Home is wherever i'm with you.

Just another quick post to let you all know i'm still alive and well!  I've also wanted to talk about a few things so here goes!
♥ My birthday's coming up (well, it's in 50 days haha) and i'll finally be 18!  Not sure what i'm going to do to celebrate it yet though, probably just do something with friends - probably my favorite way to celebrate my birthday.
♥ Since i'm turning 18 i've been contemplating getting a few tattoos!  I have three in mind and i kind of know where i want to get them.  I've been wanting "this too shall pass" for ages, i know it's a tattoo that everyone thinks of as a bit cliche, but it's a phrase that has always been floating around in my mind & has gotten me through a lot of times - good & bad!  I'm thinking of getting that on the inside of my arm.  I also really want "home is wherever i'm with you", one of my favorite lyrics from one of my favorite songs ever (from Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros).  I think it would very much sum up this time in my life & is always a phrase that will be very near & dear to my heart. :')  Not sure where i'd get that, i'm thinking on my foot or something!  The last one i've been thinking about is something on the side of my rib cage or behind my ear.  That would probably be more for ~the sake of art~ & being pretty.  I've always said to myself that if i got a tattoo that it would have to mean something to me.  This is all hypothetical of course, i'm such a commitment phobe - and when it comes to my appearance, not sure how i would feel about a tattoo!  I absolutely love them on other people but on me?  Hmmm... will have to contemplate some more.  You only live once though, right? :)
♥ In terms of blogging, i apologize to those of you who have been anticipating a blog post from me.  Admittedly, i do have a bit more free time now that exams are over, but as i feel like i've said over & over, i've just been wanting to spend my time doing other things (catching up on sleep, hanging out with friends/family, etc).  Not sure where i stand with this blog atm, but i definitely don't want to completely abandon it.  Have been considering changing it up a bit since i don't have much interest in beauty blogging really anymore - i feel like there are just so many other beauty blogs & i don't know, just lost my ~passion~ for it i suppose.  I am still head over heels in love with photography, just haven't been taking many photos lately.  We shall see.
♥ As i've said in, like, every blog post from the past few months, thanks for sticking by me lovelies.  Hope you're all doing well. <3
♥ Favorite songs of the moment: Midnight City - M83, I Know the Truth - Pretty Lights, I Want to Take You Higher - Sly & the Family Stone, I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues - Elton John.

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Summer nights.

We have this little thing in my city called Summerfest and it's honestly the highlight of everyone's summer.  It's a music festival with loads of greasy food, beer, and free bands to see at various stages.  The lineup of bands they got this year is seriously incredible!  It started just the 29th of June and i went yesterday!  I saw Fort Frances, Toy, and Walk the Moon (whom i had never heard of, but were nice to watch while we were waiting for 8:00/10:00 o'clock to come round).  But Neon Trees and Panic! at the Disco were the bands we were all there to see. :)  They were both SO much fun and put on such a freaking fantastic show, i think i've gone into post-concert depression!

Panic! at the Disco has been 'my band' for so long, their album "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out" never fails to bring back middle school memories.  It was really the first album that got me into more 'alternative' kinds of music.  About their show.... i am speechless!  (Literally, my voice & body are dead today - so much singing & dancing!).  But really, it was beautiful - they had a fantastic mix of songs, both old and new, and just fdasljfa.  TOO GOOD.

Since it was their last show on the tour, they kind of went all out... i tweeted & Tumblr'd this already, but i think it's worth repeating.  Yes, Brendon Urie took his pants & shirt off and i can confirm he is a boxer-briefs man!  He is such a sexy man, and not just for that. ;)  I could die!

I ended up forgetting to bring my camera so here are some dodgy shots from the camera on my phone....

Creepin' on my friend on the sky lift!

We went quite early so we could have a nosey at the shops & such and then sit down and reserve our spots for P!ATD, so it was quite empty at the time!

Neon Trees. :)

~*le arena*~

Panic! at the Disco. ♥  You can kinda see the outline of Brendon in the middle there. :)

Post-show madness.

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I love Summerfest so, so much - i don't want it to end!  If you live in the Midwest, definitely check it out if you can.  I got free admission (my dad got some free tickets from his work) and the concert was at one of the free stages (all but one of the stages are free!), so i ended up only having to pay for food and the bus!  Brilliant, if you ask me.  I'm going twice more this year to see Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and The Flaming Lips.

I hope you liked seeing this little bit of my summer. :)  Now, i'm off to go take some Advil & rest my dancing feet.

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Lush's Twilight Bath Bomb ♥

Last night i had the pleasure of using one of Lush's newer bath bombs (aka ballistics) that i got in a recent haul - it's called Twilight.  Now, those of you who may be put off by the name (if you're not to big on the Cullens, hehe) will be relieved to hear that this is not related to the series at all, but the effect it leaves on the bathwater - but more on that later.  This was the first of the Lush bath bombs made with the newer formula that i tried, and i'm really glad i did decide to try it. 

First off - the smell.  It smells absolutely gorgeous, of lavender and mild (not nose-piercing) vanilla.  It's very relaxing & calming, and really helped my mind to slow down a bit.  I actually thought about the English paper i have to write (*ahem* nerd), and figured out what i'm going to talk about - mhm, this never happens haha.

A little bit after plopping Twilight into the tub.  *Froths* haha

The ballistic itself is huge and pink with little stars & a moon stamped on it - how cute! - but fizzes away to reveal a blue inside, how awesome is that?!  Twilight was actually quite enjoyable to watch because it was just bouncing around & frothing - i was literally looking at it and smiling like a dork haha.  It lasted quite a long time in the tub as well, which is really nice.  I don't really like when they just fizz out & leave you sitting there bored!

The blue inner bit :)

This bath bomb was actually named after the way the bathwater looks as it's fizzing out & after the ballistic's all gone.  The water honestly looked SO gorgeous, i literally couldn't stop staring at it - and this is bathwater i'm talking about!  I honestly felt like i was sitting in the night sky, as crazy as that sounds - the water was left a rich purple color, with little specks of glitter (aka stars :) floating around.  Usually i'd be put off by glitter, but you can't feel the specks at all since they're quite fine.  Twilight also left the bathwater really silky & lovely, which my skin really seemed to appreciate :).

The bathwater, with flash & without

This bath bomb is $4.95 and i would definitely repurchase this.  Next time you go into Lush, i suggest you have a whiff of this!  I think Twilight has actually converted me into a ballistic person, i thought the bubble bars were my thing but i am in loveeeee!  This has easily become one of my favorite Lush products for sure :).

Playlist for this bath bomb:

Mr. Blue Sky - ELO - perfect for when you just plop it in the bath and it starts fizzing & frothing haha

Come Away With Me - Norah Jones

Pure Imagination - Gene Wilder

Only the Young - Brandon Flowers

I wrote a post a long time ago about how to take a 'proper' Lush bath, you can read that here :)

Happy bathing!

xoxo

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Monday Summary ♥

 ♥ Currently nomming on some delicious banana chocolate chip bread that my grandma brought over yesterday (best bread of my life omg) & some butter popcorn that i've recently become obsessed with.

 ♥ These photos are actually from a few weeks ago that i found lounging about my computer.  Apparently my hands wanted to make it into every single picture.  I rarely wear my hair up with good reason - my hairline is so weird/my forehead is huge & my hair never seems to do what i want it to!

 ♥ Been feeling really down ever since the weekend started.  My dad has been unnecessarily mean & verbally abusive toward me and my sisters and mom.  Can't believe one person can make you feel so bad about yourself.

♥ Junior year is TOTALLY kicking my ass.  It's so hard balancing school and getting good grades, while still maintaining a life.  I miss kindergarten!

♥ Been listening to a ton of Brandon Flowers lately.  He is such a talented, beautiful man and artist.  This music video for Only the Young is so amazing, there's just something about it :).  I swear it's impossible for him to back an even somewhat-bad album ♥.  Love love love!

♥ Three to follow: Chrysanthemum, I Heart Vintage x, RottenOtter's Thoughts ♥

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My Week in Photos: Oct. 11 - Oct. 18 ♥

Some gorgeously delicious post-football game waffles with some friends at a local 24/7 restaurant (aka heaven on earth).

Watching Up while tucked into bed - i absolutely adore that movie.

SO happy to see fellow bloggers (even though they're basically celebs now!) making up an entire page in this month's Teen Vogue!

Sudoku > homework

Reinvigorated my intense love for Skins - i'm on season four, episode three now - gotta say, i miss the first generation cast!

As much as i love this time of year, these cold, gloomy days make me want to stay in bed forever!

Spent about four hours in Barnes & Noble with my sister the other day, in attempt to get some work done...well that attempt may not have completely worked but it was really nice to spend some time with mi hermana :)

Double chocolate chip frappuccino plz ;)

Did i mention this is my favorite top ever?  I might actually be in love.  Thank you Forever 21, you're a legend.

Went to Target to find an immense Soap & Glory sale.  S&G are stopping selling their products in Target (sadface :/), so they're entire stock is on clearance!  Fabby makeup bag - originally $16.99, got it for $4.24!  Perfect for my trip to England & France in spring :).  Eye cream - originally $14.29, got it for $3.57!  Check out your local Target ladies :)

Obligatory photo sesh with one of my sisters, on my mom's computer of course.  Look how schmexy we are!

And i wonder why i'm fat....a little surprise from my mom :)

Can't wait for My Chem's new album!  Not sure if it'll top The Black Parade for me, but we'll see!

Some yummy sunnies from the thrift store - just 99 cents, insane!

My parents were out of town for a couple days & gave my sisters and i money for a nice meal together - i of course had to get a caramel apple dipped in three different kinds of chocolate!  So good :)  Spot my favorite top?  (I wear different clothes i promise haha, this was the same day).

Breakfast of champions!  Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch, a bagel with butter, & OJ.  Om nom nom.

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Love how this post begins & ends with breakfast food - not intentional!  Haha, breakfast is my life.

Hope you're all having an ah-ma-zing week!  Xoxo.

Ask me anything / Tweet tweet!

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Currently ♥.

Currently = the new Fab Friday?

Most likely :)

001. Dreaming of far off places.

002. Wanting needing to go to Six Flags.

003. Needing some TOMS shoes.

004. Deserving some time off to spend with friends.

005. Waiting for the holidays to begin (don't judge me :).

006. Reading Niotillfem & flicking through the latest Urban Outfitters catalog.

007. Listening to Heart of Chambers by Beach House & Crossfire by Brandon Flowers.

Click photos for credit :)

Ask me anything / Tweet tweet!

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Fab Friday 002 ♥.

Welcome to the second ever Fab Friday ladies!  Here's the first one if you missed it :)

This week has been kind of all over the place for me.  It started off pretty well, lots of laughter & fun times to be had.  As the week progressed, the days just seemed to get longer & the work load just seemed overwhelming.  I'm already getting behind in a lot of classes :/.

I want to apologize for being so MIA blogging-wise lately :/.  School has honestly just taken over & i really need to focus on that, which i hope you'll all understand ♥.  On to the post!

01. Ombre hair attempt II & The Scarlet Letter ♥

As you may have read in my previous Fab Friday, i was considering ombre-ing my hair & i even bought the dye.  After all your comments telling me to go for it, i finally did!  Well, maybe it just didn't put enough on, or maybe it was the dye itself, but it didn't do much at all.  I just went to Walmart today & bought a different dye - this stuff is scary, i must admit o_o.  Frost?  Eeeeep...worth a try anyway!

I'm reading The Scarlett Letter for English, and i actually really like it.  It's so beautifully written & is super intriguing, it's definitely a book that i would even pick up on my own.

02. Floral flyaways & hand-me-down computers ♥

Showin' my floral cardigan-sorta-thing from Charlotte Russe some love :) - love this thing!

It was recently my mom & dad's 25th wedding anniversary, and my dad gave my lovely mother a new, pink laptop, so i got her old (crappy...ahem) one!  Better than nothing i suppose.

03. Satin Taupe & b-liv skincare ♥

This past week, i did another MakeupAlley swap & this time i recieved MAC's Satin Taupe eyeshadow - it's soo lovely & smooth.  I'm actually wearing it atm :).  It feels so good adding eyeshadows into my MAC palette!  Although i only have two so far, i feel so proud hehe :)

I was kindly sent some lovely skincare products from the line b-liv by Cellnique, and i'm genuinely enjoying them so far.  A full review will be on it's way once i test 'em out for a few more weeks.

04. Random bits :)

This will never get old.  NIN forever ♥.

Anyone buy anything from MAC's Venomous Villans Collection?  I feel the need to make a purchase from the collection as i absolutely adore Disney, but i can't decide!

Ask me anything / Tweet tweet!

♥

8 Questions Tag :)

So i was tagged by two super lovely ladies to do this tag, Xsmirage & Holly - i mentioned in an earlier post that i most likely won't do tags, but i thought that this was a really interesting one!  I really hope you girls enjoy this! :)

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Xsmirage's questions ♥:

1. What are three things you love about yourself?

Eek, this is a hard one!  If i had to choose, i would say - my eyes, my open-mindedness & ability to accept different people & different lifestyles, and the ability to find beauty in everything.

2. Where are your favorite places to shop?

For clothes, i love Forever 21, H&M, thrift stores, & Boston Store just because i get a discount there :).  For makeup, MAC, Sephora, & Boston Store again because i do get a discount.

3. If you have a tattoo(s), what is it & why did you get it?  If you don't have one, what would you get & why?

No, i don't have any tattoos!  I think if i were to get one, it would be on my back in the shoulder area (if that makes sense :) & it would have to say something short & sweet, like a saying - something along the lines of "just breathe".  It would have to be something very meaningful to me.

In this kind of area:

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4. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

In 15 years, i'll be 31, so i'd like to think that i would be climbing up in my career & maybe even married?  Hehe :).  I'm not one of those girls who would want to be married in her early twenties.  I'd rather live my life & focus on my career, then settle down later - if that makes sense ♥.

5. If you could live somewhere for a month, where would it be?

There are so many places i would love to experience living in!  I think i would want to live in the woods a la Sleeping Beauty, or the mountains or something.  Maybe in a castle? :).  I think that would be such an amazing experience!

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6. What is one thing you could eat everyday?

The first thing that comes to mind is watermelon!  I've been eating so much of it this summer.  I could also eat toast, cereal, and any breakfast food really everyday & not get sick of it :)

7. What are some things you like most about having a blog?

Blogging for me is such an amazing creative release - it's incredible to think that the photos i take and the posts i write are being seen & read by people around the world ♥.  It also has really opened my mind to the world, i've discovered so much about other places & cultures - it really is amazing.  And to network with girls all around the world, it's honestly really mind-blowing! ♥

8. If you could choose to have all the products of one cosmetics line, which one would you pick & why?

This is a tough one!  I think i'd have to say NARS, MAC, or Benefit.  I really don't own much from any of these lines, but from what people say about each of these company's products, they sound amazing!

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Holly's questions ♥:

1. Did you ever fancy a cartoon character as a child and if so which one?

Hahaha, i love this question :).  I secretly still do fancy cartoon characters!  Shhhhh ;D.  I've always had the biggest crush on Robin Hood from the Disney version of "Robin Hood", Wilbur from "Meet the Robinsons", all of the Disney princes hehe, & i'm sure plenty more i just can't think of!

Here are some pictures :) - none owned by me.

Robin Hood :)

Wilbur Robinson :)

2. If you could look like anyone in the world who would it be?

This probably sounds a bit pretentious & self-righteous, but i think i would choose to look like myself.  Sure, there are girls a trillion times prettier than me, but i get told all the time i look so much like my mom, who i find to be gorgeous.  And who would want to look exactly like someone else?!

If i had to choose to look like anyone in the world, i think it would be Kaya Scodelrio.  I think she's absolutely stunning, even without makeup!  There are so many other girls i think are gorgeous though :).

3. What is your favourite film of all time?

You may have guessed it already but...INCEPTION!  As if i haven't raved about this film enough...hehe ♥.  It's honestly just the most incredible movie i've ever seen.  I do love other films though, i promise!  Haha.

4. What is your holy grail mascara?

I have two, just because i layer the two.  I do a coat of CoverGirl LashBlast in Black - this stuff is amazing, it has been my go-to for a long time.  I then a coat of Clinique's High Impact Mascara in Black, it really lengthens & thickens my lashes and makes them really dark.

5. How would you describe your personal style?

I'm still trying to find my personal style & what i'm most comfortable in, to be honest.  Right now though, i'd say it's more casual, but still put together - i live in leggings, flats, & cardigans.  I absolutely love dressing up though!

6. Who is your favorite Kardashian sister & why?

Haha, i love this question :).  My favorite is probably Khloe, as she's hilarious!  All the Kardashians are so drop-dead gorgeous it should be illegal! ;)

7. What is your favourite song of all time?

I have a few favorite songs of all time ♥.  Music is my life, as cliche as it may sound, it really is.  If i narrowed my long list of favorite songs down, i would come up with six all time faves.  I want to mention that i 

My longest running favorite song of all time is "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance (link), it's meant so much to me for so long.

Two of my other favorite songs of all time are both titled "Closer".  "Closer" by Kings of Leon (link), is an absolutely stunning song - simple, yet incredible.

"Closer" by Nine Inch Nails (link), i definately wouldn't recommend you to click that link if you are younger & don't want your innocence to be violated!  This song is flawless & incredible & wow...never gets old.

My newest favorite song of all time is "In the Morning of the Magicians" by The Flaming Lips (link).  I think this song well represents the other sort of psychedelic music i listen to (eg. MGMT ♥).  This song is so shimmery & powerful, i absolutely love it.

I'll throw two classical songs into this list.."Isle of the Dead" by Rachmaninov (link), which is a symphonic poem - it's absolutely jfwieofja wow, it's such an incredible, beautiful journey.  Another classical fave is the second movement of Elgar's Serenade for Strings (link), it's absolutely beautiful.

8. Which 3 things are on the top of your wishlist?

Three more realistic things (i would say a castle or a Hogwarts letter or something otherwise ;) on the top of my wishlist are a job, a boyfriend, & my driver's license.

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