaper,” “We need it, we crave it; this nerve of the modern world transmits thought and impulse from the brain of humanity to its muscle; the complex organism of modern society could no more move without it than a man could move without filaments and ganglia” (Irwin, 1911).
It was this journalist, Irwin, who was assigned to write a series on American newspapers by Collier’s magazine in 1911. In a time where muckraking was a popular trend in journalism, Irwin attacked the project with a force that has little comparison today. In his series, titled “The American Newspaper,” Irwin exposes the flaws in American Journalism. He claims that newspapers are the second most powerful source of influence behind religion. He also explores how news is defined and questioned and suggested ethics of reporting. Severely degrading the sensationalism movement which Hearst and Pulitzer so effortlessly expanded, Irwin points out that “trashy stories sold” (Folkerts, Teeter, Caudill, 2009, pg.293). Irwin saw the power that the media had, and he attacked it with full force, examining the flaws in the reporting styles and ethics of the time.
One point that Irwin makes clear is that “The power of the press is greater than ever before” (Irwin, 1991). This statement could not rain truer in today’s society. A massive shift is happening in modern journalism and media that harmoniously line up with the period in which Irwin is appealing to.

However, today the ethics of journalism is more questioned with the Internet, blogging, television, magazines, and other media forms that are actually thriving in contrast to newspapers. The sensationalistic appeal that was created back then is related to the intellectual junk that clutters our televisions in the forms of low class “news” reporting and reality TV. It’s surprising to know how many teenagers, our generation’s future political, business, and scientific leaders, can give us a recap of last week’s I Love New York but are completely clueless to the status of our country’s position in the Middle East. Going to the homepage of MSNB.com, one can find stories about marijuana busts and crime rates. However, this is the news that attracts readers. What is this to say about our society? Twenty years from now what knowledge will the generation have filled in their heads? These are the questions that Irwin discussed almost a hundred years ago.
Another trend in journalism is the rise of the Internet and blogging. Blogs create a medium for reporters to shed light on issues in their perspective without referring to common journalistic guidelines and ethics. This can create a problem however, when the audience reads the blogs and are left with a biased position on the article that the author shared, a lot of times quite unintentionally. Irwin also explores the separation between editorial and news, claiming that news reporting should be the dominant force of media. Back in the early 1900s and late 1800s, a wave of less area focus journalism prevailed. With the increase in technology needed to transfer information, news was less local and generally tended to be more statewide or even national. Today, the same concept is emerging globally. With the expanse of knowledge that is ready available to us via the Internet, why bother reading about it in a local newspaper a week later?
It simply amazes me that a person could predict the future of journalism one hundred years in advance. This topic has really made me consider the ways in which journalism is heading. I became enthralled in this paper, writing it in no time at all as I dived into the concepts it allowed me to explore. Blogging, however, is one aspect of the trends that intrigued me. I never noticed how often I rely on them for information, or how the information I put out in my own personal blog can be perceived. The media really does control the minds of the future generation. This is troublesome to think about because looking at what is fed through to their minds is scary.

Why, hello autumn

2009-10-13T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well, yes. this is my creative outlet for my random acts of inspiration. I don't care if no one will ever read this, but I personally enjoy it :) One thing you must know about me is that I use smileys a lot. Why? because I smile a lot when I talk, so why not when I type?

Fall here at GVSU is beautiful. Although, mostly I think it's simply because I love changing seasons. I get so inspired for new and exciting things, plus traditions of the seasons that come with it. Add that with the beautiful fall colors and you have one inspired girl.

One thing that's been on my mind lately is the possibilities of where I am going to live next year. Places go fast, so friends and I are hoping to choose somewhere and sign a lease rather quickly. We are still in the process of finding which townhouse fits is best, but the idea of living in a house on my own is enthralling! It's already brought along design ideas that I have for the house. Yes, I know that sounds a bit early, but I absolutely love interior design. It's one of my favorite things that I am even considering doing as a profession. Grace Adler designs, anyone? :) Anyway, this has prompted a rampant online research for design ideas.
Bliss Home Living has really great bedding. My personal favorite is the Amelie green duvet cover.
Oriental Room Dividers are super adorable. They make me feel like a princess and they create such a sophisticated vibe. I wish I had one, hopefully I can find one as cute as this one for less money.
Italian modern furniture designs. Soooo many amazing ones: Clei, Battistella Mobili Componibili, Pianca, etc
Super fun and easy and CHEAP do-it-yourself projects. Such as: This example, as well as others on this site.
Decorating the stairs, such as this example from one of my favorite design blogs, Mer Mag. These really cool rooms also come from her blog:

And that's my random inspiration for the moment :)