mirrors.

I love.

out of it.

Once again, lack of posting.  My bad.  Not sure who I'm apologizing to.  School has just been insane.  There never seem to be enough hours in the day.  I spend 8 hours a day at school so when I get off I don't want to just sit on the internet.

achromatic.

Black.  I used to love black.  When I was 15 and 16 that was pretty much all I used to wear, occasionally mixed in with hints of dark red, deep purple, or neon green.  Some called it punk rock, some called it Goth, and my Mother called it stupid (she was right).  At 17 I discovered the wonderful world of color!  And I have never gone back!  16-year-old me had a predominantly black closet. This me had a mostly color closet with a few black shirts reserved for certain things.

Black evokes many emotions.  It can be elegant and sharp.  It's slimming.  It's classy and classic.  It can be worn for neraly any occasion.  On the other hand it can be depressing, gloomy, and makes you look pale.  It's also worn to funerals.

The reason I bring this up is because I am sick of wearing black clothes all the time!!!  Not that I find anything wrong with someone wearing black a lot.  Some people pull it off.  This is a personal thing.

Sorry, venting.

crazycrazycrazy.

School is crazycrazycrazy.  I feel like there's not enough hours in the day.  I get up at 5:30 a.m.  I leave my house by 7:10 and get to school by 7:30.  Class starts at 8.  We get a 15 minute break at 10, a 30 minute break at 12, and another 15 minute break at 2.  We leave at 4.  And it's not that it drags on.  Time goes by really fast there.  You look at the clock at 8:15 and you look back what you think is 30 minutes later, but suddenly it's time for your 10 a.m. break.  But, yeah.  Up at 5:30, school at 8.  Out of school at 4.  Home by 4:30.  Study, study, study, possibly see Andrew, try to go to bed before 11, repeat next day.

We can only wear black clothes.  We can wear colored shoes and accessories, but other than that it must be black.  Which kind of sucks.  I don't really wear black.  I really had no black clothes.  I guess I will at the end of school.

The girls are awesome.  I have my favorites, of course, but I pretty much like everyone.  There's a few girls I'm not really warmed up to yet, but I don't dislike them. 

Andrew and I are having dinner with my parents tomorrow night.  I hope it's not going to be a witch hunt. 

I want.

anthropologie c'est bon dress

wedding... again.

Seriously sorry about all the wedding stuff, guys.  I think because I've just started looking ya'll are going to get overloaded with wedding planning for a while.  It'll slack off after a while probably, I do have 11 months to get it all together.  So far it really has just been the fashiony girly aspect of it (dresses) but in this post be prepared for talk about flowers, locations, invitaions, vases, colors, vests, decoration, theme, cakes, ribbons, food, and music.   Well, maybe not all that in this post, but be prepared for them to be in posts in the not too distant future.

I've changed my colors (again!), and found my theme.  We've decided on Labor Day weekend 2010, and that's still summer.  The colors I've decided on are purple and blue.  And depending on the dress I get the accent colors will be cream or white, and gold or silver.  I hope I can go with cream and silver.  The theme we've decided to go with is kind of antiquey, vintage, old south.  Very relaxed, very simple, very pretty. 

I still do like that Justin Alexander dress in the last post, and I don't mind the gold on it so much, and the price wasn't too bad.  But since then I've looked at other dresses and fallen in love.  And the new dresses do not involve gold, thank God.  And they go with the simple theme much better.  And they're cheaper.  And they're J. Crew (!!!).  Even the bridesmaids dresses I want are J. Crew.  They have the perfect color. 

From left to right: Sophia dress, and twist tank dress.  Both in Hazel Blue. 

From left to right: Marlene, Sabine, and Erica.  Marlene is my favorite.

The flowers I want are blue hydrangea and lavender.  I was thinking bridesmaids have small bouquets of lavender and I have one with hydrangea and lavender.  These are my favorites out of all I've seen, but I could not find a hydrangea and lavender bouquet, so try to imagine it.

That's all I'm going to do for now.  I start school tomorrow and I need to get ready for that.  I also need to shower.  Be prepared for more wedding stuff.

All dresses found here.

american gothic.

So now I'm thinking purple and green for wedding colors.  But rich colors!  I figured out my friend is doing green and brown, and I don't want to do the same thing she is.  And a September wedding.

And I think I have a new favorite dress...

It's Justin Alexander, #8453.  It's layered cream net with Swarovaski crystals, pearls, and gold embroidered lace.  And it's only $1,200.  They described it as American Gothic goes glam.  I saw it in the "American Beauty" spread in Brides Magazine and it makes me want to get married in the country wearing a cameo necklace like she is in the magazine.  I even love cameos.  I'm not sure why she's in a box in this picture, but I desperately want to see the dress in person.  Obviously because I want to try it on. :)

wedding.

I've been looking at wedding stuff... I've decided my colors are going to be moss green and a copper color.  I figured that would work for a fall wedding.  And green is my favorite color.  Anyway, some bridemaids dresses I have looked at.

These two are my favorites.  I want my dress to be lacy, and these tie into that.

These are my three favorite dresses.  Especially the first two.  Very lacy, a little vintage feeling.

And if I could afford one of these I would get one.

the process.

I start school at The Process on October 6th. Yessss!!!

It's the Rolls Royce of cosmetology schools.

flooding.

Road my Mom works off of.

Sugarloaf.  Another road Mom takes to get to work.

In Lilburn.

Downtown connector.

Yeah.  Flooding in Georgia.  It's been raining non-stop since last week.  Guess I was wrong about it not raining.  Some drought we're in.  I have a freakin' lake in my backyard.

Those rain boots would have been nice.

rattling the panes.

The thunder is rattling the glass in my windows.  I wish I had rain boots.  It's supposed to rain til next Thursday.  It's Georgia, so we'll see if that happens.

And I wish I could get the other boots I want.

I hate not having a job.  I realized for the first time yesterday how much it pissed me off. 

And I'm stressed about getting everything done for school.  I wish I'd filled out the FAFSA a long time ago for this very reason. 

And I have to see my Mom today.  I've avoided her for about two weeks.  Not looking forward to that.  My plan is to see her for about 30 minutes, be as nice as possible, then leave.  No arguing.  Which is going to be pretty much impossible.  She won't let me not argue. 

rainy days.

Sorry about the 10 day absense. It's been kind of a shitty. I got laid off on Wednesday. That was how I was going to pay for school. I've been at my boyfriend's due to complications with my Mother. Again. It's very hard to remain mature and not just kill her.

Went antiquing with Andrew's Mom on Friday. Found an awesome vintage coral ring that I want to buy. But, seeing as I have no job... Also saw some really cool vintage furniture that gave me tons of decorating ideas. The only thing I ended up buying was a costume jewelry cameo for $5. I've become completely obsessed with cameos. But I really covet the nice ones. On Sunday we all went to Madison. Since it was Sunday most of the shops are closed, so we only went in two. The first one had lots of badass confederate stuff in it, and a fuck ton of jewelry. I nearly had a heart attack. They even had a time line part that started in 1850 and went up to modern day. Found tons of cameos (real ones, like, $250 ones) and some really pretty coral jewelry. I'm becoming obsessed with carved coral rings.

It's rainy in Georgia. And a nice 70 degrees today.  I hope Andrew didn't take the motorcycle to work.

75 and fighting.

Another overcast day in Georgia. I love days like this, where it's about 75 degrees. It's awesome.

The neighbor Lisa just left with a guy on a motorcycle to get her car. Her son Sean's about 3 and when the guy pulled up he started yelling, "Motorcycle! Motorcycle!" Then when Sean realized Lisa was leaving he started yelling, "Mommy's leaving on the motorcycle! Vroooom!" The guy was like, "Can you say Harley? It's the only one that matters." Now Sean is sitting outside with his grandfather. His grandfather asked him if he liked Harleys and Sean said, "Harley bad, it took Mommy away." You can find this funny because it's a kid being cute, but also if you're like me and you don't like Harley you find it funny on a whole different level.

So my Mom and I got into it again yesterday. I haven't said anything on here, but last Thursday Mom told me the cosmetology school I was going to go to was pretty much a joke, and they lied about the stuff they teach you. I was very upset, I felt like the past year was a waste, I was panicked, and I'd even paid for it myself. Anyway, she found this out from Roxy, the girl that does her hair. Roxy went to The Process, where I had originally wanted to go. I believed her, but did some research and asked some questions. They don't teach you everything you need to know, they teach you the very basics. So basically when I graduated, if I got hired anywhere, they'd still have to train me at work. Not what I wanted. So Mom tells me I should go to The Process. However, Roxy also has an associates degree, which she got before cosmetology school. Since it's something that Mom wants, and someone else did it, she now thinks it's the only way to do it. So now Mom is pushing for me to get my associates and then go, and they'll pay for it. Very tempting. But if I get my associates now, it's foiling my carefully laid plans. And I thought I was done with the fighting, and the stress. I thought it was over, and that by this time next year I'd be done. But no. I'm not that lucky. I think God hates me sometimes.

hair and deco.

So, it's that time again. The time where I get sick of my hair cut. Which is strange, this has by far been my favorite hair cut ever. But, it's also the longest hair I've had since I was about 10. I've had this haircut since September. It's time for something new. And I wasn't really going to do anything drastic, I am trying to grow it long. I'll probably just end up growing out the bangs. I'm tired of having to get them cut every 3 weeks. I can't really complain about the cost of it, seeing as there is none because I work in a shop. It just sucks when it gets to be that time and Barabara's not working. I won't let anyone else cut my hair, so it gets in my eyes and annoys me. Or maybe if I could just get my bangs thinned out, so they're more wispy. I don't know. Any ideas?
I really want an iron bed. And I really want to paint the frame of it Robin's Egg Blue. Yeah. I kind of want to decorate my whole house in a vintage-country-shabby look. So lots of white, and blues, and greens. Light colors. Old furniture. Flowers and decorative items. Lots of little touches. I've already started looking at stuff. Looking at stuff that probably won't be there by next summer when I'll actually need it.

nesting instincts.

Yesterday was my 5 month with Andrew.  This makes me very, very happy.  However, things have really not gotten better with my Mother.  I mean, she tolerates his precence on the nights he comes to pick me up, but he's only there for 10 minutes.  And he's sweet to her.  She likes classic movies, so last night he brought her some classic film noir movies she hasn't seen.  I had this brilliant plan, and now I may have to work on the 12th which foils my brilliant plan of having my parents come to his Lodge fundraiser to meet his parents.  It's for a good cause, and they won't have to stay long.  Hard to say no to, hopefully.

I've started my nesting, which is still kind of strange to me.  Things like looking at furniture, and dishes, getting ideas for decorating, paint colors, and what kind of house (older one!), are all things I've never really thought of.  Especially with another person involved.  I keep thinking, "I want to do this, will Andrew mind that?"  He tells me, "Whatever you want, baby."  (Yes, I do have the best boyfriend ever)  Then of course he'll say he wants to do something and I'm like, "Ah! No! Why don't you do that in the garage or your shop?"

Anyway, been thinking about doing a project like this but never had the motivation/time/materials to do it.  I also didn't know how it would look, so I just let it be.  But I saw in a magazine yesterday that someone had done this and it looked really pretty.  It starts with this...

Pile of random pieces of furniture.  Think about the shape and size you want, and after you get something you're happy with take a picture.  Then after some sanding, priming, and painting, put it all together and you get this...

Yeah, pretty sweet, huh?  I like it, and it gave me motivation to try it.  I just have to start collecting pieces of furniture.  Hello, Goodwill and Treasure Mart!

For the full article on how this was done go to ReadyMade: Instructions for Everyday Life.

autumn makes me sing.

It is finally September.  That means fall is right around the corner!!!  I can't wait.  I want to wear boots and not get strange looks, I want to wear leggings, and tights, and scarves.  I want to layer!  I'm tired of it being so hot, even though today it's somewhere in the 60s.  It's kind of a tease. 

I am ready for this...

fins about four feet high.

Sorry for the lack of posting.  I've been busy this weekend, and on top of that I was sick.  Friday was Mrs. Kim's birthday.  Saturday I was really sick.  Sunday Andrew's friend Don came up from Waycross to pick up an old Vespa, so we saw him and his wife a while. 

I bought two dresses from Forever 21 this weekend, and a pair of boots from Target.  These boots come in ankle and mid-calf.  I'm trying to get them in every color I can find them in.  They even have a plaid one.  And they're suede-like on the inside.  And they're so comfortable!!! Happiness.

I want to buy more flats for fall.  I love boots, and I love boots with skirts or shorts but some of my dresses I can't get away with wearing boots.  And I want to buy tons of new tights in different colors.  Maybe some patterened ones.  I have a few but it's not enough, my closet has grown considerably since last fall, and I need more stuff to coordinate with.  I think I just want an excuse to shop.

Andrew works for Chrysler and I found these old ads.  I guess they're from the late 50s early 60s.  Too bad he's not here, he'd be able to tell me.  The fins are fabulous.  I love old cars, so much cooler than new cars.  I should post some of the hot rods and old cars from the Rockabilly BBQ sometime.  I think I will.

eclectic eccentricity.

This jewelry is fabulous!  I love the vintage look and uniqueness of every piece.  The woman who makes these has a good thing going.  Everything she makes is limited of course, but she has certain pieces that are editions which are actually advertised as limited.  There is also an exclusive section, and those are the one of a kind. 

These are three one-of-a-kind pieces that were recently sold.  The watch is really something, isn't it?

Here is the link to the website.

Eclectic Eccentricity Jewellery- jewellery with inspired kookiness.

marilyn.

As fas as I'm concerned, it doesn't get any better than Marilyn Monroe.

Lady never took a bad picture. It was impossible.

fossil love.

I was never a huge fan of Fossil. My brother is obsessed with their watches, but I didn't even know they made clothes until a few years ago. But even then, when I looked at them they didn't have much I liked. That has changed now. I still don't love all the stuff but these pieces are awesome. I love the vintage look and the almost western feel that some of the pieces have. And I love the plaids. They also make shoes now (I want most of them, too). The heels are adorable and have a vintage feel to them. The leather and suede... Chunky heels... Peep-toe and t-strap. There's even a Mary-Jane and a wedge style one. There is one flat called the Roxanne that has an open back on it. Adorable. However, not so much a fan of their boots, I was rather disappointed. Can't have it all, I guess.

new things, possibly old things.

This has been a good weekend, and a good Monday.

So I went to some antique stores with Andrew's Mom yesterday. Found a few things, including my Dad's Christmas presents. At Treasure Mart I found a badass purse and some bracelets.

I'm not sure how old the purse is, or if it's even vintage, but it's vintagy and when I saw the strap was adjustable I HAD to have it. The tooling is awesome, and it's in excellent condition. There are two little pockets on the inside, and it's clean. Can't fit very much in it though, which is good because I did need to downsize.

Bracelets. The two skinny ones on the right I already had, but I love those style bracelets. And of the two on the right the one on the inside was my Grandmommy's, so it's special. The biggest bracelet had another one that looked like they were supposed to match, but it's was really ugly, and they weren't priced together, so I let it go. I spent $14 on the purse, the three bracelets on the left were together and $4, and the big one was $2. So a grand total of $20.

The whole weekend was just good. Friday I hung out with Andrew. Saturday we went to Ron's house to grill out with him and his girlfriend (Melissa), her daughters (Anna and Ashley), and her roommate (Sara). I stayed at Andrew's Saturday night. He suprised me with the magazine LIFE put out on Marilyn Monroe. Then Sunday after church was the Treasure Mart extravaganza. We also went to My Favorite Place and he bought me a cool cigar box, and a tiny wooden box inlaid with brass. He spoils me.

I had orientation for school this morning. The teacher is awesome, the people in there with me seem cool, one girl I already know, and the classes are going to be great. It's going to be awesome. :)

funky, funky.

I've only dyed my hair a funky color once in my life. I was 15 and dyed it blue. My Mother was very pissed and made me wash it out as soon as she realized what I'd done. When I was still around that age I did want to do funky things to my hair, dye it a crazy color, something. But I never did seeing as I did not want to sign my own death warrant. Now as I've gotten older I've stopped caring about dying my hair strange colors. But every now and then I see a really cool color job involving teal or purple and it makes me want to do that to my hair. I've always loved the cool blues, purples and greens.

Even if I just did one chunk, I think I'd feel better. Like, I finally got to do it.

On another note, I bought my denim sweetheart dress from AE yesterday. I'm very pleased with it. I wore it with a Converse button up plaid shirt. It's going to become one of my favorite articles of clothing. I also bought another dress. It's blue plaid and definately a summery dress. I'll post pictures sometime. I also bought two necklaces. The jewelry this year is awesome. Very vintagey with lots of lockets and cameos and pearls. Lots of clustering the charms. Very pretty.

suspension.

Well, I got suspended from work for a week. Bullshit.

I'm going to AE today to buy two of those dresses. Then I'm hitting up some thrift stores. :)

ae love.

I used to HATE American Eagle. Read that: HATE. In middle school/early high school I had a pair of jeans and a few shirts that I found at TJ Maxx. American Eagle was just not my thing. They didn't have anything black, and they were a little too expensive for me. And the cool kids were wearing it.

That changed my junior year of high school. Some stuff happened, my closet was purged of all things black (which was ALL my clothes), and I showed up to the first day of school in a yellow shirt. Thus begun my turn away from the 'dark side', and for a while I pretty much wore what my Mom wanted me to. I just didn't care.

Shortly after I graduated high school I got a job at American Eagle. I'm not even going to lie: I loved that job. I still do. It's still one of my favorite jobs I've ever had. Most of the people were cool, and the discount was frickin' fabulous. You got 40% off, and then depending on what the item was (like if it was on the sale rack) you got an additional 25%. Needless to say most of my paycheck went straight back to the store, and they actually got me caring about what I wore again. Some of the things they have out now are making me wish I still worked there so I could use my employee discount.

These are the things I'm currently lusting after...

The strapless dress I also want in the railroad stripe pattern, but since one of the dresses is already that pattern I'll get it in denim first. And the ballet flats I want in pretty much every color and pattern they have. And the motorcycle boots come in suede. I want those, too. There is also a white pin stripe vest and a denim western shirt I want. And all the jewelry is fantastic this season, and I want it, too. I'll never be able to afford all that, haha!