Now that I work in a cool place (Downtown Raleigh), I'm obsessed with exploring the town. (Especially if I have time after work!)
Yesterday, I worked until 2pm, and I had a work meeting at 5:30. Not wanting to go home, I decided to take the time to do something I've been wanting to do for a while now... explore Downtown Raleigh!
But I quickly stopped in my tracks. Where do I go? I didn't really know the area that well (only Fayetteville Street from all the DTR festivals I go to)... but I really wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been before.
Then I pulled out my handy dandy (notebook! JK...) app... Offline. I found this app through the recommendation of one of the blogs I follow. I found out that the local jewelry store Moon & Lola was only .14 miles away from where I was standing! The pictures and description sounded perfect. Ditching the coffee store I was going to visit (don't worry, I headed there later for: AC, a charger, and good coffee), I headed towards Moon & Lola with plans just to window shop.
I fell in love with Moon & Lola as soon as I walked in. The jewelry was pretty, dainty, and the store was absolutely gorgeous. I could live there, happily.
This gallery wall. I can't even. So cute!
Surprisingly (actually not really that surprising), I was so in love with the shop, I spent forever in there... and I ended up buying a bracelet (it was 60% off, okay?! Cons of getting a paycheck: feeling like you can buy the world. My motto of the day? Treat Yo' Self!).
Got this bracelet for only $16! So cute!
I also found the cutest map at the register at Moon & Lola... I had to follow the map to many more cute local shops!
Side note: I'm so bad at reading maps, it's embarrassing. Geography is not my thing... I got lost, even using this map (oh gosh, I know!). Thankfully Downtown Raleigh isn't that big (at least the area I explored wasn't that far apart), so I found my way (just took the longscenic route!).
After exploring Moon & Lola, I went into the shops nearby: Feelgoodz and Stitch. Feelgoodz is a sandal brand that has a beachy, relaxed vibe to it. Stitch is hand sewn goods made right in Raleigh, NC! I took the scenic route to find High Cotton, Nora & Nicky's and Deco Raleigh.
I totally fell in love with Deco Raleigh as soon as I went inside. It was quirky and artsy, filled with local crafts, and lots of Raleigh items. Raleigh pride!
Deco Raleigh
After visiting all of the shops, my phone was coming close to its end (and myself, to be honest, I do not deal with heat well, and I had been walking all day!). I decided to give me and my phone a recharge as I stopped by one of my favorite coffee spots: Joule Coffee.
Accidentally added way too much cream while filming the cream mixing with the coffee... Typical.
After reflecting on how much I had done that day (and totally wishing I had a FitBit to see how much I had walked that day!), I sipped my coffee, and made my way back to work!
I'm so glad I had my Offline app that led to my adventures around Downtown Raleigh!
I totally recommend using Offline to find out about cool restaurants, shops, and upcoming events in the area! I love checking off items, writing recommendations, and reading others'!
Summer. Sunshine. Swimming. And... Netflix binge watching?! Of course! With no responsibilities with school, there's no better time to start/finish your favorite show (or ten shows you're currently juggling, if you're like me!).
I wrote a post on my fav Netflix shows forever ago, so many of my favorite shows have changed since then, but here are some oldies but goodies. It's funny how much my style has changed since last year!
Portlandia: I'm currently watching this fun, satirical, quirky show. It's full of skits in Portland, Oregon. I didn't really get it at first, but you learn to love it. On the other hand, it's definitely an acquired taste. People who are sarcastic, witty and (typically) liberal will love it. Carrie reminds me of my all time favorite person, my AP English teacher, Ms. N. If you like Saturday Night Live, you might like this show. I'm a huge fan and it makes me want to go check out Portland for real! ;)
The West Wing: My new all-time favorite show. I've talked about it before briefly here. After taking AP Government & Politics this semester, I think I might want to major in polysci! My parents are not thrilled... but I'm not sure yet. I really love politics and government. This show is so interesting and makes me really want to work in The West Wing! I love all of the characters. It's a very smart show with lots of wit. There's nothing better than a great political show (and young Rob Lowe! That man doesn't age!).
Parks & Recreation: If The West Wing isn't my favorite show, it'd be Parks & Recreation. Hands down. Similar to The Office (but better in my opinion), Parks & Rec is the most adorable, witty, wonderful show of a parks and rec department in Pawnee, Indiana. I am literally Leslie Knope. I would be content with being her for the rest of my life. I'd love to have her job (and am considering it!).
Scandal: I think J would shun me if I didn't include this show. While I used to be obsessed, the obsession has now passed onto J. Olivia Pope is such a BA and she's so fierce. After the first episode, you're like "I want to be Olivia Pope. I want to be Olivia Pope. Olivia Pope, I want to be." She is a gladiator in a white hat. The show really gets to you, as you learn more and more about the characters. Huck, 7:52... that's all I'm going to say. Another show set in DC, but more drama than politics.
House of Cards: Another political show (Do I love politics or what?!). This one is filled with drama, corruption, and the search for power. Definitely a guilty pleasure. Frank Underwood is an evil genius. The first five minutes is enough for you to be like "What?! Give me more..." The show is great and really puts you into the mind of a genius, an evil genius, but nonetheless a genius. I can't help but find myself cheering for Frank.
Arrested Development: Another quirky, hilarious show about quite a family. It is a little weird, and after the first episode, I was like "what even is this show?..." but I'm a huge fan. The characters are quirky and lovable.
I'm thinking about asking for a DSLR camera for Christmas. I love photography and I'd love to get back into the hobby of taking photos. H takes a lot of photos on her DSLR camera (check out her insta here).
I was talking with J about photography this weekend. We talked about his GoPro abilities, timelapses, editing apps and Instagrams.
J showed me some amazing GoPro photos he had taken at Yellowstone, and they were amazing photos, the filters were horrendous. I asked him what he filtered his photos with, and he said Instagram sheepishly.
He asked what he should edit his photos with, and I told him VSCO Cam. I used to use a million of different apps, but now I only use VSCO Cam.
With VSCO Cam, you can edit each individual factor like exposure, temperature, saturation and the tint of the photo.
Above shows the before and after VSCO Cam. I thought the first photo was alright, and then it went through VSCO Cam- ta da!
I personally really like the soft look on most of my food photos, but that's just me. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. You can also make your photos very sharp and bright via VSCO cam.
Tip: Go to the shop and download the additional free filters! I really love the aesthetic series! I just got them and wish I downloaded it earlier.
There is a very underestimated superhero that many people forget about as they grow older. But there's a magic and healing power associated with this secret superhero that truly never gets old. Books.
Today, A brought me a super belated Christmas present. My fault, as I still haven't found her the perfect gift, and I was telling her that she couldn't give me mine until I got hers. She said that she couldn't wait any longer, and had to get me this. So she dropped it off today at my house (she's seriously such a great friend).
Inside was a pack of fuzzy socks (seriously fuzzy socks are a lifechanger. If you don't have a pair, go buy them anywhere. Just go buy some!), the cutest mug with a sweater (perfect for hot drinks! And fitting for me as I am sweater obsessed!), a package of hot chocolate mix, and her favorite book: Paper Towns. We talked about it recently and I mentioned that I hadn't read it, and she told me that was going to be my Christmas present. And it was. And truly one of the best presents I've ever received.
I read The Fault In Our Stars before people knew about it and I fell in love with it. It was an amazing book and I was hooked onto John Green. A told me that she preferred Paper Towns, so I had high hopes. When I first started the book, I didn't see the epic love story that would occur, and I thought that maybe it wasn't a love story, I was still intrigued. I kept reading and it turned out to be a heartbreaking, sad, relevant escape from reality. I was fascinated by the Margo Roth Spiegelman, who was fascinating, exciting and adventurous, but there was a whole 'nother side of her that Q discovered. The book truly kept me wanting to find out what happened and how it would all end.
After finishing the book in 4 hours after receiving it as a gift, I was sad but content. It was a strange feeling. The book truly changed my perspective on life and what's truly important. Just one of the many reasons why it's my new favorite book.
It's an amazing book and I'd definitely recommend reading it! The main thing though is that I forgot the magic of reading books and truly escaping. It's different than TV shows, you just get so emotionally invested and you can picture it all for yourself in your head. Your idea of the book might be totally different than your friend's, the author's, the movie producer's; you get this fantasy and you can truly imagine yourself being there. Books are truly the secret superheroes.
I have now decided that books are probably one of the best gifts to give. While it can be difficult to give books to just anyone, since book preferences are a personal choice, it can truly change one's mood completely. And it gives you something to talk about after the receiver is done reading! I love talking about books with others, especially books like Paper Towns with lots of underlying messages, metaphors and things to think about.
Next on my list is Looking For Alaska, Divergent, Amy Poehler's book, and Where'd You Go, Bernadette? We have a few days off between the semesters, so I'm going to try and get as much reading done when I'm not studying.
I also learned that I prefer the paper copy rather than the Kindle version. I guess it's easier to cry on pages rather than a screen?
What's on your list? Did you read Paper Towns? What do you think? I'd love to hear your recommendations and thoughts!
My answer will always be "To read," I love reading. My favorite subject is English and a good book puts me over the moon. Unfortunately, I haven't read as much as I'd like/should have recently. Why is that? Well I don't go to the library that much anymore, and the books I do want to read are usually checked out. I'm not crazy about rereading books, so to buy them from the bookstore or for the Kindle doesn't appeal to me. My brother has a Kindle that he doesn't use often, and when he does use it, it's for apps. (So pointless, I know!)
However, with the library having due dates and me never returning the books on time, I think it might be best for me to borrow my brother's Kindle and buy some books to read. Depending on my schedule, I might spend an entire rainy afternoon curled up with a book, or just 10 minutes a night. (Does anyone read right before bed? I typically can't do it because I either get too into the book and have to keep reading or I'm reading an exciting, action book and I can't go to bed with all the dangerous adventures in my head... I'm a scaredy cat. I don't do scary movies. I love action movies, but scary movies are a no. Even when I watch One Tree Hill (especially when some of the crazy, scary drama happens, I have to watch a happy episode of How I Met Your Mother or New Girl before I go to sleep. I have to.))
One of my goals for the 2014-15 school year is to read more books, at least one book a month. (More on my goals in an upcoming post!) Hopefully with the usage of a Kindle, I'll be able to accomplish this goal.
What books do you recommend I read? My mom wants me to buy one book at a time to ensure I read the entire book...
Here are some books I've been looking at for a while...
After watching the infamous Orange Is the New Black on Netflix and falling in love with the different characters with such interesting backgrounds... I'd love to hear the real story. (Did you know OITNB was based off this book which is a true story?) I know that the TV show is probably more "dramatic," but I'm excited to hear all about Piper Kerman's story. I love memoirs; my eighth grade English teacher recommended The Glass Castle to me and I loved it!
After hearing millions of bloggers talk about how amazing this book, I know I must give it a try. I love smart, funny, quirky reads, which is why I'm really excited to try this book out! It might be the first book I read. Check out the reviews if you aren't convinced!
I'm debating between starting Divergent or Where'd You Go, Bernadette? first. When Divergent was all the rage, all my friends were reading it. As I was loaded with schoolwork and didn't read much, (I get addicted to good books and can't stop reading them, which is why I didn't read during the school year) I didn't read it. But everyone wouldn't and couldn't stop talking about how good a book Divergent was. EPP, who isn't into reading, told me about how awesome Divergent was and emphasized that she typically doesn't like books. I'll be reading it either first or second! I'm considering buying the entire series at once, but I read the third book was horrible, so I'll probably just buy the first one first.
I remember in eighth grade talking with my English teacher (she was amazing) about book recommendations, and she recommended this book to me. She said she'd need my parents' permission before lending it to me, and my parents were fine with it, but by the time I had gotten it, she had already given me another book to read. Ever since I was little, I have loved mystery books. Cam Jensen, anyone? Even to this day, mysteries still appeal to me... White Collar, Psych, Sherlock. This book sounds so interesting with the mixture of mystery, religion and art- some of my favorite things! I can't wait to start this novel.
I adore Mindy Kaling. I was about to do a blog post about how I need to start watching The Mindy Project as it sounds like it'd be my new favorite show. I loved her in The Office and her tweets are on point. At a sleepover with my two of my favorite people in the world, MNR (BFF since kindergarten) and AF, MNR recommended this light, hilarious read.
Another light, comical read recommended to me by MNR and AF. The title of the book is me in a nutshell, and it's Tina Fey. I'm excited to read it. I love reading those "laugh out loud" reads. I can totally see myself reading this book in public (like on the subway) and laughing out loud... Is that a thing? Do people bring their kindles with them on the subway? Well one day, when I'm a local NYC-er or DC-er. One day...
The current #1 bestseller of Kindle. The reviews are outstanding and the book sounds interesting. I've read lots of books dealing with death, such as Thirteen Reasons Why. One of the questions the author answered was "This is a book about death, but it's not depressing. Why is that?" She answers with "Maybe because it's really about the power of love- of family, friends, music- and therefore it ultimately affirms life." Such a beautiful answer and I can't wait to read this book.
I'm really excited to read these books! Do you have any other book suggestions? I'd love to hear them! I'll be doing my research on more books to read through blogs and reviews... I will be reviewing the books as I finish them, so you can hear my thoughts on these books!
Side note: I only told like three people about my blog! Since I have a pretty good number of followers on Pinterest, I decided to share my blog with people who had similar taste in me. That's how ALD found out about my blog and shared it with JSC, MF and MS! When ALD first found my blog, she texted me telling me how she loved my blog. I was a little embarrassed, but I was glad she liked it. The next time I saw JSC, MF and MS, they told me they found out about my blog because ALD brought it up one day at swim practice (which I'm not at anymore... sadly!). I was again embarrassed, because I wasn't sure what their reactions would be. Fortunately JSC loved the blog, she was just upset because ALD had a better description than her in my first post about them! (It was because I knew ALD was reading my blog!!)
One summer night (actually the night of this post!), ALD, JSC and I were hanging out at JSC's house. ALD decided that she wanted to start a blog. JSC and I were super excited to help her set it up. She didn't write a post that night as we were all hanging out. JSC and I told her that she had to write some posts soon! She never did. We kept checking her blog in anticipation.
Fast forward to tonight, JSC and I were texting. I was texting her about life in general, the science behind being a basic white girl (post coming soon!), Tory Burch sales (true friendship right there) and the sport rowing... just to name a few things we talk about. ;) JSC brought up that ALD had updated her blog! I was so excited, I immediately went to her blog to see her two posts! So here I am, doing y'all a favor and introducing to you, the fabulous blog of ALD's!
I love her post on workout clothes! Can you tell we went shopping together on this day? (Hint: Check out #5!) I'm so excited to read what else ALD will write about. She's a girl with amazing taste and the coolest life, so get excited! If you like my blog (and I sure hope you do, since you're reading it now), you'll love ALD's blog!
I wanted to start this post with this photo.
It's from a few years ago and I went with my Girl Scout troop to the beach.
A friend took this photo without me knowing after sunrise.
We woke up early to go see the sunrise, and it was amazing.
I have had my first two days of summer! Today is day 2 of summer vacation. It's been pretty good. I'm really hoping for the chance to do stuff this summer. Experience summer. Not just sit around and watch Netflix.
Although I am expecting to catch up on some Netflix and watch some new movies and shows. Any recommendations? I want to watch some more Audrey Hepburn movies.
I also pinned the Refinery 29 article "The 10 Best Beach Reads, According to Us," which has some great reads: Crazy Rich Asians sounds hilarious and relevant to myself, The Secret History is my ideal story dealing with mystery and Young Money sounds like an interesting read about Wall Street.
Another pin (Pinterest obsession? Yes.) led me to Ellie Hutchison's 2013 Summer Reading In Review post, which introduced me to some great reads. Interesting fact: I love non-fiction books, especially business books. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead sounds amazing! I love books about women in power.
And... another pin to this book review. I love these types of books. Going out in the world, learning about yourself and your values, discovering the world around you. A Year Without Make-Up sounds like the perfect summer read! And I love to travel, so I'll be wanderlust during this summer.
After my first slideshow of books from Refinery 29, "Book Recs, Courtesy of L.A.'s Best Authors:" I love books written in letters Love, Nina sounds great and again Crazy Rich Asians and Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Yes please!
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