To young and old

pixee poet flickr  [link]

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The english language amazes me.

I mean I guess you can do it in any language if you have it mastered, but yesterday in writing seminar I was just shocked. The way that you can change the entire meaning of a sentence by switching around some words, adding some, or taking some away. Not to mention spoken language. Even one inflection can give away the truth behind the words. 

I'm into journaling now. I guess it's because I am not around my close friends anymore and it helps me tap into those deep thoughts that we used to share with each other. Mainly I'm happy that I'm documenting, because I know I would forget eventually. And if I forget, who will be around to remember?

i want the lights on

Had the most lovely weekend ever. I love my family more than my life and seeing them for the break really put things into perspective. But, now I am having difficulty being motivated for school. And here I am writing this post.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, my laptop was stolen so I am in the midst of rebuilding my collection.

I'm ready to go

Loving the fall weather and dreaming about living in the house above.

And owning this sweater.

Morning time and feeling good

These are my current inspiration photos for the gym and eating every day. I've definitely improved my eating habits since becoming vegan, but I still have a long way to go. And that excites me, because getting better and improving is a great feeling. I may never look like the girls in these photos, but I do think I can exude the same level of confidence and look pretty damn good myself. Time for the gym, what a great morning!

Check out this link for great impulse eating tips.

Feelin the same way all over again

And oh how I'm imagining them....

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Waiting for the return of long hair and scaring myself at the prospect of dying my hair that beautiful shade in the above picture.

Don't give your name, you don't have one

Time-lapse of the past [source]

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I am amazed at the human mind. We make decisions, sometimes without even realizing, that effect our whole being just by putting us in a certain mood. I feel like just making the smallest change in your attitude can turn around your mood and furthermore your outlook. This may just be taken as becoming a more positive person, but this change can make us learn more, work harder, and become better people.

This revelation came as I was starting the required reading (only two days before school). Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal, is all about video games and things I thought didn't apply to me. Now, only one chapter in, I am completely hooked.

I started with a negative attitude having the typical "games are a waste of time and talent" attitude. Then, as I was half reading her first pages, I decided to open my mind and listen to what she was saying. After all, I have the amazing opportunity to meet her during new student orientation. (And anyone who is motivated and educated enough to finish an original book with 350 pages of a new idea is worth meeting and listening to.) And now, I am loving this book. Isn't life amazing?

[amazon]

Oh hey, Irene.

Well, things have been a little wild in the mix of this hurricane. My entire county is under mandatory evacuation so I'm in the awesome town of Charlottesville, Virginia. Although I'm praying for everyone at home (and our house!), there are some definite upsides to this evacuation. My family is here with me in a hotel and we got to sight see today!

Charlottesville is a beautiful, beautiful town. We visited Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but here are some I took of the exterior and grounds surrounding. If I knew history was so interesting, maybe I wouldn't have slept through it for my four years of high school.

Definitely a must visit place. I also love what I picked up in the gift store (they sell everything from furniture to silverware to jewelry to chapstick- all of which I wanted). I purchased lavender soap bars, a few antique looking postcards, and rose powder.

EDIT::

Here is a link to Ralph Lauren's shade of Monticello yellow, inspired by the dining room. The pictures show just one of the amazing rooms.

Recent Obsessions

Day 6

Rain, rain, you can stay.

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You have got to love a day when you can test out your new rain boots and tromp through the mud till your heart is content.

It is day 6. Well, almost Day 7. Of what you ask?

Well.

I've become a vegetarian. I was originally planning to be vegan in a week, but my mother has other plans for me. I feel healthier, happier and I hope I can stick to the change and make it happen. Although, it's kind of a hard switch to make on its own, let alone when you have your mother trying to force chicken down your throat. So here's to hoping and helping the animals we unnecessarily and cruelly murder everyday.

7.30.11

[link]

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Is it weird that I love this?

Well, I'm convincing myself it is so that I stop spending money.

Problem fixed.

Buy it so that I don't.

singing the same lines all over again

summersummersummer

~~~~~~~~

I currently have family from Wisconsin visiting and it's great to have a house filled to the brim with family. And at our trip to the famous boardwalk, I obsessively took pictures to edit in the app instagram.

The app is freeeee, which automatically makes it great. It's awesome because you have a million choices for editing the pictures and they are uploaded to your instagram page, but also saved into your photo library. Search my name-- tstarynts

Night night.

[unkown]

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Dear Mama Stone Vintage:

I know that most of your pieces are reasonable (including the top kaftan dress), but after spending too much money on this watch and these rain boots I cannot bring myself to bid against others. It is not in my budget and so I will have to continue stalking your ebay store. I'll be watching.

[ one,two,three ]

UN(but really i need it)NECESSARY COLLEGE GEAR.

Wouldn't this be nice? [unknown source]

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I have spent a good portion of my time this summer lusting over lavish pieces to decorate my dorm room. Come September 1st, I plan on having a beautiful, awesome space to chill in (and by chill I mean study....). So here are a few thoughts.

PHOTOS

[1] Urban Outfitters pictur

e window- 2 for $25 or $16

[2] Emily hunt flickr- link

[3&4] unknown

The most practical would probably be the picture blob (#4) because I think it looks cool and it also requires the least work, a combination that I like. If my room already looks overwhelming, I'll head towards the clipped photos (#2).

SHOES

[1] unknown

[2] Bed Bath & Beyond 36 pair over-the-door shoe rack- $29.99

[3] Amazon revolving shoe tree- $40.57

I am dying over the shoe display case(#1). I legit NEED to own this for my shoes. What is better to show off? I can think of nothing. Obviously, I can't bring that to my dorm room. Although I was pumped when I found the 36-pair shoe rack, the reviews are just awful and now I can't bring myself to get it. Now for #3, I really want to bring this. It will probably scare my roommate, but my massive collection of shoes will do that by itself anyway. I think it's a little too much for a dorm, there's a smaller version but it's not worth using the space unless it goes up and holds 4325832758 pairs of shoes like this one does. My reality will be lining my shoes up around my room. What a shame.

OTHER

[1] Wisteria metal basket shelf- $39.00

[2] Pottery Barn jewelry case- I can't find it anymore...

Both of these are out of my budget, but I need them. The basket shelves are perfect for holding and displaying magazines. Don't get me started on the jewelry case. Beautiful. Swoooooon.

Into The Wild

Print By Douglas Wilson [store]

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Although it is only mid-July, I've been feeling productive enough for the start of the school year. Maybe it is in part due to my change of desktop images. A picture of the print above is tiled on my desktop and inspires me every time I sit on my butt in front of the computer. I've always been amazed at how you are the sole person responsible for your attitude and outlook. Small changes can make the hugest impact on no just your life, but those around you.

So, I decided to write a list of positive changes to make my life a happy one.

Joy and misery, joined in this way.

Awesome. [thecoolhunter fb]

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Towards the end of the year, my AP Psych teacher had us create a CD called "The Soundtrack to My Life." I treated it more of a "My Playlist of the Moment" assignment, as the only songs that describe my life are not my favorite to listen to. I prefer to listen to songs that transport me to another time or make me feel good or inspired, not dwell on myself and things that have happened. So, here is the CD that I have been listening to on repeat since making it.

[1] Hard Sun- Eddie Vedder

[2] Set Fire to the Rain- Adele

[3] Moon River- The Honey Trees*

[4] Cecilia- Simon&Garfunkel

[5] Daylight- Matt and Kim

[6] The Angel and the One- Weezer

[7] How Lucky We Are- meiko

[8] The Night Owls- Little River Band

[9] Hometown Glory- Adele

[10] Cosmic Love- Florence and the Machine

*- This song was a cover online, so I put it into zamzar.com so I could have it on my iPod.