the bahamas

Just as I expected, my spring break getaway to the Bahamas with my best friend Adriene, her older sister Lauren, and their mother Lori was exactly what I needed to cure the month-long funk I was in.

The four of us had so much fun exploring the Atlantis Resort and the city of Nassau. The weather was far from beautiful most days, but the one or two days of sunshine we did have made it worthwhile.

I wish I could write out all the stories of the things Adriene and I did during our short stay in the Bahamas, but I don't think I could find the appropriate words to convey just how much fun we had.

This gorgeous bar off the casino became "our spot," and it's certainly where we spent the majority of our time, talking, laughing, and scheming.

After flying back to the States, I spent two blissful days in Alabama hanging out with Adriene and our other friends who I hadn't seen since last summer. It was so nice to catch up with them before heading back home for a few days to visit with family and friends. I returned with scalded, sunburnt skin, funny souvenirs, and a bad cold that I can't seem to shake (I blame it on the eight dirty airplanes I spent several hours in over one week).

coco avant chanel

I've always had an unhealthy obsession with the life of Coco Chanel (I even named my hamster after her in high school), the French language, and fashion. Perhaps these reasons are why I'm beyond excited to see Coco avant Chanel, a Coco Chanel biopic which releases in France next month. Played by Audrey Tautou, Coco Chanel sports such Parisian classics as the timeless pencil skirt, classic pearls, the ever-popular striped shirt, and Chanel’s own creations, the tweed “Chanel suit” and the little black dress. And that is in the movie trailer alone!

The only downfall to Coco avant Chanel, which translates to Coco Before Chanel, is the movie's lack of subtitles. Even as a French minor, I can barely understand most of what's being said in the trailer.

[Photos via AlloCiné]

oh la la

This woman's outfit is splendidly perfect. I know it's a little late considering that winter is passing, but I love the look of all black with one pop of color. I seriously adore everything about the outfit; the contrast of the black shirt and tights with the pink skirt, the timeless black coat, the fur hat, her red hair. I thought she was Jenny Lewis at first glance. My ultimate girl crush!

[Photo via Garance Doré]

fred flare

I'm (unfortunately) a big fan of impracticality. My room and closet are full of impulsive purchases that I just couldn't resist because they were "cute." Fred Flare's impractical items have become my favorite (it's where I found my hamburger phone!), and here are some frivolous things that make me smile.

Hot shot camera ring - This would be so fun to wear.

And a birthday cake ring! I don't know why, but little cakes and cupcakes have always been so appealing to me.

A Disney Couture Magic Castle pendant. It'd be impossible to be unhappy while wearing this around your neck!

These are still just as cool as they were when I was a kid.

Oh, Holly Golightly, how I want to be you. (I wish it came with tasselled earplugs!)

This dress, possibly the store's most practical item, is so cute.

An ice cream cone lamp!

What would you do if you saw someone driving down the road talking into this hilarious cell phone receiver? I'd laugh, for sure. I wanted to buy it for my roommate Ashley for Christmas, but instead I bought her...

These funny mustaches! We've worn them many more times than we're willing to admit.

I think you get the point with the photos. But if you need some more giggles, check out these smiley PB&J earrings! This floral dress makes me long for spring. Don't mistake this "I am not a paper cup" cup for paper! Pick your nose party cups. These tiny plates give finger food a new meaning. Grandpa didn't lose his dentures in your cup, it's really just the ice. A a gin & titonic. Vintage stationery. The Dennis Rodman picture in this Let's Paint The '90s coloring book made me laugh more than it should've.

blah

I've been in a funk for a little more than a week now, and I'm hoping my trip to the Bahamas in three weeks will cure it. I don't know what's wrong with me; my heart just isn't in a lot of the things I'm doing, and I feel like I need a very long break. Things are also so confusing and at a standstill, and it's put a major damper on my life.

Today I spent five hours in the park, and then on top of a parking deck watching the sunset. I spent six hours on the phone which is definitely a record for me. I'm going to make a list of the simple things that make me happy, and then I'm going to read magazines and call up some friends and do something crafty.

jeudi

This week has been just as rough as the weekend was good. I've been so stressed out/worried/upset about school, money, deadlines for the magazine I work for, and of course, boys. I've even managed to make myself sick with all the stress and worrying. Here's to hoping the rest of the week starts looking up.

On a happier note, I bought this dress from Forever 21 that I have been wanting so badly. I can't wait to wear it with tights and flats this weekend. I'm going home tomorrow, and I honestly couldn't be happier. It'll be a much needed break after all this mess. Ashley (who bought a motorcycle yesterday!) may come with me, which would make it even more fun! I plan on spending the entire weekend jumping on the trampoline and playing silly games with my little sisters. I absolutely cannot wait.

you make me smile with my heart

I hope you've all had a lovely Valentine's Day! I usually hate this time of year, but the past couple of days were splendid.

My roommate Ashley and I delivered cute homemade Valentine's cards to sweet people at an assisted living home,

drove around forever searching for the Post Office, shopped and dreamed of buying one of these to ride around campus (our goal is to race the bus), and bought and flew little boy's kites (mine was Transformers; her's was Spiderman).

Today we were very lazy and watched Little Lulu's A Bout With A Trout and Bargain Counter Attack, Popeye, Felix the Cat, and a ton of other really old cartoons. We spent most of the day in bed eating fried chicken and okra, red velvet cake, cherry pie, and donuts! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that we're so unhealthy.

Tonight Michael came over and surprised me with a dozen red roses, a sweet, cuddly teddy bear, more candy than I've ever seen in my life, and a hilarious card. We watched part of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and snuggled.

Now I'm stuck working at the front desk until midnight, eating some of my chocolates, drinking Kool-Aid (why am I still 7 years old?), and working on my final story for the magazine! My deadline is tomorrow, and after that, I am going to sleep for days.