Monday, July 26, 2010

These 10 digits

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It was a really neat coincidence that Krissy from Shimmer Like Gold recently dedicated one of her inspiration posts to hands just when I decided to have an impromptu shoot with my own digits today. To be honest, I don't think my outfit was that exemplary, but I wanted to do something fun with that softly lit gauzy curtain and my hands. I think that hands are one of the easiest things to model with because unless you've been unfortunately/fortunately born with hook hands, they're easily accessible and unique. Nail polish and accessories don't hurt either-- this minty color is something I've been hunting for awhile. So during this past weekend when I discovered that my friend had a bottle full of it, I immediately stole it from her. No worries, I eventually gave it back. I'm not quite so terrible to smeagol nail polish from a friend (did I just say smeagol? oh my, I need to go to bed).

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What's Lovely for Saturday, July 24, 2010: Being both empowered and tired by an invigorating 2-hour hike and ending the day with s'mores and dying embers

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What's Lovely for Sunday, July 25, 2010: Waking up in relief that you didn't get blown away or poured on by camping out in a storm


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What's Lovely for July 26, 2010: Spicy tuna triangle rice on a sunny day

Friday, July 23, 2010

Play all day in the country


This is the first song on the first mix CD Tangerine gave me. I love how someone set this song to HIMYM-- WIN.

What's Lovely for July 23, 2010: Planning an (almost) impromptu trip to see a friend in a city you've never been before

I'll be away for the weekend doing an activity that'll probably garner me more ungodly mosquito bites than necessary. I'm looking forward to it. :) Happy weekend, everyone!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

tangerine memorabilias in the indigo way

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What's Lovely for July 22, 2010: Awesomefantabulouslovelyamazingandotheradjectivesthathaven'tbeeninventedyet package from...

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I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw this bright yellow box on my front porch. How excited? THIS EXCITED!!!!!! Though I wasn't literally jumping up and down, I was wide-eyed as an eight-year old kid on Christmas day. Only it's better, because it's Christmas in July. Christmas in July is amazing in every way except one (Santa will be throwing off his snowsuit for a pair of boxers, yeesh).

My, I got sidetracked.

We've been planning this package exchange for awhile-- and now, with the blissful emptiness that is summer, it has become possible. Not only is getting mail exciting, but mail from blogger friends who live far away? Priceless. And since I have several questions from Indigo that I need to answer, this post shall be entirely Tangerine Umbrellas on an Indigo Day theme!

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Look at how neatly and prettily Indigo wrapped up her gift! All purdy like, I tells ya.


1.If you were to change your name, what would you pick?

I actually like my name, is that too vain to say? Charlene isn't a name you hear every day (though I have called it the name that only 50-year old women in menopause commercials have). But I have thought about this before-- if I had to change my name, I'd go with Irene. Boring, right? It rhymes with Charlene. I'm like the poor man's poor man's Shakespeare.

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Out of the magnificent menagerie I've been blessed with, one of the most unusual(ly awesome) were the pig popper and a pink feather.


2. If you had to decorate your house floor to ceiling in one pattern (wallpaper, furniture, picture frames, sheets, as if your name was Olive Snook...) what pattern would you pick?

I'd definitely go with varying shapes and sizes of stripes. Pinstripes, fat stripes, you name it. Can you imagine how streamlined and ridiculous my house would look like??

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Cami enjoyed the pig popper (hopefully I'll share a video of her playing with it later) immensely, but wasn't amused when I tried to put Tangerine's gift of the pink feather in her collar.


3. You are trapped in a room filled with rising dough with only an apple, a handkerchief and a non working toaster. The walls are soundproof and there is a door, but it is locked, and it is 15 feet a way and the dough in front of you is already 6 feet high. In two minutes the dough will have risen so high that it will suffocate you, how do you escape?

I'll obviously realize upon polishing the non-working toaster with the handkerchief that it's in fact the
Brave Little Toaster who's just sleeping. I'll lightly smack him to wake him up, and though he'll be a little perturbed that I slapped him awake, he'll be more than glad to help me. He'll then dive into the rising pile of dough and use his toaster powers to electrify the dough and then summon millions of toast that we'll both use to crush the dough into a corner. The Brave Little Toaster will allow me to use some of his inner wires to fiddle and open the locked door and in our triumph we'll both share the apple. And if all that doesn't work, I'll use magic and then eat the apple. The end.


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Tangerine sent over these beautiful Chinese paper cut-outs that were so delicate and fragile that I felt like I was holding a real butterfly.


4. You are offered the job of your dreams. What is it?

It's always been a problem with me to focus on one set career path, and the number of choices has always daunted me. However, at this point, I'd love to be offered as a graphic designer/artist at a fashion magazine or be a part of the making of film and television title design like
this. Of course, there's always that dream I once had to be a singer on Broadway. Ah, pipe dreams, don't we all have them?

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5. What, in your opinion, is the best thing since sliced bread?

No offense to sliced bread, but you know what, there are a fecking ton of things that can beat it. For example, this package. It's fecking awesome and it's full of love. Is a bread full of love? No, it's full of bread and carbs. Though I love carbs, so whatevs.

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I keep all my letters, postcards and miscelleneous things with writing on them in this box. It's gradually yet surely getting fuller.

If I may be so bold, I have one more thing to say.

The second song on Indigo's CD
(Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco") was playing when I read this comment over at Ruby Slipper Journey's blog-- "It makes me so happy that someone is considering taking up sewing, possibly partly inspired by little moi!"

That's when it hit me (albeit softly).

Blogging brings us all together. If it weren't for blogging, then that blogger wouldn't have been affected by the other blog. If it weren't for blogging, then I wouldn't be listening to this
Andrew Bird song (he's currently trilling his violin and whistling, of course). If it weren't for blogging, then my room wouldn't be littered with many treasures and I wouldn't be quite so full of thanks, grace and a little bit of guilt (mind you, there's only a bit of guilt because Tangerine and Indigo are so generous to give such amazing gifts that I feel like I don't deserve this at all).

This is when the music swells, figuratively if not literally.

When I really stop to think about this, I'm overwhelmed. My chest feels heavy with feeling, but it's not overbearing. It's light yet has a steady weight at the same time. It's hard to put how happy and thankful I am quite succinctly into words that aren't blatant signs of flowery poetry, but I'll try. Thank you, Tangerine. Thank you, Indigo. Thank you, blog. Thank you, followers and blogger friends. Thank you for supporting me and replying to my neverending questions. You like me, you really like me (and this is when they drag me away from the stage).

Contrived melodramatics aside, I'm happy. It's enough to make you want to laugh, cry and hug a puppy all at the same time. But that sounds a bit too hazardous to try at home. Thanks y'all.

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PS: I got what-- five?!?!-- mix CDs total. And they're all amazing. I really should share them with the rest of you guys in future posts. Last time thank yous and bear hugs for Tangerine and Indigo! :)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Mindfucks and Pspirals

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What's Lovely for July 21, 2010: Remembering how awesome your local library can be-- and consequently leaving with a slightly tottering stack of books and DVDs.

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I snuck in one photo of the library before I was afraid people would get suspicious, but it's really awesome once you go upstairs and look up (and hopefully not trip and fall).
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Yeeeesh did you SEE how many mosquito bites are lovingly shown on my leg in that first picture? I think I have about 8 total, last time I counted. Strangely enough, they mostly love my left leg. It's like a buffet there.
Also, as you notice, my henna that my friend did for me is now wearing off. Boo.

Blouse- Lauren Ralph Lauren via TJMaxx :: Shorts- secondhand :: Sandals- Nine West via TJMaxx


Sorry I've been AWOL for the past few days. It's been a sour combination of not having enough time and not having enough inspiration. The latter was born out of feeling stagnant and frustrated due to this stagnancy. I think maybe I'll call this my Pessimistic Polly Pspiral (the P is silent). It's not good to avoid something that's the problem, but when it comes to my blog, if I'm not inspired/not feeling up to it, I'd rather stave off for awhile until I regain any creativity and inspiration than blog about mindless drivel. How do you fellow bloggers get your groove back? Or just getting any groove back in general? I'd love to know.

And now for the mish-mash menagerie of past What's Lovelies! Yayyyyyy.




What's Lovely for Friday, July 16, 2010: INCEPTION.

I can ramble on and on about this movie. For awhile. But it'll be quite tedious and only be echoing what you might have heard before. But for me personally, not only did I vocariously enjoy this movie, I thought it was brilliantly done. Bravo, Chris Nolan, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc. I applaud your marvelous mindfuck of a movie. Not only was it sharply done, but I couldn't help but ... how shall I say... enjoy the handsome actors. Seriously, it's ridiculous. All I want to do is watch a perfectly good film when Cillian Murphy comes on and I just go BUH. I'll repeat what I told my friend about this dangerous situation: "It's like I have this Wildian thing come over me where I want to do everything from learning how to sculpt just so I can capture his beautiful likeness in marble to just jumping him." Yikes.

I also urge you to read my friend Michelle's review of this movie right here. And if all of that didn't sway you to watch this movie if you haven't already: zero gravity fight. Come on.

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Honorable mention for Friday's What's Lovely: these questionable hooker boots that I actually could fit into. I'd like to think in this case, the "if the shoe fits" does not apply.

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What's Lovely for Sunday, July 18, 2010: Opening a new tube of lipstick (only unfortunately it clearly wasn't my shade)

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What's Lovely for Monday, July 19, 2010: Cami's shiny spanking new sparkly haircut! (this is why it's worth it to go to the groomer every once in awhile)

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Honorable mention for Monday's What's Lovely: this poor butterfly was lying dead on the road when I was walking home. RIP little one.
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What's Lovely for Tuesday, July 20, 2010: The manliest birthday card you ever did see (not for me, mind you)

Sunday, July 18, 2010

100 Acres of Art

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What's Lovely for Saturday, July 17, 2010: I'mma be at IMA

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Awp. Looks like the little brat who was creeped on earlier is now the creeper. Woah.
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Tank- thrifted from Goodwill :: Shorts- gift from Thailand :: Necklaces- Thailand & thrifted :: Brooch- gift from Rome :: Belt-
Goodwill'd :: Shoes- Jeffrey Campbells via Thailand

To clarify, I'm not going to the Indianapolis Museum of Art when I've already been there. But then, the pun wouldn't have worked. YouknowwhatImean. This past weekend the mother and I went to visit IMA and its surrounding gardens. And by that, I mean that I wanted to walk outside while she preferred the air conditioned museum. Usually I never pass up an opportunity to see an art museum with all its glorious art, but I was eager to see the new 100 Acres park that just opened up (is it lame that I also really wanted to go because John Green of Vlogbrothers featured it in one of his videos? perhaps). Even though I only saw a bit of it, it definitely didn't disappoint. I loved walking around all the nature paths-- once or twice I was all by myself, enabling me to sing "Colors of the Wind" in complete peace (no joke, I thought it appropriate for the setting).

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Can you believe that not one, but two people are living in this tiny igloo throughout the summer? I applaud them and hope they don't develop claustrophobia or agoraphobia.
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I definitely need to visit this place again. And you should too, know why? Because IMA, 100 Acres and everything else around it is free. FREE. How ridiculous is that? I'm almost suspicious of it all, just like how this strange concept of the "library" sounds too good to be true...

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I'm only showing this picture of a mannequin from the H&M I went to afterwards because I think I'd walk outside in an outfit like this. What do you think? Do you think that this is Charmalade-style?
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When we were leaving, there was this bizarre sight in the sky-- dark clouds with only a sliver of blue and white peeping through. Again, my camera can't do this spectacle full justice, but it's pretty damn close.

And so ended my day in Indy. Next up: Catching up on my What's Lovelies and finally answering Indigo's questions that she tagged me in awhile ago! Yikes.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Who's the Monster?

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Warning: Rated PG-GG for excess Gaga fandom and exposed undergarments. Do not venture forth if you're not a Gaga fan and/or would rather not see me viciously making a fool out of myself. You have been warned.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Merry Bastille Day!

What's Lovely for Monday, July 12, 2010: Asterix on a lazy day (perhaps a bit too lazy? oh dear)

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What's Lovely for Tuesday, July 13, 2010: Shaking hands with a Corgi-- it's always nice to do business with them

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What's Lovely for today, July 14, 2010: Happy Bastille Day!
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Dress- gift from Pink in Thailand :: Scarf- American Apparel :: Sandals- Nine West via TJMaxx

Today was Bastille Day! I decided to celebrate as the French do, though I'm not French in the slightest. Il etait une fois que j'ai appris ce langue, mais je suis assez stupide avec le francais maintenant. Sacre bleu. The way I celebrated was being a rebel and dressing barely nautical (no reason). That's why I broke all the rules and took my dog out on the town with Grimsay and we just hung out in the park for approximately five minutes because swarms of insects attacked our skins.

But before that, we (i.e., she, not me) went dumpster diving and got a loot of cardboard. Anybody want to guess for what? Come on, guess!

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Hint: something vaguely magical

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Drumroll, please...

And the winner of the Giveaway Tree Giveaway is...

Kristy Eléna!
Congratulations, Kristy! Have fun with Owlie McHooters, Ms. Jaspy aka Kit Jagger and the gang!

(The winner was chosen at random through random.org with my eyes closed)

Thank you to everyone who participated. :) It's been an awesome 100+ (now 120! I'm close to falling off my chair)!


PS: I'm trying to tweak around my blog layout, so apologies for the sporatically ADD-esque changes that I'll be experimenting with. Unfortunately, my knowledge in basic HTML and CSS seems to be lacking... I'd appreciate any tips and pointers so my blog wont' look so embarrassingly juvenile!

Monday, July 12, 2010

To Vuvuzale

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What's Lovely for July 11, 2010: The vuvuzela.

That's right, THAT thing.The buzzing trumpet that sounds like a mix between a horde of bees and a wailing Wookie. I personally think it's tons of fun, even though I haven't been following the games at all (my cable wasn't working! I got behind! aaghhh I usually love this international-sports-gathering-every-four-years kinda thing). But as you probably know by now (spoilers if you don't): Huzzah Spain! I know a lot of people are crushed or ecstatic. I certainly know you're the latter, right Jess? What about you guys, have you been following it religiously as I know some fans have?



Fact: my friend Anthony is a proud owner of a collapsible blue vuvuzela.
Fact: much like the traditions we all held as children, if someone has a cool thing, he/she must share it with his/her peers.
So naturally, we took advantage of these facts and vuvuzaled (the verb form of vuvuzale) the hell outta that thing. Some facts about the vuvuzela:

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Playing the vuvuzela in your downtown area might garner you many stares and the occasional "fuck you, asshole!" from an irate and bitter passerby. Instead of insulting them back, just blow on your horn and go "BRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." (Anthony's vuvuzela doesn't really buzz)
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No matter how collapsible they are, vuvuzelas are not meant to be put in the back pocket.
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They can also double as large eardrums.

And now you know everything there's to know about vuvuzelas. You're welcome.

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Check out that wonked up expression! I think I was trying to be serious, and ended up having this prematurely bad Zoolander rip-off on my face.
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I really must thank Lizzie for being patient with me, seeing as how I tell her to go stand in various places and just stand. She's not really used to this whole "fashion blog" thing. But isn't her dress pretty? I got it for her in Thailand at JJ Market. It instantly reminded me of her because it was blue and has elephants on it.
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So it's incredibly and unbelievably fortunate that I didn't lose my balance in those heels and fall into the fountain. That's what I get for trying to be a pseudo-wannabe-Glamourai...
[outfit] Skirt (as dress)- Mom's :: Scarf- Limited :: Belt- Thailand :: Heels- Steve Madden via TJMaxx
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What's yo flavor, tell me what's yo flavor-- no seriously, tell me what's your favorite flavor ice cream/yogurt! I don't have just one, but today it was mint chip. Yummmmm.


Thank you to EVERYONE who entered in my first giveaway!!! I'll reveal who the winner is in the next post!