short for alexandra

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

august 2013 playlist

I know I totally wrote a Summer Playlist 2013, but soon after I got sick of that playlist and made a whole new one.

These are songs I've been obsessed with since then.

This playlist is actually larger than the others- but I'm only writing about five of the songs because these are my favourite of the playlist.

1. Comes and Goes in Waves | Greg Laswell

"This one's for the torn down, the experts at the fall; Come on friends get up now, you're not alone at all."

I know I've mentioned it a LOT, but it still stands true- I can't wait for fall. This song reminds me of being a little gloomy on a fall day, curled up in my room with a hot cup of coffee in my hands, with this blasting in my headphones. It's a total feel-better song with beautiful acoustic guitar. It sounds like overcast 45° weather, if that makes any sense. But only on a day where you're happy to see the clouds rather than the sun.

2. Dirty Paws | Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men was all over the radio with Little Talks (which I totally rocked out to while driving down the I-5, pretending there was a dude next to me singing the dude part of the song, but alas..) but dirty paws caught my attention way quicker. These guys sound like a little more folk-y version of The XX, and I can't get enough of them right now.

3. Hopeless Wanderer | Mumford and Sons

Again, Mumford. Like a good pair of jeans, Mumford is classic and works with every mood ever. Coralie played this song a lot while we were camping in Osoyoos, and when I gave it a listen at home, I found the music video, and oh. my. god. If you watch any of these videos I post, make this one your first priority. As a 19 year old girl with a taste for older men named Jason, this video speaks to me. I guess the song's okay too.

4. Safe and Sound | Capital Cities

This is a total windows-down-sunglasses-on-hair-blowing-in-the-wind summer song.

That is all.

5. O Alexandra | Said the Whale

Sweet Caroline, Roxanne, Mambo No. 5- these are all songs that have women's names in them. As an Allie/Alexandra, I have never had the privilege. Until this song. Well, there is "Aly Walk With Me" but it's not spelled right. Humph.

Not only is this song totally written about me (duh), the lyrics are freaking adorable.

"Oh Alexandra,

So completely undeniable
So completely beautiful
You teach me to sing again
So sweetly I will sing for you
If you let me in"

Tell me those words didn't make your heart grow three sizes and I'll shank you.

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Monday, August 19, 2013

nine goals

Goals.

Everyone has them, and achieves some of them.

I have so many little ideas fluttering around in my head around goals- both short and long term. I figured, what better way to straighten them out by posting them online where the world can see? Ha.

Some are silly. Some are far-fetched. But I don't care. These are my goals. These are things I want to do. Accomplishments to be made.

1. Run a 5K.
Running is something I got into (reluctantly) when I was 14 in order to train for my black belt test. It was a short-lived hobby to say the least- as soon as I got my black belt, I stopped, and I've wanted to start again for a while but haven't done so.

2. Make my blog well known.
Or at least somewhat popular. Enough to get comments on every post (even if it's just one!), guest post for other blogs, etc. I want to get my name out there. It'll take a lot of work, but I will do it! Making money from my blog wouldn't hurt, either.

3. Graduate.
This is a given. Unless something completely out of my control occurs: I AM GRADUATING FROM MY UNIVERSITY.

4. Before graduation, study abroad.
After visiting London this summer, I've had an overwhelming urge to go back. Even before we went- I've wanted to study abroad, and London sounded like a good idea, and visiting just solidified the thought.

5. Take better photographs.
I'm an amateur photographer at best. This needs changing. I need to make photographs I'm proud of.

6. Get another tattoo.
Another given. This will happen. I love tattoos.

7. Dye my hair red.
Not fire-engine red, but more like a ginger. I love red hair. Love love LOVE red hair. I want to try it at least once.

8. Work for a magazine.
As an intern. As a writer. As the head editor. I don't care. Fashion magazine, preferably. (I just need to build my real-life closet as close to my pinterest closet as close as possible).

9. Write for Rolling Stone magazine.
Just once. Regularly. This is a big goal. If I get this, I will reach the jackpot. I will win at life. (Or at least my life).

Do you have any goals?

Saturday, August 17, 2013

thrift shop

I've never been one to thrift, really, until these past few years.

I've always been all about new clothes. I thought it was absolutely awful to buy something that someone else has worn. Why would you do that when you could just buy new clothes, that haven't been worn? Well, because I had money. Well, my parents had money. They were the ones buying my clothes.

It wasn't until I moved to Bellingham that I learned to appreciate stores like Value Village and Goodwill and other various consignment shops. For those of you who don't know about Bellingham, it's a granola-crunching college town about 20 minutes from the Canadian border. There's more than just the college, for sure- lots of families choose to live in Bellingham- but it's the young adults who make the atmosphere.

I also didn't think I could thrift as a plus size woman. I didn't think that many plus size women would give their clothes up, especially to shops like goodwill. Plus clothing is expensive and there's a venn diagram I've seen on the internet that completely wraps up the experience of plus size shoppers (if I find it I'll post it as an edit) but it basically says "cheap", "good quality", and "fits correctly": and then tells you to pick two. Nothing has ever been more true for plus-size shoppers... In my experience, anyway.

Back to the point. Where was I? Oh, right- I moved to Bellingham and learned to thrift. I started to go to stores like Value Village and Goodwill with my roommate, Bridget, who is one of those people- you know, the ones who you bring with you and then you can suddenly find all the cute clothes. A thrifting leprechaun of good luck. Tawny introduced me to Labels- an awesome consignment shop in Bellingham (which now has its own plus size shop!) that has lots of cheap clothes that are cuter than those from goodwill due to the fact that they turn away clothes that aren't trendy enough.

I've slowly started to find more and more clothing at thrift shops, not to mention furniture for our new home. Here's a small collection of some of my favourite finds from thrift shops in Bellingham that my roommates and I have found.

Vases- Goodwill $.99-$1.99

Shelf which has been 100% filled with my extensive mug collection
Value Village - $14.99

Caridgan - Value Village $7.99

Vintage Instamatic Camera - Value Village $3.99

Polaroid Painting- Value Village $3.99

Horizontal Running Team shirt (fat amy FTW!) - Value Village $5.99

Flats- Label's $15.99

Rug - Value Village $9.99
Tray - Goodwill $2.99

I'll probably do another post later on how we furnished our house on a college budget- lots more thrift store, dollar store, and target clearance finds. You have no idea how the word "clearance" makes me feel, especially at target. Ohhh boy. That's another day.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

rainy day

Tiny post, but it's rainy today.

It's kind of nice to have that same constant rain again. I will bitch about the lack of sun starting in December, but for now, I kinda like the rain.

As I mentioned in my last post, I can't wait for autumn and all the goodies it brings.

Today I busted out my nail polish collection (for those of you who know me, you know how large this is, I've got at least 50 bottles and paint my nails at least two times a week) for the first time since I got home from Europe.. almost a month ago. My summer favourites have been Essie's Mint Candy Apple and Tart Deco, but today I opted for Stylenomics - a dark grey with some blue/green undertones. The description online says a "dark green", which I suppose is true, but it appears grey except for in certain lights.

I can't wait for the comfort that autumn brings me. I can't wait for an excuse to wear my new Steve Madden combat boots. I can't wait for my best friend's wedding. I can't wait for layers, and for a hot cup of Starbucks coffee. I can't wait for my own birthday, and for halloween, and finally for winter to start so I can go to Milwaukee and visit my other half, Nathan.

That is all.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

wish list

It's only August. On one hand, I feel like this summer has gone by so fast and there is absolutely no way that it is August already. On the other, I feel like this summer has lasted so long. It could have something to do with the fact I have been away for 75% of the summer so far... yeah, that's probably it. First three weeks in Europe (which was AWESOME for watching what people are wearing) and then a week and a half camping in Osoyoos, British Columbia. My liver is still recovering from that trip.

That being said, being home for the short time I have been home, I feel like school will be starting soon and in turn, so will autumn. I absolutely love autumn. Maybe it's the crisp air as I walk around campus in the morning, or the regularity of getting my salted caramel mocha at Starbucks, or the fact that it's perfectly acceptable to curl up in my room with a cup of coffee and just relax. Maybe it's my birthday. Mostly it's the fashion.

Fall fashion is, again, my favorite. Spring is nice because you get to start wearing dresses; summer brings tank tops and shorts; winter has peacoats and hats and scarves, but fall has a mix of them all. It's acceptable to wear a pair of shorts (wear a pair of tights underneath and some boots and you're all good). You can wear a peacoat- but wear it unbuttoned so you can see your cute top and so that you don't overheat.

Like I mentioned earlier- London was so. damn. good. for creeping on what people were wearing. We were staying near Victoria Station, which was a pretty ritzy part of town, so people put a lot of effort into what they were wearing. I saw dozens of girls wearing their jeans and blazers, button up tops with statement necklaces, combat boots with lace dresses, peter pan collars... et cetera. In the states- or at least where I live- people sometimes dress up, but mostly just stick to the same consistent few outfits.

If I had the money, I would have the coolest closet ever. Anyone who follows me on pinterest probably gets sick of my random pinning sprees. I've been creeping around and seeing what some of the trends are going to be this fall... and there are a few things I've added to my want-list.

I was one of those girls in high school who didn't really care about what I wore. I cared about my hair and makeup- well, makeup more consistently than hair, which would usually be thrown in a big messy bun about halfway through the day. I would wear jeans and a Victoria's Secret Pink sweatshirt. That was it. I could have given zero shits about what I wore. Most of this was because I couldn't find clothes that fit me right- I refused to shop in the plus section. (This is another battle I'll talk about in another post). Freshman year of college, it changed into yoga pants and sweatshirts. I literally didn't care at all. Then I got hired at Forever 21. I remember thinking as soon as I got the call- this is the perfect excuse to start building a cuter wardrobe. Working at Forever definitely helped me develop my own sense of style, and made me realize what I do and don't like, and that it's okay to take risks. Also, fuck the rules- if you want to wear it, wear it. I don't exactly know how I'd describe my style.. I like olive greens, blacks, and greys- but I also enjoy a cute mint chiffon top or cardigan every now and then. It depends on the weather I guess.

So, as of today, August 8, 2013- this is my "want" list for Autumn fashion.
Keep in mind- this is only two shops: Forever 21+ and ASOS Curve. I could go on and on, but I need to limit myself at the moment. If I added accessories... this post would be a million miles long.
If anyone has the urge to buy me anything, you'd be my best friend forever and I would bake you a million cookies.
Kidding! But not really.