we're running out of time

Hey guys!
Sorry for the hella long hiatus! None of my recent outfit pictures have turned out the way I wanted them to so here are some from February (??) when I was still in sunny California and not freezing cold Canada. *dramatic sigh*

shirt: somewhere in new york (gift)//shorts: american apparel//shoes: vans//rings: homemade//bracelets: homemade + gifts

Anyway though, the past four months have flown by so. quickly. Eleventh grade has been so great so hectic so far.
I've been reading so much since September, we're reading a total of 24 for school this year... Yes. t w e n t y  f o u r  b o o k s !

I'm also specializing in cinema and visual arts at school which is a super interesting and hands-on class! We write, film, edit, act, analyze movies, learn about the history and technical side of film-making. I really really love it. 
We recently watched The Birds (directed by Hitchcock) and sdglf just thinking about it makes my skin crawl... It was a terrific movie, don't get me wrong but I don't think any of us are ready to see birds yet. *hides under blanket in fear* I know it sounds kinda silly to be scared of birds but holy crap man watch it and tell me you don't get the heebie-jeebies!

the special effects are pretty high-tech am I right 

I also completed and traded my first zine at a zine off which was slightly amazing and slightly terrifying at the same time??? It felt so great to be in a room full of people interested in zines who wanted support and wanted to support people. Plus it was lovely to just have a free exchange without judgement. It really felt like a community and man that felt freaking amazing. 

I've also been going to local concerts and zine readings and discovering things I didn't know about my town. It makes me kind of sad though that it took moving away and moving back to be open enough to look for and to find wonderful things here, but I guess that's what growing up is all about. 
~life lessons from céline~

x

I've been casually re-watching Gilmore Girls (I also got my friend addicted oops) and I didn't think it was possible but I actually love it even more than i did when I first watched it as a kid. And that is because I actually understand the literary, film and cultural references now and my family and I have a similar fast-paced humour/dialogue thing that we didn't when I was seven. 

x

Title is a lyric from Twenty-nine by Christmas Island
P.S. it's almost my blog's first birthday which is slightly scary/blowing my mind
P.P.S I GOT MY BRACES OFF BACK IN OCTOBER!!
Are you excited for Christmas or does it still feel like November for you too? Have you seen any good/terrifying movies lately? Do you make zines/love Gilmore Girls? 
P.P.P.S If you've gotten this far high five man you're the cooliest so have some imaginary brownies and presents! (thank you!)

everything's coming up roses

Begin Again, written and directed by John Carney, is such a wonderful and inspiring movie for so many reasons.

Firstly, the concept itself is so original and inspiring. When I saw the trailer this summer, I was sure it was going to be yet another cheesy movie but luckily, it wasn't. Greta's (Keira Knightley) newly famous boyfriend and songwriting partner, Dave (Adam Levine) cheats on her with one of his producers while Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is a recently jobless record producer with his fair share of messes. Dan and Greta meet when her friend makes her perform one of her songs in a bar and Dan's mood is lifted. He offers her a record deal which she initially rejects. Eventually, however, they decide to make an entire album with other bored artists and record it all over New York. I loved the idea of recording it outdoors, all at once, without any editing, keeping the sounds of the city, that it really was all about the music.

Secondly, I can't get enough of the soundtrack. Keira Knightley's voice is beautiful, calm, and soothing, strong yet still relatively quiet -- she doesn't belt, for example. As for Adam Levine, his musical talent is a known fact. Furthermore, the songs are so catchy and make it impossible to not sing and dance along. However, they still manage to feel delicate and intricate without being in-your-face about it. The songs are kind of low-key, they aren't written to be hits, they just stay true to the songwriter. As Adam Levine's character seems to learn, that's just as good and even when people enjoy the pop remixed version, they'll still love the original, less in-your-face arrangement.

Thirdly, the aesthetics of the movie were lovely too. I've always loved New York but this movie amplified my love for it. In the film, Dan says the album will be kind of like an ode to the city, but so is the movie. All the shots are so beautiful, colourful and seem to capture New York so perfectly and effortlessly. The whole movie seemed to have a soft, pastel, low-key vibe, from Greta's clothing to the scenery.

Fourthly, the casting was perfect! I've been a Mark Ruffalo fan since 13 Going On 30 (I still ship it) and a Keira Knightley fan since Pirates of the Caribbean (also still ship it) and Love Actually. They're both so talented and while I know they do put effort into it, they always convince me they are their characters in a seemingly effortless way. The rest of the cast was also chosen very well but Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo seem like they were born to portray Greta and Dan. (Bonus points for having a special place in my heart) 

Finally, (SPOILER ALERT) the end made me happy. Despite his efforts, Greta doesn't go back to Dave but Dan and his wife do find their way back to each other. With a bit of help from Greta, Dan revives his relationship with his daughter. Furthermore, despite a very possible record deal, Greta decides to put the album for sale online for $1 that will be evenly shared with the whole band. An incredibly famous rapper Dan discovered in his heyday tweets about the album to his followers (according to Dan the entire world) per Dan's request. As for Dave, it isn't confirmed, but my interpretation is that he realizes his fans love Greta's arrangement of the song she gave him just as much as -- maybe ever more than -- the poppy remixed version, which maybe leads to an epiphany: he's a a sellout.

All in all, I really enjoyed the movie and found it really inspiring as well as refreshing to watch a movie that's based on a love of music. I love the movie so much that I wanted to run around my city recording songs. I definitely recommend this movie!

Title is a lyric from Everything's Coming Up Roses - Keira Knightley

Have you seen this movie? What did you think?

i breathe for you

2B pencil on paper

Hey guys :)

I dunno about you guys, but summer feels like a lifetime ago *sigh*
Junior year isn't exactly what I expected it to be but in a good way. I get to take cinema & visual arts as a class which I'm suuuuuper happy about!

Anyway,  I spent my weekend listening to Half Moon Run's album, Dark Eyes and drawing/painting.

~So here are some more drawings/paintings from 2014~

pencil on paper

acrylic paint on  paper

The top drawing is from august and i spent a long time on it and I'm actually really happy about how it turned out so it's definitely the one I'm proudest of. 

The second one is actually a really small drawing that was for a bigger piece with four other different facial features. I think it's one of the most realistic eyes I've ever drawn.

For the last one, it was originally a light pencil drawing because I was planning on painting it so I didn't shade too much in pencil. I have absolutely no idea why I wanted to paint it because I'm not really good at it so I basically wrote it off forever ago. While I was painting this though I started to actually understand how to shade with paint a bit more so I guess it was to learn technique/practice. So while I'm not 100% happy with it, I'm still pretty proud because it's definitely a step up.

Also, I recently found out about Half Moon Run and I absolutely love them!

Their music sounds so laid back at first but there's actually so much more to it. Lyrically and instrumentally, the songs are so beautiful and interesting.

Plus I like the kind of dark undertone they give off, like a vibe that something's off.

The title is a lyric from Fire Escape which i think might be my favourite right now but to be honest I really can't decide haha

Bonus: their music videos are so trippy/cool/esthetically appealing/kinda creepy & they're Canadian eff yeah

How's school going for you? What have you guys been up to? Also, any art/painting advice (of any kind, especially watercolour, acrylic & gouache)?

purple eyes to match my purple hair*

About a week ago, I received my first sample ever and I had to refrain hugging random people out of joy.

I got the Soft Natural Violet Contact Lenses from Spooky Eyes' Dream Eyes collection.

Before trying them I had to pick up a case for them and some multi-purpose solution to clean them.

When I tried one of them on for the first time, I didn't put them in properly so it hurt a lot so I called for my mom as I started crying and freaking out because "I can't get it out it hurts what if I never get it out what if we have to go see a doctor to get it out and the drive is long and ohmygod it hurts mom heeeeeelp"

Mom: "i don't know how to get it out"

I got it out though but didn't try the contacts on again for a few days because I was a little traumatized...

Finally, I reread the instructions a zillion times and got up the courage to put them in again. They felt a little strange at first because I've never worn contacts in my entire life and when I put the second one in I messed up a little so I started tearing up which made it a little hard to see until my eyes adjusted to the contacts. 

They're not super duper realistic, especially with only one in, but then again considering they're violet that's normal. Plus, my dad didn't even notice them until my mom said "oh wow ok"

I really like them though and i like that they can make me look like a) i just have violet eyes or b) a demon nbd

I can't wait for Halloweeeeen!

Spooky Eyes - Soft Natural Violet Contacts

give me one good reason

The other day, my friend and I went to one of the LGBT Pride concerts, RuPaul's Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons. 
It. Was. Awesome. 
RuPaul's Drag Race is basically the drag queen version of America's Next Top Model. The drag queens that performed were gorgeous, talented, hilarious and super sassy. They danced, sang & lip-synched. Bianca did some stand-up and then even got people from the crowd to dance on stage. It was a pretty hilarious night.
Bianca Del Rio is the sassiest person to ever exist. Ever.

\\hat: h&m -rings: various - bracelet: san diego zoo - crop top: west 49 - skirt: d-tow - socks: dennis - shoes: vans//

casually wearing my actual school socks nbd   

The best song ever:

if you ever wondered what a badass schoolgirl looked like... this is it *falls off bench*

Alaska 

Title is a lyric from Budapest by Geogre Ezra
Thank you to Madison and my mom for taking these pictures for me!

every inch of you is perfect

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I have about a week of summer left. How did summer fly by so quickly??? Mind=blown 
The end of summer means the beginning of my junior year which is pretty terrifying. In movies, junior year always looks super fun and the perfect year to skip classes and go crazy, party, be a rebellious teenager *dramatically removes sunglasses to show a total badass look* I have a sneaky feeling I won't be doing any of those though. *sigh*
I have had a great summer though and hope you all did too!
I know I was kind of MIA for a long time but hopefully as the school year starts I'll be a bit more inspired. 
So without further ado here are a few pictures of what I wore today; nothing special, just something casual to walk around town in but also loose enough not to suffocate because it is so dang hot here.
Thank you to my momma who took these for me (hi mom!)

\\tank top: urban outfitters - crop top: h&m - shorts: thrifted - shoes: vans - sunglasses: local boutique//

how cool are these bad boys?? i love my new babies very very very very much 

Title is a lyric from All About That Bass - Meghan Trainer 

How were your summers? Is it super hot where you are?

the moonlit garden

Wow. August. The way time flies never ceases to amaze me.

I still can't believe we're moving back. Part of me believes it, I guess, but the rest of me doesn't; especially the house and maybe even the school part. Maybe I just needed closure, needed to see the boxes instead of just leaving a full house, still filled with our stuff, our memories, still full of life and of my family. It wasn't just an empty boxed up house -- that is easier to leave, to lose, easier to give up. But this is hard, it doesn't feel real. In my mind, it's like a borrowed house, someone else's house but not ours, someone else's room but not mine. At least for now, I guess.

Moonlit Garden by Amanda Martin

Anyway, I recently found out about this cool new artist: From Us
From Us's genre is electronic/ambient. He only has one song out but it's hella hella good.
The Moonlit Garden has a sort of vintage-like vibe and a really cool drum beat and piano track.
It sucks that he only has one song but since it came out recently, I'm hoping for more to come out in the near future.
Here's his Facebook page and his twitter, please go ahead and like it/follow him!

PS. sorry for being away 5ever

you look so good it hurts*

Hey guys, I know I keep disappearing...  (I'm secretly a spy shh...)

I'm actually mid-move (6th time's the charm right) and living the sweet life of zach and cody aka in a hotel.

On top of that I have a cold that I can't seem to shake (maybe it would help if I didn't go to bed at 3???)

BUT my cousin and I are gonna go location scouting with a bag of my clothes and take outfit photos around the city someday. Hopefully soon...

Also, I recently joined the blogger network which made me discover QUIZ *glitter flies into the air as I ride a unicorn into the world of fashion*

I think I need to stop looking through their site because every time I do, I open a gazillion tabs and then realize that no, I can't buy every single one of their items. *dramatic sigh*

Anyway, so here are "a few" of my favourite items/my wishlist. This list was a lot longer earlier, like a lot. I think I've had to narrow it down five different times. 

Tops

floral crop top

floral crop top

textured check crop top

floral print crepe bralet top

graphic print crop top

floral print bardot crop top

Bottoms/Playsuits/Dresses

gingham leggings

bardot jumpsuit
this one reminds me of 13 Going On 30

honeycomb playsuit

flock leaf print midi dress

aqua and pink two tone mesh prom dress

floral bardot dress

Shoes & Wraps

chunky flatform gladiator sandals

embroidered mesh shrug

I really love the flowers, colours, and summer vibes and tartan. I bet John Mayer wrote Your Body Is A Wonderland after seeing his girlie in QUIZ clothing. It only makes sense.

i care but i don't care

Hola chicas!

The festivals have been ah may zing!
So far, I've seen:
Snarky Puppy - Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers - Earth, Wind, & Fire - Aretha Franklin - Bobby McFerrin - Danny Brown - RL Grime - Adventure Club - Journey - Zedd - Lady Gaga - Brothers Dubé - Mac DeMarco - St Vincent

St Vincent was incredible. 
She's so strange/crazy/cool/talented, I was kinda awe-struck. 
Her voice is beautiful, her guitar playing is mind-blowing and she's just such a performer, it was a great show. 
Her whole show was actually really minimalist but also very staged and yet she still had the whole audience hooked, which was definitely impressive. She had this whole persona and dance moves down including this foot shuffle that, if you couldn't see her feet, you'd think she was on a moving catwalk. 

She had a bunch of mind blowing guitar solos and, during one of them she and her band member smiled at each other because they could hear us cheering and it just warmed my heart that they were happy and adorable and awww band members <3 

During another guitar solo, security carried her back and forth along the gate so fans could touch her and then when she got back on stage she did that crazy turning on the floor while playing guitar and hitting the pedal with her heel even though she can't see it and even playing with the guitar behind her head thing. It was sick and I was impressed times infinity because wowowowow she is amazing. 

I didn't take any pictures because I just wanted to enjoy the show and soak in everything.
Check her out if you haven't already and if you have the opportunity to go see her, you reeeeeally should because it was quite a show!

These were taken at my new favourite spot; I call it the Dr Seuss place because the fake giant door, fake TV, fake windows and two chairs and the colours remind me of his stories and this place just makes me happy.

Also, yes, the purple is sadly already almost completely faded and back to blonde.

The title is a lyric from Digital Witness by St Vincent

Big thank you to Madison who took these for me and encouraged me to buy the glasses.

Wearing: 
shirt - old navy // tank top - old navy // skirt - h&m // tights - h&m // heels - forever 21
hat - h&m // sunglasses - local boutique // purse - h&m 

How are your summers going? Have you been to any festivals or concerts lately?

i can't live without you now

Hello darlings!

Summer has officially started!!!
A little hair update: if you didn't already know, I have blonde hair and a side shave which has actually grown pretty quickly. Plus I recently dyed my hair purple!
I'm finally reunited with my bestie Madison after not seeing her for a year!! So here are some outfit photos we took! :)

~me~
shirt: dennis
shorts: american apparel 
shoes: vans
purse: h&m

My shirt is actually my school uniform shirt that I tie-dyed in AP Art on our last day. I really like how the design and pastel dye (dye+water) turned out.

~madison~
shirt: merchnow.com
shorts: american eagle
bag: billabong

Madison's wearing a Sleeping With Sirens shirt as it's one of her favourite bands. She bought it online and eventually cut it.

madison recently dyed her hair blonde
pins: all but two are homemade

mah hurrrr

I've been volunteering at a music festival, as I've mentioned before, and got to see Steve Martin and Earth, Wind & Fire, among others! THEY WERE SO GOOD!
Please check out my best friend Valentina's blog!
The title is a lyric from Stomach Tied In Knots by Sleeping With Sirens