idle hands

   Because I am not in school yet like the rest of my fellow graduates, my time is being spent at home, usually alone. Sometimes it seems really sad. And then I see all of the tweets about the terrible homework, papers, and tests and things seem much better. I haven't had such a lack of stress since I was 4 years old. I haven't spent a fall not at school since I was four years old. And it's my favorite season. So how exciting will this be. All I have to do is ignore my father's constant and unoriginal comments about me not being in school and not having a job. And for the record, I'd love to have a job. 

   So what should I do with my free time? Oh, I have ideas. First idea, write a screenplay. I've had an idea for a movie since this time last year, but I was in my senior year and had no time. Now time is all I have. But it's about a topic that I am not particularly familiar with so step one: get a library card. Step two: immerse myself in baroque. I've even read a guide on screenwriting. I have it bookmarked. I'm in chapter four.

   And speaking of research, I want to research careers in fashion. From about 8th grade until my junior year of high school, I wanted to be a fashion designer/stylist. Anything like that. Anything and everything fashion. But when I told my English teacher, he looked at me with both sympathy and exhaustion. You silly girl, no one from Martinsville does those kinds of things. But then he told me I was one of the best writers in his classes, leaving me to believe that this was a sign. A sign that I was supposed to be a writer. And of course I love writing. But it's not the best creative outlet for me. I prefer a visual kind of creative. So with the premiere of the new season of project runway came a spark. My interest went right back to fashion. So I've been visiting the Art Institute of Indianapolis's website. And listening attentively to the AI commercials. And I watched the Rachel Zoe Project and bought Vogue. I mean I literally got all choked up when I saw the four Mary Katrantzou dresses in the October issue.

   And my newest project idea is my bedroom. I visited Lowe's and Walmart this evening to pick up some paint samples to paint my big book shelf (which holds one shelf of books and two shelves of DVDs). And I want to make a duvet cover and curtains because my walls are a really great but unique color. I've been feeling confident about my sewing since the three dog beds I made a couple of weeks ago. Add a couple of paintings/posters/photos and we've got a whole new look but not too much work. Oh, and I need to paint my curtain rods. I'm thinking of going vintage, aged, classy. Lavendar, darker purples. Old electronics and books. And new fake flowers. Love picking out flowers. They look great in unconventional substitutes for vases. Like the giant Cedar Point mug I got from

 Goodwill. I'm really excited about doing some productive and creative things. Feel free to leave me with any advice or ideas. I welcome words of wisdom.

No one will care about this but me...

   Strangely enough, I have been thinking a lot about my senior year of high school. More specifically, the significant events of my senior year and the misconceptions about them. Prom, for example. I, like many others, had this idea that it would be exactly like it is in movies and teen dramas. I thought there would be some girl who wouldn't sell the sweet gay kid a ticket resulting in an anti-prom, like on Dawson's Creek. Or maybe a previous stalker would come back and try to kill some girl and her friend, like on One Tree Hill. Okay, I didn't think those exact things would happen. But I was afraid of the horrifying dresses, drunken escapades resulting in suspensions, and sex in the back seat of the limo. That's what Hollywood told us it would be like. And even though there were some disgusting dresses, my friends and I looked incredible and had tons o' fun. It was strictly a fun trip there on a Colts bus, an entrance to "shots!," pictures, dining, and dancing until our feet bled. There were very few cliches. But plenty of moments that we talked about for days afterward. And moments we will talk about forever. I can't wait for certain pictures to resurface. It was everything I never thought it could be.
   Now Spring Break. Parents think they know what Spring Break means. You darn teenagers just want to go drink and live in sin. NO. We want to be with people we love doing things that define our youth. I don't talk about the brands of booze. There was no nudity. No shameful behavior with the opposite sex. We took pictures and made memories that still make me laugh. Thanks to facebook, I can relive it everyday. I was never in any danger. We were smart and responsible. We came home unharmed. With the exception of a finger smashed in the sliding door to the chill zone. Oh how I miss the chill zone. If only it could have come home with us. We all sat around the table playing cards, talking, laughing. Oh how scandalous. Rotten kids. This version of Spring Break doesn't apply to everyone of course.
   Everyone talks about how they just can't wait to graduate high school. They want to get out of their hometown and away from the people they've been around their whole life. Great. Everyone needs that. Branch out. But that place, those people, they gave you some good things, too. You probably have some friends from high school that you will never forget. God knows I do. And the nights out, the parties. Those were in your hometown, right? Or in the general area. So represent. Everywhere has it's bad and it's good. Inspiration coming from Patrick Stump's new single "This City." Which is great. Go listen.

Fall fashion Maehem style

   Fall is the best season for numerous reasons. The weather is perfect. The changing leaves are gorgeous. And the clothes you get to wear are the best. After a long, scorching summer of shorts and tank tops with few creative opportunities, I am ready for layers. And Jeans! And this Fall I am seeing 70s. Love it. I already purchased two pairs of bell-bottom jeans. I recommend Old Navy's skinny mini flares. They have the dramatic flare I love. And they are reasonably priced of course. Just make sure to try on any pair you plan to buy. Even if they are all the same style, they will fit you differently. Just trust me. And mid-waist looks great with this shape of pant.

   Suede ankle boots and chunky wedge heel booties in neutral colors are my shoes of choice. Found some incredible boots at Goodwill. Always check there first! They also look cute with cuffed bootleg jeans. I love the booties that lace up the front. And wedge heels with the coverage of a boot are really comfortable and sensible so you don't look silly just wearing them to a movie or dinner.

   The summer trend seemed to be loose fitting tees that hit just at the top of the pant. I'm thinking it will continue into the fall but in fall colors (neutral/earth tones). And I love a good button-up tied at the top of your jeans. And in muted 70s colors. Maybe even with a classic funky 70s print. Always try Goodwill or vintage clothing stores first. I can't stress that enough. You'll find the real deal and it's so much rewarding to find it rather than seeing it as soon as you walk into urban outfitters. Plus it will probably be 1/3 the price or less.

    I am also loving zip-up or button-up sweater vests. And no, not nerdy argyle sweater vests. But chunky, solid, neutral color sweater vests. With a cute basic v-neck or lace or waffle tee underneath. 

   Now accessories. Skinny belts!!! Love them. They've lasted a couple of seasons now and I hope they last a couple more. I don't particularly like jewelry but I love a couple of funky homemade bracelets. And maybe a great edgy ring. Gold. Opal. No fake diamonds. Nothing too big and showy. I am over giant cocktail rings. They are too fancy for me. I don't have much to say about accessories. They are just a distraction. A great outfit with personality doesn't need ornaments.

   I wore a mustard yellow button sweater vest with an off white lace tee underneath. And bootleg jeans cuffed with a skinny belt and suede brown ankle boots. Wearing this, I was approached by two young gentlemen. So I believe the styling was effective.

And the Oscar goes to the rightful box office hit!

I, a film enthusiast, checked my flixster/rotten tomatoes app like I do every week on my wonderful, but incredibly intimidating, Android phone. I must keep up with the latest hits and busts and box office standings. Today I was searching for showtimes for The Lion King 3D (can't wait for that by the way), when I noticed that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 was still in theaters and was maintaining a fresh tomato status of 96%. One of the highest I've ever seen. This reminded me of Rolling Stone's Peter Travers and his review of the film. And I couldn't help but fast forward to this years Academy Awards show. Like Travers, I expect to see some Academy recognition for the most successful, and not to mention BEST film franchise of all time. The films have been nominated for the nerd awards of course. But I'm looking for best actor and best picture here! I know the pretentious Academy snobs typically feel inclined to choose the artistic and unwatched film where nothing happens but a nothing that means something. But I'm over it. I'm hoping that because they've upped the nominations to 10 rather than 5, the film may actually make it's way into the group. And because the Academy is terrified of Harry Potter fans (and by george, they should be), maybe they could be bullied into choosing what I, and many other fans, deem the best film in the series. And the best film of the year. I'm not going to review the movie. You've all seen the movie. But if I see one more film like The Hurt Locker winning Best Picture, I think I may just decide to be a Tupperware or needlepoint enthusiast instead. Don't get me wrong, they are always emotional, well-written and extremely watchable films. But I will never buy Ordinary People or Annie Hall or Ghandi on DVD. But I have The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars, and E.T. And I watch them all of the time. And quote them. They are the films that we usually call our favorites. But because they made so much money at the box office, because they result in action figures and dolls, they can't be Oscar worthy. If Harry Potter gets snubbed again for the 8th and last time, muggles all over the country will go bloody mad. We are so emotionally invested in these films that we want them to be seen as something more than a box-office smash. The final movie was so well-written, well-acted, and emotionally organized. It made me laugh and cry and cheer and clap and smile. It broke my heart to see it end. But an Oscar may fix that right up.