star stuff

This article on Science Daily is pretty amazing. Apparently when black holes are sucking in gas, the gas heats up SO hot that it creates an x-ray show of lights! They have a video with an amazing animation in the article, but it wasn't embeddable so you have to click through to see it. Frankly, black holes freak me out a bit. I read somewhere that if a human being was being sucked into a black hole, you'd die from your body being stretched in all directions... not very pleasant! When I was younger I used to fancy that black holes were actually portholes into other dimensions. I doubt that's true, but even if it was... if you get pulled into 100 different pieces going through the front door, I doubt you'd get to see whatever mysteries await you on the other side! (Is it obvious yet that most of my knowledge about science is mixed with science fiction? lol)

On a much lighter, and more silly note, I adore this video from NPR about ants and their internal pedometers. Yup, internal pedometers. It's pretty neat stuff:

well look who it is

dress - modcloth

skirt - modcloth

cardigan - tj maxx

belt - forever 21

shoes - target

cat - mine!

Miss Hypatia is making a little appearance on the blog! I swear my cats avoid cameras like the plague, so when they're caught off guard sauntering into my outfit photos I get so excited! "YES! Captured you on camera, you stealth little devil!" ;-D

I don't know if you can tell much from the picture, but Hypatia's coat is fully grown-in again, and she's actually grooming, and taking good care of herself! I might let her stay long-haired for a bit if she keeps this up. She still won't let me come near her with a brush (sweetest thing on the planet, but once she sets her eyes on a comb she turns into a banshee!) so whether or not she's shaved or furry is totally in her court. I love hairless Hypatia, but she's much more fun to cuddle this way! :)

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

Favorite boardwalk treat? I *love* funnel cakes! I could go for one right now.. yum!

wishlist wednesday

1. Cream/black seaside dress from Dorothy Perkins // $55.90

2. 16x20 Raincoat print from Delaflamant // $30.00

3. Stripey button studs from ASOS // $8.62

4. Chiffon bow next tie from ASOS // $13.79

5. Traditional saddle oxford from Payless // $24.99

6. Knitted beanie with bow from Forever 21 // $6.80

7. With affection dress from Modcloth // $99.99

8. Bon voyage double-breasted top from Ruche // $45.99

9. Teardrop skinny belt from Forever 21 // $3.80

10. Shoes swing vintage from Kling // $63.63

un, deux, trois

remixed item: soda pop dress from modcloth

outfit 1: cardigan - calvin klein (ross) // belt - vintage // shoes - karmaloop

outfit 2: hat - handmade for me by casey!

outfit 3: cardigan - old navy // shoes - from my grandmom

Ever since I found out I was accepted to the University of Toronto a couple months ago, I've been trying *really* hard not to spend any money I don't have to, so I can save it for my move. With very few exceptions, I've done a good job of sticking with my spending freeze, and it's made me put more effort into finding new ways to wear my old clothes. And in a couple weeks I'm going to have to pack up my closet, so I know I'll find things I forgot I had, which will hopefully make up for not getting any (well, hardly any) new clothes in the last two months! ;-D

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

Would you rather jump rope or play hopscotch?

Style Idol - Catherine Deneuve

//image links back to the source

like a rolling stone

sweater - h&m

jeans - h&m

shoes - blowfish

locket - handmade

I've had this blog for over a year now and I'm still constantly tweaking, trying to find my own little routine. I like having a schedule, with series and regular posts, so I've been trying out new features and seeing how I like them... keeping the ones I love, and replacing the ones I don't. And I think I'm (finally!) pretty close to figuring out a permanent routine now! All of my weekly features are here to stay. Sorry this post is kind of boring, but I just wanted to say that all the moving around and shifting of features is (probably... lol) finally over, and if you like a certain series it should be there each week now! My only remaining change is that Cinema Style is moving to Friday nights, and I'm going to post mini-reviews to go with them, instead of just photos. I've missed writing about films since I shuttered the windows at my classic movie blog, Silents and Talkies, so I'm excited about bringing that back!

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What is your all time favorite song, ever?

white collar

dress - forever 21

collar - asos

belt - forever 21

shoes - blowfish

I think collars are my #1 favorite accessory. They totally transform the clothing you're wearing into something completely different! This dress is cute on its own, but it's more like a tank on top, so the collar makes it a bit more interesting! :)

This weekend I discovered a big problem I'm going to have when I move. I got really, really sick on Saturday night, and my mom kept me company until 2am. When I'm feeling ill, I desperately need someone there with me. In my family we all wake someone up when we get sick in the middle of the night. If one person comes down with the flu, another family member sleeps in the living room with them and gets soup and tea whenever it's needed. We take really good care of each other, so I've grown accustomed to having help when I'm sick. The thought of getting the flu or some terrible stomach virus when I'm all alone in Toronto is TERRIFYING. So I was just wondering, anyone who lives alone, or has in the past, how do you handle sickness when you're all by yourself?

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What is your favorite accessory?

slumber party sunday

Ever since I did this post on Amber's blog a couple months ago, I've been meaning to turn it into a weekly series on Scathingly Brilliant, but laziness kept getting in the way. Then this week I did a flapper doodle drawing of the girls having a slumber party, and realized it would make the perfect header for that weekly series I'd been keeping on the back burner since April! The opportunity to fool around in photoshop was the kick-in-the-pants I needed to finally get the ball rolling ;-D

So basically my idea is this: each week I'll post the ingredients we need to have a little slumber party Sunday night. A recipe for some delectable goodies, some fun songs to dance to, a movie, a game of truth or dare and -of course- a ghost story to guarantee none of us will get a good night's sleep ;-D Ready for the first party? Put on your pj's and get ready to have fun! :D

Tonight we're making these cake batter truffles, from The Girl who Ate Everything! Don't they look scrumptious?!?! When I was a kid my mom had to keep me from eating all of the creamed sugar & butter in the bowl when she was making cakes. Let's face it.. the batter is better than the final product, no? Recipe HERE.

Say You'll be There by The Spice Girls

Barbie Girl by Aqua

Mr. Blue Sky by Lily Allen

Tonight's movie is Emma (1996) starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I saw this at the movies when I was 9 and adored it, and to this day it's one of my favorite modern films. Don't have it on dvd at home? You can still watch along with me on youtube / netflix / torrent!! :D

Each week I'll post a truth & a dare. You can answer the truth question in the comments, or participate in the dare on your own (and let me know if you chickened out in the comments ;-D) Also, feel free to give me a truth or dare in your comment and maybe I'll answer/do some of them in next week's slumber party post!

Truth: If you changed your first name, what would it be?

Dare: Talk in a fake accent for the rest of the day

Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice - Sarah from The Wicker Bar

Sugar, Spice and Everything nice is my new series that spotlights exceptionally sweet bloggers! This week I'd like you to meet Sarah from The Wicker Bar! Besides being a complete sweetheart, she also has a KILLER wit and I constantly wish that I was just 1/10th as funny as her. This is going to sound so geeky, but Sarah is just SO awesome and cool, I kind of want to be her when I grow up (and she's like 6 years younger than me.) She is one of my closest friends, and I'm super excited that she agreed so share some of her sweetness (and awesomeness) here today!

I have a lot of favorite pictures, but this one is a current favorite. I'm totally besotted by Twin Peaks at the current moment. Kyle Maclachlan is pretty easy on the eyes, so this picture of him and Lara Flynn Boyle is basically the sweetest thing ever right now.

Garden State is one of my absolute favorite movies. The whole thing is very bittersweet yet hilarious, but this scene is particularly touching. I can't describe it without totally giving away the story, so you should definitely watch it!

To be honest, I don't bake/cook as much as I'd like to...mostly because whenever I do, I end up eating the entire tray of brownies or whatever I've made! For a margherita pizza, I just kind of toss it together, but I do something along the lines of this recipe from Pink Parsely. Then for dessert I'd whip up some Trader Joe's truffle brownies, or grab a few Minty Newman-O's if I was lazy ;)

Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie
I've loved this song since forever, it seems. It's such a summer song, and it's PERFECT UGH. I'm disgusted with how perfect it is. The whole "Plans" album is just incredible as it is but I'll never stop loving this particular song. Can't you just picture driving with the windows down to this?


My two friends, Chris and Kevin, like to drop by my house unannounced from time to time. Last summer they showed up at my doorstep, so I let them in. Chris immediately went to the pantry to fetch the box of Wheat Thins, and Kevin sat down at the counter and picked up a newspaper. I was getting something out of the oven, so I was too preoccupied to notice them making themselves at home. I turned around to Kevin intently reading the paper, and Chris on his blackberry munching away - in silence. I stared at them for a second, then said, "You know, I'm really glad you guys came over to spend time with me!" obviously testing them. Neither of them looked up, and they both replied with a spacey, "No problem, we love coming to your house," and continued reading/eating. I burst out laughing because it was like something out of a movie. They snapped out of it, and then we took a trip to PetSmart at 9pm so they could buy beta fish. I have the craziest friends.

posh frock friday

dress - modcloth

cardigan - calvin klein (ross)

shoes - karmaloop

belt - vintage

In the continuing saga of my all-consuming obsession with tv shows... last week I discovered Dead Like Me on Netflix and I am SO hooked. It's about a girl named George who, on the first day at her new temp job, gets incinerated when a fiery toilet seat comes hurling out of the sky right in her direction. Once she's dead, she learns that she has a new job -- a grim reaper. It's an incredibly offbeat dark comedy that's made me cry just as often as it's made me laugh. If you're looking for a new netflix instant obsession, I highly recommend it! Unfortunately it was cancelled after only two seasons (why are all the good shows so short lived?!) but if you need proof of its brilliance, it was the brainchild of the same guy who created Pushing Daisies!

ps. I did an illustrated version of this outfit on Flapper Doodle today! :)

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What is your favorite short-lived show?

star stuff

I saw this gif on tumblr recently & absolutely fell in love with it. "Just right" -- the perfect description for our little planet!

I'm kind of nationalistic (planetistic?) when it comes to Earth. Sure, Neptune and Saturn are pretty cool (haha) but Earth is downright awesome! Aside from the fact that when viewed from outside our atmosphere, ours is definitely the prettiest planet --our blue, green and white marbled sphere looks so beautiful suspended against the darkness of space-- it also is home to the most intelligent life form in the known universe. Its environment fostered a species that evolved to create civilizations and invent technology. Can Mercury say that? Um, no. And the mere fact that cats call our planet home is all the proof I need that Earth is superior to that feline-free wasteland, Mars.

To be honest, I could care less if I am a Brit, an American, an Italian or a Canadian. I am an EARTHLING, dagnabbit! and proud of it! Three cheers for the blue, green and white!

twenty passions

dress - modcloth

cardigan - old navy

shoes - h&m

belt - old navy

Yesterday Marya posted a list of things she's passionate about, and I thought it would be fun to come up with my own list! I had a hard time keeping the list from turning into a roster of my favorite tv shows, movies and food, but I did my best! Also I formatted them in a non-linear way since I like the way this looks (what is wrong with me?)

These are in no particular order:

classic movies // grapefruit juice // the x-files // the color salmon

cats // pizza // eureka // eyeliner // books by kurt vonnegut

carl sagan // dirk bogarde // the 1960's // pretty dresses // pink hair

potatoes // existentialist fiction // my mom's apple pie // the spice girls

1960's pulp novel covers // a good night's sleep


Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What are your biggest passions?

wishlist wednesday

1. C'est Parfait dress from Modcloth // $59.99

2. Cat Carrier necklace from Modcloth // $11.99

3. Pyramid metal tip clutch from ASOS // $31.03

4. Kelly pleat dress from Topshop // $90.00

5. Five heart knuckle ring from Forever 21 // $3.80

6. Double triangle earrings from Nasty Gal // $55.00

7. Delicate arrow ring from Urban Outfitters // $12.00

8. Glittery athena heels from Fred Flare // $37.99

9. Cream weave bow belt from Miss Selfridge // $19.29

10. Miss Me perforated oxford flats from Urbanog // $18.20

11. Wide brim hat from Forever 21 // $12.80

un, deux, trois

remixed item: detachable collar from luminia

outfit 1: dress - modcloth // tights - uo // shoes - h&m

outfit 2: dress - h&m // belt - h&m // shoes - modcloth

outfit 3: dress - ross // belt - old navy // shoes - modcloth

I've been so so so so tired lately I just want to stay curled up in bed all day, like a cat. It got me to thinking... you know how factories are only supposed to be able to emit a certain amount of carbon into the atmosphere, but they can buy carbon credits from other polluters? That way there's only a certain amount of pollution, but it doesn't necessarily have to be dispersed evenly. Well, that's how sleep should be. Some people are "I'll sleep when I'm dead people" .. they should be able to buy awake credits from people like me, and I'll do an extra amount of sleeping for them.

I'm sure this is making absolutely no sense (probably because I'm tired, but also because I'm always coming up with really bizarre science fiction ideas.. they're just usually reserved for my family's ears) but I think it would be kind of brilliant. I think sleeping is a great way to spend time, and I sure as heck enjoy it, so it would be pretty darn awesome if I could sleep for a living. Okay.. I should go take a nap now before I really scare you away ;-D

ps. Did you enter the blowfish shoes giveaway yet? International entries are A-Okay! :)

pps. I re-opened my blog design shop on etsy! Check it out here!

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What is your dream job? (pun intended..)

Style Idol - Sheila Mumby

//image links back to the source

ps. outfit post from this morning & an awesome shoe giveaway! :)

sunshine on a cloudy day

dress - modcloth

belt - modcloth

After dinner on Father's Day we went to Princeton for dessert, and then sat around the fountain on the University campus until about 10pm. It was SUCH a nice evening! There weren't too many people at the fountain, so it was really quiet and peaceful, just listening to the water trickling and birds flying around the trees nearby.

For dessert we went to Thomas Sweet on Nassau Street. The shoppe smells SO good inside, and they have one of those wacky mirrors that makes you look really short and wide -- and it's actually from a Fun House in the 1930's! It's pretty neat to think that people have been laughing at themselves in this mirror for over 75 years! :)

ps! I did a re-design for Andi's blog! Take a peek here! :)

Do you want to comment, but have no idea what to say? Trust me, I've been there! So to make things a little easier, here is a question you can answer if you can't think of anything else to say! :)

What is your favorite carnival ride? Mine is the tilt-a-whirl!