Love this video.

2012 Resolutions Turned Desktop Background

My view of resolutions has evolved a little bit this year. Rather than associating words like change, revamp, and pro-activity with the word resolution, I now like to think of a resolution as being a sort of check-up on something I have been trying to work on and take better notice of at the present moment (I am constantly setting minuscule goals for myself year-round, such as drink more water.) With that said, this year, I decided to get creative and organize my "resolutions", some pretty general and some pretty specific, by typing them out using simplistic language on Word in a pretty font, and taking a screen shot of the assortment of "resolutions", inspirational/motivational words, or what have you. I then set the image as my desktop background as a constant reminder for the things I'm currently working improving in day-to-day life. 

Happy New Year! 

New Traditions

Photo from Then and Now photography by Irina Werning

Some of my very first posts on this blog heavily dealt with the idea of traditions, ultimately suggesting that traditions are very important to me- and they are. As the season transitions or a holiday or annual event approaches, I naturally feel the need to begin checking off the list of traditions tied to the event in my head. This includes apple picking in Autumn and then cooking an apple pie with my Sister, eating my mom's customary ice box cake on my birthday, and opening an "elf" gift Christmas Eve morning- a long-established ritual in my family. This year, I have often blogged about change. As an honor to the two reoccurring themes I so often ponder, I am now going to write a post about the two: establishing new traditions.

Having just finished my first semester of school (I am now in the midst of the zombie-like phase of finals), I've been reflecting on my most favored activities I partook in this year thus far in Burlington. The following is the list-in-progress:

1. Sip on many, many pumpkin chai lattes from Uncommon Grounds on Church Street as soon as the leaves start changing color.

2. Attend UVM's Annual Naked Bike Ride at the end of each semester... and possibly participate.

3. Study on the quad, in the sunshine, on as many beautiful (and warm) days possible.

4. Relieve stress by spending a day getting work done in New Moon Cafe, indulging in both a delicious breakfast and lunch.

5. Knit a headband once the first frost hits.

What are some of your old and new traditions? 

College How-To: Shopping for the Holidays

Church Street Marketplace in Burlington

As if any ordinary college student weren't broke enough already... 

It was only until this month that I really understood the stresses brought upon by the holiday season that my parents constantly referenced once November hit. As naive as it is, my past December mindsets have always been fixated on the celebratory cheer and beloved festivities that came with Christmas; not the financial restraint. Living independently, job or no job, calls for financial overhead, which immediately leads to stress. Here are some tips I've learned help curb the anxieties of gift shopping as a college student!

1. Set a budget.

 And a reasonable budget, at that. Most friends and family members understand that college students don't generally have a lot of change to spare, so maintain a monetary limit of $30 or less for each person you're shopping for.

2. Scope out all options and make the gift meaningful.

Although $30 (or less) may seem to offer a very slim array of gift options (at least it did to me), scoping out your options prior to investing in a gift allows you to choose a more meaningful or creative gift. For example, consider who you are actually buying the gift for and what their recent interests have been. This also means giving yourself enough time to browse and purchase. Plan accordingly (which doesn't mean start your shopping two days before you leave for home.) Also, establishing a theme for all of your gifts can be of assistance when narrowing down your options.

For example, this year I decided to settle with a "from Vermont" theme. Each gift I purchased for my family members came from one of the many small boutique's in downtown Burlington, that way they were all personal and symbolized a transition we have all experienced this year. 

Here are some gifts ideas that are affordable and never-failing:

1. Books of any sort (personal inscription included.)

2. Any handmade products.

3. Fair trade edibles.

4. Organic candles and soap (both of which are never-fail purchases for mothers and sisters.)

5. Decorative objects for the home, such as vases, glasses or napkins. 

3. Where to scope: land or cyber space?

Living in Burlington, I'm fortunate to have so many shopping options, from artisan products to Vermont-made kitchen supplies. However, ordering gifts online is always a great alternative option. My prime recommendation for finding great gifts within your budget online? Gift guides by bloggers. A Cup of Jo and Cupcakes and Cashmere both always post gift guides each holiday season (Cupcakes and Cashmere's categorized by price range, A Cup of Jo by recipient) that include unique and personalized gift options. 

4. Integrate some creativity.

Even if that means making your own gift tags. They aren't lying when they say it's "the thought that counts"... Write a personalized note to each recipient, and make sure to touch upon why you chose that gift for them. Spending a little time on your gift wrapping creates a genuine first impression!
 
Happy Shopping!

Awesome People Hanging Out Together

There's something intriguing about fame, and something very appealing about not only celebrity gossip but celebrity interactions and friendships. The site awesome people hanging out together acts as a portal to those enticing mysteries about famous people, filled with some spectacular photographs that capture moments in which very well-known characters hang out with other very well-known characters. Below are some of my favorite!

Art Garfunkel, Candice Bergen, and Jack Nicholson

 

 Harry Belafonte and Martin Luther King Jr.

  Stevie Wonder & Bob Marley

 Frank Sinatra and JFK

Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald

Home is where the heart is...

  Watercolor print from Etsy.com

I've lived in the same small town in the same small house for 14 years now. Until recently, I've always referred to my house as my home. Following my Mom's decision to relocate given recent changes, such as my departure to college, I have spent a lot of time contemplating the idea of home and what the context of home really is. 

Only a few days ago, I conveniently stumbled upon a quote in Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; "to travel is more important than to arrive." Talk about irony. I then finalized my once indefinite hypothesis regarding home. I sided with the cliche quotes "the journey is our home" and "home is where the heart is" that have rightfully existed for a reason. 

Life is not about the arrival, but the journey. We need to constantly change and adapt to allow ourselves to recognize that the core is never changing, despite alterations in material aspects, such as the roof over our head. 

I will forever be grateful to our tiny colonial house for a lovely backdrop to a majority of my families 14 years of memories thus far, but I am optimistic that leaving our house behind will not mean saying goodbye to home.

"The Journey Begins Here" oil painting from Etsy.com

Latest Listenings

Movie Therapy

I once read that those who read fiction are more sentimental and emotionally aware than those who don't. I think the same goes for those who watch movies. Though I'm certainly not an advocate for wasting a life away in a Hollywood fantasy world, I think some movies do have the ability to enlighten in addition to entertain. There are a select few movies that have certainly stayed with me following my first viewing; whose distinctive characters and perceptive lines re-play in my mind during those moments of sentimental contemplation. Below are a few movies that spark my reflective thought, and frequently become a source of therapeutic entertainment when necessary. 

What movies are on your list?

1. Girl, Interrupted

"Crazy isn't being broken or swallowing a dark secret. It's you or me amplified."

2. Garden State

"That's life. If nothing else, It's life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have."

3. American Beauty

"I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday."

4. The Virgin Suicides

Doctor: "What are you doing here, honey? You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets."Cecilia: "Obviously, Doctor, you've never been a 13-year-old girl."

 5.  White Oleander

"Everybody asks why I started at the end and worked back to the beginning, the reason is simple, I couldn't understand the beginning until I had reached the end."

6. Almost Famous

"Rock 'n' roll is a lifestyle and a way of thinking... and it's not about money and popularity. Although, some money would be nice. But it's a voice that says, "Here I am... and fuck you if you can't understand me." And one of these people is gonna save the world. And that means that rock 'n' roll can save the world... all of us together. And the chicks are great. But what it all comes down to is that thing. The indefinable thing when people catch something in your music."


*Photos courtesy of Google* 

Six Things To Savor

1. This tattoo. 

2. Right Here All Over (Occupy Wall Street)

 3. Chic holiday side bun.

4. Gorgeous gemstone earrings; also perfect for the holidays.

5. Primose yarn from Knitty City... now a favored destination on my list of things to do during November break having just picked-up knitting again!

6. Mexican hot chocolate with dulce de leche spiced cream. My new favorite recipe.

Sculptural Jewels

I just fell in love with VERAMEAT, a hand-crafted jewlery collection by Vera Balyura that uses ecologically sound recycled silver and pure 14k gold to create beautifully intricate hand, neck and wrist designs. The prices vary for each piece of jewelry based on preferred material, and custom orders are welcomed! The "Ribbon Bow" in gold brass ring below now resides on my Christmas list.