Distractions

 This day has been one of nostalgia (Yes I'm old enough to be nostalgic. 14) In middle school I spent two of the three years at Junior High A. Kids from Junior High A usually go to High School A. I'm going to High School B. I'm kind of the odd one out though I have been making friends. But... I miss my old crew. Do you readers remember that post I did about The Book, the collaborative notebook I participated in? That special group of girls that I did that with are now mostly gone. Today I pulled out an old copy of The Book. I cried maybe a little bit and laughed a lot. I texted one of the Founders. I remember.
  I'm all for moving forward. I've started up a new generation of Books over here at High School B. I have good friends. But there is something to be said fora sad/happy little day of memories.I want to commemorate what has happened and how much it has affected me. Look at what has changed you in the past. Don't linger but don't ignore it. Your past is what got you where you are in the first place. Do what you like with that thought, whether you are angry at old you or grateful, but remember that your life is still there. It's still behind you.
One of the old founders said that her philosophy was that we didn't know where we were going just that we needed distractions so that unknown wouldn't be as scary Maybe I don't one hundred percent agree with that, I believe that my friends are the best distractions. Distractions from a rough day, fear, a rough past. They soften the sharp edges of reality a little bit. Just enough to be there. This post is a tribute to all my friends, old and new. Love ya'

Color Love:Pink

 

The Beauty of Michigan

 In the summer the state of Michigan is hot and humid. Really humid. I don't think you understand how horribly humid it is here. In the spring it's wet and cold because everything is still covered in a layer of brown snow. In the winter we are practically living on the ice planet Hoth. My dad and I joke that one day when it gets bad enough we will stuff the family inside a taunaun. The one beauty of Michigan is fall and that makes it all worth  it. It isn't to cold, it isn't to hot. The trees are vibrant and everything smells of burning leaves and the crisp smell of winter. Autumn is pretty intense for us Michigangsters. There are Cider Mills EVERYWHERE. I'm not sure if every other place does this, so here is what a Cider Mill is: it's usually a family owned farm that grows apples, pumpkins, etc. where you can go in the fall to buy cider and doughnuts. They usually have playgrounds, hay rides, and corn mazes too. it is the ultimate fall experience. Our family isn't okay with Autumn starting until we've gone to one. Here are some pictures from this years visit.

So many ayples

Amazon is a freak

Lyfe

SO CUTE

The sparkles were added later...

My favorite sweater

Ma' shoes

My body says thanks all the time

This goat scared me a little.

You're Weird

  When I was ten or eleven Amazon and I went to a Day Camp for Girl Scouts (yes, I was a Girl Scout). There was swimming and crafting and dancing and other wonderful little girlish things. There was this one little girl, and boy did she bother me. She thought she was the best girl scout of all time, and was not kind to her fellows. At one point during the camp I was painting on my hands instead of the paper I think so she comes up to me and says "Mandarin, you're weird." I didn't know how to react so I just said "You're weird." She shut up after that.
This is a blog post in praise of weird people. I praise you. A lot. I admire you. I love you. I have always thought that one of the best ways to stand out is to be weird. My parents don't always agree with this, but if you have the confidence for it, you can pull it off. With the right attitude, weirdness is covetable. There are some people who don't get it. Don't worry about it. 
I'm not gonna' apologize for this post. I'm pretty tired and I really don't have much to say. Thank you you glowing oddlings

I really don't have much to say

Weird

Weid by bookworm623 featuring Burberry

Burberry makeup
burberry.com

Aesthetically Okay Look-Book

My inspiration for this week's style (yes, this week (:)

Matte Nude nails-cl-aaaaassy

LOVING THE COLOR OF THE DRESS

Wish the dresses were long+Mourning my long hair

PINK HAIR

Everything at Once

  Sometimes I feel like I'm one big contradiction. Or maybe a ton of little contradictions. Either way I can never really keep one mind on anything. My opinion changes, my favorites change, my thoughts on people change. The other day when I was typing up Chicken Soup (Sept. 21, 2015) and as I was writing all I could think about was that one post I think I did (I can't keep them straight) a million years ago about my tragic back story. I was essentially, in my mind, shunning a practice I had participated in. Maybe that's just me overthinking it but whatever.
  My opinion on a girl I have known for a while has changed as well. I used to complain about her and talk about how bossy she could be, but this year she has been immensely kind and friendly to me. The way I view her has completely changed.
There are dozens of other examples about me being slightly hypocritical without meaning it. A song that sums up my existence pretty well right now (out of the many...) is 'Everything at Once' by Lenka.
These are some of the lyrics:

"As shy as a fox, as strong as an ox. 

As fast as a hare, as brave as a bear.

As free as a bird, as neat as a word.

As quiet as a mouse, as big as a house.

All I want to me, All I want to be...

is everything, everything at once."

The whole song goes like this (as long as a road, as ugly as a toad) and it lists so many things that she wants to be that aren't very good at coexisting together. (as hard as nails/ as sweet as sugar and everything nice) Can't I be everything at once? Why do I always have to be the same person? Why does everybody else have to be the same person? In science it's often said that the only constant is change. Change can happen over a lifetime n a great sweeping arch or in flashing shape shifter ways. What matters most is what we have to say now, it meant that much to us to say it in the past and it may change in the future. I may say that I will never like post pictures of myself, but who know? That may change.

THAT'S MY ACTUAL HAND

Still figuring it out | Tavi Gevinson | TEDxTeen

WHY IS SHE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PERSON? I love this so much...thank you Tavi.

Write it Down

"I think all memories and moments have specific colors, sounds, and smells attached to them. When those examples match up the memory is recreated. A day could be U2 or Gold and Glittery. It's all based on my experience of the time. Even if I share an experience of time with someone our interpretations are different. What does their day look like?"
This is a clip from one of my old diaries. That edition of my thoughts was especially reflective and edgy. Today's post is about writing it down. What is it? It is your life. Some of the most reliable gateways into the past is the things people have written down about their life. In my History class we are learning about how it was writing and language that first real civilization into play.
Think of Anne Frank, my personal hero. Her diary of her teen life is the second most read book in the world, only because the Bible is first. Anne was incredibly honest, detailed, and talented. She wrote for herself and for her readers and created something amazing. Historians and thousands have people  have learned about her and that era because Anne wrote it down.
My journal is one of my favorite things. I write in it constantly about whatever I want, be it Schiaparelli's Shocking Pink (8.13.15), Experiences in time (above, 2.28.14), or the awkwardness of teenagers (9.15.15). I imagine myself as an old woman with white hair, a cardigan, and one of my grandchildren reading my old journals to me. This is a bit cheesy and over-the-top but it's a legit goal of mine. My journal is preserving my life.
I think everyone should write it down. No one's life is super lame like they think it is. These so caled 'boring' moments will be precious and slipping one day. Even if it's a sentence a day or even a drawing. Once you start it's hard to stop.

Chicken Soup

When I was in seventh and sixth grade (one of the less fun times in my life) I was OBSESSED with the Chicken Soup for the Soul series-especially the ones for teenagers. In my horrible and constant mood these books made me feel like there was someone out there who was like me. Other people felt the same way.
If you haven't ever read one of these then here is the main idea: a collaboration of true stories based on people's darkest life events and how they got out of them. The versions for adults are great and inspiring, but the ones I read were the ones for teens, and we all know there is nothing sadder on this planet than a teenager.
these books were toxic to me, I realized. The drove me deeper into my thoughts and exposed me to all sorts of bad ideas. I stopped reading them as soon as I figured this out and for a good reason.
What's the point of these books? Here are some really depressing stories who need serious help for you to read. When it comes to people with depression one of the last things needed is looking inside more. Depression is looking in at yourself all the time and seeing nothing but that bad stuff.
 Chicken Soup for the Soul (at least the teen version) focuses on the bad things. Very little of the stories in them are the resolution. Majority of it is the bad stuff instead of how their lives changed. They are focusing on the sad part instead of how much better things are now.
Maybe you're in a rough spot right now. Maybe you're heading right into one. Maybe, like me, you've finally come out of it alive. I'm not going to say everything is going to be okay (it will be!) because everyone says that. This is my bit on it: Keep yourself close, but not that close. Be aware of who you are and where you are but don't constantly be thinking about yourself. Lose yourself in others and those bad influences will lose power over you. Until you emerge from the experience, scarred and surprised, keep yourself close, but not that close. 

Style Analasis: I-really-don't-know-what-it-is-but-I-call-it-Millicent

 Millicent. That is what I call this style. I have been seeing it a lot lately, and IT CAN'T BE CATEGORIZED! YOU CAN'T PUT A LABEL ON IT ("You are so flippin' shallow, girl" My inner voice whispers to me "Labels? Uggggh, right?") So I have decided to name it. It is kind of 90's, kind of hipster, kind of grandma, kinda' girly, french, japanese, whatever. I can't totally describe it, but I imagine some outsider teen named Millicent wearing these clothes. I imagine Millicent writing in her journal, listening to her favorite band, and making ramen with her best friend at midnight. Here are Millicent's favorites;

1.Stripes
Stripes are good on anyone regardless of anything. Some people don't wear them because they think they are unflattering, but what the heck?! Millicent wears clothes because she likes them! Regardless of whether they look good! I know some stylists who would cringe at that last sentence.
 



2. Overalls
Overalls are amazing. I remember I had this pair of pink corduroy overalls when I was little and I LOVED them. I never wore them because the one time I did, a girl told me I looked like a five year old! I was eight at the time and not the who-cares femme fatale I consider myself now, so I never wore them. Shame, little me. Shame.


3. A sweet pair of shoes
This style revolves around cool shoes and accessories. Shoes like Mary-janes' (flats with a buckle), Nike Airs' , creepers, and converse are especially good.

4. Skirts
 This style is pretty feminine, so I think that every girl should have at least one skirt in her wardrobe. Millicent would probably like a black or white pleated one. Even if you are a tomboy, I say go ahead and wear that tux to Prom, but turn heads the following Monday in a skirt and heels! No labels, right? Heheh.

colors: Black, burgundy, mustard yellow, white, navy, pale pink, gold, gray

STUFFS ON SKOOL

  I'm finally here, readers. I have finally made my way to my first year of High School.  After a whole year of figuring out class schedules, school of choice, car pools, and life goals, I'm finally here... and I'm okay. It's not nearly as bad (yet?) as people have been warning me. It's like being a 6th grader again except smarter, taller, and less sheltered. The teachers jump right into the material instead of dragging it out with get-to-know-you-games, 50 million syllabi, and other work sheets. Also everything is much bigger. The halls are bigger, the lockers are bigger, the kids are bigger. It's pretty intimidating now, but I know one day I will grow into it.

I've found some kindred spirits to be friends with. I'm sharing a locker with my favorite ginger, my buddy Gecko (BTW we have the coolest nicknames...) I haven't died. I haven't failed. There is so much hype about this rite of passage, this legendary place featured in so many movies. But it's not nearly as amazing as any of those things. I'm not going to call myself an expert on High School just yet, but here is the advice I have compiled from friends, family, and myself on the very place:
HIGH SCHOOL STUFFS
1. High School is fun if you make it. -Senior Friend
2. Work hard, play hard. Work harder, and harder, and even harder again! Work so hard you  feel you cannot work again. Then pay! Play harder. than. anyone. -Kevin from Desert Bluffs
3. Respect the Upperclassmen. - An Upperclassmen
4. Find your group. -Cousin
5. Just follow your heart. That's what I always do. -Napolean Dynamite
6. Suck up to the teachers. It works. -Friend

Style analasys #1: Pastel Goth

  When you think of pastels you usually think of sweet candy-like style, right? A new style category that is emerging combines these sugary colors with the edgy and dark Gothic style that we have loved for years. Pastel goths (or lite punks/candy goths) wear traditionally Gothic clothing- the ripped tights, victorian dresses, studded accessories- but in cutesy hues of mint green, soft pink, baby blue, etc. It is heavily influenced by the Japanese term " Kawaii"( if you don't know what this means, why are you even reading my blog. Just kidding!) Kawaii is used to describe something as majorly cute. Think Pikachu or Hello KItty.
 Some pastel goth stapes are...
1. Tights

PATTERNED TIGHTS ARE THE BOMB DOT COM! They are fairly cheap, have an enormous variety, and can be worn under shorts or skirts!

2. Amped up Makeup

Pastel goths usually go with doll-like blush, dark eyes, and either a dark or nude lip color. Most of the attention is on the eyes, but a candy colored, burgundy, or black lipstick adds another layer of awesome.

3. Jewelry


How can I talk about Pastel Goths and NOT mention the jewelry? Anything from classically goth victorian pieces to more modern sickly sweet pieces can make any outfit edgy.

The Fangirl's Bible

The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A handbook for Girl Geeks by Sam Maggs. First off can I just say that Sam Maggs is a queen and pretty much the coolest person ever. She explains all the essentials in the Guide from how to write a good fanfic, deal with internet trolls, and handle nerd girl stereotypes. On the back of the book is 'The Geek Girl's Litany for Femenism":
  " I am a geek girl and I am a feminist.  I embrace the term "fangirl" with open arms. I don't have to prove my nerd cred to anyone, ever. Whether I am a comics n00b, or a fanfic writer typing up her next chapter, or a hard-core gamer who sometimes forgets to sleep ( not like I ever do that), no one gets to decide whether I do or do not belong. From SuperWhoLock to Shakarian I accept all fandoms and ships as equally meaningful in our geek girl lives. Even if your OTP is my NOTP, I will still like you (though I may have to unfollow your blog). I can wear makeup and R2D2 dresses, or a Chewie t-shirt and ripped jeans, and the whole world has to deal with it; because a geek feminist looks however she wants and doesn't apologize. I support empowering lady created media and amazing female characters who make me feel like I could be Batgirl, if I just had some yellow Doc Martens and a vigilante complex. I'm the Doctor, not a companion; Buffy, not Bella, nobody's sidekick, love interest, or token female. I'm driving this ship. I'm a fangirl, a feminist, and a force to be reckoned with."
      The words 'fangirl' or 'feminist' are both welcomed with responses different to their actual meaning most of the time. A fangirl is supposedly immature and loud girl looking for male attention. A feminist is a man hating woman who doesn't shave. The fangirl stereotype is often produced by rude internet trolls who thinks a girl can't really like video games and just wants a boyfriend. I remember in 7th grade and attending my first meeting of Doctor Who club. It was me and a couple of my gal friends but it was mostly dudes. I had a fun time but one boy began to challenge me. He asked if I was here to talk to the teacher and acted annoyed when I told him I was there for the club. He began to quiz me on my fandom knowledge and if I didn't know the answer to a question or two he told me I was a fake fan and didn't know what I was talking about. This boy I understand was just being a littl ejerk face and there are more little trolls like that in the world. A girl is meant to like makeup an clothes and princesses. Maybe I do like those things but I also would like the Captain America "toy for boys" in my Happy Meal. I believe that people can have their own ideas on anything and even if I don't agree I can still be their friend. My sister and I clash on who was the Doctor's best companion, but we haven't killed each other yet, right? Being a feminist means believing in equality, loving yourself and others, and standing up for that. Not hating men and trying to be superior. I realize that this post is a bit long, but I feel this stuff needs to be said. I'm a fangirl because I love what I love .I'm a feminist because I want to honor all those awesome ladies of the past who gave us the right to vote", have jobs, own property, and not be property" (Sam Maggs). I will close this post in the wonderful words of Queen Sam Maggs:
    "You are important. You are strong, and brave, and beautiful, and you matter. Don't ever let anyone devalue what you do, the things you believe, or who you are. You're awesome and your opinions are valid. Believe that!"