Amnesia

(next cover of Vogue, yes?)

Last night I came up with an amazing idea for a blog post, and I was sooo excited to share it with you all today! I mean, this idea was fantastic - best idea I've ever had. And even though I was going to do an outfit post today, I was prepared to push that post back a day for this new brilliant idea. You guys think I'm kidding, right? No, I'm not. I'm serious, I was pumped. So I signed on to my computer today after a long first day at my new job (yes, I got a job!), and headed on over to Blogger and...

nothing.

I could not, for the life of me, remember what my idea had been. Can you believe it?! THIS is what happens when you come up with a great idea while you're lying in bed and you neglect to write it down! All I remember is that it was perfect for the day after Valentine's Day and even if I remember it now, the idea won't work as well after today.

And so...I bring you this outfit post. As previously planned. It will have to be good enough for you, I'm afraid.
I wore this for Valentine's Day yesterday - which was another day of really great weather, by the way. I didn't do anything romantic with my boyfriend, because he lives so far away that it just wasn't possible. However, I did go out with my friends (including Sarah Beth). We ate a restaurant and were serenaded by a violinist...and then we went to a protest.

Well, sort of. It was an "anti-protest." Westboro Baptist Church (I'm sure you all know of them, and if not then I recommend a google search) was protesting a film that was being screened at the college that I'll be attended next year. It was a film about hatred - what causes it, how it can be combated, etc - and the church was featured in the film. Basically, they were protesting a film that preached acceptance, forgiveness and togetherness. Pretty ridiculous, right? But if you know the Westboro Baptist Church, then you know that it's really not that surprising.
Basically we stuck around for about 5-10 minutes of protest-ogling and then went into the building to watch the film. All in all, it was a very romantic evening (sarcasm).

(photo inspired by Black Swan...hehe)

So! What did you lovely people do this Valentine's Day?
(also, sorry for another humongous post!)

x Courtney

Cardi - old - Wet Seal
Tank - about $5 - Wet Seal
Belt - came with pair of shorts - Rue 21
Skirt - $20 - Forever 21
Tights - $8 - Simply Vera Wang
Necklace, Ring - gifts

A Good News Challenge

(Cardigan: Mom's, Button Up: NY&Co, Scarf: Mom's, Brooch: Mom's, Suspenders: Hot Topic, Skirt: Target, Tights: Anthro, Shoes: Target)

Hey everyone! So I was feeling pretty nerdy the other day...and this is what became of it! To be honest, I probably wouldn't wear this to school but it was still a lot of fun to put together and photograph. My mom helped a lot with this outfit too...maybe she should make her own blog, ha!

 I had a bad headache which is why I was wearing my glasses. I don't have to wear them very often, only when reading usually, but I'd been staring at the computer all day and wearing them really helps relieve my headaches. And the glasses really started this whole ensemble off! I always feel so teacher-like with them on...

Also, this is the first time I've worn suspenders- although I bought this pair almost two years ago! I'm still not sure if I like them...I have a really hard time styling them.

Any tips?

Oh, and I also have a very exciting announcement! I got the lead role in our school musical!! Its my favorite show in the whole world...and my excitement just keeps growing! So now I'm wondering if you all can guess what show it is...?
 I'll give you two hints:

1. Its Disney! :)

2. Our show colors are Blue, Pink and Gold!

(pay no regard to official Broadway colors, our department always picks our own!)

If you can guess...I'll feature your blog in my next post~

But till then...

<3 SB 

A not-so-secluded spot

I know that the above picture is absolutely awful, but in sticking with the theme that I currently have of starting my posts with a goofy picture of my face, I had to use it! So there you go, don't be afraid to laugh.

Last Sunday was a beautiful day here in South Carolina - about 70 degrees! - and I felt that it was far too beautiful to waste indoors. Right around the corner from where I live is a park that's bordered by some woods, so I decided to grab my tripod and take a walk to the woods for some outfit photos...

...Bad idea.

I knew it'd probably be more crowded than usual at the park, since I was sure that many others probably had the same "too beautiful of a day to waste" mentality that I had. But I never anticipated the multitude of people that were really there! There had to have been over 100 parents and children alone on just the little playground. Boy, was it insane.

Now, ordinarily, even when the park is a bit crowded, there are scarcely any people in the woods. If you look hard enough, there's always a spot where you can gain privacy. So I decided that I'd take a chance and attempt to find a secluded area in the woods - since I'm not very comfortable with taking outfit photos alone in front of on-lookers...

Needless to say, I had a very difficult time. When I would finally manage to find a spot where there were no people, by the time I had my tripod set up someone had come along with their dog or a frisbee (there's a disc golf course in those woods)! I became so frustrated that I gave up my "no photos in front of strangers" mentality, plopped my tripod down right where I was and started taking photos.

I didn't expect for people to actually avoid me.

After one or two photos, I realized that people would look at me strangely and then either turn around or go in another direction. Hah! It was like they were afraid of me or something. And honestly, it didn't really bother me at that point. I was just glad that they were leaving me alone, as anti-social as that may sound.

Anyway, my luck didn't last for long. I only managed to get a few good shots before I got in the way of two disc-golfers, and instead of asking me to move or something they just stood there and stared at me, as if they thought that would frighten me off. ...and they were right. After dealing with their staring for a minute or so, I grabbed my tripod and just walked off.

Well, at least it wasn't a complete failure.

Here is a lovely photo to show you all how my hair looked when the wind decided to pick up during my walk home. Haha, oh well :P

x Courtney

Tank - really old - Forever 21

Plaid Button-up - about $15 - Forever 21
Jeggings - $20 - Charlotte Russe

Sandals - really super old - Forever 21

Deep Longings

(Blazer: Asos, Top: Mom's, Jeans: Express)

I'm in love with this blazer! Seriously- I saw it online at Asos and couldn't get it off my mind for months. I drooled and oogled over it and longed so deeply- and my mom got it for christmas! I was incredibly excited- and thats just one of the many reasons my mom's the best ever :)

The pearl accents on the shoulders, the princess seaming, the ruffles that so gracefully billow from its perfectly styled lapels- everything just screams "i is purdy, u must hav me!" As for styling this blazer: it took FOREVER. Nothing looked just right, until my mom grabbed this shirt from her closet for me. She also fixed my hair- which I think looks nice...I've never done the whole no bangs at all thing. I've had every style of bangs possible, but never nothing at all! But I think I liked it :)

Sorry there are no full body photos! None of them seemed to work out well- my legs looked stumpy for some reason...

 My Product Of The Week:

Softsoap: black raspberry & vanilla

Now everyone likes different kinds of smells, so obviously what I like might not be what you'll like. But if you want my opinion...it smells amazing! Its just fruity enough without being too strong or smelling like gum. And the vanilla adds a very comforting, deep sort of smell. And besides this particular scent being incredible, this soap is really amazing. It really nourishes your hands, without being too sticky and lathers very well. So you don't need much to cover your hands and forearms! And the smell it leaves is just faint enough to not overwhelm the people around you. Its very important to me to be able to wash my hands often- but during the winter it really wears my hands out and I end up with dry flaky skin. If you have that same problem I urge you to try this brand of soap. Its so soft and replenishing, and at the same time it kills 99% of germs!

I hope you've all had a great day!

<3 SB

Great Scott!

I am so sorry I've been away for so long! But I have some pretty sturdy excuses, if I may say so myself~ So I'll just spurt them out to you one by one :)

1. High School Pageant

It was last weekend, and for the first time I did a talent during the pageant. That will never happen again, trust me! It just added way too much stress to the whole thing! In fact, I was so nervous to sing in front of everyone (which is strange, since I perform in theater all the time and its never phased me before) that I completely forgot to take pictures of my opening number dress, talent outfit and gown. BUT! To make up for it, I compiled this mash-up of gown inspiration! These are the things I look for in a prom or pageant dress:  

(The National History Museum)

2. Auditions!!!

Yes, so my highschool drama department just happens to be doing my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLAY EVER. I mean, the show that I know every word and dance too by heart; the show that got me into theater in the first place; the show that has been with me since early childhood...and auditions were this week! So, as you can guess, I was too busy stressing to even dress cute all week! The cast list should be up next week, so I'll keep you updated :)

3. The Camera That Broke

(Scarf: Victoria Secret, Coat: Old Navy, Cardigan: Old Navy, Belt: Forever 21, Button Up: Old Navy, Jeans: Express, Jewerly: Steinmart)

So, as you can see, these are very bad pictures. That is because my camera died on me D:

Seriously- its gone. I'll have to buy a new one! In the mean time, I can use my moms but unfortunately its wasn't charged today...and I knew if I put off taking pictures any longer it would just never happen. So instead, you get these crappy web-cam ones! Yay :)

Oh, and one more thing, I thought I'd share some art with you all. I really only draw in my spare time now (which is like, never!) so I didn't work very hard on any of these...but I think they turned out decent :)

<3 SB

Valentine's Day playlist

cheesy webcam pic!

So I know Sarah Beth has been a bit absent lately, and you may be wondering where she is. I spent spoke to her this weekend and she's been quite busy lately with school and other activities, but she'll make a blog post when she gets a chance. :) I was going to wait to post this until after she was able to, but I decided I shouldn't wait.

Some of you expressed interest in the idea of me posting playlists, so here is a Valentine's Day playlist for you all! ♥

Now, commercially Valentine's Day is marketed toward couples, and couples are generally the ones who celebrate the holiday. But not everybody has a significant other to celebrate with, and that's why friends often exchange candies and cards, etc, as a sort of representation of the love that is present in friendship - rather than the typical romantic sort of love. So what I intended to do was create a playlist that was more centered around a general idea of love, and not romantic love, as I feel that it's something that's not done as often and also something that everyone can relate to. However, this turned out to be a bit harder to do than I'd thought...I just couldn't think of enough songs! So, I tried to cover everything and have a little something for everybody to listen to in preparation for Valentine's Day, and created a playlist of love songs that I consider to be feel-good songs.

Here is a track listing (may play shuffled):

1. Love Today - Mika
(one of the most upbeat "general love" songs I could think of)
2. Everybody - Ingrid Michaelson
(exactly the type of song I was originally looking for)
3. Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
(maybe not a feel-good...but it's a classic.)
4. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
(everyody knows this song, right? Friends? I think it's self-explanatory...)
5. Accidentally in Love - Counting Crows
(so I guess most people know this from Shrek or something. either way, it's a great, upbeat song!)
6. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
(they definitely have more upbeat songs than this, but I always found this one to be beautiful. and The Beach Boys are always feel-good music to me)
7. L O V E - Nat King Cole
(never fails to make me smile)
8. All You Need is Love - Jim Sturgess (originally by The Beatles)
(I had to put this song on the playlist. I was going to put the original, but I really like the way this version builds up, so I chose this one instead)

You probably know most of those songs, but that just means that you can sing along. :)

x Courtney

Lookbook Inspiration

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x Courtney