Plot Notes: I Want to Be a Blogger

Choice: an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

Ballerina Fox: Tulle of the Trade Skirt

Skirt // Modcloth

If I could say every photoshoot I did was as successful as this one, I'd say I'm making it as a blogger. Like, bruh - look at me. My bestie and I ventured into San Francisco this past Sunday to see Aladdin at the Orpheum (which is visually stunning af), and we decided to take some photos while we were at it! This was my first shoot in a real location, and it was bananas. I thought I would clam up, but in San Francisco, no one cares. I did the best I've ever done in front of the camera! We did our thing, and our day was beyond perfect! Like, I wish I could have days like it all the time. I'm getting more comfortable in front of the camera, and my bestie is getting better behind it. It's so weird to think our first shoot for my Singing in the Summer look was only four months ago. Time flies! But la-de-da, y'all aren't here for my my friendship musings. Let's. Talk. About. This. Skirt.

Dear Diary: 5 Benefits of Writing in a Journal

I've had an interest in journaling ever since I was a kid. I loved the idea of having a space for me to engage with myself and explore my emotions and thoughts because, well, I had a lot. I was always real garbage at keeping a journal though because it flared up my insecurity about my handwriting, or I would miss a bunch of days and fall off the wagon. Nevertheless, I'm back to journaling, and I'm feeling, like, way better about it this time.

My Sweater Weather Wishlist 2017

My little autumn heart has been breaking the last couple days. The clock hadn't even struck midnight on Halloween and my Twitter was already becoming a scroll fest of Christmas fantasies and winter gifs. You guuuuuuys. It's still autumn! We Americans still have Thanksgiving to enjoy! I mean, this week has been the first chilly, autumnal week I've had of the season. I've been dealing with summer temperatures still. I'm standing on my ground with this autumn business, buuut today's post is perfect whether you're enjoying the leaves or ready for snow. Autumn and winter are both sweater weather season, so here are some sweaters I hope to prance about in!

*None of the following images in this post are my own. They all belong to their respective product sellers.*

Poem 009: Moth on the Window

It's a moth on the window,

trying to reach light

separated by glass pane,

a wall holding back small body

in the glow-speckled dark

from what lies ahead.

A brightness cascading

in precise angles,

warming at the edges,

clarifying what the speckles

won't illuminate.

The moth doesn't know

the tangles of glass,

the unyeilding translucence.

It doesn't know how to pass

what all seems to be so

clear.

...

Plot Notes: A New Perspective

I'm burning a Cozy Flannel scented candle and have eaten two chocolate mint chip cookies. I didn't need the cookies at all, but this week has been the week of comfort food. I've spent my weekend organizing, cleaning, and unpacking my evacuation bags. Today is the first day in a week I've felt any peace. I've been chatting on Twitter about it, but in case you aren't aware, California is on fire. That might sound a bit hyperbolic, but I mean, if you want to take the time to look up just the Tubbs fire and Atlas fire, you'll get it. It's all horrifying, honestly.

Get A Boyfriend: Ahh-mazingly Soft Boyfriend Flannel

Flannel // American Eagle

I wasn't lying when I said I want to buy all the flannels. Like, mmm. The old me wants to say I spent too much, but I'm the new me with an adult job who can afford to spurge on four American Eagle Ahh-mazingly Soft Boyfriend Flannels since they were 25% off. I regret nothing, and you can't make me. Lemme tell ya that when I say these babies are soft, they're soft.

An Autumn Fashion Wishlist 2017

Hnnnng you guys don't even know how hyped I am about autumn fashion. I just spent more than I care to admit on flannels this past weekend, and I regret nothing. Besides, they were on sale. I always tell myself I'm going to go all out with fashion once the cooler seasons hit, but then I'm sleepy and wanna be warm and become a cozy little ball of ugly. I am determined af to be fine as hell this autumn. I need to trick myself in buying clothes that are comfy and warm while still showing how cute and bougie I am. Here's a few things I've found:

*None of the following images in this post are my own. They all belong to their respective product sellers.*

Through Falling Leaves: My Autumn Bucket List

AUTUMN THOUGH! Autumn is the best season of all seasons, and I'm ready to have a full on physical altercation about it but not really please don't hit me. The colors, the weather, the energy - mmm. I can't get enough of it. It's such a beautiful time of year. I just... ahh. My plans for autumn are maybe not as lavish as my Spring Bucket List or Summer Bucket List, but it's not a contest, ya know? Here's all the lovely things I want to have happen this seasons:

966 Pearl: Melted in Napa Valley

There's a first time for everything, so why not a first here on TCFL with a lil restuarant review? I've been full of firsts lately: first adult job post-graduation, first bachelorette party, first pole showcase, and first weekend brunch of many more to come! I'm right now feeling like a terrible blogger because I feel like I should have link opportunities here, but I neglect to make posts about fun events in my life. Oh well. Who needs to think about life when we can think about the deliciousness that is Melted in the Napa Valley?

Life with Cat Ears: 10 Reasons I'd be a Good Cat

Love the look? Check it out here.

If you haven't figured it out, I like cats. My Cat Babe Wishlist and my second Cat Babe Wishlist probably gave it away, but hey, I'm always happy to remind you. I'm a nice girl. My thorough love for cats often has me thinking what a good cat I would be.

008: Threaded

Love the look? Check it out here.

I’ve been held together by thread,

Threading thoughts

I filter through teeth,

Scraping away unpleasantries

And truths I thought might make you

Leave.

A thread I guided with trembled hand,

Going over and over mistakes,

Tricks of mind, personal deceptions,

Leaving lumped cross stitching

To be the perception of me.

I taste what I should have said

As I choke on the thread

Coming up my throat.

It’s smooth, water,

Cheek to earth,

Natural – where I was

Before I picked up a needle.

Here I am,

Starting to unravel.

...

The Vineyard Girl: Ruffled Wrap Skirt and Wander Necklace

Top // Cotton On (Similar)

Necklace // Etsy

Skirt // Zara

Shoes // Modcloth (unavailable)

You know how some outfits just make you feel pretty? Like, you look in the mirror and you're like GIRL. There's bae; I found her. It's me. I'm bae. Forever and always. But anyway, I absolutely love this outfit. One of my friends said she'd never been so attracted to me as she was when she saw my pictures. Safe to say this outfit makes me quite the attractive lady.

How I Knew I Wasn't In Love

Love the look? Check it out here.

*This is an archived post from my last blog Smile, Sugar. I have lightly altered it, but it is mostly unchanged from it's original writing and posting in summer, 2016.*

Christmas Time, 2013

I hadn’t bought my boyfriend a Christmas gift yet. Lights were strung through the neighborhood, Christmas trees were glowing in windows, and every radio station was playing some rendition of Jingle Bell Rock. Christmas was quickly coming - how did I not have a gift yet? I didn’t have much money, so I was struck trying to find something that was honest yet affordable. I mmm-ed and ahh-ed about it for a while, and suddenly I thought I had the perfect idea: I would tell him I love him. 

007: Tattered Carnations

A petal blooded girl

Spilling red roses and fuchsia

From wounds where wings

Used to be.

Wings of calla lilies, carnations,

Daisies for a daisied mind,

Flower girl with blooms in her hair

tied around her hips,

On the road, petals pooling,

Hands trembling with

Tattered carnations

She pulled from her own back.

Calla lilies linger

On her tongue, ghostly,

As teeth grind white petals.

Day, periwinkle lit,

Picks petals from her feet

And speckles the air

With her shame.

...

Singing in the Summer: Red Gingham Mini Dress and Core Values Necklace

Dress // Zara (unavailable)

Necklace // Modcloth (unavailable)

Shoes // Target

Bruh, what? A fashion post? From me? Is this even happening right now? Who even am I?

A Summer Fashion Wishlist 2017

Oh my goddddd. Straight up, this post is a lie. I literally have no summer fashion wishlist because it is so hot, all I want to do is be naked and not leave the cool sanctuary of my room. This hot weather is disgusting and I hate it and I do not handle heat well AT ALL. I know I was just saying how much I want it to be summer, but I've changed my mind. No. I don't want this. Stop. Buuuut society says I do, in fact, have to leave my house... clothed. Given that's the case, here's what I'd ideally like to leave the house in.

*None of the following images in this post are my own. They all belong to their respective product sellers.*

Under the Sun: My Summer Bucket List

"You're busy playing nice, you sweeten up my life,
I'm here making eyes tryna keep you by my side."
Sugar, You, Oh Honey

Tuuuurn uuuuup! Summer time is here! Well, maybe not actually here because space and solstices and alignments and the planet and rotations and blahhhhhh. I didn't do well in science class, okay? The point is summer technically isn't here until Wednesday. But, like, I think I can ignore the that? Considering how insanely hot it is??? I think I've almost died twice? It's summer as far as I'm concerned. Summer is the time for adventure and shenanigans (And trying to survive but)! If I had to do a bucket list for exclusively one season, summer would probably be the most optimal since it's when everyone is in the mindset of LET'S GOOOO!

A Life By Words: The Two Quotes I Live By

When I originally set out to write this post, I thought I would include about five quotes. Five feels like the minimum, safe amount for a blog post (thought I recently broke that in my post Three Tips to Help You Start Writing Poetry Today), but when it came down to it, I realized I only needed two. I mean, like, I could sit here and pour over Google and Pinterest for beautiful quotes that make me feel all existential and profound about myself just for reading them, but that wouldn't be authentic now would it?

Poetic Beginnings: Three Tips to Help You Start Writing Poetry Today

*This is an archived post from my last blog Smile, Sugar. I have lightly edited it, but it is mostly unchanged from it's original writing and posting in early summer, 2016.*

Let me state up front I'm not a poetry master. My poetry isn’t a godsend, and I only barely have my creative writing degree. I’m an average girl who likes to write poetry (take long walks on the beach, cuddle by the fire…) and think I'm decent enough to maybe help others out. Cool beans? Cool beans.