Spring Break, Day #6

Though today was not terribly exciting, it was not bad either. I redecorated my room somewhat and finally made the decision to try out the bottom level of the bunk bed. It looks... promising.

After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt, I took some time preparing for the outdoors - sometimes also considered dressing. The weather did not look like it would change from lightly overcast, so I decided to take the risk and wear a skirt I bought on the shopping trip with my sister. I think I made a good choice.

The first destination of the day was a tea shop just off the corner of 11th and Glisan called The Tea Zone & Camellia Lounge. A friend of mine had recommended it to me a while ago, but I never made the time to try it. Well today was the day I did - and I am so glad! The staff was friendly upon entering and even recommended a drink for me when I could not seem to make up my mind. I took their recommendation for a Heat Wave bubble tea (always a good choice for me) and it was delicious! The place was not only clean, but cosy. I studied there for a bit before moving on with my day.

My next stop was the public library - no surprise there - to drop off a few books and pick up a couple more. I lucked out and found BJ Novak's novel on the shelf which I am very much looking forward to reading. I also picked up a book entitled Why Zebra's Don't Get Ulcers. It claims to be a guide to stress, stress-related diseases, and coping. A book I had read previously, Insomnia by Gayle Green, recommended it so I placed a hold on it as soon as I could.

Just down the street from the public library was Target. The convenient location could be dangerous for some people, but I pride myself in having established particular habits that prevent me from spending most of my time (off campus, and second only to the library) and money there. Usually I have a detailed shopping list as well as bags to carry my items home. This time, however, I thought a casual stroll would be fine what with it being nice day and spare time I had. I ended up buying replacement lightbulbs for my lamp, a Maybelline Baby Lips, a soy candle, a bag of Bugles, and a tin of Yan-Yans.

Of course, upon exiting Target it began sprinkling. A quick dash to the streetcar stop secured me a spot under cover from the rain, although it did not protect me from others' titters about the inappropriateness of my outfit for the conditions. I did bring an umbrella, but - silly me - it was tucked under my recent purchases. Fortunately the streetcar came and whisked me back to the safety and warmth of home.

Upon returning, I settled in bed to read and eventually fell asleep. And here I lay, still in bed, typing this while watching a show called Michiko & Hatchin.

Coco Avant Chanel

This post is a brief reflection on the movie Coco Avant Chanel, a movie I recently watched about the early life of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Before watching it, all I knew about Coco Chanel was that she had something to do with perfume and fashion.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I now know that Gabrielle was raised in a French orphanage. She and her sister were performers and part-time seamstresses. In the movie, Gabrielle moved in with a gentleman who grew to love her. She instead fell in love with another young gentleman (although it turns out he was engaged to an Englishwoman).

I could not help being astounded by her blatancy and her biting sarcasm. What with the times, it seemed as if she might be a feminist, however, as her story enfolded I doubted that was her solitary aim. Gabrielle seemed to me more like a woman who wanted the world to leave her alone and let her do what she wanted. I thought of how she and her sister were dropped off at the orphanage by their father and not given any explanation why, how she and her sister made a living doing what they could to survive, and how her sister fell in love with a baron who never married her.

What struck me the most about Gabrielle was that she did not accept what could be changed. It was not necessarily her courage or her rebelliousness that supported her defiance (if one can even call it defiance) - it was her decisiveness and cunning. Gabrielle was not ruthless nor proud nor naïve. She just figured out what she wanted, went, and got it. As simple as that.

I looked up some of her earlier designs and compared them to the Spring-Summer 2014 Haute Couture looks. Although it may be said Chanel's designs are classic, I might go above and beyond and say they are elegant and evoked the same response Gabrielle did: striking, yet effortless.

How Not to Make a YouTube Video

This was my magnificent set up.

In filming a video, it occurred to me that YouTubers have to have a certain knowledge or awareness about how they want everything to look. As a novice, I had no idea about lighting, background, or sound or how I wanted my video to look. So of course, I winged it! This was my setup yesterday. I used the tips on vlogging given on Jacksgap.com to help set up my video. 

The purpose of my video was to share my summer favorites. I thought it would be a simple video to start off with. Unfortunately, I was wrong. It was more difficult than I anticipated to remember all the things I wanted to say about a certain product - and since I don't like reading off a script, I used a lot more space-filling words than I wanted (things like "umm," "yeah," "so," and "okay"). Fortunately I enjoy editing, but it was still a struggle to get comfortable in front of the camera. I pretended that I was talking to a friend and it helped a bit. 

Anyway, I'm glad I tried making a YouTube video. I know I'm not the best at it, but I had a lot of fun making and editing the video. I'd love to make more - I just don't know when that will happen. Maybe I should simply vlog - my life is normally like the bloopers at the end of the video, so at least that will keep viewers entertained. 

Kensie bag

"Naples" Okabashi sandals

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs

Julep Mint Condition Foot Cream

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

From Left: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, MAC lipstick in Ravashing, Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Candy Baby, and Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Kiss Me Coral

And now, what you've all been waiting for...

My summer favorites.