the joys of writing

I came home from a long day at work today to find a link to a blog post about eight bestselling books that started during National Novel Writing Month, going on right now. Oddly enough, I've been participating in NaNoWriMo for nine years! Two years ago, I wrote this post when I did it then. Looking back on that post makes me laugh because I'm actually almost done with my very first 365 project and I talk about how I've never finished one. My, how things have changed. Anyways, I usually hesitate to tell people that I like to write stories. Some people find that interesting, but the usual response is a scoff and rolling of the eyes. Whatever, I get it. I'm still going to write, though. I tend to keep those things to myself. Maybe this year I will actually finish. A girl can dream, can't she?

pants or no pants?

It's funny to think of how I used to be ten years ago. I hated pink, I hated dresses and skirts, I was strictly a jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and skate shoes gal. Tomboy, if you will. It had a lot to do with me becoming aware that I had pudge and didn't know how to deal with it and dress myself during adolescence. Instead, I just wore fat pants and chokers. I was 2 kEwL 4 sKooL (haha, kidding, I was a 4.0 student), but I definitely tried to be different. When I got to high school, I wanted to change myself and I slowly transitioned to being conscious of what I wore. I was on yearbook my senior year. We had senior polls (categories like best couple, best eyes, most likely to succeed, etc.) and I was one of the people tallying the polls. I laughed so hard when a handful of people had voted me for best dressed. Please. Especially by senior year, it took all the effort in the world not to show up in just my Wu-Tang hoodie and skinny jeans every. single. day. I just saved that for sick days ;)
It wasn't until I started reading style blogs (Delightfully Tacky, Selective Potential, Keiko Lynn, and The Clothes Horse were and still are my favorites) that I became comfortable with myself and learned how to dress for my shape. Pants are the biggest pain in my behind. I've got an hourglass shape so I usually have to buy pants a size larger to accommodate my hips. Then I have to worry about them falling too low to expose by behind to the world. Ugh. A couple of years ago, I kind of gave up on pants. For the few pairs I have New York & Co is really great for my shape. I've turned into someone I never thought I would be: a skirt/dress wearing, color loving young lady who can actually dress pretty decently. But don't worry, I still have my shlubby days. I wouldn't be a normal person if I wasn't occasionally lazy about dressing myself. Then again, what is normal?

ignore the book. I was just being a goof.

natural facial care

I'm sure you all give zero (pardon my language) fucks about my skincare routine, but I'm still going to share it. My corner of the net, my rules. Don't like it, don't read it. That's just how I feel whenever some anon wants to waste their time commenting how they hate a certain blog. There are millions of other sites on the web. Move along./end rant
Back to the original reason for this post. When I was in Chicago, the water there wreaked havoc on my skin. I don't have the best skin in the world, but it was drying it out a ridiculous amount and I was breaking out like mad. It was very frustrating. While I was in Chicago, I also learned that Laura was making body, facial, and hair cleansers from natural ingredients such as coconut oil, honey, and witch hazel, to name a few. I began to research the best ways to help my face and decided to embark upon a new regimen when I returned home. After Matt and I caught the train home, we dropped my mom off at home and went to Whole Foods so I could purchase some things.

When I do research, I compare many articles to find consistencies and reviews from people who have used these methods. I have very sensitive and dry skin. A lot of face products make my face burn or cause red patches of allergic reactions. Not sexy. I figured out that plain yogurt with active cultures, almond oil, and dark honey would probably work best for my skin. The research helped a ton. I've been doing this for two weeks and the difference in my skin was instantaneous. These are the measurements:

1 tbsp honey (heat for five seconds in microwave)

1 tbsp plain yogurt

2-3 drops of almond oil

My skin didn't feel tight and dry immediately after I washed it like it normally does. When I applied my sensitive skin moisturizer, it didn't sting (even things made for sensitive skin didn't work). I'm not a dermatologist by any means, but I haven't had any breakouts, no dry spots, and my acne scars are fading. That could have something to do with the Garnier Dark Spot Corrector I use as well, but whatever works! And to wrap up my new skin regimen post, these are the moisturizers I use:

left to right: Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer / Garnier Dark Spot Corrector / Clinique's All About Eyes Rich

If anyone actually read this, I'm amazed. And I may just send you a Godiva chocolate bar.

at home with light read

A Beautiful Mess does a series called "At Home With" in which readers get a glimpse into the spaces of other creatives and bloggers. I mention A Beautiful Mess frequently. That's because these ladies inspire me constantly and I admire their success in blogging and soon, they'll conquer the book world. I cannot wait! Back to what this post is about: I recently switched up my bedroom a bit. There will be more added to my room someday soon because I desperately need frames for photographs on my walls! Once that happens, I'll have an update. I bought some things to help organize my room better. Photographed above, I purchased a couple of unfinished wood pieces such as the crates. The hinged box contains my makeup. I bought a flat square box to hold my pens. I rearranged my room, added a chair for a nice reading corner, and organized my bookshelf. Here it is:

curl confessions

I've been trying to write this post all day (October 2), but I can't come up with the right words. Claire Geist of De Lune and Christina Caradona of Trop Rouge did posts about their curls for Paul Mitchell's Curl Collection. I thought I would contribute to the curl discussion, although I have not tried Paul Mitchell's Curl Collection yet. So here is my curl story:

As a kid, I had a curly afro. My curls were tight and bouncy, but it would soon be ruined. For some reason, my family was pretty big on straight hair, although we are naturally curly haired. I would be forced to sit still for my aunt, my mom, or my cousin for two hours while they tamed my "unruly" hair. Unfortunately, it made me think that my natural hair was stupid and ugly so when I finally took control of doing my hair, I found myself flat ironing it all the time. The only time I let my hair be natural was in the summer because it was too hot for blow-drying and flat ironing. Even then, I hated it. The damage the heat inflicted on my hair would not allow for it to curl properly.

It wasn't until 6-7 years ago when I started to run cross country that I said eff it to the whole straightening routine. I would have practice everyday and need to shower and wash the sweat out of my hair. There was no point in me spending an hour or two straightening my hair. Since people were used to my straight locks, I got a lot of "is that a perm?" questions. No, guys. This is my hair. Love it or leave it. Step off if you don't like. It took a while for my curls to be healthy again. Two years ago (?) I chopped off my hair and it was so healthy and bouncy for the first time in years. I have not dyed my hair in two years so it has a cool ombre look to it that people pay big bucks.

What's funny is that now that my hair is always in its natural state (unless I get bored and decide to straighten it; even then, I immediately wash it because it feels so dry), I get a lot of compliments. I never realized how many people wished that they had curly hair. I have a co-worker that told me when she was younger, she would perm her hair all the time to have big bouncy curls. I don't want to make people jealous, but I try to tell people to be happy with what you have. Straight, curly, wavy, in between, whatever. Just accept your hair for what it is: beautiful, no matter what.

turn turn turn

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that if I'm wearing a twirly skirt, you better believe that I'm going to be spinning all day. I would do flamenco in a heartbeat if it meant that I could kick up a cute skirt. These pictures are just of me twirling in our apartment. Don't mind the mess because we're housing a friend of ours as she moves into her apartment from the dorms. Also, this skirt is really great. Pockets, belt, twirly...and under $20. Hooray for Target!

creative blogger award

So, my blogging pal, Fi, tagged me to do this. I am supposed to post ten facts about myself and then tag ten other bloggers. Bah, this should be interesting.
1. I collect journals. I do use them eventually, but I always love browsing journals in different stores.
2. I have really gotten back into snail mail and writing in my paper journal.
3. I collect pens, too.
4. I have tons of books. I love books.
5. I love editing photos. It used to be overwhemling, but I Break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
6. I could spend days cooking/baking. I have started my recipe/cookbook collection.
7. I have terrible insomnia. I rarely sleep before 2:30am.
8. I have learned a lot about blog design over the past few days.
9. I plan to have an apartment by the end of the year.
10. I love word searches.

BLOGGERS I TAG
Previously-Owned (I know she tagged me, but check out her blog; I love it!)
Annie
Delightfully Tacky
Delightfully Pretty
A Lost Feather
Make Believe Sea
Platters N Splatters (Fi's food blog, but maybe her 10 things could be food related?)
Wattlebird
A Thrifty Mrs
Botany Boeh

introduction

My name is Elis. I am newly twenty two years old (October 12th is my birthday). I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I still call it my home. I've tried to break away a couple of times (Chicago in 2007, Seattle in 2008), but I always find myself coming back here. I am a photographer and I love fashion. I work at a bookstore and I love my co-workers. They are some of the greatest people you will ever meet. I'm a bibliophile and I'm a huge Harry Potter nerd (and proud of it!). I don't know why I'm starting another blog. I usually forget about it after a while, but I want to get into it again. I also realize that I knew more HTML and CSS stuff when I was around thirteen or fourteen and I've forgotten it all. So maybe the blandness of the design of my blog will encourage me to learn again. Maybe.