Cat Lady

I love cats. I fully intend to be a crazy cat lady when I grow up. One who drinks tea nonstop and runs a vintage store and reads a book a day and dances in the street and dresses like these lovely ladies. 

Life goal, right there.

Therefore, I instantly fell in love with this dress. 

 

I'm also in love with the location of our shoot today. This is the Felt's Log Cabin on campus, part of our Kentucky Museum. The entirety of the cabin is beautiful, but these bright yellow doors are particularly so. I love the bright pops of color with the rustic wood!

Today has been oh so lovely, mainly because it's FRIDAY! Not that my life is any less hectic on weekends -I have rehearsals all day tomorrow and shows on Sunday and Monday - but that means that in two weeks I will be home for winter break! Looking forward to being finished with finals.

Outfit Details:

Dress - Same Old Chic (Courtney of The Style Playlist's shop)

Beret - Street Scene

Oh! And I made a squirrel friend on the way home!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday! xoxo

Blackout

Black: the main color in my wardrobe. And somehow what I found myself entirely clothed in today. 

Obviously Anna Lee and I haven't quite kept up with our Outfit Photo Challenge, due to a sheer lack of time. The semester is coming to an end, meaning it's rush time for rehearsals, shows, tests, and projects. Last night I had rehearsal for Kiss Me, Kate until midnight and then studied for an accounting test until three a.m.! It's been a bit busy...

Yet we've not completely abandoned the challenge and were able to get a few shots today.

I've been getting bored of my regular old ballet bun for dance class each morning, so I decided to switch it up today with a french braid wrap. Any other suggestions for fun alternatives to the ballet bun are welcome!

Hope everyone is surviving the end of the semester rush! 

Music/Movie Monday!

It's been a few days since I last posted, as I've been enjoying the last bit of Thanksgiving break. Unfortunately, school resumed today, and let me tell you, it is going to be a struggle getting through the next three weeks before Winter break! 

But onto more interesting things...

Saturday night I saw Skyfall with my parents. It was my first Bond movie, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! My dad, who has seen every Bond movie, wasn't quite as enamored with it as I was, but even he approved for the most part. Personally, I thought that while it dragged occasionally, it was a nice blend of action, violence, seduction, and psychological drama. Most impressive to me, though, was the acting. Spectacular performances all around, but Javier Bardem as Silva, the villain, was the stand-out. What a brilliant performance and unusual character!

So go see Skyfall! I will certainly be catching up on my Bond movies.

Related, is today's musical selection, la di da. I've been playing the title song for the movie, by Adele, nonstop for the past couple of days.

I loved the opening credits set to this song at the beginning of the movie. The animation was beautiful. I'm a huge fan of credits at the beginning of the movie, they're always so fun and creative. Honestly, I'm just a fan of credits in general. I always stay to watch the credits of a movie. Perhaps it's because I'm studying to be an actor myself, but so many people have put in their time and effort to create the movie I just enjoyed, so I always want to give them their dues. 

Have any of you seen Skyfall? Thoughts?

Pumpkin Butterscotch & Chocolate Chip Bars

Finding a need to get rid of some butterscotch chips before they expired, I made Pumpkin Butterscotch & Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars for Thanksgiving dessert today. Took this recipe and adapted it slightly. They turned out quite nicely, in my opinion. Warm and gooey, with no one flavor overpowering the others.

Sorry for the picture quality, but we were anxious to eat them.

Anyway, the recipe is as follows if you'd like to give them a try!

[Adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars recipe, which they adapted from Martha Stewart]

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 Tbsp cinnamon (I'm a fan of guesstimation, obviously)

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp apple pie/pumpkin pie spice if you are so inclined

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

Assortment of butterscotch and chocolate chips, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. With a stand or electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Add pumpkin puree and mix well. The mixture will look somewhat curdled. Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

3. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake bars for 35-40 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

4. Cool bars completely in pan. Cut into squares and serve. [Or just devour them from the pan without regard for presentation]

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has come at last and it did not disappoint. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, food, and family, what more could I ask for?

Watching the parade is a tradition in my family, although I only really watch for the Broadway shows and Rockettes! I really enjoyed the performances today, particularly Cinderella's. I'm looking forward to its revival, especially with Laura Osnes in the lead. She is one of my biggest role models. I wasn't enamored with Annie's performance, though, as I'm not a huge fan of the musical. Bring It On was enjoyable...wondering if I'll get a chance to see it before it closes on December 30! The best thing for me, however, was Elf's performance because I hadn't realized a former teacher of mine was in the show again! What a nice surprise to turn on the television and see her on the screen!

Besides the parade, my day has been fairly uneventful; just cooking, eating, and relaxing. And when I say eating, I mean it. I've probably gained 5lbs today, but it was worth it!

Thanksgiving cards for my parents to thank them for all they do.

Dad and his turkey

Dessert is the best part of Thanksgiving, in my opinion.
Above: 7 layer cookie bars courtesy of my father

 Below: Pumpkin pie, an absolute must on T-Day

Our other dessert offerings included: Dutch Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Butterscotch/Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, Flourless Chocolate Cake & Gingerbread Cakes

Can you say FOOD COMA?

But of course, the best part was spending Thanksgiving with family. My lovely sister took this picture, but asked not to be included in any photos on the blog. Alas, you will not get to see her beautiful face yet.

Outtake! My dad and his antics. He's rather proud of that fig he has in his mouth as he grew it himself!

All in all, a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I have so much to be grateful for: a healthy family, friends around the world, loving pets, being able to take a few days to relax, the opportunity to study at university, the opportunity to perform, the material luxuries my family has been able to enjoy, delicious food on the table...the list goes on and on. And I truly am thankful for it all, each and every day.

I hope everyone had as pleasant a Thanksgiving as I did and that an immense amount of delicious food was enjoyed with people you love! xo

City of Bones

Since I've had some free time today, I started rereading Cassandra Clare's City of Bones. It's the first book in The Mortal Instruments series. If you enjoy fantasy series, I highly recommend it. And if reading is not for you, I first ask you to question your life choices, and second, invite you to watch the movie trailer.

[From the Sony Pictures YouTube]

Things you should know about me: I adore reading, and fiction/fantasy series are my favorite. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Mortal Instruments...you name it, I probably love it. More than love it, actually, I'm likely obsessed. 

I strive to live my life as though I were Isabelle Lightwood from this series.

Have you read City of Bones? Are you looking forward to the movie? Any book recommendations? Let me know in the comments below!

Home for the [Thanksgiving] Holidays

Thanksgiving break has officially begun! Looking forward to watching the Macy's Parade and enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with my family tomorrow.

In the meantime, I've been shopping, napping, and reading. Days like today remind me of two things: how thankful I am to lead the busy life I do, and how nice it can be to take a break occasionally.

~

Since my mom wanted to walk around the mall a bit before the stores opened, I threw on a comfortable outfit to join her.

 

Outfit Details

Shirt - Modcloth

Leggings - Forever 21

My lovely mother manned the camera today!

It's odd, I used to be a firm believer that leggings are not pants, but this year that belief has gone by the wayside. They're so comfortable and easy to move in! How can I resist?

~

My backyard is full of quirky treasures, like this fairy.

Shadow                                                Moose

Seeing my animals again is lovely. 

~

Shopping trip yielded some nice purchases, including these teal loafers, socks, and pants! Pants shopping is the bane of my existence. It legitimately terrifies me because it's so hard to find ones that fit properly since women's sizing is so odd. Luck was on my side today, though!

~

I leave you with a few shots of my cats. My blog (and life) would be incomplete without them.

Hunny Bunny

Piglet

Hope everyone has a delightful Thanksgiving tomorrow! I'm thankful for all of you <3

Dressed in Burgundy for Break

As I type this, I'm sitting at home, surrounded by cats, dogs, birds, family, and food! I am content.

Since I knew the next few days would be full of eating and lounging, I thought I'd dress up for the last day before break. 

Took pictures around the kissing bridge near Gordon Wilson today.

Outfit details:

Dress - Forever 21

Tights - Discount Dance

Combat Boots - DOTS

Lion Belt - Street Scene

Necklace - Vintage

Pretty sure this is the last time for a few weeks that I'll be able to wear this dress, because of how much I'll be eating over the holidays!

~

On a separate note, the feasting has begun! Went out to dinner at The Village Idiot with my parents tonight.

Duck and Waffles

My dad with his gargantuan Idiot burger.

My mom and her Duck and Waffles.

Crab cakes! Also had some delicious baked brie and pomme frites for appetizers.

~

Hope everyone who went home for break had a safe trip! Enjoy the days off!