monday musing: feeling lost in the world/ where I've been

I know I've taken a long vacation from this blog, and I could just blame it on stress, but that would be a major over-simplification. There has been a lot going on lately- that's true, but I've never been one to let an overwhelming amount of things to do prevent me from doing any of them. I always get things done, especially the things I like ( like blogging). I've stopped writing, I've stopped painting, I've stopped doing the things I love, and I didn't realize what a toll that's taken on my life until now. I've kind of lost the person I am, I guess- lost my place in the world. I guess you could say that i've just sort of been wandering lately. I drive to school every morning, I aimlessly sit through my classes and then try to complete my assignments when I get home. I go to sleep, and the cycle doesn't stop. Some might say I'm depressed, but I've been depressed before- this is not depression. I think I've lost my path. I know that sounds ridiculously cheesy, but I honestly believe that we all follow some sort of path in life. Yes, there are some forks in the road where we choose the left or right, but there is a path. Maybe we create some of that path, but I'm not creating anything. I've just wandered away from my path and completely forgot I was ever on one. I have not enjoyed my time off my path; I've just felt kind of empty. I guess my sage advice here is to try not to forget what it is you love. When you stop doing those things, the quality of your life may spiral so drastically downward, and what's even more alarming is that you may not even notice. I know we all feel these pressures to do certain things in our life, but don't let those pressures prevent you from living your life. After all, what's life if it's not a happy one? What's life if you don't make it your own? I'm not saying you shouldn't be productive and get things done... You should do those things, but don't make your life this stressful pursuit where happiness is never truly achieved. You need to be you because life is so empty if you lose that. This is your life, so don't let anyone else run it for you.

So, today I said, "fuck this slump," got my paint brushes out, and wrote this blog post: I'm back. 

And, to maybe help you spark your own inspiration, here's a list of 10 simply beautiful things in the world, just in case you've forgotten how beautiful the world really is.

1. natural light

2. succulents

3. music

4. the ocean

5. the smell after it rains

6. rain

7. peonies

8. those sunsets when the sky turns a little pink

9. deer

10. watermelon

outfit/food/fun

Sorry I've been sort of MIA recently, but here's something I've been meaning to post for a while. I went to Joan's on Third, Juice Served Here, and Lady M with a friend a little while ago, and here are the pictures to prove it. In case you're wondering, my dress is from Urban Outfitters, and my shoes are Dr. Martens. On another note, Joan's was delicious as always, and I highly recommend the curried chickpeas (on the left of my plate)- they were absolutely amazing. Pretty much everything at Joan's tastes great, and I am never disappointed whenever I order something new. Juice Served Here is also a great juicery, but I will admit it's way overpriced. If you think the 6.50 price tag at Pressed is outrageous, well Juice Served Here's prices are almost double, and they even have a twenty dollar juice, which is absurd. That being said, I ordered the Pixie (#21), which was a mix of pineapple, strawberry, and orange juice, and it was fantastic. I didn't try my friend's juice, but I'm pretty sure she loved her's too. Last but not least, Lady M. Let me just say that I have no idea who exactly Lady M is, but I would absolutely marry this woman if given the opportunity. First of all, let me just say that aesthetically speaking, the store is so fresh, clean, and beautiful. We ordered both the original and green tea flavored crêpe cakes, and both were out of this world. Heaven IS a place on earth, and that place is Lady M. I haven't tried anything other than the crêpe cakes there (otherwise known as "mille crêpes"), but a slice of that cake alone is enough to keep me coming back. I've really never tried anything like them anywhere else. They are basically just layers of crêpes and frosting, which sounds super simple but is also super delicious. There is no way to describe these in a way that will do them justice, but they are just so utterly satisfying both texturally and flavor-wise. I thought the green tea flavor might be overwhelming, but it was absolutely perfect (however, I would not suggest it if you're not a green tea fan). Ultimately, you're just going to have to go out and try a slice for yourself to understand exactly what I'm raving about, but I do know that I will be returning very soon.

I've been really into doing these restaurant reviews, and I know they must be frustrating if you don't live in the Los Angeles area, but I think I'm going to start posting some recipes soon too, as well as other general lifestyle posts. Let me know what you think! Also, sorry I missed this week's 10 truths-- I'll get back to it next Tuesday!

ten truths tuesday #13 (on a wednesday)

1. If you want to dye your hair purple, do it because (as much as I hate to say this,) yolo (cringe). This is more about the fact that you should stop letting other people's opinions and societal norms dictate the way you live your life.

2. Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson, and Spike Jonze. That is all.

3. We live in a horrible world, so go out and do something to make it a better place.

4. Pursue your passions (you'll be happier).

5. Money is awesome, but happiness is what'll really get you through life.

6. Sneakers are cool, wedges are cool, but do we really need sneaker wedges? I don't care how chic Isabel Marant is.

7. Find friends who will listen to you when you pour your heart out to them.

8. You get what you give.

9. Using fancy vocabulary words is actually cool- learn some.

10. Please stop complaining about the weather. We know it's cold outside, but there are greater issues to deal with than the fact that your Ugg boots do not sufficiently warm your feet.

MEGA POST (ten truths tuesday #12)

So basically, I did some cool stuff today; and not only will I be doing the usual ten truths tuesday, but I have some other things to share.

 

dress- Brandy Melville, shoes- Dr. Martens, sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

I thought I would just share my outfit today because my motto is: if you don't know what to wear, wear a dress, and that is exactly what I've done. It is so easy to just throw on a dress with a pair of matching shoes, because it looks way better than the whole "I was too lazy to pick out an outfit, so I'm wearing my pajamas" look, and it's just as easy (and comfy!). On another note, I went to one of my favorite cafés today, which is Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks. This place has the ultimate café vibe, and the food is amazing. It's so nice to spend a warm, LA day sitting out on their patio, people watching, eating a delicious salad (or sandwich/ wrap), drinking a fun drink, and relaxing with friends. I shared the kale chopped salad with my friend, and it was one of the best kale salads I've ever had. Kale can be a weird green because the texture is really different than what most people are used to when it comes to salad, but it worked perfectly here. There were cucumbers and red onions in the salad which added a really nice, fresh, textural element, which went perfectly with the kale because it kept the salad crunchier (like the typical chopped salad lettuce texture) and kept the kale from seeming kind of rubbery, like it often can. The citrusy salad dressing was really nice to tone down the kale's strong flavor, and the garbanzo beans added great earthy flavor that complimented the acidity of the dressing really nicely. If you can't tell, I'm obsessed with food and could honestly talk about kale forever. We also had four macarons: pistachio, raspberry, violet (or was it lavender?), and strawberry- champagne. They were all delicious, and I especially loved the strawberry- champagne, which to my surprise, actually had a very strong champagne flavor. All in all, I absolutely love Sweet Butter and would absolutely recommend eating there some time. If you have the chance to try it out, my favorites are the "South of the Boulevard" Salad, the grilled veggie salad, and now the kale salad!

Now for the ten truths:
1. Lost in Translation is an absolutely beautiful movie about human connection/relationships, and I HIGHLY suggest you go watch it (it's on Netflix!).

2. Drop the vanity for a sec, and go donate your super long hair. If I can do it, you can do it; it will grow back, I promise.

3. The flea market is such a rad place.

4. Don't give people shit for their piercings/tattoos. It's THEIR body, let them do what they want with it. Plus, they're not giving YOU shit for not having piercings/tattoos.

5. Phrases like "no uterus, no opinion" are giving feminism its bad reputation. Anyone is entitled to an opinion, whether you agree with it or not. Fight for your OWN opinions instead of bringing OTHER opinions down.

6. It's kind of weird that you can think about people as much as you want, and they have no idea.

7. You shouldn't have to put up with people who say they love you but don't treat you like they do.

8. It's great to love yourself, but you shouldn't make every conversation about you.

9. Don't let anyone give you shit about doing what you love (unless it's harmful to others, in which case- NOT COOL).

10. Spring is in the air- go out and spread the love.

an ode to the soft bra

(Wow! Two posts in one day? Go me!)

In a world where the public's fascination with breasts is absolutely absurd, it is nice to know that there is hope for the "itty bitty titty committee" (yeah, I said it) in the soft bra (aka bralette). Okay, so maybe I'm being dramatic. But, let's be real here- society's opinion of the female body is both disheartening and intangible. Will someone please explain to me just HOW I am supposed to be a size zero, a D cup, 5'10 with long legs, and have a teeny-tiny waist all at once? So far, I have not figured out a way to live up to the mass market's standards. As a very average teenage girl, I feel both disgusted and disgusting when I am shopping for bathing suits/bras, and I am forced to compare my normal body to the fantasy bodies of supermodels that have been airbrushed/ photoshopped to an ideal image conceived by whoever it is that runs the advertising of mass retailers. However, there is hope yet. The popularization of the soft bra/bralette has made me feel okay about the fact that I may NEVER exceed an A cup, and increased imagery/advertising of BEAUTIFUL girls with SMALL boobs that HAVEN'T been technologically augmented helps me feel good about my body. Yes, many of these models are stick thin (which is probably part of the reason why they have small boobs, but that's a whole other issue for later discussion), but this is a start. The amazing soft bra, otherwise known as the glorified training bra, makes me feel so much better because I can wear pretty underthings (that my boobs actually fill), just like my big-boobed female counterparts! So, what does this all mean? I think it means that there IS hope for society. We have lived in a world where the image of the female body in the media/advertising is so digitally altered that us NORMAL girls feel like total shit, but awareness IS being raised and society IS starting to accept us just as we are. Things are going up. Not only that, but soft bras are just so unbelievably COMFORTABLE! I can be comfy AND beautiful? Who knew?! To end my rant about society and boobs, I present to you a few links to some great bralettes (aka my boobs' best friends) for you to try out yourself!


(from cheap to ridiculously expensive)
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Free People
Free People
Free People
Fleur of England
La Perla

ten truths tuesday #11 (on a wednesday)

1. Even if you hate everyone, don’t let it show.

2. Execution isn't always more important than intention.

3. Stop using "my body hasn't adjusted to daylight savings time" as an excuse for being lazy.

4. There's no use trying to figure out the meaning of life, so just step back and LIVE for once.

5. God is punishing you for your sins by making you procrastinate. (I'm an atheist, but I think you see my point)

6. Keep your mind open to new experiences- something great might happen.

7. I know there's a whole "anti-juice" movement going on, but in all honesty, I will never stop drinking Greens 2 from Pressed Juicery no matter how unhealthy people say it is (and sorry for being ignorant, but I mean it's GREEN! How unhealthy could it really be?).

8. Speaking of which... Grow up, and eat your veggies already!

9. I may seem smart, but I'm a 16 year old girl with a blog... What do I know?!

10. Don't reveal everything you know.

ten truths tuesday #10

1. Embellish your texts with emojis.

2. Stop trying to "fit in," and be yourself for once! You'll be happier; I swear.

3. If you didn't eat pancakes today for National Pancake Day, eat them tomorrow.

4. Making simple things fancy (your soap, your tweezers, your cereal) is one little way to treat yourself, liven your spirits, and make you feel classy.

5. Don't let anyone make you feel bad just because you don't drive a fancy German car.

6. If you live near the beach, take advantage of it. I know this sounds like crazy voodoo, but salt water is totally a spiritual healer.

7. Shop on Etsy because the sellers are just normal people like you trying to make their crafty dreams come true.

8. Plant a (mini) garden- it'll be good for you AND the environment.

9. Yes, humans ARE killing the environment in which we live, so doing your part to help is totally awesome!

10. Go to an old fashioned diner because it will remind you of happier days (unless you had some traumatic experience in a diner...)