"Your mind is playing tricks on you, my dear"

So the summer is quickly winding down, and I'm down to the last 10 days of work.  I'm so excited to just be back home with my family.  It's been a lot of fun being quasi-independent this summer, but I'm ready to laze the rest of the summer away.

Earlier this week, I received a package from asianicandy.  I don't remember if I'd mentioned this earlier, but I won a $25 gift certificate to asianicandy from Flattery.  I ordered two necklaces and a pair of dark purple tights.  While I can't wear the tights now (it's triple digit temperatures here), I can show you the necklaces.

Camera pendant.  It's super cute and larger than I thought it would be.

I've been wanting a timepiece necklace for so long and I'm so glad I've finally gotten one.

And when I opened it, it was the correct time!  :)

Another note, I've discovered Miss Keiko Lynn's wonderfully gorgeous blog.  In the past few days, I've gone through four years of blog posts, reading a good portion of them.  I love the way she reconstructs and thrifts, and it's gotten me wanting to go thrifting really bad.  But I said I wouldn't spend any more money on clothes until August, so I won't.  (However, I won't count buying a sweater at Goodwill for $6 when my parents visited last week...what can I say, I'm weak.)

Currently listening to: "Little Talks" Of Monsters and Men

"I haven't felt this alive in a long time"

Last Friday night (no Katy Perry reference intended), me and a friend went to a concert at the Norva.  The main act was Kishi Bashi and the two opening acts were Sea Monster and The Aragona Project.

The venue was absolutely gorgeous.  It's a large open floor, right up to the stage.  My favorite part was the chandelier hanging from the enormous, three story ceilings.  My pictures just don't do it justice.

Opener Sea Monster and the cartoon drawing of me that he did.

Me and the lead singer/guitarist of The Aragona Project.  They were great live, and he was really cute, so I had to get a picture..

My friend, Jack, and Kishi Bashi.  He was beyond amazing; I've never heard anything like him.

Outfit picture I took in a hurry before the concert.  I knotted a large white pocket tee from Goodwill, shorts from Goodwill, some knee high socks, and my old black Vans.  I had to crop out my face; I was doing something crazy with my face.

Post title are lyrics from "Manchester" by Kishi Bashi.  It was amazing hearing this song live.  My family also visited yesterday, and while the weather was pretty dreadful for both Friday and Saturday, this was one of my favorite weekends of the summer so far.  :)

Currently listening to: nothing, as I am at work..again

I'll Be Alright

I'm just going to come out and say it.  Passion Pit has canceled six of their initial tour dates, including the one I was going to.  This Friday.  :(

I wasn't so much upset as disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see them.  As I told my sister when I called her, this would've been my first "real concert experience."  And by that, I mean the process of "I like this band.  I wonder if they're playing near me, I'd really like to see them.  Oh they are, let's buy tickets.  Tickets acquired.  Win."  (Yes, that is how my train of thought flows)  I've been to concerts before, but this would've been an amazing experience.

But it isn't all bad news.  One of the opening acts, Kishi Bashi, is playing the Norva.  I've heard that Kishi Bashi is good live, so I'm hopeful.  I'm listening to them again and liking what I hear.

My parents are also coming down this Saturday and there's a beach excursion planned, so look forward to a post about that soonafter.

Here's some stuff by Kishi Bashi though.  There's nothing like discovering a new band.

"Bright Whites" Kishi Bashi

 

"Manchester" Kishi Bashi 

Title from a Passion Pit song, of course.  A bit of mourning is in order.

Friday the Thirteenth

The heat wave has finally broken and it was a very refreshing 85 degrees today.  And on my day off, too.  I spent most of my day in CW again; reading, napping, but mostly taking in the beautiful day and sights.

I played around with editing some of the pictures I took with GIMP.

After filling up my mug with some cold cider, I laid out a blanket in the lawn of the Governor's Palace:

Benefits of going to the second oldest college in the country: the academic buildings and campus in general are gorgeous.  Today I wore my new sandals, white cami, crochet vest from Charlotte Russe, and my newly sewn Goodwill shorts.

Currently listening to: "In the Heights" (I'm watching a recording of the musical on Youtube)

"Let me be your ride out of town"

As you all know, I had the fortunate chance to go home for a couple days this past weekend.  When I got home, I was met with a pleasant surprise.  I had belated birthday presents from my sister, a postcard from my roommate, who was studying abroad in Prague, and my Modcloth package.  So needless to say, I was like the typical 'kid at Christmas.'

While the 'Stylish Surprise' I received from Modcloth isn't really my style, I'll find a way to make it work.  The material itself is fairly lightweight, so I'm thinking tights, belt, flats, and chunky cardigan?  Nice outfit for fall.

 

The presents from my sister were all Jersey Boys related.  :)  Which ties in beautifully with my current "revival" (see what I did there?) for Broadway and musicals.  I got a songbook, a Fallen Angel keychain, and a poster.

For dinner one night, we made spring rolls, or gỏi cuốn.  Having meals back home always makes coming back to school that much harder.

Some ingredients (to feed a small army):

Before rolling:

Finished product:

I'm glad I had my time to relax, but now it's back to work for me.

Currently listening to: "Run Away With Me" Josh Henry

Looking good for 236.

Happy birthday, America!

While I spent most of my Fourth of July at work, I swung by a 4th of July event on the other side of campus.  Living in a colonial city, I would've loved to have been able to spend the day in Colonial Williamsburg and the re-enactors.  There was even a dramatic reading of the Declaration earlier today.  Of course, I would expect nothing less.  There's a fireworks display later tonight, so that should be fun.

And tomorrow, drumroll please, is my visit back home!  I look forward to seeing my family, my belated birthday present from my sister, and my Modcloth package!  Hopefully, I'll also be able to buy a new camera.  Nothing too spectacular, just a new one so I can leave my current one at home.

  

After work, I put on a red top from Ross, some jeans turned shorts, and my trusty old Vans.

I'm thinking of wearing this top to the concert later this month.

I even tried to celebrate Independence Day through my food.  There's nothing like fresh fruit during the summer.

Currently listening to: "Goodbye" Aaron Tveit (from the musical, Catch Me If You Can, which I'm quickly becoming obsessed with)

"I'll hold your hand, my dear"

Like most of the eastern coast, it's been a hot and muggy 100 degrees for the past few days.  And if it isn't heat, it's tornadoes and thunderstorms.  There isn't much one can do in this type of weather, so I've been cooped inside.  I hadn't mentioned this earlier, but I bought a pair of corduroy merlot jeans from Goodwill a week ago for $4.  And as per usual, I cut them into shorts and hemmed them.  I think I'm getting better with simple hems.

But I've also been looking up new music and in my stumbling around, I've found the Narnia of Youtube, "the other side of Youtube."  It's a bit odd to me; it's like everyone's under some sort of spell.  Everyone's so excited to have found this "other side of Youtube," there are no 'typical Youtube arguments,' and the music's just good.  It's as simple as that.

In my search, I came across the Swiss-German group, Boy.  They're two girls; their songs are so calming and the singer's voice is really special.

Fitting; it's called "July."

"Drive Darling (Mahogany Sessions)" Boy

One of my closest friends from home visited me yesterday.  :)  We hung out, caught up, and watched movies.  "Midnight in Paris," which is amazing and gorgeous, my roommate will probably be happy to know that I finally saw it, and "Drive," an action film starring Ryan Gosling.  It sounds strange, but it was surprisingly very good.  So thumbs up to both movies.  Also..we made butterscotch and chocolate haystacks, I couldn't resist.  Delicious, but probably not the most healthy snack choice for a movie.

Currently listening to: Boy, of course