Avoidance is Not a Dance

     I'm sitting here with three large papers looming over my flower and glitter and sunshine filled head, with no urge to complete any of them and a deep need for summer to arrive. One is about pagans, the other about women on the American prairie, and a third is about Weetzie Bat.
     Which is how I got so distracted tonight and didn't end up writing about any of the three, though feeling quite inspired to write. You see, pagans made me think of "Shit New Age Girls Say", which brought me to Youtube, where I had to watch the new Florence + the Machine video. And then Weetzie Bat had me looking up the brilliant author, Francesca Lia Block, which led me to the Wildfox Couture-run blog featuring a wondrous story written by her -seriously, go read it right this very moment, stop reading my silly ramblings and read what I only dream my writing will sound like one day. And lastly, the prairie made me think of wildflowers and wide open spaces, and I was sucked from one imagery wonderland into the beautiful world of photography on this blog. So you see, I haven't been just avoiding my papers, I've been letting my paper topics inspire me. I've been in what you could call a rut lately, just going through the motions, not feeling inspired and feeling fairly overwhelmed. A lot to do, not a lot of time, and a sense that everything is moving too fast. Classes are ending and signing up for new classes has given me more than one headache these last couple weeks (which still haven't sorted themselves out, ugh). So spending an evening with magical images and enchanting songs and bewitching stories has calmed me, enlightened me, and lifted my spirits to where I think I can make it through until the warm summer days lingering in the distance.

Source

Source

Source

 

Source

     So if you're in the same water-logged boat as I am, take a few minutes to explore something lovely. Except don't do what I did and go outside to take your puppy out and then almost run into the biggest spider web ever in existence complete with yuckiest looking spider in the entire world. That would be bad. Instead, sit on your bed and cuddle with said puppy and eat something delicious and drink some tea. Much better. Feel relaxed and inspired yet? XO.

The Ten Acre Woods

     A few weeks ago I had a super wonderful, dreamlike week, full of Spring Break adventures, Disney surprises, and some quaint celebrations with family. It was just what I needed and I'm finally able to share some of the outfit pictures Taylor took for me! My cord conundrum is fixed and the pictures are here, so look forward to more memories soon.
     These are all from the last day of our break, after my Uncle's birthday party as the sun was setting. My grandmother's Ten-Acre Woods are full of picture opportunities, so I made Taylor follow me with my phone camera and snap a few a million pictures. These are some of my favorites -that top one with Pip's little face peeking back? I swoon!

I love the look of complete joy on my face in this one. I love throwing leaves.

Hat, Dress- F21; Shoes- Ross; Key bracelet- Lucky Brand, old; Acai nut bracelet- came with my Eco-tini at Disney.

Barefoot is the best way to go. I lived most of my childhood like this.

     Taylor and I are taking it easy and not doing much, as these next couple weekends will be pretty busy. We're making lots of changes and getting prepared to move in a couple months, find jobs, and, for me at least, take summer classes. So this weekend, we're keeping calm. Friday the 13th was a truly great day, which is weird because most people are frightened by it. I, however, seem to always have good days on Friday the 13th, and yesterday was no exception. My military ID picture came out perfect, we bought hot dogs from the nicest gentleman, had lunch with friends, looked at houses for rent, and then ate Thai food for dinner. Today I'm catching up on TV shows I missed and running a couple errands once Taylor wakes up from his after-practice nap. Hope you have a dazzling (and stress-free, if you need it) weekend! XO.

Telegrams from... Thursday?

     This blogging thing has taken a back burner to this whole April-is-the-most-stressful-month-ever thing. And by ever, I really mean EVER. There is just so much happening and so quickly and so disorganized. I'm having trouble keeping my head above water through it all, but I'm making it work. So here's a little Telegram that I meant to post on Tuesday.

284

The Drop, that wrestles in the Sea—

Forgets her own locality—

As I—toward Thee—

She knows herself an incense small—

Yet small—she sighs—if All—is All—

How larger—be?

The Ocean—smiles—at her Conceit—

But she, forgetting Amphitrite—

Pleads—"Me"?

Emily Dickinson

       Also, Pippa on the beach may well be the most adorable thing ever. She digs and digs and runs and then hates the sea water. It's pretty uplifting to watch her frolic. Now back to procrastinating working on writing papers. XO.

Oh, April

     Hello pretty month. Full of April Fool's and April Showers. Easter is here, Spring is in the air, and I'm ready to embrace the happiness that is April. Yes, you will stress me out with your many papers and exams that will arrive, but I will handle them with calmness and grace and the hope for summer to come as quickly and painlessly as possible. Taylor will practice on the beach for his Championship game in Colorado, we'll restart our weekend dates, I'll get back to blogging more often, and the Spring semester will slip away and lead us into a wonderful summer. April, you're a little difficult at times, but your blooms and sense of finality are just what I need right now. XO.

Drinks before I left for the weekend. I hope April is full of more afternoon dates like this. 

Hello Kitty Band-aids & Flowered Headbands

     So my cord still isn't working. I went to buy a new one and then saw how expensive they were and left the store. I left quite a few stores empty handed today. Except JoAnn's. But that was only due to a kind woman giving me a coupon as she walked out of the store and my inability to turn down saving money. Anyway! I just emailed myself a few of the photos so I could get something up. I feel like if I stop blogging again, even for a few days, it's going to be just that much harder to pick it up in full force.
     These are some photos from... sometime this week. I forget what day actually. It was nice out, so it had to be Monday-Thursday? And Taylor took them so I'm guessing it was possibly Wednesday? For someone who hates wearing the same outfit two weeks in a row, I sure have a terrible clothing memory. Oops. Also, sorry about the not-so-great quality. Pretty sure next time I need outfit pictures I'm going to just drag out my Canon. It's heavy, but the picture quality is so much better. This may have been the day where I was suffering from PDD, or post-Disney depression, and that's why my hair is up. That day was just no good at all. Everything kept going wrong and I felt like crying all day. It was kind of ridiculous. Actually, I think this was Tuesday. I cut my arm on Monday and that's why I have a Hello Kitty band-aid on. Yeah, definitely Tuesday.

Dress- Bealls; Shirt- Hollister/thrift find; Belt- Ross; Sunglasses- American Eagle/Ross; Headband- F21

This headband is kind of my favorite right now. It looks like just fabric, but it's got a wire piece inside so it's bendy! and so comfortable.

Pippa's Leash/Collar- Petsmart

     Little side story, I didn't realize until last Friday that there are people in Petsmart specifically there to sell you their brand of dog food. An employee casually talked to me about a shirt I was getting for Pip and then segued into a ten minute spiel about why the dog food I bought was the worst on the market and that I needed to buy his. Of course he was polite and I'm way too polite to just leave the guy, so I went along with it, but really. I wanted to get in and get out and they should know that I'm too nice to say no! Also, his brand was 3x the price of the one I buy. No way, Jose. Next time I'm in there, I'm definitely bringing Pip as back up so I can excuse myself so she can pee.

 

     Now to go read Mockingjay. Yes, you've read that correctly. I've finished the second book in one day. Taylor comes home sometime after midnight from his BIG GIANT WONDERFUL WIN! and I've got a lot to do tomorrow, so I doubt I will be up late reading tonight. As soon as I get a new cord, you shall have new pictures. XO.

P.S. Our 52 Dates of 2012 should be returning promptly next week! We've been so busy lately that we've done things together but haven't pulled any from the jar. I'll be so happy when, after next weekend, we can stop running for a couple weekends and just hang out.

Cord Conundrum

     I said I'd be blogging this weekend, and I kind of am, but until I get a new phone cord I can't upload any of the really good pictures I have to share. You see, my darling dearest puppy decided that chewing on the white iPhone charger was a brilliant idea a few weeks back. At first it was okay and still worked, but then she got a hold of it once more. I taped it up best I could and it works for charging... barely. I have to wiggle it just the right way. And when I plug it into my laptop to transfer pictures? Nothing. I'd do the sensible thing and go buy a new cord, but I already went shopping once today and forgot about it, so I'm not going again. I could also just email myself all of the photos, like I've done in the past, but there are far too many to pick that option this time. Thus, you'll just have to wait for the two (or was it three?) outfit posts and the Disney recap. I can, however, give you a little peek at some Instagrams lately.

Went to Target to buy sandals. Bought cereal bowls and flowered sneakers. Yeah... I do that a lot.

Flowered sneakers: Target (in the little girls' section, 10$)

And this is why I can't get too mad at her when she eats my phone cord...

If I've ever sent you mail, you'd know that I adore confetti. I was attempting to put some in my thank you notes when all of a sudden -poof! The bag ripped open and fell everywhere! This picture makes it look tame, but trust me, I had to swoop in like a mama bird and steal the little pieces up before Pip decided to eat them all.

     Now back to what I've been doing all day, lounging and reading The Hunger Games. I finished the first in less than one day -like, I started yesterday at lunch and was done by this morning. I'd say, oh I don't know... six hours total? Yeah, I'm a pretty quick reader when I want to be. Anyway, now I feel like I should publicly take back anything bad I've ever said about them, ha! It took me so long to read them because I'm stubborn and don't like liking things that everyone else loves. Taylor jokingly calls me a Hipster, but in that regard it's kind of true. Sad, but true. Anyway! I've gotten over it and I'm hooked and so should you. Now I just have to wait for Taylor to get home to see the movie... patience is not really my best attribute. XO.

Oh, March

     Why hello there, March. You've finally arrived with all of your excitement in tow. You make me dream of sunny days, picnics and dates in the park. I like to think of you as my "birthday month," because I tend to celebrate throughout your weeks. You fill me with glee -Disney World over Spring Break, celebrating leprechauns, honoring the big Twenty-One with family and friends, nearing the end of the semester, but not so near for finals and stress. The flowers begin blooming, the birds chirp in the trees, and everything feels like it's changing for the better. March, you're a peaceful, joyful month. One where I can play outside with my puppy, and finally go to the store for champagne and make all sorts of delicious cocktails. So here's to you, dearest March. May we equally delight in each others company. XO.

Source

But Green's the Color of the Spring

In honor of Leap Day and those cute green leaping amphibians, here's an outfit post dedicated to green!

Skirt- Ross (around 5/6 years ago); Shoes- TJ Maxx; Top- F21; Belt- Vintage

Teasing her with a leaf so I could get her to look at the camera.

A bug was on the tree by my hand, so I uttered a noise that sounded like "EEEeek!" and swiftly hopped towards Taylor. Thank goodness he takes pictures of things like this.

Pip's collar/leash- Petsmart

Happy Leap Day! Go out and do something unusual. Start reading a new book. Wear lots of green. Make new friends. Eat dessert for dinner and breakfast at midnight. Write love poems and actually send them. Try something new and unexpected. Remember that every day you have a chance to renew yourself and change, so take advantage of this extra day! And if it doesn't work out? There's always tomorrow. XO.

Oh my beautiful baby blog!

   How I have missed your sweetness the last few weeks month! Seriously, I haven't posted because I've been so gosh dang busy. Between crazy work hours, school, laundry, Charlotte, etc. I've been nonstop since I got home from Spring Break. Which I suppose is a good thing considering it made the time go by very quickly and now it is only two weeks until I'm back with my other half. Swoon!

Alrighty, so let's take a real quick lookie-lu through the things I've crossed off or almost crossed off of my list. This might help me feel a tad more accomplished right now:

6. Go to Disney: Check!

8. Go to Boulder, CO: Tickets are purchased and ready to go! Sooo it's In Process.

15. Buy a calligraphy pen and learn how to use it: In Process! Hunter's Mommy bought me the set and I've played with it, but need more practice.

16. Get a puppy: Check check and triple check! AloooooHA Miss Charlotte!

26. Go to a bonfire: Checked over Spring Break.

28. Take Remi/new puppy for more walks: Check! We walk all the time, even if it's just to the mailbox.

30. Find the perfect "LBD": Supercheck! Not only was it on sale, it's a Rodarte for Target piece. Sorry this is the best picture we got of it with just moi!

35. Revamp my underwear collection: SO superchecked it's not even funny. If it weren't indecent I would totally post pictures of them, they're so cute!

37. Grow out my nails enough to get a manicure: It's official! I haven't seriously bitten my nails since February!

I know I've attempted more so far, but figured I'd get my list of major things I've crossed off written out. Now it's off to bed for me, I'm going to be super busy this next week or so until summer. Two more week two more weeks!! XOXO.

Bonjour mon chiot!

Enchante mes bichettes! Je m'appelle Charlotte! Or for all of you un-fancy people: Nice to meet you dears, I'm Charlotte!

  I was born back in January to a Cocker Spaniel mommy and a Poodle-Chihuahua daddy (making me an adorable Cockapoo). I grew up in a house with my brothers and sisters and then took a roadtrip down to meet my new humans. I snuck into a dorm room and everything! My new home is very big, but I'm getting used to the stairs.
  The first night I was home my humans put me into the bathtub! Look how silly they made me look:

How embarrassing! I did smell better at least, and that was pleasurable. I think next time I have a bubble bath I'll be buying some Pet Head or possibly splurging on some yummy John Paul Pet. They smell so good! Mommy says I need all of my puppy shots before I can go shopping though.
   Luckily my Mommy went shopping for me. She bought an adorable collar for me, but we think it's magical because I always end up falling asleep when it's on me. I was also gifted with a pretty pink frisbee, some chewy sticks, a squeaky sheep, and a pink ropey toy.
   Well it was very nice to meet you all! I will probably be taking over my fancy Mommy's blog in the future, so look forward to hear from me! I'll leave you with a few more pictures to fawn over:

With Mommy and Remi before my bath.

Eating a pansy in my yard. Miam Miam! as the French say.

Attacking my mommy. Sometimes we get silly and I lick her face.

Rawrrr! I was trying to eat Mommy's camera strap.

And this last one was taken by Mamma Dee. She thought I'd make a cute Wahine.

Enjoy! XOXO Charlotte

Oh and P.S. Excusez-moi for my bad grammar this evening. Mommy is still sleepy from the time change and is having a bit of difficulty translating my puppy French into English. Rêves doux!

When You Wish Upon a Star,

Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you. <3

  Spring Semester began early Monday morning, so please excuse my lateness with updating. The final portion of my Winter trip was lovely; I spent the last few nights with Hunter and then headed up in my new car (!) to visit my grandmother. Mamma and I took a naughty side trip to LUSH in Orlando and coffee at the rest stop. We stayed in North Florida for two nights and then headed back home to our Peach State, only to find Brrrrr-y temperatures. My car has frosted over three out of four school evenings now, and I'm actually considering buying an ice scraper.
  And speaking of school, I'm quite excited about all of the classes I am in. Monday/Wednesday is English in the morning and then Philosophy in the late afternoon. English shouldn't be too hard, but my teacher seems to prefer Southern American literature, which I'm not too big a fan of (Tennessee Williams is my exception). Oh! and my Philosophy teacher? He totally falls into the Philosopher category. I'm talking shaggy long grey hair, scruffy beard, a geometric patterned old man sweater and a blazer! I literally giggled to myself when he walked in the room and was so giddy I had to text Hunter and tell him right away.
  Tuesday/Thursday are going to be my long, hectic days. 2D Design in the morning, French for dejeuner, and History to 1500 for late afternoon. 2D Design was terrifying yet extremely exciting. Our first project is about Abstraction through Simplification and (if I'm allowed) I'm going to use our university lampposts as my inspiration. French was.. intimidating. I'm in the second semester of it and they're beginning with Chapter Four, so I'm hoping I get my French book soon so I can try to review. (192$ is a lot of money right now!) I thoroughly enjoyed my History class and the teacher too. I'm SO tempted to call her Professor Moody (as in Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter)!

   And lastttt but not least today, I'm going to share a link to a super cute blog that I stumbled upon while eating my lunch. Search through the pages and find her entries about "Of the Universe"; I adore some of the things that she says and absolutely relate to being a "walking contradiction"! I'm pretty sure I've used that exact phrasing before, too. Without further ado, I bring you Lemon Soda:

XOXO.

What was that?

I got straight A's my first semester of college? Well aren't I a smarty pants!

  First semester down, bunches more to go. Honestly, I'm just absolutely excited to start back up again come Spring. It was a pretty tough semester, but nothing I can't handle. Procrastination was probably too large of a theme this semester though. I pinky promise I will try better this next term! Straight A's should only be followed by straight A's... or at least A's and B's.

To show you my enthusiasm, I give you a list of Spring's classes with corresponding photographs (from WeHeartIt of course) and elaborate explanations on why I feel I need these courses: 

 Elementary French Deux: Well, it would make Madame proud, pour une. Et aussi, j'adore Francais. I took four years of it in high school, and I figure I shouldn't let that go to waste. Plus, France is in my top five list of Place I Want To Travel To, so I have to learn the language (at least enough to get me by and allow me to order du pain). I'm wishing and hoping and dreaming of heading to Paris in a few years to study abroad. Sigh!

Philosophy: Alright, really, I may just want to feel like a smarty. Oh you're taking another PE class? Well I'm in philosophy reading Plato and contemplating the existence of humankind. You know, no biggy. For real though, I'm fascinated by those hard questions and know I'll actually learn something in this class, even if the reading kills me.

English 1102: To be blunt and make a long story short: I have to.

World History to 1500: I kept debating between before 1500 and after, and finally settled on the former. Before 1500 just seems so much more interesting: Egypt, Greece, the Crusades, the Renaissance, etc!

2D Design: I am terrified of this class, I must admit. I'm creative, yes, but I tend to need inspiration. I'm scared the Prof will be all "Draw me an apple in a basket and then turn it into a computer design!" (complete with nun-like voice and possibly a whip, or at least a large ruler). I couldn't tell you why I'm so worried about it, I just have a feeling I'm getting in over my head. But! I shall carry on, for this is the class I must pass in order to take photography courses in the future.

  We shall see the week of January 11th whether my expectations were met (or surpassed, hopefully). I'll most definitely be writing a "How My First Week Went" article. Oh dear, it's one thirty in the morning again! Where do my days go? I'll be off to dream land now I suppose, XOXO.