anastasia.

This is a traveling ghost map I've created to help my family organize a vacation. We wouldn't want to miss any haunted house, bridge, highway, or hotel.

Off the Sale Racks - Free People Summer 2010

2010-06-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Kasi Woven Wedge

was $168

now $100

Cody Buckle Back Boot

was $218

now $100

Charm Two Button Blazer

was $118

now $40

Dolman Corset Top

was $68

now $40

Kasi Woven Wedge

was $148

now $90

Lacy Lu Skirt

was $98

now $70

Linen Corset Romper

was $108

now $70

Military Jacket

was $128

now $90

Rayon Pleated Mini

was $98

now $70

Space Floral Ballet Tunic

was $58

now $40

Off the Sale Racks - Alloy Clearance Summer 2010

2010-06-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

ROCKY HORROR

Was $25

Now $15

VANS AUTHENTIC LO PRO GORE

Was $43

Now $25

LILY COWLNECK

Was $25

Now $10

THAYER BOOT

Was $27

Now $20

LINK BOOT

Was $47

Now $25

WALKER STRAIGHT HIGH WAIST TROUSER

Was $33

Now $20

FLEECE RUFFLE PEACOAT

Was $55

Now $20

EXTRA DEEP V

Was $15

Now $7

Nightmare Hour by R.L. Stine

2010-06-02T18:08:00.001-07:00

Nightmare Hour: Time for Terror by R.L. Stine
I have always been an avid fan of R.L. Stine since his Fear Street collection came out when I was about 8 years old. My brother and I read this collection when we were young and the stories resurface every time we see clowns, hospitals, or pumpkin patches.

This Nightmare Hour is a GREAT collection of short stories that are perfect for any young horror fans.

Pumpkin Head What could possibly lie in the creepy pumpkin farmer's private pumpkin patch?
Alien Candy What happens to an avid alien fan?
The Most Evil Sorcerer What's it like to be a sorcerer's apprentice?
Nightmare Inn What's down the hall of the Night Inn?
I'm Not Martin Would you be scared in a hospital on Halloween?
The Black Mask Would you like to see the past?
Afraid of Clowns This story is the reason why I'm scared of clowns.
The Dead Body A dead body that plays practical jokes?
Make Me a Witch Meet a girl who's career aspiration is to become a witch!
The Ghostly Stare We advise that if you see a ghost you STARE at it.

View all my reviews

Wishlist - American Apparel

2010-06-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Micro-Mesh Two-Sided Legging

$40

Multi-Layered Reversible Petticoat

$70

Sheer Luxe Shapes Over-the-Knee Sock

$15

Printed Cotton Spandex Jersey High-Waist Skirt

$34

Circle Vest

$25

High-Waist Skirt

$42

Unisex Organic Baby Rib Brief

$12

Cotton Spandex Jersey Double U-Neck Dress (2-Pack)

$58

Behind the Shoot - Automatic Cycle 022510

2010-06-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have asked for a better backdrop to do a group shot of Automatic Cycle, a local Austin band.

I met them through my boyfriend who produced their first demo album. We decided to stop by and see their Thursday night performance at a local venue called Latitude 30.

After watching them perform I snapped a few group shots of them against the turquoise walls of the club. Then I continued snapping my shutter as they gathered around for drinks.

Tweak, the bassist

Jeremy, lead singer

EJ, backup vocals/guitarist

"Why does she always take pictures at the weirdest times?" - Tweak

DJ Saint

Pedro, drummer

Threadless Tees of the Week - May 27, 2010

2010-05-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

Renaissance Rocks

by Enkel Dika

$20

"The Horde"

by Aled Lewis

$18

Ghost

by droopy, DRP

$18

Wishlist - Bakers Shoes

2010-05-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

$80

$50

$60

$80

$50

$40

Wishlist - Fred Flare Accessories

2010-05-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

sweetheart sunnies

$11

graphic tape

$10

Vinnie's tampon case

$16

half pint glass creamer

$15

wacky bandages

How to Be Popular

$13

punctuation pagemarks

$11

500XL GIANT earbud speakers

$60

"A Girl's Night In" - Jessica

2010-05-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

Wishlist - AMI Clubwear Dresses

2010-05-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Red Satin One Shoulder Short Evening Dress

Now: $64

Back Front Strap Lace Back Bandage Mini Dress

$39

Ivory Twisted V Neck Sleeveless Ruched Dress

$22

Fuchsia Strapless Sweetheart Bow Tulip Dress

$27

Purple Metallic Patter Lace Halter Dress

$26

Navy Strapless Stripe Gathered Detail Mini Dress

$26

Coral Cross Over Strap Padded Bra Dress

$26

Fuchsia One Shoulder Corset Waist Tulip Mini Dress

$28

Mustard Ruffle Trim Sleeveless Waist Tie Mini Dress

$24

Mocha One Shoulder Chain Ruched Foldover Short Sleeve Mini Dress

$23

Yellow One Shoulder Double Strap Short Sleeve Draped Banded Tee Dress

$18

Plum Satin Spaghetti Flower Bubble Peplum Dress

$30

Grey Pleated Empire Waist Sweetheart Dress

$25

Green Black Strapless Razor Cut Mini Dress

$21

Cream Draped Front Metal Decor Shimmer Glitter Dress

$27

Black Sequin Pleated Front Ruched Dress

$23

"A Girl's Night In" - Ashley

2010-05-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

Wishlist - Cafe Press Zombie attire

2010-05-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

Zombie Santa Ornament

$12

Dark T-Shirt

$24

Zombie Pin Up Girl Sticker (Oval)

Here, Zombie Ringer T

$22

Zombie Hunting Permit Stickers

"Family Zombie Plan" T-Shirt

$24

In Case of Zombies Poster

$20

Zombie Sticker

Zombie License Plate Frame

$15

Bible Pretend Fitted Shirt

$24

I Can Haz Brainzburger? Shirt

$24

Wishlist - AMI Clubwear Shoes

2010-05-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

FREE SHIPPING

on orders exceeding $50

Use code: AMISHIPPED

Fuchsia Suede Platform Ruffle Pump

$20

Purple Suede Platform Pump Heel Pump

$20

Yellow Canvas Peep Toe Platform Espadrille Wedge

$19

Tan Faux Leather Stud Strap Cover Side Heel

$20

Fuchsia Faux Suede Semi Pointy Studded Pump Heels

$29

College Lessons from My High School Calculus Teacher

2010-05-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

All the following philosophies were given to me by my high school calculus teacher, Corey C. Cogswell.

Advice for College

Take 15 hours (five classes) during your first semester
Don't sign up for a class that meets before 9 AM.
Take an athletic class your freshman year to fight the freshman fifteen.
Sophomore year will be the toughest. Be prepared.
Don't declare a major until you absolutely have to.
Make sure you know early what classes are required for your prospective major(s).
Take a variety of interesting classes if you have space in your schedule.
Do not wait until 2 in the morning to start homework that's due at 9 AM.
Don't make a habit of skipping class.
Don't get too involved in extracurricular activities your freshman year if you can help it. If you do, make sure they understand your education is a high priority.
You are allowed to use God in a proof during college.
Start applying for summer internships in January.

Advice No One Told Me

Obtain a credit card early, but be careful with it. Use it only to make purchases that you can pay off immediately. This is a great way to build good credit history while you're in school.
Commit as much personal information to memory as possible in case anything ever get stolen. i. e. Drivers License Number, SSN, License Plat Number, Credit Card Number, etc.
Don't do anything dumb that could possibly haunt you later. Consider all of the repercussions first.
If a relationship isn't working, it wasn't meant to be. There will be someone better for you down the line. Being single isn't the end of the world.
Don't let your studies suffer because of lost love. Your education is your future. Your ex is your past.

Philosophies to Live By

Always be yourself.
If you're not happy, don't complain. Do something about it.
It's always funnier when you don't laugh at your own jokes.
Always have a hobby.
Don't ever feel pressured into a situation. Trust your instincts.
If you feel the need to permanently adorn your body with tattoos, don't get anything cliche. Skulls, hearts, butterflies, crosses, tribal artwork, Chinese writing, and names are cliche. Flying tofu with a flaming sword stabbing through it is not.

dELiA's Summer Style Sweepstakes

2010-05-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

As you can see above: dELiA's is having a Summer Sweepstakes.

Click HERE for a chance to win a $500 chest full of dELiA's attire.

After entering, I went through the website and found a whole host of summer shirts.

My picks can be seen below:

Buffy Tank in Pop Pink

$24.50

Pencil Heart Tee

$26.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Japanese Cat in the Hat Tee

$28.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Converse Original Tee

$28.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Flying Panda Tee

$24.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Peace Tie-Dye Tee

$24.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Kathryn Cascade Cardigan

$39.50

Boop Stardust Tee

$26.50

Splatter Tree Alice Tee

$24.50

Buy any 2 & save $10

Wishlist - Banquet Dress Search

2010-05-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm on the hunt for a cute, bright, summer dress for a banquet I'm attending. It being the end of the semester means I'm low on funds, so I've got two options: to revamp an old dress or find a new inexpensive one.

I'm searching for a new inexpensive one first and if I can't find one then I'll turn on my closet.

Lace and Tulle Mesh Flare Dress

$35.50

Gradated Ruffle Tier Dress

$22.80

Pinched Bubble Sheen Dress

$29.80

Pleated Sweetheart Dress

$27.50

Structured Ruffle Dress

$34.00

Duo Satin Tube Dress

$32.80

Ruched Side Dress

$24.50

Bow Back Dot Dress

$15.00 !!

Lace Trim Dress
$15.00

Wishlist - 80s Purple Dresses

2010-05-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

80sPurple.com is one of the best places to look for higher end casual (and formal) wear.

aryn k - women's two tone spaghetti strap chiffon dress

was: $78

now: $55

(29% off)

costume dept. - women's gold lux dress

$646

(the most expensive thing seen on this blog)

insight - women's rain drop ross dress

$76

insight - women's inky halo dress

$71

obey - women's hawthorne dress

$74

OMG Facts of the Day - May 4, 2010

2010-05-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

Johnny Depp lost his virginity at 13 years old.

MORE: Johnny Depp started smoking at 12, and played guitar in a rock band called The Flame. He lost his virginity to a slightly older groupie at 13, in the back of the band's van.

No president in the United States was an only child.

There are two golf balls sitting on the moon.

More info: On the first moon landing, US astronaut Alan Shepard swung a six iron four times. His first swing moved the ball less than a meter; his second swing missed and kicked up some dust. The third swing hit that same first ball about 200 yards - a slice. Then he dropped a second ball, and his fourth swing hit the ball about 400 yards.

Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia combined.

Every three minutes someone in the world reports a UFO.

More info: A Roper poll in 1991 said that 4 million Americans believe they have been abducted.
A Gallup poll in 1996 said that 71 percent of Americans believe the government knows more than it is telling us about UFOs. UFO sightings have been claimed by former President Jimmy Carter, Clyde Tombaough (the astronomer who discovered Pluto) and William Shatner (who claims to have been rescued by aliens who pointed him in the right direction when he was lost in the Mojave Desert).

Farmville players outnumber real farmers in the US by a ratio of 60 to 1.

More info: Farmville is the most popular application in the history of Facebook, with 62 million registered users and 22 million logging on at least once a day. Farmville is bigger than Twitter.

Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.

The honey cannot be stored at extremely hot temperatures without causing fermentation. * In ancient Egypt, they paid their taxes in honey. * After his death, Alexander the Great's remains were preserved in a huge crock of honey. * Honey is often used as an ingredient in the center of golf balls and in antifreeze mixtures

Apples are actually part of the rose family.

The rose family, Rosaceae, contains many varieties of fruit including apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, blackberries as well as almonds and of course, roses

The exposed human brain isn't damaged when poked.

In fact, patients suffering from brain tumors or epileptic seizures may undergo surgery while awake! Rather than relying only on brain-imaging technology, a neurosurgeon can speak to an awake patient to mark critical areas of the brain that control vision, language, and body movement. The patient is anesthetized during the portion of surgery when doctors make their way through the cranium to the exposed brain.

In the time it takes to read this sentence, 50,000 cells in your body will die and be replaced.

We generate an entire new skeleton every 3 months, and a new layer of skin every month. The average person will also lose 100 strands of hair per day and over 10 billion skin flakes.

All facts can be found on OMG-Facts.com

The Best American Comics 2007 by Anne Elizabeth Moore

2010-05-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

The Best American Comics 2007 by Anne Elizabeth Moore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a particularly interesting collection of blocked comics. I wouldn't say "the best" but definitely a nice collection.

Most of the stories strayed into memoir territory with quaint illustrations to accompany the memories. Those really entranced me.

Some were odd flights of fantasy and dream. Those left me feeling unresolved.

Others were small narratives that are always entertaining because they include pictures.

All in all, an entertaining collection that goes by quickly (most are under six pages) and keeps you turning pages until the book is done.

View all my reviews

Threadless Tees of the Week

2010-05-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here are my Threadless.com picks of the week. Enjoy!

Diabolical Hot Dog

by Britton Walters

$18

I Am the Bridge Jumping Friend That Your Parents Warned You About
by Reed B Thatcher

$15

Egyptronic!

Elise Nishiyama

$18

Fasten Your Seat Belts

Alvaro Arteaga Sabaini

$20

Le Romantique

by Matheus Lopes

$18

Revenge of the Toro

by Anwar Rafiee

$18

Take Me To Tokyo

by Juju's Delivery

$18

Lovely Face

by Gregoire Poget

$18

The Marvelous Cartoon Wigs Museum

by Rodrigo Leonardo Batista Ferreira

$18

Thing to Do Before I Die: 1) Don't Die.

by Matt Steffensen

$15

Fall to Pieces by Mary Forsberg Weiland

2010-05-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Fall to Pieces: A Memoir of Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll, and Mental Illness by Mary Weiland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a very well-written autobiography. The writing flowed beautifully, and it gripped my attention from the very beginning. The subject matter was interesting, who doesn't love stories of drugs, relapse, betrayal and the glamorous life of rock stars, models, and celebrities?

As mentioned above, the writing flows miraculously, I remember my eyes slid over the first few sentences and it was as if the author was whispering the words into my head. It's deeply personal and strongly worded.

Still, to this day, I feel that this book BEST described an individual's struggle with bipolar disorder. It made it real, believable, and very understandable.

View all my reviews >>

Boyfriends Can Be Great Photographers

2010-05-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

I find that when I go out on a photographic venture I take beautiful pictures of all my friends but have none taken of me. In order to get snapshots of me, I gave up the hope of having well composed pictures and just settled on having cute face-in-direct-center pictures. However, once I handed my DSLR over to my boyfriend (@MJLoredo) he started taking shots, 1 shot a second until I was satisfied with the number of my poses. I looked through my camera and was amazed. I absolutely adore the shots he takes of me! Leading to the conclusion:

Boyfriends can be great photographers.

(P.S. Happy 100th Blog Post)

The Islamic World: A Quick Overview

2010-05-02T23:28:00.000-07:00

The religion of Islam (an Arabic word meaning "submission to God") arose in the Arabian peninsula early in the seventh century.

At the time, the Arabs were peripheral to the Byzantine and Persian empires.

Yet within little more than a century, Muslim armies had subdued the Middle East, and the followers of Muhammad controlled much of the Mediterranean.

The swiftness of the islamic advance is among the wonders of world history.

By 640, Muslims ruled Syria, Palestine, and Iraq.

In 642, the Byzantine army abandoned Alexandria, marking the Muslim conquest of northern Egypt.

In 651, the successors of Muhammad brought more than 400 years of Sasanian rule in Iran to an end.

By 710, all of North Africa was under Muslim control.

A victory in southern Spain in 711 seemed to open the rest of western Europe to the Muslims.

By 732, they had advanced north to Poitiers in France.

There, however, the Franks turned them back.

But in Spain, the Muslim rulers of Cordoba flourished until 1031, and not until 1492 did Islamic influence and power in Iberia end.

In the east, the Muslims reached the Indus River in SOuth Asia by 751.

In Anatolia, relentless Muslim pressure against he shrinking Byzantine Empire eventually caused its collapse in 1453.

(Kleiner, Fred, and Helen Gardner. Gardner. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Pub Co, 2008. 147. Print.)

TextsFromLastNight Texts of the Week

2010-05-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

TextsFromLastNight.com is the home for all my favorite "morning-after" stories. I actually use a few as writing prompts. I put the text at the top of the page and write a background story for it. Here are a few of the most hilarious picks of the week, some might even push you to write a bit.

(914); Well the party says they're going to have three kegs and four trampolines. I think I'm going to invite my EMT buddies just to be safe.

(646): They are literally fucking next to the DJ Booth to a techno Remix to Pacman. She is going waka waka waka. WHY ARE YOU NOT HERE FOR THIS?!

(303): Awww. A guy on the train just took his coat off so his girlfriend could throw up into it. Who says chivalry is dead?

(206): i keep forgetting that not all of my female friends are bisexual

(317): The douche that always wears spandex at the gym just walked into class with a dick going into his mouth drawn on his face. The professor said "rough night" and he still has no idea. Trying to get a pic

(316): when I picked him up he smelled like cheeseburgers, had a bite mark around his left nipple and we think someone stabbed him in the forehead with a pencil... it was like the Hangover meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre

(203): doing lines of blow through a tampon applicator in the study lounge at 7am so i can finish an italian composition that was due a week and a half ago...such a good student.

(914): just used a champagne bottle to outline a trigonometric circle for math 104.. should i give up on life now or later?

(920). Just made my alarm the Lion King song. Too excited about waking up to sleep.

(912): There are not one, but two women wearing my boxers on the couch right now. You need to wake the fuck up.

(518): Yeah, my mom walked in on us. Instead of yelling, she went and hid in the bathroom til we finished. It was pretty classy

(619): Is there a zoo near here? I need to see some penguins like right now.
(1-619): I am not bailing you out of of jail

(203) I'm out of vodka and money. My semester is officially over. The way I see it, my finals are just forms I need to fill out in order to leave campus.

(231): You kept whispering, no one does me like Jimmy Johns does me.

(631): Just deleted any ex boyfriends and potential lovers from my phone in preparation for Vegas...

(509): Now we are really drunk and her 17 yr old cousin is shitfaced. He may or may not have proposed a toast to octopuses and double fisting. And we just drank to Mexico.

(519): I have way too much money in my bra to be responsible.

(925): we hooked up on one of the student's desks last night... i can't decide if I'm ashamed or massively proud of myself
(707): dude you teach first grade wtf

(440): Avril Lavigne as a judge on Idol wearing devil ears. it's like every boner you ever had in 2002 just came true

(704): my grandma was just praying before dinner, and before she could finish my gpa lifted his glass and said "and here's to avatar!"

(931): dipping my christmas cookies in kaluha. santa would be proud

(503): she was wasted. Kept yelling "what if I'm pregnant" and trying to push me into the tree. First and last time I bring a girl to my family christmas party

(708): You drew a self portrait of yourself on his wall with sharpie

(253): I seriously need to stop naming my lingerie sets after the boys I wear them for. I seriously just asked mom if she put Brett in the dryer

(618): Why the hell does jager make you get to the point of having to army crawl around cause you cant feel your legs and scream jaga bombs when puking??

(614): Prostitute standing on the corner thrusting at cars as they drive by. New marketing strategy?

(480): you are hot. that is all.
(1-408): who is this?
(480): the delivery driver from silvermine.

(864): I wish i could go to google and type in drug dealers and it would bring up a number, a product, and direction

(214): Friends are holding an intervention and have no idea this gatorade is half vodka. This is gonna be the best intervention ever.

(215): mom took my condoms, found one in the trash the next day
(267): I know she was great

(732): I have a story that starts with Nutella and ends with sex in the laundry building at RIT.

(908): bl l w
(201): this should be fun to decipher. I'd like to buy a vowel.

(310): Flying into Chicago for a few days, getting re-deployed in September, we should probably fuck
(312): Kristina got the same text from you just now, she's sitting next to me, how many people did you sent this to?

(828): just won a stolen shopping cart in a dance off in a parking lot.

(802) good penises are hard to come by .... must be the economy...

(215): Yay Minnesota! I can't believe there's now a US Senator who has taken more acid than we have

(818): You can't hide fat with big sunglasses.

(859) Dude that chick had her name tattooed in Japanese characters between her b-cups. I kept calling her Toyota

(914): im gay
(203): i know
(914): yea but for you.

(649): party started at 10. cops are coming to shut us down now and its 11. i already lost my underwear and im wearing a sparkly thong on my haed. this has to be some kinda record

(916): i thnk i just saw a monkey walking a drunk guy.

(858): so I just found panties on our kitchen floor that had a slit in the vagina section. Does that mean shes open for sex, or she has a penis?

(296): You're my little dorito

Quotes on Zombies

2010-05-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

"How do people, like, not curse? How is it possible? There are these gaps in speech where you just have to put a "fuck." I'll tell you who the most admirable people in the world are: newscasters. If that was me, I'd be like, "And the motherfuckers flew the fucking plane right into the Twin Towers." How could you not, if you're a human being? Maybe they're not so admirable. Maybe they're robot zombies."
— Nick Hornby (A Long Way Down)

"Clary: "Don't stop there. I suppose there are also, what, vampires and werewolves and zombies?"

Jace: "Of course there are. Although you mostly find zombies farther south, where the voudun priests are."

Clary: "What about mummies? Do they only hang around Egypt?"

Jace: "Don't be ridiculous. No one believes in mummies."

— Cassandra Clare (City of Bones)

"I don't know about you, but I'm kind of fed up with realism. After all, there's enough reality already; why make more of it? Why not leave realism for the memoirs of drug addicts, the histories of salt, the biographies of porn stars? Why must we continue to read about the travails of divorced people or mildly depressed Canadians when we could be contemplating the shopping habits of zombies, or the difficulties that ensue when living and dead people marry each other? We should be demanding more stories about faery handbags and pyjamas inscribed with the diaries of strange women. We should not rest until someone writes about a television show that features the Free People's World-Tree Library, with its elaborate waterfalls and Forbidden Books and Pirate-Magicians. We should be pining for a house haunted by rabbits."
— Kelly Link

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains."

— Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)

"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead. "
— Jimmy Buffett

"What Hamlet suffers from is a lack of zombies. Let us say Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show up—Ho-HO! Now you’ve got something that stirs the, um, something that stirs things that are stirrable. BOOM! A pack of ravenous flesh-eaters breaks open their heads and sucks out their eyeballs. No need for iambic pentameter because they are grunting, groaning annihilators of humanity with no time for meter. You’re not asleep in the back of English class anymore, are you? This is what I’m talking about. Zombies. Learn it, live it, love it."

— Libba Bray

"This is the part in the movie where that guy says, "Zombies? What zombies?" just before they eat his brains. I don't want to be that guy."
— Holly Black (Kin)

"Inside me is the same desperate hope I have watching the ravenous dead and thinking, Oh please, oh please, oh please.

The craving inside of me is to be clutched at by some dead girl. To put my ear to her chest and hear nothing. Even getting munched on by zombies beats the idea that I'm only flesh and blood, skin and bone. Demon or angel or evil spirit, I just need something to show itself. Ghoulie or ghosty or long-legged beastie, I just want my hand held."

— Chuck Palahniuk (Survivor)

"There are several ways to kill a zombie, but the most satisfying, is to stab it in the brain with a wooden stick. "
— Dwight Kurt Schrute

"I love zombies. If any monster could Riverdance, it would be zombies."

— Craig Ferguson

"If you've never woken up from a car accident to discover that your wife is dead and you're an animated, rotting corpse, then you probably wouldn't understand. "
— S.G. Browne (Breathers: A Zombie's Lament)

Wishlist - dELiAs New Summer Arrivals

2010-04-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

FREE SHIPPING!

on orders over $25

use code: DAFW25

dELiAs.com has new summer arrivals and I found the 6 cutest items just for you!

Roxy Woodstock String Top & String Bottom

$31.50, $31.50

Brianna Tiered Crochet Vest

$39.50

Chest Heart Tee

$19.50

(Deal: Buy any 2 tees, save $10)

Emma Hanky Hem Tank

$19.50

(Deal: 2 or More: each $10)

Dolly Bubble Skirt

$34.50

Paint Drip Rose Tee

$24.50

(Deal: Buy any 2 tees and save $10)

Music Photography Shoots

2010-04-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today I had my first music photography shoot. To prepare I researched music/musician photography images to instill some mental images of photographs. Here are a few interesting (and occasionally cliche) images I found:

This one was my favorite because I love the random colors of the graffiti in the background. It makes the background textured, layered, and simple all at the same time. I believe the jumping action of the subject brings a spontaneity to the photograph even if it cuts off their head. I might add that cutting off the head of the subject adds a positive mystery and intrigue.

This is a great portrait of the subject. The Chuck Taylor rip offs, guitar, and boot cut jeans give it a familiar feeling, but this model could also be used with vibrant shoes, a specialized guitar, or interesting jeans to make it incredibly unique.

I think the graffiti made this picture. The subjects are standing awkwardly and centered, but the main focus is the graffiti. I feel this is an amazing way to utilize the natural street art around your city. Austin's got a lot of usable graffiti.

I admire this group shot although it seems cliche. The simplicity of the blue blue clouds in the background makes for a beautiful shot.

I know this is Rihanna, but I love the style of this shot. She's got such an interesting expression and makes good use of her hands to make this picture different than other head shots.

This photograph is cliche. BUT I love her style and the backdrop. It makes an interesting way to frame a shot.

This is also a cliche musician on the rail road tracks shot, but it's the best composition of it.

I absolutely adore this group shot. It's meant to be a humorous and I find that letting a bunch of boys loosen up and be silly (and not stereotypically serious) makes for entirely sincere shots. Sincerity makes your job as a photographer SO MUCH easier.

These are the same guys utilizing the jumping action I mentioned earlier, which adds spontaneity.

I forget at times that a photography studio doesn't have to be with a laid out backdrop, subject, and action. It could happen at any moment possible. The vibrance of the colors in this particular photograph makes the picture pop, to do this they use extraneous lights.

I admired this photograph because it made good use of the shadows and the setting sun. It wasn't hard to set up and the finished product is interesting.

I thought this was a well composed portrait because of the entirely white out background and clear wooden table top. Although the sincerity of the shot is a little forced, it can be well done.

I really liked this shot because of the shadow and the sparsity of the light on the thighs. It doesn't seem overly posed.

This is a cliche guitar set up, but the room and the lighting makes it more interesting.

I like the idea of laying in the grass to make naturally pretty pictures, here the subject is simply dressed with the addition of cherry red headphones.

I though this was an interesting over the shoulder composition.

The shot proved that a chain link fence and brush make for a nice backdrop.

Although this shot isn't entirely amazing, it's a neat use of the forest in the back ground. Maybe the one time having the face in the middle of the shot is okay.

I like this picture. The lighting on the subject is just bright enough to illuminate her against the dark clouds. Proving that a cloudy day is still a great picture taking day.

Finally, this brightly over exposed beach shot caught my attention because of the way they framed the subjects. They aren't in the middle, instead they are pushed down to the edge, actually cut out of the picture. It holds down the bright negative area up top.

Wishlist - GoJane.com Formals

2010-04-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

GoJane.com has some adorable inexpensive formals online. Just in time for prom!

And ... FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50!

Just enter code : GJSHIP50

bubble hem cocktail formal

Everyone needs a cute CHERRY RED cocktail dress.

$62.99

one shoulder satin drape dress

This is a very simple classy dress that could be paired with any type of black heels (stilettos, wedges, kitten)

$57.99

strapless asymmetrical colorblock

This dress works formally and very casually too.

$57.99

tie-waist gathered pick-up ball gown

A dark purple makes this blend but also pop from your usual grim colors.

$89.99

strapless snake print tie-back formal

Very business formal and simple.

$43.99

sequin satin pleated bow tie back

$154.99

satin pleated bow formal dress

$59.99

jewel bow polka dot formal

I think this black and white affair works best with the pop of red.

$78.99

gathered rosette tulle cocktail dress

$71.99

Wishlist - GoJane.com Dresses

2010-04-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

mineral was denim dress

Was: $30.80

Now: $15.00

(51% off)

button trim pocket tank dress

$27.10

printed strapless smocked maxi dress

$36.90

strapless chambray pinstripe dress

$28.80

flower print tank dress

$23.60

rose print zip trim dress

Was: $31.10

Now: $15.40

(50% off)

studded ruffle lace tank dress

$36.30

slouchy colorblock tank dress

$28.20

striped colorblock tank dress

$24.80

flower print denim tank dress

$27.60

asymmetrical one shoulder tank dress

$29.10

colorblock pleated strapless dress

$29.40

strapless floral sweetheart dress

$25.30

belted chambray ruffle halter dress

$29.40

Wishlist - GoJane.com Bottoms

2010-04-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

GoJane.com is one of my secret attire websites that has inexpensive, adorably cute clothing (ranging from formal dresses to graphic tees).

FOR A LIMITED TIME!

FREE STANDARD SHIPPING

on Continental US orders over $50!

use coupon code: gjship50

tiered bubble skirt

$19.60

pick-up mini skirt

Was: $27.40

Now: $14.60

(47% off)

ribbed mini skirt

Was: $22.80

Now: $12.60

(45% off)

mesh design tulle hem skirt

$24.20

long knit leggings

$22.10

Wishlist - GoJane.com Tops

2010-04-22T22:24:00.000-07:00

GoJane.com is one of my secret attire websites that has inexpensive, adorably cute clothing (ranging from formal dresses to graphic tees).

FOR A LIMITED TIME!

FREE STANDARD SHIPPING

on Continental US orders over $50!

use coupon code: gjship50

iridescent sheen bubble hem tube

Was: $23.80

Now: $14.10

(41% off)

sequin trim draped front tank

$23.00

zip front corset style halter

$24.20

button trim military jacket

Was: $34.50

Now: $29.90

(13% off)

sheer smocked lace bolero

$16.70

button up motorcycle jacket

$41.40

pinstripe lace-up tube

$27.60

fashionista lace back tank

$18.40

Quotes on Fortune

2010-04-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
— Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

"Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can."

— Dalai Lama XIV

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."
— Jim Rohn

"I am fortune's fool"

— William Shakespeare

"What good fortune for governments that the people do not think."
— Adolf Hitler

"Audaces fortuna iuvat (latin)- Fortune favors the bold."

— Virgil

"I noticed that all the prayers I used to offer to God, and all the prayers I now offer to Joe Pesci, are being answered at about the same fifty percent rate. Half the time I get what I want, half the time I don't...Same as the four-leaf clover and the horseshoe...same as the voodoo lady who tells you your fortune by squeezing the goat's testicles. It's all the same...so just pick your superstition, sit back, make a wish, and enjoy yourself..."
— George Carlin

"Happiness consists more in the small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life."

— Benjamin Franklin

An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson

All good fortune is a gift of the gods, and you don't win the favor of the ancient gods by being good, but by being bold.

-- Anita Brookner

Quotes on Fame

2010-04-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth."

— Henry David Thoreau

"Women should be respected as well! Generally speaking, men are held in great esteem in all parts of the world, so why shouldn't women have their share? Soldiers and war heroes are honored and commemorated, explorers are granted immortal fame, martyrs are revered, but how many people look upon women too as soldiers?...Women, who struggle and suffer pain to ensure the continuation of the human race, make much tougher and more courageous soldiers than all those big-mouthed freedom-fighting heroes put together!"

— Anne Frank (The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition)

"Everyone has the power for greatness—not for fame, but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

"Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow and only one thing endures - character."

— Harry S. Truman

"Make your ego porous. Will is of little importance, complaining is nothing, fame is nothing. Openness, patience, receptivity, solitude is everything."

— Rainer Maria Rilke

"Fame means millions of people have the wrong idea of who you are."

— Erica Jong

"Even those who write against fame wish for the fame of having written well, and those who read their works desire the fame of having read them."

— Blaise Pascal

"Simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon. It lasts when fame and money fail, and is the only riches we can take out of this world with us."

— Louisa May Alcott (Little Women)

"The mere suggestion of fame and fortune casts a glamour all its own. It is rather alarming how quickly people will turn someone else's fiction into fact in order to support their own fictions of themselves."

— Libba Bray (Rebel Angels)

"What difference does it make after all?--anonymity in the world of men is better than fame in heaven, for what’s heaven? what’s earth? All in the mind."

— Jack Kerouac (On the Road)