It’s been pitch black all morning, and I’m still not quite used to it which makes me question why I adjust so easily to the beginning of Daylight Savings but not the end. For reasons unbeknownst to me, the darkness is absolutely confusing, and the adjustment only gets more difficult as I get older.
In addition to the darkness, it has also been raining all morning and for the past few days. Rain is my absolute favorite weather in the whole entire world, especially when I get to drink coffee and relax all day. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily what’s happening right now, because it is midterm week, but I’m looking forward to relaxing this weekend! Now, I’m just hoping the rain will stay…
As promised, I made this playlist a few days ago, and it’s filled with all of my favorite songs to listen to while it’s rainy (imagine that). They’re all pretty, soft, relaxing songs, some happy & some sad. Most are of the indie rock/alternative acoustic/etc. variety, although I do listen to all kinds of genres! However, indie rock/alternative/acoustic/and the like typically tend to be my favorite. Feel free to comment songs you would add!
You can follow the playlist on my Spotify – just look up heysaralynn, and the playlist is called Rainy Day! If you are not involved in the Spotify thing, the songs are posted below, and you can make your own playlist however you choose!
Creature Fear by Bon Iver
Slow It Down by The Lumineers
England by The National
Lua by Bright Eyes
Big Jet Plane by Angus & Julia Stone
Ooo by Karen O
Asleep by The Smiths
100 Million by Charlie Hilton
Call It Fate, Call It Karma by The Strokes
Depreston by Courtney Barnett
Your Fine Petting Duck by Devendra Banhart
You Can Do Better by Deathcab for Cutie
You Really Got a Hold on Me (cover) by She & Him
New York, I Love You by LCD Soundsystem
Mardy Bum by Arctic Monkeys
Green Aisles by Real Estate
Hannah Hunt by Vampire Weekend
Trailer Trash by Modest Mouse
Without You by Oh Wonder
Agnes by Glass Animals
The Start of Something by Voxtrot
Nostalgic Intellect by Peter Bjorn & John
Bit by a Dead Bee Part II by Foxing
Light House by Future Islands
Be Mine by Alabama Shakes
Marjorette by Beach House
Dust Bunnies by Kurt Vile
Unrequited Love by Lykke Li
Sailing to Nowhere by Broken Bells
New Day by Deep Sea Diver
Fade Into Me by Mazzy Star
Sea of Love by Cat Power
Red Eyes by The War on Drugs
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
To Be Alone with You by Sufjan Stevens
Life's a Dream by Built to Spill
Evaporar by Little Joy
In the 3+ years that I have been blogging, I realize that I haven’t really written much in the way of music. Sure, I’ll throw in some music references when blogging a recipe or outfit, and I might mention an album I’m currently digging every once in a while. And of course, I always do my “song of the day” at the end of each post. If you go onto my ‘me in a nutshell’ page, you’ll notice that I list about 846 bands/musicians that I love. But I’ve really slacked on actually writing about music.
???
So, in an attempt to connect with some of my music-loving readers (as well as other music lovers), I’ve decided to write a post every once in a while about some of my favorite albums. Since it’s way too difficult for me to pick my overall favorite albums, I decided just to limit the post to what I listened to this summer. (That doesn’t mean that I only listened to a few albums this summer, either. I listened to sooo many…still, I need to have some limits or this could go on for days). Some of the albums are newer, some are older, some of the bands are together, some aren’t. The point is that these are some really great albums regardless of how old they are. Here’s to the end of summer!
*These albums are in no particular order.*
1. The Strokes-Is This It
Oh man, where to begin? The Strokes are just wonderful. When I found out that they would be playing in Hyde Park while I was visiting London, I bought the ticket immediately. I didn’t even have a plane ticket at the time. Yeah. That’s how bad I wanted to go (notice Julian’s face up there in my header picture? Concert pics whaddup). Is This It is an instant classic in my book. The lyrics are simple, yet relatable. The music is raw, edgy, and has a classic rock sound while still remaining post-punk. It’s a mix of everything you’ll ever want in a good, solid rock band.
Also, I’m sorry for saying whaddup earlier. I’ve been watching too much How I Met Your Mother…
2. Little Joy-Little Joy
Little Joy has been one of my favorite albums for years now. Although it is perfect for any time, I especially love it on road trips. I think most of it has to do with listening to it on repeat while driving to San Francisco for vacation a couple summer ago, but I think it also just has that relaxed “no worries” vibe that comes with summer. Rodrigo Amarante and Binki Shapiro’s voices are lulling, with a sort of old-fashioned feel. Their sound is light and catchy. Breezy almost. These guys know what they’re doing. If I could see any broken-up-band live, this would be my choice.
(P.S. Fabrizio Moretti, drummer of The Strokes, was in the band too. What can’t he do?)
3. Courtney Barnett-Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Courtney Barnett is just straight cool. There’s really no other way that I can describe her. In my mind, she’s that one mysterious girl in high school that nobody really knows, but everyone wants to be her friend, because she’s just so cool. Listening closely, I think this vibe is reflected in her music. She reminds me of a female Bob Dylan in some ways. She sings about every day life. About people’s thoughts and feelings. She even sings about normal inanimate objects. Her songs are not complex, yet they are. Just do yourself a favor, and listen to this album.
4. Vampire Weekend-Modern Vampires of the City
Vampire Weekend is one of my all-time favorite bands. I remember listening to them when I was a young teenager, maybe even a pre-teen. However, I never fully appreciated them until this album came out. It was only then that I really started listening to the lyrics and their use of unusual instruments in an indie rock setting. They’re one of those bands that is able to make their albums sound different while still sounding like Vampire Weekend. Their lyrics are poetic, their sound mellow, with a few upbeat tracks thrown in every once in a while. Everything you want while sitting around semi-drunk with your friends on a late summer night.
Also, Ezra Koenig is probably the love of my life, but that does not mean I’m biased in any sense.
5. Mac DeMarco-Another One
This album is new guys. Really new. But I knew I could trust Mac DeMarco, because well, he’s Mac DeMarco. He can’t do much wrong. I’ve never come across another artist that is quite as experimental as he is. His music is raw and laidback. I love that everything he produces sounds like he just sat down with an acoustic guitar and started playing whatever came to his mind (which is kind of what he does). When this album came out, I kept an open mind. But I knew that in the end, it would be a exactly what I want out of his music. Thanks, Mac. Truly.
6. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers-Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty is one of my favorite classic rock artists. I have very fond memories of swimming in the pool at my childhood home, my dad keeping an eye on me while he BBQed chicken and vegetables, and this album playing on the fake-rock-painted speakers. Every time “American Girl” comes on, I can practically smell the sweet mix of BBQ smoke and chlorine.
7. Karen O-Crush Songs
I have this theory that my spirit animal is the lovechild of Karen O and Zooey Deschanel. Sadly, this combination is not realistic or possible, but I still love them individually, of course. When Karen O debuted Crush Songs, I was pretty stoked and for good reason. In Crush Songs, Karen O was able to create a sound that is both feminine and edgy punk. It is pretty much everything that I have always wanted to create on my own but have not been able to accomplish. Thank you Karen O for being such an inspiration for all those women who love punk but have a hard time finding legit female punk artists.
8. The Lumineers-The Lumineers
This album has a sweet, nostalgic sense that comes with the folk-indie genre. Although I would not necessarily classify The Lumineers as folk, there is definitely a prominent influence which perfectly compliments the summer-feel I was looking for. Beginning with “Flowers in Your Hair”, this album starts out with tales of fond memories of a past life and continues the story-telling theme with slower, sadder songs such as “Dead Sea” and “Slow it Down”. Calming, catchy, and candid, this is the album to listen to while spending an intimate evening on the patio.
9. Bright Eyes-I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is by far the most popular Bright Eyes album there is. Conor Oberst, the man behind the twangy guitar and slow drawl of a voice, is an expert in writing honest, raw music. There’s a large part of me that believes that most of the album was written behind a closed bedroom door, the lyrics taken straight out of his personal diary. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning is one of those albums that almost everybody likes. That album that, when you turn it on, everyone goes, “Ohhhh…I forgot about this song. I love this song”. If you’re ever at a bonfire, there will inevitably be a guy with an acoustic guitar slung around his shoulder. Ask him to play “Lua”.
10. Modest Mouse-Strangers to Ourselves
If there’s one thing to be said about Modest Mouse, it’s that they always deliver. Every time a classic punk band comes out with a new album, I get nervous. I’m perfectly aware that no band wants to recreate an album that they’ve already made, but I still want them to sound familiar. Modest Mouse is able to accomplish this tedious task so perfectly, and Strangers to Ourselves is proof of that. If you’re ever looking for the ultimate grunge-y album to play at a party, throw this one on. Everyone wants to jam to this album.
11. Paul McCartney-RAM
While in London over the summer, a new friend nervously recommended that I listen to this album. Claiming it to be the original, indie album, his suggestion immediately intrigued me. 1. I love indie music. 2. I was in London, so I had to listen to The Beatles, or at least Paul McCartney. I listened to the whole album in one sitting, and I have to say, I was impressed. While a few songs such as “Oh Woman, Oh Why” were familiar, most of the album was a completely new experience for me. Rest assured, the album was Sara Lynn-approved.
12. The 1975-The 1975
As I said earlier, I was in London this summer (wait, did I tell you that I was in London this summer…???), so basically The 1975 was playing everywhere. The British are very proud of their artists, and they should be. The 1975 has such a hip aesthetic that is hard to compare to any other band. Punk-rock with a few splashes of pop, it’s a fun album to throw on when you want to have a solo-dance party in your Honda Pilot on the way to your morning coffee stop. Or while sitting in a Geek Squad shop in the basement of a London-based technology store. Either works.
Happy back to school for most college students/students in general!
And if you’re one of the lucky bastards that doesn’t start classes again until September…you can just keep quiet in the back there.
Just kidding (mostly), but I am super jealous and I hope you’re having a wonderful summer break.
Anyways, I started school on Monday so RIP to my brain. In just a few short weeks, I won’t be able to talk about anything but balance sheets and the 4 P’s. But until then, let’s just enjoy the semi-normal Sara Lynn that loves to cook and dress up and talk about music and is successful in getting a post up on her blog on an almost-weekly basis, yeah?
Since I am back in school now, it means I can’t use the “…but I’m on summer break” excuse anymore. That’s when I eat whatever I want/don’t work out/avoid paying off my credit card for one more day/don’t bother getting the mail for 2 months/avoid all adult responsibilities/etc. because I’m on summer break and I want to hike or lay in bed and watch How I Met Your Mother. It’s not something I’m proud of, but I really only get to be a lazy college kid for a couple more years, so let’s just not worry about it.
Anyways, now that I’m waking up for class every morning, it also means that I’m eating chicken, brown rice, and veggies and working out 3-4 times a week.
If you have similar eating habits, you probably know how boring chicken and brown rice and veggies really are. And that’s why food blogs exist. To break the mundane and try out new recipes and gain the trust of our readers so that, they too, can have more exciting eating experiences.
I promise that this chicken is really delicious and tastes like lemon and rosemary–and is not boring at all. I had it with a Greek salad only, but I think next time I’ll make lemon-sage rice because that would make it even better.
I’ll leave you with the recipe and hope you’re happy knowing you can eat healthy and have really, really amazing food.
It’s a wonderful feeling.
Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken breast, cubed
1/4 c. olive oil
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar*
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Bamboo or metal skewers**
*Red wine vinegar would also be good, and have more of a Mediterranean flavor. I just ran out and used what I had in the cupboard!
** If using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water so that they do not burst into flames while grilling.
In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients except the chicken. Place cubed chicken in a plastic Ziploc bag, and pour marinade over the chicken being sure it is completely covered. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat the grill to a medium high heat.
Remove chicken from marinade and discard leftover marinade. Thread the chicken onto the skewers.
Spray the grill with a cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place skewers on the grill and cook, turning every few minutes, for about 15 minutes, or until juices run clear.
Serves 4.
In non-chicken related news, I have started an Instagram page for all of my posts! Just follow serendipitybysaralynn, like my posts, tag me if you make my recipes, etc.! I love reading your comments and talking to my readers, so please share with your friends so I can talk to even more people!
(See. I did at least one productive thing during my summer! Go Instagram!)
Have a wonderful fall semester, college students.
Have a wonderful fall, everybody else.
*Song of the Day: Coffee and Pie, oh my! by Brightside*
*A new band I’ve been really into lately! Not all of their music is on Spotify, so check out their bandcamp: https://brightsidepgh.bandcamp.com/
I have some really fun things to share with you guys this week, because I just got back from a weekend in Paris with my best friend! (Shout out to my BFF Hannah. She’s my #1 reader).
Unfortunately, I did not get as much time as I wanted in Paris (there’s so much to do!), but I will be going back in the near-ish (?) future, and I will definitely get everything accomplished on the next trip!
Paris is pretty much exactly what you want it to be, which means that I may have eaten my weight in cheese, bread, and wine. But it’s fine.
Probably.
Maybe.
(RIP cholesterol.)
I also found chocolate croissants. I died a little. Seriously, the hype is justified.
And I don’t just say that about any croissant.
Really I don’t…
Here are my happy things for the week:
Rave bathroom! When we got to our hostel in Paris, we immediately noticed that the bathroom was bathed in black light.
(Haha, get it? Bathed. Bathroom. Okay.)
Anyways, it was really fun to take pictures in.
And also made it really hard to put on eyeliner…
Macarons! Please note: this is a macaron. The yummy little coconut balls are macaroons. And it is an important difference for somebody who loves baking as much as I do.
Anyways, I really wanted to get some macarons in Paris before I left. This morning, I took two metros, got lost, and walked for half an hour to find Laduree, which I’ve heard so many rave reviews about.
I haven’t tried them yet (I’m trying to wait until after dinner!), but if the price speaks for the quality, then they’re probably pretty damn good.
I’ll update you soon.
Fancy drinks with glow sticks! Perfect for our rave bathroom! We ended up at this fun little bar last night around happy hour. Happy hour = 5 euro Cosmopolitans that taste like really delicious cranberry lemonade.
They’re dangerous, and also taste much better with a glow stick.
Plus, the bartender let us have 5 euro drinks even after happy hour was over.
He was quite a guy.
Basque food! Somehow, we randomly ended up at this little French/Basque restaurant. Coming from Reno, where Basque food is suuuuper popular, I was stoked! It is one of my favorite cuisines, and I actually got to have it in France! Very exciting day for Sara.
Also, we sat next to legit Basque guys.
They told us all about being Basque. We pretended that we understood them.
Gay marriage is legalized in the U.S.!!! I’m so proud of our country. I wish I could be there to celebrate but since I’m not, I’m sending my love and support from the U.K.!
Go America and love and equal rights!
Song of the Day: Can’t Take my Eyes Off You–Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons
(Which is actually being played live outside of my dorm window right now. Cool!)
I’m super stoked about doing my second “happy things” because I’m finally in London and I have soooo much stuff to share with you!
For now, I’m only going to share my happy things, but when I get back from London expect a really long, detailed London post (or two). I’m having the best time here making friends and exploring London. Not to be too cheesy here, but London is very serendipitous. Also, most of the pictures aren’t great because they were taken on my iPhone, but you get the idea. I’ll have better pictures later, but for now I’m just too antsy to edit!
Can you tell I’m a little excited?
I’m kind of really excited!!!
Here are my happy things for the week:
What you see here is me in the midst of utter joy, because I was standing right in front of Big Ben. Also the London Eye. I’m so in love with it that I actually want to go back just to get more pictures like this. No, I don’t have a problem. Not one that I’m willing to admit to anyways.
This bakery & coffee shop is called Bloomsbury Coffee House. It’s pretty close to my dorm, so after class I decided to stop by and grab a coffee. They really know what they’re doing, and I will be visiting again. I plan on writing a review of the coffee shops I visit while I’m in London, but for now just look at this cute little set up they have going.
Gelato!!! Just go to Scoop if you’re in London. Okay? Just do it.
I got amaretto and pistachio. I almost always get nutty “old-people” flavors. It’s actually a joke in my family.
This demo version of “You Only Live Once” by The Strokes. I actually like this version a *little* better, but don’t tell anyone. I’m posting this because I SAW THE STROKES LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS PRETTY MUCH THE BEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO ME.
But that’s a story for another day.
For now, have a lovely weekend, and I will update you soon, soon, soon!
I hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday night. (It’s Thursday right??) (Probably).
Anyways, I am currently in Las Vegas for a night before I leave for London. Even though I’m not there yet, I thought I would start with “my happy things” to kick things off and prepare for blogging abroad.
Here are my happy things for the week:
The trailer for Inside Out! Like many people (mostly kids, I presume) I’m obsessed with Pixar/Disney, so I was super stoked when I first saw the trailer for this. That was about a year ago, so this movie is a long time coming. I’m not sure when the release date is in London, but since my mom is also crazy about kids’ movies, I’ll probably have to wait to see it with her anyways.
These tulips in my kitchen. I’m not sure where they came from (I imagine my roommate got them for his girlfriend), but I don’t care because pinkish purple tulips rock regardless of where they came from.
Spending a day at Tahoe with one of my best friends! I have a theory that there is no way to be sad if you are in Tahoe. It’s just not even a possibility.
Drinking coffee and reading my Bon Appetit at my favorite coffee place. This is totally the usual, but I never complain when I have a pour over and a magazine full of beautiful food pictures.
The pretty quad at UNR. My iPhone does it no justice, but it’s truly one of the most amazing places on campus.
Fun fact: Every single time I walk through the quad, “Campus” by Vampire Weekend pops into my head. Without fail. Every time.
This video of one of my favorite bands/albums. The Lonesome Crowded West is an amazingly nostalgic album even if you’ve never heard it before, and I always find it very raw and emotional. Lately, I’ve really been on a Modest Mouse kick (actually, when am I not?), so I was really excited to stumble upon this video. I haven’t watched the whole thing yet, but I definitely will be tomorrow during my 2 hour layover.
Other random things that made me happy this week:
Eating Mexican food with my dad and grandpa tonight after my plane landed. Going home to the house I grew up in and seeing my puppy. Finding a really amazing thrift store dress at half price (will make an appearance soon).
More happy things to come soon!
I can’t wait to show you all of the amazing things I find in London and Paris! Ah!
Song of the Day: Long Distance Drunk–Modest Mouse
P.S. I made the header picture from scratch all by myself using PicMonkey! That website roxxxxx.
Today (tonight) (at midnight) I will be talking to you about bodies!
Mostly your body (or my body in my case) and insecurities and confidence.
But first, about these pictures……
I decided that I wanted some updated piano pictures of me. The only ones I have are old, and since playing piano (and music in general) is a huge passion of mine, I wanted some for general uses.
As for my outfit: I decided to stage the pictures to look how I would in every day life. Generally, if I’m at home, I’m wearing comfortable clothing. I especially love sweaters, socks, leggings, flannels, etc. Hence the sweater and socks. I also decided to keep my piano how it looks like if you walk into my house. I decorated it a little differently than I normally do, but this is what my life looks like on an average day.
(I also tried pictures with nothing on my piano, which turned out pretty boring.)
Now on to bodies! While taking these pictures, I was kind of nervous. 1. My hair was a mess and kind of wavy from having it in a ponytail all night. 2. My makeup was not as perfect as I would normally like for pictures, and 3. I wasn’t sure if the outfit would end up looking like I was trying too hard to be “sexy” (you know, in that way you see girls looking on the Urban Outfitters website like they’re so nonchalantly sitting in a meadow or something wearing a t-shirt and their underwear). I was worried that having thigh high socks on with really short shorts would seem slutty, or if I would be judged by others based on my looks. I’m not a model, after all.
In addition to be worried about my hair/makeup/outfit, I was worried about my body. Under no circumstances have I ever felt that I am overweight, or thought that I had anything truly wrong with my body.
But like most people, I have wanted to change some things about my body. I have wanted my legs to be longer and my midsection to be curvier. My body in general to be curvier. I have wanted to be taller, bigger boobs, prettier skin, skinnier thighs. Even though I am small, I have still had insecurities.
Every time I have expressed these, I always get things like, “But you’re so skinny!” “You’re so little!” “You’re like, what, 100 pounds?”
And while all of those things are true (because I am naturally that way), I still have had insecurities about my body. There seems to be this misunderstanding that being small/skinny/little means we do not have insecurities. But being small/skinny/little oftentimes means having no boobs/butt/curves. It oftentimes means that we have bodies similar to that of 13 year old girls.
And listening to somebody complain about their flaws they have for themselves while undermining the flaws I have for myself is a little bit annoying.
And while taking these pictures, all I could think was, “Will these look okay?” Because I knew that I would not look like those models on the internet, whose legs go on forever. Who have meticulously applied eyeliner and mascara to look like they aren’t wearing any at all. Whose hair is perfectly tousled because they “woke up like this”.
But when I actually took a look at the pictures, I didn’t care at all.
Because I loved how I looked in the photos. I loved my wavy hair. I loved that my body looked like mine. I loved how my legs didn’t go on forever, and my sweater was baggy, and my makeup wasn’t perfect. Because I’m not a model.
I love how if any of you were to see me in real person, you would still recognize me from these pictures.
For the last year or so, I have become so incredibly confident about my body. I find myself judging my “flaws” less and less. Because they are not flaws. They’re made up problems that I have in my own head. They’re not real. They’re only real to me because I let them be that way.
I’m not sure where it came from exactly, but I have some ideas. For starters, at the beginning of last year, I broke off a couple bad relationships (one in particular that made me feel especially bad about myself). I formed some new great ones. I had people in my life who made me feel beautiful and empowered. They reminded me that I was beautiful and liked me for things I didn’t even like about myself. They encouraged me. Out with the negative, in with the positive. Some of those people aren’t really in my life anymore, even just a year later, but they still had a huge impact on my confidence, and I am so grateful to them for that.
I also just decided that I was fed up with the discouragement I was giving myself. I was tired of the bullshit that I kept telling myself over and over. I decided to learn to love myself for who I am.
So while I’m sure it’s nice to be tall with perfect curves and long legs, I don’t care because I am who I am. I love being the cute small girl with bangs and oxfords. I like that I am different.
And I like that these photos came out kind of sexy.
Not lingerie-in-your-face-obvious kind of sexy, but subtly sexy. Like how girls actually look when we’re hanging around our house (because unlike girls in movies/ads/perfume commercials, we don’t just hang out in lacy underwear all day with a perfect chignon and red lipstick).
Ever since I have started loving my body, I have been so much happier. Every time I think about something I would like to change, I can so easily ignore the negative thoughts. Of course, I still have my bad days. But I always know that I’m still pretty in my own unique way.
I’m fit, I’m healthy, and I like who I am as a person.
Sweater: Forever 21 Shorts: Old Socks: American Apparel
And I love these pictures, dammit.
The whole point of this is that we cannot change the way we were made. It’s easier to learn to love your body than to obsess over how much it bothers you.
I ♥♥♥ my body.
I hope you love, or can learn to love yours too.
Because as cliche as this seems, everyone is beautiful.
XO Sara
Song of the Day: “Body”–Karen O (more about relationships than anything, but empowering nonetheless).
This title may sound weird but it is definitely true. Tuesday is not my friend.
But not just this Tuesday, every Tuesday. Tuesday to me is the Monday to most people. If that makes sense. Why do I despise Tuesdays so much you ask? Because on Monday, I can accept that I have to get up at an ungodly hour, try to put on my makeup still half asleep, eat a breakfast I’m not hungry for, and then spend 4 hours at school before completing the numerous tasks I have to do at home.
But then I have to do it again on Tuesday?! Ughhhhhhh.
If I could choose the events that occur throughout my Tuesday, it would include these activities (in no particular order):
Eat Chinese food (preferably for breakfast)
Blog.
Have somebody bake me a cake that is not myself.
Buy clothes.
Stare at my ceiling.
Eat Chinese food.
Eat cake.
Eat ice cream.
Make a craft I’m not obligated to make.
Write a song.
Eat Chinese food.
Sleep all day.
Watch “Friends”
I wish life were like that. However, since it’s not like that I try to make the best out of my Tuesday.
Things I found particularly good that made my Tuesday a little better:
Making these confetti cupcakes. They were so delicious (sorry, no recipe. Then there would be no reason for my cupcake business ;))
My piano. Because I love my piano.
Running shoes. Because even though the thought of working out makes me cringe, I feel so much better afterwards.
And lastly, the summer weather. Only about 14 days of school left and I’m ready!
Clearly, this is my new attempt to make the hard days a little better, so if I post these once in a while, just work with me here. Okay, now what you came here for. How to shrink TOMS!
This year for Prom I decided to wear TOMS with my dress. I bought them but when I tried them on they slipped right off my feet like flip flops 🙁
Sorry about the pictures. They were taken at night time.
I wanted to shrink them in the wash, but I guess that will tear them to pieces. Which I expected. I mean, come on, handmade shoes won’t hold up being thrashed around in a medal cylinder.
Here’s how I shrunk my TOMS the easy way!
Rinse your TOMS with hot water trying to avoid the leather part. This will be really hard to do, and you will probably stop caring and give up. It’s okay, it will dry. They might stink a little though, so use some odor powder to rid of that!
Set them out where it is hot! Since I’m in Vegas, that was not difficult. Next time though, I will dry them outside. I just did it in the garage, and it was not as hot as I expected.
When they’re dry, put them on! They should shrink about 1/2-1 size. If they are any bigger than that, return them.
Here’s a picture of my and my boyfriend on Prom. You can’t see my shoes but this is the dress they went with. I’m so excited to see the pictures taken by our photographer! Really can’t wait.
Also, it’s already 107 degrees in Vegas. IN MAY! This is getting crazy. If you’ve never been in extreme heat like that, then you know why I’m so distraught.
