IHSA Journalism Sectionals

I realize these photos are repetitive. Get over yourself.

Today I was at the IHSA journalism sectionals and it was held at Columbia College. Sure, seeing other high school's that are much more diverse than mine, sizing up the competition, and realizing how sub par my artistic ability is comparatively was fun and all. What I enjoyed most was a brief tour of the journalism building at the college.

After about two minutes into the tour I knew that this school would definitely be a top contender on my inconsistent list thoughts about college.

The school is in the south loop and the campus is a metropolitan city, which, frankly, is exactly what I want. The classroom's are real life newsrooms, editing studios, and workshops. This school basically feels like the real deal and will fully prepare you for a career in the future. 

Although nothing will be definite for a while, this tour got me a little more excited.

Oh yeah! Almost forgot. My school came in second overall and I came in fourth for editorial cartooning [emoji praise hands].

Spring Plays Festival

The past three days was spring plays fest at my school where seniors debut the plays that they've directed. So far, I've loved them. They're hilarious, witty, smart. 

I've always felt like I've never paid nearly enough regards to the theatre wing at my school. I've only been to one play and I've come to realize how talented my peers are. 

Goal: be in at least one performance by the end of my high school career. 

Go Fish

Sugar is addictive. In fact, it's said to be as addictive to substances like alcohol. I'm no preacher, you can do whatever you want, but I do believe in everything in moderation. Sure, have some Swedish fish one day, but, maybe not everyday. 

Below is a video I found super interesting on the effects of sugar on our brain. TEDed videos are informative and easy to follow. The narrator and animation make learning about otherwise boring subjects interesting and exciting. I suggest you watch others, as they have produced thousands. 

A Nice Quote

I always tend to read quotes on Instagram, smile to myself about them, and move past. Never do I post any of my own. Never say never, though... right Bieb's? 

This mirror is at one of my favorite store, Aritzia, and the quote reads: "There is a lightness that never goes out". I loved how simple and interpretive it is. 

Here's my interpretation: Always find light in things even when it's dark. In other words, you can always make a bad situation better.

A Week in Florida...

A few snapshots from a semi relaxing time in Florida last week. All in all, I'm firmly stating I will never go back to Boca Raton ever again. End of discussion. 

On the plus side, I did come back with a nice tan.

Gettin' Around

As summer approaches, I've been flirting with the idea of riding my bike to school (I'm fully aware the picture above is of two long boards). The thought of waking up with the wind in your hair and fresh air kissing your skin sounds so relaxing.

Here's the issue: clothing. What to wear on a bike? I want to maximize functionality but maintain put together. I'm pretty sure this is possible. Anyhow, the best street style photos during fashion week are of girls on bikes. 

Another factor to consider: sweat. A little perspiration doesn't hurt. Sometimes it gives a nice dewy effect to your skin. Arriving to school with stains under your arms, on the other hand, won't do.

I'll probably take my bike for a spin once the weather warms up. In fact, I even plan on writing an article for my school newspaper about the different ways to get to school (bus, train, bike, carpool). For the rest of my newspaper articles, click here.

This Dress

I bought this with the intentions to wear it to an event in the near future. The event? My brothers graduation. Yes. You read that correctly. This fabulous number isn't even for an event of my own. 

Nonetheless, I love it and cannot wait to wear it, so much so that I threw it on for my own personal enjoyment the other night. It's lankiness and spaghetti straps give this elongated feel. The dress perfectly rests on my shoulders and floats on my body, barely making notice of any slight imperfections. 

The detailing on the upper half give an otherwise boring dress a bit of edge. The lace against the silk is sultry and can easily transition into pajamas (sans heels). 

Buying items that you know you don't have to wear until a few months from now is motivating in a sense. If you know you want to look good and feel good in a week, there's a subconscious push factor into going to the gym! 

So maybe we need objects to motivate ourselves. Maybe those objects can be really pretty, dainty things. Will I look like the slutty older sister at my brothers graduation? Maybe. The hem will subside for the fact that I won't wear a bra.

Leather Bracelet

Today in school there was a pop up fair trade shop. I stumbled upon this completely accidentally and had zero clue about until the end of the day.

One vendor (out of about 5) sold these awesome leather bracelets. They're a little bit masculine and smell of leather. It kind of reminds me of a Hank Moody bracelet (if you don't watch Californication you're missing out). 

Anyway, the bracelet was $35 which is kind of high but I thought I'd support a local artist.  

It's Sugar

I've been in Florida for the past few days on a delayed spring break. Although it has been a little bit stressful missing school, the other day really turned things around.

At a candy shop in Del Ray called It's Sugar, I walked in expecting it to be like Dylan's Candy Bar in New York, totally overrated and a little kids dream come true. As we made our way to the back of the store, these little candies stood out to us.

Some read: "Jane, you ignorant slut! *Slut free mints" or "Suppressex: for anytime it's no time for an erection" or "Unless you fell off the treadmill and smacked your face, nobody wants to hear about your workout". They even had SNL paraphernalia like a box that read "dick in a box" with small, multicolored, penis shaped candies. 

The little shopping spree was hilarious and the few things I did buy will be bound to make anyone laugh when they ask for a mint or hand sanitizer in class. 

Smelly Things in Pretty Jars

I love candles. They not only smell good, but they also emphasize the ambiance of a room really nicely. The slight flickering effect they let off is soothing and relaxing and can make the ugliest rooms feel a little special. 

I particularly love the jars that most candles are held in. After I've burnt through one, a quick DIY I love to do is freeze the jar, remove the remaining wax, and fill the empty jar with objects like pony tail holders, floss cleaners, makeup utensils, and the like. 

Recycling items in an efficient manner is always a win by me. 

Bed

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of bed is sleep. The second thing is sex, naturally, but the other thing I think of is rain.

For some odd reason rain and bed go hand in hand in my mind. It may sound silly, but in my opinion a perfect day is a rainy one spent tucked away in bed listening to Jack Johnson's Banana Pancakes on repeat and cuddling with one another (boyfriend, girlfriend, dog, your pillow, whatever is close by;). 

This day would also be accompanied with warm water and lemon, magazines, and Netflix. It sounds like a sick day, but instead of coughing your brains out, your legs are shaved, you skin is dewey from the weather, and the mood is boarder line sexy, whether you're with someone or not. 

I believe there's a silver lining in any case, rainy days are one of them.

The Green Juice Trend

How do y'all feel about juice? Sure, you've heard of apple juice, orange juice, maybe you're a fan of grape juice. But what about a cold pressed blend of kale, spinach, apple, celery, cucumber, ginger, and lemon? Does that sound as appealing to you as it does to me? Maybe not. 

Clearly the juice cleanse craze is not new. In fact, the moment celebs like Lea Michelle and Nicole Richie started toting around health juices like they were an accessory, everyone took notice. When I say "everyone" I mostly mean upper-middle class people who most likely just walked out of a hot yoga class. 

The juice frenzy is a trend just like how high waisted jeans or Sperry Topsiders are a trend. They may not stay in style for long, but everyone around us is doing it so, therefore, societal standards tell you, "Hey! Pssst! Look around. There's this green thing that people are drinking and they look super cool- you should try it!" 

It's funny how oftentimes we neglect the fact that food trends are just as apparent as clothing trends or music trends. One minute the hot topic is quinoa, the next minute everyone is raving about kale. First it's shirts with penguins or polo horses on them, the next thing you know everyone has a pink whale on their pocket. 

But are these trends necessarily here to stay? Keeping up with anything current is expensive. One month something like bucket hats may be in and then 5 months later the industry will have moved on to something more exciting, causing the consumer to follow. 

The juice cleanse industry knows their target audience: the workout addict, mom of 3, and carries a Givenchy tote all at the same time. They also know that by marketing their products in convenient super markets, like Mariano's or Whole Foods, others can splurge as well. So maybe the craze will last! In any case, Crate and Barrel sells a juicer for $100 and you can easily squeeze vegetables down a valve at your pleasure.

These Boots

There is something so cool about cowboy boots. The pointed toe, worn in leather, unzipped zippers, the vibe is laid back. 

Above are by Free People and have this very American-Western look about them which add an extra element to any outfit. They remind me of one of my favorite model's, Erin Wasson. She's a born and raised Texan, resides in Venice Beach or New York, and her long lanky body is adorned with a couple dozen tattoos. She's the epitome of cool.

Looking Back on the Snow

As spring slowly starts rolling in, I can't help but look back on winter. The truth is, I hate the cold; summer can't come any sooner. But rather than dwelling on the negative, I figured I'd share some beauty that I managed to find amongst the harsh winter. 

My late dog's and I would go for long walks at least every weekend. Wait, let's take a step back. Yes, both my labs, Brady and Cooper, pasted away this winter. It was heart breaking and I'm only now coming to the realization.

Anyway, on these long walks the sun was shining and I was most likely listening to a good tune, resulting in grins from ear to ear, from me and the dogs. 

Will I miss the cold? Hell no. Layers of clothing? Maybe not. My beloved dogs that made walks feel meaningful and brought my family closer together? Of course.

A Recent DIY

A while back I did a fun little DIY and thought I'd share.

I chose about 24 Instagram snaps I've taken in the past year, hopped into Walgreens, and printed them measuring 4 x 4 size. Next, I picked up a wire, clothes pin-like hanging "system" at Urban Outfitters, screwed in some nails, and it was done!

The outcome looks great and the process was easy and cheap. What I love about a project like this is that it showcases moments in time and can be alternated whenever (the prints cost around $5 at Walgreens!). So, as summer hits, maybe I'll change 'em around a bit.

I also love how this project will most likely travel with to college. If I'm really thinking ahead, like I normally do, I could see this set up in an office space as well. Okay, I'm slightly neurotic, but, let's be honest, this would also work well in a child's room, would it not? 

Alright, I'm done now.

Let's Get Uncomfortable

I eat the same damn thing for breakfast every morning: cinnamon raisin ezekiel toast with a smear soy nut butter (pictured above is a sliced banana on top- rare occasion).

I've been eating this pair for about 3 years now. Disclaimer: I've also had the same lunch for 3 years now. Do other people do this? Eat the same thing everyday? 

In an effort to switch things up a little, I've decided to rotate in the ever popular 1/2 cup of oatmeal and scrambled egg whites with sliced avocado and sautéed spinach (yes, that is what I eat on a week day before school every now and then).

Falling into a routine is easy. Getting out of one is hard. It means forcing ourselves to be uncomfortable. It takes all the simplicity and ease out of tasks and forces you to think for a minute. 

Our brains are programmed to wake up, brush out teeth, go downstairs, take out the toast, and push the lever. The process is very robotic and kind of scary come to think of it. We really have no control here. Our cognitive motor skills have memorized this routine and therefore it takes very little effort or control, like riding a bike. In a way, our brains are controlling us, we're just along for the ride.

As a mental exercise, let's get uncomfortable. Let's switch up the routine a little bit. Take a different route to work or eat something exciting for breakfast, 'cause why not!

Looking Up

Achieving goals: it's fucking tough.

The thing is, if you want something to be achieved, it is going to be for your own personal expense. Duh. Accordingly, You want to benefit from this goal that you set out for yourself. 

The solution is most likely obvious: work out more, eat less, blah blah blah. So why is it so difficult? Why is it so challenging to accomplish certain tasks? Making unrealistic goals obviously won't get you anywhere, so let's make rational, achievable destinations to reach... easier said than done, I know.

I'm not going to rant about my own personal goals, I'll keep those private until I actually achieve them, that way, they're worth talking about. But one thing I try to keep in mind is this: go small to go big. 

It's funny how most of our lives our brains are wired to comprehend and develop such big ideas because then have a preassigned destination in mind. Now, we've made up the ideal scenario a million times in our head, which ultimately distracts us from the thing we have to do, like loose weight, for example. 

Rather than trying to achieve a big project or goal within a short period of time, it's important to make small changes everyday that build up to the bigger end result.

Lakeside Ride

On Sunday, in an effort to jump start a healthy exercise routine and hopefully shed some calories, my dad and I ventured off into a 25 miles bike ride. It was a gorgeous day and the weather was perfect and we road past the lake which ultimately was the highlight of my day.

Going outside and working out, even just walking or sitting, is something I try to take advantage of as much as possible. There's something about getting in the sunlight that is very empowering. You feel stronger and healthier just for being in nature, whether that is in your front lawn or in a forrest preserve. The wind, natural light, and warmth sends this burst of energy through your body and you can't help but smile.

Staying in touch with the earth is difficult, no less. If you live in a cold weather climate like I do, nice days are limited and going outside is a chore. Nonetheless, I completely take advantage of them when they do appear. 

Living by the lake is such a luxury and I'm grateful for that. 

Book Worm

Reading has been on my mind lately. 

I read about 4 books a year and they're primarily school related, meanwhile, in the back of my head I yearn for more. There is this feeling of gratitude that is irreplaceable when you finish a great book. 

I recently read the title "How to be Parisian" and absolutely loved it. I really can't say anything bad about it. The book is written by 4 best friends (one of whom is Caroline De Maigret - one of my many style icons) and divulges into "advice" and stories on fashion, beauty, romance, children, and entertainment, to name a few categories. The cover is light hearted and a quick read, too, so it's likely you will not get bored.

Ultimately, I felt 10x chicer whilst reading it. Although I am not french, I am snobby... I feel like I could get along well over there.

Anyway, "It" by Alexa Chung (another fav style icon) has been on my reading list for a while now. Whether the writing is good or not, I'm just in it for the cat eye tutorial (made famous by Chung, of course).

Oh, and that "Little Book of Beauty" might be one of the cheesiest things to have ever crossed my path. Not sure if it's FEM club, Pep club, or just some random girl, but these little books popped up in the bathroom not too long ago and I was lucky enough to snag one. It's filled with misspelled words and Pinterest like self motivating quotes such as, "Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself" -Coco Chanel.

Made me laugh.

Kookie for Cookies

Do certain types of cookies ever bring back a plethora of memories? On a regular basis I typically try to avoid cookies and it's always a treat when we whip up a batch. 

As a kid, I remember my making cakey and chunky chocolate chip cookies that would last about 2 days until we (my family and I) devoured them. I was allergic to dairy until I was 10 years old, so they were always a bit special because they were the one treat I could actually eat. 

But chocolate chip cookies are just scrapping the surface. We forget about all the other types of cookies there are! Like the snicker doodle pictured above. Or ginger snaps! Oatmeal raisin are my favorite, if you were wondering.

Thats all.

The Set Up

A workspace can be one of two things: a place to do your work or a place to keep you work. Think about it: how often are you really sitting down at the Pottery Barn desk your parents bought you years ago and actually doing your school work? Most likely your shamefully taking the "Which Taylor Swift album are you?" BuzzFeed quiz. 

The photo above was taken at the library where I was surrounded by a couple dozen other people doing their work... or watching Netflix, not totally sure. 

These days, you walk into a Starbucks and most of the customers are conducting a meeting, typing furiously on their laptop, or accompanied by their bratty, 7 year old ordering a double chocolate chip frappuccino. 

My point is, its funny how difficult it is to actually accomplish things in a private, comfortable place, such as your bedroom or home office. We feel compelled to go outside and work amongst others doing work because their presence is motivating. It makes sense, right? This is similar to why we go to the gym. We feel motivated to preform at a better, faster pace when we are surrounded by others who are presumably "watching". A mild competition is put in place and most likely amps performance levels. 

So next time you have a deadline, need to cram for a test, or just want some good people watching, why not go to a local Starbucks (NOT SPONSORED).